Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on October 26, 2025, 03:57:37 PM
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Never in doubt, we always beat these clowns at home.
And as I said
Haaland has scored in his last 12 games for club and country, and in 19 of his last 21. So he won't score today.
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Lovely.
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You fucking beauties. 1-0 flattered them.
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Love this team and manager so much
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(https://media1.tenor.com/m/JFBGlDSduLQAAAAC/weareback-wereback.gif)
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Last 4 games at home to ManC. W3 D1 L0. Haaland 1 goal and they've led for a total of 24 mins across all 4.
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Fucking awesome performance.
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2nd statement win on the bounce. Love this team. And to think some people wanted this.manager out after a few games in.
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Up the fucking Villa! Lovely stuff
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This is what Unai does. To think we got beat at a pub outfit on Thursday ;D
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Yeeeeesssss
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First game I’ve ever watched on a flight! Fantastic. So chuffed!
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Best performance and result of the season. Onana a monster today and justifying the money we spent to get him. If he can stay fit (big IF I fully realize) then he’s a superb partner with Kamara protecting that back 4. Everyone played really well today. Shame little Emi came off because he was looking very sharp also. Well done Matty. Cracking goal. Well done and congrats Unai on 3 wonderful years with us.
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That is a terrific result. Onana - beast.
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Best team performance of the season? No dossers out there today. Onana didn't offer much going forward but he surely put himself on the line in our 18 yd box. 6 points from Spuds and Shity...take that every time.
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Konsa and Onana magnificent. Can't remember Martinez having to make a serious save.
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Simply magnificent.
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What a fcukin win and performance! GTFI!!!
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F’n brilliant, get in!!!!!!!
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Never in doubt.
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A complete team performance.
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City hardly had an effort on goal. Unai Master class. Hopefully Small Emi is ok. He was excellent before the injury.
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That was absolutely brilliant. Lots of great performances.
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Magnificent performance. It’s fantastic to win, but genuinely, had we drawn or even lost I’d be satisfied. When we’re on form, they’re made for us.
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Cash is really shutting some people up.
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Super stuff. Dominated in places. Good football and resilient.
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First game I’ve ever watched on a flight! Fantastic. So chuffed!
Oh, is this now legal? The one place where we are forced to survive without internet access on our phones. Now, we're more drone-like than ever.
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The defence was awesome today Konsa and Pau ( that off the line wow ) Onana looked 70 million .
Everyone put a great performance in even the subs including the Guess . Martinez had one save really from the honey monster , could have been 3 - 0 .
up to 7th and propber back now with Youri to come back.
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Massive win, up to 7th. Would happily have taken 5-7 points from this run of 4 games, we've already got 6.
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The 5Live commentator said towards the end that "The Villa fans are in full voice singing 'Unai Emery's barmy army'' :-[
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First game I’ve ever watched on a flight! Fantastic. So chuffed!
Oh, is this now legal? The one place where we are forced to survive without internet access on our phones. Now, we're more drone-like than ever.
It has been for years, just requires the flight to offer onboard wifi.
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Massive win, up to 7th. Would happily have taken 5-7 points from this run of 4 games, we've already got 6.
I'd fancy us to win anywhere right now, even the Custard Bowl.
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And what a cameo that was from Guessand when he came on. I see Fraudiola refused to shake his hand at the end presumably because he put in a tackle which isn’t allowed. Graceless tosspot.
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I put Haaland in my FF team. I thank you.
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And what a cameo that was from Guessand when he came on. I see Fraudiola refused to shake his hand at the end presumably because he put in a tackle which isn’t allowed. Graceless tosspot.
Probably because he put an arm out to defend the ball and Gonzalez ran nose first into it. To be fair I was a little surprised the ref didn't give a free kick for it (even though he got it right) because it's the sort of thing that so often gets given as a cheap free kick for teams like them.
and yes, he was great when he came on, as was Barkley, both made us more solid and gave us some more control higher up the pitch to act as a bit of a pressure valve.
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Massive win, up to 7th. Would happily have taken 5-7 points from this run of 4 games, we've already got 6.
I'd fancy us to win anywhere right now, even the Custard Bowl.
We might even lose by less than 3 at Selhurst Park.
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Everyone who triple captained Haarland in Fantasy Football - I salute you!
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We've gone from 12 points behind Liverpool to level pegging in four games.
Monsterous performance from the Villa there. So, so good.
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Everyone who triple captained Haarland in Fantasy Football - I salute you!
*puts on AC/DC album*
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The Guardian has a 'column' every weekend entitled:
"Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend"
This is what it said yesterday, about today's game:
CASH SHOWING VALUE AT VILLA
How many times have you replayed that otherworldly Matty Cash ping? His sumptuous first-time pass to Lucas Digne proved the catalyst for Emi Buendía’s glorious winner at Tottenham last weekend; Digne’s control and layoff were equally sublime, too. When Villa have struggled, Cash has been an easy target for criticism and there has long been an expectation that Unai Emery will try to upgrade at right-back. But the Villa manager regards Cash as a reliable performer and has found it tricky to identify a realistic alternative who would represent an obvious improvement. Cash was wanted by his former club Nottingham Forest in the summer but Villa recognise his value, with the Poland full-back expected to sign a new contract in the coming months. Morgan Rogers, another player the club are keen to tie down, is the only one of Cash’s teammates to have played more league minutes this season.
Crystal ball-esque?
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Excellent performance. I have been very critical of both Cash and Onana, but they were superb today. McGinn was also very good. Massive 6 points in the last 2 games. Our season now looks in very good shape. I really fancy us to push on once we get Tielemans back because he makes us tick.
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Konsa and Onana magnificent. Can't remember Martinez having to make a serious save.
Just the one from Haaland in first half, thought in real time Silva was offside there.
Had to suffer a bit of pain in the second half when we tired. Some great blocks from likes of Barkley, Onana and Konsa. Fortunate enough clearance from Torres but we deserved a break. Thought first 60-70 mins we were very much on top but never got the second goal. Sancho aside, the rest of the subs battled well. Some response from a feckless second half display during the week and right back into the mix PL wise now.
My mate Onana had his best game for the club. Cash was outstanding I thought, Citeh kept targeting that flank but he kept them out. Only poor display was from Sancho, displayed none of the intensity and aggression required.
Martinez 7 - poor distribution at times, one fine save in first half and dominant in our box.
Cash 9 - cracking goal but bullied Savinho I thought and held out v Doku too. Fortunate with one clearing header.
Konsa 8 - far more aggression in his play, wrestling with Haaland on a couple of occasions.
Torres 7 - distribution a bit mixed but solid enough
Digne 7 - solid display at the back, sharp in possession
Kamara 7 - tired late on, lost one ball we were lucky to get away with but generally good
Onana 8 - slow start but got into it once he took ball from Haaland. Finally showed that physicality in a Villa shirt
Buendia 7/Sancho 3- Buendia was our best player first 30 mins. Hopefully not a serious injury. Bit of an eye opener with Sancho.
McGinn 8 - great really, two good chances missed but have it everything
Rogers 7 - lots of good moments when we were on touch and worked hard late on
Watkins 7 - slow start but led the line really well. But confidence around box is very low, awful effort with that header
Guessand worked very hard, Barkley some nice touches and a great block. Maatsen and Malen did fine.
Emery 9 - big challenge after the transfer window to galvinise the group and refocus. Has done that superbly. Increasing questions on the value of our summer signings. Big selection decisions (Onana, Torres, Digne) all justified and didn't bottle the Sancho call.
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Three points off second and feeling like a team in form. Burnley snatching a last minute winner at the Custard Coloured Theatre Of Unrealistic Expectations the icing on the delicious Unai cake.
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Massive win, up to 7th. Would happily have taken 5-7 points from this run of 4 games, we've already got 6.
I'd fancy us to win anywhere right now, even the Custard Bowl.
We might even lose by less than 3 at Selhurst Park.
Typical Villa fan - a few good results and you become wildly optimistic.
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I put Haaland in my FF team. I thank you.
Well done, great transfer. Thanks.
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That was a fantastic game of football, we never looked rattled, although last 10 mins was nerve racking.
On our day we can beat anyone.
MOTM for me is Onanna, his best game for us.
Kamarra solid as ever.
Defense very good, Cash and Konsa especially.
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Great performance - and another fantastic goal. Some brilliant performances - cash, onnana, McGinn and konsa the standouts
Great turnaround from our early season form - and last 2 games we’ve looked close to our best. UTV
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Fabulous result, I had a feeling for 1-0 this morning and it could have been more. Onana has had plenty of stick but today he was superb and rightly MOM. Great all round performance with the defence looking really solid just brilliant
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Fantastic win. So much hard work went into it. We didn't just defend well, we had decent chances to make it more convincing. Great stuff.
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First game I’ve ever watched on a flight! Fantastic. So chuffed!
Oh, is this now legal? The one place where we are forced to survive without internet access on our phones. Now, we're more drone-like than ever.
It has been for years, just requires the flight to offer onboard wifi.
Yes that’s what used. My only issue was getting sky go to work when we weren’t over the sea! Never watched a match on a plane before or let out a cheer mid flight!
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Excellent performance today. They were brave in keeping the short passes going under loads of pressure and sprung the attacks when City weren't expecting it. Pure football stuff. After Thursdays debacle they proved they have the all important bouncebackability. Brilliant.
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Haaland failed to score in only his second game for club and country this season, and this win ended Citeh's nine-game unbeaten run.
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Fantastic performance from all of them.
Have liked Onana since he joined but I was starting to lose the faith. Faith fully restored today, if he stays fit he’ll be a hell of a player for us in the coming years.
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They must hate playing at Villa Park now....
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Brilliant especially Onana and Cash.
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In a parallel Universe...
John
16:34, Sun 26 Oct
WelshBlue
Typical spawny DVBs today.
City should have won at a canter and somehow they held on.
Although we're not getting the results at present we probably play the better football.
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2 wins out 10, in the second tier. What great football they play.
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A really good performance. Defensively brilliant throughout.
Cash and Onana with their best performances for the club.
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Yes, Cash was very good today, a great goal and great defensive work too.
Guessand really surprised me with his play, and hopefully his confidence will grow.
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Pep hasn’t got a clue how to play Villa at Villa Park. Far too slow on the build up play and allowing our defenders to get into a great defensive shape. Unai is also guilty of this against certain opponents.
All in all, a great performance and thoroughly deserved win.
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Honourable mention for Kamara. Mcginn is the heart and soul of the team. Onana is the energy.
But Kamara brings the brains, the savvy and the elegance of a top, top player.
Wonderful (but they all were today).
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That was one of the best performances of the past decade. So many pluses today.
Cash 10/10. I doubt Roberto Carlos played as well as Matty today.
Lovely play by Guessand when he came on.
I think we do have a player there.
Riojas and cava for Unai; tactically schooled Pep.
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We dominate ManC at home and look clueless v Palace. It's a funny old game.
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Fantastic performance, played some lovely stuff going forward in the 1st half and a superb Matty Cash goal, 2nd half was a defensive masterclass, if we play like that on Saturday, the match will have been won by half time.
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Here's The Athletic’s view of the game from a City/tactical perspective. In summary - Pep got it wrong.
ASTON VILLA 1 MANCHESTER CITY 0 – GUARDIOLA’S GRAVEYARD STRIKES AGAIN TO DENT TITLE HOPES
Manchester City’s momentum has been stalled.
A run of three consecutive Premier League wins had thrust Pep Guardiola’s side back into the thick of the title race but a limp 1-0 defeat at a stadium which is becoming City’s graveyard checked that optimism.
Matty Cash’s first-half goal proved enough as City fell six points behind leaders Arsenal.
We analyse how it happened.
WHY DO CITY STRUGGLE AT VILLA SO MUCH?
For the third year running, Manchester City struggled to cope with Villa and left this part of the west midlands with a deserved defeat.
After nine games unbeaten in all competitions, City were looking to equal the best sequence they managed last season. Guardiola felt that his new-look team have been improving every game since the 2-1 defeat to Brighton in August.
They had looked more balanced as a team and had started to rediscover their ability to dominate long periods, if not yet for 90 minutes. But there is still a fragility that undermines them compared to their title rivals Arsenal.
The reason Guardiola said on Friday that he doesn’t believe Mikel Arteta’s side will drop many points until the end of the season is that they look impenetrable in most games.
City, even with Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones all back, still endure periods in which the opposition are given encouragement to be aggressive in attack.
Even against Everton last weekend, City could have been two goals down at the break because they were unable to control their counter attacks.
City knocked after the break with Villa content to soak up pressure but the home side did their damage in the first half as Villa broke at them with pace time after time. Their victory could have been even more emphatic had they taken those opportunities.
HOW DID VILLA KEEP HAALAND QUIET?
Finally, after a run of 12 games for club and country, Erling Haaland did not make it onto the score sheet.
In the first half, Haaland had more touches inside his own penalty area than he did the Villa box — just one. It told the story of the game and how little he was involved but Villa will have known that it only takes a single touch for him to change a game.
We have seen him use his invisibility to his benefit time after time. It nearly proved the case shortly after Villa’s opener when Bernardo Silva played him clear through but he opened his body too much and telegraphed the finish, which meant Emi Martinez was able to easily hold on to the shot.
Haaland had a late effort ruled out for an offside in the build-up but his only other sight of goal came in the 70th minute when Phil Foden stood up a cross and he rose above Pau Torres. He has scored similar goals this season against Monaco and Everton, generating power despite the ball moving away from goal, but his header was straight at Martinez.
He ended the day with only four touches in the Villa area and played just seven passes in the entire 90 minutes, ranking him 23rd among players who featured in the game.
Villa did not employ quite as high a line as usual but City did not test the offside trap too often. Both Savinho and Oscar Bobb continually came towards the ball and neither Foden nor Silva ran behind Haaland.
Guardiola spoke last week about the need for others to find their shooting boots with Haaland responsible for 11 of City’s 17 goals so far. Not only did the supporting cast fail to find the net, they failed to create much the entire game.
WHY DID GUARDIOLA’S SELECTION BACKFIRE IN THE FIRST HALF?
Guardiola chose to start four small, technical players behind Erling Haaland, and a box-to-box midfielder at No 6. It was a team selection that saw Villa dominate City physically in the first half.
City tried to press high but Villa were able to play intricate combinations to break through and found themselves running at the City back four far too often. When loose balls broke City were usually second to them.
It was the same fundamental issue that saw City unable to compete last year in the 2-1 defeat, which was one of the lowest points of their decline last season.
Savinho, Foden, Silva and Bobb is a lightweight four that doesn’t possess any running power.
Stones continued his hybrid role that worked so well against Villarreal in midweek but even his presence, alongside Tijjani Reijnders, was not enough to counteract Villa’s physicality.
In the modern Premier League it is difficult to compete when players are inferior athletically one v one.
It was a reality City faced up to last season with an ageing squad but they had the profile of player on the bench — as the triple sub of Nico O’Reilly, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku showed — to ensure they could at least try and change the dynamic of the match after half-time.
WHAT DID GUARDIOLA SAY?
The Manchester City manager pinpointed his team’s first-half performance as being key to defeat at Villa Park but insisted his players would learn from the experience.
“In the first half the pressing wasn’t good, in the second half it was better,” he told Sky Sports. “We were not aggressive enough.
“We had the chances to score, we couldn’t do it. But we will improve. I am satisfied. We played really good in the Premier League mainly and we’re getting better. We will learn from that. It’s a long journey, we will try to be close at the end.”
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It's actually 4 years running if you count the Bailey 1-1 game in 2022. We outplayed them that day too if I recall rightly
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Three points from 2nd and feeling as though we're still only just beginning to find some form.
Burnley snatching a last minute winner at the Custard Coloured Theatre Of Unrealistic Expectations the icing on the Unai anniversary cake.
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What was Pep moaning to the referee about at the end?
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What was Pep moaning to the referee about at the end?
He's always a sulky ****** at villa Park...Unai does that to him.
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The proper Villa turned up today
8+s across the pitch tonight.
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And what a cameo that was from Guessand when he came on. I see Fraudiola refused to shake his hand at the end presumably because he put in a tackle which isn’t allowed. Graceless tosspot.
Genius , my arse . I really dislike the the bloke. Him and Arteta act like spoilt little kids when a team/official don't roll over for them .
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What was Pep moaning to the referee about at the end?
He was also in the ref's ear as they came out for the second half
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Great win and a great atmosphere in the closing stages. Thought we were very good in the first half and thought one of the noticeable things was how well we kept the ball under pressure. We've not always been able to do that against the top sides, but thought we did it really well in the first half today.
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Come on you Villa boys. Fantastic effort all across the pitch and discipline.
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Fantastic team performane today, hard to pick out one player as MOTM because so many were so good.
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First game I’ve ever watched on a flight! Fantastic. So chuffed!
Oh, is this now legal? The one place where we are forced to survive without internet access on our phones. Now, we're more drone-like than ever.
It has been for years, just requires the flight to offer onboard wifi.
Norwegian Air had it on internal and EU flights all the way back in 2012. All airlines can do it, they just don’t want to.
Whatsapping friends with a pic at god knows what hour when you’re 40,000 feet over the Indian Ocean and sat on the bog will never not entertain me.
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Fantastic team performance today! Great response after Thursday’s debacle.
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First game I’ve ever watched on a flight! Fantastic. So chuffed!
Oh, is this now legal? The one place where we are forced to survive without internet access on our phones. Now, we're more drone-like than ever.
It has been for years, just requires the flight to offer onboard wifi.
Norwegian Air had it on internal and EU flights all the way back in 2012. All airlines can do it, they just don’t want to.
Whatsapping friends with a pic at god knows what hour when you’re 40,000 feet over the Indian Ocean and sat on the bog will never not entertain me.
Yep, I moved over there just as it was rolling out and was using that airline regularly both to fly back to the UK and to travel to our other offices. I've had wifi on 3-4 other airlines since as well. I'm surprised ryanair and the like don't offer to sell it as an option like they do everything else.
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First game I’ve ever watched on a flight! Fantastic. So chuffed!
Oh, is this now legal? The one place where we are forced to survive without internet access on our phones. Now, we're more drone-like than ever.
It has been for years, just requires the flight to offer onboard wifi.
Norwegian Air had it on internal and EU flights all the way back in 2012. All airlines can do it, they just don’t want to.
Whatsapping friends with a pic at god knows what hour when you’re 40,000 feet over the Indian Ocean and sat on the bog will never not entertain me.
Yep, I moved over there just as it was rolling out and was using that airline regularly both to fly back to the UK and to travel to our other offices. I've had wifi on 3-4 other airlines since as well. I'm surprised ryanair and the like don't offer to sell it as an option like they do everything else.
Watched the match on British Airways. Fine for Sky Go and then stream although stream paused after Haaland had “scored” which was a heart wrecker.
But worried to see Emi leave on crutches. Presumably metatarsal? We will miss him although hopefully Youri back soon!
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Can't believe we're regularly beating that lot at home nowadays. In fact our home record under Emery is unbelievably good all round.
Great first half performance today and did just enough in the second. On to Liverpool now before the real test v Bournemouth.
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Villa Park to Pep, is what Crystal Palace is too Unai.
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What was Pep moaning to the referee about at the end?
He was also in the ref's ear as they came out for the second half
Yep, saw that as well. Not sure what got him irked? There weren't really any big controversies.
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What was Pep moaning to the referee about at the end?
He was also in the ref's ear as they came out for the second half
Yep, saw that as well. Not sure what got him irked? There weren't really any big controversies.
He's a whinging twat would be my guess
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Magnificent resilient performance.
Cash; wow. What a goal and defensively, brilliant. So many blocks. Motm. Superb.
Onana was also a stand out. Interceptions and blocks all over the place.
Konsa and Torres were rocks.
First half, Rodgers was outstanding.
Buendia was looking really good until he got injured. Such a shame. Sancho was not great.
Watkins did some good tackling but offensively was our weak point.
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Great team performance, with the exception of Emi’s save from Haaland in the first half they had little threat, which says a lot about how we did.
All defence was very good, Kamara and Onana a great shield and McGinn was his normal self, good to see that once he went off the level didn’t drop. Buendia was looking lively and he was finding little pockets of space so it was a pity he got injured.
Ollie, as usual, worked well but that ball that was put through by Barkley(?) was wasted. He was favourite to get there but seemed to hesitate and that handed the initiative to Donnarumma to gather.
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Some brilliant performances - cash, onnana, McGinn and konsa the standouts
The four ‘men of the match’ that I put in a reply to my mate when he text me the question on my way out.
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A mention for the subs helping get us over the line. In particular Malen and Guessand, really getting stuck in and keeping them rattled to the end.
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Some brilliant performances - cash, onnana, McGinn and konsa the standouts
The four ‘men of the match’ that I put in a reply to my mate when he text me the question on my way out.
Kamara was awesome today.
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A mention for the subs helping get us over the line. In particular Malen and Guessand, really getting stuck in and keeping them rattled to the end.
Yeah, if there was any hangover in terms of team spirit post the unsettling summer, it seems to have been firmly put to bed.
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Some brilliant performances - cash, onnana, McGinn and konsa the standouts
The four ‘men of the match’ that I put in a reply to my mate when he text me the question on my way out.
Kamara was awesome today.
Kamara is one of the best midfielders in the league. Thankfully not many have noticed.
Best piece of business we did in the summer.
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Konsa and Onana joint MotM for me today.
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Kamara nearly gifted them a goal. Apart from that was as solid as ever.
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A Small Heath view on our win today.
John
16:34, Sun 26 Oct
WelshBlue
Typical spawny DVBs today.
City should have won at a canter and somehow they held on.
Although we're not getting the results at present we probably play the better football.
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Thought man city were clueless trying to close us down leaving our fullbacks in loads of space.
Fantastic result.
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After the first few minutes there was only going to be one winner.
...and Pep is a master of projection, he pushes his and his players' inadequacies onto the officials when they lose, the twunt.
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A Small Heath view on our win today.
John
16:34, Sun 26 Oct
WelshBlue
Typical spawny DVBs today.
City should have won at a canter and somehow they held on.
Although we're not getting the results at present we probably play the better football.
That is fucking brilliant, surely a spoof Vile fan on their forum 😃
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Some brilliant performances - cash, onnana, McGinn and konsa the standouts
The four ‘men of the match’ that I put in a reply to my mate when he text me the question on my way out.
Kamara was awesome today.
Only lapse was when he got caught in possession towards the end but he’s a terrific player.
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That idiot posts regularly on there and his crayon daubs do get posted here for our amusement every now and again. I think quite a few posters on there think he’s an idiot as well.
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I was nervous before the match, and the first 10 minutes were a bit hairy, but after that, we put in our routine performance at VP vs Citeh. Held them at arm's length, and should have won by more.
Apart from the obvious candidates, I enjoyed Guessand's cameo, the way he kept knocking over Citeh players like they were bowling pins. Plus, I thought Sancho was fine, I was nowhere near as down on him as some people.
This season has suddenly become very interesting. I am not sure where our ceiling is now after that dreadful start to the season. Next week vs Liverpool will be a great barometer.
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Konsa and Onana magnificent. Can't remember Martinez having to make a serious save.
Just the one from Haaland in first half, thought in real time Silva was offside there.
Had to suffer a bit of pain in the second half when we tired. Some great blocks from likes of Barkley, Onana and Konsa. Fortunate enough clearance from Torres but we deserved a break. Thought first 60-70 mins we were very much on top but never got the second goal. Sancho aside, the rest of the subs battled well. Some response from a feckless second half display during the week and right back into the mix PL wise now.
My mate Onana had his best game for the club. Cash was outstanding I thought, Citeh kept targeting that flank but he kept them out. Only poor display was from Sancho, displayed none of the intensity and aggression required.
Martinez 7 - poor distribution at times, one fine save in first half and dominant in our box.
Cash 9 - cracking goal but bullied Savinho I thought and held out v Doku too. Fortunate with one clearing header.
Konsa 8 - far more aggression in his play, wrestling with Haaland on a couple of occasions.
Torres 7 - distribution a bit mixed but solid enough
Digne 7 - solid display at the back, sharp in possession
Kamara 7 - tired late on, lost one ball we were lucky to get away with but generally good
Onana 8 - slow start but got into it once he took ball from Haaland. Finally showed that physicality in a Villa shirt
Buendia 7/Sancho 3- Buendia was our best player first 30 mins. Hopefully not a serious injury. Bit of an eye opener with Sancho.
McGinn 8 - great really, two good chances missed but have it everything
Rogers 7 - lots of good moments when we were on touch and worked hard late on
Watkins 7 - slow start but led the line really well. But confidence around box is very low, awful effort with that header
Guessand worked very hard, Barkley some nice touches and a great block. Maatsen and Malen did fine.
Emery 9 - big challenge after the transfer window to galvinise the group and refocus. Has done that superbly. Increasing questions on the value of our summer signings. Big selection decisions (Onana, Torres, Digne) all justified and didn't bottle the Sancho call.
Sancho 3? you are clueless, your new scapegoat vote now that Cash has relinquished that role? He was involved in a number of good moves linking up with Digne in the first half and had one good run along the byline in 2nd half when he almost scored from a rebound but Donnarumma saved well. Nowhere near a 3.
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Konsa and Onana magnificent. Can't remember Martinez having to make a serious save.
Just the one from Haaland in first half, thought in real time Silva was offside there.
Had to suffer a bit of pain in the second half when we tired. Some great blocks from likes of Barkley, Onana and Konsa. Fortunate enough clearance from Torres but we deserved a break. Thought first 60-70 mins we were very much on top but never got the second goal. Sancho aside, the rest of the subs battled well. Some response from a feckless second half display during the week and right back into the mix PL wise now.
My mate Onana had his best game for the club. Cash was outstanding I thought, Citeh kept targeting that flank but he kept them out. Only poor display was from Sancho, displayed none of the intensity and aggression required.
Martinez 7 - poor distribution at times, one fine save in first half and dominant in our box.
Cash 9 - cracking goal but bullied Savinho I thought and held out v Doku too. Fortunate with one clearing header.
Konsa 8 - far more aggression in his play, wrestling with Haaland on a couple of occasions.
Torres 7 - distribution a bit mixed but solid enough
Digne 7 - solid display at the back, sharp in possession
Kamara 7 - tired late on, lost one ball we were lucky to get away with but generally good
Onana 8 - slow start but got into it once he took ball from Haaland. Finally showed that physicality in a Villa shirt
Buendia 7/Sancho 3- Buendia was our best player first 30 mins. Hopefully not a serious injury. Bit of an eye opener with Sancho.
McGinn 8 - great really, two good chances missed but have it everything
Rogers 7 - lots of good moments when we were on touch and worked hard late on
Watkins 7 - slow start but led the line really well. But confidence around box is very low, awful effort with that header
Guessand worked very hard, Barkley some nice touches and a great block. Maatsen and Malen did fine.
Emery 9 - big challenge after the transfer window to galvinise the group and refocus. Has done that superbly. Increasing questions on the value of our summer signings. Big selection decisions (Onana, Torres, Digne) all justified and didn't bottle the Sancho call.
Sancho 3? you are clueless, your new scapegoat vote now that Cash has relinquished that role? He was involved in a number of good moves linking up with Digne in the first half and had one good run along the byline in 2nd half when he almost scored from a rebound but Donnarumma saved well. Nowhere near a 3.
You must be mixing me with up someone else re Cash. Sancho was ok in the first half but didn't want to know when City came back into it.
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That was bloody brilliant!! Can't remember the last time I enjoyed a game like that!
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Now that capped off a brilliant weekend in Brum. Family loved it. Brilliant performance throughout the team, subs included, no drop off in quality when Buendia went off.
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Now that capped off a brilliant weekend in Brum. Family loved it. Brilliant performance throughout the team, subs included, no drop off in quality when Buendia went off.
Hell of a game for your lad's first. Imagine you'll be badgered back a few times now.
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Anyone wanting some entertainment the bluemoon forum post match thread is hilarious…we get a bit of credit but mostly it’s nonsense about how bad they are, how bad Oliver is & a few saying Pep out. Entitled pricks :-)
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Now that capped off a brilliant weekend in Brum. Family loved it. Brilliant performance throughout the team, subs included, no drop off in quality when Buendia went off.
Hell of a game for your lad's first. Imagine you'll be badgered back a few times now.
Yeah, he is still buzzing from the game.... He's already lining up a few fixtures.
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A Small Heath view on our win today.
John
16:34, Sun 26 Oct
WelshBlue
Typical spawny DVBs today.
City should have won at a canter and somehow they held on.
Although we're not getting the results at present we probably play the better football.
Brother went down the Greenlands social club after the game and they were fuming
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The MOTD higthlights have been released.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/c9d6gyql13xo
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Some brilliant performances - cash, onnana, McGinn and konsa the standouts
The four ‘men of the match’ that I put in a reply to my mate when he text me the question on my way out.
Kamara was awesome today.
Late mistake aside, thought he was the standout midfielder on the pitch today.
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He was good, thought Onana was our best player.
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He was good, thought Onana was our best player.
Agree Paul, Onana was fantastic, though virtually all of them were great.
For once I agree with Bronte Billy re Sancho, dreadful. But a masterclass from Unai and great performance.
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He was good, thought Onana was our best player.
I would love to compare heat maps and whilst Onana had a very good game Kamara was everywhere, incredible work rate. He did everything today.
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Great win today. Lots of excellent individual battles won to make it a fantastic team win. Best game I've seen either Onana or Konsa have in Villa colours. Kamara, Ollie, Rogers, Cash, Digne, Torres, all put a shift in and then Barkley, Malen and Guessand came on and carried on the hard work. Every player had a good game. I was a tad disappointed with Sancho for his greedy play and sulking off when he was subbed. Not sure he has the temperament for Unai Emery. I know that there is a player in their somewhere but he has to show more. Great to keep a clean sheet and thought we deserved it. I can only recall a couple of heart in the mouth moments from City, but Martinez and Torres dealt with those. Table looking much better.
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I did not think Sancho was that bad. Definitely not a 3.
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I did not think Sancho was that bad. Definitely not a 3.
You can't mark any Villa player that low today. It was a brilliant team performance.
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Just for the move where McGinn had his effort deflected wide I'd be giving sancho more than a 3 because he made 3-4 really important contributions in that (and it was the best bit of football from either team all game). He did really well for his own chance as well, just a shame he didn't try to lift it over the keeper.
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I did not think Sancho was that bad. Definitely not a 3.
Nor me.
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Just for the move where McGinn had his effort deflected wide I'd be giving sancho more than a 3 because he made 3-4 really important contributions in that (and it was the best bit of football from either team all game). He did really well for his own chance as well, just a shame he didn't try to lift it over the keeper.
Even more of the shame he didn't square it after the initial spill, but I expect most players would have gone for it in the position.
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Just a really great team performance. A well honed Emery plan and everyone played their part. 1-0 flattered Citeh.
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Man City fan commentates on Villa goal. Enjoy! https://x.com/JayVtid/status/1982497120176455952
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I wasn't overly impressed by Sancho, he seemed very reluctant to run at Nunes - but it wouldn't surprise me if that was under instruction.
I think he also suffered by not being as dynamic as Buendia was before he came on, and not as involved in seeing out the result as Guessand was when he went off. He was there for the middle "manage the game" bit rather than the bits that got everyone on their feet. And they all managed the game really well, so...job done I guess.
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Great all round team performance.
And for us that is the key to success.
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Great game to watch, albeit on the telly. Only disappointment was we didn't win by more.
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A Small Heath view on our win today.
John
16:34, Sun 26 Oct
WelshBlue
Typical spawny DVBs today.
City should have won at a canter and somehow they held on.
Although we're not getting the results at present we probably play the better football.
Brother went down the Greenlands social club after the game and they were fuming
is that the greenlands in longbridge ? used to go loads as a kid with dad and grandad
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First game of season I’ve not watched as was driving to Bristol to watch my lad play “American Football”. Perhaps I should do so more often.
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A number of superb performances and the rest were merely exceptional. A week ago I felt we were in for a statement two week period. We are well on the way. Onwards and upwards!!!
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One of the most pleasing things about today is that Rogers is back to his best form. He linked up well with Ollie and always appeared to be looking for the ball. Much, much better from him.
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A Small Heath view on our win today.
John
16:34, Sun 26 Oct
WelshBlue
Typical spawny DVBs today.
City should have won at a canter and somehow they held on.
Although we're not getting the results at present we probably play the better football.
Brother went down the Greenlands social club after the game and they were fuming
is that the greenlands in longbridge ? used to go loads as a kid with dad and grandad
👍
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Brilliant result and brilliant day.
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I wasn't overly impressed by Sancho, he seemed very reluctant to run at Nunes - but it wouldn't surprise me if that was under instruction.
I think he also suffered by not being as dynamic as Buendia was before he came on, and not as involved in seeing out the result as Guessand was when he went off. He was there for the middle "manage the game" bit rather than the bits that got everyone on their feet. And they all managed the game really well, so...job done I guess.
How did your young fella enjoy the atmosphere in the Holte ?