Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on January 19, 2026, 08:47:38 AM
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Thurs 22nd, 17.45 ko.
1-1
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Could be a baptism of fire for some of the kids...
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3-0
Asensio showing us what we should have done last summer instead of Elliot.
It is going to be brutal and harsh. As will next weekend at Newcastle, then we can regroup. Feels like the last week of August again, which is terribly poor planning from the club.
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Bizot
Garcia
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Bogarde
McPhee
Sancho
Buendia
Jimoh-Aloba
Guessand
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Yes I think this week could be brutal.
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I have written to UEFA to complain that we haven't won AFCON AGAIN, and we will proceed to take ownership of Cambodia.
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Bizot
Garcia
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Bogarde
McPhee
Sancho
Buendia
Jimoh-Aloba
Guessand
Think Austin is injured too? Hard to see a positive result with that team but agreed on letting Rogers, Watkins, Tielemans and Konsa sit it out.
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I have written to UEFA to complain that we haven't won AFCON AGAIN, and we will proceed to take ownership of Cambodia.
This is the type of pant wetting meltdown I come to H & V for. Others just cant match SEs level of commitment here.
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Looking at the table and all of the remaining fixtures, this looks to be a game that we can't afford to lose if we want to avoid being in a two legged play off (for the last 16). I'd assume this to be an absolute priority. So I'd say this game is more important than the Newcastle game next Sunday.
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At the very least, Newcastle will go gung ho for the 3 points on Thursday as well.
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At the very least, Newcastle will go gung ho for the 3 points on Thursday as well.
They need to as theyre away at PSG in match day 8.
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Given that we decided to sabotage our own chances of winning the league, we should now be concentrating on the cups as a way of finally winning a sodding trophy.
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At the very least, Newcastle will go gung ho for the 3 points on Thursday as well.
Sadly, their game is on Weds so they'll have an extra night's rest and zero travel before we cross the Tyne bridge for our annual dicking. #VillaHensOnParade
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Apologies, I meant Wednesday. Still got hang up's from last year...
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Bizot
Garcia
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Bogarde
McPhee
Sancho
Buendia
Jimoh-Aloba
Guessand
100% agree, although Im not sure McPhee can last 90 mins. We cant even risk Hemmings in this one.
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Bizot
Garcia
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Bogarde
McPhee
Sancho
Buendia
Jimoh-Aloba
Guessand
100% agree, although Im not sure McPhee can last 90 mins. We cant even risk Hemmings in this one.
That's fine, if you want us to end up having to play a further two games just in order to make the last 16.
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Bizot
Garcia
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Bogarde
McPhee
Sancho
Buendia
Jimoh-Aloba
Guessand
100% agree, although Im not sure McPhee can last 90 mins. We cant even risk Hemmings in this one.
That's fine, if you want us to end up having to play a further two games just in order to make the last 16.
If we need to win one more, home to Salzburg feels like the more winnable game to me.
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If we are resting players, Tielemans not travelling is the most important. We can't afford to lose another CM to injury.
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This is where the GAE result/performance is going to come back and bite us. We should be comfortably top of the group, but the attitude in that game has led us to need to win this and the home game to get top 2.
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Jhon Duran has had his two-game ban reduced to one and therefore will be able to play against #AVFC on Thursday.
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Oh good.
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Cant say Im feeling confident about this one.
Suspect well lose by a couple.
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Bizot
Garcia
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Bogarde
McPhee
Sancho
Buendia
Jimoh-Aloba
Guessand
100% agree, although Im not sure McPhee can last 90 mins. We cant even risk Hemmings in this one.
That's fine, if you want us to end up having to play a further two games just in order to make the last 16.
If we need to win one more, home to Salzburg feels like the more winnable game to me.
Four points would secure us top 8 and straight through to the last 16. Three points could well be not enough.
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I fear the worst.
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0-4
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2-0 defeat. Resting a few players might be an idea.
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Presumably our wage bill still dwarves theirs - even with the absences - which is how modern football seems to work?
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I fear a defeat here, we are so low on numbers due to injuries/players leaving that we will probably have the shithouse cleaner on the bench to make up the numbers.
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A loss, over 2.5 and Duran scoring anytime is 4/1 if anyone wants some free money
This will be a spanking. Really hope we dont start anyone crucial/important
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Jhon Duran has had his two-game ban reduced to one and therefore will be able to play against #AVFC on Thursday.
Loads of people were saying this at the match yesterday and I thought it was bollocks because there was no news on X or here.
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Horrible fixture considering the Newcastle game on the Sunday. They are at home with an extra days rest. We have to get back from Istanbul Friday morning then prepare for St Jamess Park Saturday.
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Seeing as we sacrificed the Everton game, may as well do the same with Newcastle. Go as full strength as possible in Turkey. Win a trophy.
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Still don't know if it's true or not
Haven't seen anything official but several posts on social media that Duran will be playing against us.
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Townley has said it is true.
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Strong team IMO
Martinez
Lindelof, Konsa, Mings, Digne
Bogarde, Hemmings
Guessand, Buendia, Rogers
Watkins
Sancho in for Buendia if he's fit
Take Rogers off after an hour
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I have written to UEFA to complain that we haven't won AFCON AGAIN, and we will proceed to take ownership of Cambodia.
Can't we have Colombia?
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A loss, over 2.5 and Duran scoring anytime is 4/1 if anyone wants some free money
This will be a spanking. Really hope we dont start anyone crucial/important
Wouldn't be surprised if Duran lost his head, Mings winding him up. Might be worth a few quid for a red card.
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Bizot
Cash Konsa Mings Digne
Lindelof Tielemans
Rogers Buendia Sancho
Watkins
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No McGinn, Kamara, Onana, tough place to go, Duran and Asensio playing for them
.like Han Solo say
.I have a bad feeling about this!
Would take a draw all day long to be honest.
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Martinez back spasm incoming? Bizot deserves a game but I'd nearly force Martinez to play and atone for his mistake at weekend.
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Bizot
Cash Konsa Mings Digne
Lindelof Tielemans
Rogers Buendia Sancho
Watkins
They'll all be bollixed for Newcastle. Let the kids play in Türkiye.
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Ive just been looking at the table and fixtures, and whilst not mathematically certain, one win is highly likely to be enough.
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Bizot
Garcia
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Bogarde
McPhee
Sancho
Buendia
Jimoh-Aloba
Guessand
100% agree, although Im not sure McPhee can last 90 mins. We cant even risk Hemmings in this one.
That's fine, if you want us to end up having to play a further two games just in order to make the last 16.
If we need to win one more, home to Salzburg feels like the more winnable game to me.
This would be my choice, play a much weakened side on Thursday, what will be will be, 100% essential we don't get a single injury, we need to focus on Newcastle they will go full tilt to smash us and then some at the weekend and judging by Unai post match interview for Sky yesterday, wow! never seen anything like it, expression on his face for the last question, blimey, things are clearly happening in the background we know nothing about for Unai to be so angry, my guess is Malen was whisked away without Unai having to much influence in the matter.
We need players this week, I would get Bailey back as of right now, how far away is Elliot's match fitness, get him in for the weekend, we need to do something.
Have we actually sold Barrenechea.
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Ive just been looking at the table and fixtures, and whilst not mathematically certain, one win is highly likely to be enough.
The problem is, none of the current top 8 have fixtures against each other, either this week or next week, so not taking points off each othet, then there's Roma and Stuttgart coming along in 9th and 10th.
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If youre heading over. Wrap up. Its bloody cold
Snowed this morning.
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Not feeling confident at all i am afraid
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Can we kidnap Asensio and Durán on the way home? Bundle them onto the team bus, covering their handsome faces in long black Villa coats while Evann is having a last-minute slash in the bogs before the coach pulls off without him.
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Duran will score, attack the away section as a celebration, headbutt the ref when sent off, set fire to our team coach, then he'll probably lose the plot and do something out of character.
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Is Onana fit?
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I've woken up this morning thinking we'll see an Unai tactical masterclass tomorrow. He know we are up against it and this is when we are at our best.
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The Asensio set up to Duran is almost inevitable.
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Is Onana fit?
Almost certainly not and I wouldnt be risking him here if theres any question.
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I've woken up this morning thinking we'll see an Unai tactical masterclass tomorrow. He know we are up against it and this is when we are at our best.
I would agree if we had a team, it is just asking a lot of the players that are fit. I think we are in for a battering at Newcastle on Sunday.
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The Asensio set up to Duran is almost inevitable.
Not sure Durán will start bearing in mind another forward scored two in their last game. Might be worth waiting until he comes off the bench to get the bet on.
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Martinez hasnt travelled according to Townley.
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Martinez hasnt travelled according to Townley.
It wouldnt be a shocker to see him leave this January and we get a new keeper or just go with Bizot to end the season.
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Martinez hasnt travelled according to Townley.
Amazing how consistent he is in making an error in one game and is out the next.
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Hasn't Bizot started all our EL games anyway. Emi seems to have been carrying a knock all season - physically or mentally...
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Hasn't Bizot started all our EL games anyway. Emi seems to have been carrying a knock all season - physically or mentally...
Martinez has played in a few of them.
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Hmm, Martinez certainly picking his moments
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Martinez hasnt travelled according to Townley.
It wouldnt be a shocker to see him leave this January
I think it would.
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Little Emi filled-in as the player on media duties with Unai at the pre-match presser. Often an omen for the player not to be involved (I recall Bailey and Youri doing this chore and then being subs).
Emery looked pissed off. Didn't take the "Tell us how wonderful our team is" bait from local journalists, refusing to answer whether he'd seen them play before and a sullen "All their players are dangerous" when asked to say something about their non-ex Villans.
Looks like the gaffer needs a haircut, a massage, a spliff and an ejaculation.
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Martinez hasnt travelled according to Townley.
It wouldnt be a shocker to see him leave this January
I think it would.
given the madness that this window generally provides and the fact that we are completely boxed in with PSR/SCR, our key injury to Kamara, possible 2 months out for SJM, and the departure of Malen, I could see a scenario we take the money now approach with Emi who is also our highest earner. I would hate it but I can see a world where we take a drastic decision.
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Me too.
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Little Emi filled-in as the player on media duties with Unai at the pre-match presser. Often an omen for the player not to be involved (I recall Bailey and Youri doing this chore and then being subs).
Emery looked pissed off. Didn't take the "Tell us how wonderful our team is" bait from local journalists, refusing to answer whether he'd seen them play before and a sullen "All their players are dangerous" when asked to say something about their non-ex Villans.
Looks like the gaffer needs a haircut, a massage, a spliff and an ejaculation.
Need Emery to circle the wagons again. He was at this at the start of the season and it didn't help matters one iota. He chose to jettison Elliot and had to have some role in bringing in likes of Guessand and Sancho particularly. Injuries to two key players are terrible news but we are still one of the best teams on paper in the EL and 7 wins will probably do it to secure CL qualification from the remaining 16 PL games.
Battling performance tomorrow tonight and no injuries. Wasn't so long ago we were preparing for cup games to likes of Yeovil, Bradford and Stevenage and losing!
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We dont need to lose more experience now.
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Ive just seen the press conference, well part of it. I dont think Ive ever seen Emery look so down.
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Agreed, he looked and sounded completely pissed off.
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Aston Villa youngsters George Hemmings, Kadan Young, James Wright and Jamal Jimoh-Aloba are all here in Istanbul.
https://x.com/johntownley11/status/2014025564886057235
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Onana involved in pitch-side training
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https://x.com/Fenerbahce/status/2014031523658264890?s=20
Er OK....but a nice nod to Ozzy.
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Their side looks very handy. Talisca scores goals for fun.
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Tedesco's Style: Known for adaptability, data use, and set-piece expertise. Thats us screwed.
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https://youtu.be/JS30cC82a-k?si=wnp99gXxLQaePql7
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If Duran scores hes going full Adebayor isnt he?
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These next four days are going to be pretty unpleasant, especially Sunday. I just want them out of the way as quickly as possible. Two heavy defeats incoming.
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These next four days are going to be pretty unpleasant, especially Sunday. I just want them out of the way as quickly as possible. Two heavy defeats incoming.
I hope not.
Im going for two battling performances with a decent point in both games, but then I'm the world's greatest optomist.
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These next four days are going to be pretty unpleasant, especially Sunday. I just want them out of the way as quickly as possible. Two heavy defeats incoming.
I'm relatively confident we can get something in Newcastle. If Onana is back (and doesn't immediately get injured again), then it'll basically be the same team from the first half at Arsenal, plus Pau Torres and Cash, which is more than capable of getting a result up there.
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These next four days are going to be pretty unpleasant, especially Sunday. I just want them out of the way as quickly as possible. Two heavy defeats incoming.
I'm relatively confident we can get something in Newcastle. If Onana is back (and doesn't immediately get injured again), then it'll basically be the same team from the first half at Arsenal, plus Pau Torres and Cash, which is more than capable of getting a result up there.
I agree. Onana being fit is massive for us now.
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We really could do with Sancho stepping up for the remainder of the season. Even at his short stint at Chelsea he got amongst the goals and assists. All I can see so far he's tidy with the ball. The amount of money he's on we need much more.
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Hoping that Onana is fit and stays fit and that maybe Sancho can step up over the next few games does not help the pessimist in me.
Please prove me wrong guys.
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These next four days are going to be pretty unpleasant, especially Sunday. I just want them out of the way as quickly as possible. Two heavy defeats incoming.
That's the spirit!
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These next four days are going to be pretty unpleasant, especially Sunday. I just want them out of the way as quickly as possible. Two heavy defeats incoming.
I'm relatively confident we can get something in Newcastle. If Onana is back (and doesn't immediately get injured again), then it'll basically be the same team from the first half at Arsenal, plus Pau Torres and Cash, which is more than capable of getting a result up there.
Thats a good way of looking at it and cheers me up a bit
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Think last night might have been the drunkest away session going. 3am and feeling like midnight, passing flares round like a Swiss New Year.
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Two draws would be a decent return and not too damaging. The most Aston Villa thing to do would be the opposite to what we all expect though.
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2 draws would be a fantastic show of our fortitude. I can't see it though, the midfield is too open. If Onana does make it for either game he needs to assume responsibility and take the game by the scruff of it's neck.
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That's not his game. Telescopic legs to pinch the ball, driving up the pitch, a little sloppy in possession, no real half-turn ability. Useful height at set-plays. We haven't suffered in his absence because we have better midfielders.
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Is Bailey in the squad for this?
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Is Bailey in the squad for this?
Could be wrong, bit I don't think we can register anyone until the knockouts now.
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He's also already played against Celtic hasn't he for Roma. So that's a no then.
If there's no Onana then the midfield is going to be incredibly lightweight.
Tielemans, Buendia, Bogarde, Rogers and Guessand is very very flakey.
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Turk teams are no where near the level of the premier league, they'll have a noisey crowd (megaphone led chanting >:( ) a couple of players who can cause some danger who we know about, but its not away at the bernabeu. We're technically and tacticlly superior even with weakened team. They'll need to be a full throttle for 90mins, where rogers only needs one momemt.
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I can see the reasons behind the general negativity at the moment and the fearfulness of defeat here today, but I dont agree well lose this, were better than them.
Hard fought 1-2 win.
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In added positive news Bruno a severe doubt for Sunday after going off injured last night
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Turk teams are no where near the level of the premier league, they'll have a noisey crowd (megaphone led chanting >:( ) a couple of players who can cause some danger who we know about, but its not away at the bernabeu. We're technically and tacticlly superior even with weakened team. They'll need to be a full throttle for 90mins, where rogers only needs one momemt.
Have you seen there squad? There first 11 (which includes 2 players who where excellent for us) is absolutely worthy of any competition.
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In added positive news Bruno a severe doubt for Sunday after going off injured last night
Please, we call them Guimaraes and Fernandes.
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In added positive news Bruno a severe doubt for Sunday after going off injured last night
Please, we call them Guimaraes and Fernandes.
wee amongst other things
well amongst other things
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Turk teams are no where near the level of the premier league, they'll have a noisey crowd (megaphone led chanting >:( ) a couple of players who can cause some danger who we know about, but its not away at the bernabeu. We're technically and tacticlly superior even with weakened team. They'll need to be a full throttle for 90mins, where rogers only needs one momemt.
Have you seen there squad? There first 11 (which includes 2 players who where excellent for us) is absolutely worthy of any competition.
Yup, a combined first XI of the two sides would easily include three or four of their players even if we had everyone available. Which we obviously don't.
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Turk teams are no where near the level of the premier league, they'll have a noisey crowd (megaphone led chanting >:( ) a couple of players who can cause some danger who we know about, but its not away at the bernabeu. We're technically and tacticlly superior even with weakened team. They'll need to be a full throttle for 90mins, where rogers only needs one momemt.
I think your mistaken if you think this teams no good. They are a decent side. I ahve a feeling asensio is going to want to prove a point.
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They're below Forest in the table.
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We're below Midtjylland, but I don't think many people would say they're a better team than we are.
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That's not his game. Telescopic legs to pinch the ball, driving up the pitch, a little sloppy in possession, no real half-turn ability. Useful height at set-plays. We haven't suffered in his absence because we have better midfielders.
Thought he was the best player on the pitch till he got injured at Arse away
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They're below Forest in the table.
Bodo Glimt aren't even in the knockout positions in the CL table and hadn't won a a game all competition, but where able to put 3 past one of the most expensive and experienced teams Europe has ever seen.
I'm not saying the defeatist attitude of some does any good, but statements like that don't help either.
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I will happily eat humble pie on this, but Id be very surprised if we win.
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They're below Forest in the table.
Bodo Glimt aren't even in the knockout positions in the CL table and hadn't won a a game all competition, but where able to put 3 past one of the most expensive and experienced teams Europe has ever seen.
I'm not saying the defeatist attitude of some does any good, but statements like that don't help either.
I doubt very much if stating a fact about the current table will affect the result one way or the otherm
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I will happily eat humble pie on this, but Id be very surprised if we win.
..me too. This will be be hostile, and they know we are down to the bare bones through injuries. A draw would be a decent result in the current circumstances. It will be interesting to see if Hemmings starts.
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Convoy to the ground
https://x.com/avfcbreaking/status/2014347324823105798
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Reading all the tweets on @avfcsupport today it looks like itll be an absolute delight for the hardy 2000 :-( respect to them all
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Reading all the tweets on @avfcsupport today it looks like itll be an absolute delight for the hardy 2000 :-( respect to them all
Lucky fuckers, I've never been given a police escort to the stadium.
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These ****** shouldn't be anywhere near a European competition. Absolute slags.
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Anyone seen the footage of our fans with fireworks inside a bar from last night? Deary me, clearly don't watch the news.
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Anyone seen the footage of our fans with fireworks inside a bar from last night? Deary me, clearly don't watch the news.
Yep I saw that. Id be moving on to the next bar sharpish.
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4 of the 6 teams weve played against so far currently wont be going through to the playoff round and we lost to one of them. When the draw was made this always looked the toughest fixture, thats without our current injury issues.
Its thought provoking as to the team selection. Its a big ask and risk for Onana to start, I can see him getting the last 20 minutes but think hell play Bogarde/ Tielemans and Rogers/ Buendia/ Guessand behind Watkins. Id snap your hand off for a draw.
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I will happily eat humble pie on this, but Id be very surprised if we win.
..me too. This will be be hostile, and they know we are down to the bare bones through injuries. A draw would be a decent result in the current circumstances. It will be interesting to see if Hemmings starts.
Apart from the bench how are we down to the bare bones??
The only guaranteed non starters available are Kamara and MCGInn
..just cant buy that
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I will happily eat humble pie on this, but Id be very surprised if we win.
..me too. This will be be hostile, and they know we are down to the bare bones through injuries. A draw would be a decent result in the current circumstances. It will be interesting to see if Hemmings starts.
Apart from the bench how are we down to the bare bones??
The only guaranteed non starters available are Kamara and MCGInn
..just cant buy that
Emi as well.
You're right though. If Onana is on his way back, that definitely makes it a bit less hysterical. I think having so many midfielders missing is more of a problem than elsewhere, as that run we were on was based on being able to completely refresh the midfield with half an hour left, so asking Tielemans to do so much work is worse for us than if it were happening elsewhere on the pitch.
And while it's not an injury, having Malen or his replacement in the squad would also make people a bit happier too.
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I will happily eat humble pie on this, but Id be very surprised if we win.
..me too. This will be be hostile, and they know we are down to the bare bones through injuries. A draw would be a decent result in the current circumstances. It will be interesting to see if Hemmings starts.
Apart from the bench how are we down to the bare bones??
The only guaranteed non starters available are Kamara and MCGInn
..just cant buy that
Emi as well.
You're right though. If Onana is on his way back, that definitely makes it a bit less hysterical. I think having so many midfielders missing is more of a problem than elsewhere, as that run we were on was based on being able to completely refresh the midfield with half an hour left, so asking Tielemans to do so much work is worse for us than if it were happening elsewhere on the pitch.
And while it's not an injury, having Malen or his replacement in the squad would also make people a bit happier too.
Forgot Emi
🤦🏻♂️
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Convoy to the ground
https://x.com/avfcbreaking/status/2014347324823105798
Its the return journey where the fun starts.
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Emi is at home watching ManU TV.
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Anyone seen the footage of our fans with fireworks inside a bar from last night? Deary me, clearly don't watch the news.
Yep I saw that. Id be moving on to the next bar sharpish.
We were in the bar ! Said the same.
We didnt get the coaches. No issues. Straight in. Police couldnt have been friendlier
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Reading all the tweets on @avfcsupport today it looks like itll be an absolute delight for the hardy 2000 :-( respect to them all
Lucky fuckers, I've never been given a police escort to the stadium.
Standard procedure off the trains in the 70s.