Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: SoccerHQ on May 15, 2019, 11:18:18 AM
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Dean Smith has a few interesting choices to make now.
Seems a fair few are asking for Whelan and Adomah to start the final, have we got Steve Bruce managing us again? Would give the team a very safety first look to it and that backfired last season when we couldn't get out of our own half for the first period and conceded.
Even if he was a limited manager I was still massively disappointed in the naive way SB seemed to think we could beat Fulham playing the same way we did to Boro, Dean Smith really should be better than that.
Taking out Green is the easy bit. I'd start Kodjia tbh, real wildcard selection and would give Leeds more to think about rather than putting everyone round Jack and kicking him.
We started Hourihane and Kodjia at VP and went two up inside twenty minutes (indeed the two combined for the second) so I'd rather be two up at Wembley than start Adomah who'll be anonymous for an hour and then bring on Kodj who'll struggle to get in the game.
Think Taylor will stay in as doubt Dean will want to change back 4 which has served us well in last three months.
Last time we rolled the dice at Wembley it was Sherwood starting Grealish in the cup v Liverpool when he'd only played a few prem games and it worked beautifully.
We seem to have this obsession with playing safety first teams in finals (for FA cup Hutton came back in for Bacuna who was actually playing well at the time) and then wondering why we can barely get a shot on target in the games, I don't want the same happening.
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You may as well alter this to be the pre-match thread to be honest.
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Same starting eleven as yesterday but with Adomah replacing Green. Neither exactly covered themselves in glory this week but I feel like Green is more of a threat against tired legs off the bench, if required.
Edit: or maybe stick Kodjia on the wing.
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Steer
Elmo Axel Mings Hause
McGinn Whelan Hourihane
Jack El Ghazi
Abraham
I'm sick of seeing Neil Taylor shit the bed instead of putting a cross in; so he's out, and the right attacking forward area is a problem, so I'd give Jack a freer role on that side, with him and El Ghazi supporting Tammy as required but dropping back to help midfield when needed too.
Boom.
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That's actually an interesting selection, play Whelan and Hourihane and give Jack and El Ghazi free roles off Tammy.
I'm on the start Kodj bandwagon but that could actually work and get us playing between the Leeds lines much more.
Similar to how we played v Liverpool with Jack and N'zogbia floating off Benteke (obviously a bust in the final but our mentality for that was wretched).
Few options but I'm not convinced DS will change shape at this late stage so imagine we'll start two out wide.
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Dean Smith has a few interesting choices to make now.
Seems a fair few are asking for Whelan and Adomah to start the final, have we got Steve Bruce managing us again? Would give the team a very safety first look to it and that backfired last season when we couldn't get out of our own half for the first period and conceded.
Even if he was a limited manager I was still massively disappointed in the naive way SB seemed to think we could beat Fulham playing the same way we did to Boro, Dean Smith really should be better than that.
Taking out Green is the easy bit. I'd start Kodjia tbh, real wildcard selection and would give Leeds more to think about rather than putting everyone round Jack and kicking him.
We started Hourihane and Kodjia at VP and went two up inside twenty minutes (indeed the two combined for the second) so I'd rather be two up at Wembley than start Adomah who'll be anonymous for an hour and then bring on Kodj who'll struggle to get in the game.
Think Taylor will stay in as doubt Dean will want to change back 4 which has served us well in last three months.
Last time we rolled the dice at Wembley it was Sherwood starting Grealish in the cup v Liverpool when he'd only played a few prem games and it worked beautifully.
We seem to have this obsession with playing safety first teams in finals (for FA cup Hutton came back in for Bacuna who was actually playing well at the time) and then wondering why we can barely get a shot on target in the games, I don't want the same happening.
Kodjia also missed a sitter at the start of the second half that would have put us 3-0 up. That mayhave been the turning point in our season, and had we not lost to Leeds in stoppage time we may not have gone on the subsequent bad run.
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It wasn't quite a sittter, he rolled their defender really well and then was leaning back when he shot on edge of the box.
Should've scored but not as much of a sitter as Tammy had the previous week v WBA which also would've won us the game and might've turned the season into automatic push.
My point is though with Kodjia starting we scored 2 and could've had more in an end to end game v Leeds. I'd trust us to create more with him starting than Adomah.
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That's actually an interesting selection, play Whelan and Hourihane and give Jack and El Ghazi free roles off Tammy.
I'm on the start Kodj bandwagon but that could actually work and get us playing between the Leeds lines much more.
Similar to how we played v Liverpool with Jack and N'zogbia floating off Benteke (obviously a bust in the final but our mentality for that was wretched).
Few options but I'm not convinced DS will change shape at this late stage so imagine we'll start two out wide.
Might need a 'Graham Fenton' type of surprise selection for the final. Definitely think the front three needs tweaking, as Green has struggled in recent weeks and Adomah looks shot at the moment. I would personally move El Ghazi to the right and then consider these options:
- Whelan, Hourihane and McGinn in midfield and Jack drifting out to the left side
- Kodjia starting on the left
- Kodjia or Davis starting up front and Tammy moving out on the left
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That's actually an interesting selection, play Whelan and Hourihane and give Jack and El Ghazi free roles off Tammy.
I'm on the start Kodj bandwagon but that could actually work and get us playing between the Leeds lines much more.
Similar to how we played v Liverpool with Jack and N'zogbia floating off Benteke (obviously a bust in the final but our mentality for that was wretched).
Few options but I'm not convinced DS will change shape at this late stage so imagine we'll start two out wide.
Might need a 'Graham Fenton' type of surprise selection for the final. Definitely think the front three needs tweaking, as Green has struggled in recent weeks and Adomah looks shot at the moment. I would personally move El Ghazi to the right and then consider these options:
- Whelan, Hourihane and McGinn in midfield and Jack drifting out to the left side
- Kodjia starting on the left
- Kodjia or Davis starting up front and Tammy moving out on the left
That's the last thing I would do at this stage. El Ghazi has been one of our better, if not best, performers in the last few weeks. Don't mess about with what is working. Concentrate on the areas that aren't.
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There are problems and Bielsa will work them out.
A non functioning Centre forward, a left back who sees lots of the ball and-does nothing with it and a weak right wing as both Adoma and Green are ineffective.
I think we have got away with it the last 2 games and Leeds are a much more dangerous outfit than park the bus Albion.
We have all focused on the Whelan Hourihane debate but as we saw last night, that is not the problem.
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will have a think about this later
but no Green and Taylor please , poor players and AA must be the jammiest player to still be getting games at this club.
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Hasn't Hause played on the wing for Wolves ?
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I don't mind Taylor. I'd like him to have the odd shot but he can interlink quite effectively near the opposition byeline.
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That's actually an interesting selection, play Whelan and Hourihane and give Jack and El Ghazi free roles off Tammy.
I'm on the start Kodj bandwagon but that could actually work and get us playing between the Leeds lines much more.
Similar to how we played v Liverpool with Jack and N'zogbia floating off Benteke (obviously a bust in the final but our mentality for that was wretched).
Few options but I'm not convinced DS will change shape at this late stage so imagine we'll start two out wide.
Might need a 'Graham Fenton' type of surprise selection for the final. Definitely think the front three needs tweaking, as Green has struggled in recent weeks and Adomah looks shot at the moment. I would personally move El Ghazi to the right and then consider these options:
- Whelan, Hourihane and McGinn in midfield and Jack drifting out to the left side
- Kodjia starting on the left
- Kodjia or Davis starting up front and Tammy moving out on the left
That's the last thing I would do at this stage. El Ghazi has been one of our better, if not best, performers in the last few weeks. Don't mess about with what is working. Concentrate on the areas that aren't.
I'm still not sure about El Ghazi on the left MV, as he is weak on his left side. Would still consider switching him to the right and looking at other options for the left.
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You may as well alter this to be the pre-match thread to be honest.
Sure, why not.
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I don't mind Taylor. I'd like him to have the odd shot but he can interlink quite effectively near the opposition byeline.
Taylor isn't great but seems to have the Alan Wright (who often had Collymore as his 'outlet') scapegoat about him.
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I can't see many changes, perhaps Adomah for Green, maybe Whelan for Hourihane - I think there is a big element of leaving impact players on the bench to change the game if needed, the likes of Kodjia, Hourihane. Defence will stay unchanged, I actually think Taylor has done well at the back, final ball going forward notwithstanding!
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I want to see us play to the whistle, and bollocks to putting the ball out for any Leeds twat who is having a lie down on the pitch.
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I want to see us play to the whistle, and bollocks to putting the ball out for any Leeds twat who is having a lie down on the pitch.
Especially if we’re playing Derby.
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Yeah quite, why the assumption it's Leeds ?
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Apparently no team that has lost at home in the first leg (like Derby did on Saturday) has ever reached the Play-off Final.
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Whilst my name is not Richard can I also say I would like Derby there instead of dirty Whites.
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I would like Leeds because we haven’t beaten them this season ,and beating Derby thee times maybe asking to much.
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well we have to win to go up and I'm not sure it matters who we are playing in the final. To me the biggest hurdle was getting past WBA
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That's actually an interesting selection, play Whelan and Hourihane and give Jack and El Ghazi free roles off Tammy.
I'm on the start Kodj bandwagon but that could actually work and get us playing between the Leeds lines much more.
Similar to how we played v Liverpool with Jack and N'zogbia floating off Benteke (obviously a bust in the final but our mentality for that was wretched).
Few options but I'm not convinced DS will change shape at this late stage so imagine we'll start two out wide.
Might need a 'Graham Fenton' type of surprise selection for the final. Definitely think the front three needs tweaking, as Green has struggled in recent weeks and Adomah looks shot at the moment. I would personally move El Ghazi to the right and then consider these options:
- Whelan, Hourihane and McGinn in midfield and Jack drifting out to the left side
- Kodjia starting on the left
- Kodjia or Davis starting up front and Tammy moving out on the left
That's the last thing I would do at this stage. El Ghazi has been one of our better, if not best, performers in the last few weeks. Don't mess about with what is working. Concentrate on the areas that aren't.
I'm still not sure about El Ghazi on the left MV, as he is weak on his left side. Would still consider switching him to the right and looking at other options for the left.
I think El Ghazi is as good on both sides (weak on his left side? don't make me laugh) - he is a two footed player and can cross with left or right but I think his shooting is slightly better on the right foot which he can use more effectively cutting in from the left wing.
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I would like Leeds because we haven’t beaten them this season ,and beating Derby thee times maybe asking to much.
I'd like Derby because we haven't beaten Leeds this season and we've beaten Derby twice.
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I would like Leeds because we haven’t beaten them this season ,and beating Derby thee times maybe asking to much.
I'd like Derby because we haven't beaten Leeds this season and we've beaten Derby twice.
7-0 across the two matches wasn't it? Can't imagine they'll fancy it much.
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Kodjia and Tammy caused havoc at Rotherham as a two - Tammy on his own against Leeds thugs Cooper and Jansson (if it's Leeds) won't work. Hause at LB - his physicality is stronger than Taylor's.
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Looks like it’s going to be Derby.
Pity, I’d have fancied us more against a flawed Leeds side.
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Its Darrrby Counteee Brian !
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Can’t the league scores count so we have a 7-0 head start?
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Quietly confident for a final for once.
Feels weird.
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Looks like it’s going to be Derby.
Pity, I’d have fancied us more against a flawed Leeds side.
Nah I prefer derby. Leeds would make the game about stuff other than football.
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All the areas exploited by derby tonight are relative strengths for us.
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If our midfield turns up we win.
Grealish ran the show at VP and they couldn't get near McGinn at Pride Park second half.
Over to you Villa boys.
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Looks like it’s going to be Derby.
Pity, I’d have fancied us more against a flawed Leeds side.
Nah I prefer derby. Leeds would make the game about stuff other than football.
Leeds outplayed us at Villa Park and while the game at Elland Road was even, it was a horrible and niggly affair. We've battered Derby twice, senseless on both occasions where the scoreline flattered them.
I'd much rather play them. It will be tough, but Leeds would have been harder.
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Let’s not forget derby were dire a few days ago. No shots on goal at home. They are a good team when they turn up but there’s a decent chance they won’t turn up.
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If you’d had said when we beat them 4-0 to start the 10 game run that this would be the play off final, I’d have thought you were mad.
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There are problems and Bielsa will work them out.
A non functioning Centre forward, a left back who sees lots of the ball and-does nothing with it and a weak right wing as both Adoma and Green are ineffective.
I think we have got away with it the last 2 games and Leeds are a much more dangerous outfit than park the bus Albion.
We have all focused on the Whelan Hourihane debate but as we saw last night, that is not the problem.
Bielsa?? ;) ;)
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There are problems and Bielsa will work them out.
A non functioning Centre forward, a left back who sees lots of the ball and-does nothing with it and a weak right wing as both Adoma and Green are ineffective.
I think we have got away with it the last 2 games and Leeds are a much more dangerous outfit than park the bus Albion.
We have all focused on the Whelan Hourihane debate but as we saw last night, that is not the problem.
Bielsa?? ;) ;)
Ok Frank. ;)
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HA, Pontus you jaffa.
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No cockiness at all. Thoroughly professional throughout. They have no Malone, sent off tonight, which is a bonus. Derby have momentum, I hope we have the class to break the Wembley woe of recent years. Shame we have to wait so long!!
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They were dire on the weekend.
We need to be professional, prepare properly and exploit the gaps they will leave. We're a much better side, we're jammed full of confidence and know we have the measure of them.
No hubris. Just a job to do.
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Am delighted it's Derby not just because I think we'll win. It will be a better game for starters and I won't be worried about bumping into some Neanderthal before or after the game.
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Am delighted it's Derby not just because I think we'll win. It will be a better game for starters and I won't be worried about bumping into some Neanderthal before or after the game.
I said similar to my mates. It won’t have the same nastiness on and off the pitch had Leeds got there.
It’s going to be a tougher game then either of the league games, but it’s imminently doable.
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The best team will win on the day, as opposed to the ones who can play the referee better. I honestly don't know if I'm that confident about it but I would have snapped your hand off on Saturday night for the chance to meet Derby at Wembley so I stand by that. It's time to play our game again and if we do, we go up. It's about football now, pure and simple.
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It’s as simple as this.
We ain’t going to get a better chance than this to go up. I really do not want to be disrespectful to Derby, but this is our best chance of going up and keeping Jack and our best players.
If we turn up on the day, this should be it.
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Keep our heads and show our best form and we're in the Premier League.
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Oddly confident. I’m glad it isn’t Leeds...
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I like derby never had any bother with them,used to love going to the old baseball ground.
I think if we play as we can I think we should come out on top,be a good game I think and it will be about the football not side issues
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That's actually an interesting selection, play Whelan and Hourihane and give Jack and El Ghazi free roles off Tammy.
I'm on the start Kodj bandwagon but that could actually work and get us playing between the Leeds lines much more.
Similar to how we played v Liverpool with Jack and N'zogbia floating off Benteke (obviously a bust in the final but our mentality for that was wretched).
Few options but I'm not convinced DS will change shape at this late stage so imagine we'll start two out wide.
Might need a 'Graham Fenton' type of surprise selection for the final. Definitely think the front three needs tweaking, as Green has struggled in recent weeks and Adomah looks shot at the moment. I would personally move El Ghazi to the right and then consider these options:
- Whelan, Hourihane and McGinn in midfield and Jack drifting out to the left side
- Kodjia starting on the left
- Kodjia or Davis starting up front and Tammy moving out on the left
That's the last thing I would do at this stage. El Ghazi has been one of our better, if not best, performers in the last few weeks. Don't mess about with what is working. Concentrate on the areas that aren't.
I'm still not sure about El Ghazi on the left MV, as he is weak on his left side. Would still consider switching him to the right and looking at other options for the left.
I think El Ghazi is as good on both sides (weak on his left side? don't make me laugh) - he is a two footed player and can cross with left or right but I think his shooting is slightly better on the right foot which he can use more effectively cutting in from the left wing.
Must have been watching a different player to me this season Malcolm! Hardly ever seen him beat a player down the left and cross with his left foot. Agree with you that he is effective cutting in on his right though. Just thought one of his best games this season was away at Albion when he played on the right.
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Really could go either way, Derby are very dogged and have great character and never know when they're beaten. Add to this they play good stuff, and I think Lampard has done, in some ways unsurprisingly, really creditably well this season. Also I just generally like the Derby lot.
That all said I would absolutely take a dodgy penalty and a 1-0 win with loads of fouling and cheating and diving and swearing at the ref and boofball and long throws and time wasting and winding up the opposition fans, and they absolutely would as well which is totally fine. May the best team win so long as it's Villa, but if it's not then fuck it, I just hope we win however we can.
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I would start Kodjia and give him free reign. Adomah and Green are limited ability players and offer nothing in terms of unpredictability. I like that Kodjia is hard to plan for and has goals in him. Set him free
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Green should be nowhere the starting 11. If we go up he’’do well going out on loan for 12 months to a smaller club like errrr, Leeds for example.
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Derby are the form side and will not be easy, far from it. They demolished Leeds, something we manifestly failed to do. But play to our best and we can win.
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Derby are a decent side with pace up top and we need to respect. However, I think Leeds would've asked questions of us and disrupted our game much more. That's not to say Derby aren't capable of beating us but I think Leeds could've really done a job on us in a way that Derby cant.
Confident now but will be shitting myself in around 10 days time.
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Leeds had the game in their grasp but were too gung-ho. The goalie had a mare, defence was all over the shop - Cooper made the EFL team of the year? A joke!
I can't see Tyrone and Axel being so generous. We know how to beat this lot - their defence looks poor.
Villa to win 3-1.
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I genuinely didn't expect it to be Derby, so fairly pleased with that.
Rams to the slaughter..!
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I would start Kodjia and give him free reign. Adomah and Green are limited ability players and offer nothing in terms of unpredictability. I like that Kodjia is hard to plan for and has goals in him. Set him free
I completely agree.
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We just really need to work on guarding against complacency, both amongst the fanbase but particularly the team. We have put arguably our two best performances of the season on vs Derby, we really could have had 6 or 7 at VP, but that will count for absolutely nothing now. That said I'm glad it's them and not Leeds.
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Pleased it is Derby as they suit our play better and it could be a very good game. I think we need the break to regroup after a pretty intense past few weeks. The good thing is Smith and his management team will use the extra preparation time to its full effect so, hopefully the team will be sharper . Notice that Lampard's immediate comment was something about Derby being the underdogs-I think it's a close call, they only finished two points below us ,have hit a bit of form recently and last night's win was tremendous.I'm hoping the break has the opposite effect on their momentum.
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That's a really good point as I think if the final was this weekend Derby would have the edge.
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They were absolute shite on Saturday.
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They were absolute shite on Saturday.
It's a good point. If both teams are at their best, then we should beat them, but if we're having an off day, then if they play like they did last night they'll win.
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Leeds imploded. Things were under control at 2-0 on aggregate and at home.
Derby played well but Leeds lost it as much as they won it.
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This is an interesting pre match thread. The first half of it is a Villa/Leeds pre match thread and the second half of it is a Villa/Derby pre match thread.
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I saw nothing last night to make me think we weren't better than either of them.
It was a completely different game to ours as both teams were just going for it and gave up on defence. Leeds in particular were abysmal at the back.
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Leeds imploded. Things were under control at 2-0 on aggregate and at home.
Derby played well but Leeds lost it as much as they won it.
And it all stemmed from the keeper making an absolute howler and a few minutes later almost another one, must have really put the doubt in the minds of their back line that and the sheer shithousery of their general play.
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We just really need to work on guarding against complacency, both amongst the fanbase but particularly the team. We have put arguably our two best performances of the season on vs Derby, we really could have had 6 or 7 at VP, but that will count for absolutely nothing now. That said I'm glad it's them and not Leeds.
As a fan base we need not to go silent like we did for a massive anxious chunk of the game in the first leg. It seems so common with home crowds, thankfully with the Wembley even split and spread of the loudest support etc I don’t think that’ll happen. Hopefully it won’t happen because of what goes on on the pitch.
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This is an interesting pre match thread. The first half of it is a Villa/Leeds pre match thread and the second half of it is a Villa/Derby pre match thread.
It’s also Leeds Derby post match, very efficient.
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;)Bit subdued around LS18 this morning!
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Looking forward to the final now in a way I don't think I would have done if it been Leeds. Not so much I think because I'm afraid of them but because would have made it a battle and I don't think we have the players for that. Having said that it won't be easy and im sure Dean will be telling the players to forget the two previous results. This is a different Derby team at the moment and they will run and fight all the way. May the best team win but please just let it be us!
PS Have to say I was so impressed with the way Frank Lampard spoke after Saturday's game and before and after last night. If Derby weren't playing Villa I'd be right be right behind them but.......
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We just really need to work on guarding against complacency, both amongst the fanbase but particularly the team. We have put arguably our two best performances of the season on vs Derby, we really could have had 6 or 7 at VP, but that will count for absolutely nothing now. That said I'm glad it's them and not Leeds.
As a fan base we need not to go silent like we did for a massive anxious chunk of the game in the first leg. It seems so common with home crowds, thankfully with the Wembley even split and spread of the loudest support etc I don’t think that’ll happen. Hopefully it won’t happen because of what goes on on the pitch.
Where the standing section?.
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I’d have much preferred Leeds in the final mainly because I believe they would have self destructed the way they did last night.
Let’s hope Derby don’t play like they did yesterday because our tired looking bunch won’t cope.
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Like we didn't cope with them the last two times we played them? And you realise players are less likely to look tired after thirteen days off than they are after three?
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D 1-1.
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To think Derby are going to be a pushover again is a big mistake.
I think we’ve looked tired and lacklustre for a few games now. Let’s hope we can get our spark back - particularly in front of goal.
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To think Derby are going to be a pushover again is a big mistake.
I think we’ve looked tired and lacklustre for a few games now. Let’s hope we can get our spark back - particularly in front of goal.
We've no excuses. Plenty of time to recover from the last match, and a full squad to choose from.
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I can see this being a high scoring game - 4-2 hopefully to us - the Media will be desperate for Frank Lampard's Derby to be promoted
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I’m not too worried. Leeds were shocking at the back last night. We have a good defence now and presumably Whelan back in so we’ll be much harder to get through.
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Every time I've seen Derby, they've been awful at defending corners, should be able to score against them with Abraham and Mings to aim for.
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I can see this being a high scoring game - 4-2 hopefully to us - the Media will be desperate for Frank Lampard's Derby to be promoted
I'm not going to bother looking on a Derby forum but I bet they feel the media want captain Jack Grealish to fire his boyhood team to the premier league Roy of the Rovers fashion.
Unless by 'the media' you mean Danny Murphy and Robbie Savage, those spunk trumpets will be crossing all twelve fingers for "Lamps".
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The big plus is Derby aren't going to be able to bully us, like West Brom did at times. Set pieces aren't going to be the same concern as the semi. With a lot of young players in the team, it's imperative that we quell any kind of good start for them. Last year, we only started playing after half time and that can't happen again. Ashley Cole starting is also a huge plus for us, so we need a completely different set up on our right side to take advantage.
There are a few different options, El Ghazi on right and AA on left is the safest. Kodjia seems to be benefiting on here by not playing much recently. Sub at best for me. Green no way and AA on right no way either.
My preference is to move McGinn slightly over to the right and try and get Elmo in behind Cole on overlap. Hourihane has to start, finals are for winning and he is one of our primary goal threats. Whelan to come back in for Green and Grealish much higher up near Abraham. There are no excuses, our ball playing midfielders simply have to dominate theirs.
-------------------Steer
Elmo, Tuanzebe, Mings, Hause
-----------Whelan, Hourihane
----McGinn, Grealish, El Ghazi
----------------Abraham
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Where’s the poll?
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It will be a hard game for us form go out of the window in a one off game but I'm confident going into the final if we play like we have been doing.
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-------------------Steer
Elmo, Tuanzebe, Mings, Hause
-----------Whelan, Hourihane
----McGinn, Grealish, El Ghazi
----------------Abraham
Exactly the team I'd go for.
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Given how little Green and Adomah offer I’ll third that.
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-------------------Steer
Elmo, Tuanzebe, Mings, Hause
-----------Whelan, Hourihane
----McGinn, Grealish, El Ghazi
----------------Abraham
Exactly the team I'd go for.
It does solve the Green or Adomah question. Neither is very effective.
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Works for me. My only concern would be about whether it allows McGinn to get involved enough in the middle.
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I'd prefer to have McGinn in the midfield with both Conor and Whelan to start with, with El Ghazi providing width on the right and Jack roaming from a sort of inside left starting position. Hause behind him would provide more legs than Taylor imo, meaning we could still stretch them with overlaps, while off the ball Jack, Anwar, McGinn and Tammy could press as a unit knowing they have a bit of a shield. I think this starting system would also be flexible should we need to change to either more defensive or more attacking during the game.
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Ashley Cole starting is also a huge plus for us, so we need a completely different set up on our right side to take advantage.
He was absolutely mince at VP in that first half and we destroyed them time and time again down the right with AA and Elmo...
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McGinn and Grealish are our most vital players so I wouldn't be keen on shuffling them around to accommodate other players' weaknesses.
I'd start Albert and bring on Green if needed. The former hasn't been at his best of late but is still capable of having a good impact on games, while the latter is more effective off the bench against tired legs.
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To think Derby are going to be a pushover again is a big mistake.
I think we’ve looked tired and lacklustre for a few games now. Let’s hope we can get our spark back - particularly in front of goal.
We've no excuses. Plenty of time to recover from the last match, and a full squad to choose from.
The layoff is too long we will lose match fitness and sharpness ;)
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McGinn and Grealish are our most vital players so I wouldn't be keen on shuffling them around to accommodate other players' weaknesses.
I'd start Albert and bring on Green if needed. The former hasn't been at his best of late but is still capable of having a good impact on games, while the latter is more effective off the bench against tired legs.
I normally agree with most of the stuff you post, but I can’t on this occasion.
Green should be no where near getting in this team. He lacks nerve and composure and contributed the total sum of fuck all on Tuesday. I was really angry with his lack of performance in such a critical game. There was not one single thing he did well, in the very few times he actually got involved.
For me, I’d play Kodjia in that wide right role and have Albert ready to come on.
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McGinn and Grealish are our most vital players so I wouldn't be keen on shuffling them around to accommodate other players' weaknesses.
I'd start Albert and bring on Green if needed. The former hasn't been at his best of late but is still capable of having a good impact on games, while the latter is more effective off the bench against tired legs.
I normally agree with most of the stuff you post, but I can’t on this occasion.
Green should be no where near getting in this team. He lacks nerve and composure and contributed the total sum of fuck all on Tuesday. I was really angry with his lack of performance in such a critical game. There was not one single thing he did well, in the very few times he actually got involved.
For me, I’d play Kodjia in that wide right role and have Albert ready to come on.
Agree with all the comments re Andre Green, he’s been given plenty of game time by Delano but seems to lack just about everything!
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Green might come good in time but at the moment he’s nowhere near the required standard.
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Id play the risso team but if DS is going to go with the AA/Green place , Id play Kodja instead .
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There are things I like about Green but he just looks really nervous and I#m not sure why. Playing for the U23s he's much more willing to take a touch and then play the cross/shot early but for the first team he dwells on the ball too much and makes himself easier to mark.
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McGinn and Grealish are our most vital players so I wouldn't be keen on shuffling them around to accommodate other players' weaknesses.
I'd start Albert and bring on Green if needed. The former hasn't been at his best of late but is still capable of having a good impact on games, while the latter is more effective off the bench against tired legs.
That’s what I think we will do. Just can’t see Smith shuffling players around.
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Bbc news this morning creaming over derby performance. Our victory did t get much attention the day before. I don’t underestimate Derby but this is our best chance of going up. I don’t care how we get there but am concerned that I rather like the championship....
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We're not going to change the formation or the basic content of team after they've helped get us to the final. A formation that battered Derby previously. I know past performances count for nothing.
The only decisions will be Hourihane or Whelan and Albert or Green. I think he'll chose the first in both cases.
Kodja & Whelan to come on if / when needed.
One things for certain, Dean won't sit back & hope we can sneak a win. Tammy needs to impose himself much more than he did against WBA, maybe his shoulder is not 100%.
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Bbc news this morning creaming over derby performance. Our victory did t get much attention the day before. I don’t underestimate Derby but this is our best chance of going up. I don’t care how we get there but am concerned that I rather like the championship....
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t conflicted about the idea of being back in the PL. This has been a great season - finally got my daughter interested with the help of Smith’s sexy football, 10 game winning streaks, the buzz of the playoffs, local (for us) derbies with brizzle. The thought of replacing that with relegation 6 pointers, getting walloped by teams I hate....
But then, I thought all that last year and was still gutted when we lost in the playoffs.
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We're not going to change the formation or the basic content of team after they've helped get us to the final. A formation that battered Derby previously. I know past performances count for nothing.
The only decisions will be Hourihane or Whelan and Albert or Green. I think he'll chose the first in both cases.
Kodja & Whelan to come on if / when needed.
One things for certain, Dean won't sit back & hope we can sneak a win. Tammy needs to impose himself much more than he did against WBA, maybe his shoulder is not 100%.
I agree John I think he’ll start Adomah and 50/50 on whether Whelan or Hourihane will start.
I don’t really have a problem with that. AA may not be the same player he was a year ago but he’s a goal threat and has big game experience.
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Ashley Cole starting is also a huge plus for us, so we need a completely different set up on our right side to take advantage.
He was absolutely mince at VP in that first half and we destroyed them time and time again down the right with AA and Elmo...
I was going to ask about the significance of the full back Malone being suspended having picked up a late sending off, is that who Cole comes in for? If he’s that bad that was a really significant moment for us.
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Watched the highlights of the Leeds Derby game. Derby played a diamond and threw caution to the wind, but fuck me, did Leeds not shoot themselves in booth feet and the head.
Anybody with an ounce of game management would have seen Derby off. Defensively an utter shambles, so much room.
Still, much rather play Derby. We match up much better and have better players throughout.
Sure we were not at our best over the two legs, but Derby were utter shite in the first leg and fortunate to play a side absolutely hell bent on fucking it up in the 2nd.
We on the other hand played the Roukes Drift re-enactment society, dug so deep they might as well have had mine shafts on the pitch.
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Good post Ads. You’ve completely convinced me and I will now blame you if I have my hopes dashed.
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I watched the DCFC highlights, and then thought I'd watch the LUFC ones too for additional insight. Didn't bother when I saw they were only just over a minute long!
For me, if Whelan starts, we win.
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I watched the DCFC highlights, and then thought I'd watch the LUFC ones too for additional insight. Didn't bother when I saw they were only just over a minute long!
For me, if Whelan starts, we win.
Whelan to start for me too. Keep a steady ship (WBA notwithstanding) first half and then Conor when they're tiring in the second half. I know that last night isn't necessarily representative but it was striking how easily both attacks were slicing through both defences.
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Ashley Cole starting is also a huge plus for us, so we need a completely different set up on our right side to take advantage.
He was absolutely mince at VP in that first half and we destroyed them time and time again down the right with AA and Elmo...
I was going to ask about the significance of the full back Malone being suspended having picked up a late sending off, is that who Cole comes in for? If he’s that bad that was a really significant moment for us.
The pundits on sky, Darren Bent et al were bigging it up as a positive 're Cole's experience, all the times he has played at Wembley etc. If we do our stuff we should be humiliating him in the final. Malone is a competent performer at this level in comparison.
Abraham destroyed the other Chelsea kid, Tomori, earlier in the season too.
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The main thing we need to get right is our mentality. I really don't think it was right in either game against west brom
Tactically, its unclear what we'll come up against. Derby won yday by going 442 diamond, w a plethora of attacking midfielders. Hourihane would really struggle to stem the sort of movement they were showing. But it would be a brave lampard to pick such an attacking line up.
I don't think they could copy West brom. Though i didn't think West brom could play like that. And Derby would fancy their chances on the break with the likes of Mason, Lawrence, Wilson etc
I began to wonder if Smith might mix it up. Maybe play two up top like the second half at Rotherham, with Jack and mcginn tucked in wide in a 'box midfield'. It would give us more solidity against those central runs and mean Tammy was less isolated
But I suspect it will be the normal 433. I'm a bit worried thay Smith thinks we played better than we did.
In which case, although there's a case for whelan, there's also a case for getting as much energy on the pitch and that means hourihane
There's a case for green's greater pace against Cole, but he completely froze on Tuesday. If we don't think Cole can get up and down, maybe Kodjia wide right. But I think el ghazi would have the most joy as long as he's not too weak from fasting. Plus as someone said above, elmo overlapping could be a real weapon.
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I watched the DCFC highlights, and then thought I'd watch the LUFC ones too for additional insight. Didn't bother when I saw they were only just over a minute long!
For me, if Whelan starts, we win.
Whelan to start for me too. Keep a steady ship (WBA notwithstanding) first half and then Conor when they're tiring in the second half. I know that last night isn't necessarily representative but it was striking how easily both attacks were slicing through both defences.
Agree completely SE, with AA starting and Conor/Green/Kodjia ideally used as impact players on 65/70 min mark
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The main thing we need to get right is our mentality. I really don't think it was right in either game against west brom
Tactically, its unclear what we'll come up against. Derby won yday by going 442 diamond, w a plethora of attacking midfielders. Hourihane would really struggle to stem the sort of movement they were showing. But it would be a brave lampard to pick such an attacking line up.
I don't think they could copy West brom. Though i didn't think West brom could play like that. And Derby would fancy their chances on the break with the likes of Mason, Lawrence, Wilson etc
I began to wonder if Smith might mix it up. Maybe play two up top like the second half at Rotherham, with Jack and mcginn tucked in wide in a 'box midfield'. It would give us more solidity against those central runs and mean Tammy was less isolated
But I suspect it will be the normal 433. I'm a bit worried thay Smith thinks we played better than we did.
In which case, although there's a case for whelan, there's also a case for getting as much energy on the pitch and that means hourihane
There's a case for green's greater pace against Cole, but he completely froze on Tuesday. If we don't think Cole can get up and down, maybe Kodjia wide right. But I think el ghazi would have the most joy as long as he's not too weak from fasting. Plus as someone said above, elmo overlapping could be a real weapon.
Completely agree. I don’t think many will dispute we have the edge in terms player and coaching personnel however my big fear is we will freeze - we did not really show up in either of the SF and could easily have lost. Last year was appalling. Dean has to get this right and make sure they are 100% up for it mentally and physically. Derby certainly looked the most impressive of the 4 teams in the SF and to go to Leeds and turn them over was a hell of an achievement (first team to lose the home leg but triumph in the 2nd). I think it’s going to come down to who is right on the day - we need to go out without fear and really take the game by the scruff of the neck to proceed home.
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Eh?
We were comfortably better than the Albion in both. We didn't freeze at all.
We played a side who flipped their ordinary tactics on their head and stuck 11 men behind the ball for 210 minutes.
We struggled to break down a side sat so deep, who fouled persistently, who showed no ambition to attack and gave no room between defence and midfield.
It was hard to find space and fluidity, as there was none available.
Derby looked impressive against a team hell bent on blowing it. Insane defending, shape and loose play. Derby looked worse than anybody else previously on Saturday mustering 0 shots at goal. Imagine being worse than the Albion side we played in attacking.
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Why is we will freeze and they won’t? We were at Wembley last year. We have more experienced players and coaches. We have better players and coaches. I think what they did was brilliant vs Leeds and their run to their playoffs but what we did for 3 months was just sensational. We have the best player in the league, the most energetic and tenacious player in the league, arguably the best forward and best CB in the league. Even our GK in the past few months has been outstanding. We can’t be complacent and we have a manager with a mountain of experience to help us through that.
And we also have the massive disappointment of last season to draw upon for motivation.
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It really could go either way. We've got the better team on paper, but then a few players of late seem out of sorts. If I was a betting man, I'd guess we'd be 60/40 favourites.
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Eh?
We were comfortably better than the Albion in both. We didn't freeze at all.
Exactly.
If 69% possession in the first leg and 73% possession in the second leg is 'freezing', then I'm happy for us to 'freeze' again.
The Olbiyun played for penalties from minute 1 of the first leg. I don't think anyone could've predicted just how much they parked the bus so it's hardly surprising Dean's tactics didn't quite work in that first half.
I can't see Derby trying that - it would be embarrassing if they did - and with a more open game we've got the better players to punish them with.
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Talk around of doing something similar to when we beat Rotherham.
As Albert and green been poor, play whelk sitting in front of back 4, Connor to left and mcginn to right with jack spearheading diamond formation. Then Tammy with Kodja up front, without the ball kodj could join others in midfield but out wide.
I’m not to adverse to springing a surprise like that
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Two sides to this dilemma.
With claret & blue specs on - we are the best team in this division and do not need to change our formation/game plan - turn up & play to our strengths and we win the game.
With claret & blue specs off - surprise Derby, (as they will be thinking the same as above) - play a different formation as a one off/cup tie that must be won where surprise could be the winning formula.
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Surprises work. Think BFR in 94 finak vs manure with the intro of graham fenton.
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Talk around of doing something similar to when we beat Rotherham.
As Albert and green been poor, play whelk sitting in front of back 4
To be honest, I think he might be a bit too shellfish to play that role.
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We had 45 attempts against the bus parkers, a dozen on target. From what some folks are saying, I'm starting to think I'm not watching the correct Aston Villa! Sure, we could've been a bit sharper, but I wouldn't be abandoning our newfound principles because of it.
I'm looking at it as though we're a spider bigger than an inch, and I'm Derby; no matter what anybody might say or try to convince me of to the contrary, I'm more scared of the spider than it is of me!
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Talk around of doing something similar to when we beat Rotherham.
As Albert and green been poor, play whelk sitting in front of back 4
To be honest, I think he might be a bit too shellfish to play that role.
He would add more mussel in midfield but it might cockle things up
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could we try a diamond ?
steer
elmo axel mings hause
hourihane /Whelan
grealish Mcginn
elghazi
Abrahams kodja / davis
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I've tried to erase all memories of last year, the highlight was shaking Ian Taylor's hand on my way to the stadium, the rest of the day I'd rather forget. Seeing Bruce mince up and down his technical area all afternoon in his shirtsleeves makes me ill just thinking about it.
This time will be different, this time we have something about us that was lacking last time out and I fully expect we'll go at the opposition from minute one with a plan rather than sit back soak it up and hope to nick one.
It'll be an open game I'm sure & I'm looking forward to it immensely this time, hoping also it'll be the first victory at Wembley I've seen since 2000 FA Cup Semi having missed the FA Cup Semi victory v 'The Mighty Reds YNWA'.
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With everything that hapoened last close season the build up to the game vs fulham was not smooth if I remember correctly. Didn't the Villa players have to buy their own suits or something like that? Hopefully this season we are more settled going into the final and with a forward thinking coach in Smith, we'll give a better account of ourselves and hopefully win! UTV
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The more I think about it, this is a massive game for us really as we are at a pretty significant crossroads. Win and I think we will be taking some real momentum with us into the Premier League. Lose and we are looking at a massive rebuilding job and I don't think we would be in contention for promotion for a while.
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Talk around of doing something similar to when we beat Rotherham.
As Albert and green been poor, play whelk sitting in front of back 4, Connor to left and mcginn to right with jack spearheading diamond formation. Then Tammy with Kodja up front, without the ball kodj could join others in midfield but out wide.
I’m not to adverse to springing a surprise like that
If we go with that approach, I'd play Davis up front with Tammy playing off; bringing Kodjia on as a sub later on.
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https://twitter.com/EFL/status/1129431384299147264
Match officials for the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final between Aston Villa and Derby County have been confirmed.
Monday 27 May - kick-off 3.00pm
Referee: Paul Tierney
Assistants: Ian Hussin and Adrian Holmes
Fourth official: Chris Kavanagh
Reserve assistant referee: Dan Robathan
Further details about this year's Final will be released in due course.
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You fucking cheating bastards!
(Just practising)
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So the 4th official is the dickhead that reffed Tuesday night.
It will give Dean and John the chance to spend 90 minutes telling him what they thought of that performance, at least.
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As it stands, 2-2 then penalties...
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With everything that hapoened last close season the build up to the game vs fulham was not smooth if I remember correctly. Didn't the Villa players have to buy their own suits or something like that? Hopefully this season we are more settled going into the final and with a forward thinking coach in Smith, we'll give a better account of ourselves and hopefully win! UTV
First I've heard on any of this. Have you got any links?
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Think I heard something similar. Feeling very positive, completely different buzz to last year.
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The 4th official at Wembley can not be any worse than Kevin Friend who was the 4th official against Fulham .How he failed to see their full back stamp on Jack right in front of him only god knows
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Eh?
We were comfortably better than the Albion in both. We didn't freeze at all.
We played a side who flipped their ordinary tactics on their head and stuck 11 men behind the ball for 210 minutes.
We struggled to break down a side sat so deep, who fouled persistently, who showed no ambition to attack and gave no room between defence and midfield.
It was hard to find space and fluidity, as there was none available.
Derby looked impressive against a team hell bent on blowing it. Insane defending, shape and loose play. Derby looked worse than anybody else previously on Saturday mustering 0 shots at goal. Imagine being worse than the Albion side we played in attacking.
Nah comfortably better would be beating them 4-1 on aggregate. 2-0 on Tuesday rather than scraping though on pens.
Maybe I expect too much but we played far better there in December. Could've easily scored 4 and that was against Barry, Harvey Barnes and Gayle so much stronger 11.
We should beat Derby but the one little wildcard is we didn't play against Mount in either game so midfield has no experience at dealing with him unlike their other forward players.
Kid is pretty good. Had excellent season in Holland, his return from two month injury has inspired them like Jack coming back has us and he got an England call up in November.
I'd still start Hourihane and Kodjia. As much as we dream about winning this 4-0, play off finals are usually very tight, can't really remember one in recent times when the winner has won by more than one goal.
It will still be in the balance on the hour so if we're 1-0 up it will make sense then to bring on likes of Adomah and Whelan to close things out.
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Why is we will freeze and they won’t? We were at Wembley last year. We have more experienced players and coaches. We have better players and coaches. I think what they did was brilliant vs Leeds and their run to their playoffs but what we did for 3 months was just sensational. We have the best player in the league, the most energetic and tenacious player in the league, arguably the best forward and best CB in the league. Even our GK in the past few months has been outstanding. We can’t be complacent and we have a manager with a mountain of experience to help us through that.
And we also have the massive disappointment of last season to draw upon for motivation.
I agree Derby could easily freeze but would imagine them scoring 4 goals at Elland Road will give them a fair bit of confidence they can score a goal or two at Wembley.
They're not as good as Fulham were this time last year though by a long way.
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Think I heard something similar. Feeling very positive, completely different buzz to last year.
Pre match thread from last year
http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=58662.15
"too many big game players at Villa . more experience . I dont expect Fulham to cope on their big day."
"Since when have we become scared of clubs like Fulham? Fuck em and let’s put them in their place. The Villa. "
That only on page 2 so pretty much same as now.
Fulham were much better than this Derby team though. Amazed how badly they flopped in the prem, poor recruitment did them.
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Toronto Villa called it right.
"It will all depend on what Bruce decides is the appropriate strategy for this game. If he goes out to win I think we will. If he tries to play the counter or grind out game I think we will lose. I hope it’s the former because we have the players for it. We have to play to win from the first kick of the ball."
Showed up SB limitations as a manager that he honestly though we could out grind Fulham like we did Boro in the semi finals. Disaster tactic.
I think it's important we're on the front foot from the very start so would start Hourihane and Kodjia ahead of the safety first options.
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The big plus is Derby aren't going to be able to bully us, like West Brom did at times. Set pieces aren't going to be the same concern as the semi. With a lot of young players in the team, it's imperative that we quell any kind of good start for them. Last year, we only started playing after half time and that can't happen again. Ashley Cole starting is also a huge plus for us, so we need a completely different set up on our right side to take advantage.
There are a few different options, El Ghazi on right and AA on left is the safest. Kodjia seems to be benefiting on here by not playing much recently. Sub at best for me. Green no way and AA on right no way either.
My preference is to move McGinn slightly over to the right and try and get Elmo in behind Cole on overlap. Hourihane has to start, finals are for winning and he is one of our primary goal threats. Whelan to come back in for Green and Grealish much higher up near Abraham. There are no excuses, our ball playing midfielders simply have to dominate theirs.
-------------------Steer
Elmo, Tuanzebe, Mings, Hause
-----------Whelan, Hourihane
----McGinn, Grealish, El Ghazi
----------------Abraham
Interesting idea that, though I feel McGinn is better with his back to goal or side on - he does that great thing where he shields the ball brilliantly before turning and accelerating. That said, if he did play wide and did manage to get in behind he’d put quality balls in, which Green generally doesn’t. Worth considering for the future, not sure about disrupting the shape at this stage.
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We were far better than Albion in both games, that they jammed taking it to pens doesn't alter that.
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We were far better than Albion in both games, that they jammed taking it to pens doesn't alter that.
Do you think we played better v Boro or WBA in the respective play off semi finals? I would say we were very comfortable at the Riverside and while the 0-0 at VP was nervy I always felt we'd get over the line....certainly didn't have those thoughts after half an hour the other night!
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We were far better than Albion in both games, that they jammed taking it to pens doesn't alter that.
Over both legs there was only one football playing team. That team won !
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Toronto Villa called it right.
"It will all depend on what Bruce decides is the appropriate strategy for this game. If he goes out to win I think we will. If he tries to play the counter or grind out game I think we will lose. I hope it’s the former because we have the players for it. We have to play to win from the first kick of the ball."
Showed up SB limitations as a manager that he honestly though we could out grind Fulham like we did Boro in the semi finals. Disaster tactic.
I think it's important we're on the front foot from the very start so would start Hourihane and Kodjia ahead of the safety first options.
I would start Kodjia in one of the wide forward roles and ask him to play exactly how he did against Blues at Villa park, where he never stopped running, scored and created mayhem coming into the box from the opposite side. He and El Ghazi could then be fairly fluid and really hurt Cole, while Abraham would have more support at times.
I would though, start Whelan and bring Hourihane on when Derby are already tired.
It is a must win, we have beaten them 7-0 this season, we need to make sure we turn up, play to our strengths and squeeze Wilson and Mount out of the game. Mount will run in behind Hourihane at will, but Whelan is more likely to be sitting in that space.
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McGinn can take care of Mount. Not sure Whelan has the legs for the big pitch at Wembley? We saw what it did to our older team last year. I remember Cole playing at VP when we thrashed them 4-0. He had a torrid time. Carson made several good saves in the second half - Derby didn't have a shot on target. Mount and Lawrence were injured and Wilson came on for the second half. But, McGinn didn't play that day and Tuanzebe was still recovering from his injury.
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Let's not big up Derbys win at Leeds too much. It was a good result but Leeds have been struggling the second half of the season.
They lost 9 of their last 21 since the turn of the year.
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Leeds defence was shocking that night, what was Cooper playing at for the penalty??
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Not sure Whelan has the legs for the big pitch at Wembley? We saw what it did to our older team last year.
I keep reading about the 'big' Wembley pitch but it's exactly the same size as Villa Park (and Pride Park for that matter).
UEFA has a standard pitch size for Category 4 stadia (115yds x 74yds) - Wembley, VP and PP all comply.
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Let's not big up Derbys win at Leeds too much. It was a good result but Leeds have been struggling the second half of the season.
They lost 9 of their last 21 since the turn of the year.
100% this. Including losing to 10 man Wigan and 10 man Ipswich. If anything it’s surprising Derby gave then so little trouble in the first leg.
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I don't know about you guys but I'm nervous already and there's still 9 days to go!. I suppose it's the massive implications involved - we have to win!
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Hause should be Left back. Taylor simply isn’t in the same class.
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Are we going to give Derby the respect of renaming the thread ?
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The difference this year is that we are the better side and we don't have a manager that's a coward at heart.
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Are we going to give Derby the respect of renaming the thread ?
I mean it's not like our name's in the title either. I like it this way, seems a bit grander.
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The difference this year is that we are the better side and we don't have a manager that's a coward at heart.
Absolutely. In my heart I knew we didn’t deserve to win last year and if we had it would have been through spawniness/negativity/moment of brilliance from grealish. We were basically the bitters. In hindsight, Fulham were the only team in the playoffs attempting to play decent football and the only team that deserved to go up.
Totally different this year.
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Feel much more confident in this team than the one last season but I have this really shitty feeling that we're going to keep hearing after the match from Lineker, Shearer and and Jenas, " they lost 7-1 and 7-0 over 2 games to Leeds and Villa but Frank has masterminded this Derby team on the occasion that matters, genius".
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Feel much more confident in this team than the one last season but I have this really shitty feeling that we're going to keep hearing after the match from Lineker, Shearer and and Jenas, " they lost 7-1 and 7-0 over 2 games to Leeds and Villa but Frank has masterminded this Derby team on the occasion that matters, genius".
Will have to scrawl through lots to find those comments as BBC don't have any rights whatsoever to football league anymore!
If they go up he's done a remarkable job.
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Watched the highlights again from our 4-0 home win over Derby. Hause was excellent at LB. Strong, quick good distribution
Much better than Taylor. Hope Deano agrees for the final !
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Feel much more confident in this team than the one last season but I have this really shitty feeling that we're going to keep hearing after the match from Lineker, Shearer and and Jenas, " they lost 7-1 and 7-0 over 2 games to Leeds and Villa but Frank has masterminded this Derby team on the occasion that matters, genius".
Will have to scrawl through lots to find those comments as BBC don't have any rights whatsoever to football league anymore!
If they go up he's done a remarkable job.
Christ...it's because of this bloody FA Cup coverage.
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Think I heard something similar. Feeling very positive, completely different buzz to last year.
Pre match thread from last year
http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=58662.15
"too many big game players at Villa . more experience . I dont expect Fulham to cope on their big day."
"Since when have we become scared of clubs like Fulham? Fuck em and let’s put them in their place. The Villa. "
That only on page 2 so pretty much same as now.
Fulham were much better than this Derby team though. Amazed how badly they flopped in the prem, poor recruitment did them.
Since when have we become scared of clubs like Derby County? Fuck em and let’s put them in their place. The Villa.
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FIFA 19 predicts Villa 2 (Adomah 22, El Ghazi 86) Derby 0
Edit - it also predicted Watford 1 Man City 0, so it may not be a 100% reliable guide.
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Not scared. Respectful.
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We were far better than Albion in both games, that they jammed taking it to pens doesn't alter that.
Do you think we played better v Boro or WBA in the respective play off semi finals? I would say we were very comfortable at the Riverside and while the 0-0 at VP was nervy I always felt we'd get over the line....certainly didn't have those thoughts after half an hour the other night!
I know we played far better than Albion which is what is being talked about.
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The main worry against wba was the amount off unforced errors that they had, and if they can cut these out, then it should have a good game against Derby. If not then Derby will have fun.
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Derby atmosphere made for the crazy 15 minutes in the second half. Even then, they didn't come close to scoring. The Albion were negative shite, but difficult to get behind and find gaps.
They scored a goal where Rodriguez, the cheat, pushed Mings and there was more grappling of our players as they Deplapped the ball in than at a WWE event.
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The boro semi had an element of randomness. Two negative teams of similar quality largely cancelling each other out.
It’s hard to say we outplayed them because we got the first goal and successfully choked the life out of them over two legs. If they’d got the first goal it could have been very different.
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Not scared. Respectful.
I agree. Totally professional in our game, no cockiness or laid back play like at Albion where we kept giving the ball away. Desperate to go back up.
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Steer
Taylor
Tuanzebe
Mings
El Mohamady
Whelan
McGinn
El Ghazi
Adomah
Grealish
Abraham
That’ll be the team. We can’t afford to play Andre based on his performance against West Brom and I think both he and Hourihane, along with Kodjia are good impact players for us.
Just win Villa please. Not sure I can handle walking out of there feeling like I did last year
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As some of you may know, Top Cat and I had to give up our season tickets last year due to TC's lack of mobility because of her MS. This hasn't stopped her getting into the spirit of things though
(https://i.ibb.co/kHZ13v3/IMG-20190519-WA0001.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kHZ13v3)
image upload (https://imgbb.com/)
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As some of you may know, Top Cat and I had to give up our season tickets last year due to TC's lack of mobility because of her MS. This hasn't stopped her getting into the spirit of things though
(https://i.ibb.co/kHZ13v3/IMG-20190519-WA0001.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kHZ13v3)
image upload (https://imgbb.com/)
Beautiful!
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Thank you. I'm quite impressed myself! Had them done when we last went to Wembley in 2010 but had a different design (not that I'm superstitious )
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Worth making sure you know this if you're planning on carrying anything to the game.
http://www.wembleystadium.com/news/2018/sep/07/wembley-restricted-bag-policy
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Villa are 5/4 favourites to win in the ninety minutes. Derby are 5/2 and the draw is 12/5. Villa are 8/13 to go up and Derby are 7/5.
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The boro semi had an element of randomness. Two negative teams of similar quality largely cancelling each other out.
It’s hard to say we outplayed them because we got the first goal and successfully choked the life out of them over two legs. If they’d got the first goal it could have been very different.
It did help we scored first but I thought we were very comfortable up there and could've scored another on the break, didn't Grealish go on a mazy run and hit the post?
0-0 at VP we could've held off their limited attacks. I certainly felt far more comfortable in that than the randomness of going to a penalty shoot out anyway.
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Snoddy hit the post.
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sorry wrong place
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Yeah. My main memory is of it being a weirdly stress-free affair, as comfortable as watching villa ever is. Complete opposite of the WB games this time around, in fact.
Will be interesting to see the difference having battled through such a tough semi on penalties makes. My thought/hope is it’s a positive as we won’t go in with any sense of entitlement. As mentioned above, looking back, those boro games just convinced Bruce he could grind his way through the entire playoffs which seems ridiculous now.
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Is anyone else already shitting bricks over this match?
I find myself, every now and then, thinking to how fucking GUTTING it was last season against Fulham and my stomach goes into full on churn mode thinking about that happening again.
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I'm trying not to think about it at the moment. When it comes to mind, I just try and think of something else.
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I am with you Paulie.
For me though its the wider implications of not going up that bother me so much.
I could accept another year or two down in the championship if we had the team and squad to give us the same as we have had for the last 2 years.
We have to admit, it’s been fun.
However, we know the club NEEDS to be back in the PL and more than that, the thought of losing Grealish is galling.
He will have to go, and we all understand why and it would be with our blessing after what he has given in the last 2 seasons especially, but to lose one of the best players we have seen for many, many years is a real pisser.
I desperately want to go up not only for the good of the club, but to keep the best players from this current team.
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Nowhere near as nervous as last year, in fact I'm positively becalmed.
It's a faith in process, and the fact there is one in the way play.
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not nervous yet , but I wasnt before the baggies game and then when the second leg started I was a wreck . I couldnt watch the pens , I turned back on as Jack was taking one , the nerves just went ...
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I am with you Paulie.
For me though its the wider implications of not going up that bother me so much.
I could accept another year or two down in the championship if we had the team and squad to give us the same as we have had for the last 2 years.
We have to admit, it’s been fun.
However, we know the club NEEDS to be back in the PL and more than that, the thought of losing Grealish is galling.
He will have to go, and we all understand why and it would be with our blessing after what he has given in the last 2 seasons especially, but to lose one of the best players we have seen for many, many years is a real pisser.
I desperately want to go up not only for the good of the club, but to keep the best players from this current team.
Yep, all of the above for me too.
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Can't handle the thought of another Final defeat this year. We simply have to win. I don't subscribe to the thought that staying in the Championship could be better for us. Look what a mess the Leeds fans have been reduced to after so many years battling to get back up. Animosity aside, wouldn't want to be in their position after 15 years of lower league football with all the ups and downs associated.
We must go up.
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Is anyone else already shitting bricks over this match?
I find myself, every now and then, thinking to how fucking GUTTING it was last season against Fulham and my stomach goes into full on churn mode thinking about that happening again.
I am with you Paulie. Have an exam tomorrow, potentially my last for my professional qualifications, and I can't concentrate for more than 5 minutes at a time. Totally bricking it. And keep seeing Mount running in behind Cairney style, Jack in tears, the whole thing going wrong. Horrible!
Why couldn't we just appoint Smith last August and go up automatically! This route is torture.
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Last season was super gutting, but this season, with this team, this football, this run, this manager, this absolute certainty that Jack will leave if we don't get promoted - yeah, I don't even want to think about it.
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I was more nervous last year as they were a better side and I knew we needed to be at 100% and then some to have a chance of winning. I'd also last faith with Bruce after Carrow Road and wanted him gone regardless when the season ended.
Unfortunately he reverted to type.
This time round, we're the better side, with a better defensive, midfield and attacking unit, with better individual players and the memories of how we obliterated them twice.
If we play anything like our best, we win.
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I know the logic, but because we are a better side, with a much more connected side with the fan base, and because it is a bit like Peter Pan and the lost boys watching Jack lead this team out, with Dean Smith and the whole fairy tale story of him and his Villa roots. It will hurt sooo much more this time.
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Hopefully this gives those nervous a bit more optimism.
https://twitter.com/ryxn_avfc/status/1130399554359255040?s=12
We are such a different team and club to last season. Under Bruce there was no plan outside of work hard. He went into all the games in the playoffs and final just looking to pinch something. We played right into Fulham’s hands last year. We won’t make the same mistake again. We will have a plan just for Derby. For their players. For they way of playing. We are fully fit, we have a variety of options to attack them with. Most of all, we have a manager who not only understands us, the pain and joy of being one of us, but is a top professional and will prepare the club for what we need to do. That’s what have most faith in that this season will be different.
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Some cracking goals in there
Regardless of the actual outcome all I have in my mind is that we will go there and our coaching team will set us up to win the game. My biggest fear last year after Spudulike out Pulis'ed the smog monsters was that he thought he had found a formula to beat Fulham and it proved to be dismally poor.
You cannot account for a defensive brain fart, a hideously wrong ref decision or a huge deflection - what I cannot face is another game where our tactics (or lack of them) meant we were potentially beaten before we kicked a ball in anger.
We have the right players, we have the right coaches and it is OUR time
Bring it on
UTV
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Thank you for that post TV. All the talk of nervousness was making me nervous! Feel better now. UTV
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Excellent montage TV.
We will have a game plan, a fit squad, a solid team ethic and a determined solidarity both on and off the pitch to finish the job. Keep the faith. UTV!!!
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I am with you Paulie.
For me though its the wider implications of not going up that bother me so much.
I could accept another year or two down in the championship if we had the team and squad to give us the same as we have had for the last 2 years.
We have to admit, it’s been fun.
However, we know the club NEEDS to be back in the PL and more than that, the thought of losing Grealish is galling.
He will have to go, and we all understand why and it would be with our blessing after what he has given in the last 2 seasons especially, but to lose one of the best players we have seen for many, many years is a real pisser.
I desperately want to go up not only for the good of the club, but to keep the best players from this current team.
Yep, all of the above for me too.
Yep, agree too. After some pretty bleak years, it has felt over the last couple of months that the club is finally getting some momentum which we could carry into the top flight if we were to go up. There are some really popular players at the club again now and going up would give us a good shot at keeping them at the club, along with adding some of a similar or even better quality.
As others have said, I could more than stomach not going up if we knew Mings, Tuanzebe, Grealish, McGinn and Abraham were staying no matter what happened next Monday. The reality is that we probably won't be able to keep that kind of calibre of player at the club should we not go up and will be looking at a lengthy rebuilding job.
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And just to play if it doesn’t happen scenario we also need to stop thinking the absolute worst if we don’t go up regarding player retention or acquisition. Yes we will lose Jack and yes we might not keep all of the top players we have today. But at the lowest point last pre-season somehow we were still able to secure Abraham, McGinn, keep Jack etc.
So while we won’t keep everyone, we will shed a lot of salaries accumulated during the last number of years and we have a manager who will bring in excellent players to play his system. So while it will be terrible if we don’t go up given who has come down and stayed down I would still have every confidence we will go up next season with new players and a younger overall squad.
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Obvious contenders in the mix next season will be Villa/Derby, Leeds, Baggies, Boro, Bristol, Forest and possible Sheff Weds...plus Cardiff, Fulham and Huddersfield. I don’t see any team to fear amongst that lot given the managerial and player changes that will happen at a few of them during the summer...Baggies already know they won’t have the tweenie twat again next seas for a start.
Anyways wrong thread for this kind of talk...focus on fucking these fuckers next Monday!
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This time next week, we will have kicked off...
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And this time next week we could be pissed or pissed off
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Tbh I expect we'll be pissed either way.
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In a game of football anything can happen.
If we lose, the sun rises again on Tuesday.
Another season in the dark would be tough to swallow, but we would have to hope that after a player exodus, new players chosen by Smith would come in and in the words of Mumbles, we go again.
But fuck that, lets win on Monday, no more trips to the sty or Tipton, or whatever location they think they are in.
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Is there any chance of a poll being added to this thread? I have been voting a certain way since the start of our winning run and would like to continue to ensure our success.
I believe in reason and science.
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There is a poll, draw can't added as then it's extra time and so on. So we either have 2 option or 6. If i've worked it out right.
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There is a poll, draw can't added as then it's extra time and so on. So we either have 2 option or 6. If i've worked it out right.
Thanks mister.
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I didn't add it, no idea who did it or when! Wenger sees more than I do.
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It's possible that you have dementia.
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Well my nerves have starting churning today.
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It's been a decade of footballing hell. Our recovery starts on Monday.
3-1 Villa.
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Fairly calm about this one. We have come from so far back this season and have a great opportunity that it would be a massive disappointment if we do not win.
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It's been a decade of footballing hell. Our recovery starts on Monday.
3-1 Villa.
True dat. As the kids say.
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For a combination of reasons, including a lack of faith in our chances of making the playoffs, and my other half organising our holiday, I’ll be flying back to the UK during the game. Does anyone know how if it will be possible to watch the game back later that day? Conveniently I don’t have Sky or BT Sport.
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Don't think so. There is an hour long highlights show on Quest at 9, that's the closest you get on Freeview.
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For a combination of reasons, including a lack of faith in our chances of making the playoffs, and my other half organising our holiday, I’ll be flying back to the UK during the game. Does anyone know how if it will be possible to watch the game back later that day? Conveniently I don’t have Sky or BT Sport.
It is on at 8PM on Sky Sports Football(duration 60 minutes). You will need a NowTV Sports Day pass.
Not ideal, I know, but when needs must.
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Thanks to you both for the info - I'll look into these options!
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could we try a diamond ?
steer
elmo axel mings hause
hourihane /Whelan
grealish Mcginn
elghazi
Abrahams kodja / davis
Four of those are loan players. Will they care enough?
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Can't handle the thought of another Final defeat this year. We simply have to win. I don't subscribe to the thought that staying in the Championship could be better for us. Look what a mess the Leeds fans have been reduced to after so many years battling to get back up. Animosity aside, wouldn't want to be in their position after 15 years of lower league football with all the ups and downs associated.
We must go up.
Absolutely, failure to go up last season almost bankrupted the club (Xia/Wyness style of governance obviously key too). Even with the new owners it will get harder each season to go up with the financial constraints.
Plus, we have the likes of Grealish and McGinn who would thrive at a number of top clubs. Mings, Abraham, El Ghazi, three young players with significant potential could also join permanently. We seem more ready as a club to go up now and be competitive again. We would have been relegated straight back down again if we beat Fulham last May.
However, we simply must perform from the first whistle this year. Last year, we froze for the first 45 mins and Fulham should have been out of sight. One incident alone typified that, Fredericks stamping on Grealish without a single player of ours jumping in. We just weren't tuned in at all. I'd argue we froze in the second half v West Brom (second leg) too.... Pressure is all on us, there are simply no excuses for not performing.
However, we are the form team coming in and have hammered them twice already. Derby aren't set up to bully us, can cause problems no doubt if we let them but footballing wise I have no fear of them out playing us. Abrahams form is the big worry but I'm confident in Grealish rising to the occasion like to be fair he did in the second half last year.
2-1 to us with Hourihane and Grealish scoring.
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could we try a diamond ?
steer
elmo axel mings hause
hourihane /Whelan
grealish Mcginn
elghazi
Abrahams kodja / davis
Four of those are loan players. Will they care enough?
What an truly odd thing to ask? Without having the actual stat in front of me but for most of the season I would bet we have had 3 or 4 loan players in the side and certainly the 18 on match day. All of which have performed for the most part really well. The only one who didn’t really live up the billing was Bolasie and he’s no longer here. Yet on the eve of the final you’re asking will they care enough? I’m really baffled by why you think all of a sudden having done so up to this point, in the final they might not.
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I don't think this will be a close game. Derby have some very good young players and a manager that has shown he will try a new approach with short notice.
He must know that if they sit back we will find a way through; they do not have the discipline and organization of WBA. They will press and attack in waves, targeting any weak areas of our defense.
We have the players to get the job done and a manager who will have a good game plan, but we have to keep composure.
3-2, or 4-3 is my prediction.
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I don't think this will be a close game. Derby have some very good young players and a manager that has shown he will try a new approach with short notice.
He must know that if they sit back we will find a way through; they do not have the discipline and organization of WBA. They will press and attack in waves, targeting any weak areas of our defense.
We have the players to get the job done and a manager who will have a good game plan, but we have to keep composure.
3-1, or 4-2 is my prediction.
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In a similar way to last year I'm rather relaxed, however the full picture wasn't that clear with regards to the utter disaster awaiting us if we were to be beaten.
This time around, my disdain for the PL remains undiminished so another season in the Championship doesn't scare me. It will be entertaining, competitive and we have a manager who I believe can build a decent side despite the inevitable departures that defeat on Monday will incur. While the finances will take a hit, there won't be that dreadful dull pain that hit me when the news came through last summer of unpaid tax bills.
Having said that I see a job that needs to be completed, I want Villa to prosper and succeed, I want Villa to play their football at the top despite all it's misgivings. At the end of the home match against Sandwell, I watched Grealish and Hourihane walking towards the packed Holte End, arms around each others shoulders, taking the deserved acclaim. From my vantage point at the back of the North Stand I felt that we were, once more, experiencing something special at Villa Park and that the story had a couple more chapters. I wasn't so sure midway through the second leg, but we prevailed and I think we will again at Wembley.
2-1.
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Beeb weather forecast has changed to light rain at Wembley from 3pm onwards next Monday . It will probably change again before then though.
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Beeb weather forecast has changed to light rain at Wembley from 3pm onwards next Monday . It will probably change again before then though.
Currently 17-18% chance of rain: “Low chance of precipitation”; Temperatur feels like 19
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Jack will need to deliver a Liverpool semifinal performance, if he does we should be ok
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Beeb weather forecast has changed to light rain at Wembley from 3pm onwards next Monday . It will probably change again before then though.
Currently 17-18% chance of rain: “Low chance of precipitation”; Temperatur feels like 19
Take it from one who knows where football match weather is concerned: The forecast usually changes on a daily basis until 48 hours before, and even then it's only about 50% accurate.
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could we try a diamond ?
steer
elmo axel mings hause
hourihane /Whelan
grealish Mcginn
elghazi
Abrahams kodja / davis
Four of those are loan players. Will they care enough?
What an truly odd thing to ask? Without having the actual stat in front of me but for most of the season I would bet we have had 3 or 4 loan players in the side and certainly the 18 on match day. All of which have performed for the most part really well. The only one who didn’t really live up the billing was Bolasie and he’s no longer here. Yet on the eve of the final you’re asking will they care enough? I’m really baffled by why you think all of a sudden having done so up to this point, in the final they might not.
Does anyone seem to care more than Mings ???
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Charlie Adam thinks we'll win.
I'm officially worried now.
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Most of the pundits thought we'd win last year. The bookies favoured Fulham. We're favourites this year.
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Our record at Wembley (Old and New) looks like this..
Played 17, Won 6, Drawn 2, Lost 9
1. 1924 FA Cup Final – Lost (Newcastle)
2. 1957 FA Cup Final – Won (Man United)
3. 1971 League Cup Final – Lost (Tottenham)
4. 1975 League Cup Final – Won (Norwich)
5. 1977 League Cup Final – Draw (Everton – won at Old Trafford)
6. 1981 FA Charity Shield – Draw (Tottenham)
7. 1990 Wembley International Tournament - Lost (Arsenal)
8. 1990 Wembley International Tournament - Lost (Real Sociedad)
9. 1994 League Cup Final – Won (Man United)
10. 1996 League Cup Final – Won (Leeds United)
11. 2000 FA Cup Semi Final - Won (Bolton)
12. 2000 FA Cup Final – Lost (Chelsea)
13. 2010 League Cup Final – Lost (Man United)
14. 2010 FA Cup Semi Final - Lost (Chelsea)
15. 2015 FA Cup Semi Final – Won (Liverpool)
16. 2015 FA Final – Lost (Arsenal)
17. 2018 EFL Championship Play Off – Lost (Fulham)
18. 2019 EFL Championship Play Off…..
Unlucky 13 15 17th last year so it should be an easy win on Monday.... ::)
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It's 16 - Bolton in 2000 and Chelsea in 2010 are missing from that list.
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Didn't we lose 3-0 to Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinal in 2010?
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Yes, and Bolton 2000 semifinal. When Holdsworth missed an open goal. We should have signed Gudjohnsen after that match, he was ace.
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It's 16 - Bolton in 2000 and Chelsea in 2010 are missing from that list.
Edited
Also missed two Makita Cup Games...
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And you forgot the 2 games in the Mercantile cup.
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and the Charity/Community Shield.....whatever it's called these days.
UTV
The Doc
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and the Charity/Community Shield.....whatever it's called these days.
UTV
The Doc
That's in there, we only played one at Wembley. The 1972 one was at VP.
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and the Charity/Community Shield.....whatever it's called these days.
UTV
The Doc
That's in there, we only played one at Wembley. The 1972 one was at VP.
bollox...must pay more attention... :-[
UTV
The Doc
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Our record at Wembley (Old and New) looks like this..
Played 15, Won 6, Drawn 2, Lost 7
1. 1924 FA Cup Final – Lost (Newcastle)
2. 1957 FA Cup Final – Won (Man United)
3. 1971 League Cup Final – Lost (Tottenham)
4. 1975 League Cup Final – Won (Norwich)
5. 1977 League Cup Final – Draw (Everton – won at Old Trafford)
6. 1981 FA Charity Shield – Draw (Tottenham)
7. 1990 Wembley International Tournament - Lost (Arsenal)
8. 1990 Wembley International Tournament - Lost (Real Sociedad)
9. 1994 League Cup Final – Won (Man United)
10. 1996 League Cup Final – Won (Leeds United)
11. 2000 FA Cup Semi Final - Won (Bolton)
12. 2000 FA Cup Final – Lost (Chelsea)
13. 2010 League Cup Final – Lost (Man United)
14. 2010 FA Cup Semi Final - Lost (Chelsea)
15. 2015 FA Cup Semi Final – Won (Liverpool)
16. 2015 FA Final – Lost (Arsenal)
17. 2018 EFL Championship Play Off – Lost (Fulham)
18. 2019 EFL Championship Play Off…..
Unlucky 13 15 17th last year so it should be an easy win on Monday.... ::)
Pretty sure the 2000 games were at the old Wembley...;)
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Due a win.
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Our record at Wembley (Old and New) looks like this..
Played 15, Won 6, Drawn 2, Lost 7
1. 1924 FA Cup Final – Lost (Newcastle)
2. 1957 FA Cup Final – Won (Man United)
3. 1971 League Cup Final – Lost (Tottenham)
4. 1975 League Cup Final – Won (Norwich)
5. 1977 League Cup Final – Draw (Everton – won at Old Trafford)
6. 1981 FA Charity Shield – Draw (Tottenham)
7. 1990 Wembley International Tournament - Lost (Arsenal)
8. 1990 Wembley International Tournament - Lost (Real Sociedad)
9. 1994 League Cup Final – Won (Man United)
10. 1996 League Cup Final – Won (Leeds United)
11. 2000 FA Cup Semi Final - Won (Bolton)
12. 2000 FA Cup Final – Lost (Chelsea)
13. 2010 League Cup Final – Lost (Man United)
14. 2010 FA Cup Semi Final - Lost (Chelsea)
15. 2015 FA Cup Semi Final – Won (Liverpool)
16. 2015 FA Final – Lost (Arsenal)
17. 2018 EFL Championship Play Off – Lost (Fulham)
18. 2019 EFL Championship Play Off…..
Unlucky 13 15 17th last year so it should be an easy win on Monday.... ::)
Pretty sure the 2000 games were at the old Wembley...;)
They were, the last final to be played there.
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Basically in recent years we've won when the better side and lost when the worse side. The exception was Liverpool where we were just great on the day
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Most of the pundits thought we'd win last year. The bookies favoured Fulham. We're favourites this year.
I didn’t realise we were so fancied by the bookies to be honest. Feels like a closer call than the odds suggest, based on recent results and performances.
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Most of the pundits thought we'd win last year. The bookies favoured Fulham. We're favourites this year.
I didn’t realise we were so fancied by the bookies to be honest. Feels like a closer call than the odds suggest, based on recent results and performances.
I guess they'll always go with the team that finished higher, and even more so if they've gone on a run like we did. The one thing keeping me nervous is that I read a Brentford forum and there was much talk of DS's teams following a good streak with four or five bad results.
Worry not though, I voted the correct way in the poll!
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Most of the pundits thought we'd win last year. The bookies favoured Fulham. We're favourites this year.
I didn’t realise we were so fancied by the bookies to be honest. Feels like a closer call than the odds suggest, based on recent results and performances.
I guess they'll always go with the team that finished higher, and even more so if they've gone on a run like we did. The one thing keeping me nervous is that I read a Brentford forum and there was much talk of DS's teams following a good streak with four or five bad results.
Worry not though, I voted the correct way in the poll!
Hmmm
*counts to five on fingers*
Fuck
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Three weeks ago, Derby were struggling to get into the play offs, now people are giving them the edge because they beat a Leeds side whose arses fell out when things got nervy.
The simple fact is, if we turn up and play our best game, we win. Derby won’t be able to deal with us should we execute our game plan, and for me that’s a source of great comfort.
It all sounds very straightforward doesn’t it?! If only...
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Exactly!
We beat Derby 4-0 in half a game at Villa Park. It would've been 8-0 if we hadn't given them the second half off!
I'm amazed the bookies are even taking bets!
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Derby are there because Leeds royally fucked it up. We won’t do the same. A convincing win is what I expect.
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If I weren't A Villa Fan I'd make us favourites, but that would be because wouldn't know us as well as I do. I know we're meant to be all 'good' at 'football' now, but the fact remains that I'm always surprised when we win and never surprised when we lose - a fact which applies triple to big games.
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But we're not on a bad run.
We held Leeds off with ease and had the best chance of the game. Went down to ten men and defended stoutly.
Our reserves lost to Norwich having from the 10th minute been the better side.
We beat the Stripey Filth.
We lost to the ghost of Stoke 2008, but won where it counted.
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The ever-supportive MAil. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/absolute-mismatch-bumper-aston-villa-16309559
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I think it could go either way quite easily
I think we're the better team. Especially if Tammy is properly fit - not sure he was for the semis
But derby destroyed Leeds with Lawrence, Mount and wilson breaking from Central areas
If we play hourihane as DM that's not a lot of protection. I'm thinking about the way forest destroyed us in a similar fashion at Villa Park and it's making me nervous. I don't think any of us could take a 5-5!
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The ever-supportive MAil. https://www.waste of paper.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/absolute-mismatch-bumper-aston-villa-16309559
You can smell the Stripey in that article.
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Promotion will go to whoever the better team on the day is. Simple as.
We didn't show up at Wembley last year. Time to set it to rights.
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The ever-supportive MAil. https://www.waste of paper.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/absolute-mismatch-bumper-aston-villa-16309559
After reading that (dodging the pop ups and the music and God only knows what else was going on) my first thought was how on earth did we manage to beat Brazil Albeeyun?
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If you look at it player for player, Villa are stronger in virtually every position. Would you swap Grealish/McGinn for Wilson/Mount? Keogh is a carthorse at the back, Mings is immense! But, as it stands it's on the day that counts!
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They'll be more worried about us than we should be about them. I don't mind Derby, though being from Leicester, I know we'll have a lot of Leicester fans cheering us on next Monday.
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The ever-supportive MAil. https://www.waste of paper.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/absolute-mismatch-bumper-aston-villa-16309559
After reading that (dodging the pop ups and the music and God only knows what else was going on) my first thought was how on earth did we manage to beat Brazil Albeeyun?
same here...by god we were incredibly lucky/spawny...
UTV
The Doc
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Yea, dominated by the Albion for 150 minutes? What an absolute load of horseshit.
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Surprisingly it was only Brian Dick-Head who was on the money, saying Albion paid us a back handed compliment playing the way they did, because if they'd have gone toe-to-toe we'd have murdered them.
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Yea, dominated by the Albion for 150 minutes? What an absolute load of horseshit.
We had more possession, shots, corners by some margin. But Albion completely dominated us in terms of fouls, bookings and sendings off.
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Yea, dominated by the Albion for 150 minutes? What an absolute load of horseshit.
Nothing screams domination like sub-30% possession!
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Yea, dominated by the Albion for 150 minutes? What an absolute load of horseshit.
Nothing screams domination like sub-30% possession!
Paul Lambert thought they were excellent.
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Sure does look like we were lucky to get through and the Bitters were the better side for most of the tie
Possession 71% v 29%
Shots 45 v 15
On target 12 v 5
Corners 25 v 8
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Sure does look like we were lucky to get through and the Bitters were the better side for most of the tie
Possession 71% v 29%
Shots 45 v 15
On target 12 v 5
Corners 25 v 8
PWS you can make up anything you want with stats....I bet the quality of the bitter birds 29% possession, 15 shots off target, 5 on target and their 8 corners were alot better than our poor quality 71%possession,45 shots, 12 on traget and 25 corners....
UTV
The Doc
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Charitably you could argue Albion were excecuting their game plan more effectively than ours over 150 minutes. Keep it tight hope to score from a set piece.
But that's mostly because playing unambitious spoiling football is easier to implement. They were possibly ahead in the tie longer than we were?
They certainly weren't unlucky, they played for penalties, and lost on penalties.
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They played for penalties from 12:00 on the Saturday, the massive fucking cowards.
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Fuck the Albion let’s get back on important stuff. Lampard tried to go toe to toe with us twice and ended up with a bloody nose both times so my guess is that he is going to change course and stop us playing. It could turn out to be a real tight struggle.
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Fuck the Albion let’s get back on important stuff. Lampard tried to go toe to toe with us twice and ended up with a bloody nose both times do my guess is that he is going to change course and stop us playing. It could turn out to be a real tight struggle.
This. Unfortunately.
Everyone expecting quite an open game but I don't think so somehow. Lampard will have looked at the last 20 mins of last year's final where we knocked and knocked on Fulham's door and couldn't carve out a real, true chance, and he's seen the exact same happen v WBA last week.
They'll play to frustrate us. I trust Dean to account for that and drill defence & midfield to keep things very tight at the back to try to force a final 10 minutes (or Extra Time) where Derby have to start attacking, and then hopefully we can punish them.
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-------------------Steer
Elmo, Tuanzebe, Mings, Hause
-----------Whelan, Hourihane
----McGinn, Grealish, El Ghazi
----------------Abraham
Exactly the team I'd go for.
Yup. Derby will try to go through the middle rather than the wings. They'll probably play two an energetic up front to try and stretch the central defence to create gaps but it's the midfield where the game will be won.
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This is the only time I'm not going to make a prediction I don't want to jinx anything.
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nor do I, but I'm not super confident at the mo for some reason. Maybe its the stories of fat Frank off to Chelsea and Terry off to Middlesboro that's discombobulating me.
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-------------------Steer
Elmo, Tuanzebe, Mings, Hause
-----------Whelan, Hourihane
----McGinn, Grealish, El Ghazi
----------------Abraham
Exactly the team I'd go for.
Yup. Derby will try to go through the middle rather than the wings. They'll probably play two an energetic up front to try and stretch the central defence to create gaps but it's the midfield where the game will be won.
Set up to stop Derby? That's soooo 2018.
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I live near to and work in Derby. Most Derby fans do not believe they will win and genuinely do not believe they are good enough to even give a decent show in the Prem and would be straight back down. Of the likely play-off finalists I would have picked Derby over just about any of the other likely contenders and am so glad we have avoided Leeds.
Surely this should be our year, surely we can't bottle it at Wembley THIS YEAR. I think there will be goals, but we will turn up and do them for a third time this season 3-1 the Villa, but then again it is Villa.....
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I live near to and work in Derby. Most Derby fans do not believe they will win and genuinely do not believe they are good enough to even give a decent show in the Prem and would be straight back down. Of the likely play-off finalists I would have picked Derby over just about any of the other likely contenders and am so glad we have avoided Leeds.
Surely this should be our year, surely we can't bottle it at Wembley THIS YEAR. I think there will be goals, but we will turn up and do them for a third time this season 3-1 the Villa, but then again it is Villa.....
It augers well if their fans don't think they'll win. As a fan, I tend not to have claret & blue spectacles (although that doesn't stop me having ridiculous superstitions), and I feared for us last year pre-Fulham, probably because I'd seen them batter us not too long before. We should win Vs Derby. There's every chance that we won't, but it'll be our own fault if we don't.
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Lampard tried to go toe to toe with us twice and ended up with a bloody nose both times so my guess is that he is going to change course and stop us playing. It could turn out to be a real tight struggle.
I think this is probably how it will pan out. The questions that it raises are:
- are Derby good enough to play the containment game?
- will we be patient and disciplned enough to combat it?
Should be fascinating and nerve-shredding.
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Is it just me or is this week really dragging?
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I’m on holiday and it’s gone far too quickly for my liking 😣
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We will win 3-1 in 90 minutes.
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I've had a fiver on that at 16/1 , and a fiver on 2-0 Anwar El Ghazi anytime at 24/1.
I'll take any Villa win though.
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Off to Pembrokeshire for the bank holiday weekend, so that should take my mind off it for a few days..... until first thing Monday morning when hurriedly packing shit up and shovelling porridge down the nipper's throat, so that I can get back in time for the match! :S
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Starting to get a little on edge.
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Fuck the Albion let’s get back on important stuff. Lampard tried to go toe to toe with us twice and ended up with a bloody nose both times do my guess is that he is going to change course and stop us playing. It could turn out to be a real tight struggle.
This. Unfortunately.
Everyone expecting quite an open game but I don't think so somehow. Lampard will have looked at the last 20 mins of last year's final where we knocked and knocked on Fulham's door and couldn't carve out a real, true chance, and he's seen the exact same happen v WBA last week.
They'll play to frustrate us. I trust Dean to account for that and drill defence & midfield to keep things very tight at the back to try to force a final 10 minutes (or Extra Time) where Derby have to start attacking, and then hopefully we can punish them.
Agreed. Derby will be patient, they are not going to repeat the mistakes they made twice in the league. And Leeds were a better footballing side than Derby, yet still lost. I see two keys to this game - do we turn up and play to our potential, and are we patient enough to unpick the 10 behind the ball approach I expect Derby to deploy.
Overused phrase but I really think the first team to score will win promotion. Praying its us!
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Derby don’t have the defensive mindset that Baggies have had drilled into them over the last few years. It takes organisation and discipline to do what they did in the semi final, and I would expect us to expose the gaps or mistakes if Derby tried something similar.
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Derby don’t have the defensive mindset that Baggies have had drilled into them over the last few years. It takes organisation and discipline to do what they did in the semi final, and I would expect us to expose the gaps or mistakes if Derby tried something similar.
I agree, and I don't think they will try that strategy. They will try high pressing in waves which might unsettle our defence, but could work to our advantage.
If they sit back, we will get through them.
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If only there'd have been a shit team that'd sneaked into the play-offs, maybe we could've played them. Oh well, never mind, there's always next season...
These lot have been our biggest aggregate win in a season since god knows. Only Forest shipped more, but they found a way to score 6. These got none, and they were lucky to get that! They might've made some changes since we last played them all of two and a bit months back, but have they signed Messi while I wasn't looking or something? From reading on here, I'm not sure if I have to expect them to park the bus having spent ten days practicing long throw-in routines, or batter us into oblivion with incessant waves of rapier-like attacks, and they'll be champing at the bit after their rest while we'll be a rusty rabble from having spent 11 days in our pyjamas eating nothing but crisps and biscuits!
I know we can't just turn up and expect to win, but a lot of people are getting very 'Villa' about this.
That's not us any longer.
We're different now.
We're new Villa, sharp, powerful, progressive.
We plan meticulously.
Our revolution has purpose, stand before us and be crushed.
I, for one, can't f***ing wait for this.
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If only there'd have been a shit team that'd sneaked into the play-offs, maybe we could've played them. Oh well, never mind, there's always next season...
These lot have been our biggest aggregate win in a season since god knows. Only Forest shipped more, but they found a way to score 6. These got none, and they were lucky to get that! They might've made some changes since we last played them all of two and a bit months back, but have they signed Messi while I wasn't looking or something? From reading on here, I'm not sure if I have to expect them to park the bus having spent ten days practicing long throw-in routines, or batter us into oblivion with incessant waves of rapier-like attacks, and they'll be champing at the bit after their rest while we'll be a rusty rabble from having spent 11 days in our pyjamas eating nothing but crisps and biscuits!
I know we can't just turn up and expect to win, but a lot of people are getting very 'Villa' about this.
That's not us any longer.
We're different now.
We're new Villa, sharp, powerful, progressive.
We plan meticulously.
Our revolution has purpose, stand before us and be crushed.
I, for one, can't f***ing wait for this.
This, I’m nervous but can’t fucking wait. Bring it on.
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You have convinced me LFS ! 👍
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If only there'd have been a shit team that'd sneaked into the play-offs, maybe we could've played them. Oh well, never mind, there's always next season...
These lot have been our biggest aggregate win in a season since god knows. Only Forest shipped more, but they found a way to score 6. These got none, and they were lucky to get that! They might've made some changes since we last played them all of two and a bit months back, but have they signed Messi while I wasn't looking or something? From reading on here, I'm not sure if I have to expect them to park the bus having spent ten days practicing long throw-in routines, or batter us into oblivion with incessant waves of rapier-like attacks, and they'll be champing at the bit after their rest while we'll be a rusty rabble from having spent 11 days in our pyjamas eating nothing but crisps and biscuits!
I know we can't just turn up and expect to win, but a lot of people are getting very 'Villa' about this.
That's not us any longer.
We're different now.
We're new Villa, sharp, powerful, progressive.
We plan meticulously.
Our revolution has purpose, stand before us and be crushed.
I, for one, can't f***ing wait for this.
This with claret and blue bells on.
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I think it's very natural that edginess may be creeping into us Villa fans as we just want this oh so much but we are a very different proposition to last season, even when we've not been as free flowing as in the Albion semi our professionalism and inner strength got us over the line, I have a feeling our players are more than ready for whatever Derby throw at us and I expect us to finish the job this time.
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This thread makes me realise how pathetically suggestible I am. I’m either rampantly confident bordering or arrogant or resigned to eternity in the championship depending on which post I read last.
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I know we can't just turn up and expect to win, but a lot of people are getting very 'Villa' about this.
That's not us any longer.
We're different now.
We're new Villa, sharp, powerful, progressive.
We plan meticulously.
Our revolution has purpose, stand before us and be crushed.
I, for one, can't f***ing wait for this.
That rally cry has gave me the horn.
We may have a big % of the same players as last year but we are different now in almost every way.
We turn up and play - we win
We know it
They know it
Its all about us
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So, will we win then?
I think so.....thats us damned to the championship for the next 10 yrs then!! 😄
Gone for a win in the poll!
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Last year we all said Fulham was the team we didn't want in the Final, because we knew they had the beating of us, and had been on a great run of form. This year Derby will be thinking the same.
We have the psychological advantage over them, plus the experience of players like Grealish and Hourihane who felt the pain of losing last year will drive us on.
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I remain unconvinced that they will commit a high press as they lack the discipline, if not the legs to do this successfully.
The press also leaves space in midfield for Grealish to get into and once here's there, you're in serious difficulties.
I think they'll play a diamond and two up top to chase balls into channels for territory. What they did at Leeds was good, but aided and abetted by Leeds having a meltdown.
A diamond exposes Cole and opens up space.
I cant see them putting 11 behind the ball.
Steer
Taylor
Mings
Tuanzebe
Elmo
Whelan
McGinn
Kodjia
Grealish
El Ghazi
Tammy
2-0 Villa.
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Exactly the team I’d go for as well, Ads.
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Exactly the team I’d go for as well, Ads.
me too
No Green or Albert for me. They aren't in form. Kodj has looked decent ne he has been used recently
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Kodjia to start for me too. We need to be onto them like a fox on a bin bag from the off.
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I’d unleash Kodjia too.
The pain of last season for those still playing and coaching for us will be fresh in the memory. But much more than than we will go into this with a very defined plan versus hoping to nick a fucking goal. Fuck off Bruce.
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I'd be tempted to go with Kodj as well, and I think I'd also go with Whelan over Hourihane from the start just because I'd rather be looking to change the game by bringing Conor on instead of off.
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as usual keep the clean sheet and the Villa will win...
UTV
The Doc
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I'd be tempted to go with Kodj as well, and I think I'd also go with Whelan over Hourihane from the start just because I'd rather be looking to change the game by bringing Conor on instead of off.
Yep.
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Unleash Kodj, but I'd also switch Hawse for Taylor.
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I think we are agreed. Dean you there mate?
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My lad is flying into Heathrow from Australia on Monday morning. He pre-booked his flight in February, just after we lost to the Albion. I told him he was mad, but he was convinced we'd be there.
He was there last year, but says this time it's different. If we perform how we can, we have nothing to worry about. UTV
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My lad is flying into Heathrow from Australia on Monday morning. He pre-booked his flight in February, just after we lost to the Albion. I told him he was mad, but he was convinced we'd be there.
He was there last year, but says this time it's different. If we perform how we can, we have nothing to worry about. UTV
That’s what you call keeping the faith.
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With apparently everybody available apart from Nyland, does that mean Chester gets a place on the bench ?
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Pleased Tuanzebe is fit. I'd put Chester on the bench. Hause should start ahead of Taylor.
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Dean sounds very calm and non-stressed. Jammy sod!!
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Dean sounds very calm and non-stressed. Jammy sod!!
" Be good team-mates". Fucking classic.
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Hause and Kodjia should start.......but ill be shocked if its not Taylor and Adomah, i think Smith will stay loyal to the ones who have played most the season.
Hourihane or Whelen is the only other slight question mark, he should and will go for Hourihane i believe.
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Taylor, Adomah and Whelan with the other three ready to come on if needed.
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I really wouldnt start Whelan on that big Wembley putch, especially as we shud be looking to take the game to Derby and win it in 90mins, bring Whelan on late on to protect what we have shud we be winning.
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I really wouldnt start Whelan on that big Wembley putch, especially as we shud be looking to take the game to Derby and win it in 90mins, bring Whelan on late on to protect what we have shud we be winning.
It's the same size as the pitch at Villa Park.
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Just about to post that.
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My worry is the state of the pitch after the matches on Saturday and Sunday.
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I really wouldnt start Whelan on that big Wembley putch, especially as we shud be looking to take the game to Derby and win it in 90mins, bring Whelan on late on to protect what we have shud we be winning.
It's the same size as the pitch at Villa Park.
Unless you meant 'Wembley putsch', in which case I'd still much rather have Whelan there, defending the stadium.
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Ok it just seems bigger then lol
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Ok it just seems bigger then lol
You should have a look at the Wembley IKEA. It feels bigger than Saturn.
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Saturn isn't small it’s just far away.
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Saturn isn't small it’s just far away.
(https://i.ibb.co/RQFc0jv/045-E03-FF-72-E8-4-F19-8833-1-AD0578-B0058.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RQFc0jv)
Anyway.
My biggest wish for Monday is we never, ever have to be involved in this play off shit ever again.
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As well as playing SHA and Sandwell Town.
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As well as playing SHA and Sandwell Town.
Alan Hutton hopefully scored our last ever league goal against Small Heath.
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EFL play-offs: Is this the year Sunderland break the red and white curse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48382788
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Here's a little desktop wallpaper to get you through the weekend.
(https://i.ibb.co/89xfQV0/winneriscoming.png) (https://ibb.co/89xfQV0)
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As well as playing SHA and Sandwell Town.
Alan Hutton hopefully scored our last ever league goal against Small Heath.
Surely Super Jack's would be the last one?
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As well as playing SHA and Sandwell Town.
Alan Hutton hopefully scored our last ever league goal against Small Heath.
Surely Super Jack's would be the last one?
It doesn't count because he's a greasy diving fanny.
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Company I work for has a business in Derby, and talking to them they are very confident and believe that they have the pace to get behind our midfield and attack our defence.
It is going to be close but hopefully we will be "running round the Bull Ring with the cup" on Monday evening - I hope that you all have wonderful day, and enjoy yourselves - if you see a bloke by himself then that will be me - Wembley here we come!
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I can't fucking wait. Thankfully Ive got the Punk in Drublic stage at Slam Dunk festival to keep me occupied for a day at least.
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I can't fucking wait. Thankfully Ive got the Punk in Drublic stage at Slam Dunk festival to keep me occupied for a day at least.
You may get to see the fantastic Mad Caddies my friend!
Likewise, can't wait for Monday now. For me, we either take them apart for a third time this season....or, they go more defensive and it goes to penalties.
Either way, we win. UTV
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Company I work for has a business in Derby, and talking to them they are very confident and believe that they have the pace to get behind our midfield and attack our defence.
It is going to be close but hopefully we will be "running round the Bull Ring with the cup" on Monday evening - I hope that you all have wonderful day, and enjoy yourselves - if you see a bloke by himself then that will be me - Wembley here we come!
Now I want nothing more than to give them a good drubbing.
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I can't fucking wait. Thankfully Ive got the Punk in Drublic stage at Slam Dunk festival to keep me occupied for a day at least.
You may get to see the fantastic Mad Caddies my friend!
Likewise, can't wait for Monday now. For me, we either take them apart for a third time this season....or, they go more defensive and it goes to penalties.
Either way, we win. UTV
Anti-Flag and Less Than Jake, too. If you like some of the heavier stuff, Our Hollow, Our Home and Glassjaw are playing on other stages, also!
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The thing that they must be scratching their heads about is that we’ve got a much, much better defence than Leeds.
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I can't fucking wait. Thankfully Ive got the Punk in Drublic stage at Slam Dunk festival to keep me occupied for a day at least.
You may get to see the fantastic Mad Caddies my friend!
Likewise, can't wait for Monday now. For me, we either take them apart for a third time this season....or, they go more defensive and it goes to penalties.
Either way, we win. UTV
Anti-Flag and Less Than Jake, too. If you like some of the heavier stuff, Our Hollow, Our Home and Glassjaw are playing on other stages, also!
SAaw MC last year in Brum and they were great. I have no intention of visiting any of the other stages! Want to see the Interrupter and Bar Religion the most and have never seen Millencolin so will be great. I'm very much a hardcore (proper 80's hardcore punk, not this metal crossover shit) and punk rock guy. I'm desperate to see the Adolescents in Stafford in June but still have no one to with!
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I also think that the secret special guest is Cokie the Clown.
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EFL play-offs: Is this the year Sunderland break the red and white curse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48382788
Just read that and the comments section - for some reason a lot of other clubs fans seem to hate us these days - I know there are a few over confident posts on there but still...I always thought we were pretty well liked throughout the football world (apart from the obvious) but that seems to have changed now. The Neutral support definitely seems to be with Derby.
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If as a neutral you were viewing the game as Lamps v Terry, who would you be supporting.
-
EFL play-offs: Is this the year Sunderland break the red and white curse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48382788
Just read that and the comments section - for some reason a lot of other clubs fans seem to hate us these days - I know there are a few over confident posts on there but still...I always thought we were pretty well liked throughout the football world (apart from the obvious) but that seems to have changed now. The Neutral support definitely seems to be with Derby.
We were liked when we were a cuddly push over. Fuck them all.
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It's in the British psyche to support the underdog anyway.
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I live and work in London. Everyone I've spoken with recently wants us to go up – a proper club, with tradition, great away trip; loads of reasons given.
-
EFL play-offs: Is this the year Sunderland break the red and white curse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48382788
Just read that and the comments section - for some reason a lot of other clubs fans seem to hate us these days - I know there are a few over confident posts on there but still...I always thought we were pretty well liked throughout the football world (apart from the obvious) but that seems to have changed now. The Neutral support definitely seems to be with Derby.
Comments sections seem to attract the most objectional ****** at the best of times, but the BBC football ones are worse than most.
Best ignored.
-
EFL play-offs: Is this the year Sunderland break the red and white curse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48382788
Just read that and the comments section - for some reason a lot of other clubs fans seem to hate us these days - I know there are a few over confident posts on there but still...I always thought we were pretty well liked throughout the football world (apart from the obvious) but that seems to have changed now. The Neutral support definitely seems to be with Derby.
Comments sections seem to attract the most objectional c***s at the best of times, but the BBC football ones are worse than most.
Best ignored.
There's truth to Duncan's point though, unfortunately. I've been surprised by the change in attitude of football fans over on these shores, where Villa were typically very well-supported and well-liked, harking back to the days when Staunton, McGrath, Townsend, Houghton, Cascarino all played for both Villa and Ireland. There was always huge respect.
That's evidently changed - on my way to the final last year I had my shirt on passing through the airport, and on two separate occasions, randoms shouted "Come on Fulham!" or similar. It was reasonably clear that they weren't actually Fulham fans, just sticking their oars in.
Likewise after watching the first leg of the semi this year I was passing through Dublin and two lads outside a pub shouted 'Fuck Villa' for no apparent reason. Don't think they were Albion fans either.
Not sure what to make of it really, but it is what it is I guess. Hated or adored, never ignored?
-
EFL play-offs: Is this the year Sunderland break the red and white curse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48382788
Just read that and the comments section - for some reason a lot of other clubs fans seem to hate us these days - I know there are a few over confident posts on there but still...I always thought we were pretty well liked throughout the football world (apart from the obvious) but that seems to have changed now. The Neutral support definitely seems to be with Derby.
Comments sections seem to attract the most objectional c***s at the best of times, but the BBC football ones are worse than most.
Best ignored.
There's truth to Duncan's point though, unfortunately. I've been surprised by the change in attitude of football fans over on these shores, where Villa were typically very well-supported and well-liked, harking back to the days when Staunton, McGrath, Townsend, Houghton, Cascarino all played for both Villa and Ireland. There was always huge respect.
That's evidently changed - on my way to the final last year I had my shirt on passing through the airport, and on two separate occasions, randoms shouted "Come on Fulham!" or similar. It was reasonably clear that they weren't actually Fulham fans, just sticking their oars in.
Likewise after watching the first leg of the semi this year I was passing through Dublin and two lads outside a pub shouted 'Fuck Villa' for no apparent reason. Don't think they were Albion fans either.
Not sure what to make of it really, but it is what it is I guess. Hated or adored, never ignored?
It's the underdog thing. When we were in the Prem, finishing just outside the European places, with a popular manager, we were the underdogs trying to break in to the top 4.
Aston Villa in the 2nd tier is just as funny to other fans as it was to us when we sent Newcastle down. We're one of the big boys getting a bloody nose. Once we've gone up, I'm sure much of that sort of animosity will vanish.
(Except from Newcastle fans - I don't think they'll ever get over themselves!!!)
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People have short memories when it comes to other teams (I know I do). I regularly speak to Spurs fans and mention my frustration that we were broadly at the same level as them ten years ago and now look at the distance between the two etc. They look at me like I'm mental.
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In lighter news, Drake has changed his Instagram profile picture to the pic of Mallory Edens wearing a villa shirt.
https://www.instagram.com/champagnepapi/?hl=en
... What does this mean?
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In lighter news, Drake has changed his Instagram profile picture to the pic of Mallory Edens wearing a villa shirt.
https://www.instagram.com/champagnepapi/?hl=en
... What does this mean?
pretty girl
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Well for the Poll voting to come true the 21st Century Wembley Hoodoo has to be broken some how.
Villa's record at Wembley since and including the year 2000 is truly appalling.
Played 7 Won 2* Lost 5 Goals For 3** Goals Against 12
* One win was on penalties vs Bolton in the 2000 FA Cup semi.
** One goal was the penalty vs ManU in the 2010 League Cup Final. In 5 of the games Villa failed to score a goal.
Hence my feeling uneasy and not that hopeful for Monday.
So based on the old adage of "Horses for Courses" lump your money on Derby to win!!
You never know it may be one way to break the hoodoo!!
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Fuck that...stay positive and support the team to victory! No room for negativity.
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The games we lost were all against better teams than us tho (Chelsea x2, man u, arsenal, Fulham)
It's a bit like saying Jurgen klopp has a bad record in finals because he's lost as Liverpool and dortmund manager to bayern, real Madrid, etc
If anything, it shows that the favourites tend to win finals and I reckon thats us
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I'd be a lot less anxious if any one of you can come on here and assure me that we are definitely going to win. Thanks in advance.
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I've been doing circuits every day at my station for the past couple of weeks and this Derby supporting lad introduced himself to me and started off giving it large. Going on about nothing to lose blah di blah. Has gone very quiet last couple of days as I've grown more confident. Approach this without trepidation and it is ours to take.
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In lighter news, Drake has changed his Instagram profile picture to the pic of Mallory Edens wearing a villa shirt.
https://www.instagram.com/champagnepapi/?hl=en
... What does this mean?
https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-drake-curse-best-times-it-struck-down-sports-teams-athletes-2487702
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EFL play-offs: Is this the year Sunderland break the red and white curse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48382788
Just read that and the comments section - for some reason a lot of other clubs fans seem to hate us these days - I know there are a few over confident posts on there but still...I always thought we were pretty well liked throughout the football world (apart from the obvious) but that seems to have changed now. The Neutral support definitely seems to be with Derby.
We were liked when we were a cuddly push over. Fuck them all.
The world is an angrier place now than it was even 2-3 years ago. Everyone has an opinion on everything & most are only too happy to be vocal about it.
Fuck 'em all, UTV.
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In lighter news, Drake has changed his Instagram profile picture to the pic of Mallory Edens wearing a villa shirt.
https://www.instagram.com/champagnepapi/?hl=en
... What does this mean?
https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-drake-curse-best-times-it-struck-down-sports-teams-athletes-2487702
It was on SSN earlier...our very own Edens owns Milwaukee Bucks who were playing against Toronto Raptors who Drake supports. Mallory got into some banter with Drake by wearing a tshirt of some other rapper. Not sure why he changed his profile pic to one of her though, but she looks great in her Villa shirt.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mallory-edens-drake-raptors-bucks-nba-playoffs-2019.amp
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I rather like the difference between Villa and Derby after they won their respective semis. Derby go on a huge boozy night out. We celebrated with the fans, and then in Tyrone's words, went home as the job isn't done.
Tyrone interview (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWGrD0CJWyo&fbclid=IwAR3unt3wV1ZK9Sm_AvM2RcJgBZgMKjdbPj9v4Mhn47Bn8k_CNn6nr-bmQjE)
I'm really not that nervous because I just think we're the form team, with a grounded set of players and a manager who will set out to exploit their weaknesses. Bring it on.
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Quality content from the Villa view lads
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That's an excellent video.
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In lighter news, Drake has changed his Instagram profile picture to the pic of Mallory Edens wearing a villa shirt.
https://www.instagram.com/champagnepapi/?hl=en
... What does this mean?
https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-drake-curse-best-times-it-struck-down-sports-teams-athletes-2487702
It was on SSN earlier...our very own Edens owns Milwaukee Bucks who were playing against Toronto Raptors who Drake supports. Mallory got into some banter with Drake by wearing a tshirt of some other rapper. Not sure why he changed his profile pic to one of her though, but she looks great in her Villa shirt.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mallory-edens-drake-raptors-bucks-nba-playoffs-2019.amp
Probably to curse us
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I can't fucking wait. Thankfully Ive got the Punk in Drublic stage at Slam Dunk festival to keep me occupied for a day at least.
I went to the Midlands one on Bank Holiday last year, worked out fine with us playing on the Saturday and needed a chill out day to get over the disappointment of that game.
Go back to February and was annoyed they'd dropped the Midlands event from this year as it's a very good line up so would've got a ticket.
Pretty glad now as three months back I wouldn't have given us any chance of even making the play offs so being at NEC and getting score updates would've been torture.
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The games we lost were all against better teams than us tho (Chelsea x2, man u, arsenal, Fulham)
It's a bit like saying Jurgen klopp has a bad record in finals because he's lost as Liverpool and dortmund manager to bayern, real Madrid, etc
If anything, it shows that the favourites tend to win finals and I reckon thats us
Yeah we've played hard teams but we hardly give them a game. Everyone knows how bad we were last year, in 2015 and the infamous 2000 cup final. 2010 ones we weren't too bad and were very unlucky with decisions in both games.
When you look at other underdog teams around that period we had in 2011 some Midlands team I've forgotten beating Arsenal, Wigan beating Man. City in 2013 and even in the 2014 final Hull were 2 up against Arsenal before losing. This was a Hull managed by Steve Bruce. These were all underdogs anyway who had gameplans and played very good finals.
I'm really not sure what on earth happens to us on final day. You're talking about many good players who all seem to collectively freeze all at once so we barely even have a shot on target.
I just want us to come out on the front foot from the start. If people want an easy win we're more likely to do it that way than just playing at half pace and trying to feel our way into things as we attempted to do last year. Part of why I want Kodjia and Hourihane to start, gives a completely different mindset to Whelan and Adomah starting.
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Agree with this...just go out and play with confidence and it should be our day, if it’s not let it be because they were better than us, not because we didn’t give it our best.
And they aren’t better..we are. UTV
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Just wondering if dean smith exists at the moment as the press are so lampard focused it’s untrue.
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Just wondering if dean smith exists at the moment as the press are so lampard focused it’s untrue.
I wouldn't worry, it's to their detriment.
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Quality content from the Villa view lads
He's got a pea souper of an accent.
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Show some respect, Sexual. Seven minutes of rhymes and heartstrings.
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Show some respect, Sexual. Seven minutes of rhymes and heartstrings.
I had wanks like that as a younger man.
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Quality content from the Villa view lads
I like Dan. The Villa view podcasts are very good.
He's got a pea souper of an accent.
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No more false dawns. Don't let Derby get out of their own half. Be more determined than ever before because the riches and the status, the respect that we once had, are within our grasp. Just one game away. Please, please DFU.
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This week had been absolutely torturous, although far better then being a Bitter.
I’m alternating between being supremely confident and bricking it at the thought of us not turning up. I just want this over now. Midnight kick off here and toying with the idea of knocking myself out on Mrs Ozvilla’s sleepers and finding out when it’s all over in the morning. I know I won’t but on some ways I wish I could.
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I really-watched the Leeds v Derby 2nd leg again earlier. Derby were deadly 2nd half but fuck me Leeds imploded. They shouldn’t have had a sniff.
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I’m just looking at getting back to normality, no hangers on back to hopefully the premiership for all it’s shit
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Quality content from the Villa view lads
I like Dan. The Villa view podcasts are very good.
He's got a pea souper of an accent.
Total class. Brilliant
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Quality content from the Villa view lads
Superb and heart rending review of the season, just needs the icing on the cake ! UTV
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What a superb effort by Dan Badell. Bravo.
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What a superb effort by Dan Badell. Bravo.
His grid at the Smallthorns priceless !
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What a superb effort by Dan Badell. Bravo.
His grid at the Smallthorns priceless !
Absolutely fantastic video. Ehiogu 5 on his back too, class. Come on you Villa men!!
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What a superb effort by Dan Badell. Bravo.
Indeed. A splendid piece of work on many levels.
The Villa Inbetweeners have theirs out too.. it really shows what a mad journey this season has been..
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What a superb effort by Dan Badell. Bravo.
Indeed. A splendid piece of work on many levels.
The Villa Inbetweeners have theirs out too.. it really shows what a mad journey this season has been..
Yeah excellent and I agree totally crazy season from start to finish? UTV
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For those that can’t see the embedded Villa On Tour montage:
Click me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb_4ICv5cD8)
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There’s a great Rallying cry video from Red Pepper. Only problem is the only link I can find is on the Birmingham Mail website.
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I've just had an email from the club telling me because I am going to be in blocks 130-137 I have to hold my complimentary flag out in front of me in a particular way when the teams come out to make the spectacular centrepiece of a "great visual spectacle". We're special in those blocks apparently, everyone else just has to wave them around !
So we can't just cheer and sing our arses off then, that's not Sky enough I suppose ...
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To be fair, when we did that for the Liverpool semi final it looked immense.
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To be fair, when we did that for the Liverpool semi final it looked immense.
Yeah probably, I'm just a curmudgeonly old git who thinks everything was better in the Old Days haha.
I'll probably get mine upside down !
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There’s a great Rallying cry video from Red Pepper. Only problem is the only link I can find is on the Birmingham Mail website.
This one?
https://twitter.com/TheReddPepper/status/1132006519464169473?s=09
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There’s a great Rallying cry video from Red Pepper. Only problem is the only link I can find is on the Birmingham Mail website.
This one?
https://twitter.com/TheReddPepper/status/1132006519464169473?s=09
That’s the one .
Thanks
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See it's still 0-0 in extra time between Newport & Tranmere: I hope it won't be like that on Monday. Imagine if our game went to penalties?
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I'm nervous as hell now, let alone if it went to penalties.
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Any after match plans in central London win or lose ?
We're stopping down to avoid the getting back to Brum train carnage of last year.
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Good for Tranmere. I so fucking want that to be us on Monday.
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I'm in 136 and have been asked with you others from 130-137 to hold the flag out rather than wave it. Presume it's going to be a large mural with the claret and blue flags waved either side. Should look good.
Remember, the past is shit. Cholera, bad breath and dial up internet for pornography.
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Fucking hell.
I’ve got the vilest of stomach bugs that started on Thursday morning.
I feel like absolute crap and am literally shitting myself that I won’t be able to go on Monday.
Genuinely feel like blarting.
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Fucking hell.
I’ve got the vilest of stomach bugs that started on Thursday morning.
I feel like absolute crap and am literally shitting myself that I won’t be able to go on Monday.
Genuinely feel like blarting.
Can I have your ticket?*
*Just saying what everyone's thinking.
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You could be like that Smethwick fan who shat his pants live in TV.
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I'm in 136 and have been asked with you others from 130-137 to hold the flag out rather than wave it. Presume it's going to be a large mural with the claret and blue flags waved either side. Should look good.
Remember, the past is shit. Cholera, bad breath and dial up internet for pornography.
I thought you couldn't get any tickets in the lower tier?
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I couldn't get any together, but we're still in there, just spread about.
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I've entered the bham 10k to take my mind off Monday.
For those not attending where are you watching it?
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Fucking hell.
I’ve got the vilest of stomach bugs that started on Thursday morning.
I feel like absolute crap and am literally shitting myself that I won’t be able to go on Monday.
Genuinely feel like blarting.
I recommend a good dose of Kaolin and morphine, providing you are not sitting next to me. If thats the case stay at home.
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I couldn't get any together, but we're still in there, just spread about.
good -I'm glad you got something half decent.
The way the tickets are distributed stinks.
I was very, very lucky, I got the last 3 together in level 2 (at 5.30 on the 1st day) I believe other blocks became available at later stages.
Let's hope our gripes have paled into insignificance by this time on Monday night.
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I've entered the bham 10k to take my mind off Monday.
For those not attending where are you watching it?
Sitting in the corner, rocking gently with my fingers crossed.
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I've entered the bham 10k to take my mind off Monday.
For those not attending where are you watching it?
Sitting in the corner, rocking gently with my fingers crossed.
Seems a bit of extreme reaction to watching coverage of a 10K, if I’m being honest.
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I've entered the bham 10k to take my mind off Monday.
For those not attending where are you watching it?
Sitting in the corner, rocking gently with my fingers crossed.
Seems a bit of extreme reaction to watching coverage of a 10K, if I’m being honest.
10K would see me off.
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I could do it by taxi.
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I couldn't get any together, but we're still in there, just spread about.
good -I'm glad you got something half decent.
The way the tickets are distributed stinks.
I was very, very lucky, I got the last 3 together in level 2 (at 5.30 on the 1st day) I believe other blocks became available at later stages.
Let's hope our gripes have paled into insignificance by this time on Monday night.
Cheers.
It's done now (coincidentally, the tickets are a foot from my face as I type this, pegged up in my kitchen). I checked out the 3D view and it looks ok.
End of a row, so be like a proper away game.
Time for heroes now.
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I could do it by taxi.
I reckon I could do it, as long as I have a couple of weeks.
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I could do it by taxi.
I reckon I could do it, as long as I have a couple of weeks.
Training? That's quite impressive.
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I'm so nervous about this game that it almost doesn't seem real.
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I'm in 136 and have been asked with you others from 130-137 to hold the flag out rather than wave it. Presume it's going to be a large mural with the claret and blue flags waved either side. Should look good.
Remember, the past is shit. Cholera, bad breath and dial up internet for pornography.
It also had the League Championship, Rotterdam, Peter Withe and Gordon Cowans to be fair
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As somebody that gets nervous over 'normal' games, im uncharacteristically calm over this still.
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I'm so nervous about this game that it almost doesn't seem real.
I would guess that the same applies for the vast majority of Villa fans. It really feels like the biggest game in our history, more so than last year, when ironically we stood at the very edge of the precipice...it must be the fear of not being able to fulfil the absolutely huge potential that we have should we win.
That said, if we win, I thank that the absolute relief and sheer elation will be quite something else, probably more than ever!
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It is absolutely massive. Win and we will keep Jack, and very hopeful of getting Mings and they are two massive players even in the sky league. The owners will really be able to back the manager and we would have a clued up manager able to give the team a real shape.
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Target the stand in left back Ashley Cole (38), and Keogh.
Be wary of Wilson and Mount.
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good luck tomorrow
DC
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Target the stand in left back Ashley Cole (38), and Keogh.
Be wary of Wilson and Mount.
What about tem being a little bit wary of Jack, Abrahams and SJM?
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Target the stand in left back Ashley Cole (38), and Keogh.
Be wary of Wilson and Mount.
What about tem being a little bit wary of Jack, Abrahams and SJM?
I think the fact that both sets of fans are nervous about the game is one of the reasons neutrals are looking forward to it!
And cheers DC. If there's one thing I'd miss about the championship it's the general cameraderie between fans of most clubs.
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Boys my Raptors just got to the NBA finals vs Wes’ Bucks. Stage one of two for me this weekend. It’s been brilliant so far. But nothing, NOTHING will beat Villa going up
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Boys my Raptors just got to the NBA finals vs Wes’ Bucks. Stage one of two for me this weekend. It’s been brilliant so far. But nothing, NOTHING will beat Villa going up
Isn't this their first time in the finals, mate? Congratulations to you! I studied in Michigan for a year when I was 19, and became fond of the Pistons. This was back in 2002.
I remember going to a Pistons/Raptors playoff game when the Canadian national anthem was booed. Me and a Spanish mate were berated for not standing up during the American national anthem also. We pointed out that we weren't American. 'And?' was the reply. Haha.
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Means Edens can attend as there will be no game 7.
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good luck tomorrow
DC
Cheers mate
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good luck tomorrow
DC
Cheers.
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A bit OT, but Happy Rotterdam Day fellow Villans. Let’s go make history again tomorrow
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So, any idea how Derby will set up tactically, strengths and weaknesses?
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I am calm, I am sleeping well, I am free from stress, nerves or worry. I am patiently awaiting kick-off in complete serenity. I am not fretting about the team or the opposition because we pay Dean Smith and his team to do that for us.
I am totally confident that we will do the job in ninety minutes.
Up the Villa!
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So, any idea how Derby will set up tactically, strengths and weaknesses?
Diamond midfield with Waghorn and Marriot up top.
Lots of space for us.
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If I've got one worry, it's I hope we don't have a wobble like we did in that first 10-15 mins of the second half against Smethwick. We looked a bit all over the place, passes were going astray and we saw how Derby pounced on Leeds when they were having a similar wobble. Other than that, i'm quietly confident.
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My worry is jack he mustn’t retaliate or attempt a slide - too much empathise is put on him when he does thatw
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Means Edens can attend as there will be no game 7.
Tuh! Keep up...He won’t be able to get a ticket, we’ve been sold out for ages.
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So, any idea how Derby will set up tactically, strengths and weaknesses?
Diamond midfield with Waghorn and Marriot up top.
Lots of space for us.
I still think they'll play one striker (Marriott). Waghorn if he is fit again will be on the bench.
I assume if it's diamond they'll play just one holding midfielder unless Tom Lawrence drops out so that has to be one area we can exploit as we did in the league games.
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I was shitting it 2nd leg at the Albion. Very calm now. For me it it was almost like that was the big one. Hope everyone going to Wembley has a top day out and gets to celebrate like its 1976. Just because beer was about 20p a pint. Fuck the fuckers!!
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Can't decide, 50/50 for me, that meaning there's more chance than there was last year.
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I am calm, I am sleeping well, I am free from stress, nerves or worry. I am patiently awaiting kick-off in complete serenity. I am not fretting about the team or the opposition because we pay Dean Smith and his team to do that for us.
I am totally confident that we will do the job in ninety minutes.
Up the Villa!
Not even a thank you for the space cakes.
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So, any idea how Derby will set up tactically, strengths and weaknesses?
Diamond midfield with Waghorn and Marriot up top.
Lots of space for us.
I still think they'll play one striker (Marriott). Waghorn if he is fit again will be on the bench.
I assume if it's diamond they'll play just one holding midfielder unless Tom Lawrence drops out so that has to be one area we can exploit as we did in the league games.
I guess the issue they have is that 433 didn't work against us and we destroyed them, twice. But the diamond would expose their full backs and give us more room.
It worked very well against Leeds, but you cannot ignore the role Leeds played in their own demise.
They're the ones with the system and selection problems, we know what we will do and what we can do.
Tempo, energy and effort from the start. First goal is huge.
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Good luck tomorrow from this Fulham fan
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So, any idea how Derby will set up tactically, strengths and weaknesses?
Diamond midfield with Waghorn and Marriot up top.
Lots of space for us.
I still think they'll play one striker (Marriott). Waghorn if he is fit again will be on the bench.
I assume if it's diamond they'll play just one holding midfielder unless Tom Lawrence drops out so that has to be one area we can exploit as we did in the league games.
I guess the issue they have is that 433 didn't work against us and we destroyed them, twice. But the diamond would expose their full backs and give us more room.
It worked very well against Leeds, but you cannot ignore the role Leeds played in their own demise.
They're the ones with the system and selection problems, we know what we will do and what we can do.
Tempo, energy and effort from the start. First goal is huge.
I actually wouldn't read too much into the VP game, they had some player called Bird in midfield who never played again that season and George Evans who is very much a squad player.
Really can't see them playing two strikers + Mount-Wilson-Lawrence behind. One holding midfield against Jack and McGinn?!
It worked v Leeds as they needed goals and Leeds had a man sent off after an hour.
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Good luck tomorrow from this Fulham fan
Cheers bloke.
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Means Edens can attend as there will be no game 7.
Tuh! Keep up...He won’t be able to get a ticket, we’ve been sold out for ages.
How many games has he done this season, one or two? Sorry, doesn't deserve one. 😉
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If Derby play two up top and a diamond in midfield we'll destroy them.
Their best chance is to go 5 in midfield and try to counter attack us.
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Good luck tomorrow from this Fulham fan
Thanks: that's very kind of you. All the best!
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Good luck tomorrow from this Fulham fan
Cheers.
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Thanks. Hope we visit Craven Cottage in the Premier League the season after next.
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Reading all sorts of personal opinions on here about changes to players, positions and approach for tomorrow. Can’t see us gambling on change, it’s not a computer game we are playing. Stick with what brought us the 10 wins and in the words of tomorrow’s match winner... “we’re going to Wembley baby, let’s go!”
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Reading all sorts of personal opinions on here about changes to players, positions and approach for tomorrow. Can’t see us gambling on change, it’s not a computer game we are playing. Stick with what brought us the 10 wins and in the words of tomorrow’s match winner... “we’re going to Wembley baby, let’s go!”
Yes. Totally confident Dean is going to be better at picking this team than any of us . In Dean we trust !
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Good luck tomorrow from this Fulham fan
Thank you franky but we won’t need luck😊
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Thanks. Hope we visit Craven Cottage in the Premier League the season after next.
A bit weird how we all love the trip to Fulham but nearly always play shit there and come away with f**k all!
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Are people without tickets generally watching the game in town or around Villa Park?
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Frederick Guilbert is flying in today, doubtless so he can watch us march back into the premier league.
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Two consecutive finals with last second winners isn't doing my stress levels any favours.
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Good news.
Max and I have just finished washing my car. Last time we did that we twatted Derby 4-0.
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Thanks. Hope we visit Craven Cottage in the Premier League the season after next.
A bit weird how we all love the trip to Fulham but nearly always play shit there and come away with f**k all!
Not just Fulham, it's been typical of the vast majority of trips to London for quite some time now; cracking day out, marred only by the 90 minutes of dire football in the middle of it.
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On holiday in Brittany. Praying for a good Mobdro feed. Sky Sports App not bloody working even though it should be. Virgin customer who is royally pissed off.
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Thanks. Hope we visit Craven Cottage in the Premier League the season after next.
A bit weird how we all love the trip to Fulham but nearly always play shit there and come away with f**k all!
I don't. I think it's vastly overrated.
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I feel sick.
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I feel sick.
Me too.
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Are people without tickets generally watching the game in town or around Villa Park?
I'm struggling. lots of mates on hols. prob head to pat kavs in Moseley
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Totally shitting bricks.
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"The atmosphere is so tense, if Elvis walked in with a portion of chips, you could hear the vinegar sizzle on them."
© Sid Waddell
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Stay calm people. We will win this by hook or by crook :)
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Anyone drinking in Ruislip Manor pre game ?
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I’m in Whistler for the weekend. I just rolled into Nicklaus North for a round. I have my Villa tracksuit top on over my golf shirt. Isn’t the bloke at bag drop a Nose. He was good natured though and wished us well.
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Thanks. Hope we visit Craven Cottage in the Premier League the season after next.
A bit weird how we all love the trip to Fulham but nearly always play shit there and come away with f**k all!
I don't. I think it's vastly overrated.
My point exactly!
Hopefully we won't be doing it for some time!
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Tomorrow is our day - good luck everybody.
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Totally shitting bricks.
I am starting to get irritated by everything and we are still a number of hours away. It feels so much worse than last year and I don't know why!
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Attack, attack, attack and we will thrash them - Pride Park away Nov 2018 repeat
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Totally shitting bricks.
I am starting to get irritated by everything and we are still a number of hours away. It feels so much worse than last year and I don't know why!
Feeling the same. I don’t normally get to stressed but the weekend has dragged waiting for tomorrow. Feeling so much more important than last year
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Can we be respectful and put Derby in the title of the thread? I don't like change!!
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Shitting myself. So nervous already, need to get on the beers early tomorrow to calm the nerves.
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Can we be respectful and put Derby in the title of the thread? I don't like change!!
It is respectful. Neither team is mentioned.
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Adomah's brother has tweeted saying we're bang up for this.
And looking at the size of him, I'm not going to argue.
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Can we be respectful and put Derby in the title of the thread? I don't like change!!
It is respectful. Neither team is mentioned.
Yay!! That changes everything.
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17 seat mini bus from Bournemouth leaving at 8AM. Hopefully the football gods are smiling on us tomorrow. UTV
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Thanks. Hope we visit Craven Cottage in the Premier League the season after next.
A bit weird how we all love the trip to Fulham but nearly always play shit there and come away with f**k all!
In fairness they nearly always lose at Villa Park, to even things up.
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I’m working tomorrow and will not be able to check the result til it’s done.....I was confident last year but this year I don’t want to think about it
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Are people without tickets generally watching the game in town or around Villa Park?
Goodness me, no. I shall be watching at home, on the edge of the North Wessex Downs.
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Are people without tickets generally watching the game in town or around Villa Park?
I'm struggling. lots of mates on hols. prob head to pat kavs in Moseley
A few of us heading up to the Red Lion in Hockley
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Have to admit, I am shitting it a bit. And I’m only watching it on telly.
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On holiday in Brittany. Praying for a good Mobdro feed. Sky Sports App not bloody working even though it should be. Virgin customer who is royally pissed off.
Find a bar with Bein Sports or Sky (http://www.allomatch.com/watch-live-game-pub/bretagne/football/championship-championship-finale-27-05-2019.html#/watch-live-game-pub/bretagne/football/championship-championship-finale-27-05-2019.html?page=1&zone_id=206&bounds=((45.84720664161637%2C%20-4.5703122187500185)%2C%20(50.25004957308007%2C%20-1.2744137812500185))&match_id=95898) It's on.
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I don't think the Sky Sports App works abroad. I'd imagine with the number of British tourists there is bound to be a pub showing it, as BE says. Especially as it isn't a bank holiday over there so there won't be any French games on at the same time.
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Just got back from Spain and Sky go worked a treat. Watched
the Div Two play off yesterday. UTV.
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Drinking this evening with some sad Sunderland fans.
Hope not to be in their position this time tomorrow.
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Good luck everyone
Let's roar them home
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17 seat mini bus from Bournemouth leaving at 8AM. Hopefully the football gods are smiling on us tomorrow. UTV
Going via Villa Park?!
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I just want wish everyone all the best for tomorrow. For safe journeys and for great experiences for all.
Here’s to a positive outcome and an amazing day.
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We can’t lose to a side whose most famous supporter is Mick Philpott.
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Totally shitting bricks.
I am starting to get irritated by everything and we are still a number of hours away. It feels so much worse than last year and I don't know why!
Feeling the same. I don’t normally get to stressed but the weekend has dragged waiting for tomorrow. Feeling so much more important than last year
Just getting ready for work after a terrible nights sleep thinking about the game. Kicks off at midnight here and regardless of the score I can guarantee they’ll be no sleep tonight either. Never felt this nervous about a game before. Absolutely bricking it. I need this over with for my health as much as anything.
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Keep looking at the clock, thinking I need to go to bed soon - leaving at 8 am - but knowing there is absolutely no way I am going to get any sleep at all.
Complete bag of nerves and excitement....and I turn 65 next week!
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Keep looking at the clock, thinking I need to go to bed soon - leaving at 8 am - but knowing there is absolutely no way I am going to get any sleep at all.
Complete bag of nerves and excitement....and I turn 65 next week!
Watch the eu election results on bbc, it’s sending me to sleep.
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My final thoughts for today.
We are a better, stronger and more organized team than last year.
Derby are not as strong an opponent as Fulham.
Goodnight.
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We can’t lose to a side whose most famous supporter is Mick Philpott.
That really made me laugh
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Keep looking at the clock, thinking I need to go to bed soon - leaving at 8 am - but knowing there is absolutely no way I am going to get any sleep at all.
Complete bag of nerves and excitement....and I turn 65 next week!
Watch the eu election results on bbc, it’s sending me to sleep.
I'll give it a go.
Thanks wv!
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I am a lot more nervous this time around than last time around.
Why?
I think it’s a combination of reasons. We have beaten Derby twice this season already, but it stands for nothing tomorrow and they are a good team. You have to be to in this position in the first place. And I would much prefer playing this game against Derby than Leeds for the simple reason that Leeds would have “shithoused” the entire game and it would have been another WBA type affair. Derby actually try to play flowing football and I think it will make for a very exciting and interesting game tomorrow.
There’s a lot at stake too - if we lose, we’ll be into another season of rebuilding and losing key players. If Derby lose, they might well be too.
I also fear the curse of Wembley and Drake. I also don’t like the way that we’ve been painted as favourites.
So yeah, I am nervous, edgy and angsty. If there was a cat in my crew rest room right now, I would consider shouting at it.
It will be a close game tomorrow. I would love Villa to win and get promoted but I have this horrible feeling that it’ll be Derby. I hope that come the final whistle that it’s wrong though and we can celebrate.
Anyway, UTV and not long left now!
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I wish I could be there. I may not be able to watch it due to work commitments. But I will be following as much as possible. I’m trying to stay positive. We’ve come such a long way. Think of where we were last July when it appeared very realistically that we could be wound up. No money, tax man at the door. Everything about the club was so dysfunctional. It was so very desperate.
So much has happened since and we have a sound structure in place. With a manager and squad that are so tight and together. You have to pinch yourself to believe that we are here again when only a few months that seemed impossible. We have become a club that has turned impossible to possible and we have one more massive step to take.
So I will be hoping as I sneak a look at this thread during the game that the mood is always great because of how we have been playing, that we are scoring goals and keeping them out, and that come around 9am my time Jack is lifting the trophy.
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We can’t lose to a side whose most famous supporter is Mick Philpott.
That really made me laugh
Tosh from the Bill
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At a Queensland Government buyers forum humming ‘We’ve got McGinn, SJM”. The things that get you through the day eh.
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In 2002 5th played 6th in the final. 5th place won and was a side from Birmingham playing a side with an unhealthy interest in sheep.
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I quite happily take a victory however ugly as long as deano doesn’t try to sign Bacuna
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Left Aberystwyth at 3am to get home to Cradley, train to Birmingham at 7, then queuing at Moor St. Come on you Lions!
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Thanks. Hope we visit Craven Cottage in the Premier League the season after next.
A bit weird how we all love the trip to Fulham but nearly always play shit there and come away with f**k all!
In fairness they nearly always lose at Villa Park, to even things up.
Saw them beat us at VP in the FA cup 4th round I think.
Late 90’s
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And here we go...
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I'm feeling confident, last season we knew Fulham were the better side & Bruce approached it like we were. Today will be different, if we hit the ground running Derby will not cope with us.
Last season's defeat left us staring into the abyss & before the game we all knew the consequences. Thankfully the new owners saved us.
Whatever happens today, our football club is back & heading in the right direction for the first time in many years.
UTV
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Our coach leave at 7.30am. Incredibly early but needs must. Let's hope we do it this time. Have a good day all.
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Someone talking about celebrity fans has worried me. Last year we lost to a team in white supported by Citizen Smith. This year we are playing a team in white supported by the actor who played Citizen Smith. 🙁
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This is it! Buzzing for this game! If we play to our strengths and our big players step up, then we will do well. We obvs need to keep our discipline and keep 11 players on the pitch. The Villa fans as always will be brilliant and will help the team over the line. Come on Villa boys!!!! UTV!!!!
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Nervous as fuck. Will be alright when I've got a couple of beers in me, hopefully.
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Never been this nervous before a game.
Kick off at 10 in the evening here on west coast of Oz.
Will be watching on Bein Sport here.
I think the consequences of not getting up is getting to me (losing half of our current team).
I have already told my work colleagues I won't be in tomorrow whatever the outcome.
Once the wife goes to bed I will be using a bottle of scotch to get me through.
Please just win Villa.....
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Jack Grealish interview on AVFC Official, can't do links.
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Midnight in Melbourne and I will be hoping to go to bed around 2.30 with a smile on my face. So many things are reliant on the result a win and JG stays, lose and its his last game in a Villa shirt. Win and we will be in a position to offer for the best of our players on loan lose and we are faced with almost a complete make over, but there again win and it will be a survival test in the premiership lose and we are guaranteed to win most of our games in the championship and another exiting season how's that for a back up.
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I feel rough, just been dreaming about SJM, he kept walking around my bedroom telling me to chill out and that he and Jack have decided it will be 3-0 today.
As for the team, I’d go with Whelan over CH and I’d start KodjiA.
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I turn 69 today, so today's gonna be the best birthday I've ever had or the worst.
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I turn 69 today, so today's gonna be the best birthday I've ever had or the worst.
Happy Birthday! Whatever happens you'll certainly never forget this one!
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Just been out for an early morning jog before heading off to Wembley via a full English in Mere Green. Just seen the coaches on their way to a pick up in Walmley. It's close now...Come on you Lions!!
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I turn 69 today, so today's gonna be the best birthday I've ever had or the worst.
It’s my youngest sons birthday today. 14 years old. Just watching him open his presents before he gets ready and we travel down to Wembley for hopefully his best present.
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Starts at 4.00 in the afternoon here, no tv coverage.
My son has got a relatives sky login details and bought a UK domain (?) so we can watch on his laptop.
he can only be home half an hour after kick off so I will be following here and the bbc site, please, concise commentary would be appreciated.
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I’m going to be watching on my phone in Leipzig today. Not sure if the hotel will have it on or if my requests will be lost in translation!
Got away with airport standby last night. Didn’t sleep too well though.
UTV!
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Nervous as hell but somehow I’m more confident than last year. For all things sacred, for all that is right and for the famous Aston Villa COME ON YOU LIONS.
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Just been out for an early morning jog before heading off to Wembley via a full English in Mere Green. Just seen the coaches on their way to a pick up in Walmley. It's close now...Come on you Lions!!
Oh- and come on you Villa boys- you can do it!!!
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Boarded train at Warwick. Standing room only and they are already half sozzled with copious supplies with them. Farts and BO. This is not going to be a pleasant journey😥
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I’m really not nervous at all. I was bricking it before the 2nd leg at West Brom. But I’ve been calm all weekend. I think we’ll win without too much fuss. Hopefully inside the 90 mins as I have work tomorrow morning and it kicks
Off at midnight here.
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More nervous this year than I was last which I put down to the fact that this time last year I didn't realise how far in the shit the club was.
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Boarded train at Warwick. Standing room only and they are already half sozzled with copious supplies with them. Farts and BO. This is not going to be a pleasant journey😥
Wait until the train back either way it'll be much worse
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Exiled in West London with a surprisingly high number of ‘Hampton Villans’ and so not quite a journey for us (though Wembley generally awkward place to get to). Planning to head to Swiss Cottage as last year but with a different result this time!! Hoping to meet up with a few from the Barton’s so let us know if you heading there. Safe travels all and let’s hope for a fabulous day!! Nerves kicking in but not sure anything can be worse than the Albion second leg! UTV 😩
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Couldnt get a ticket and trying to stay calm but failing. Things to do but cant really concentrate. As someone posted earlier look at where we were in july to now, it'd make a great film but only if we win.
Heart says YES, head says FUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKK
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Exiled in West London with a surprisingly high number of ‘Hampton Villans’ and so not quite a journey for us (though Wembley generally awkward place to get to). Planning to head to Swiss Cottage as last year but with a different result this time!! Hoping to meet up with a few from the Barton’s so let us know if you heading there. Safe travels all and let’s hope for a fabulous day!! Nerves kicking in but not sure anything can be worse than the Albion second leg! UTV 😩
How's the weather looking?
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After being lucky enough to be given a ticket at the last minute via a work colleague I am traveling down on a half full National exoresss coach which I booked weeks ago for £7 return
I’m a bag of nerves
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Will it be fuck/shit/bollocks or goal/yes/scorchio?
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I have just taught the potted history of Aston Villa to two Year 9 classes. I then taught them "And it's Aston Villa, Aston Villa FC... The world has ever seen."* I filmed them with my phone, they gave it a good go but it was a bit of a racket and they were a bit out of time with each other. I will get the Y10 kids to have a go at 11am as they should be able to give a decent rendition.
* We've been using superlatives and the present perfect in class so this was a good song to reinvest what they have learnt. ;-)
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Will it be fuck/shit/bollocks or goal/yes/scorchio?
I’m going with nervous, chess, scorhcio, ecstasy, back to normal :)
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Trying to calm very bad nerves by focusing on how many big days being chopping blocks in the Prem gave us in recent years. None. I can and will take whatever goes with Wembley games. FUCKTHEALBION.
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On the train down from Newcastle and at Newark all the Derby fans got on - not feeling it yet!
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I genuinely have not felt this nervous in a long time.
I’m fed up with coming down here and us not turning up. I’ll take a bit of that Liverpool semi final full time feeling if it’s going!
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Absolute chaos and scenes trying to get on the trains. Tamworth couldn’t get on we’ve abandoned and are driving
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Me and son on the way from his place in Chessington, aiming for Kilburn for beers. Wasn't at all nervous until reading people on here being nervous, now nervous, thanks.
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Exiled in West London with a surprisingly high number of ‘Hampton Villans’ and so not quite a journey for us (though Wembley generally awkward place to get to). Planning to head to Swiss Cottage as last year but with a different result this time!! Hoping to meet up with a few from the Barton’s so let us know if you heading there. Safe travels all and let’s hope for a fabulous day!! Nerves kicking in but not sure anything can be worse than the Albion second leg! UTV 😩
How's the weather looking?
Lovely and sunny right now!
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Taxi to Reading train station. Done.
On train from Reading to Paddington now.
See you all at Wembley! 8)
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Good luck to the lads today, think it will come down to who wants it the most, who's best prepared, fingers crossed.
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Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our Villa dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the Lion;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage. UTV!!
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All looking good. I’ve got the Azeri barman to find Bein Sports. Fingers crossed and we’ll be able to get the match on their huge screen later. Otherwise it’s my laptop and hunting here there and everywhere.
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On a train from Luton to Brighton, about a dozen Derby fans got on at Luton, they all look as nervous as I feel which makes me feel better now.
If ,unlike last year, we turn up, we will win. Do us proud lads, UTV.
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On the train into town now.
I'm nervous too...
.
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I'm feeling confident, last season we knew Fulham were the better side & Bruce approached it like we were. Today will be different, if we hit the ground running Derby will not cope with us.
Last season's defeat left us staring into the abyss & before the game we all knew the consequences. Thankfully the new owners saved us.
Whatever happens today, our football club is back & heading in the right direction for the first time in many years.
UTV
Same for me. Was much more nervous last year.
UTV.
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Deja-vu this. Sitting in Paddington station, having a few pints, Sun shining.....
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just had a big brekkie , Ive got to work but Im closing up at 2 pm and going home , I will lose a few quid at work but who cares when we win this game.
COME ON YOU LIONS
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Sat on my balcony in Malta, just opened a can, counting the minutes til kick off. Christ I'm nervous! Come on Villa, nice early couple of goals to settle the nerves. Who am I kidding, they're going to put us through it.
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In jj moons with my lad and the SJM song sounds good :)
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Pub, Uxbridge.
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Just woke up, the sun is shining. Just please, please win.
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Bricking it already. Feel like curling up into a fetal position and hiding in the cupboard under the stairs.
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Bricking it already. Feel like curling up into a fetal position and hiding in the cupboard under the stairs.
How do you know where I am and what I am doing?
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Bricking it already. Feel like curling up into a fetal position and hiding in the cupboard under the stairs.
How do you know where I am and what I am doing?
Say hello to me when you get there. I'm supposed to be going down to our local with one of my boys and daughter's other half. But I feel as if it will only be a Villa win if I know/see nothing until it is all over.
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We play him on the left!
We play him on the right!
Adomah's making your defence look fucking shite!
He's he one that makes the Holte End Roar
Why does Albert Adomah always score!
La, la, la, la!
La, la, la, la!
New song that outweighs his ability!
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Fucking come on Villa! I don't think I've ever been so nervous before a Villa game before.
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We play him on the left!
We play him on the right!
Adomah's making your defence look fucking shite!
He's he one that makes the Holte End Roar
Why does Albert Adomah always score!
La, la, la, la!
La, la, la, la!
New song that outweighs his ability!
Alcohol or drug induced lyrics ?
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Will it be fuck/shit/bollocks or goal/yes/scorchio?
It will be a scorchio frenzy.
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Excited
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Well my one concern is the defence. In a game where there is likely to be very few goals that is a worry. But in the semis we showed good spirit in coming back from a goal down. Probably an open game will suit us. Then again Derby are less defensive than West Brom so they too maybe set up to play on the counther. Whatever the case I'm as confident as I can be really. Can't take anything for granted but I'll go for a 2-1 Villa win. Grealish and Tammy to get our goals.
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Today is the day. We have pace, we have strength, we have skill, we have energy, we have height, we have youth and experience. We aren't lacking anything this year. Let's stay behind the lads all game long, we've proved time and time again that even when going a goal down we can turn it around. Let's put Derby to bed and really get this club back on an upwards projection.
Today is the start of something special and a new era for Villa. Come on you Lions!!!!!
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I feel like an interviewer for a top-johnny job, and through the selection process there's been one candidate head and shoulders above the rest. I'd give them the job now, but it's not up to just me. There's protocol to be observed. All that's left is the presentation. There's been a late surge from an outside contender, but I know that if my preferred candidate performs on the day, no-one will stay with him. The job is his.
Not fucking up is all that's required.
Let's get this done.
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Been watching the villa for 50 + years and I cant ever recall having the nerves and apprehension that I have today. It,a got that bad I dont even know if I am looking forward to it. Please...Please Villa just fuckin do it.
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David Bradley is on his way. And Xia is already there apparently.
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On the slim chance it's anyone here
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7kfNHwX4AAdOVd.jpg:large)
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Going home in 45mins to watch on the TV, by myself, as I'm already a nervous wreck and will not relax until actual kick-off and see if we play like we have been doing the last few months - or like the Fulham game // My head tells me we will be up for this one and a successful outcome will be the result - my heart tells me this is Villa, we never do anything easily.
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Well my one concern is the defence. In a game where there is likely to be very few goals that is a worry. But in the semis we showed good spirit in coming back from a goal down. Probably an open game will suit us. Then again Derby are less defensive than West Brom so they too maybe set up to play on the counther. Whatever the case I'm as confident as I can be really. Can't take anything for granted but I'll go for a 2-1 Villa win. Grealish and Tammy to get our goals.
You're right with going for 2-1, because in the last three months, Norwich are the only team that have managed to score more than once against us.
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In my seat Come on you Villa boys lets do this.
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I hope everybody is prepared for penalties today?
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I hope everybody is prepared for penalties today?
I don't think I like you anymore!
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My heart could not take penalties today
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Woke up shitting bricks. Not confident at all.
As agonizing as the experience would be, I'd take a narrow and frought victory from pens if you offered it now. Anything to go up.
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Faggots, chips and peas, 3 pints of Golden glow in the Red Lion, all set.
Come on the Villa
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These occasions are meant to be fun, aren't they?
Someone needs to tell that to my sphincter.
Fucking hell.
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Let's hope Jack turns up today, he's been well below his standard for a few games now.
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Let's hope Jack turns up today, he's been well below his standard for a few games now.
No offense, but has he fuck.
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With a few Villains in The Chester in Belfast. C'mon Villa...just this once
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Let's hope Jack turns up today, he's been well below his standard for a few games now.
No offense, but has he fuck.
Ha! You're missing the point, Lee.
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Been calm all week, now the butterflies have begun.
Come on you Villa boys, fucking win.
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Right, time to move. See you all on the other side.
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Currently in France, not far from Angers in the Loire valley, desperately trying to get Radio WM to stream. Grrrrrrr!!
Any suggestions on alternatives?
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Hold on to whatever you can. This going to be some fucking ride!!!! UTFV
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Does anyone have a reliable stream please?
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Hesgoal.com
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Huddlestone playing. That’s good for us.... game passed him by against Leeds
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Going to the gym for half hour coz of a deal with the gods for a Villa win.Dont know whether to watch or just pace up and down outside, like an expectant father in a maternity ward corridor. Just get the job done lads! UTV.