Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on September 22, 2025, 05:45:05 PM
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We need to get our season going. What better way to start than our Europa League campaign against a side we handled reasonably easily last season in the CL. I hope there are some players back or some bold changes in tactics and personnel.
I'd like to see
MARTINEZ
CASH
MAATSEN
KONSA
PAU
KAMARA
ELLIOTT
ROGERS
SANCHO
MALEN
WATKINS
Tempted to drop Rogers and Ollie but we need them both back up and firing. This game and Burnley are must wins just to get confidence flowing again.
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Emi
Konsa Lindelof Pau Maatsen
McGinn Bogarde Kamara Sancho
Elliott
Guessand
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Emi
Konsa Lindelof Pau Maatsen
McGinn Bogarde Kamara Sancho
Elliott
Guessand
That’s more like it.
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I'd like to see 11 players pressing and attacking at pace, getting bums off seats, and rewarding us for our time and parting with our hard-earned cash.
Don't care what 11 are out there as long as they do the above.
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I'd like to see 11 players pressing and attacking at pace, getting bums off seats, and rewarding us for our time and parting with our hard-earned cash.
Don't care what 11 are out there as long as they do the above.
That’s sounds fantastic where are you going?
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Emi
Konsa Lindelof Pau Maatsen
McGinn Bogarde Kamara Sancho
Elliott
Guessand
That’s more like it.
Ma ginn on the wing? Nah.
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Emi
Konsa Lindelof Pau Maatsen
McGinn Bogarde Kamara Sancho
Elliott
Guessand
Would be happy with that except Guessand up front. He’s definitely not a number 9.
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Whoever we start we need to play with intent - no excuses.
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What's the tifo for this, a flat tyre?
Hopefully a European night 'under the lights' will fire some life into us. 1-0 win.
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Quite a few tickets left.
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Martínez
Konsa - Pau - Mings - Maatsen
Kamara - McGinn - Elliott
Sancho - striker from the academy - Guessand
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Martínez
Konsa - Pau - Mings - Maatsen
Kamara - McGinn - Elliott
Sancho - striker from the Exeter academy - Guessand
Not a bad line-up.
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Doesn’t matter what side we put out, we’ll win this one. Bologna are not all that.
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The result is just anybody's guess, the way Villa are playing anything could happen, for me it just depends how bad the opposition wants the win, I would absolutely play Guessand, he's starting to show some very nice touches, could have a serious player on our hands here.
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Do we have to…
As we do.
Martinez
Cash. Konsa. Torres. Maatsen
Bogarde. Kamara
McGinn. Elliot. Sancho
Watkins
Team shape and reaction to criticism are everything. It doesn’t bear thinking about it if its really bad. So hopefully it will be even a bit good.
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I just can't see it.
0-3
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Desmond.
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They were absolutely shite last season. 2-0 Villa.
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And we're absolutely shite this season!
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I love European night games. I reckon we'll be bang up for this, comfortable win. I actually think we'll win the whole thing.
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Just bench Rogers please , anyone else I dont mind starting , even Watkins for now.
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Emi
Konsa Lindelof Pau Maatsen
McGinn Bogarde Kamara Sancho
Elliott
Guessand
Would be happy with that except Guessand up front. He’s definitely not a number 9.
He's as much 'not a number 9' as Watkins is at present.
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Olabe should be in the door in time to start on Thursday.
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8-0
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Olabe should be in the door in time to start on Thursday.
Even in his late 50s he’d bring more energy than we’ve shown.
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When should tickets reach our email or App?
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Mine seem to be in the app now and I can add to my wallet, but the QR thing doesnt start twirling till 3 hours before k/o?
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The famous ‘New Director of Football bounce’. 3-0 Villa.
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We're all throwing-out predictions without having a clue as to Bologna's prowess. Such arrogant SkySix behaviour.
Can our forrin football correspondent (Dave - Bath or Blackwell - John) give us the lowdown on the current strength of the Bolognese ?
I dont think they were bad last year, we scored at good times to keep them at bay.
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Deleted and reinstalled app and ticket can be downloaded to wallet. Seemless! 🙄
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0-1
Olabe Own Goal
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We were fantastic against these last season, playing some thrilling, free flowing attacking football.
They’ll no doubt be expecting the same again so, I think we confuse the hell out of them by playing the champions league anthem, followed by our new special brand of snooze ball. They stumble around bewildered thinking they’ve gone to the wrong stadium and we take advantage to nick a 1-0.
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We were fantastic against these last season, playing some thrilling, free flowing attacking football.
They’ll no doubt be expecting the same again so, I think we confuse the hell out of them by playing the champions league anthem, followed by our new special brand of snooze ball. They stumble around bewildered thinking they’ve gone to the wrong stadium and we take advantage to nick a 1-0.
I’ll take it.
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Bologna coming into this with a win at the weekend sounding confident, think they are 11th in Serie A, won 2 so far, lost 2, so beatable, one things for sure they will know how to defend, with our striker problems its difficult to see where a goal is coming from.
Those goals will come.
Villa 2 them 0
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We were fantastic against these last season, playing some thrilling, free flowing attacking football.
They’ll no doubt be expecting the same again so, I think we confuse the hell out of them by playing the champions league anthem, followed by our new special brand of snooze ball. They stumble around bewildered thinking they’ve gone to the wrong stadium and we take advantage to nick a 1-0.
Snooze ball, I like it it could catch on
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Martinez to Mings, Mings to Konza, Konza to Cash, Cash lumps the ball forward straight to the opposition. Rinse, repeat.
I can't wait.
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Martinez to Mings, Mings to Konza, Konza to Cash, Cash lumps the ball forward straight to the opposition. Rinse, repeat.
Were not prepared to venture down the left, Oh it mustn't be! and it isn't! Lemar Bogarde!
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Emi, kicks the ball to Mingsy, a sideway pass to Konsy, and then to Matty Cashy. Matty Cash goes down the wing like a mobility scooter, and puts the ball up in the airrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, back to the halfway line.
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Emi, kicks the ball to Mingsy, a sideway pass to Konsy, and then to Matty Cashy. Matty Cash goes down the wing like a mobility scooter, and puts the ball up in the airrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, back to the halfway line.
;)
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When he first came to the Club, Emery was touted as the Cup specialist, particularly in Europe and while we have hit the heights in both continental campaigns so far, the less said about domestic level the better. Given our poor start at home, Europe is where the glory lies for us this season and with the prize of CL qualification at the end we should be all out for this trophy (I've all but given up on the FA Cup tbh).
I'm hoping the special atmosphere of these games, where we have a break from the drudgery of getting turned over by no marks such as Palace and Brentford Nylons, will have the desired effect. For once I welcome the hype, fireworks and the repetitive drone of the away support - and we should use it to galvanise the club both on and off the pitch.
However, I can't get away from a feeling that it will be a frustrating 1-1 draw, but now is not the time for faint hearts and fears, now is the time for confidence, bravery and a firm belief in the glory of Aston Villa.
3-1
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You have my sword, Nev.
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Unless there is a last minute rush it looks like about 10000 empty seats for this. £35 a ticket would have been about right.
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Unless there is a last minute rush it looks like about 10000 empty seats for this. £35 a ticket would have been about right.
Blimey! Even I’m going and I hardly ever go.
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37,220 lowest attendance in Conference league, weirdly for the quarter final home leg (this is according to wiki). Wonder if we'll get more than that tomorrow.
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Martinez to Mings, Mings to Konza, Konza to Cash, Cash lumps the ball forward straight to the opposition. Rinse, repeat.
I can't wait.
I expect Torres to be playing in this, not that it will make much difference.
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Martinez to Mings, Mings to Konza, Konza to Cash, Cash lumps the ball forward straight to the opposition. Rinse, repeat.
I can't wait.
I expect Torres to be playing in this, not that it will make much difference.
It definitely won't if he distributes the ball like he did at the PL game Brentford. He was better in the cup game to be fair. Bologna completely stood off us last season so Torres is the correct call tonight.
Is Bizot likely to play?
That aside
Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen
Kamara, Bogarde
Elliot, McGinn, Sancho
Watkins
Push McGinn forward to get a hard press on them.
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I think Torres should play anyway, as we’re really limited in terms of high quality, incisive, passers. But without Youri it’s essential he does.
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Is Bizot likely to play?
Is there any reason he would be?
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Doesn't seem likely. Olsen only started Conference League games when we were effectively through, and Marschall started one when we were definitely through. Martinez started all the Conference League matches when we didn't know whether we would qualify as well as all our Champions League games.
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Is Bizot likely to play?
Is there any reason he would be?
Now now, it's just a question. Thursday night football may be deemed beneath Emi what with his delusions of grandeur.
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Based on previous seasons, Martinez will only be rested if we have nothing to play for in the latter stages of the group stage or if the second leg of a potential knock-out round is rendered a non-event by a one sided first leg.
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Is Bizot likely to play?
Is there any reason he would be?
Now now, it's just a question. Thursday night football may be deemed beneath Emi what with his delusions of grandeur.
It's only 3 weeks ago that he wasn't expecting to play European football at all....
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It definitely won't if he distributes the ball like he did at the PL game Brentford. He was better in the cup game to be fair. Bologna completely stood off us last season so Torres is the correct call tonight.
Is Bizot likely to play?
That aside
Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen
Kamara, Bogarde
Elliot, McGinn, Sancho
Watkins
Push McGinn forward to get a hard press on them.
Tonight? - the game's tomorrow, isn't it?
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Still tickets left, not sure this is selling out.
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I'm gutted to miss it but my son is going into Year 7 next year and it's the Secondary School open evenings...
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We are near the back of the Trinity as jumped in when they came on sale to members, but then ST window closed and loads became available. Will try and move…
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Bologna coming into this with a win at the weekend sounding confident, think they are 11th in Serie A, won 2 so far, lost 2, so beatable, one things for sure they will know how to defend, with our striker problems its difficult to see where a goal is coming from.
Those goals will come.
Villa 2 them 0
Urm, better than us then
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Hope this is a full house but I reckon given all that’s going on there will be a number of missing fans. So let’s get everyone to start believing again. No fucking around. Get right into them and the crowd excited again. Massive chance to start putting things right.
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Looks like it's going to be a 25-30k attendance. Disappointing but given the opposition, price & the general low the whole club has been under it's understandable.
We need to lift the gloom,. starting tomorrow.
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25k? Surely not. How can so many guesses in the Guess The Crowd thread get it so badly wrong?
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£61 a ticket - I'm not surprised
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In guess the crowd I put 35200, but that may be optimistic looking at the unsold seats
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Martinez to Mings, Mings to Konza, Konza to Cash, Cash lumps the ball forward straight to the opposition. Rinse, repeat.
I can't wait.
I expect Torres to be playing in this, not that it will make much difference.
It definitely won't if he distributes the ball like he did at the PL game Brentford. He was better in the cup game to be fair. Bologna completely stood off us last season so Torres is the correct call tonight.
Is Bizot likely to play?
That aside
Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen
Kamara, Bogarde
Elliot, McGinn, Sancho
Watkins
Push McGinn forward to get a hard press on them.
Why wouldnt Konsa start?
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He's been vaping.
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In guess the crowd I put 35200, but that may be optimistic looking at the unsold seats
Yet for Burnley in a couple of weeks, there bugger all left.
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They've been mailing me this evening with ticket-offers for tomorrow.
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Serves them right for their pricing.
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Still poor to have so many unsold tickets...
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Not really. Charge stupid prices and a lot of people won't bother going.
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I suspect a combination of we already played them last year and us being shit so far this season has put people off spending £60+.
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Still poor to have so many unsold tickets...
Doesn't help that it's the opening week of MAFS UK.
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Not really. Charge stupid prices and a lot of people won't bother going.
Also rough start to the season, general feeling of flatness, and a fixture played last season. Add in the price and plenty working against it.
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£15 cheaper, they would have sold out and got money from food / beer etc
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Would have gone but having felt a bit pissed off about the clubs attitude to fans last season I really can't be bothered and probably won't bother this season.
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8-0
Good.i’ll be satisfied with that.
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Would have gone but having felt a bit pissed off about the clubs attitude to fans last season I really can't be bothered and probably won't bother this season.
Same as me. Really pissed off with their CL prices last season. This season, they’re having a laugh with their pricing of mainly Championship opponents for the home matches. Tops should have been £40.
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Still poor to have so many unsold tickets...
Doesn't help that it's the opening week of MAFS UK.
Excellent heads up. Thanks BV.
I’m still going though.
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£15 cheaper, they would have sold out and got money from food / beer etc
They've got this wrong in.my opinion. Prices should have been closer to the Conference League ones a couple of seasons ago.
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Will never comprehend anybody who can afford to go choosing not to.
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Doesn't help that it's the opening week of MAFS UK.
Excellent heads up. Thanks BV.
I was only going to watch the first episode, but the women in this series are so utterly appalling (apart from an Indian girl who's nice if a bit insecure) that it's almost educational.
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Will never comprehend anybody who can afford to go choosing not to.
Being able to afford it and thinking it's worth it are two totally different things.
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If we get to the final these same fans will be begging for tickets
It is their choice whether to go or not, I will be there tonight but I am an idiot - so my wife tells me!!!
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It was £20 for my 15 year old and £45 for me, for my normal holte end seats. I know most seats in the ground are more expensive than mine, but for a European game i really can’t complain.
If there is only 25-30k in the ground tonight, given the CL tickets against the same opposition were generally far more expensive, I’d honestly think its more to do with a poor first five games of the season, which says something else.
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I've paid slightly over £160 for all 4 games with a seat in a different side of the ground for each game. That is OAP prices with the 20% discount. For someone who used to go all over Europe but was priced out of the CL games last season, I'm looking forward to this.
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I think it’s a personal choice, I wouldn’t criticise for choosing to go or choosing not to. Hopefully those that do will be rewarded with a proper performance finally.
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It's up to fans what they do with their hard earned money.
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"Hard earned", it's like you don't know me at all.
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Yeah, they're all posting on H&V and TikTok all day, nowt hard-earned about it.
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Spuds last night, cheaper tickets than ours it seems. https://x.com/N17_SAUL/status/1970919908948209993?t=SoXLwQx1ozE6YqKiHETJwg&s=19
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Spuds last night, cheaper tickets than ours it seems. https://x.com/N17_SAUL/status/1970919908948209993?t=SoXLwQx1ozE6YqKiHETJwg&s=19
They were playing Doncaster - what was they expecting 60K?
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42k v Doncaster is more than decent.
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Yeah, but shows even one of the so called 'big 6' with cheap tickets and a larger than normal away support, does not always sell out.
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Well i hope that whether there is 10k or 42K there tonight they get behind the team and roar them to victory.
They don't "need" our support when they are flying - they need it in times like this when they are looking for form.
WE can be the 12th man - UTV
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Well i hope that whether there is 10k or 42K there tonight they get behind the team and roar them to victory.
They don't "need" our support when they are flying - they need it in times like this when they are looking for form.
WE can be the 12th man - UTV
THIS!
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Martínez
Konsa - Pau - Mings - Maatsen
Kamara - McGinn - Elliott
Sancho - striker from the academy - Guessand
Not playing our leading scorer this season when we're short of goals...madness.
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Indeed. You start Watkins until he gets a goal, it's as simple as that for me. If he get's one, he'll go on and get seven.
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I have a ticket available for this as I cant go. Will let it go for £20 if anynody wants it?
Holte Upper.
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Indeed. You start Watkins until he gets a goal, it's as simple as that for me. If he get's one, he'll go on and get seven.
He was referring to Matty "Goal Machine" Cash, I believe.
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Indeed. You start Watkins until he gets a goal, it's as simple as that for me. If he get's one, he'll go on and get seven.
He was referring to Matty "Goal Machine" Cash, I believe.
Ahh yes, I see that now. Apologies all!
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European football at Villa Park is always special. Can’t wait to get down there tonight and see us win and kick start the season.
UTV
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Well i hope that whether there is 10k or 42K there tonight they get behind the team and roar them to victory.
They don't "need" our support when they are flying - they need it in times like this when they are looking for form.
WE can be the 12th man - UTV
THIS!
We've been the 12th men all our fucking lives wasted on this website.
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European football at Villa Park is always special. Can’t wait to get down there tonight and see us win and kick start the season.
UTV
This. Win tonight, and we can go above Ludogorets Razgrad in the Europa League table.
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Well i hope that whether there is 10k or 42K there tonight they get behind the team and roar them to victory.
They don't "need" our support when they are flying - they need it in times like this when they are looking for form.
WE can be the 12th man - UTV
Spot on.
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A good 3-0 win puts us at the top of the table after the first round of matches.....
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A good 3-0 win puts us at the top of the table after the first round of matches.....
Unless someone else wins 4-0. <winky thing>
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A repeat of last season's group-opener would be nice. Tiely, JRamz, Onana and a ruled-out worldie from Jhon. Great bunch of lads.
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Looking forward to this, hopefully we'll get back on the Oss. My lad no going though...late fitness call, is off ill.
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I'll be there later in the Lower Holte in my usual place.
Like a fool.
This cup is Unai's baby though: UTV!
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No Emi Martinez tonight in the squad. Bizot starts
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Is Bizot likely to play?
Is there any reason he would be?
Bronte nailed it then.
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Shirley not.
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Fair play, Dave.