Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Percy McCarthy on October 15, 2025, 03:48:14 PM
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Anyone from here going tonight? Witton Arms, 7pm. Decided to go last minute, managed to get the night off, so going on me one if anyone fancies a pint. Twenty quid in though.
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20 quid plus the cost of the book (if you choose)? Maybe they'll have a Hero or two there, Tayls and Tonev etc.
Make sure you ask him a searching question, you were born for this.
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Twenty quid? You could buy the Witton Arms for that much once.
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Surely £20 includes the book as well?
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Surely £20 includes the book as well?
Not sure.
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20 quid plus the cost of the book (if you choose)? Maybe they'll have a Hero or two there, Tayls and Tonev etc.
Make sure you ask him a searching question, you were born for this.
Tayls, Townsend, amongst others. A comedian, live music, club officials (Tommy Jordan?)
Any question suggestions I should consider?
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Twenty quid? You could buy the Witton Arms for that much once.
Doing a roaring trade on matchdays now. Also a decent Saturday night disco last time I was there on a non-matchday.
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Twenty sheets to listen to a bloke try and flog you a book? Each to their own.
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Yeah, but it's more than that as Percy described. I like these type of events.
I think Guillem puts the money towards Biggleswade FC, he's involved with them as a director or chairman. He's been there quite a while, may even have brokered Keinan Davis' move to Villa. Maybe ask him about that, show a bit of geek-Villa flex.
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£20.55 on Amazon
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There seems to have been a lot of fuss made about a book that probably won't be either definitive or groundbreaking.
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Well he's worked in meeja since '91, self-publicity should be a breeze with that history.
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I think Guillem puts the money towards Biggleswade FC, he's involved with them as a director or chairman. He's been there quite a while, may even have brokered Keinan Davis' move to Villa. Maybe ask him about that, show a bit of geek-Villa flex.
He’s chairman of Biggleswade United. Keinan Davis came from Biggleswade Town.
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Oh come on, how big can Biggleswade be?!
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Had a lovely time. The guests were all great value.
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Good lad!
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There seems to have been a lot of fuss made about a book that probably won't be either definitive or groundbreaking.
I get where you’re coming from, but after reading The Rise of the Villains, I was actually surprised by how much it stuck with me. It might not be the definitive take on everything, but it gives a really honest and human look at Unai Emery. It helped me understand the way he works, the challenges he’s faced, and the thought behind his approach—stuff that often gets missed in the usual media coverage. I’ve definitely come away from it as a more patient and appreciative fan.
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Don't worry, my next launch won't be twenty quid a time.
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Haha fair enough! To be honest, for twenty quid, I got a new perspective on Emery and a bit more patience on matchdays—cheaper than therapy! But hey, if your next launch comes with a discount and some behind-the-scenes drama, I’m in.
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What's this word 'discount'?
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There seems to have been a lot of fuss made about a book that probably won't be either definitive or groundbreaking.
I get where you’re coming from, but after reading The Rise of the Villains, I was actually surprised by how much it stuck with me. It might not be the definitive take on everything, but it gives a really honest and human look at Unai Emery. It helped me understand the way he works, the challenges he’s faced, and the thought behind his approach—stuff that often gets missed in the usual media coverage. I’ve definitely come away from it as a more patient and appreciative fan.
Fully agree loved that book and some great insight from people involved at the time, looking forward to this book as well, the relationship the authour has with Emery, Monchi and the team should make it a good read. Didn't go last night due to work, but love these type of events.
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In all seriousness Dave, are you working on your next launch?
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In all seriousness Dave, are you working on your next launch?
If he is, I hope it's not titled Fall of the Villains.
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No Bartons Book Launch either.
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In all seriousness Dave, are you working on your next launch?
McMullan to O'Leary needs a refresh.
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In all seriousness Dave, are you working on your next launch?
Absolutely. Watch this space.
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Excellent.
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£20.55 on Amazon
£19-69 on WoB
https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/rise-of-the-villans-book-guillem-balague-9781399625043
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It’s a good read well researched, well written and insightful. It’s effectively an authorised biography of Unai and I doubt there will be a better one!
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Just finished it and it's, fine. Some really poor errors in it though, like claiming onana cost 13m and that it was Fernandes who played the ball that resulted in emi's red. General feel of a fluff piece but you do get a bit more of a feel of his personality
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He said in one of his podcast book promos that "in the UK you're obliged to write a few more thousand words for a paperback version 6 months later" so maybe someone can tweet him to revise any egregious errors in the hardback.
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He said in one of his podcast book promos that "in the UK you're obliged to write a few more thousand words for a paperback version 6 months later"
Should be easy to do that after our FA Cup and Europa League wins.