Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on January 22, 2026, 07:43:05 PM
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Never in doubt.
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Stick that right up your gobble.
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Marco Bizot superb. All of them played well especially in the first half. Incredibly wasteful as we should won by a hatful.
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Mings was good tonight
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Very pleased with that. Didnt expect to win, but thats a cracking result. Great first half and backs to the wall second.
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Unexpected.
Through to the straight knockouts no matter the result in the next round.
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Asensio and Duran were utter shit.
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Even the ex belgian manager is asking Youri what happened between the gaffer and him.
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Great performance. Should have wrapped it up earlier.
Bizot, Mings, Lindelof, Tielemans were outstanding.
Big positives. Onana back. Garcia looked solid.
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Bizot was MOM
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Thought we were superb. Cash,Bizot,Lindelof,Bogarde,Mings all brilliant
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I was fearing the absolute worst tonight and said so earlier today but what do I know.
Well done Villa, played some superb stuff first half.
Lets hope my prediction about next Sunday is equally inaccurate.
UTV.
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Gerrin Villa!
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No sure Asensio was, but who cares. Big win and into the last 16.
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Great away performance.
I think we are back.
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Fantastic result. Great attacking performance in the first half, defensive in the second. Mings was immense. Dealt with Duran with ease. Cash was excellent also. Sancho scored but was largely very poor with his use of the ball and finishing. Should have been out of sight much earlier. A performing striker and we would have been. Subs show how weak our bench is.
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Have to give Unai credit!
Whenever we seem down in the dumps he pulls something out of the hat.
Thought we lacked control in midfield but more dangerous in attack. Wonder if wed dare play that way in Newcastle. Probably not with Onana coming back!
Not sure what going on with Unai and Tielemans unless Unai didnt want him to pick up a needless booking!
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We go second, Brann equalise deep in stoppage time. Need to win to gurantee avoiding Lyon to the final and home advantage throughout.
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Job done.
One saw the second half - though Bizot looked good and the 2 center halfs.
Would be great to win a game by more than 1 goal - but onwards.
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I thought that was an incredible fighting, tenacious performance. Every player involved deserves a lot of credit. Well done you Villa boys.
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Get in!! What a result that is, superb!
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Job done. Great to get back to winning ways so quickly.
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Tyrone will need to speak to his dry cleaner.
He will need to tell them that Duran is wrapped up in the fluff at the bottom of his pocket.
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Great win, should have been more comfortable but a lovely three points. Bizot man of the match but some notable performances from many of them.
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I dont reckon Emi makes all those saves.
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Should have been at least 3, Bizot superb.
Our back 4 were excellent.
Guessand is woeful.
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We go second, Brann equalise deep in stoppage time. Need to win to gurantee avoiding Lyon to the final and home advantage throughout.
Wow Id given up looking at the live scores!
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Forgot to mention how brilliant Bizot was!
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Real back to the walls stuff there in the second half. Can't believe we have to go to Newcastle in less than 72 hours.
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Great win that for a lot of reasons.
Should have been more comfortable seeing it out but didnt take our chances. But well done lads!
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2nd now too
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What a performance. Bizot/Lindelof/Mings so good it feels very harsh to drop them for Sunday.
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Great result after everything lately. Objective achieved. Tonight is going to take it out of the legs, mind. That crap between Emery and Tielemans we don't need.
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I dont reckon Emi makes all those saves.
Totally agree.
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Outstanding performance. As said on here earlier, Bizot mom but Mings/Lindelof absolutely superb, Mings (if he can) plays with Konza Sunday without doubt.
Garcia looked good, both full backs great, Onana back, Buendia was excellent in first half. If we can get Tammy A in, we're looking good.
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Also want to add that I thought that was the best ref performance Ive seen all season
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I thought that was one of the best games that I've seen from Emery's Villa: we played with assuredness at the back, with Mings and Linderlof coming in and Cash and Digne playing so well - it was very impressive; backed up so well by Bizot. Tielemans had a super game, and Rogers and Buendia both played really well as well. Watkins did what he does best which is giving the opposition defence no space or time, and I thought that bringing Garcia and Maatsen on as wingers was really impressive for the final 20 minutes of the game. Even Sancho made a useful contribution - kudos to Emery.
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Low key, but Garcia didn't look out of place when he came on for Cash.
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Also want to add that I thought that was the best ref performance Ive seen all season
He let quite a few go in the second half but overall was good.
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Surprised but delighted. Top 2 would be a bonus, but at least there won't be a play-off tie.
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Great result after everything lately. Objective achieved. Tonight is going to take it out of the legs, mind. That crap between Emery and Tielemans we don't need.
Yes we do. We need an angry Unai. An angry Unai = no one having a fucking prayer against us.
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Need Salzburg to lose now tonight!
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Unai at his best. Bit like the spurs game in the cup. Home team had a little go but we should have had it all wrapped up, the onana changed the game.
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Great win
Defence and Bizot superb
Should of scored more to have won comfortably
Watkins a shadow of his formerself.
In Unai we trust
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Lindelof was brilliant tonight. Great win. Hope Tillemans and Unai are still friends, doesn't Unai know we are very short of midfielders at the mo. Don't piss Youri off.
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Asensio and Duran both rubbish, we should have had five some really bad misses but credit to Emery he picks the side. Thought Mings was immense but Ollie was wasteful. Great win.
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I dont reckon Emi makes all those saves.
Totally agree.
Mmm, they were all saves a keeper should make TBF. That Brazilian kept hitting the keeper with shots.
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Bucket loads of positives tonight, very happy.
This isnt a Villa side to be writing off too soon.
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The opposition were naff so I expect Konsa, Pau and Emi ( if his brother hasn't flogged him yet ) to play ahead of tonight's 3. Levels.
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Yes we do. We need an angry Unai. An angry Unai = no one having a fucking prayer against us.
I prefer cold and calculating Unai, myself.
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Referee was excellent
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You know when you fear the worst, what with injuries and Unai looking depressed. Well fuck you, welcome to Unai world who can make a silk purse every time. Please Villa look after him 🙏
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Cracking game, Bizot superb. Tielemans ran the show for 60 mins. Duran looked as bad as Guessand and Asensio was a bystander. Sancho's best game for us too. Excellent stuff, on to the knockouts which will be cracking nights
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The Emery - Tielemans things was handbags in the heat of the moment. Ive no problem with it.
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Yes we do. We need an angry Unai. An angry Unai = no one having a fucking prayer against us.
I prefer cold and calculating Unai, myself.
When hes angry is when hes most cold and calculating. Hes going to take it all out on that twat of an assistant manager at Newcastle.
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Heroic performance.
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Unai having a pop at Tielemans for putting corners into the box, when he should be playing it short and time wasting (I assume).
Played some lovely stuff but very wasteful up front.
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Unai having a pop at Tielemans for putting corners into the box, when he should be playing it short and time wasting (I assume).
I thought that was it too but in fairness to Tielemans the corners were cleared for other corners. One for the dressing room not the sideline.
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Youri looking to move on this month after his manager humiliates him in public is the last thing we need.
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I love Ollie to bits but we cannot move to the next level without a more clinical striker, we should have been miles ahead here. It's not all his fault but I think an incoming bit of competition for him would be no bad thing. You can tell Unai thinks the same given who we brought in last season on loan.
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Youri looking to move on this month after his manager humiliates him in public is the last thing we need.
Good job it isn't happening then.
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Even though they had a goal disallowed and Bizot made some decent saves I never really had the trouser filling panic I usually have. We were so good on the counter. Maybe thats the blue print for the next few weeks.
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Someone do the ratings, only saw last 20. Smirker?
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Someone do the ratings, only saw last 20. Smirker?
Ollie Watkins -∞
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2nd half was a hard watch at times, should have been more comfortable that it was, but the only thing that matters is we're in the last 16. Tyrone was immense, absolutely love the bloke and so was Bizot, joint MOTM to them.
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When you can go to one of the most hostile grounds on earth, play one of your first choice back five and with your best midfield decimated by injuries, and pull off a result like that - you belong.
Sancho even paid a couple of weeks of his wages by turning a draw into a win.
Brilliant, battling result. Proud of every one of them.
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After the last couple of weeks an amazing result.
Special mention to Tyrone Mings a true Villa modern day legend.
We have an incredible manager.
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Great win, dug in for the result and the bonus of moving into the top 2.
Few beers tonight I think.
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A masterclass in how to balls up very promising positions.
But a great win, played really well and should've been more comfortable. Great to see Mings back, I would've loved it if he scored his strike on the swivel. Lindelof has been a fantastic bit of business. And BIZOT was good too.
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As I said before the game they were nothing special, West Ham - 2/3 very good players and a good few average ones
.that Talisca almost changed the game & will no doubt be linked by all the click bait sites to English clubs for the next week.
Bizot immense, Mings & Lindelof brilliant. Youri had as much room in that midfield as he did for the first 40 mins when he came on at spurs. Word for Bogarde who was a great foil in the centre for youri
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And there were thoughts we might get a drubbing 🤔😀
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2nd half was a hard watch at times, should have been more comfortable that it was, but the only thing that matters is we're in the last 16. Tyrone was immense, absolutely love the bloke and so was Bizot, joint MOTM to them.
Yep, great result and has confirmed our spot in the top 8 which is all that counts really. Didn't think it was a great performance as we gave the ball away far too often and we will have to improve when we come across better opposition.
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Phenomenal. Especially when you think we managed to rest Pau and Konsa. Victor Lindelof - signing of the season.
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Was the crowd intimidating or hostile ?
They were loud but it didnt seem over hostile.
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(https://i.ibb.co/BKFzTDjG/IMG-1016.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BKFzTDjG)
Fab day. Fab night. Were still in here but in good spirits !!
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Phenomenal. Especially when you think we managed to rest Pau and Konsa. Victor Lindelof - signing of the season.
Pleased others are seeing it.
Ive said for weeks how good he has been and his integration into the team has been seamless.
I dont think anyone thinks oh, no when they see his name in the starting 11.
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Safe journey home Aldridgeboy and all of the other Villa fans out there tonight
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That was a performance full of heart and fight.
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Loved the commitment tonight.
Bizot outstanding.
Mings & Lindelof I thought were excellent.
Sancho needs a bit more aggression.
Guessand needs a new job.
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When you can go to one of the most hostile grounds on earth, play one of your first choice back five and with your best midfield decimated by injuries, and pull off a result like that - you belong.
Sancho even paid a couple of weeks of his wages by turning a draw into a win.
100% from me
Brilliant, battling result. Proud of every one of them.
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2nd half was a hard watch at times, should have been more comfortable that it was, but the only thing that matters is we're in the last 16. Tyrone was immense, absolutely love the bloke and so was Bizot, joint MOTM to them.
Yep, great result and has confirmed our spot in the top 8 which is all that counts really. Didn't think it was a great performance as we gave the ball away far too often and we will have to improve when we come across better opposition.
Under the circumstances that was a very good result and performance. When we come across better opposition we will hopefully have something like a midfield to chose from.
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Sancho did much better tonight playing on the right.
Mings, Bizot were superb.
a scrappy, fighting win and clean sheet in Turkey is not to be sniffed at.
Well done Unai
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I love everyone in the Villa squad and all of you too. Let's win it all!!
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Great win, that's probably our hardest away gane this season
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Dont know about anyone else, but I got the feeling if Sancho had had more game time, he would have scored more than one tonight. Hed have been a second quicker which would have made all the difference. Of course, hes got to earn it.
But Maybe we need to play him into form. I havent checked but it feels like weve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe weve been backing the wrong one..?
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Ollie wasn't at his best tonight.
But hopefully that agricultural tackle from their plank of a centre half doesn't result in him missing much (any) game time.
If we had Don, Mad Jhon, or Diaby etc we could prob cope.
But we've got less options for that spot than we had two years ago.
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But Maybe we need to play him into form. I havent checked but it feels like weve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe weve been backing the wrong one..?
True, but I wouldnt back Guessand in a one horse race.
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Good win, very good performance and it should have been more than one. Marvellous.
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Real back to the walls stuff there in the second half. Can't believe we have to go to Newcastle in less than 72 hours.
We don't, it's 88 hours till we play Newcastle.
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Marco. Bizot.
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Jhon Duran v Aston Villa
64 mins on his arse
12 mins offside
9 mins trying and failing to outmuscle Mings
5 mins moaning at the ref
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Jhon Duran v Aston Villa
64 mins on his arse
12 mins offside
9 mins trying and failing to outmuscle Mings
5 mins moaning at the ref
Living down to the hype.
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Jhon Duran v Aston Villa
64 mins on his arse
12 mins offside
9 mins trying and failing to outmuscle Mings
5 mins moaning at the ref
The new Balotelli
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Real back to the walls stuff there in the second half. Can't believe we have to go to Newcastle in less than 72 hours.
We don't, it's 88 hours till we play Newcastle.
Great - plenty of time!
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Great win and use of squad
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Dont know about anyone else, but I got the feeling if Sancho had had more game time, he would have scored more than one tonight. Hed have been a second quicker which would have made all the difference. Of course, hes got to earn it.
But Maybe we need to play him into form. I havent checked but it feels like weve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe weve been backing the wrong one..?
Sancho was mostly useless apart from his goal.
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What a pick me up after the last week of negativity.
Fantastic away performance, lovely stuff. Some of the less celebrated players (Mings, Bizot) shone tonight which was great to see.
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Dont know about anyone else, but I got the feeling if Sancho had had more game time, he would have scored more than one tonight. Hed have been a second quicker which would have made all the difference. Of course, hes got to earn it.
But Maybe we need to play him into form. I havent checked but it feels like weve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe weve been backing the wrong one..?
Sancho was mostly useless apart from his goal.
Have to disagree. His defensive covering work was excellent and he looked dangerous going forward. Especially the first half. Ive been a critic of his but not today.
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Jhon Duran v Aston Villa
64 mins on his arse
12 mins offside
9 mins trying and failing to outmuscle Mings
5 mins moaning at the ref
Their fans certainly got after him near the end when he couldn't be bothered chasing a ball. Asensio dropping so deep he was practically a centre back at one point.
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Dont know about anyone else, but I got the feeling if Sancho had had more game time, he would have scored more than one tonight. Hed have been a second quicker which would have made all the difference. Of course, hes got to earn it.
But Maybe we need to play him into form. I havent checked but it feels like weve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe weve been backing the wrong one..?
Sancho was mostly useless apart from his goal.
Have to disagree. His defensive covering work was excellent and he looked dangerous going forward. Especially the first half. Ive been a critic of his but not today.
I agree. Im not his biggest fan but showed a lot more today than he has done. Lots of room for improvement though.
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And Unai.
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Dont know about anyone else, but I got the feeling if Sancho had had more game time, he would have scored more than one tonight. Hed have been a second quicker which would have made all the difference. Of course, hes got to earn it.
But Maybe we need to play him into form. I havent checked but it feels like weve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe weve been backing the wrong one..?
Sancho was mostly useless apart from his goal.
Have to disagree. His defensive covering work was excellent and he looked dangerous going forward. Especially the first half. Ive been a critic of his but not today.
He lost the ball almost every time he had it.
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Lads look happy headed back to the changing rooms.
https://x.com/avfcofficial/status/2014434895859482798?s=46
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Safe journey home Aldridgeboy and all of the other Villa fans out there tonight
Thank you. Were still locked in!!
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Real back to the walls stuff there in the second half. Can't believe we have to go to Newcastle in less than 72 hours.
We don't, it's 88 hours till we play Newcastle.
[/quoteReal back to the walls stuff there in the second half. Can't believe we have to go to Newcastle in less than 72 hours.
We don't, it's 88 hours till we play Newcastle.
My error, it us less than 72 hours, something told me it was Wednesday !
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Marvellous how this Manager can get the best out of a team. I've been very vocal about Sancho but he was good tonight, repeat that regularly and it will be like a new signing.
Great relief not to play 2 extra games.
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Dont know about anyone else, but I got the feeling if Sancho had had more game time, he would have scored more than one tonight. Hed have been a second quicker which would have made all the difference. Of course, hes got to earn it.
But Maybe we need to play him into form. I havent checked but it feels like weve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe weve been backing the wrong one..?
Sancho was mostly useless apart from his goal.
I'm no fan of Sancho, but I have to disagree.
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Who knew Unai was Youris Dad?
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Who knew Unai was Youris Dad?
You, of all people, must have had an inkling.
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Dont know about anyone else, but I got the feeling if Sancho had had more game time, he would have scored more than one tonight. Hed have been a second quicker which would have made all the difference. Of course, hes got to earn it.
But Maybe we need to play him into form. I havent checked but it feels like weve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe weve been backing the wrong one..?
Sancho was mostly useless apart from his goal.
He played well.
We played really well. Largely bossed the first half and the first 10 mins of the second half and saw out the last 10 mins or so comfortably. They had about 20 mins in the middle where they threatened and Mings, Lindelof snd Bizot handled it.
Well done to them all and a really angry Unai
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Who knew Unai was Youris Dad?
You, of all people, must have had an inkling.
What a parents evening that would be by the fucking way.
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I thought Sancho was excellent, needs to carry that into the league now.
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I wasn't expecting much out of tonight's game, so was pleasantly surprised at the win and performance.
Only gripe for me is how wasteful we were in front of goal.
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Lots of plus points tonight, Tyrone looked good, much better Sancho, Bizot definitely can claim that as a clean sheet, Onana coming back thank the Lord, on the debit side Ollies tribulations still not over. Slightly wasteful in front of goal again which could have cost us. Good result in a notoriously difficult environment.
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Sancho was good tonight. Infact that 3 behind Ollie were on a different level. Is it too much to ask for Sancho to do that on a regular basis?
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Thank you. Were still locked in!!
I hope you haven't seen Midnight Express.
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(https://i.ibb.co/gZ6FNFVX/IMG-1023.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gZ6FNFVX)
That was the one door for the whole away end to leave.
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Thank you. Were still locked in!!
I hope you haven't seen Midnight Express.
Top film.
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If that ended 1-4 they could not of complained.
Really need to be more clinical when opportunities arise. Like to think Tammy will be a little sharper around the box.
Sancho a bit better but does bottle even 60/40's in his favour.
Good that Morgan got some rest and Pau / Konsa a well deserved night off.
After a week of doom mongering a welcome return to winning ways. Now let's kill the ghost of St James on Sunday
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Great win at a very difficult place to play, apparently they haven't lost there in something like 27 games.
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Thank you. Were still locked in!!
I hope you haven't seen Midnight Express.
Top film.
The Turkish tourist board didn't think so.
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Brilliant result we are through to the last 16 no play off great night.
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The most important goal was that 111th min equaliser that moved us into 2nd place. Getting home ties 2nd leg all the rest of the way will be sweet.
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Coaches have only just got under way. Absolutely fucking dire. These twats should not be anywhere near a proper competition.
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They are currently sitting in the area of the table where we could play them again in R16.
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Coaches have only just got under way. Absolutely fucking dire. These twats should not be anywhere near a proper competition.
This seems to be the absolute longest was back they couldnt have gone ? Why not the tunnel ?
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Great performance. Should have scored more.
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Lads look happy headed back to the changing rooms.
https://x.com/avfcofficial/status/2014434895859482798?s=46
Yeah, Youri looked in good spirits too despite the kerfuffle.
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The most important goal was that 111th min equaliser that moved us into 2nd place. Getting home ties 2nd leg all the rest of the way will be sweet.
Thank God for all Brann! I bet their two penos were soft as shite too.
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Lindelof done enough to get his spot back from Torres for Newcastle? Onana getting some minutes in. Sancho's first goal. Great night for the squad really. Get Tammy done and in the squad for Newcastle. Filthy stamp on back of Ollie's achilles late on.
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Lindelof done enough to get his spot back from Torres for Newcastle? Onana getting some minutes in. Sancho's first goal. Great night for the squad really. Get Tammy done and in the squad for Newcastle. Filthy stamp on back of Ollie's achilles late on.
As it turned out, a very welcome game in Europe. It should lift the squad ahead of Sunday. rather than going to St. James' on the back of the Everton loss.
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Lindelof done enough to get his spot back from Torres for Newcastle? Onana getting some minutes in. Sancho's first goal. Great night for the squad really. Get Tammy done and in the squad for Newcastle. Filthy stamp on back of Ollie's achilles late on.
As it turned out, a very welcome game in Europe. It should lift the squad ahead of Sunday. rather than going to St. James' on the back of the Everton loss.
Yep, thats really changed my mood after that defeat and injuries, then seeing the boss look so glum. I was so impressed with every player tonight, we look really together.
Whats going on with the Tammy deal? It seems to have gone quiet.
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I didn't fancy us in this but fuck me we were good.
Everyone knew their role and carried it out mostly perfectly. If there is a better coach in the world, I dont know who it is.
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Sancho has taken time adapting to what Unai expects of him, better defensively tonight but showed he's short of game time when clear in the box and the touch let him down.
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Dont know about anyone else, but I got the feeling if Sancho had had more game time, he would have scored more than one tonight. Hed have been a second quicker which would have made all the difference. Of course, hes got to earn it.
But Maybe we need to play him into form. I havent checked but it feels like weve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe weve been backing the wrong one..?
Sancho was mostly useless apart from his goal.
I only saw the second half but that was my conclusion too. My Bulgarian colleague was surprised at how weak he is, and the reaction he generated in me.
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Just watched the game...Bizot was MOTM, but Buendia was not far behind. Mings, Lindelof and Cash were also outstanding. Glad to see Onana back as Bogarde is scary with the ball at his feet. Watkins was poor.
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Dont know about anyone else, but I got the feeling if Sancho had had more game time, he would have scored more than one tonight. Hed have been a second quicker which would have made all the difference. Of course, hes got to earn it.
But Maybe we need to play him into form. I havent checked but it feels like weve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe weve been backing the wrong one..?
Sancho was mostly useless apart from his goal.
I only saw the second half but that was my conclusion too. My Bulgarian colleague was surprised at how weak he is, and the reaction he generated in me.
Its the wrong analysis to be honest. Im not a fan really, but credit where its due, he was really decent in the first half and first 10 of the second. We were under pressure then for 20 mins when him, Rogers and Beundia were replaced.
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Watching highlights back today (NZ time) made me start to wonder:
Are we finally in the fabled position of having 2 reliable players for each position across defence?
- Ty back in business after a significant lay off, so good to see
- Andres G starting to step up finally (to be fair, he's hardly played)
- Bizot giving Emi a serious run for his starting jersey?
I realise one Turkish swallow doesn't make a whole summer but, unless injuries dictate, no need to ever see Konsa, Bogarde, Disasi etc mis-deployed as makeshift RB again!
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Lads look happy headed back to the changing rooms.
https://x.com/avfcofficial/status/2014434895859482798?s=46
Yeah, Youri looked in good spirits too despite the kerfuffle.
Thats because hes just found out hes Unais son
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Are we finally in the fabled position of having 2 reliable players for each position across defence?
- Ty back in business after a significant lay off, so good to see
- Andres G starting to step up finally (to be fair, he's hardly played)
- Bizot giving Emi a serious run for his starting jersey?
A good point - Garcia would be the only one of those 10 players I'd raise an eyebrow at if I saw his name in a starting lineup. And, as you say, that might just be lack of opportunities to show what he offers.
On the other hand, given how things have been going recently, it also wouldn't completely shock me if in Feb any two of them weren't at the club any more 🤷♂️
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Our back 6 in the last 10 minutes was interesting too. Double full backs, close out the game.
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For those bemoaning the poor conversion in front of goal, 2 or 3 of those Fenerbahçe defenders threw themselves into last-gasp blocks; Watkins' header from a first-half corner was scraped off the line by a defender. We gave their goal a serious examination. Furthermore, we played with assuredness at the back, with Mings and Lindelof coming in and Cash and Digne playing very well - it was very impressive; backed up so competently by Bizot. Tielemans had a super game, and Rogers and Buendia both played really well (although the latter faded somewhat). Watkins did what he does best which is giving the opposition defence no space or time, and I thought that bringing Garcia and Maatsen on as wingers was really impressive for the final 20 minutes of the game.
Even Sancho made a useful contribution - not just the goal but in other areas of the pitch: weird to say, he could have had a hat-trick.
We're definitely not missing Mad Jhon.
Massive kudos to Emery.
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Are we finally in the fabled position of having 2 reliable players for each position across defence?
- Ty back in business after a significant lay off, so good to see
- Andres G starting to step up finally (to be fair, he's hardly played)
- Bizot giving Emi a serious run for his starting jersey?
A good point - Garcia would be the only one of those 10 players I'd raise an eyebrow at if I saw his name in a starting lineup. And, as you say, that might just be lack of opportunities to show what he offers.
On the other hand, given how things have been going recently, it also wouldn't completely shock me if in Feb any two of them weren't at the club any more 🤷♂️
Didnt garcia play further up, with bogarde going to right back? Thought bogarde was exposed a couple of times there but presumably unai trust him more than garcia there
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Of course their defenders threw themselves at everything, its their job.
Our job is to be better than them and convert one or two if the many, many chances we created.
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We most definitely should have scored more than we did but they did defend well when they had too.
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We doubled up with both full backs. Garcia and Maatsen were both protecting the full backs.
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Are we finally n the fabled position of having 2 reliable players for each position across defence?
- Ty back in business after a significant lay off, so good to see
- Andres G starting to step up finally (to be fair, he's hardly played)
- Bizot giving Emi a serious run for his starting jersey?
A good point - Garcia would be the only one of those 10 players I'd raise an eyebrow at if I saw his name in a starting lineup. And, as you say, that might just be lack of opportunities to show what he offers.
On the other hand, given how things have been going recently, it also wouldn't completely shock me if in Feb any two of them weren't at the club any more 🤷♂️
Didnt garcia play further up, with bogarde going to right back? Thought bogarde was exposed a couple of times there but presumably unai trust him more than garcia there
Bogarde went to RB, with Garcia in front of him.
Given the circumstsances, where we were defending a 1 goal lead, it was smart of Emery to play both Garcia and Maatsen ahead of their fullbacks, both being both defensively-minded and good on the ball down the wing
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How much did we get for Duran? Daylight bloody robbery, that's what that was.
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How much did we get for Duran? Daylight bloody robbery, that's what that was.
It wasnt - its more a reflection of his choices. He has everything to be a top striker, but he needs the right coaching (and to listen).
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How do Turkish teams deal with PSR? Duran, Asensio and edersen must be on close to £1m a week combined?
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How much did we get for Duran? Daylight bloody robbery, that's what that was.
It wasnt - its more a reflection of his choices. He has everything to be a top striker, but he needs the right coaching (and to listen).
Don't hold your breath.
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To be honest Im not really fussed either way. But in talent terms he absolutely has - I suspect he wont realise that talent though.
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We butchered some chances there.
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How do Turkish teams deal with PSR? Duran, Asensio and edersen must be on close to £1m a week combined?
They make a shit ton of money and the all the others not on your list are on 10k a week.
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How do Turkish teams deal with PSR? Duran, Asensio and edersen must be on close to £1m a week combined?
Financial reporting is a loose as a goose, but I am sure that they all strictly comply with all the rules.
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I expected more from Fenerbaçhe, they were really quite poor and made us look more than decent. Although we missed SJM and Kamara it didnt show on the pitch.
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I expected more from Fenerbaçhe, they were really quite poor and made us look more than decent. Although we missed SJM and Kamara it didnt show on the pitch.
They had 4 or 5 decent players and a Neanderthal centre half.
The rest were pretty average.
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Is that Skriniar thug on loan from Arsenal?
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Fenerbahce an average side who wernt very good on the night
But the MOTM was Bizot who had to make a series of good saves
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Of course their defenders threw themselves at everything, its their job.
Our job is to be better than them and convert one or two if the many, many chances we created.
I see your point but I think all football fans are guilty of not giving credit to the opposition. We dont have the right to just turn up, play our way and put the ball in the net at will. Our opponents get a say in the matter and sometimes they perform brilliantly.
Cant say the same for their non existent midfield. It was almost like theyd never watched us play through the lines.
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TBH they were average until they brought on their top scorer and went two up top. In the 40 odd mins he was on he had 5 shots with three on target which was the best from their attackers.
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Fenerbahce an average side who wernt very good on the night
But the MOTM was Bizot who had to make a series of good saves
Bizot was decent but none of his saves were anything above something youd expect him to save. They were all basically straight at him. I thought there were plenty of outfield players who played better.
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TBH they were average until they brought on their top scorer and went two up top. In the 40 odd mins he was on he had 5 shots with three on target which was the best from their attackers.
He did shoot as soon as he got the ball though. Imagine him and Duran up front is beyond frustrating for the fans
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The one from Talisca was excellent.
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Didnt garcia play further up, with bogarde going to right back? Thought bogarde was exposed a couple of times there but presumably unai trust him more than garcia there
Ah yep, I got mixed up with how we setup. Garcia ended up back there in a couple of situations but was doubling up as others have mentioned.
Which makes me wonder whether it was a purposeful 'in-game' practice of it as a tactic for future games (see also Gigne + Maatsen), or just making use of what limited resources were available.
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Didnt garcia play further up, with bogarde going to right back? Thought bogarde was exposed a couple of times there but presumably unai trust him more than garcia there
Ah yep, I got mixed up with how we setup. Garcia ended up back there in a couple of situations but was doubling up as others have mentioned.
Which makes me wonder whether it was a purposeful 'in-game' practice of it as a tactic for future games (see also Gigne + Maatsen), or just making use of what limited resources were available.
Probably both.
I'd start same team next week but Garcia ahead of Cash and Hemmings in for youri. 2 players we can't be without.
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Because its been such a long time, I think we forget that Garcia was starting to settle into the team and showing real promise. That injury (whatever it was) kept him out football for a long time.
I think there might be a real player there and will give Cash some proper competition.
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Because its been such a long time, I think we forget that Garcia was starting to settle into the team and showing real promise. That injury (whatever it was) kept him out football for a long time.
I think there might be a real player there and will give Cash some proper competition.
Yes, but can I also use this to say how fucking brilliant Matty Cash has been this season? Absolute warrior.
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What a night. I did not expect a win with all things considered. Its criminal it ended only be 1. First half we should have been 3 up.
But clean sheet sway win 2nd in europa. Happy days.
Bizot motm but i thought bogarde was superb. Mings was also great with lindelof
Ollie was poor. We need another striker as ollie seems to be at his best when he has competition
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Because its been such a long time, I think we forget that Garcia was starting to settle into the team and showing real promise. That injury (whatever it was) kept him out football for a long time.
I think there might be a real player there and will give Cash some proper competition.
Yes, but can I also use this to say how fucking brilliant Matty Cash has been this season? Absolute warrior.
My player of the season so far along with Morgan. That shot last night which I think Ederson touched onto the post was superb.
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Because its been such a long time, I think we forget that Garcia was starting to settle into the team and showing real promise. That injury (whatever it was) kept him out football for a long time.
I think there might be a real player there and will give Cash some proper competition.
Yes, but can I also use this to say how fucking brilliant Matty Cash has been this season? Absolute warrior.
Garcia was looking good last season mainly because he looked more attacking than Cash, who had developed a bit of a reputation for being a bit negative (almost certainly to instruction, I might add). This season, Cash has been much more forward-thinking, also contributing goals and assists, which I think puts Garcia firmly in the reserve position.
Cash has been very good indeed, but it's also good to have a bit of competition for him, and to give him the odd rest the way Digne/Maatsen can do on the other side.
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Matty Cash has really grown into being a top player. Hes a real fighter and wonderfully determined. He has also grown into being a more dangerous attacker. He must also be really fit to play as much as he does.
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Is that Skriniar thug on loan from Arsenal?
No, his most prominent spell was at Inter Milan, moved to PSG where he didnt really play then onto Turkey.
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How do Turkish teams deal with PSR? Duran, Asensio and edersen must be on close to £1m a week combined?
They make a shit ton of money and the all the others not on your list are on 10k a week.
Where are these teams in the Deloitte league. They must be getting feck all for Turkish TV rights. It must be about a tenner to get into a game yest they seem to spend money like a drunken sailor where as we have doubled our income in 5 years and cant spend anything
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How do Turkish teams deal with PSR? Duran, Asensio and edersen must be on close to £1m a week combined?
They make a shit ton of money and the all the others not on your list are on 10k a week.
Where are these teams in the Deloitte league. They must be getting feck all for Turkish TV rights. It must be about a tenner to get into a game yest they seem to spend money like a drunken sailor where as we have doubled our income in 5 years and cant spend anything
A mixture of dodgy(ish) sponsorship deals, historically owning loads of land in Istanbul (training grounds etc) that they've been able to flog off to developers, and having enormous debts that just keep increasing.
A bit like a budget version of Man Utd.
The government has also kindly set up a very tax-friendly system for foreign footballers (bread and circuses etc), so clubs don't actually need to pay them as much as English / German / Italian etc clubs would.
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Would Duran have a Tax issue leaving Saudi after 6 months ?
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I imagine if he moved back here he would, but he's moved from one tax-friendly regime to another, so presumably there is no pile of Saudi earnings that he would need to pay to the Turkish version of HMRC like he would if he came back to the UK.
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Probable been said before?
BUT
Turkish Delight!
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Because its been such a long time, I think we forget that Garcia was starting to settle into the team and showing real promise. That injury (whatever it was) kept him out football for a long time.
I think there might be a real player there and will give Cash some proper competition.
Yes, but can I also use this to say how fucking brilliant Matty Cash has been this season? Absolute warrior.
My player of the season so far along with Morgan. That shot last night which I think Ederson touched onto the post was superb.
And mine. He is now a top,top player
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How do Turkish teams deal with PSR? Duran, Asensio and edersen must be on close to £1m a week combined?
I was thinking that - I checked their revenue and it is 7.1bn lira which equates to £121m - I don't understand the maths unless Citeh are paying Ederson's wages and the Saudis are paying for Duran. Or is Ederson permanent?
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Matty Cash has really grown into being a top player. Hes a real fighter and wonderfully determined. He has also grown into being a more dangerous attacker. He must also be really fit to play as much as he does.
Hes been great this season.
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Nice to see the Stourbridge Villans flag down the front
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Turkish journalist, Serdar Ali Çelikler: You saw the physiques of some players at Aston Villa, right? Are they taking extra muscle boosters in the Premier League or what, they all look like giants. A team that's way superior to you physically.
You'd be scared to even pass by Tyrone Mings. You wouldn't sleep for 3 days. Just imagine seeing Onana in the locker room. You'd break out in cold sores everywhere, your sleep would vanish. https://x.com/fenerkolikorg/status/2014544153766482420
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Casual racism, lovely. By the way that thug Skrinar looked pretty big to me.
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Casual racism, lovely. By the way that thug Skrinar looked pretty big to me.
How is that casual racism?
Because the 2 players he mentioned are black?
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Reduction of Black people, especially Black men, to the sum of their physical assets is a common racist trope. I don't know the journalist well enough to know if that's happening on this occasion.
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It might be unconscious, but even if its inadvertent its very clumsy.
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I can see why people go that way but it's also worth noting those 2 are both 6'5 so there's a decent chance he's just named the 2 tallest players on the pitch.
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Reduction of Black people, especially Black men, to the sum of their physical assets is a common racist trope. I don't know the journalist well enough to know if that's happening on this occasion.
But to automatically assume its casual racism seems like jumping to a conclusion without any evidence.
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It might be unconscious, but even if its inadvertent its very clumsy.
as clumsy of you jumping off the deep end?
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Have you never heard or seen anything of racial stereotyping?
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Skriniar is smaller than me, Ty and Onana aren't.
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It might be entirely innocent, but it immediately talks about physique and threat.
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Have you never heard or seen anything of racial stereotyping?
Yes, of course I have and I would call it out. That is entirely different to automatically jumping to a conclusion that if someone mentions someones physical attributes that it is at play.
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It might be entirely innocent, but it immediately talks about physique and threat.
Which does not mean racism. Not in the context of a physical sport.
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We often talk on here about the physicality of Mings and Onana, because they're both big and physical.
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Yeah its a bit different linking it to threat though - but like I say it might be innocent, it just jarred a bit.
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Yeah its a bit different linking it to threat though - but like I say it might be innocent, it just jarred a bit.
Its a pity if you see the world like that.
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It might be entirely innocent, but it immediately talks about physique and threat.
Which does not mean racism. Not in the context of a physical sport.
I'd suggest that it's probably more to do with the fact that they're both 1.95m.
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We thought it was funny when Ty threw Duran around like a rag doll, which he could do because he's a big strong fella.
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Yeah its a bit different linking it to threat though - but like I say it might be innocent, it just jarred a bit.
Its a pity if you see the world like that.
With the greatest respect, a jarring reaction to that is hardly bonkers and youre extrapolating a bit to determine what my world view is. At least I acknowledge it might be entirely innocent, but you clearly know the backstory behind it all.
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Those 2 are the ones anyone would pick when talking about Villa and physicality, i'd fancy you have a number of times, as probably all us regular posters have.
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Ok and like I said it might be innocent, it was just how I immediately read it when I saw the reference to physicality and the link the threat.
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If I was a player i'd much rather be up against Pau or Konsa than Mings. Or Tielemans rather than Onana. Which is what I read him as meaning. Konsa or Pau wouldn't be throwing Duran around, or carrying Leeds players under their arms like they were infants.
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Fair enough.
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[cultural studies post-grad]
It could be argued that a member of a post-guilt colonial society applying its own standards of racism to someone from a third culture (with its own history of colonial oppression, though less so in sub-Saharan Africa, the origin of the racist trope in question) is in itself not immune to accusations of racism.
[/thatsameguy]
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Skriniar is smaller than me, Ty and Onana aren't.
But you look like a ukranian boxer (apologies for another stereotype here)
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Skriniar stood over Watkins, cursing at him to get the fcuk up after clearly kicking him. Should have got a second booking, the brute.
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Turkish journalist, Serdar Ali Çelikler: You saw the physiques of some players at Aston Villa, right? Are they taking extra muscle boosters in the Premier League or what, they all look like giants. A team that's way superior to you physically.
You'd be scared to even pass by Tyrone Mings. You wouldn't sleep for 3 days. Just imagine seeing Onana in the locker room. You'd break out in cold sores everywhere, your sleep would vanish. https://x.com/fenerkolikorg/status/2014544153766482420
I took this as more of a slur on the Premier League and the dubious ingestion of banned substances in sport ...
... maybe naively not linking to the two mentioned players.
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Turkish journalist, Serdar Ali Çelikler: You saw the physiques of some players at Aston Villa, right? Are they taking extra muscle boosters in the Premier League or what, they all look like giants. A team that's way superior to you physically.
You'd be scared to even pass by Tyrone Mings. You wouldn't sleep for 3 days. Just imagine seeing Onana in the locker room. You'd break out in cold sores everywhere, your sleep would vanish. https://x.com/fenerkolikorg/status/2014544153766482420
I took this as more of a slur on the Premier League and the dubious ingestion of banned substances in sport ...
... maybe naively not linking to the two mentioned players.
Yes, the mention of muscle boosters might have been a clue as to what he was referring.
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Probably my favourite part about Thursday, Mings on Duran. Don't see two big blokes battling it out like that much in football anymore, but it's a lost art. Mings putting him on the floor on the touchline was brilliant, but the little pat on the head after easing him off the ball (and back on to the floor) when through on goal was marginally better.
I do miss Duran, mind. Box office. Although not against Tyrone Mings. We were always right to sell too, considering he's the full Balotelli.
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Duran was at a crossroads in his career. Listen and learn or go chasing the cash. Real shame.
However, where would we be financially if we hadnt sold him?
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If I was a player i'd much rather be up against Pau or Konsa than Mings. Or Tielemans rather than Onana. Which is what I read him as meaning. Konsa or Pau wouldn't be throwing Duran around, or carrying Leeds players under their arms like they were infants.
I noted in the post Spurs melee that Bizot came over and removed three Spurs players with just his left arm, which impressed me and reminded me of Tyrone handling Bamford like a naughty toddler.
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Duran was at a crossroads in his career. Listen and learn or go chasing the cash. Real shame.
However, where would we be financially if we hadnt sold him?
70m, or whatever it was, for a bloke who whilst talented, was clearly going to have a meltdown at some point was a no-brainer.
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Why do i have a feeling we might end up playing them in next round. They were pretty crap but i would rather not play them again tbh
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Why do i have a feeling we might end up playing them in next round. They were pretty crap but i would rather not play them again tbh
Who gives a shit, we fucking murdered them and theyd get the ass whooping they missed out on this time over the two legs.
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Duran was at a crossroads in his career. Listen and learn or go chasing the cash. Real shame.
However, where would we be financially if we hadnt sold him?
Might have got 4th/5th if we kept him.
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Duran was at a crossroads in his career. Listen and learn or go chasing the cash. Real shame.
However, where would we be financially if we hadnt sold him?
Might have got 4th/5th if we kept him.
Surely though without selling him there is no Rashford or Asensio - and they were vital in securing points
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Why do i have a feeling we might end up playing them in next round. They were pretty crap but i would rather not play them again tbh
Who gives a shit, we fucking murdered them and theyd get the ass whooping they missed out on this time over the two legs.
Think they are better than they showed. We didnt whoop them only beat them 1-0. Rather a less demanding and less hostile team at this stage of the tournament