Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: dave.woodhall on October 22, 2019, 09:46:40 PM
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Oh god, must we? There was a time when a trip to Manchester was either something to endure amongst the arrogance and inevitable defeat, or else enjoy with reasonably civilised supporters who knew they were so bad they could only laugh at it. One of those experiences has gone and the other is now a twice a season occasion. They used to be good losers, but now like their neighbours they’ve turned into bad winners. There’s not much else that can be said about them - their manager, players and owners are all world-famous although you don’t hear much from their celebrity fans (Curly Watts, Eddie Large and her with the bell) for some reason. At least it’ll be over fairly quickly, and without too much pain.
Go there, endure and go home. Sometimes you have to be honest and accept that even a point will be a miracle of Small Heath Supporter with a Job proportions.
Things newfooty fans don’t know – The location of Maine Road.
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0-0
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D 1-1.
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10-0 to them.
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10-0 to them.
Bloody solicitors. Over-exaggerating everything. 8 at the max.
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At least we don’t have to face Liverpool soon....oh....
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We were shit at Maine Road too. Remember being stood in the Kippax and it pissing it down and losing to with a Paul Walsh goal too. Kinkladze ripping us apart even when we were miles and miles better under Little.
Two wins in the league since I've been following us. One when Nicky Weaver must have been pissed up as he let a right howler in and another under Pearce when they scored 10 at home all season. The other was the league cup under Lambert.
Plenty of twattings. We're just utter shit in Manchester. At least it's close.
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It’s a free hit, try something different, give a few squad players a go and try not to get embarrassed.
A few pints in Manchester and plenty of trains back to Brum or wherever.
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Putting this out there. We’re gonna beat either these or Liverpool and completely lose our shit.
I’ve been sinking bulleit bourbon all evening FYI.
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I remember all the wankers laughing and taking the piss out of us as we left the stadium having lost at the end of the 09/10 season despite going 1-0 up. Put me off that club for good.
I don’t think there’s any pressure on us, nobody is expecting us to get a result. I want to see us have a go and what will be will be. You never know.
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My team;
Heaton
Targett
Mings
Engels
Guilbert
Nkamaba
Douglas
McGinn
Grealish
Wesley
Trezuguet
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Lansbury Luis Marvelous midfield.
Rest Ming’s he is carrying an injury
Play Davis up front.
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Them 1 Us 4
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Them 1 Us 4
Leave the wacky-backy alone, mate.
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We were shit at Maine Road too. Remember being stood in the Kippax and it pissing it down and losing to with a Paul Walsh goal too. Kinkladze ripping us apart even when we were miles and miles better under Little.
Two wins in the league since I've been following us. One when Nicky Weaver must have been pissed up as he let a right howler in and another under Pearce when they scored 10 at home all season. The other was the league cup under Lambert.
Plenty of twattings. We're just utter shit in Manchester. At least it's close.
We even tended to lose at Man U when we were the best team on the planet and they were non-entities. Though we did win 7-0 there, once..
For this one, it would be nice to be competitive and not get battered. No doubt the bastards won't rest De Bruyne like they did against Norwich and he won't be injured like he was against Wolves. Not that they don't have plenty of other great players, but it's noticeable that their two defeats were when he didn't start.
I don't see many changes for us, maybe Trezeguet for El Ghazi. I'd leave Hot Lips in instead of Dougvaldo as set pieces might be our best chance of a goal.
Realistically, we probably need to score at least twice to even have a chance of a draw.
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Referee: Graham Scott.
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor.
VAR: Jonathan Moss
In prem this season Graham Scott has done 5 matches and sent off 2 players.
The dismissal were both for 2nd yellows .
He has awarded no penalties
In average he gives a card for every 5 fouls
And out of all officials he has been more advantages to away teams awarding twice as many fouls to away teams than home
He ranks no 1 for away advantage .
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Referee: Graham Scott.
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor.
VAR: Jonathan Moss
In prem this season Graham Scott has done 5 matches and sent off 2 players.
The dismissal were both for 2nd yellows .
He has awarded no penalties
In average he gives a card for every 5 fouls
And out of all officials he has been more advantages to away teams awarding twice as many fouls to away teams than home
He ranks no 1 for away advantage .
Interesting stats about the ref, Jack may get a fair ride. However the mere fact that John Moss is involved at all probably means it's curtains for us, worst official in the PL.
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Stones will play I think as Gomez did a hamstring tonight. So, Stones at the back being too cocky with the ball might give us a goal. Combine that with a 12.30pm Ko which always seem to be a bit flat especially as they’ve played tonight. We could do with Sterling putting his boots on the wrong feet too. We might get a VAR decision go our way for once as well. 2-2
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Who gives a fuck which over paid vaginas these wankers pick, we're going to absolutely fucking funeral them any way.
I don't care if they have Francis Lee playing in the middle and Sterling buzzing around alongside the ghost of Dennis Tueart, we're going to murder them.
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Who gives a fuck which over paid vaginas these wankers pick, we're going to absolutely fucking funeral them any way.
I don't care if they have Francis Lee playing in the middle and Sterling buzzing around alongside the ghost of Dennis Tueart, we're going to murder them.
I note you were asking for skins earlier.
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Who gives a fuck which over paid vaginas these wankers pick, we're going to absolutely fucking funeral them any way.
I don't care if they have Francis Lee playing in the middle and Sterling buzzing around alongside the ghost of Dennis Tueart, we're going to murder them.
I note you were asking for skins earlier.
Needles.
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I’d go something like:
Heaton
Guilbert Engels Mings Targett
Marvelous Luiz
El Ghazi McGinn Jack
Wesley
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Oh well, no chance of a penalty here with Jon Toss as VAR ref!
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2-1 to us. Wesley and a late winner from McGinn.
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This is a free hit and will be a good test for the players. Not expecting any kind of positive result for us so just hope we put in a decent performance and come out with a respectable scoreline.
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They used to hump us both home and away - 2 5-goal wins at VP (Tueart and David White scored lads in each game) amd countless away losses (I remember the last I went to being a game when Cashley Young spent disproportionate amounts of time and energy moaning about a thow-in he claimed was for us when it clearly came off him; to te detriment of the team).
An example of the ennui of their fans: I have an old acquaintance - a Citeh fan for at least the last 30 years - who's going to the Big Smoke (down Sauff) for the weekend, rather than watch another regulation win against a plucky newcomer from the lower reaches of the football hierarchy.
To borrow somelse's phrase: fuck the fuckers.
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A 2-1 defeat, sadly. But you never know!
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Lose 3-1, they are a quality attacking team.
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Oasis, Marc Riley, Mark E Smith (RIP)...your boys took a heck of a beating.....
Wish I feel I could say that.
3-1 City.
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clean sheet please Villa, that would do nicely....
UTV
The Doc
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lose 4-2
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Anything 3-0 or under would be a major success
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Point of order........shouldn't the title read 'Pre-Match Thread'
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Oh god, must we? There was a time when a trip to Manchester was either something to endure amongst the arrogance and inevitable defeat, or else enjoy with reasonably civilised supporters who knew they were so bad they could only laugh at it. One of those experiences has gone and the other is now a twice a season occasion. They used to be good losers, but now like their neighbours they’ve turned into bad winners. There’s not much else that can be said about them - their manager, players and owners are all world-famous although you don’t hear much from their celebrity fans (Curly Watts, Eddie Large and her with the bell) for some reason. At least it’ll be over fairly quickly, and without too much pain.
Go there, endure and go home. Sometimes you have to be honest and accept that even a point will be a miracle of Small Heath Supporter with a Job proportions.
Things newfooty fans don’t know – The location of Maine Road.
last bit made me laugh Dave. There’s a newfootyfan at my work who supports Man City (she’s 25 and from Stratford on Avon). I have a bit of fun with her by taking the piss without her knowing I’m taking the piss. Maybe she does know and just thinks I’m a bit of c**t. Either way I don’t really care. Really can’t be doing with the Jonny come latelys that go for the likes of City, Chelsea, Man U etc. They know fk all about football and like your point, they couldn’t find Maine Rd on an A-Z of Manchester.
As to the match, I’m somewhat optimistically predicting we can get a draw. (Maybe it’s me that knows fk all about football). Played well in patches against Spurs and Arsenal, City have dropped a few points and I reckon if we get a decent start and don’t fuck up too bad, we might scrape a point. You’ve gotta believe!
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4-1 to Citeh, but it's ok because we're going to beat Liverpool the following week.
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Speaking of new footy fans, there's a job going at Man City for a social media influencer. The advert describes the problem of drawing 3 unknown teams in the Champions League who will not be attractive to their core fans to turn up and see.
They want to attract the professional, student and newcomer to Manchester to bolster their numbers.
If you want a ticket for Saturday, they're on general sale and available at a maximum 6 per person.
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Have a feeling I'll be watching this through my fingers. Can't see us coming away with any points so anything respectable will do for me - 3-2 to them
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M.City 3 A.Villa 1
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Them 4 - 0 us
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Speaking of new footy fans, there's a job going at Man City for a social media influencer. The advert describes the problem of drawing 3 unknown teams in the Champions League who will not be attractive to their core fans to turn up and see.
They want to attract the professional, student and newcomer to Manchester to bolster their numbers.
If you want a ticket for Saturday, they're on general sale and available at a maximum 6 per person.
It's a shame, when I worked in Manchester 20 years ago, the City fans I knew were all knowledgeable, decent lads whereas the United fans were mostly Johnny-come-lately types with no real interest.
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If we set up like we did against Brighton then 4 or 5 without reply. I know we should always have a go but I would be tempted to play closer to 4-4-2 with Wesley and Davies up front and McGinn and Jack on the wings, Marvelous and Luiz in the middle.
I know thats got zero chance of happening however. Certainly 2 DMs in the middle.
Best of luck - it is a free hit, but I'll say 3-1.
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If we set up like we did against Brighton then 4 or 5 without reply. I know we should always have a go but I would be tempted to play closer to 4-4-2 with Wesley and Davies up front and McGinn and Jack on the wings, Marvelous and Luiz in the middle.
I know thats got zero chance of happening however. Certainly 2 DMs in the middle.
Best of luck - it is a free hit, but I'll say 3-1.
Agree with this midfield. Marvelous and luiz have not played yet together i think. This is the time.
I predict the worst hoping it doesn't happen then I won't be too disappointed.
utv
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If we set up like we did against Brighton then 4 or 5 without reply. I know we should always have a go but I would be tempted to play closer to 4-4-2 with Wesley and Davies up front and McGinn and Jack on the wings, Marvelous and Luiz in the middle.
I know thats got zero chance of happening however. Certainly 2 DMs in the middle.
Best of luck - it is a free hit, but I'll say 3-1.
Agree with this midfield. Marvelous and luiz have not played yet together i think. This is the time.
I predict the worst hoping it doesn't happen then I won't be too disappointed.
utv
Think it's an ideal game to bring this formation into play but not expecting Smith to. Would also start Davis ahead of Wes, need someone to hold the ball up better, little chance of that happening either mind. AEG laziness without the ball won't be risked I suspect. Trez likely to get a go but my preference would be to retain Hourihanes goal threat.
If we were properly set up, we might cause City problems. Very much a makeshift defence for them currently and everyone is creating good chances against them. Other end a different matter. 4-2 defeat
----------------Heaton
Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett
----------Luiz, Nakamba
McGinn, Hourihane, Grealish
----------------Davis
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a miracle of Small Heath Supporter with a Job proportions.
Never been a fan of this type of humour. ie Birmingham City fans don't have jobs and being unemployed is something to laugh at.
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I've just remembered, we're wearing the godawful green third kit for this match aren't we?
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I've just remembered, we're wearing the godawful green third kit for this match aren't we?
There, and I was hopeful that we would not be embarrassed.
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There seems to be a bit of negativity, re: Saturday and us being too open.
For me, the manager has set us up to press very high in the last two games as he felt that was how we could get at Norwich and Brighton and win the game. The press was too high and wild on Saturday and they passed through our lines very easily. But we've picked up back to back wins as a result of this approach.
No way on earth will we press that high Saturday against Man City, but he will want us to break as a front three if we can nick it and break up play in our own half.
I'd much rather we try and cause them problems. This manager and team aren't set up to put men behind the ball. They'll go and play and it's refreshing to see.
We'll still get beat, mind.
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They have some new injury concerns at the back with Rodri and Zinchenko out. We need to stay strong and disciplined at the back and take advantage of the chances we create. Importantly brave enough to go at them from the start.
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At least we'll have a go.
I think the big thing, without stating the obvious, is not giving away an early goal. As in the first few minutes.
Watford were abysmal against Man City, but didn't help themselves by giving away a goal after a minute or so.
And Wolves beat them a few weeks ago. If they can do it, it gives us all hope!
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Its very simple
They have to be really off colour and we have to have a stormer. Do it the other way round and it could be embarrassingly bad.
I watched their game last night and the opposition scoring only made them better :o
I would imagine if Dean Smith was there to watch his notes would just be "Fuckin hell"
I always thought Sterling was one of the most overrated players around when with 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' - but at this moment in time he could be the best player in the world.
Still they are only men against men - we need to give it a go and not be caught in headlights. Im sure Deano will have a plan
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Its very simple
They have to be really off colour and we have to have a stormer. Do it the other way round and it could be embarrassingly bad.
I watched their game last night and the opposition scoring only made them better :o
I would imagine if Dean Smith was there to watch his notes would just be "Fuckin hell"
I always thought Sterling was one of the most overrated players around when with 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' - but at this moment in time he could be the best player in the world.
Still they are only men against men - we need to give it a go and not be caught in headlights. Im sure Deano will have a plan
this - We have nothing to lose but 3 points , oh and our goal difference ,, but keep the pride!!
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As other have said, a free hit of a game. We should relish the opportunity to test the mettle of our emerging team/system against the best in the world. And every now and then, strange things happen in football, so why not with us: Expecting us to lose this but simmering optimism that we might snatch something. Up the Villa!
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Might be a time to play Davis and Wes up front together with the aim of bashing their defence about a bit.
4 4 2 to give more protection in midfield
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Someday a team is going to turn up at man city and give them a right twatting. The dream is it will be us. It's the hope that kills you not the results.
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Someday a team is going to turn up at man city and give them a right twatting. The dream is it will be us. It's the hope that kills you not the results.
Not in this league, they're not. Not until Pep's gone, anyway.
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I expect them to win heavily. Anything other than that would be a pleasant surprise.
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Well into the Bermuda Triangle of Manchester where many a half decent Villa outfit have disappeared without trace. Our record at the Etihad is almost as embarrassing as that at OT so I’m not hopeful, anything 3-0 or under and the moral victory will be ours.
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Last time I went to the "new" ground, we lost 4-1 after being a goal up at half time.
As someone said earlier, I think Saturday is a "free hit". Go and have a right old slog at it, and if we get caught out, then so be it.
I think Dean will get it right, he'll want us have a go without us being wide open. If we are too cavalier, it could be embarrassing.
Sod it, I'm going for a 2-2.
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At least this time we have a glimmer of hope we might snatch a point. Under potato head my glimmer of hope would have been that we would have only lost by 5 goals.
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Well into the Bermuda Triangle of Manchester where many a half decent Villa outfit have disappeared without trace. Our record at the Etihad is almost as embarrassing as that at OT so I’m not hopeful, anything 3-0 or under and the moral victory will be ours.
That Etihad League record in full:
Played 13
Won 1
Drawn 0
Lost 12
Goals for 8
Goals against 39
We’ve also lost 2 FA Cup games there as well but have the “glory” of the Paul Lambert inspired 4-2 stuffing we handed them in the League Cup.
Well and truly our bogey club and ground.
If you’re going, enjoy.
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We were crap there even when they were crap....
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Greeeeeeen army!
Man City 4 Villa 1
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My last time at the Etihad was watching Metallica in the rain...before that it was the game when Guzan passed the ball to Aguero for a tap in. Regardless of the weather or result, it’s a good away trip, and I recommend not wearing colours if you want to enjoy a few beers and food on the concourse outside the ground before the game.
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Can't see us getting a result but probably worth a long odds flutter on the off chance.
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2-1 Villa, one from a corner, own goal and then a penalty, that's it.
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3-1 City. Hourihane for us, who the fuck cares for them
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Them Some us maybe 1
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When you consider that Citeh used to turn into vintage Internazionale every time we played them when they were shit, God knows how bad this is going to be.
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More optimistic than I normally am about this fixture but yes we probably will still get beat.
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We'll score. They'll score more!
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I've just remembered, we're wearing the godawful green third kit for this match aren't we?
There, and I was hopeful that we would not be embarrassed.
Could be our lucky kit.
We've never lost while wearing it
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we are not getting anything from the next two games
keeping the score down and preserving our decent goal difference is the priority
Norwich, Sheffield Utd and even Newcastle have beaten teams in the so called top 6 and whereas i think we are a better team than all three of them I just don’t think we have the belief in ourselves
I don’t think we will pick up a single point against those 6 sides that’s how little faith i have in us ‘having a go ‘ yet I think we will stay up and we will have to work on the mentality side of playing those sides next season
I saw it against Spurs, and Arsenal we just turn to pudding when the opportunity is right there to be taken
really hope this post comes back to bite me hard on the arse but it’s a 3-0 beating for me
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Well into the Bermuda Triangle of Manchester where many a half decent Villa outfit have disappeared without trace. Our record at the Etihad is almost as embarrassing as that at OT so I’m not hopeful, anything 3-0 or under and the moral victory will be ours.
That Etihad League record in full:
Played 13
Won 1
Drawn 0
Lost 12
Goals for 8
Goals against 39
We’ve also lost 2 FA Cup games there as well but have the “glory” of the Paul Lambert inspired 4-2 stuffing we handed them in the League Cup.
Well and truly our bogey club and ground.
If you’re going, enjoy.
I'm sure we drew up there once. A 2-2 with Gary Gardner scoring.
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Well into the Bermuda Triangle of Manchester where many a half decent Villa outfit have disappeared without trace. Our record at the Etihad is almost as embarrassing as that at OT so I’m not hopeful, anything 3-0 or under and the moral victory will be ours.
That Etihad League record in full:
Played 13
Won 1
Drawn 0
Lost 12
Goals for 8
Goals against 39
We’ve also lost 2 FA Cup games there as well but have the “glory” of the Paul Lambert inspired 4-2 stuffing we handed them in the League Cup.
Well and truly our bogey club and ground.
If you’re going, enjoy.
I'm sure we drew up there once. A 2-2 with Gary Gardner scoring. (edit - I am thinking of the 3-2 loss which was probably an impressive result! And Tom Cleverley)
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As others have said, it's a free hit. We're not expected to get anything from the game, everyone expects us to lose (some quite badly) - so if we do lose, it doesn't change anyone's perception of us as a team, or our prospects for the season.
However, HOW we play will tell us a lot about this group of players. Do they believe in themselves enough to have a go? Do they have the ability to create reasonable chances against a team that can genuinely win the league? Do any of our players look right at home against champions league regulars?
I'm not expecting anything but a loss, but I still think we can learn a lot about the season to come during a game like this.
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1-1 Draw for me.
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1-1 Draw for me.
That'd feel like Christmas. Would be great.
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I expect us to lose. Score, create a few opportunities and keep them to less than four would probably be the par result.
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Davis would be a good option to start and playing both Marvellous and Luiz might work.
We really should be looking to get at them though they are a bit fragile at the back right now and attack could be the best form of defence.
Going for a 2-2 draw more out of hope that reality.
UTV
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Davis would be a good option to start and playing both Marvellous and Luiz might work.
We really should be looking to get at them though they are a bit fragile at the back right now and attack could be the best form of defence.
Going for a 2-2 draw more out of hope that reality.
UTV
We need good passers in this game to have any chance of surviving it, and Luiz's passing looked highly suspect to me when he came on against Brighton. Sure, he's got a sweet right cannon, but his awareness and team play just seem to be missing at the minute. I think I'd start with Hourihane ahead of him (which I never thought I'd be saying in a game like this, but there it is) and would just hope that Marvelous doesn't let the ball pass him by as often as he did vs Brighton.
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Heaton
Freddy, Engels, Mings, Targett
Luiz, Marv
McGinn, Connor, Jack
Wesley
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I presume there aren’t any clauses in Luiz contract preventing him from playing considering his signing was touted as being some kind of bespoke loan deal in the summer?
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Well into the Bermuda Triangle of Manchester where many a half decent Villa outfit have disappeared without trace. Our record at the Etihad is almost as embarrassing as that at OT so I’m not hopeful, anything 3-0 or under and the moral victory will be ours.
That Etihad League record in full:
Played 13
Won 1
Drawn 0
Lost 12
Goals for 8
Goals against 39
We’ve also lost 2 FA Cup games there as well but have the “glory” of the Paul Lambert inspired 4-2 stuffing we handed them in the League Cup.
Well and truly our bogey club and ground.
If you’re going, enjoy.
I'm sure we drew up there once. A 2-2 with Gary Gardner scoring. (edit - I am thinking of the 3-2 loss which was probably an impressive result! And Tom Cleverley)
We should have won that game. At least a point would have been fair.
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Well into the Bermuda Triangle of Manchester where many a half decent Villa outfit have disappeared without trace. Our record at the Etihad is almost as embarrassing as that at OT so Im not hopeful, anything 3-0 or under and the moral victory will be ours.
That Etihad League record in full:
Played 13
Won 1
Drawn 0
Lost 12
Goals for 8
Goals against 39
Weve also lost 2 FA Cup games there as well but have the glory of the Paul Lambert inspired 4-2 stuffing we handed them in the League Cup.
Well and truly our bogey club and ground.
If youre going, enjoy.
I'm sure we drew up there once. A 2-2 with Gary Gardner scoring. (edit - I am thinking of the 3-2 loss which was probably an impressive result! And Tom Cleverley)
We should have won that game. At least a point would have been fair.
We were brilliant that day, but were totally undone by having Brad Guzan in goal. Jack in particular was ace, I'm sure he nutmegged David Silva at one point.
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Someday a team is going to turn up at man city and give them a right twatting. The dream is it will be us. It's the hope that kills you not the results.
Didn't Barcahampton do that in Citeh's lat home league game?
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I understand anything other than a defeat is seen as a bonus but I don't go with this free hit talk as such.
They are good, very very good and have brushed us aside with ease plenty of times. But that was when we were on the way down, now we are on the way up.
We are in the same division as them by right. The team should be brave, savour the challenge, be willing to take a chance and who knows ?
Up the Villa.
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I understand anything other than a defeat is seen as a bonus but I don't go with this free hit talk as such.
They are good, very very good and have brushed us aside with ease plenty of times. But that was when we were on the way down, now we are on the way up.
We are in the same division as them by right. The team should be brave, savour the challenge, be willing to take a chance and who knows ?
Up the Villa.
Whilst we as fans might be pessimistic, I’m sure the managers and players will go there with that attitude.
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I understand anything other than a defeat is seen as a bonus but I don't go with this free hit talk as such.
They are good, very very good and have brushed us aside with ease plenty of times. But that was when we were on the way down, now we are on the way up.
We are in the same division as them by right. The team should be brave, savour the challenge, be willing to take a chance and who knows ?
Up the Villa.
That's the spirit!
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If the dingles can win there ,then we have a glimmer of hope. There again we are Aston Villa.
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I'd be very tempted to start with Davis as City may be playing people out of position in the centre of defence, or players just back from injury and Davis would be more of a bully than Wes and would hold it up better too, which is gonna be important as we will be under pressure for long periods. I can see Luis starting ahead of Hourihane for his defensive work and will no doubt have something to prove too.
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0 - 4
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We were crap there even when they were crap....
Pretty much. I remember that time Distin just ran from the halfway line through our defence and calmly slotted in. Their record at VP in those times was actually better then than it has been post takeover I think as we've beaten them a few times.
There was also a spell when Vassell seemed to score every game after leaving us.
Quite an achievement anyway in those days to make them look like a Pep side when they were being managed by Stuart Pearce!
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Man Citeh and Liverpool back to back in the League. Not feeling overly optimistic.
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Man Citeh and Liverpool back to back in the League. Not feeling overly optimistic.
I know. I’d settle for 4 points.
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As others have said, it's a free hit. We're not expected to get anything from the game, everyone expects us to lose (some quite badly) - so if we do lose, it doesn't change anyone's perception of us as a team, or our prospects for the season.
However, HOW we play will tell us a lot about this group of players. Do they believe in themselves enough to have a go? Do they have the ability to create reasonable chances against a team that can genuinely win the league? Do any of our players look right at home against champions league regulars?
I'm not expecting anything but a loss, but I still think we can learn a lot about the season to come during a game like this.
This for me too. Let’s see how much we believe in ourselves as a team , also how we carry that into the Liverpool game which I’m more optimistic about . I don’t think anyone will just walk into a rocking Villa Park and take the spoils without a fight.
UTV
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Heaton
Freddy, Engels, Mings, Targett
Luiz, Marv
McGinn, Connor, Jack
Wesley
This, but I might be tempted to switch Connor for Keinan?
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The Grauniad:
4) Villa’s tempo-setters to give City a tough time
There’s a lot to like about Dean Smith’s Aston Villa, in particular their midfield axis of Marvelous Nakamba, Jack Grealish and John McGinn. Nakamba’s calm intelligence provides the perfect balance to his more energetic partners, who play with the perfect combination of entitlement and desire, McGinn a tenacious tempo-setter and Grealish an intuitive improviser. Against City, they will be extended like never before, but will know that if they can compete, there are goals to be taken from a vulnerable home defence. Of course, the likelihood is that City will be too good for them, but do not be surprised if Villa give them a run for their money. DH
• Manchester City v Aston Villa, 12.30pm Saturday
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Expected Wolves to get flounced but they kept their shape ,which they are very good at,and done them on the break at speed.So there's hope.
Think it'll be a high scoring draw. 5-5
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We will score but VAR will disallow it, as per...
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Lose 3-1, they are a quality attacking team.
So are we. 4-4
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I understand anything other than a defeat is seen as a bonus but I don't go with this free hit talk as such.
They are good, very very good and have brushed us aside with ease plenty of times. But that was when we were on the way down, now we are on the way up.
We are in the same division as them by right. The team should be brave, savour the challenge, be willing to take a chance and who knows ?
Up the Villa.
I like this. There is too much loser talk on here. We are a different animal to the last time we played them. Plus we endured one of the barmiest goalkeeping displays i've ever seen now we have an England keeper. Of course we may lose but it's not a foregone conclusion. Our midfield excites me more than anything we've had since the days of Mortimer, Cowans, Bremner etc. Be brave Villa not scared. We will give them plenty of problems going forward. They will give us plenty of problems theres no doubt about that. But lets have a go. Lets be loud and proud whatever the outcome. We've come a long way since we last played them and our journey is only just beginning.
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First game of the season that I won't be watching, partly because of other commitments but mainly because I despise Franchise FC and everything they represent. In the incredibly unlikely scenario that we ever see a Man City vs Small Heath cup final, catch me singing Keep Right On. I absolutely hate the club.
It certainly seems in the build up that Dean and the lads are up for this one and I can see it being similar to the Spurs game that began the season with resolute performances from our defence to keep things respectable before shipping a couple of late goals.
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Franchise FC is usually a term reserved for MK Dons, in what way are Man City a franchise?
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I'm not sure i'd refuse to watch a Villa game just because I hated the other club.
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In the incredibly unlikely scenario that we ever see a Man City vs Small Heath cup final, catch me singing Keep Right On. I absolutely hate the club.
You are dead to me
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Franchise FC is usually a term reserved for MK Dons, in what way are Man City a franchise?
They're owned by City Football Group as part of a wider franchise including New York City, Melbourne City, Girona and others. Assuming that's what the OP was alluding to
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I'm still alright with them. They're trailblazers illuminating the path that lies before us which ends at our own galactic domination. Their players and manager seem an affable, hard working and stylish bunch, and any new found sense of entitlement their supporters may have developed shall be dwarfed by mine in ten years' time.
And I doubt bilsim's loathing comes even anywhere near my wishing of doom, destruction and oblivion upon all things tottingham.
Include me with the 5-5s. Same again from Smith. I think if we try to deploy any kind of damage limitation strategy it'll massively backfire and end up as little more than a hard training session for our opponents. Front foot, let's have at them. Mings, Grealish(2), Wes, Luiz for us.
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In the incredibly unlikely scenario that we ever see a Man City vs Small Heath cup final, catch me singing Keep Right On. I absolutely hate the club.
You are dead to me
Aye, he lost me there too.
Absolutely hating the opposition would be more of a reason to go as far as I'm concerned.
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Franchise FC is usually a term reserved for MK Dons, in what way are Man City a franchise?
They're owned by City Football Group as part of a wider franchise including New York City, Melbourne City, Girona and others. Assuming that's what the OP was alluding to
We are owned by the same ownership group as Milwaukee Bucks. Are we a franchise? I get that some aren't keen on them (though they wouldn't be in the top twenty of clubs I dislike), but there's no way they're a "Franchise Club".
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6-1 defeat
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Franchise FC is usually a term reserved for MK Dons, in what way are Man City a franchise?
They're owned by City Football Group as part of a wider franchise including New York City, Melbourne City, Girona and others. Assuming that's what the OP was alluding to
.
We are owned by the same ownership group as Milwaukee Bucks. Are we a franchise? I get that some aren't keen on them (though they wouldn't be in the top twenty of clubs I dislike), but there's no way they're a "Franchise Club".
I'm not saying we are. That's just what I took the original poster to mean.
I will say, they would definitely be in the 'top 20' of clubs I dislike though. Probably top 10.
They're nowhere as high as Blose, Leeds or Spurs in that respect, mind.
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I understand anything other than a defeat is seen as a bonus but I don't go with this free hit talk as such.
They are good, very very good and have brushed us aside with ease plenty of times. But that was when we were on the way down, now we are on the way up.
We are in the same division as them by right. The team should be brave, savour the challenge, be willing to take a chance and who knows ?
Up the Villa.
I like this. There is too much loser talk on here. We are a different animal to the last time we played them. Plus we endured one of the barmiest goalkeeping displays i've ever seen now we have an England keeper. Of course we may lose but it's not a foregone conclusion. Our midfield excites me more than anything we've had since the days of Mortimer, Cowans, Bremner etc. Be brave Villa not scared. We will give them plenty of problems going forward. They will give us plenty of problems theres no doubt about that. But lets have a go. Lets be loud and proud whatever the outcome. We've come a long way since we last played them and our journey is only just beginning.
I think we have to have a bit of confidence about us. This isn't a 'free hit' - if Wolves and Norwich can beat them, so can we.
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I hate these jammy ****** more than I hate ManUre. Thank fuck they've still never won the European Cup.
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How are they jammy ******? Unless it's because they were a club with a dodgy owner and going nowhere until they were taken over by billionaires, which sounds a lot like us.
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I could never hate anyone more than Man Utd, even our Neanderthal neighbours and these corporate ******.
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I just hope man city dont realise it is a 12.30 kick off. That should give us a fair bit of time to get well ahead.
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Flood warnings predicted for the Cotton Village today and tomorrow, must be a chance the game could get called off
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6-1 defeat
That's the spirit.
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6-1 defeat
That's the spirit.
As long as the seats are filled and everyone sings. That's what matters.
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"Tomorrow's game gives us the opportunity to register three Premier League wins in a row for the first time since April 2010. 👊"
What a bloody grim statistic!
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Dean Smith's cunning anti-Sterling plan:
"He’s an extraordinary player. I think he’s proving that with club and country at the moment. We’re looking at trying to tie his laces together."
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Dean Smith's cunning anti-Sterling plan:
"Hes an extraordinary player. I think hes proving that with club and country at the moment. Were looking at trying to tie his laces together."
Ha!
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This will be our first match against the mighty Pep, can we make it a winning one, doubtful, but not impossible. Going 3-1 City, our scorer, Pep's favourite player, Douglas.
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If Mings has a good game he will be on his way to Liverpool in Jan, definitely. If McGinn has a good game he'll be on his way to Man U in Jan, definitely and a certainty. If Grealish has a good game he'll be off to Spurs in Jan, definitely. If Luis has a good game he'll be back at Man City in Jan, definitely. If they all have good games we'll win. Let's hope that's the case.
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Flood warnings predicted for the Cotton Village today and tomorrow, must be a chance the game could get called off
Supposed to be playing 11 aside tonight and it's been called off. T'is pissing it down up here, has been all day, will be all night and all morning.
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fuck em - 3-1 Villa. Give them Mancs a football lesson and then gloat for the rest of the day in the Printers back in Stockport.
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Who gives a fuck which over paid vaginas these wankers pick, we're going to absolutely fucking funeral them any way.
I don't care if they have Francis Lee playing in the middle and Sterling buzzing around alongside the ghost of Dennis Tueart, we're going to murder them.
Talking about the ghost of Dennis Tueart had me having to check if he was alive or not?! I only found out last week in conversation that Robert Palmer had died and he passed in 2003. I thought I'd missed another. To celebrate I'm going to watch that over head kick and that Robert Palmer video.
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Look what we have here on a Man City forum;
I am going to the game with my MCFC supporting missus & I hope you absolutely smash these fookers.
With any luck, after you had given them a thorough Rogering, it will ruin them for the rest of the season & begin a slide back to the championship for the twats.
Suffice to say, seeing the seals getting hammered will be my cup final, birthday & christmas all in one.
#SOTV
An Albion fan. The last line sums the bitter twats up.
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Franchise FC is usually a term reserved for MK Dons, in what way are Man City a franchise?
They're owned by City Football Group as part of a wider franchise including New York City, Melbourne City, Girona and others. Assuming that's what the OP was alluding to
.
We are owned by the same ownership group as Milwaukee Bucks. Are we a franchise? I get that some aren't keen on them (though they wouldn't be in the top twenty of clubs I dislike), but there's no way they're a "Franchise Club".
I'm not saying we are. That's just what I took the original poster to mean.
Yeah, sorry. You are probably right. I wasn't arguing with you just disagreeing with the OP.
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Look what we have here on a Man City forum;
I am going to the game with my MCFC supporting missus & I hope you absolutely smash these fookers.
With any luck, after you had given them a thorough Rogering, it will ruin them for the rest of the season & begin a slide back to the championship for the twats.
Suffice to say, seeing the seals getting hammered will be my cup final, birthday & christmas all in one.
#SOTV
An Albion fan. The last line sums the bitter twats up.
Seals?
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Look what we have here on a Man City forum;
I am going to the game with my MCFC supporting missus & I hope you absolutely smash these fookers.
With any luck, after you had given them a thorough Rogering, it will ruin them for the rest of the season & begin a slide back to the championship for the twats.
Suffice to say, seeing the seals getting hammered will be my cup final, birthday & christmas all in one.
#SOTV
An Albion fan. The last line sums the bitter twats up.
Seals?
It's their nickname for us. Apparently because Villa fans clap like seals with arms straight, not bent at the elbows. Or something. I told the stripey that told me this that if they have to explain the joke it isn't funny, but he wasn't having it. It's the worst disparaging nickname for a rival ever, the explanation is really convoluted and doesn't make any sense.
The fucking stripey idiots.
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It's an attempt at humour suggesting Villa fans clap. Hilarious isn't it?
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It's an attempt at humour suggesting Villa fans clap. Hilarious isn't it?
He's got me there. Snared. I have indeed been known to clap, once or perhaps even twice in my life.
Radish.
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I think our nickname for the Albion should just be 'The Fucking Idiots'.
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I think our nickname for the Albion should just be 'The Fucking Idiots'.
or fungus monsters given the thrush on their badge.....
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Yes but being the only person in a room clapping and cheering is embarrassing
Particularly after sex.
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Yes but being the only person in a room clapping and cheering is embarrassing
Particularly after sex.
You were watching, you pervert
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I could never hate anyone more than Man Utd, even our Neanderthal neighbours and these corporate c***s.
100% agree with this.
I work all week in Manchester and I hate the red bastards with a passion
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Hating Man United appeals to their ego. I can't be doing with Brunnie Reds, but the heriarchy of antipathy surely has to start with the Noses and end with the Stripey Twats.
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Looks like it may be a tad wet tomorrow!
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last time we played them at theirs we were singing songs about Lescotts new car and getting bashed 4 nil
think we have come a long way since those bad old days
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we could still lose by 4 mind
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Looking forward to it. Going up early to watch the rugby at a mates and then heading over. Don’t know what the result is gonna be, but hoping for a performance.
Me and my mate often declare sommat we’ll do if we get a set score, winning margin, or result, etc. and this time he’s decided if we win then we’re making the drive back in our birthday suits. ::)
So let’s hope for a Villa win, warm weather, no breakdowns, and selective blindness for all the unfortunate road users heading home tomorrow afternoon!
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I've found a barbers near me that opens at 5:30, so it can be hair cut, rugby and then nip over to the Emptyhad.
*insert Simon Pegg pint gif*
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I've found a barbers near me that opens at 5:30, so it can be hair cut, rugby and then nip over to the Emptyhad.
*insert Simon Pegg pint gif*
How’s about that for a slice of fried gold.
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I think Brighton and hove Albion are more significant these days to us than smethwick Albion
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I think Brighton and hove Albion are more significant these days to us than smethwick Albion
I think it wasn’t quite until watching the highlights that I realised why in the stadium the F* the Albion chant was so hearty. Doh.
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How are they jammy c***s? Unless it's because they were a club with a dodgy owner and going nowhere until they were taken over by billionaires, which sounds a lot like us.
i will never tire here of exposing the closet glory-hunters. The blue Mancs aren't as prevalent as the Red ******
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Just stepped out to get my hair cut and it is absolutely vile out. Big coat weather my southern brothers and sisters who are travelling to this god forsaken outpost.
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It's no better down here, absolutely rotten.
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Come on you Villa boys! Would love a result today! Against the spuds and arses we were competitive and I'm expecting more of the same. If we are fortunate to be in with a shout with 15 to go I'd expect us to have learnt from those 2 previous games. I'm staying positive about this one! UTV!!
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I do wonder whether McGinn's work rate takes it out of him and he seems to fade in the final minutes which seems to coincide with us faltering late on in some games.
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Some very generous bets doing the rounds today. McGinn to score and the Villa win is 80/1 on Skybet and Grealish first goal is 33/1 on Paddy Power. 30/1 for the win. They don't fancy us at all do they?
I think we might get beat to be honest though but with some of their defence missing, this is hell of a chance to go up and get something. I'll go 3-1 to them though, I think they may have too much for us the way they are playing going forward. McGinn to put us in front with an early goal.
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I think our nickname for the Albion should just be 'The Fucking Idiots'.
[/q
A while back on here, someone* called them ‘way we used to live inbred twats’ which is a phrase that has resonated for me ever since.
*Mazrim maybe?
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Keep the scoreline respectable, lads, today!
Will keep our goal difference looking OK if we do, though Southampton helped us last night!
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My favourite bet of the season is McGinn 1st scorer & us to win 3-2.
It`s nearly happened twice this season and is around 1000/1 today so a fiver has gone on it