Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on December 11, 2025, 09:53:58 PM
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Never in doubt.
3rd in the league.
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Win is a win
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Job done without overexerting ourselves. On to Sunday.
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The most unconvincing win.
Despite his goal, Guessand is atrocious
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I mean, we did the bare minimum to get a win. It's working but I'm not a fan.
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Guaranteed in the last 24 now.
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Shit game with some piss poor performances but never mind. Guaranteed at least a play-off spot.
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Dirty win where we didn't play well, that's what the best teams do.
Also haven't they won't the last 7 in a row in Europe at their ground?
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Well that was no fun whatsoever.
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Got the win so job done. Watching them they looked casual and sloppy.
Guessand, how did he play the full match? He is not getting any better...
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Never in doubt.
A tricky game.
Basel were never going to be a pushover. Unbeaten at home in Europe for a good few games prior to tonight.
Unai will be happy with the result, but less so with some of the individual performances
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winning when you are poor are what the top teams do who win things .
Youri MOM
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3 points. Nice.
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Well I hope we conserved energy!
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3 points. Nice.
No, Basel. Nice are bottom.
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Another one. It's what we do.
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Brilliant win and a tough battle against a very gritty side on their own patch. That ref was diabolical too. Our subs made Guessand look quality.
Bogard was very good. Our keeper looks scared.
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Job done and on to the next one.
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Won without too much effort, so all good. Guessand takes the not too much effort rather too literally though. I think he is so very poor, plays like a raffle ticket winner or someones mate that has come along to make up the numbers.
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We really are stuttering through this competition. We are making hard work of it.
It feels like we should be strolling through it - that’s not being arrogant, we have by far the best team/squad, but we are not scoring enough goals, so every game feels like far more of a battle than it needs to be.
But we are now 3rd with no guarantee of finishing in the top 2.
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A better win on paper than it was to watch.
It’s the sort of performance that backs up the argument that we don’t have the strength in depth for a title charge.
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Perfect English team in Europe stuff, that's how you do it, use the squad, do the minimum you need to, get the points.
People expecting some sort of methodical demolition are missing the point.
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We really are stuttering through this competition. We are making hard work of it.
It feels like we should be strolling through it - that’s not being arrogant, we have by far the best team/squad, but we are not scoring enough goals, so every game feels like far more of a battle than it needs to be.
But we are now 3rd with no guarantee of finishing in the top 2.
I’m sure the boss is just managing the minutes, the tempo and keeping a relative small squad as fit as they can be.
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Perfect English team in Europe stuff, that's how you do it, use the squad, do the minimum you need to, get the points.
People expecting some sort of methodical demolition are missing the point.
Yep, exactly right.
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Toblerones all round.
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8 in a row, 3rd in the league and 3rd in the EL.
Get in!!
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Perfect English team in Europe stuff, that's how you do it, use the squad, do the minimum you need to, get the points.
People expecting some sort of methodical demolition are missing the point.
If Carlsberg made posts...................
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We really are stuttering through this competition. We are making hard work of it.
It feels like we should be strolling through it - that’s not being arrogant, we have by far the best team/squad, but we are not scoring enough goals, so every game feels like far more of a battle than it needs to be.
But we are now 3rd with no guarantee of finishing in the top 2.
We’re rotating a lot in Europe but it’s clear the squad depth isn’t really there.
If we’re serious about winning this competition we’re going to have to play the first 11 in later rounds - trouble is that coincides with the business end of the premier league. I wonder which Emery will prioritise?
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winning when you are poor are what the top teams do who win things .
Youri MOM
Agree
Youri was the class
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Not great but it's a win. We'll be very different on Sunday.
We have some very poor squad players which is likely to hinder us badly unless we are very lucky with injuries this season.
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Bizot poor for the goal but ok rest of it
Cash competent
Konsa steady
Linderlof impressive
Digne starting to show his age
Onana did ok
Bogarde decent in 2 positions
Sancho awful
Buendia not great
Malen isolated
Guessand nice goal but rest was awful
Uri quality
Rogers too many sloppy passes
Watkins bang average
Unai n9t a great game but he clearly knows what he is doing. Need to bollock someone to improve GD
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We seem to be using this competition as a midweek training session.
Just doing enough but knowing we can change gear when we get to the business end of the competition.
Job done.
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Bogarde excellent at RB both defensively and offensively. Assist assist for the second goal. Cash can have some rest.
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Looking at some of the opposition, couldn’t an offer for a couple enhance our squad. Surely the purchase figure wouldn’t be too high, particularly if we can get rid of a couple.
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A bit hairy at times, but we've become pretty proficient at just letting our extra quality edge us over the line.
It's another one, anyway.
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Perfect English team in Europe stuff, that's how you do it, use the squad, do the minimum you need to, get the points.
People expecting some sort of methodical demolition are missing the point.
Precisely, it’s tournament football. Do what you have to do regardless of how pretty it looks before it gets serious and you put your strongest team out.
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Job done, we didn't learn anything really.
But our current really shouldn't be underestimated. A great achievement by all.
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Thomas Hitz, straight talking and pro Villa. Seems a lovely fella.
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Job done. Hardly out of 2nd gear. This is a competition we can realistically win. The only downside is that Guessand and Sancho have been horrendous additions who aren't good enough even for this competition.
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Hitz telling us how shit Sancho was on TNT.
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Can’t understand it
Spurs were scintillating all through the competition last season without faltering in the league.
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Lindeløf had a good game, didn t see him put a foot wrong.
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Perfect English team in Europe stuff, that's how you do it, use the squad, do the minimum you need to, get the points.
People expecting some sort of methodical demolition are missing the point.
This.
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Lindeløf had a good game, didn t see him put a foot wrong.
True.
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Lindy has been a solid signing so far.
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Sick of winning 2-1. Our GD in all the leagues we're in is that of a midtable team. Whine whine truth truth
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Re coming second in the league, which would guarantee playing the 2nd leg in future games at home.
Apparently Lyon and Midtjylland have easier fixtures - here they are, with current league position and points shown
Lyons
Young Boys (A) 21 9pts
PAOK (H) 18 9pts
Midtjylland
Brann (A) 22 8pts
Dinamo Zagreb (H) 25 7pts
Villa
Fenerbache (A) 12 11pts
RB Salzburg (H) 31 3pts
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Really poor performance. Strong start and again after Tielemans came on for a while. To be honest I'm looking forward to the knock outs as the standard of the group stages is awful. No intensity at all.
Bizot 4 - started ok but bottled the challenge for their goal
Cash 6 - silly yellow card but one of our best players in first half
Konsa 4 - like so many tonight just far too casual
Lindelof 7 - not that comfortable on his left foot but defended in the main well
Digne 7 - solid and professional display
Onana 4 - after a strong start he just didn't want to know once they improved
Bogarde 6 - really poor first half but improved a lot at right back in the second
Guessand 4 - scrambled home the goal but that was a hard watch again. His crossing efforts were woeful, missed a big chance too
Sancho 2 - pathetic again. Few nice touches early on but avoids physical contact at all costs.
Buendia 7 - passed the ball away far too often in the first half but showed some grit to make the second goal and a chance just after it
Malen 4 - hardly involved at all, bit of a non event when a defence sits back
Tielemans 8 - outstanding cameo. Stood out a mile and got the winner. The rest of the subs came on with the same casual attitude as the guys they replaced.
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One more win at Fener or home to RB Salzburg and its top 8 isn’t it?
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8 changes, looked disjointed but job done.
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I thought Lindelof was good tonight.
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14 wins out of 16 games. We’re the form team in Europe.
Winning these tricky away ties whilst not busting a gut is no mean feat. Just so happens we have a master at it in charge of our team.
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i wish we go for the jugular and get a 3rd , it might be more comfortable at the end
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We did just enough. That'll do, an'all that.
One to West Ham on Sunday.
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Poor performance overall but job done.
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Lindeløf was majestic - or rather, the pairing worked well, in so far as the Pau-Mings (I think) partnership at GAE did not.
Guessand, where do you start? The goal was flukey, but you wouldn’t begrudge him that. The rest of the performance, however, was footballing Fawlty Towers. Painful to watch. When does this geezer get rid of the shackles?
Rest of the were average enough for the points.
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winning when you are poor are what the top teams do who win things .
Youri MOM
Don't they also play well and pummel teams? ???
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Lindeløf was majestic - or rather, the pairing worked well, in so far as the Pau-Mings (I think) partnership at GAE did not.
Guessand, where do you start? The goal was flukey, but you wouldn’t begrudge him that. The rest of the performance, however, was footballing Fawtly Towers. Painful to watch. When does this geezer get rid of the shackles?
Rest of the were average enough for the points.
Credit where it’s due, I don’t think his goal was a fluke, his one in Holland was. The rest of his performances was what we’ve come to expect though.
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Looking at some of the opposition, couldn’t an offer for a couple enhance our squad. Surely the purchase figure wouldn’t be too high, particularly if we can get rid of a couple.
We tried that with Boateng and Hadji. Moderate successes at best. Still, Georgie throwing a dirty Lesta player's boot over the Filbert Street roof was worth the transfer fee alone.
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We really are stuttering through this competition. We are making hard work of it.
It feels like we should be strolling through it - that’s not being arrogant, we have by far the best team/squad, but we are not scoring enough goals, so every game feels like far more of a battle than it needs to be.
But we are now 3rd with no guarantee of finishing in the top 2.
We’re rotating a lot in Europe but it’s clear the squad depth isn’t really there.
If we’re serious about winning this competition we’re going to have to play the first 11 in later rounds - trouble is that coincides with the business end of the premier league. I wonder which Emery will prioritise?
Jesus.
We're 3rd - on goal difference, equal points - of a league of 36 teams - having played 6 games and won 5 of them.
How on earth is that 'stuttering'?
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/11/basel-aston-villa-europa-league-match-report?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Classy Tielemans seals win in Basel to keep Villa on march in Europe
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It was funny seeing the big hair guy in the crowd before kick off. He’s one of the Yorkshire Villans I met in Warsaw two years ago. Nice bloke.
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One more win at Fener or home to RB Salzburg and its top 8 isn’t it?
Not guaranteed, but probably. Stuttgard playing Roma (9th and 10th) in next round helps but none of the teams in top playing each other.
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An excellent three points albeit not the best watch. There’s a real knack to dealing with these early round European ties - managing to get the points with plenty of rotation and minimal exertion - and Unai is the master.
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Lindy 82 successful passes out of 85. He is becoming a solid signing for the squad.
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Won 8 in a row. What's not to like ?
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It was funny seeing the big hair guy in the crowd before kick off. He’s one of the Yorkshire Villans I met in Warsaw two years ago. Nice bloke.
I thought it was Leo Sayer at first .
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Excellent three points. I thought overall we looked quite comfortable, if a little sloppy for their goal and disallowed goal but that will happen.
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I thought we managed the game reasonably well: shout-out to Konsa, Bogarde and Malen in particular. Guessand - despite his fluke goal - was awful. Sancho was pretty inept. It could have been more comfortable but ... there you go.
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Very good result, but sub par performance for most of the game. Will need to be better away from home when we reach the knockout stages.
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Waiting for tram back to hotel. Kept in as usual. Huge crush as usual. Thought we were very sloppy apart from the first ten minutes. The players fighting for a starting place did not impress. Hopefully come the knockout stages we will be more switched on for 90 mins.
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We really are stuttering through this competition. We are making hard work of it.
It feels like we should be strolling through it - that’s not being arrogant, we have by far the best team/squad, but we are not scoring enough goals, so every game feels like far more of a battle than it needs to be.
But we are now 3rd with no guarantee of finishing in the top 2.
Stuttering through or being guided through by the most experienced manager in the history of this competition whilst managing to compete at the highest level in the toughest league in the world? We're riding our luck a little bit at times but we have several gears to go through when the time comes.
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8 wins in a row, 14 wins out of 16.
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Lindeløf had a good game, didn t see him put a foot wrong.
Thought he was excellent, reassuring back up.
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8 wins in a row, 14 wins out of 16.
If it's not 18 wins out of 20 by the end of the month, serious questions need to be asked about this manager and squad.
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Perfect English team in Europe stuff, that's how you do it, use the squad, do the minimum you need to, get the points.
People expecting some sort of methodical demolition are missing the point.
Sense….thank god ( if there is one!)
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Perfect English team in Europe stuff, that's how you do it, use the squad, do the minimum you need to, get the points.
People expecting some sort of methodical demolition are missing the point.
Sense….thank god ( if there is one!)
Paul McGrath.
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Lindeløf had a good game, didn t see him put a foot wrong.
Thought he was excellent, reassuring back up.
He had worried me when he played on the left - particularly against Young Boys - but tonight he looked very assured.
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Perfect English team in Europe stuff, that's how you do it, use the squad, do the minimum you need to, get the points.
People expecting some sort of methodical demolition are missing the point.
Sense….thank god ( if there is one!)
Paul McGrath.
Indeed!!
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We really are stuttering through this competition. We are making hard work of it.
It feels like we should be strolling through it - that’s not being arrogant, we have by far the best team/squad, but we are not scoring enough goals, so every game feels like far more of a battle than it needs to be.
But we are now 3rd with no guarantee of finishing in the top 2.
I think we are strolling through it to be honest. It can be quite dull to watch playing loads of reserves, largely doing just enough without ever looking great or in massive danger either. It has to be part of the plan to get us through without breaking too much of a sweat.
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We're top 3. How can we be stuttering?
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We're top 3. How can we be stuttering?
We’re not. Andy’s had a ‘mare. We’re doing what is needed. And when the manager makes this many changes it’s not going to be as fluid as what might be our most potent first XI or preferred set of players or system. But the job is being done professionally.
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We are playing disjointed teams to tick off these matches and so far we are getting away with it. I am not funding these games particularly enjoyable and I am much more desperate for a win at the weekends.
When you are fielding Sancho and Guessand it’s never going to be convincing.
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Made the trip to Basel and managed to bag a ticket in the home end, joining up with the rest of the Villa fans in the neutral section at half-time. The result was achieved in 3rd gear! Stayed over the border in St. Louis, France and had no trouble commuting from my front door to Block B of the stadium, the tram system is that impressive...Birmingham take note! Basel is a lovely, friendly city especially this time of year with all the Christmas markets going on. UTV.
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Oh and well done to whichever dickhead was messing around with Fireworks in the away end, some bloke wheeled out on a stretcher with what looked like a serious eye injury.
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Oh and well done to whichever dickhead was messing around with Fireworks in the away end, some bloke wheeled out on a stretcher with what looked like a serious eye injury.
Jesus.
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We're top 3. How can we be stuttering?
We aren't - it is a very long competition. 15 games minimum to win it. The first team 11 won't be on show until last 16 assume we get there - even then I'd expect 2 or 3 of first 11 not to play in position where we are deep.
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Not one of our best performances, Roger Federer was in the crowd, in tennis terms we were a long way from his level, more like Tim Henman's level. The main thing is we got the 3 points and apart from the scare in the last few minutes saw the game out fairly comfortably. A word for Lindelof, not his greatest fan, but last night was the best I've seen him play in a Villa shirt, good to see.
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angyh, how about managing rather then stuttering through?
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Made the trip to Basel and managed to bag a ticket in the home end, joining up with the rest of the Villa fans in the neutral section at half-time. The result was achieved in 3rd gear! Stayed over the border in St. Louis, France and had no trouble commuting from my front door to Block B of the stadium, the tram system is that impressive...Birmingham take note! Basel is a lovely, friendly city especially this time of year with all the Christmas markets going on. UTV.
I'm sure you'll be equally impressed by the warm welcome and transport link to the new stadium planned for Bordesley Green, East Birmingham in 2030/31?
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In order to produce barnstorming performances of the like we saw last weekend, we need to conserve energy, rotate the squad and look workmanlike and effective. That's what we did last night, it's not always about the performance, but it is always about the result.
In a similar way, despite the urgings of so many from the Holte, we are not going to up the tempo of our play for the sake of it, we are not going to go forward every time we are in possession and we are certainly not going to panic.
That's the Managers approach, and while it takes some getting used to, it's working. All we need is a trophy at the end of it.
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Yep - during the league stage, the result is the key thing. We need to keep the whole squad as fresh as possible - it's a long season, and if we can get through to the top 8 with a minimum of fuss and without overplaying anyone ... that's perfect for us really. Get a trophy at the end of it and nobody will care that we've not hammered Basel in the group stage.
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In order to produce barnstorming performances of the like we saw last weekend, we need to conserve energy, rotate the squad and look workmanlike and effective. That's what we did last night, it's not always about the performance, but it is always about the result.
In a similar way, despite the urgings of so many from the Holte, we are not going to up the tempo of our play for the sake of it, we are not going to go forward every time we are in possession and we are certainly not going to panic.
That's the Managers approach, and while it takes some getting used to, it's working. All we need is a trophy at the end of it.
Spot on Nev.
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European away ends are inevitably the slippiest places going. Concourse that rivals QPR or Wigan for crush factoring.
Opining as I nurse my way through just exactly what I spent Ch150 on yesterday, that we've beat a side that's won 7 on the bounce at home and not lost in 10 years in Europe there? Something daft like that anyway. And we've rolled up, made 8 changes, popped the machine on cruise control and strolled about with ease. They're a moody bunch and ambushed a few Villa last night, but any intimidation the ground might have for others, passed us by.
I wouldn't say its an inconvenience that we have to play all these games before our inevitable return to Istanbul in May, but that's the way we're managing affairs. Just the right energy expended, no more no less.
Top 3. No complaints. The job is being jobbed.
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In order to produce barnstorming performances of the like we saw last weekend, we need to conserve energy, rotate the squad and look workmanlike and effective. That's what we did last night, it's not always about the performance, but it is always about the result.
In a similar way, despite the urgings of so many from the Holte, we are not going to up the tempo of our play for the sake of it, we are not going to go forward every time we are in possession and we are certainly not going to panic.
That's the Managers approach, and while it takes some getting used to, it's working. All we need is a trophy at the end of it.
Spot on Nev.
Seconded - this approach has worked for the last 3 years. When it stops working we do something different.
We have no inferiority complex anymore, especially at Villa Park.
This calendar year we have beaten Arsenal, Cit-eh and PSG at the majestic complex.
We beat media Big 6 Spuds 3 times, twice without breaking sweat. We hammered an in form Newcastle and beat Chelsea.
Supporting Villa at the moment is very enjoyable. So enjoy it.
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Haven't been to Basel for about 20 years. Really enjoyed it. Even the sunny weather is a bonus today exploring the city. The football is sometimes a side show to the places we have been lucky enough to visit over the past 3 seasons. If only away fans weren't treated as we were back in 80's in the UK...
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Haven't been to Basel for about 20 years. Really enjoyed it. Even the sunny weather is a bonus today exploring the city. The football is sometimes a side show to the places we have been lucky enough to visit over the past 3 seasons. If only away fans weren't treated as we were back in 80's in the UK...
We still haven’t had a trip to Italy, Spain or Portugal yet though! I love the whole Central European nice cities, great architecture and brilliant beer as much as the next man but I’d like some heat at some point on one of these trips.
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Agreed Italy, Spain, Portugal would be great.
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Their teams tend to be good though.
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Im sure Porto, Betis and Roma will be coming up .
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Overall I think I favour us playing shit teams that our stiffs can beat without breaking in to a sweat.
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Overall I think I favour us playing shit teams that our stiffs can beat without breaking in to a sweat.
Yes, shite teams all the way to the final and preferably one there as well!
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Im sure Porto, Betis and Roma will be coming up .
I'm really, really hoping we get Porto, it is a great city.
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I think Roma would be the only team I would think twice about going to. I've been as neutral a few times which was great. However there always seems to problems when they play English teams. They do like a blade and don't worry who they attack. The softer the target the better..
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We've been attacked in every away game this time round compared to PSG last season and Lille the season before. Rome would be the same as these places; avoid being on your own or in ones and twos. I think the police would be our biggest problem in Italy.
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On the pitch a good result and we did enough. Somebody said last week to me that our performances tend to mirror the level of the opposition which is Emery’s way of managing the squad. The crowd reflected this as the Villa support lacked intensity as if it were a friendly.
Off the pitch was good cracki. As usual had drink with the locals who were sound. I was separated from mates getting off the bus and turned a corner to see about 20 ultras in black. I was on the phone to my sister at the time and said hang on I may have some issues here. They went off in the opposite direction so no harm done though my sister did make a panicked call back to me. A few appeared opposite Pickwicks too but the police appeared and they scattered. There was a cordon in the street so no idea if something did happen after.
I’m getting too old for these late nights though and god only know how much I spent yesterday. All worth it when we win.
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A few were injured as the busses were dropping folks off, as they had scaffold poles. Just read the news on the tram and it said 5 were injured.
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Im sure Porto, Betis and Roma will be coming up .
I'm really, really hoping we get Porto, it is a great city.
It's not bad. ;) I'd rather we play Braga if we have to play any of these northern monkeys.
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Im sure Porto, Betis and Roma will be coming up .
I'm really, really hoping we get Porto, it is a great city.
It's not bad. ;) I'd rather we play Braga if we have to play any of these northern monkeys.
Visited Porto recently and my experience of it was excellent.
Went on the Porto stadium tour (guides were really good) & museum, which was very impressive.
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Im sure Porto, Betis and Roma will be coming up .
I'm really, really hoping we get Porto, it is a great city.
Best city and sandwiches in Portugal, I've heard.
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One of the Bournemouth Lions helped a Villa fan last night who was hit over the head from behind and left on the tram tracks. Waited with the guy along with two Finnish Villa fans until the Police arrived. Hopefully he is alright.
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One of the Bournemouth Lions helped a Villa fan last night who was hit over the head from behind and left on the tram tracks. Waited with the guy along with two Finnish Villa fans until the Police arrived. Hopefully he is alright.
That’s shit, so I hope he’s ok.
It didn’t feel menacing but being caught alone can quickly lead to problems.
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Yep - during the league stage, the result is the key thing.
I think during the knockout phase result is the key thing ;)
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Im sure Porto, Betis and Roma will be coming up .
I'm really, really hoping we get Porto, it is a great city.
Best city and sandwiches in Portugal, I've heard.
Anybody who can eat a francesinha deserves a ticket for the final.