Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Legion on May 18, 2026, 10:44:42 PM
-
Fill yer boots.
-
We have qualified for the 2026/27 UEFA Youth League, which is nice.
-
How far did they get last time? R16 wasn’t it? Can’t for the life of me remember who knocked us out.
-
We qualified via the Domestic Champions Path this season. Entered at Second Round, eliminated in Third Round by PSV.
Previous season, we qualified because the first team made the Champions League. Finished 15th in the big group stage and won through one knockout round before being eliminated by Barcelona in the last sixteen.
So, respectable but unspectacular would perhaps be a fair summary of our efforts thus far.
-
Thanks cd.
-
Into the semi-final of the Hong Kong Sevens after beating WHU
https://x.com/i/status/2058441439755809179
Game is on YouTube
https://x.com/i/status/2058451888010326024
-
Lost 2-0 to Yokohama who lost to Brighton in the final.
-
Article on Rory Wilson and his loan to Sturm Graz;
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7342914/2026/06/10/rory-wilson-aston-villa-sturm-graz/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7342914/2026/06/10/rory-wilson-aston-villa-sturm-graz/)
"So, at the moment, no (on Wilson returning), but he proved he can play on this level and that he is a goalscorer in training. He’s young and needs to play."
Looks like he has another two years on his contract now. According to the article, a deal was also agreed last year with Hoffenheim with a 7m EUR buy clause. So wouldn't be surprised if he gets sold this summer.
-
Aston Villa have submitted the lists of players they will be releasing from their squads following the conclusion of the season
— I-Lani Edwards
— Ronnie Hollingshead
— Thierry Katsukunya
— Max Lott
— Calum Moreland
— Charlie Pavey
— Ewan Simpson
— Kerr Smith
— Elijah Briscoe
— Jacob Green
— Cole Ramsey
— Junior Wilson
-
We paid a couple of million for Kerr Smith, I think. Disappointing.
-
From that list I think Katsukunya, Simpson, Smith and Ramsey were all players that were pretty highly thought of at one point. It shows just how difficult it is to turn promising 15-16 year olds into premier league players.
-
Cole had an injury which may be of ongoing concern. Plus he celebrated Arsenal winning the league so is an obvious wrong 'un.
-
The 5 year professional deal got ripped up in that exact moment!
-
I was a bit surprised Kerr Smith was released.
-
Didn't he have a bad injury set-back?
-
He did
Centre halves are like goalkeepers in that you can see potential at young ages but there is nowhere to hide as you grow, I’d suspect he will go onto have a good career but nowhere near top half of PL squad level that he’d need to be now to be retained. That is the problem for most of the young lads to get any game time here. I’d expect Feeney will be another to move on but obv a fee / sell on will be required
-
Because I am watching Egypt v Belgium I suddenly remembered we signed an Egyptian kid - Omar Khedr. What happened to him?
-
Still on Villa's books.
-
Scored a free kick in pretty weird circumstances for Egypt at the U20 world cup, decent goal to be fair but mostly memorable for the mess.
-
We've drawn Blackpool, Wigan and Crewe in that EFL Trophy. Another 38 penalty shoot out up at Blackpool would be tremendous fun.
-
We've drawn Blackpool, Wigan and Crewe in that EFL Trophy. Another 38 penalty shoot out up at Blackpool would be tremendous fun.
A nice tour of northern towns.
-
Zepiqueno Redmond has joined Annecy on loan;
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/july/07/news-redmond-joins-annecy-on-loan/ (https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/july/07/news-redmond-joins-annecy-on-loan/)
-
Zepiqueno Redmond has joined Annecy on loan;
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/july/07/news-redmond-joins-annecy-on-loan/ (https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/july/07/news-redmond-joins-annecy-on-loan/)
I dont like this business model, it kills some of the excitement of the Youth
-
Zepiqueno Redmond has joined Annecy on loan;
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/july/07/news-redmond-joins-annecy-on-loan/ (https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/july/07/news-redmond-joins-annecy-on-loan/)
I dont like this business model, it kills some of the excitement of the Youth
I don’t mind it (the loans model) from our point of view - it’s made us a fortune - but I don’t like us having feeder clubs. It must be really shit supporting one.