Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: olaftab on January 19, 2025, 12:15:15 AM
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What: UEFA Champions League
When: Tuesday 21 January 2025 Kick off 17:45 GMT, 18:45 CET
Where: Louis II Stadium, Fontvieille, Monaco
Here we go again, off to the not so sunny climate of south of France and Monaco at this time of the year.
AS Monaco have so far had a mixed season both in Ligue 1 and UCL. Their recent French League form is not impressive however they are sitting comfortably in CL to possibly go through to the play-off round. This is a match that we should be aiming to win.
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We'll batter them, and Goldie.7 will break the bank at Monte Carlo.
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They've not won in 4. They lost heavily to Arsenal and PSG in December but otherwise haven't lost by 2 or more goals since 13th January last year.
This will be tricky and I expect a tight affair.
We will have too much for them.
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You've gone very early with this. Hope it ain't bad juju.
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It's our next game, and less than three days away. Seems fair enough to me. When I'm not actually required to attend, I do like these early kick-offs.
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You've gone very early with this. Hope it ain't bad juju.
The match is in two days
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Monaco 1 (Prost) Villa 3 (Hill (G), Hamilton, Moss)
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It's our next game, and less than three days away. Seems fair enough to me. When I'm not actually required to attend, I do like these early kick-offs.
I'm two hours ahead at the moment, so a pleasant 19.45 rather than 21.45 suits me down to the ground.
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Went to Monaco and it's not for me. All yachts, casinos and paying stupid amounts for a bottle of water. But the one thing that was impressive, was the stadium, with the tiled roof.
Hope we stuff the tax dodging w*needs!
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You've gone very early with this. Hope it ain't bad juju.
The match is in two days
Yeah but we were still bouncing off the ceiling from the last half hour at the Emirates.
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Old Monaco / Villa joke.
What's the difference between Princess Grace and Gordon Cowans? Gordon Cowans can take corners.
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For anyone getting a connecting flight at Paris, move as quick as you can. The queues today were terrible for security and passport control. You have to do passport control at CDG not Nice. I only made the Nice flight by the skin of my teeth! And then only because I moaned at a security officer who let me queue jump
Good luck!!
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Old Monaco / Villa joke.
What's the difference between Princess Grace and Gordon Cowans? Gordon Cowans can take corners.
Fun fact that I found out the other day, think I posted it in the Things I Learned thread but nobody gave a shit so I'm posting it again: Grace Kelly designed Monaco's diagonal style kits.
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For anyone getting a connecting flight at Paris, move as quick as you can. The queues today were terrible for security and passport control. You have to do passport control at CDG not Nice. I only made the Nice flight by the skin of my teeth! And then only because I moaned at a security officer who let me queue jump
Good luck!!
It’s a long way between the two gates as well. The only good thing about a 6am flight this morning!
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I see the French FA did them a favour by having them play their league game on Friday. Meanwhile we will be playing our 4th game in 10 days.
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I see the French FA did them a favour by having them play their league game on Friday. Meanwhile we will be playing our 4th game in 10 days.
Couldn’t really have played ours on Friday, as we’d played on the Wednesday.
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4-0 Villa.
FTF
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2-0
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I see the French FA did them a favour by having them play their league game on Friday. Meanwhile we will be playing our 4th game in 10 days.
Couldn’t really have played ours on Friday, as we’d played on the Wednesday.
Not the point I was making at all...but you inadvertently helped make it.
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I see the French FA did them a favour by having them play their league game on Friday. Meanwhile we will be playing our 4th game in 10 days.
Couldn’t really have played ours on Friday, as we’d played on the Wednesday.
Not the point I was making at all...but you inadvertently helped make it.
Sorry, I thought you were saying the FA could have moved ours.
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Would like to be going to this one , not that Monaco is my flavour , Nice is ok . Keeping my powder dry for KO stages hopefully . UTV enjoy !
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I see the French FA did them a favour by having them play their league game on Friday. Meanwhile we will be playing our 4th game in 10 days.
Couldn’t really have played ours on Friday, as we’d played on the Wednesday.
Not the point I was making at all...but you inadvertently helped make it.
Sorry, I thought you were saying the FA could have moved ours.
No, just the general fixture pile-up and the fact that other FAs help their teams in Europe.
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Apparently , no alcohol sales in Monaco on match days. ( Google says the same)
Surely they won’t do that will they ?
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Apparently , no alcohol sales in Monaco on match days. ( Hôtel says the same)
Surely they won’t do that will they ?
Maybe to football fans , no way other institutions will stop serving their clientele.
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For the first time ever , I totally agree with you.
But who knows how they’re going to “police” that.
Now wishing I’d stayed in Nice for the three nights!!
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Apparently , no alcohol sales in Monaco on match days. ( Hôtel says the same)
Surely they won’t do that will they ?
Maybe to football fans , no way other institutions will stop serving their clientele.
They will if they want to keep their licenses. It seems it has been going on for years, however the Stadium is literally on the border so apart from the near stadium ban probably on both sides of the border, it is not far to find a place in France to drink from.
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Apparently , no alcohol sales in Monaco on match days. ( Hôtel says the same)
Surely they won’t do that will they ?
Maybe to football fans , no way other institutions will stop serving their clientele.
They will if they want to keep their licenses. It seems it has been going on for years, however the Stadium is literally on the border so apart from the near stadium ban probably on both sides of the border, it is not far to find a place in France to drink from.
Maybe a few bars near the ground , that will be it .
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Maybe a few bars near the ground , that will be it .
So all of them (on the Monaco side).
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I know a few going and all staying in Nice, so playing to have a few beers there before the game and train it in.
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Maybe a few bars near the ground , that will be it .
So all of them (on the Monaco side).
There won't be an all out ban of alcohol in Monaco because villa are playing .
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Maybe a few bars near the ground , that will be it .
So all of them (on the Monaco side).
There won't be an all out ban of alcohol in Monaco because villa are playing .
He's making the point Monaco is small, Tim.
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Maybe a few bars near the ground , that will be it .
So all of them (on the Monaco side).
There won't be an all out ban of alcohol in Monaco because villa are playing .
He's making the point Monaco is small, Tim.
Yeah understand that , just pointing out the majority if not all hotels , casino etc won't be closing their bars because of a football match .
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Maybe a few bars near the ground , that will be it .
So all of them (on the Monaco side).
There won't be an all out ban of alcohol in Monaco because villa are playing .
He's making the point Monaco is small, Tim.
Yeah understand that , just pointing out the majority if not all hotels , casino etc won't be closing their bars because of a football match .
They will.
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Maybe a few bars near the ground , that will be it .
So all of them (on the Monaco side).
There won't be an all out ban of alcohol in Monaco because villa are playing .
He's making the point Monaco is small, Tim.
Yeah understand that , just pointing out the majority if not all hotels , casino etc won't be closing their bars because of a football match .
They will.
Supermarkets and convenience stores too.
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Interesting curio. Why were we playing a friendly game in Feb? Were we out of the FA Cup and short of fitness? Did H&V make its print debut? So many possibilities...
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Part of a tour by the sound of it. There was already a thread on it, as per link below. I didn't spot Wenger in their dug-out.
We were out of the cup but that was a Tuesday night so unaffected, we still played in both surrounding weekends.
https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=51461.msg2531948#msg2531948
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Do Monaco still have that terrible pitch?
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Maybe a few bars near the ground , that will be it .
So all of them (on the Monaco side).
Except for one hotel apparently!
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I can see us getting a 2-1 win.
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Flying out from BHX at 6am tomorrow. Flight connects to Nice via CDG, and just realised there is only 45mins between landing and the gate closing on my Nice flight! Looks like I've got to navigate from terminal 2e (not sure which 'zone' yet) across to 2f, so it's going to be bloody tight having to pass through security too!
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Tough game to pick a team for given a hard game at Arsenal on Saturday evening. Maybe one for Bailey and Duran to come back in. Little option to rotate most of the back 4 and Kamara. Buendia could also come in at 10.
Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne
Kamara, Tielemans
Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey
Duran
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Interesting curio. Why were we playing a friendly game in Feb? Were we out of the FA Cup and short of fitness? Did H&V make its print debut? So many possibilities...
I remember going to this, my last year at school in our 2nd division season (early 1988), and it being bloody cold!
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Maybe a few bars near the ground , that will be it .
So all of them (on the Monaco side).
There won't be an all out ban of alcohol in Monaco because villa are playing .
It is not because Villa are playing, it has been going on since at least 2016. Probably only for European matches but that might be the only ones reporting it in English. For example one of the bars posted a facebook page before a match in Sept 2016 stating no alcohol will be sold the next evening.
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We're going to win this 3-1.
Duran, Rogers & Bailey.
Their goal will come from a catastrophe at the back :)
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I am checking how to keep passport, credit card, phone etc safe from pick pockets with no bags allowed in the ground.
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Flying out from BHX at 6am tomorrow. Flight connects to Nice via CDG, and just realised there is only 45mins between landing and the gate closing on my Nice flight! Looks like I've got to navigate from terminal 2e (not sure which 'zone' yet) across to 2f, so it's going to be bloody tight having to pass through security too!
Did you make it? My friends missed it due to a delay taxing off
I only just made it yesterday after moaning at the (shit) staff
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It's tomorrow morning Aldridge.
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Oh ok !!
The one this morning was delayed taking off and then hit the queues. It’s definitely worth waving your boarding pass at staff in passport control to speed things up.
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Oh ok !!
The one this morning was delayed taking off and then hit the queues. It’s definitely worth waving your boarding pass at staff in passport control to speed things up.
Absolutely! I'll be primed and ready.... running shoes at the ready as soon as the plane opens those doors!
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Good plan !!
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Seems neutral tickets still available… I’m only 6 hours drive away so might head up there.
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The Neutral Section derby of Fulham v Monaco would involve musical chairs.
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We're going to win this 3-1.
Duran, Rogers & Bailey.
Their goal will come from a catastrophe at the back :)
Tall lad Catastrophe, very dangerous however a goal from him is like a Tsunami event.
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Flying out from BHX at 6am tomorrow. Flight connects to Nice via CDG, and just realised there is only 45mins between landing and the gate closing on my Nice flight! Looks like I've got to navigate from terminal 2e (not sure which 'zone' yet) across to 2f, so it's going to be bloody tight having to pass through security too!
I came over via CDG this afternoon and no queues at security and passport control so hopefully the same for you.
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1-1
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God I watch anything Villa love that !! , Who is that in Grey with Kayden Young ?
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God I watch anything Villa love that !! , Who is that in Grey with Kayden Young ?
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba
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God I watch anything Villa love that !! , Who is that in Grey with Kayden Young ?
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba
Cheers mate
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Alcohol sitcho (spoiler: we were allegedly naughty in Lille): https://www.journaldemonaco.gouv.mc/Journaux/2025/Journal-8730/Arrete-Ministeriel-n-2025-3-du-15-janvier-2025-interdisant-la-vente-de-boissons-alcoolisees-a-l-occasion-d-une-manifestation-sportive
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Flying out from BHX at 6am tomorrow. Flight connects to Nice via CDG, and just realised there is only 45mins between landing and the gate closing on my Nice flight! Looks like I've got to navigate from terminal 2e (not sure which 'zone' yet) across to 2f, so it's going to be bloody tight having to pass through security too!
Be aware it’s a tricky switch with the time you have: https://easycdg.com/
The goodish news is that even if things go tits up, the TGV to Marseille at 8:27 connects you to Nice by mid afternoon, in plenty of time for the game (and not dry!).
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It may be a tad difficult to catch 8.27 TGV to Marseille if on a 6am flight from here.
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My bad, assumed 6am was arrival. Have to go to Paris then, Gare de Lyon, 10:10 or 10:38, the latter connects in to Monaco at 6:15! Last orders!
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Alcohol sitcho (spoiler: we were allegedly naughty in Lille): https://www.journaldemonaco.gouv.mc/Journaux/2025/Journal-8730/Arrete-Ministeriel-n-2025-3-du-15-janvier-2025-interdisant-la-vente-de-boissons-alcoolisees-a-l-occasion-d-une-manifestation-sportive
I wasn't aware of any bother in Lille
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Massive game given the current Champions League standings. A win, no matter how fortunate, would be a great result.
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Friend of mine is currently in Monaco, he and his friends went into a hotel for a drink - 17 euros for a pint
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Made it with 15mins to spare. Currently waiting at gate for flight to Nice! Come on you villa boys!! 💪🏼 UTV
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That's a result. Get a beer on the plane!
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Friend of mine is currently in Monaco, he and his friends went into a hotel for a drink - 17 euros for a pint
I'd have thought they serve litres?
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Friend of mine is currently in Monaco, he and his friends went into a hotel for a drink - 17 euros for a pint
I'd have thought they serve litres?
If it’s 17€ a pint then you’re looking at, what, about 32€ a litre. I think I’d just stick to the pints otherwise rounds would be prohibitively expensive
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Waiting on tarmac at Frankfurt, flight delayed as Zurich airport has reduced landing capacity due to fog🤦🏾
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Friend of mine is currently in Monaco, he and his friends went into a hotel for a drink - 17 euros for a pint
That seems cheap 😳
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Massive game given the current Champions League standings. A win, no matter how fortunate, would be a great result.
Massive game financially too , a win and we are effectively through meaning a huge chunk of income confirmed .
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Alcohol sitcho (spoiler: we were allegedly naughty in Lille): https://www.journaldemonaco.gouv.mc/Journaux/2025/Journal-8730/Arrete-Ministeriel-n-2025-3-du-15-janvier-2025-interdisant-la-vente-de-boissons-alcoolisees-a-l-occasion-d-une-manifestation-sportive
I wasn't aware of any bother in Lille
Neither was I, but they're not wrong about the heavy alcohol consumption, multiple bars ran out of beer!
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Friend of mine is currently in Monaco, he and his friends went into a hotel for a drink - 17 euros for a pint
That seems cheap 😳
Monaco spoons.
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Alcohol sitcho (spoiler: we were allegedly naughty in Lille): https://www.journaldemonaco.gouv.mc/Journaux/2025/Journal-8730/Arrete-Ministeriel-n-2025-3-du-15-janvier-2025-interdisant-la-vente-de-boissons-alcoolisees-a-l-occasion-d-une-manifestation-sportive
As mentioned, they seem to do it for pretty much all the European home matches, but I suppose they need "legal reasons" to ban the sale. I mean Aston Villa have Ultras? The Olaftab masseef and maybe the Ads Bangers but we don't have that many.
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Praying for another not brugges away performance 🙏
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As mentioned, they seem to do it for pretty much all the European home matches, but I suppose they need "legal reasons" to ban the sale. I mean Aston Villa have Ultras? The Olaftab masseef and maybe the Ads Bangers but we don't have that many.
Haha…I read that just as I was about to take another swig out of my bottle of water at Zurich airport. It appears that lack of beer in Monaco today is the main topic of conversation amongst Villa here or it has been on the flights so far.
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Friend of mine is currently in Monaco, he and his friends went into a hotel for a drink - 17 euros for a pint
That seems cheap 😳
Monaco spoons.
During happy hour.
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An exciting location all be it a lacklustre stadium.
Albert is the only prince in attendance, but I predict a 1-3 victory with Watkins and Duran both scoring. I also think Konsa will score today .
Embolo with their goal. He is a striker, in my opinion, who belongs in the Premier League.
Golovin, the Russian star and World Cup hero, is entertaining when he plays, but I think Villa will be too good here and we'll win for a lovely 3pts It's a fantastic chance to place in the top 8, and Emery will undoubtedly plan for the win.
Those in attendance enjoy the game and also the trip and please be weary of the beautiful women who may distract you.
Up the Villa!
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This is where I'm against the new format, adding another 2 matches to an already overcrowded fixture list, still very much looking forward to this evening's match, going Villa by the odd goal, big Jhon to get the winner.
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An exciting location all be it a lacklustre stadium.
Albert is the only prince in attendance, but I predict a 1-3 victory with Watkins and Duran both scoring. I also think Konsa will score today .
Embolo with their goal. He is a striker, in my opinion, who belongs in the Premier League.
Golovin, the Russian star and World Cup hero, is entertaining when he plays, but I think Villa will be too good here and we'll win for a lovely 3pts It's a fantastic chance to place in the top 8, and Emery will undoubtedly plan for the win.
Those in attendance enjoy the game and also the trip and please be weary of the beautiful women who may distract you.
Up the Villa!
Of the many words that could be used to describe their stadium, 'lacklustre' would be amongst the last that spring to mind.
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Are we expecting Bogarde to start tonight then? Was there any word on McGinn returning?
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Are we expecting Bogarde to start tonight then? Was there any word on McGinn returning?
You could see him training on his own with coaches on the club reel
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In Brum today for work and based in the Jewellery Quarter - any tips on potential pubs to watch the game? Thanks all
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Alcohol sitcho (spoiler: we were allegedly naughty in Lille): https://www.journaldemonaco.gouv.mc/Journaux/2025/Journal-8730/Arrete-Ministeriel-n-2025-3-du-15-janvier-2025-interdisant-la-vente-de-boissons-alcoolisees-a-l-occasion-d-une-manifestation-sportive
Degradations on urban furniture and The Alcohol Empire
PMSL
Both featured on the John Peel show
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In Nice on the way to ticket collection. Spectacular flight from Zurich.
(https://i.ibb.co/9crcLN6/IMG-4203.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9crcLN6)
free online image hosting (https://imgbb.com/)
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Made it with 15mins to spare. Currently waiting at gate for flight to Nice! Come on you villa boys!! 💪🏼 UTV
Brilliant!
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In Brum today for work and based in the Jewellery Quarter - any tips on potential pubs to watch the game? Thanks all
Red Lion
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Thanks for the suggestion TV!
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Have all our away CL games been 1745 starts? Is it cos we're the ugly stepsisters or what?
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Have all our away CL games been 1745 starts? Is it cos we're the ugly stepsisters or what?
No. Leipzig was 20:00.
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Ah yeah, I was in Brazil 3 hours behind.
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An exciting location all be it a lacklustre stadium.
Albert is the only prince in attendance, but I predict a 1-3 victory with Watkins and Duran both scoring. I also think Konsa will score today .
Embolo with their goal. He is a striker, in my opinion, who belongs in the Premier League.
Golovin, the Russian star and World Cup hero, is entertaining when he plays, but I think Villa will be too good here and we'll win for a lovely 3pts It's a fantastic chance to place in the top 8, and Emery will undoubtedly plan for the win.
Those in attendance enjoy the game and also the trip and please be weary of the beautiful women who may distract you.
Up the Villa!
Of the many words that could be used to describe their stadium, 'lacklustre' would be amongst the last that spring to mind.
Context .for excitement.
Compared to most of Monaco!
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An exciting location all be it a lacklustre stadium.
Albert is the only prince in attendance, but I predict a 1-3 victory with Watkins and Duran both scoring. I also think Konsa will score today .
Embolo with their goal. He is a striker, in my opinion, who belongs in the Premier League.
Golovin, the Russian star and World Cup hero, is entertaining when he plays, but I think Villa will be too good here and we'll win for a lovely 3pts It's a fantastic chance to place in the top 8, and Emery will undoubtedly plan for the win.
Those in attendance enjoy the game and also the trip and please be weary of the beautiful women who may distract you.
Up the Villa!
Well back WIlliam ! 😁
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Can see this being 0:1 Villa, Rogers in the 2nd half. UTV
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Ah yeah, I was in Brazil 3 hours behind.
Sorry Eamonn, have you been to Brazil? You should have mentioned it😂
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Ah yeah, I was in Brazil 3 hours behind.
Sorry Eamonn, have you been to Brazil? You should have mentioned it😂
Our Eamon in Brazil?
Strewth.
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Ah yeah, I was in Brazil 3 hours behind.
Sorry Eamonn, have you been to Brazil? You should have mentioned it😂
Our Eamon in Brazil?
Strewth.
I know, they let anybody in now. ;)
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Looking forward to seeing the lineup here.
I think duran will start in place of ollie and maybe bogarde gets another start in midfield for onana as only changes
We really need to aim for 3 here. If ee lose we could seriously drop a lot of places tonight
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Had a quick look at their side for the last few games, their goalkeeper is behind Zych in the Polish international setup, and their centre-backs were bombed out of *this* Southampton (Salisu) and *this* West Ham (Kehrer) for not being up to standard.
It feels like we should be getting past that level of quality.
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They haven't won a league game since December 7th. I hope we don't give them a leg up and show them too much respect.
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Need a switched on good start - nothing stupid
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Nice full of Villa the last two days. Wonderful
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I really do think that 4 points from these 2 last games will not be enough to get us a top 8 spot. We need to win this.
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3 would be enough.
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Goal difference may play a part. I'm sticking with wanting the six points.
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Bailey starts
Very weak bench.
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Bailey starts
Very weak bench.
Do you think. ? Ramsey Duran. Maatsen ?
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By all accounts the player to look out for on their team is Akliouche.