Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on April 20, 2025, 10:04:02 AM
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Etihad, Tuesday 22nd 8pm.
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They are not what they used to be, another top performance please.
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A draw would keep things ticking over nicely and we'd be fully on track.
A win would be unbelievable.
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I think it would be very believable. We're the form team in Europe. About time we won at this awful depot of football-finance debauchery.
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Guardiola will know we're coming for their right side. Question is, what you gonna fucking do about it, mate?
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2-0
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Guardiola will know we're coming for their right side. Question is, what you gonna fucking do about it, mate?
Hopefully he will be thinking about it a lot, because usually when he thinks too much he seems to fuck things up.
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Guardiola will know we're coming for their right side. Question is, what you gonna fucking do about it, mate?
Absolutely this. I remember a few opposition coaches saying earlier in the season that "we know what they will do". Yes, indeed you might, but when we have a full squad to choose from you can know all you like, but it doesn't mean you'll stop us.
Yesterday was an amazing performance - as good as you'll see in the PL, from any side in any era. It was that good and 8-1 wouldn't have flattered us. Had Liverpool taken that Newcastle side apart like that you would be hearing about for weeks.
I'm pretty confident ahead of Tuesday.
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Tough one to call. Any other time you would think Citeh at their place in April is a loss. But we are hitting form better then they are and so it isn't a free hit that Emery might use to rest players, not that many need resting.
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Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Maatsen
Bouba
Tielemans
Mcginn
Asensio
Rogers
Watkins.
0-2 Watkins & Rashford off the bench
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Still a very tough place to go. We’ll need to play like we did yesterday to get a result.
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We have a great chance of winning this game the way we’ve played recently. Won’t be as easy away from home but our confidence must be sky high at the moment.
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1-1
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Tielemans has done very well as a number 10 and Onana good as well when taken up the defensive midfield role last two matches. I would go front six of Kamara, Onana - McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers or Ramsey - Watkins. Watkins has to start given his stand out stand in last time out. Martinez and Konsa only certain starters at the back.
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Guardiola will know we're coming for their right side. Question is, what you gonna fucking do about it, mate?
Hopefully he will be thinking about it a lot, because usually when he thinks too much he seems to fuck things up.
(https://i.ibb.co/rKgRyB4y/Rube-Goldberg-s-Self-Operating-Napkin-cropped.gif) (https://ibb.co/rKgRyB4y)
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When's the last time we won a league match up there? In my head it's about 15 years ago or something, but I'm hoping someone can remind me of a more recent result and make me look like a dumbo.
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I fear you're right. Shaun Maloney or Marcus Allback or some other equally mediocre shite grabbing the winner.
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Think we beat them 2-1 on the last game of the Season.
May have been Emile Mpenza with their goal.
Mark Halsey was ref, so an extremely rare Villa win.
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It was a 2-0 win in the 07-08 season I think . Joey the ****** Barton missed a penalty. Carew and Maloney I think for us.
Hang on though there was the infamous AET win in the League Cup under Lambert as well a mere 11 years ago.
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We have to win! We will!
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When's the last time we won a league match up there? In my head it's about 15 years ago or something, but I'm hoping someone can remind me of a more recent result and make me look like a dumbo.
In the league it was 28 April 2007 2-0 goals from Carew and Maloney and in the league cup 25 Sep 2012 4-2 goals from Barry, Agbonlahor twice and N'Zogbia,
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Own goal from Gaz Baz. He'd deserted by then.
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Good to see Garry Barry in the crowd at VP yesterday. He did a podcast last year which endeared me to him in how he spoke about the Villa. For years, his nonchalance and generic southern accent meant it was difficult to warm to him. But we shouldn't forget that Ginny wasn't our first captain with a powerful football arse.
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Can't wait.
For a few reasons.
I hate Grealish. I hate Manchester. I hate Guardiola. I hate how they've cheated their way to trophies. I hate their fans. I hate their Blue Moon song. I hate Haaland's face. I hate their accents. I hate how people refer to them as 'City'. I hate their lies. I hate their style of play. I hate their Poznan shite.
3-0 Villa.
FTF.
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Not keen then Smirker.
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Good to see Garry Barry in the crowd at VP yesterday. He did a podcast last year which endeared me to him in how he spoke about the Villa. For years, his nonchalance and generic southern accent meant it was difficult to warm to him. But we shouldn't forget that Ginny wasn't our first captain with a powerful football arse.
Not sure where exactly but he's obviously still local as he plays cricket for Temple Grafton most Saturdays.
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Perhaps that’s why Haaland is such a good striker - his minging face turns defenders and goalkeepers to stone.
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Unai to put the spitting twat on his arse so 2 0 villa
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Not keen then Smirker.
No! 8)
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I see an annoying 3-2 loss here.
To be fair they will just want this one out of the way. There are smaller kids in the playground.
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Think this will be a case of us having to outscore them as I can see us conceding 2 goals .
-------- Martinez ---------
Cash Konsa Torres Digne
---- Kamara - Onana----
Rogers -- Tielemans Ramsey
---Watkins -
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Missing McGinn again
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Missing McGinn again
Rotation. McGinn to start at Wembley .
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When's the last time we won a league match up there? In my head it's about 15 years ago or something, but I'm hoping someone can remind me of a more recent result and make me look like a dumbo.
In the league it was 28 April 2007 2-0 goals from Carew and Maloney and in the league cup 25 Sep 2012 4-2 goals from Barry, Agbonlahor twice and N'Zogbia,
Since that 2007 win, we have played 14 league games there and lost every one.
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This is the strongest squad we have sent up there in all that time.
Sadly they have hit some form of late.
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They’ve won the last two alright, but since the beginning of February our league form is pretty similar, them W5 L2 D2, us W6 L2 D2. Our wins more heavily weighted to the last month.
Looking at their remaining fixtures, I think they are pretty nailed on for top 4, perhaps top 3, unless their form dips massively again. I think they will see this as their pivotal league game and will want to put a marker down. I think, given our remaining fixtures, its pretty pivotal for us to.
Saying all of that, we are flying. Watkins was unplayable on Saturday, but Rashford was the same for the second half against PSG. The way Ollie spoke on Saturday, he will take it as a massive slight if he’s benched again, but I would be tempted and then start him for the cup S/F. McGinns also been our driving force lately, but again it might be good to start him fresh against Palace.
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne
Kamara
Onana
Asensio
Rashford
Rogers
Tielemans
Surely the run up there can’t go on forever?
2-1 us, Rashford, Malen (from the bench).
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We have to get right at them. They’re on a decent run, but it’s only really Palsce that’s an impressive result, and they could easily have been 3-0 down. If we play with the intensity and purpose that we showed at the weekend we will rattle them. I still think they’re fragile, even though they have loads of quality.
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When's the last time we won a league match up there? In my head it's about 15 years ago or something, but I'm hoping someone can remind me of a more recent result and make me look like a dumbo.
In the league it was 28 April 2007 2-0 goals from Carew and Maloney and in the league cup 25 Sep 2012 4-2 goals from Barry, Agbonlahor twice and N'Zogbia,
Since that 2007 win, we have played 14 league games there and lost every one.
I'm sure we won up there and Brett Holman scored but granted it might have been a cup game .
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When's the last time we won a league match up there? In my head it's about 15 years ago or something, but I'm hoping someone can remind me of a more recent result and make me look like a dumbo.
In the league it was 28 April 2007 2-0 goals from Carew and Maloney and in the league cup 25 Sep 2012 4-2 goals from Barry, Agbonlahor twice and N'Zogbia,
Since that 2007 win, we have played 14 league games there and lost every one.
I'm sure we won up there and Brett Holman scored but granted it might have been a cup game .
https://www.11v11.com/teams/aston-villa/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Manchester%20City/
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These are beatable. They have injuries and like us have a Cup semi final coming this weekend. It won’t be easy but we’re having this.
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I think these are the biggest wankers in England now, wankerism running through the clubs veins. Unai, do a number on them, leave Guardiola with scratch marks all over his head.
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Is there court case ever getting concluded . They should not be in the position they are in , it undermines all sporting integrity in the competitions .
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I've got to spend the week in Manchester for work, with an office/team full of absolute knobs, many of whom support Manchester City.
I'd really prefer it if we win this one.
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Guardiola hyping up the match in his presser.
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Guardiola hyping up the match in his presser.
And tapping Rogers up in the process.
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Guardiola hyping up the match in his presser.
He's full of praise for us, re the PSG match he says he was really, really impressed. Re our present form he talks about the speed we have, the set pieces and how incredibly organised we are.
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Guardiola hyping up the match in his presser.
He's full of praise for us, re the PSG match he says he was really, really impressed. Re our present form he talks about the speed we have, the set pieces and how incredibly organised we are.
Pretty much all managers big up the opposition before games.
It’s just pre match rubbish.
They are contractually obliged to do these pressers.
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I was more worried about playing Newcastle. Let's hope their fin de saison laxity continues and we wrap them up 3-1
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Guardiola just patronises us. That's all the praise is. Grealish was too expensive apparently.
Bald prick.
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Guardiola just patronises us. That's all the praise is. Grealish was too expensive apparently.
Bald prick.
Well he didn't need to pay the money.
We've done alright out of it.🤑
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Hopefully he isn't saying we were "so, so good" after the game because that's when he is usually patronising someone he has just tonked 4-0.
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Indeed, our record up there is atrocious. In fairness so is most teams in recent years, but ours is terrible for an extended period. We need to buck that trend.
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Indeed, our record up there is atrocious. In fairness so is most teams in recent years, but ours is terrible for an extended period. We need to buck that trend.
I don't like it when I'm feeling confident, and I am. Doesn't feel natural.
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To be fair to Guardiola, and I don't fucking want to be, he was pretty effusive in his praise when we beat them 1-0 last season. I think he just rates Emery.
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I'd start Rashford.
Keep Ollie for Saturday.
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Hopefully he isn't saying we were "so, so good" after the game because that's when he is usually patronising someone he has just tonked 4-0.
Whilst spitting in between sentences
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2-2 goals in Villa and goals in Man City a real battle and Villa will need to be at least as good again as against Newcastle and PSG.
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I would play Torres and Mings in central defence. We need leaders all over the pitch tomorrow so play Mings, Onana and McGinn.
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So risk a brand new partnership in defence? Not my cup of tea. I wonder if Grealish will be played to get Cash/Garcia booked.
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Indeed and Konsa has been good of late too.
Kind of need a result to keep this in our hands.
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The bald spitter tends to play Joe against us.
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The bald spitter tends to play Joe against us.
Only once I think
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We are going to need another sensational performance in this one.
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I was very much of the belief that C115y had hit form over the last few weeks and months. Having a peak at their results, the closest they've got to an impressive result is sticking 5 past Palace... But so did the geordies.
I think we win.
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1-1
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What’s happening with their charges? They seem very confident all of a sudden. I thought the outcome was due in March!
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Have we got any players on a booking away from a suspension. That wouldn't be good before Saturday.
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What’s happening with their charges? They seem very confident all of a sudden. I thought the outcome was due in March!
Keeps getting kicked down the road . Now they are saying summer at the earliest.
Given they spent best part of £150m in January I don't see them worried by this at all.
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I'd give their backline no time to dwell.... I'd go with this front 4. Strong, direct, and have the game put to bed by HT.
Watkins
Rashford Rogers Malen
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We were running on fumes when we went up there around this time last season.
This time we are bang in form and that 14 game losing run has to end one day.
For once I'm feeling confident of us going up there and winning for a change.
2-1 Villa.
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Emi
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne
Onana
Kamara
Rogers
Youri
Rashford
Watkins
Subs
Olsen
Garcia
Maatsen
Mings
Desasi
Ramsey
McGinn
Malen
Asensio
Missing out
Bogarde
Barkley
Bailey
2 2 I think.
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Emi
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne
Onana
Kamara
Rogers
Youri
Rashford
Watkins
Yup, this feels right to me too.
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Emi
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne
Onana
Kamara
Rogers
Youri
Rashford
Watkins
Subs
Olsen
Garcia
Maatsen
Mings
Desasi
Ramsey
McGinn
Malen
Asensio
Missing out
Bogarde
Barkley
Bailey
2 2 I think.
I would go with this, but Emery has indicated a couple of weeks back that he’s not quite ready to play Rashford and Watkins together yet. Hard to drop Ollie after Saturday, but think he might bring Rashford in and then have McGinn or Ramsey in.
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What’s happening with their charges? They seem very confident all of a sudden. I thought the outcome was due in March!
Keeps getting kicked down the road . Now they are saying summer at the earliest.
Given they spent best part of £150m in January I don't see them worried by this at all.
I actually saw their January moves as the opposite - "get the signings in because I suspect we might not be able to buy anyone in the summer!"
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A draw would keep us in it, but I think that if we are looking at getting back into the Champions League next season, a win would be massive. It would put real pressure on those just above us.
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I think the Forest result, makes this pretty close to must win. Obviously it’s not in a pure points sense, but given we’re playing in the cup and how fixtures are landing we could end up quite a way behind if we lose. If we win and get in front of them that would be massive.
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Emi
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne
Onana
Kamara
Rogers
Youri
Rashford
Watkins
Subs
Olsen
Garcia
Maatsen
Mings
Desasi
Ramsey
McGinn
Malen
Asensio
Missing out
Bogarde
Barkley
Bailey
2 2 I think.
I would go with this, but Emery has indicated a couple of weeks back that he’s not quite ready to play Rashford and Watkins together yet. Hard to drop Ollie after Saturday, but think he might bring Rashford in and then have McGinn or Ramsey in.
I think he meant as a two up top.
I'd go with this lineup too, though I'd have Barkley in the squad.
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Foden always scores against us. I think we’ll need at least 3 goals.
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After Saturday I'm strangely confident about tonight. Would be a massive win if we could get the 3 points.
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If it were at Villa I’d be confident, but we just have such a bad record there.
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After Saturday I'm strangely confident about tonight. Would be a massive win if we could get the 3 points.
Pre Saturday I thought we'd need to either win one of these or not lose both to stay in contention. Chelsea win was a curveball. Everton not hanging on was disappointing.
Whilst not a free hit by any stretch any points from this game would be akin to a bonus.
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Just had a quick chat with John McGinn. Chilling out before tonight at the hotel I have a conference in today... He said he was chilling but he looked properly intense and focused to me.
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Was it a chat, or did you just fall down at his feet wailing "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy".
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Don't feel particularly nervous about this one, as far more preoccupied with the FA Cup game on the weekend and anything gained here is a bonus.
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Just had a quick chat with John McGinn. Chilling out before tonight at the hotel I have a conference in today... He said he was chilling but he looked properly intense and focused to me.
I guess he was being demanding of himself in the way he chilled.
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Was it a chat, or did you just fall down at his feet wailing "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy".
Put it in the wank bank.
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Just had a quick chat with John McGinn. Chilling out before tonight at the hotel I have a conference in today... He said he was chilling but he looked properly intense and focused to me.
I guess he was being demanding of himself in the way he chilled.
I made sure my standards didn't drop.
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Forest and Villa have had freakish good fortune with injuries this season. Villa especially given they had European football to contend with.
Yeah, if you say so chap.
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Forest and Villa have had freakish good fortune with injuries this season. Villa especially given they had European football to contend with.
Yeah, if you say so chap.
I think I saw a table not long ago that had us third for most accumulated days missed through injuries? Something like that?
And yeah, OK, you can say that about Forest, but I also think that if you want to blame Ange etc for the injuries their hectic styles induce, you have to say that Nuno's style does seem to be the opposite. Which is fair enough, no?
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I feel sick.
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Forest and Villa have had freakish good fortune with injuries this season. Villa especially given they had European football to contend with.
Yeah, if you say so chap.
Gone full voyeur myself and saw that earlier. Pissed me off too.
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Is Nuno's style low intensity and hit on the break?
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Injure them before they injure you I thought.
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Is Nuno's style low intensity and hit on the break?
Almost parodically so.
Hey, I mean, it works! No knocking it.
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Is Nuno's style low intensity and hit on the break?
Almost parodically so.
Hey, I mean, it works! No knocking it.
Totally. Yet Villa have been playing low intensity for the majority of the season and our injury list looks like a Soviet daylight charge over a Wehrmacht minefield in comparison.
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Watkins has I hope hit form at the perfect time .
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I feel sick.
I am properly, properly excited.
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Is Nuno's style low intensity and hit on the break?
Almost parodically so.
Hey, I mean, it works! No knocking it.
Totally. Yet Villa have been playing low intensity for the majority of the season and our injury list looks like a Soviet daylight charge over a Wehrmacht minefield in comparison.
We don't only play low intensity though. Or at least, we're not sitting deep and countering as our sole tactic. We're kind of freaks, weirdos.
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Is Nuno's style low intensity and hit on the break?
Almost parodically so.
Hey, I mean, it works! No knocking it.
Totally. Yet Villa have been playing low intensity for the majority of the season and our injury list looks like a Soviet daylight charge over a Wehrmacht minefield in comparison.
We don't only play low intensity though. Or at least, we're not sitting deep and countering as our sole tactic. We're kind of freaks, weirdos.
Arriving at Man C tonight:
(https://i.ibb.co/bgHVfkQ4/flat-750x-075-f-pad-750x1000-f8f8f8-u1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bgHVfkQ4)
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Nervous now
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I feel sick.
I am properly, properly excited.
I feel physically nauseous.
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Chris Suttons predicted us to win ffs
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Chris Suttons predicted us to win ffs
Could be worse, could be Lawro.
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Chris Suttons predicted us to win ffs
Could be worse, could be Lawro.
I used to predict Lawro's predictions. I was good at it.
He'd have this as 2.1