Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on March 01, 2020, 06:23:21 PM
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They may be a much better side than us and yet it all came to them scoring from a corner that should never have been and Bravo pulling off a wonder save.
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Despite the loss, great performance.
And it wasn't a corner.
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Im proud as fuck and pissed off as fuck.
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oh well..
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Linesman. What a ******.
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Not into being a good loser, but we can take a lot from that. As well as losers medals, 🥴
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No shame in that. Proper performance, proud of them to a man today.
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Another dodgy decision in the final of this competition against a Manchester team. I was very proud of them today and if we perform like that in the eleven more cup finals we have this season we will be fine.
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Thought Luiz was our best player.
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Balls.
At least we put in a performance, was v worried in that first half.
Luiz poor
Jack limited
Davis has some good touches when he came on
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Really wished we'd gone 2 up front for that last 15, we saw they can get rattled, only real complaint I have.
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Kept it to a tight game. We can moan on about the corner that shouldn’t have been, but we still should have defended it. Should have left Ally on too.
Biggest concern is Grealish reverting to his start of the season form. We need him more than ever now.
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Rubbish. Fucked off. We did alright. Too many bang average players in our team, but we weren't humiliated. Which is a minor plus point.
Sorrows to drown now.
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I know we have struggled this season but fuck me we have NO luck whatsoever.
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Oh well, it was a great game to watch, we've got lots to be very proud of, but they just had too much quality for us overall. Missed chances have been an Achilles heel all season. As has poor defending. That said, if we show the same commitment for the rest of the season we have a good chance of staying up.
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Probably covered in the match thread but does VAR not actually get consulted on Corners and Free kicks given in dangerous areas?
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Focus on survival l, played well and carry that on to next week
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No complaints from me. Thought we'd lose by 4 or even 5. Man. City tend to be that good in cup finals if you look at their recent record.
We had a couple of short periods of danger which is really all you're going to get v Man. City and scored a nice goal and could've got another at the end.
Hopefully we won't come out flat v Leicester. Good job that's on a Monday. Jack really struggling at the end which is a big concern for next few weeks.
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Defensively very very poor 1st half. Granted it was never a corner but the way we defended it was fucking embarrassing for a professional team.
Showed fight but ultimately too many players just not good enough technically. Cannot fault them for effort today.
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Cannot fault them .
On to the next
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Battled hard, hopefully the standard for the rest of the season. Very difficult against a top side but we stayed in the game until the bitter end.
Nyland 6, Guilbert 5, Engels 8, Mings 7, Targett 4, Elmo 6, Nakamba 7, Luiz 6, AEG 6, Grealish 6, Samatta 7. Trez 5, Hourihane 5, Davis 7.
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Probably covered in the match thread but does VAR not actually get consulted on Corners and Free kicks given in dangerous areas?
Not corners, no.
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Bigger worry is what was up with Jack late on. Can't have him injured if we want to stay up.
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Proud of that performance.
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Bigger worry is what was up with Jack late on. Can't have him injured if we want to stay up.
Looked to be limping for a lot of the second half. Unfortunately we couldn't get him into the game in the second half.
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Lucky not to be battered BUT the score was 2:1 and they scored from a unjust corner.
I have no problem in letting them have a corner if the officials are unsure, but if it results in a goal it should be a VAR call.
Sterling is a horrible little cnut.
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No time to feel sorry for ourselves. It was a poor decision to give a corner but overall they just have better players and a better manager. We gave it everything but we now need to take all of the good things we did into the remainder of the league campaign. That is all that matters now. This would have been a huge bonus but PL survival is really what matters.
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Kept it to a tight game. We can moan on about the corner that shouldn’t have been, but we still should have defended it. Should have left Ally on too.
Biggest concern is Grealish reverting to his start of the season form. We need him more than ever now.
I thought he was good when he had the ball, he just saw so little of it which was puzzling.
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Battled hard, but yet again we give two soft goals away. Yes screwed over with the corner that wasn't, but we have to defend better than that
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No disgrace in that result. Better team won obviously but we conceded too much possession, however the end result isn’t as bad as it could have been. Play like that in our remaining games and we should pick up enough points to stay up.
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Probably covered in the match thread but does VAR not actually get consulted on Corners and Free kicks given in dangerous areas?
Nope dosen't get used for that unless there's a foul and possible penalty shout. Guess linesman's view was blocked and ref couldn't be bothered to overrule but it was clear watching on the stream so just poor decision.
Mind you they'd argued Marvelous should've got a red. Two feet off the ground etc.
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We just lost to arguably one of the best teams in the world and we gave them a right good run for all there money, they needed the 12 man in the ref to give them that cup, honestly thought we matched them in the second half, first time this season I have seen Villa players getting in there and making there presence felt, all good stuff, Smith must bottle that fight and spirit and take that into every game we play now, you can easily see if Villa fight and scrap, we can compete.
Bring on Leicester.
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Oh well, it was a great game to watch, we've got lots to be very proud of, but they just had too much quality for us overall. Missed chances have been an Achilles heel all season. As has poor defending. That said, if we show the same commitment for the rest of the season we have a good chance of staying up.
Yup. Better to have have fought and lost than to have never fought at all. There's something we showed today to build on for the rest of the season. It's in our own hands.
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The corner situation was typical of our attitude.
We meekly accept the decision and don’t complain, they score, they win.
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Proud of that performance.
I think I've had far too much to drink mate. Or the Villa have just worn me down.
I didn't enjoy that much at all. I'll have to watch it back again tomorrow. Up the Villa, pal. I hope you're well!
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Good effort. Should have gone two up with Davis. Jack never got in the game.
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Bigger worry is what was up with Jack late on. Can't have him injured if we want to stay up.
Think he was just pissed off
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And what’s going on with our defending of corners. Mings wasted.... one of our best headers of the ball not marking anyone and caught in no mans land on a number of occasions?!
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whos that behind the cup? danny Trejo
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With the one that Bravo saved I reckon 9 times out of 10 that would've sat up for Engels to tap in an open goal, really unlucky for it to go to pretty much the only place where they could get to it first and get it away.
They have a better squad, we all know that, but I honestly don't think there was much in that game.
They gave our fullbacks a hard time by staying so wide but I think we did ok to stop them from getting many clear chances from it (other than the first goal). Their second was really poor from the linesman, he obviously couldn't see what happened so why the fuck did he decide to just guess and give them the corner? As others have said that's the sort of thing that VAR should be helping with, the check would've taken less time than the Villa players spent telling the ref he'd got it wrong so the 'slows the game down' argument is null. Yes we should've defended better but I honestly think a few of our players were still pissed off at the decision and the concentration dipped for a few seconds.
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Bigger worry is what was up with Jack late on. Can't have him injured if we want to stay up.
Think he was just pissed off
He was definitely stretching his left leg late on. Crap or muscle injury, dunno.
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I think they did themselves proud, mainly thanks to Samatta and that goal. Without it we would have / could have sunk. Just a shame that their keeper pulled off that save right at the end. And equally a shame that Nyland didn't score when he came up for the corner, would have capped off his redemption story nicely.
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One thing I will say though.... that Foden kid looks a player. His control from that cross field ball first half 👌🏼
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Thought we were ok to be honest. They are always going to have loads of possession and chances, but we hung in there and gave it a go.
I just hope this continues for the rest of the season.
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We lost but I’m so proud tonight. Clearly city are a fantastic side but did enough to have them guessing at the end. We’ll stay up if we carry that kind of form and application into the rest of the season so very proud
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And what’s going on with our defending of corners. Mings wasted.... one of our best headers of the ball not marking anyone and caught in no mans land on a number of occasions?!
We do it so he can give him more licence to track the ball rather than getting in a wrestling contest. Has its pros and cons like any other system.
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One thing I will say though.... that Foden kid looks a player. His control from that cross field ball first half 👌🏼
Yep very impressed although I've liked him before in his cameos.
He really should be playing somewhere week in week out. Would be good shout to make England squad as he offers more than likes of Winks.
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Im fucked off with aspects of what we did but when a linesman cant see an easy as fuck decision from 5 yards away then whats the point? Horrendous at his job, should be embarrased, will probably say it was hard to see, his union will pat him on the back and say never mind.
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We absolutely have to take encouragement even from a loss. We hardly had the ball and yet they were bricking it when we put balls into the box.
Samatta was great.
McGinn might have made a difference today, hopefully he will make a huge difference in the coming weeks.
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Gave a really good account of themselves and were in the game still at the end there. Best cup final performance since the last time we won one. If we play like that till the end of the season we should be fine but I’m not confident we will keep it up.
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Rubbish. Fucked off. We did alright. Too many bang average players in our team, but we weren't humiliated. Which is a minor plus point.
Sorrows to drown now.
No. Chins up. We did alright. This was no disgrace and it was always going to be tough. In the end, fine lines of luck did for us. The team showed bottle for the first time in ages, I take a lot of encouragement from this. Eight days until the next match now, so plenty of time to recuperate.
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Proud to be a Villa fan, support was magnificent. We were very limited against a team that have spent and spent and spent over the last 5 years but boy was the effort there. Lets take this into the remaining games and if we can we will get points on the board.
I hope there 2 year ban sticks like Man Ure and Chelsea before them they have brought success.
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As others have said that's the sort of thing that VAR should be helping with, the check would've taken less time than the Villa players spent telling the ref he'd got it wrong so the 'slows the game down' argument is null. Yes we should've defended better but I honestly think a few of our players were still pissed off at the decision and the concentration dipped for a few seconds.
It's frustrating of course but the 'defending badly because we're still pissed off' argument is pretty weak.
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Pretty much said it all season but if we can give Man. City a decent game on neutral venue then we really should have enough to rouse ourselves and beat one of Chelsea, Man. United or Arsenal at VP.
Going to have to stay up.
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Sat in CW right at the City end, centre, so 30000 of them all around us and heard them about three times. Heard our fans all the way through.
Our support was utterly magnificent start to finish.
City fans absolutely woeful. Also 80-20 us/them in neutral CW.
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Proud of that performance.
I think I've had far too much to drink mate. Or the Villa have just worn me down.
I didn't enjoy that much at all. I'll have to watch it back again tomorrow. Up the Villa, pal. I hope you're well!
Haha good work mate! I’m just moving onto the shorts, sounds like I’m way behind you.
Maybe my bar is just too low at this point. I was really expecting a humiliating cricket score, especially when they were tearing us apart in the wide positions in the first half. We ran them close and can go into the run in with a bit of pride, happy with that.
All good here thanks, hope you are too mate!
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As others have said that's the sort of thing that VAR should be helping with, the check would've taken less time than the Villa players spent telling the ref he'd got it wrong so the 'slows the game down' argument is null. Yes we should've defended better but I honestly think a few of our players were still pissed off at the decision and the concentration dipped for a few seconds.
It's frustrating of course but the 'defending badly because we're still pissed off' argument is pretty weak.
I never said it wasn't, doesn't stop it being true though, we looked disorganised and they took advantage, it shouldn't have happened but it did, that doesn't stop the officials being badly at fault though.
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Lucky not to be battered BUT the score was 2:1 and they scored from a unjust corner.
I have no problem in letting them have a corner if the officials are unsure, but if it results in a goal it should be a VAR call.
Sterling is a horrible little cnut.
I reckon it ought to be the players that decide which contested decisions to review.
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We had them rattled. Watching them panic at the end, hoofing it out etc. Just shows how close we were.
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Did ourselves proud and let down by a absolutely pathetic linesman. A disgrace and we are owed a apology. Obviously they wont do that the cowards.
Mings motm and we did ourselves proud.
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Reasonably proud of the team, extremely proud of the fans who were immense through out.
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As others have said that's the sort of thing that VAR should be helping with, the check would've taken less time than the Villa players spent telling the ref he'd got it wrong so the 'slows the game down' argument is null. Yes we should've defended better but I honestly think a few of our players were still pissed off at the decision and the concentration dipped for a few seconds.
It's frustrating of course but the 'defending badly because we're still pissed off' argument is pretty weak.
I never said it wasn't, doesn't stop it being true though, we looked disorganised and they took advantage, it shouldn't have happened but it did, that doesn't stop the officials being badly at fault though.
If we'd be been defending brilliantly all season you might have a point but we have the worst defence in the division. Defending badly is something we routinely do. The corner decision was wrong; we defend the corner better and it's forgotten forever.
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Lucky not to be battered BUT the score was 2:1 and they scored from a unjust corner.
I have no problem in letting them have a corner if the officials are unsure, but if it results in a goal it should be a VAR call.
Sterling is a horrible little cnut.
I reckon it ought to be the players that decide which contested decisions to review.
Agree.
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We absolutely have to take encouragement even from a loss. We hardly had the ball and yet they were bricking it when we put balls into the box.
Samatta was great.
McGinn might have made a difference today, hopefully he will make a huge difference in the coming weeks.
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Amen Jon
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As others have said that's the sort of thing that VAR should be helping with, the check would've taken less time than the Villa players spent telling the ref he'd got it wrong so the 'slows the game down' argument is null. Yes we should've defended better but I honestly think a few of our players were still pissed off at the decision and the concentration dipped for a few seconds.
It's frustrating of course but the 'defending badly because we're still pissed off' argument is pretty weak.
I never said it wasn't, doesn't stop it being true though, we looked disorganised and they took advantage, it shouldn't have happened but it did, that doesn't stop the officials being badly at fault though.
It’s back to play the whistle isn’t it, we’ve been naive about that for a long time with notable cases like leeds. A sign of an inexperienced side. We need to get over bad decisions and keep our heads in the game.
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As others have said that's the sort of thing that VAR should be helping with, the check would've taken less time than the Villa players spent telling the ref he'd got it wrong so the 'slows the game down' argument is null. Yes we should've defended better but I honestly think a few of our players were still pissed off at the decision and the concentration dipped for a few seconds.
It's frustrating of course but the 'defending badly because we're still pissed off' argument is pretty weak.
I never said it wasn't, doesn't stop it being true though, we looked disorganised and they took advantage, it shouldn't have happened but it did, that doesn't stop the officials being badly at fault though.
If we'd be been defending brilliantly all season you might have a point but we have the worst defence in the division. Defending badly is something we routinely do. The corner decision was wrong; we defend the corner better and it's forgotten forever.
I can't be arsed to argue with you.
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Just picked this up from a Man City Forum
''Brilliant game and fantastic win, credit to villa for giving their all and making it a very exciting watch, how are they in trouble.
Enjoy the victory blues
Makes you think.
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I find it hard to be mad after that. Disappointing not to take it to extra time but nobody gave us a chance and yet we forced Guardiola to bring on his big guns.
We're a bit guileless with the ball but that's us innit.
All in all can't be too displeased.
UTV
UTV
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Ho hum. The much better team won. Usual 20+ shots conceded, and no sign that we’re learning any lessons.
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As others have said that's the sort of thing that VAR should be helping with, the check would've taken less time than the Villa players spent telling the ref he'd got it wrong so the 'slows the game down' argument is null. Yes we should've defended better but I honestly think a few of our players were still pissed off at the decision and the concentration dipped for a few seconds.
It's frustrating of course but the 'defending badly because we're still pissed off' argument is pretty weak.
I never said it wasn't, doesn't stop it being true though, we looked disorganised and they took advantage, it shouldn't have happened but it did, that doesn't stop the officials being badly at fault though.
If we'd be been defending brilliantly all season you might have a point but we have the worst defence in the division. Defending badly is something we routinely do. The corner decision was wrong; we defend the corner better and it's forgotten forever.
I can't be arsed to argue with you.
Great news!
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Our defence remains an utter shambles.
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We have to play at this level bare minimum, every remaining game now. We can't let our effort dip, because we're not good enough to get away with it. Again, we're still making errors, and we're still too slow to adapt to what the opposition is doing when it's clear they're targeting weak spots (in City's case, opening out the width of the pitch and exploiting acres on our opposing wings).
It's another boo hoo, almost but not quite, plucky underdog, better luck next time game (which in all honesty are about as pleasant as repeatedly getting kicked in the gonads). It's painful raising your game only to lose a game everyone thinks you're going to lose. So we really can't be having repeats of Bournmouth, Southampton, Watford where we're just atrocious and not working nearly hard enough. It's a waste of a weekend all told, UNLESS we can keep those workrate levels up and start getting at teams (particularly the more beatable sides). Lets not dribble piss our way meekly into the Championship.
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Micah Richards, born in Birmingham, raised in Leeds but professional City fan. I wish he’d fucking shut up.
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I'm also disappointed in Guilbert...for not absolutely smashing Sterling into row Z with his legs in bits...but obviously that's just not on in the modern game and he'd have been sent off. The sadist in me, not that it should be condoned, quietly enjoyed Dublin nutting Savage and would have had a quite inner applause had Guilbert absolutely mullered that little wanker.
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Strange but I felt far worse after the last two league games than this. Effort was there. I just wish we could cut out the stupid defensive errors. We weren't disgraced and we weren't humiliated. Now let's try and stay up.
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I think bringing Samatta off was the wrong call, unless he was injured. Would love to have seen him and Davis upfront. Conor did okay when he came on but Trez was a bit disappointing. Elmo justified his inclusion, as did Nyland.
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Micah Richards, born in Birmingham, raised in Leeds but professional City fan. I wish he’d fucking shut up.
I suppose he's getting paid to talk. Even he can't fuck that up and disappear into a basement somewhere for 2 years.
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Sky have barely acknowledged that we were in that game to the very end.
Football has been wank since about 2006.
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Grealish has done his calf apparently.
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It was never a corner, obvs. I feared after going 2-0 down they’d embarrass us like they did to Watford in the FA Cup final last year. Good to see we showed some fight - and a nice goal - but in the end we just didn’t quite have enough. Money.
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Better than i expected, but i was completely devoid of any hope beforehand. Now, please improve in the league.
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I think bringing Samatta off was the wrong call, unless he was injured. Would love to have seen him and Davis upfront. Conor did okay when he came on but Trez was a bit disappointing. Elmo justified his inclusion, as did Nyland.
As we've all said many times, Trezegeut is a headless chicken. When he gets rushed into a decision he looks hopeless. He had that one moment in space when we had a good attack going, and he looked like a toddler trying to escape with the black and decker power drill you told them not to go near. Trezegeut probably walks into his door frame at least 10 times a day at home.
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Pity we can't spend hundreds of millions on players (we have super wealthy owners) like Citeh did 10 years ago. And still they cheat and get banned from the Champions League for 2 years!
Still well done today boys!
Hope Jack is ok? Be typical of our luck to get SJM back and Jack is out! Tom Heaton suggested it maybe cramp from putting a shift in?
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Could have been a lot worse and I guess many of us were suspecting it might be.
We need to stay up , spend money and improve the team.
It was damage limitation at times and although we put in a shift at the beginning and towards the end, I am not broken harted as I have been after other losses.
come on, I think Dean gave the message in the huddle at the end keep this fight going.
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Micah Richards, born in Birmingham, raised in Leeds but professional City fan. I wish he’d fucking shut up.
Indeed. What a wanker. Self-appointed City legend. Do me a favour.
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Small Heath Alliance kindly had a twenty two page match thread for us today.
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Micah Richards is insufferable.
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Small Heath Alliance kindly had a twenty two page match thread for us today.
Isnt that the norm?
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We can take heart from the game and display. Beaten by a corner that never should of been given.
Really really hope Grealish isn’t injured just cramp! He was gone after 70 mins should he have come off?
We have to hope McGinn is back soon which will give us a huge lift!
Players tried today esp second half that has to be the standard now
Up the Villa
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Discussing our marking at corners. Mings is in the wrong role there. simple as that.
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As Big Ron would have said, I never comment on the linesman and I’m not starting with that pray.
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Just coming away from Wembley in the traffic, the state of their support, half arsed, soulless and empty seats everywhere which kept the crowd down to 82k, poor from them.
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Thst corner decision, fucking hell. Awful from the officials, awful from our defence.
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“What would you do Micah?”
Ffs.
We’d all love to have known that....
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The corner situation was typical of our attitude.
We meekly accept the decision and don’t complain, they score, they win.
If only we had protested Lee Mason would of awarded a goal kick.
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Im fucked off with aspects of what we did but when a linesman cant see an easy as fuck decision from 5 yards away then whats the point? Horrendous at his job, should be embarrased, will probably say it was hard to see, his union will pat him on the back and say never mind. Probably misses his wifes clit and his best mate is annihilating her instead.
Ugh.
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Proud of that performance. Nobody gave us a chance and we came within the width of a post of getting a draw.
It's all ifs, buts and maybes but we did well. They are clearly ahead of us, and they fucking should be the investment they've had. But we did. Well.
Onwards.
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Micah Richards in depth analysis on defending a corner, first time ive smiled all evening 😂😂😂😂
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Well done Villa.
Support was magnificant from our end as ever at Wembley
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An easy decision for VAR?? Typical it wasn't implemented. When you think of some of the crazy forensic scrutinising decisions made by VAR this season and that corner is allowed? A fucking joke!
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Strange but I felt far worse after the last two league games than this. Effort was there. I just wish we could cut out the stupid defensive errors. We weren't disgraced and we weren't humiliated. Now let's try and stay up.
would be nice to try and get some shots on goal too.
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Small Heath Alliance kindly had a twenty two page match thread for us today.
Isnt that the norm?
They are now telling themselves that us being narrowly defeated thanks to a dodgy decision is far better than the battering they were hoping for. Secretly you just know they are gutted we didn't get thrashed.
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Can’t complain too much about the dodgy corner. We only had a day out because Marv’s handball wasn’t given in the semi.
You win some, you lose some. Leicester away a week Monday is all that matters now. UTV
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4 final defeats in a row. We are due a trophy.
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One of the stupid tossers was giving it the big one last night on my Facebook. Saying thank you to Liverpool from a BCFC fan. I replied by asking them how they did against Watford? Shut the saddo’s up.
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4 final defeats in a row. We are due a trophy.
We really messed up that year with Bradford. Given the front 3 was really clicking at the time we'd have had a very good chance of beating Swansea. Took 4 points off them in the league that season.
We tend to average a major final every five years which isn't too bad considering Everton haven't played one in over a decade now.
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Micah Richards, born in Birmingham, raised in Leeds but professional City fan. I wish he’d fucking shut up.
I suppose he's getting paid to talk. Even he can't fuck that up and disappear into a basement somewhere for 2 years.
I’d happily pay him to shut up
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That second half has set the standard for effort for the rest of the season.
And if our victory over Liverpool has an asterisk against it, so must the last 10 years of man city’s history.
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Small Heath Alliance kindly had a twenty two page match thread for us today.
Isnt that the norm?
They are now telling themselves that us being narrowly defeated thanks to a dodgy decision is far better than the battering they were hoping for. Secretly you just know they are gutted we didn't get thrashed.
Don't really care what they say. Just rankles they get that bit of luck in the last minute in 2011 with the Arsenal keeper dropping the ball on Martins foot and that always seems to elude us in these finals at crucial moments.
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A lot better than expected. Let's hope we carry that forward for the rest of the season.
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Somebody on here must have predicted a City narrow win, dodgy decision and a Grealish injury.
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Grealish cramp not injured
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A respectable scoreline, a bearable defeat.
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There's no glory in defeat. I hate losing, but I think we can take a lot from that performance.
To start with the bad, Targett got caught under the ball for the first goal, where you needed to get tight to Foden. If he still gets a cross off then fair play but we made it easy for him.
The defending for their second was poor, but I think concentration had gone from the absolutely dire decision for the corner.
They made the pitch big and we struggled at times with that, we gifted them a lot of the ball at times by recycling possession.
They had a good number of chances, but half chances and Nyland made one save of consequence all game. I think that's a credit. We showed bottle, fight and application. Square posts and maybe we're celebrating a penalty shoot out.
I was so worried about getting hammered and at 2-0 I feared the worse. But they showed they have minerals today.
Guilbert smothered Sterling, Engels and Mings looked far more composed. Luiz put a shift in, Nakamba played a glove on them.
When they're bringing on Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne, the quality is irresistible. But we hung on in there. Well played boys, there's something to take from that.
In other news, I drank San Miguel before the game and left the lucky beer in the car, so we'll stay up now easy.
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Small Heath Alliance kindly had a twenty two page match thread for us today.
Isnt that the norm?
They are now telling themselves that us being narrowly defeated thanks to a dodgy decision is far better than the battering they were hoping for. Secretly you just know they are gutted we didn't get thrashed.
Don't really care what they say. Just rankles they get that bit of luck in the last minute in 2011 with the Arsenal keeper dropping the ball on Martins foot and that always seems to elude us in these finals at crucial moments.
They have a recurring argument on there where 70% of the idiots keep saying we are spawny and a more reasonable 30% of them argue against it. Their cup win was as spawny as you can get.
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The defending for their second was poor, but I think concentration had gone from the absolutely dire decision for the corner.
We're just poor defensively.
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Got to say btw I've never rated John Stones at any point since Everton signed him. Says it all about football this sort of player moves for 40m + these days and wins loads of trophies. Him falling on his flipping arse was beautiful, shame it wasn't a crucial goal.
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I think bringing Samatta off was the wrong call, unless he was injured. Would love to have seen him and Davis upfront. Conor did okay when he came on but Trez was a bit disappointing. Elmo justified his inclusion, as did Nyland.
totally agree
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Keep that effort going in the league and we will stay up. No excuses now. Proud of them for the effort today.
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https://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-man-city/report/423697
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Got to say btw I've never rated John Stones at any point since Everton signed him. Says it all about football this sort of player moves for 40m + these days and wins loads of trophies. Him falling on his flipping arse was beautiful, shame it wasn't a crucial goal.
The guy on commentary said seeing Stones go down was like watching an industrial chimney being demolished.
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The defending for their second was poor, but I think concentration had gone from the absolutely dire decision for the corner.
We're just poor defensively.
I think we were ok today, given the chances on goal.were limited. The defending for the corner was poor, but I think they'd all switched off as they were feeling hard done by.
That said we should have done better, but we shouldn't have had to defend that corner at all.
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Our much maligned squad cost £150m.
City’s much maligned squad cost £1bn.
For all their possession the best save of the match was their keeper pushing Engels chance onto the post.
A fearless 433 for the rest of the season? I’d play Samatta up top with Grealish and Davies. Then Drinkwater, McGinn and Luiz.
Back 4 as you were ,
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Our much maligned squad cost £150m.
City’s much maligned squad cost £1bn.
For all their possession the best save of the match was their keeper pushing Engels chance onto the post.
A fearless 433 for the rest of the season? I’d play Samatta up top with Grealish and Davies. Then Drinkwater, McGinn and Luiz.
Back 4 as you were ,
No place for McGinn?
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We should revert to that back 4. Douglas Luiz is good, Nakamba blows hot and cold. When McGinn is fit maybe push Grealish behind the striker.
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I think we were ok today, given the chances on goal.were limited. The defending for the corner was poor, but I think they'd all switched off as they were feeling hard done by.
That said we should have done better, but we shouldn't have had to defend that corner at all.
I totally agree the corner decision was terrible but it was only a corner. It wasn't a goal they were given. We gave them that.
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Our much maligned squad cost £150m.
City’s much maligned squad cost £1bn.
For all their possession the best save of the match was their keeper pushing Engels chance onto the post.
A fearless 433 for the rest of the season? I’d play Samatta up top with Grealish and Davies. Then Drinkwater, McGinn and Luiz.
Back 4 as you were ,
No place for McGinn?
Yes he’s next to Drinkwater and Luiz!!
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Our much maligned squad cost £150m.
City’s much maligned squad cost £1bn.
For all their possession the best save of the match was their keeper pushing Engels chance onto the post.
A fearless 433 for the rest of the season? I’d play Samatta up top with Grealish and Davies. Then Drinkwater, McGinn and Luiz.
Back 4 as you were ,
No place for McGinn?
Yes he’s next to Drinkwater and Luiz!!
That'll teach me to speed read. What a fool!
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Our much maligned squad cost £150m.
City’s much maligned squad cost £1bn.
For all their possession the best save of the match was their keeper pushing Engels chance onto the post.
A fearless 433 for the rest of the season? I’d play Samatta up top with Grealish and Davies. Then Drinkwater, McGinn and Luiz.
Back 4 as you were ,
No place for McGinn?
Yes he’s next to Drinkwater and Luiz!!
That'll teach me to speed read. What a fool!
To be fair you had me reading my own post again!
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I can't prove it but I think if we'd have clearly knocked the ball out for a corner and it wasn't so contentious, then I believe we would have perhaps been a bit more switched on than we were. Who knows.
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So eight Wembley appearances in 20 years, six defeats and two wins. Need to reverse those stats and we're laughing.
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I think we were ok today, given the chances on goal.were limited. The defending for the corner was poor, but I think they'd all switched off as they were feeling hard done by.
That said we should have done better, but we shouldn't have had to defend that corner at all.
I totally agree the corner decision was terrible but it was only a corner. It wasn't a goal they were given. We gave them that.
Agreed
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I can't prove it but I think if we'd have clearly knocked the ball out for a corner and it wasn't so contentious, then I believe we would have perhaps been a bit more switched on than we were. Who knows.
Fair enough.
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They had a good number of chances, but half chances and Nyland made one save of consequence all game. I think that's a credit. We showed bottle, fight and application. Square posts and maybe we're celebrating a penalty shoot out.
Someone can confirm but are you sure it was penalties after 90 minutes if level?
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Extra time, I think.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
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Keep that effort going in the league and we will stay up. No excuses now. Proud of them for the effort today.
We're just horribly inconsistant with regard performances from majority of 11 we put out most weeks. Largely a consquence of signings made who aren't used to intensity and sheer quality of a top division in world football and can't produce week in week out.
As much as I hope we can kick on from a decent battling performance it wouldn't be a surprise if next week Luiz and Marvelous play like they've never seen a football before, El Ghazi dosen't fancy it from the first minute and so on.
Would keep Engels in as he was excellent today, there's a good CB lurking in there and he bounced back well from the Spurs horror show.
Thinking draw at best v Leicester as reality is we needed about 6-7 great saves from Nyland over the two legs to narrowly beat them so not convinced we'll get that for a third time.
Hope they're all on it for Chelsea though as I really think we can win that and sort of win which would really change the mindset for the season.
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After a bright start, at 2-0, with our defending having reverted to utter shite, I was convinced it was damage limitation time and that 4-0 would be a mercy. They looked like they could score with every attack. Of course the last thing you need against a team like City is the officials giving ropey decisions in their favour as well.
Fair play for Villa upping their game second half and ultimately a bit unlucky with the Engels chance. At least we turned up and at least we weren't spanked. Trezeguet though, honestly what is the point of him and what is it that some seem to see in him?
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Extra time, I think.
Yes
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
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After a bright start, at 2-0, with our defending having reverted to utter shite, I was convinced it was damage limitation time and that 4-0 would be a mercy. They looked like they could score with every attack. Of course the last thing you need against a team like City is the officials giving ropey decisions in their favour as well.
Fair play for Villa upping their game second half and ultimately a bit unlucky with the Engels chance. At least we turned up and at least we weren't spanked. Trezeguet though, honestly what is the point of him and what is it that some seem to see in him?
That bit toward the end when Trez dribbled back towards the edge of the box (and lost it) after Targett had sprinted 50 yards for the overlap had me screaming. I get he's trying to create something, but even our most creative player in Jack knows you play in an overlapping fullback rather than dribbling into trouble...
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Think it was 3 times in the opening 15 minutes of the second half that he played either a shit pass or no pass when we were in promising positions. He's infuriating at times.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
Agreed. And has been for the last couple of months. Waste of space in our current predicament.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
No one was bad today.
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After a bright start, at 2-0, with our defending having reverted to utter shite, I was convinced it was damage limitation time and that 4-0 would be a mercy. They looked like they could score with every attack. Of course the last thing you need against a team like City is the officials giving ropey decisions in their favour as well.
Fair play for Villa upping their game second half and ultimately a bit unlucky with the Engels chance. At least we turned up and at least we weren't spanked. Trezeguet though, honestly what is the point of him and what is it that some seem to see in him?
good post
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No one was bad today.
I wasn't that impressed by Marvellous to be honest.
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I think everyone was pretty much fearing the worst when it went 2-0. And for a little while afterwards, it did look like the game might become a damage limitation exercise, but credit where it's due, we took our chance and at 2-1 we were always in it. Yes, they have a LOT of the ball - that was always going to be the case - they had more of the ball away at Real Madrid - it's what they do. BUT an awful lot of their possession was spent passing side to side thirty yards out until someone like Kyle Walker has a pop from miles out. They had over 20 shots, yes, but how many clear-cut chances? How many big saves did Nyland have to make? I think they had one more shot on target than us?
I thought the pressing from us as the game went on in the second half was mostly very good, even forcing City to put in into row Z on a few occasions - something you don't see them doing very often. That said, the pressing and big Wembley pitch meant we were absolutely knackered by 95 mins. If we'd got the equaliser, you never know, obviously, but we looked dead on our feet.
At the end of the day, the record books will record us losing another Wembley final, but if Dean can somehow get them to work like that for the next 11 games, there is room for optimism, especially with McGinn getting close to a return.
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Not seen us work that hard for a while
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I think everyone was pretty much fearing the worst when it went 2-0. And for a little while afterwards, it did look like the game might become a damage limitation exercise, but credit where it's due, we took our chance and at 2-1 we were always in it. Yes, they have a LOT of the ball - that was always going to be the case - they had more of the ball away at Real Madrid - it's what they do. BUT an awful lot of their possession was spent passing side to side thirty yards out until someone like Kyle Walker has a pop from miles out. They had over 20 shots, yes, but how many clear-cut chances? How many big saves did Nyland have to make? I think they had one more shot on target than us?
I thought the pressing from us as the game went on in the second half was mostly very good, even forcing City to put in into row Z on a few occasions - something you don't see them doing very often. That said, the pressing and big Wembley pitch meant we were absolutely knackered by 95 mins. If we'd got the equaliser, you never know, obviously, but we looked dead on our feet.
At the end of the day, the record books will record us losing another Wembley final, but if Dean can somehow get them to work like that for the next 11 games, there is room for optimism, especially with McGinn getting close to a return.
I think everyone was pretty much fearing the worst when it went 2-0. And for a little while afterwards, it did look like the game might become a damage limitation exercise, but credit where it's due, we took our chance and at 2-1 we were always in it. Yes, they have a LOT of the ball - that was always going to be the case - they had more of the ball away at Real Madrid - it's what they do. BUT an awful lot of their possession was spent passing side to side thirty yards out until someone like Kyle Walker has a pop from miles out. They had over 20 shots, yes, but how many clear-cut chances? How many big saves did Nyland have to make? I think they had one more shot on target than us?
I thought the pressing from us as the game went on in the second half was mostly very good, even forcing City to put in into row Z on a few occasions - something you don't see them doing very often. That said, the pressing and big Wembley pitch meant we were absolutely knackered by 95 mins. If we'd got the equaliser, you never know, obviously, but we looked dead on our feet.
At the end of the day, the record books will record us losing another Wembley final, but if Dean can somehow get them to work like that for the next 11 games, there is room for optimism, especially with McGinn getting close to a return.
Isn't Wembley the same size as Villa Park?
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Most premier league pitches are the same size as wembley.
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When they scored their second I was fearing the worst. That we were still in with a chance up until the final whistle is a minor victory of sorts. They're a far, far better team than us (I just laughed when they made their substitution - that's the depth of their squad) and you'd expect them to beat us nine times out of ten, but we weren't disgraced and put on a reasonable show.
One cup final down, twelve to play. What we can't afford to do now is spend the rest of March moping and bemoaning a linesman's incorrect call.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.
Everyone I've spoken to says you are.
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As someone mentioned the Blue Moon forum earlier I thought I’d have a look. OMG, is that what money does to die hard fans! They have become so high up there own arse they have just conveniently wiped the years and years of mediocrity from their psyche. Apparently Grealish is small fish in a small pond......
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I thought they all did pretty well today and I liked Luiz. He played up the pitch and I thought that suited him.
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As someone mentioned the Blue Moon forum earlier I thought I’d have a look. OMG, is that what money does to die hard fans! They have become so high up there own arse they have just conveniently wiped the years and years of mediocrity from their psyche. Apparently Grealish is small fish in a small pond......
As sung many a time by the lnspiral Carpets
“So this is how it feels to be City,
This is how it feels to be small,
This is how it feels when your passport is back in the draw “
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.
Everyone I've spokenGood bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.
Everyone I've spoken to says you are.
Ah, well that’s settled that then. 😂
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.
Everyone I've spokenGood bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.
Everyone I've spoken to says you are.
Ah, well that’s settled that then. 😂
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.
Everyone I've spoken to says you are.
You mean, you and your pals who agree with everything you say regardless?
Hard not to be reaffirmed in an echo chamber isn't it.
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I think the PL is too physical for Luiz, he is obviously a good player but he needs too much time on the ball. He will go abroad and make a good career for himself.
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I thought he was good, my eyes told me that. Fine to disagree of course, but that’s my view.
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I think the PL is too physical for Luiz, he is obviously a good player but he needs too much time on the ball. He will go abroad and make a good career for himself.
Or he'll adjust.
I think he'll thrive in a decent team.
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Luiz wasn’t awful but by no means was he good. Gave the ball away cheaply a few times. The midfield remains the reason we’ll be relegated, it’s just not fit for purpose.
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I'm glad we were not humiliated and that he fans got something to cheer about. Having said that I remain of the opinion that this game was a distraction we could have well done without especially if Grealish has picked up an injury.
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Doug was bloody good today, I can’t believe others thought otherwise.
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I know that as fans we can do scapegoating like few others, but I think today we can take a modicum of pride in everyone who wore the shirt. Yes, some have had better games. Yes, some had their deficiencies exposed on occasions. Yet I can't think of anybody who let the side down.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
No one was bad today.
Targett was very poor. Getting beaten in the air by Phil Foden is a new low.
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That'll be future captain of England Phil Foden?
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Dunno, it's not the sexiest of surnames.
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Down but not out. The team did their best today, the majority just aren't good enough against one of the best 5 or so sides in Europe. Retrain our focus on to the remaining league games now, where we must show 100% commitment and effort in them all to stay up. Today's effort was there, we can't turn up as and when we see fit.
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The first forty minutes were poor but I think they all improved after our goal and took that into the second half.
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The game flew by in a way that only happens when you know you’re not getting anything out of it. We didn’t disgrace ourselves, but nor did Man City have to over exert themselves.
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Ho hum. The much better team won. Usual 20+ shots conceded, and no sign that we’re learning any lessons.
I love you despite your twatish leanings ( I really mean that as well) but bollocks to that.
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Why is it always extremes on here.
It is possible to take heart from a result that was a lot less catastrophic than predicted, and a team performance that showed a lot of grit and determination, and still admit there were one or two individual performances that left a bit to be desired. Trying to claim "nobody was bad out there today" is just silly stuff, we lost the game and conceded two goals which, truth be told, could have been avoided. However it's not the end of the world and we weren't embarrassed going up against a much better team.
We can be proud whilst also acknowledging there are significant improvements to be made.
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Never like to lose, but the manner in which we played today has given me fresh hope for our chances of survival this season. I honestly expected us to be on the wrong end of a thrashing but for the sake of a shocking decision by a linesman and a wonder save from their GK, things could have been so different. Now just hope the team can take this forward and do the business. UTV.
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We performed better than most expected, let's take that into league performances and we will be fine.
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Another goal conceded from poor marking at a corner. I have no idea how many it is this season but it's getting back to the bad old ''cornalty'' days. Whatever happens, next season it has to see a change. John Terry? Not scapegoating but defensively we aren't right and that's not just down to being open because the organisation at set pieces is terrible. I'd like to see changes close season because it's just been poor too many times this year. Whether it's the manager that carries the can or we look to tinker around the edges something needs to happen.
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Today wasnt as bad as I thought it might be. No improvement in our league form though and we may well be playing that shit from the sty next year and I hoped we wouldn't be seeing those twats for many a year.
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Why do people think having John Terry on board means we'll be great at defending?
Solskjaer was a great striker, but are Man Utd burying every chance he would have? No.
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Why do people think having John Terry on board means we'll be great at defending?
Solskjaer was a great striker, but are Man Utd burying every chance he would have? No.
I assume he is there for defensive coaching purposes. The fault has to lie at someones door for being so poor. If it isn't the defensive coach for corner situations and the players purely aren't good enough then whoever bought them has to carry the can. The season is poor, bordering very poor.
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Play with that effort and application over the remaining league games and we’ll stop up.
Hope everyone had a great day.
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Why do people think having John Terry on board means we'll be great at defending?
I don't think anyone believes he'll make us great at defending but we should at least look organised.
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I'm still getting flashbacks from the game at our place against them so my expectations were low. First half I thought that we made the same mistake as that game in that we stood off them and let them play cue the inevitable deficit.
However after we pulled the goal back I felt that we tried much more to close them down and put them under pressure and they didn't look as dangerous. Sure they could have scored again but they have quality players and will create chances.
I thought our attitude and application second half in particular was excellent. Let's take that into the league campaign and who knows?
Thought the noise from our fans was great throughout.
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Very proud of the lads and the fans. I watched it on tv with a City mate and he was bricking it at the end and also acknowledged the poor decision that led to their second.
I think Targett and Guilbert were our weakest links today and both were culpable for the goals. Neither are great defenders so when they are not bombing up the line and getting crosses in they don't contribute a whole lot. I though Luiz was ok and Nakamba played well - didn't see anything wrong with his yellow-carded tackle as he had cleared the ball almost half a second before Aguero arrived, which is an age in football.
My hope is this performance translates into our Premier League form and if it does we can control our own destiny.
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Today wasnt as bad as I thought it might be. No improvement in our league form though and we may well be playing that shit from the sty next year and I hoped we wouldn't be seeing those twats for many a year.
It could be Cov as well as the filth - 2 trips to the sty
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Today wasnt as bad as I thought it might be. No improvement in our league form though and we may well be playing that shit from the sty next year and I hoped we wouldn't be seeing those twats for many a year.
It could be Cov as well as the filth - 2 trips to the sty
Thanks for cheering me up..!
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I thought we played ok. City overloaded the wide areas in the first half really well and we ask AEG and Elmo to tuck in rather than mark their wider players, thus making it look like Freddie and Targett were struggling. Just good play from City imo. Robbed for the second goal but defended it poorly. It's absolutely no good whatsoever playing like we did today if we shit it against Leicester City next week or every other game we go into. We have some talent but need the consistency to go with it. Much improved from Nakamba. Jack was kept quiet unfortunately. Not sure why we didn't go two up top for the last 15 though. We gave it a go.
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Though Luiz was his usual self, some very good stuff coupled with some sloppiness.
I'm not taking too much heart from the way we played, and how hard we worked. We've done the odd half a game like that before, but the reason why we're in the shit is because we don't do it consistently. Most games we don't look anywhere near as up for it. For example plenty of effort against Leicester in the semi, and to an extent Spurs, fuck all against Southampton and Bournemouth. Liverpool work like dogs in pretty much every game. That's why they are where they are. Unfortunately if the previous 8 months are anything to go by I doubt we'll reproduce that kind of effort in more than 30% of our remaining games. And even if we do it might not be enough to cover up the fact we can't defend.
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That John Stones tho. ;D
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Maybe not but ultimately if we can’t hope it can be replicated on a semi-consistent basis we may as well pack it in.
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That John Stones tho. ;D
Jammy w**k stain. Typically I was saying how shite he was as he thumped that header in.
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I thought we played ok. City overloaded the wide areas in the first half really well and we ask AEG and Elmo to tuck in rather than mark their wider players, thus making it look like Freddie and Targett were struggling. Just good play from City imo. Robbed for the second goal but defended it poorly. It's absolutely no good whatsoever playing like we did today if we shit it against Leicester City next week or every other game we go into. We have some talent but need the consistency to go with it. Much improved from Nakamba. Jack was kept quiet unfortunately. Not sure why we didn't go two up top for the last 15 though. We gave it a go.
I can't agree with giving it a go. People said the same about spurs. We created very little except the corner in the second half. We have them all the possession, defended poorly and gifted goals, barely won a header in midfield. Really disappointed about the performance.
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That John Stones tho. ;D
Jammy w**k stain. Typically I was saying how shite he was as he thumped that header in.
What?
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The big difference between the two sides were they retained the ball well and we tended to turn it over. Happy the players put in but Trez is a woeful player to bring on. Good that Davis came on he holds the ball well and if he stays fit will make a difference.
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I thought we played ok. City overloaded the wide areas in the first half really well and we ask AEG and Elmo to tuck in rather than mark their wider players, thus making it look like Freddie and Targett were struggling. Just good play from City imo. Robbed for the second goal but defended it poorly. It's absolutely no good whatsoever playing like we did today if we shit it against Leicester City next week or every other game we go into. We have some talent but need the consistency to go with it. Much improved from Nakamba. Jack was kept quiet unfortunately. Not sure why we didn't go two up top for the last 15 though. We gave it a go.
I can't agree with giving it a go. People said the same about spurs. We created very little except the corner in the second half. We have them all the possession, defended poorly and gifted goals, barely won a header in midfield. Really disappointed about the performance.
We were playing the team who are one of the best in the world at the moment. Horses for courses. If we were playing, say, Brighton, then yes, be disappointed, but we were playing Manchester City. Yes we were poor in places, we have been all season but for this one off game, we were better than I thought we'd be.
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Fuck me I was miles away and I could see it wasn’t a corner, it’s bad enough playing Man City at the best of times without bullshit like that as well. Add it to the list of VAR-related shite that hasn’t gone for us.
Very disappointed but I think the players gave it their best, which is all you can ask for in the circumstances. Impressed with Samatta’s header, if you give him a chance he's going to put it away. Let’s take that effort and put it into staying up
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That John Stones tho. ;D
Jammy w**k stain. Typically I was saying how shite he was as he thumped that header in.
What?
Do you need me to type in capitals love?
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Ho hum. The much better team won. Usual 20+ shots conceded, and no sign that we’re learning any lessons.
I love you despite your twatish leanings ( I really mean that as well) but bollocks to that.
Had a great day out, we didn't disgrace ourselves, but nor did we ever look remotely like we were going to get anything out of the game. Highlight of the day was hearing that Dave W had mistaken me for Lancsvillan on VT and greeted him with "hello Risso you Tory twat!" I wouldn't mind but he must weigh at least four stone more than me! 😂
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That John Stones tho. ;D
Jammy w**k stain. Typically I was saying how shite he was as he thumped that header in.
What?
Do you need me to type in capitals love?
I think he's wondering what header you are on about as Rodri scored the second.
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Well it wasn’t to be but some positives to take from the game. I thought our discipline and shape meant minimal space for them to play and meant we frustrated them for long periods. Not enough to get an attacking foothold in the game but we can build from that.
Nyland 8 couldn’t do much about the goals and other than the quality save in the 2nd half didn’t have much to do.
Guilbert 7 I thought he dealt with Sterling very well as Sterling was worse than useless, however not seen much as an attacking force.
Engels 7 very solid but lost his marker for the 2nd.
Mings 8 thought he was very good.
Targett 6 caught for the first and got caught ball watching a fair few other times
Nakamba 7 best game in a while, good commitment and energy
Luiz 7 played well I thought, a few misplaced passes but generally better.
Elmo 6 did his job very well, very disciplined and managed to get forward on occasion.
El Ghazi 6 flashes of what he can do but not enough of it again
Samatta 8 living off scraps but fantastic goal and never stopped running and pressing
Grealish 7 not Jacks day but he ran his bollocks off for the team.
Davis, Hourihane, Trez - short cameos not really enough to work with
Smith 6.5 thought he got the Samatta sub wrong but he proved what he can achieve with this squad of players
Fans 10 lovely
Overall I’m disappointed but feel satisfied we gave a good account of ourselves. Onwards....
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For the "National Stadium", that place is a disgrace. A dangerous pile of shit with fucking cretins for employees.
From Row 5 of the Upper deck, we seemed to give them a lot of space in dangerous areas. The corner was a joke, but then again, so was the pitiful defending that followed it.
I think we did as well as we could.
..and just like 2015, plenty of fans of the winning team clearly couldn't be bothered to stay and watch their side lift the trophy.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
I can't decide whether that's patronising or an accurate summation of where we are.
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A very fine balance but I think it’s realistic. Unfortunately.
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Just got back and proud of the team, never known the Villa fans so quiet at Wembley throughout a game. I was happy to see the tactical change that Dean made prior to kick off, and could have snatched a late equaliser.
Now onto the important matches to stay in this league.
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I thought our fans were great came across really loud on the tv. Citeh’s were shocking.
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Just got back and proud of the team, never known the Villa fans so quiet at Wembley throughout a game. I was happy to see the tactical change that Dean made prior to kick off, and could have snatched a late equaliser.
Now onto the important matches to stay in this league.
I wasn't there but based on the TV coverage I saw our fans were deafening.
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Just got back and proud of the team, never known the Villa fans so quiet at Wembley throughout a game. I was happy to see the tactical change that Dean made prior to kick off, and could have snatched a late equaliser.
Now onto the important matches to stay in this league.
I wasn't there but based on the TV coverage I saw our fans were deafening.
Yep. Very noisy. Wasn't sure whether City were there.
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Just got back and proud of the team, never known the Villa fans so quiet at Wembley throughout a game. I was happy to see the tactical change that Dean made prior to kick off, and could have snatched a late equaliser.
Now onto the important matches to stay in this league.
I wasn't there but based on the TV coverage I saw our fans were deafening.
Yep. Very noisy. Wasn't sure whether City were there.
At least the Man City fans weren't all at the tube station 5 minutes after the final whistle like the Arenal fans were a few years ago.
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Only read the first page of this thread so far.
Why are people down on Jack?
He obviously had serious cramp for the last 30 mins and kept stretching to try and alleviate it.
For him to keep playing as he did give him massive credit. A cramp riddled Jack is still better than most if not all of our team.
Now, just stay up, that’s all I ask.
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That John Stones tho. ;D
Jammy w**k stain. Typically I was saying how shite he was as he thumped that header in.
What?
Do you need me to type in capitals love?
John Stones never thumped a header in. So nothing in your post makes sense.
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Just got back and proud of the team, never known the Villa fans so quiet at Wembley throughout a game. I was happy to see the tactical change that Dean made prior to kick off, and could have snatched a late equaliser.
Now onto the important matches to stay in this league.
I wasn't there but based on the TV coverage I saw our fans were deafening.
Yep. Very noisy. Wasn't sure whether City were there.
Said this earlier but we were in the middle level just to the side of the so creek at the Man City end and our fans were extremely noisy all the way through. There was barely a peep from theirs other than a blue moon just before the end.
It must be great to have endless money and win all that stuff but Christ, that is a football club entirely without soul.
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Got chatting to a few City fans today, and they were all decent lads to be fair.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
I can't decide whether that's patronising or an accurate summation of where we are.
The guy who wrote it is a Villa fan, I think.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.
Everyone I've spoken to says you are.
You mean, you and your pals who agree with everything you say regardless?
Hard not to be reaffirmed in an echo chamber isn't it.
I mean people who I spoke to afterwards, who I might regularly disagree with, and whose views I respect whether they coincide with mine or not.
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Got chatting to a few City fans today, and they were all decent lads to be fair.
All the ones I know are sound. They won the lottery, anyone would have loved it if it had happened to them.
Some of them are a bit bored of it all now though and have started following various lower league teams on the side. They miss being shit.
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Got chatting to a few City fans today, and they were all decent lads to be fair.
All the ones I know are sound. They won the lottery, anyone would have loved it if it had happened to them.
Some of them are a bit bored of it all now though and have started following various lower league teams on the side. They miss being shit.
Tell them to come and support us for a bit then.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
I can't decide whether that's patronising or an accurate summation of where we are.
The guy who wrote it is a Villa fan, I think.
I think he supports Spurs.
It's a good (if sobering) piece though. On balance, I think I disagree with him in our specific case because he's discounting the importance of the wealth of our owners. That said, the general thrust is pretty spot on, given that sport ought to be able to function without recourse to billionaires.
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Got chatting to a few City fans today, and they were all decent lads to be fair.
All the ones I know are sound. They won the lottery, anyone would have loved it if it had happened to them.
Some of them are a bit bored of it all now though and have started following various lower league teams on the side. They miss being shit.
Tell them to come and support us for a bit then.
*whispers* some of them already do a bit
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Well we didn’t disgrace ourselves even if we didn’t ever look like getting a result. Pretty happy to not get thumped as I thought it was coming after the second.
We didn’t look after the ball anywhere near well enough to put them under the kind of pressure that forces chances
They were just far better than us, they were better than Real Madrid this week as well.
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Like many, I feared the worst at 2-0 down, but at least we stuck in there.
I understood the idea of defending more narrowly to prevent them playing their way through the middle. We forced them out wide, but then let them receive the diagonal ball to the wings rather too easily.
Unlucky at the end with the Engels header, but I'm not convinced we'd have gone on to win.
The Samatta sub was the most baffling; he should've tried two up top with 10 minutes left.
I thought that Luiz was neither very good nor terrible, a bit like most of the team today.
It's only any good though if we take the positives into the remaining games. There have been too many shoots of promise only to be dashed the next time out.
Apart from losing, the most dispiriting experience was at Harrow tube where a couple of Villa 40 somethings were abusing a Man City fan with her son and father just because they must have left before the presentation. Inexcusable.
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We didn't disgrace ourselves and I'm not angry with the lads today, they tried their best. Engels was a stand out for me today. Hope Jack's issues aren't serious. Let's stay up now and get to more finals in years to come. We'll have to win one again eventually.
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We didn't disgrace ourselves and I'm not angry with the lads today, they tried their best. Engels was a stand out for me today. Hope Jack's issues aren't serious. Let's stay up now and get to more finals in years to come. We'll have to win one again eventually.
Engels was very good. And we are definitely owed a trophy.
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We aren't owed anything. We haven't been good enough in any of the finals we've lost since we won a Cup. We've been second best everytime.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Good piece. I grew up with us as a major club. And, to be fair, we have been in four major finals since 2000. Still, it is sickening to see how the game has evolved since 1996 and how we have been passed out by clubs that were way below us.
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We aren't owed anything. We haven't been good enough in any of the finals we've lost since we won a Cup. We've been second best everytime.
Fuck me. I agree with you 100% (see my other post).
I'm just saying surely the stars will align if we reach another final and it will 'click' in a way it has never clicked in those other finals.
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Much better performance, and had that Engels shot gone in could have won it.
Ref was poor.
Would like to stick with Mings and Engels for the rest of the season. Need a new left back whatever division we are in next season though.
Davis was good when he came on, as was Samatta.
Play like that for the rest of the season and we might yet stay up.
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No shame in that performance today. We need to show the same levels in league games and give ourselves a chance. Huge games on the horizon, let’s hope we get to it.
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We aren't owed anything. We haven't been good enough in any of the finals we've lost since we won a Cup. We've been second best everytime.
Fuck me. I agree with you 100% (see my other post).
I'm just saying surely the stars will align if we reach another final and it will 'click' in a way it has never clicked in those other finals.
We need better players and a better manager.
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Anyone see the fighting in the lower tier at HT I think it was? Just been sent a video of it and it’s pretty sickening stuff, with a woman sent flying. Absolute scumbags giving our club a bad name. 99% of our supporters were fantastic today.
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That wasn’t bad at all. At least we turned up this time. Game kicked off 2.30am here and I said to myself I would go to bed when the third went in...guess what? Focus on staying up now.
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Dean had a pretty intense team talk on the pitch right after the game. I imagine it was along the lines of play like that every week and we will stay up. Let's hope Southampton was indeed the bottom of the barrel and everything from now until the end comes with as much energy and desire, and improved quality which will be every bit as critical.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
I can't decide whether that's patronising or an accurate summation of where we are.
The guy who wrote it is a Villa fan, I think.
I think he supports Spurs.
It's a good (if sobering) piece though. On balance, I think I disagree with him in our specific case because he's discounting the importance of the wealth of our owners. That said, the general thrust is pretty spot on, given that sport ought to be able to function without recourse to billionaires.
Agree SE. We were discussing on the way back to Birmingham the ball park figure we would need to spend to get to the point where you can bring players like De Bruyne off the bench.
As for the point about us not competing with Manchester City, how many clubs can actually compete with them? I would say only Liverpool in recent times. Arsenal can't anymore, neither can post-Ferguson Manchester United, let alone us.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.
Everyone I've spoken to says you are.
You mean, you and your pals who agree with everything you say regardless?
Hard not to be reaffirmed in an echo chamber isn't it.
That is pathetic. Grow up.
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ATAL always so very angry
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It was a good effort and we needed that extra bit of good fortune or exceptional piece of play to get level.
Mason is a shit bag of a referee and a twat.
I don’t think any one had a bad game, they were just too good at times and we had to work hard just to stay in the game.
I have heard the “ play like that every week and we will be fine “ Enough times to know it to be true and unlikely.
We can be proud of that performance and hope it is the start of our fight back.
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The Guardian has a very fair-minded report on the match which includes this sympathetic paragraph:
Villa were chasing a first major trophy since Brian Little led them to the League Cup in 1996 and how Dean Smith, the manager, and Jack Grealish, the captain – both Birmingham boys and lifelong supporters of the club – would have loved to pull it off. They gave it their all and, when it was over, those in claret and blue crumpled to the turf, their spirit finally broken. They could leave with their heads held high, courtesy of the late push, in particular, and the applause of their fans in their ears. It might serve as a consolation in the coming days before the fight for Premier League survival resumes.
And a final paragraph:
And so for Villa perhaps avoiding a trouncing is their trophy. Fighting like tigers in the second half: a trophy. Forcing City to bring on Kevin De Bruyne: a trophy. Claudio Bravo’s late save: a trophy. Never giving up and singing your team off the Wembley turf like heroes: a trophy. It may not be the sort of trophy you can plonk in a cabinet or buff up and show the grandchildren. But for now, and for the foreseeable future, it may just have to do.
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Just got back and proud of the team, never known the Villa fans so quiet at Wembley throughout a game. I was happy to see the tactical change that Dean made prior to kick off, and could have snatched a late equaliser.
Now onto the important matches to stay in this league.
I was in Club Wembley. It was closer to the city fans and all I could hear was Villa. Actually CW was supposed to be neutral (I got asked to remove my scarf) but that was all Villa too.
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I think my eyesight might be failing a bit more than I was prepared to admit. I had no idea it was Bravo in goal rather than the first choice. I was also regaling my daughter about how tactically flexible Pep was and he chose players for their abilities rather than which position the media thought best, hence De Bruyne playing left wing back. When they made their first substitution she pointed out ‘isn’t that De Bruyne Dad’
‘Um yes dear but that isn’t important’
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The Guardian has a very fair-minded report on the match which includes this sympathetic paragraph:
Villa were chasing a first major trophy since Brian Little led them to the League Cup in 1996 and how Dean Smith, the manager, and Jack Grealish, the captain – both Birmingham boys and lifelong supporters of the club – would have loved to pull it off. They gave it their all and, when it was over, those in claret and blue crumpled to the turf, their spirit finally broken. They could leave with their heads held high, courtesy of the late push, in particular, and the applause of their fans in their ears. It might serve as a consolation in the coming days before the fight for Premier League survival resumes.
And a final paragraph:
And so for Villa perhaps avoiding a trouncing is their trophy. Fighting like tigers in the second half: a trophy. Forcing City to bring on Kevin De Bruyne: a trophy. Claudio Bravo’s late save: a trophy. Never giving up and singing your team off the Wembley turf like heroes: a trophy. It may not be the sort of trophy you can plonk in a cabinet or buff up and show the grandchildren. But for now, and for the foreseeable future, it may just have to do.
I’ve just read that article, fair minded I thought, but a bit depressing.
I’m tired, hungover and still in the cold light of day and despite being out played for large parts of the match, thought city were there for the taking.
No complaints really although I also thought he should of gone two up top for the last bit of the game.
Down points, grealish was poor for his standards. Trez when he came on. That’s it for me.
Plus points, Engels and Mings, Nakamba in the second half, Samatta looks a player.
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had a great day
as others have said I wasn’t deflated coming away with the performance just that my kids still haven’t seen Villa win a major trophy
my predictions were very negative pre match but the team line up cheered me up no end
Luiz being my motm but not by a long way
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That John Stones tho. ;D
Jammy w**k stain. Typically I was saying how shite he was as he thumped that header in.
What?
Do you need me to type in capitals love?
John Stones never thumped a header in. So nothing in your post makes sense.
Yeah, well you don't have the benefit of replays when you're at the game, and it's unfair of me to give that label to Stones when it fits you far better.
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The BBC reporter called us "plucky Aston Villa." No, no, just don't.
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That John Stones tho. ;D
Jammy w**k stain. Typically I was saying how shite he was as he thumped that header in.
What?
Do you need me to type in capitals love?
John Stones never thumped a header in. So nothing in your post makes sense.
Yeah, well you don't have the benefit of replays when you're at the game, and it's unfair of me to give that label to Stones when it fits you far better.
What is this about exactly? You don't know me and we've never had an interaction before.
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Started well, got blown away by 2 avoidable goals. Recovered well with Samatta's goal and 2nd half performance. CB's were motm. Villa's support was fantastic City's was woeful!
"For the "National Stadium", that place is a disgrace. A dangerous pile of shit with fucking cretins for employees." @CT
I agree with this 100%
From escalators that don't work, to dangerous gangways at the final whistle and to cretins that can't unfold a simple banner at the start of the game. The worst of the lot however are the brain dead b-stards who work in the club wembley/bobby moore part of the ground. Thick sh-t scum is too kind an expression for them.
If that place was my home ground I would be totally embarrassed by it.
That huddle at the end by the Villa players and whatever was said within it (following our gritty performance to stay in the game) might just be the moment that bonds everyone within the club to pulling off a 17th place finish (or higher) in the league.
UTV!
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That John Stones tho. ;D
Jammy w**k stain. Typically I was saying how shite he was as he thumped that header in.
What?
Do you need me to type in capitals love?
John Stones never thumped a header in. So nothing in your post makes sense.
Yeah, well you don't have the benefit of replays when you're at the game, and it's unfair of me to give that label to Stones when it fits you far better.
What is this about exactly? You don't know me and we've never had an interaction before.
Thank fuck.
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And so for Villa perhaps avoiding a trouncing is their trophy. Fighting like tigers in the second half: a trophy. Forcing City to bring on Kevin De Bruyne: a trophy. Claudio Bravo’s late save: a trophy. Never giving up and singing your team off the Wembley turf like heroes: a trophy. It may not be the sort of trophy you can plonk in a cabinet or buff up and show the grandchildren. But for now, and for the foreseeable future, it may just have to do.
Sing along with the common people, sing along and it might just get you through.
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https://mobile.twitter.com/AVFCTransTweet/status/1234234774790852609?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email
See the episode of strictly during the final.
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I thought we showed plenty of effort even if the quality wasn't always there. I've not seen the controversial corner back since and I don't think I want to but it's typical of our luck I suppose but it should have been dealt with better. Great goal by Samatta (we may have found ourselves a gem there, top marks to the scouting). All in all, disappointed but not gutted.
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https://mobile.twitter.com/AVFCTransTweet/status/1234234774790852609?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email
See the episode of strictly during the final.
There was a fair bit of scrapping going on around by us at the final whistle, mostly pissed up kids. Also saw a few fights walking back down Wembley Way after the game.
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https://mobile.twitter.com/AVFCTransTweet/status/1234234774790852609?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email
See the episode of strictly during the final.
The least surprising news of the day. Absolute cock ends.
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I think everyone was pretty much fearing the worst when it went 2-0. And for a little while afterwards, it did look like the game might become a damage limitation exercise, but credit where it's due, we took our chance and at 2-1 we were always in it. Yes, they have a LOT of the ball - that was always going to be the case - they had more of the ball away at Real Madrid - it's what they do. BUT an awful lot of their possession was spent passing side to side thirty yards out until someone like Kyle Walker has a pop from miles out. They had over 20 shots, yes, but how many clear-cut chances? How many big saves did Nyland have to make? I think they had one more shot on target than us?
I thought the pressing from us as the game went on in the second half was mostly very good, even forcing City to put in into row Z on a few occasions - something you don't see them doing very often. That said, the pressing and big Wembley pitch meant we were absolutely knackered by 95 mins. If we'd got the equaliser, you never know, obviously, but we looked dead on our feet.
At the end of the day, the record books will record us losing another Wembley final, but if Dean can somehow get them to work like that for the next 11 games, there is room for optimism, especially with McGinn getting close to a return.
Isn't Wembley the same size as Villa Park?
Wembley is slightly wider, but only by a metre or so. However, when a side like City is constantly moving the ball from side-to-side from touchline to touchline, and your entire defensive shape is shifting left and right to follow to the ball, those extra meters soon add up. It's not a excuse, and won't have had a big impact, but it will have had 'some' impact.
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Saw five different fights, only one of them involving a City fan.
Real mixed thoughts about one of them, some absolutely bladdered fat bloke in his 60s was bumbling around our block making a right nuisance of himself, I moved him out of my seat and he went behind me, fell over the chair and onto my ten year old over making her cry. We had words and he went off and fell again, down the stairs and whacking his head. Against my judgement I went to his aid and helped him up and to summon first aid whilst a lad I didn't know who was next to me comforted my daughter, he was great with her, a real gent. Then a few minutes later he and his mates were on the verge of a punch up with the row in front of them which upset her again. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Then we scored and big love broke out with all forgotton and hugs all round.
Pissed bloke ended up asleep a few seats away, he didn't stir through the whole second half.
Takes all sorts…...
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Was thinking before we scored, that this could be another 6 goal hammering, but thankfully thanks to a much improved 2nd half that didn't happened. despite Jack not being at his best, still came inches away from taking it to extra time.
Delighted for Ally scoring on his Wembley debut, think he could be a good signing for us, if you give him the service, he knows where the net is.
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The two highlights yesterday were our goal, which was a cracker, and meeting so many of you good people.
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Saw five different fights, only one of them involving a City fan.
Real mixed thoughts about one of them, some absolutely bladdered fat bloke in his 60s was bumbling around our block making a right nuisance of himself, I moved him out of my seat and he went behind me, fell over the chair and onto my ten year old over making her cry. We had words and he went off and fell again, down the stairs and whacking his head. Against my judgement I went to his aid and helped him up and to summon first aid whilst a lad I didn't know who was next to me comforted my daughter, he was great with her, a real gent. Then a few minutes later he and his mates were on the verge of a punch up with the row in front of them which upset her again. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Then we scored and big love broke out with all forgotton and hugs all round.
Pissed bloke ended up asleep a few seats away, he didn't stir through the whole second half.
Takes all sorts…...
Block 549? Sounded like by us.
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I thought we played ok. City overloaded the wide areas in the first half really well and we ask AEG and Elmo to tuck in rather than mark their wider players, thus making it look like Freddie and Targett were struggling. Just good play from City imo. Robbed for the second goal but defended it poorly. It's absolutely no good whatsoever playing like we did today if we shit it against Leicester City next week or every other game we go into. We have some talent but need the consistency to go with it. Much improved from Nakamba. Jack was kept quiet unfortunately. Not sure why we didn't go two up top for the last 15 though. We gave it a go.
I can't agree with giving it a go. People said the same about spurs. We created very little except the corner in the second half. We have them all the possession, defended poorly and gifted goals, barely won a header in midfield. Really disappointed about the performance.
Man. City aren't really the sort of team you can really push under sustained pressure in a major final.
I can only go over their last appearences with Guardiola as manager but in the cup final last season Watford had only two shots on target and got smashed.
In last season's league cup final Chelsea had zero shots on target but defended their way to penalties. In 2018 Arsenal had two shots on target and five off.
Even when Wolves beat them earlier this season they scored from their only two shots on target and their goal didn't come until 80th minute. Same for Norwich when they beat them 3-2.
Please show me all these teams that have 5-6 shots on target and 10 corners against them, it simply dosen't happen. Even in the week Real Madrid had just 1 corner and 3 shots on target v them and they played a stronger team v us!
To beat them you have to defend very well for an hour and then they'll get frustrated and leave spaces at the back. Helps if you have lots of pace in the final third aswell.
Yesterday was similar to 2010 final with the obligatory awful ref decision. I wasn't too disappointed after that game about how we played although in hindsight it was the beginning of the end as us as a major force at the top end of the league.
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https://mobile.twitter.com/AVFCTransTweet/status/1234234774790852609?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email
I also witnessed these scenes from high up in block 547, was pointing it out to a few people in & around me who were unaware. Hard to believe this happens in a day & age where CCTV is everywhere and the images of the perpetrators are pretty clear so let's hope they are identified and given lifetime bans. I feel for the innocents who get unwittingly caught up up in any of this as it's often "pot luck" where you are seated if it kicks off. Love those on the fringes calling out the idiots and telling them to "f**k off out of our club". Let's hope the stewards who eventually intervened have made the Met aware. So much for Christian Purslow asking everyone to behave after the issues at other games, we really shouldn't need reminding but obviously a few scumbags will never learn. As has been said before I met some proper nice supporters yesterday who despite the result had a great day out and the team did us proud as did the majority of our fans. UTV
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Was thinking before we scored, that this could be another 6 goal hammering, but thankfully thanks to a much improved 2nd half that didn't happened. despite Jack not being at his best, still came inches away from taking it to extra time.
Delighted for Ally scoring on his Wembley debut, think he could be a good signing for us, if you give him the service, he knows where the net is.
Yes, one great ball in from El Ghazi and we score off it. One true bit of quality we showed in fairness. Really need to play with wingers just delivering balls into Ally as I'm sure he'll net us a fair few if the supply is right.
Had a great day regardless of the result. Was my lad's 11th birthday so took his friend and they were still all smiles even at FT.
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Was thinking before we scored, that this could be another 6 goal hammering, but thankfully thanks to a much improved 2nd half that didn't happened. despite Jack not being at his best, still came inches away from taking it to extra time.
Delighted for Ally scoring on his Wembley debut, think he could be a good signing for us, if you give him the service, he knows where the net is.
Yes, one great ball in from El Ghazi and we score off it. One true bit of quality we showed in fairness. Really need to play with wingers just delivering balls into Ally as I'm sure he'll net us a fair few if the supply is right.
Had a great day regardless of the result. Was my lad's 11th birthday so took his friend and they were still all smiles even at FT.
Great to hear that
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honestly don’t think there’s another club that has so much in fighting going on between its own fans
we weren’t near any yesterday but could see it going off behind the goal at HT
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Good piece. I grew up with us as a major club. And, to be fair, we have been in four major finals since 2000. Still, it is sickening to see how the game has evolved since 1996 and how we have been passed out by clubs that were way below us.
We simply need to sign better players. Within three years of being taken over Man. City had signed Robinho, Aguero, Yaya Toure, Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Milner, Shay Given and many more that I've forgotten.
Some were flops but one is still there scoring in cup finals and generally those signings made worldwide headlines and Man. City a very attractive team to sign for.
When you look at our 11 yesterday who had experienced of winning a major cup final? Can only think of Reina who didn't play.
It's disappointing when I see Purslow admitting even this summer we couldn't spend to sign players on the wages of what Brighton are signing. That's a team who could get relegated with us.
Different times but in the 90s our team was stacked with top international players like Bozzy, Townsend, Southgate, Savo, Yorke etc. Even more in the 94 class and again the team that made the 2000 final was also of that ilk, the tactics were just too negative on the day as we know.
Hopefully we'll learn our lesson. Next time we spend 100m + get in two-three major players for about 70m to get people to sit up and take notice and then you plug the gap with experienced frees and loans to beef up the squad.
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But it is possible to put together a very competitive squad with less than the money we spent. Some of these lads we have signed with a few seasoned tough premier league professionals would’ve seen us comfortably mid table in my view. Cahill instead of Konsa for example.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Good piece. I grew up with us as a major club. And, to be fair, we have been in four major finals since 2000. Still, it is sickening to see how the game has evolved since 1996 and how we have been passed out by clubs that were way below us.
We simply need to sign better players. Within three years of being taken over Man. City had signed Robinho, Aguero, Yaya Toure, Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Milner, Shay Given and many more that I've forgotten.
Some were flops but one is still there scoring in cup finals and generally those signings made worldwide headlines and Man. City a very attractive team to sign for.
When you look at our 11 yesterday who had experienced of winning a major cup final? Can only think of Reina who didn't play.
It's disappointing when I see Purslow admitting even this summer we couldn't spend to sign players on the wages of what Brighton are signing. That's a team who could get relegated with us.
Different times but in the 90s our team was stacked with top international players like Bozzy, Townsend, Southgate, Savo, Yorke etc. Even more in the 94 class and again the team that made the 2000 final was also of that ilk, the tactics were just too negative on the day as we know.
Hopefully we'll learn our lesson. Next time we spend 100m + get in two-three major players for about 70m to get people to sit up and take notice and then you plug the gap with experienced frees and loans to beef up the squad.
Yes, but Man Citeh spent ridiculous amounts of money in the early days without the restrictions of FFP. We could've done the same, but we're hampered by FFP; ironically created first by Chelsea and then Citeh. Pity our owners didn’t takeover in 2010....
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Very well written piece that, bleak but well written all the same.
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But it is possible to put together a very competitive squad with less than the money we spent. Some of these lads we have signed with a few seasoned tough premier league professionals would’ve seen us comfortably mid table in my view. Cahill instead of Konsa for example.
I was calling for Gary Cahill for most of last summer in fairness. Agree with your point and only have to look 15 miles west to see how well a team can do when they sign players with 100 + caps for Portugal and many seasons as a regular in CL.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Good piece. I grew up with us as a major club. And, to be fair, we have been in four major finals since 2000. Still, it is sickening to see how the game has evolved since 1996 and how we have been passed out by clubs that were way below us.
We simply need to sign better players. Within three years of being taken over Man. City had signed Robinho, Aguero, Yaya Toure, Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Milner, Shay Given and many more that I've forgotten.
Some were flops but one is still there scoring in cup finals and generally those signings made worldwide headlines and Man. City a very attractive team to sign for.
When you look at our 11 yesterday who had experienced of winning a major cup final? Can only think of Reina who didn't play.
It's disappointing when I see Purslow admitting even this summer we couldn't spend to sign players on the wages of what Brighton are signing. That's a team who could get relegated with us.
Different times but in the 90s our team was stacked with top international players like Bozzy, Townsend, Southgate, Savo, Yorke etc. Even more in the 94 class and again the team that made the 2000 final was also of that ilk, the tactics were just too negative on the day as we know.
Hopefully we'll learn our lesson. Next time we spend 100m + get in two-three major players for about 70m to get people to sit up and take notice and then you plug the gap with experienced frees and loans to beef up the squad.
Yes, but Man Citeh spent ridiculous amounts of money in the early days without the restrictions of FFP. We could've done the same, but we're hampered by FFP; ironically created first by Chelsea and then Citeh. Pity our owners didn’t takeover in 2010....
We spent ridiculous amounts under Lerner. We had a pretty good team in fairness, certainly far more experience and quality than we do now but it still wasn't quite good enough for what we wanted then due to the then manager's refusal to sign foreign players.
We spent loads in 2015 although that was the most difficult task given how we lost that summer and the general mess of the club.
We spent huge amounts in the championship yet still had very few players capable of the step up when we eventually got promoted.
One day it will all come together. Joined up thinking between manager, DOF and owners on short term and long term thinking regarding squad building and we'll have good seasons and hopefully win something. Will be all the more sweeter given the last decade.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Good piece. I grew up with us as a major club. And, to be fair, we have been in four major finals since 2000. Still, it is sickening to see how the game has evolved since 1996 and how we have been passed out by clubs that were way below us.
We simply need to sign better players. Within three years of being taken over Man. City had signed Robinho, Aguero, Yaya Toure, Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Milner, Shay Given and many more that I've forgotten.
Some were flops but one is still there scoring in cup finals and generally those signings made worldwide headlines and Man. City a very attractive team to sign for.
When you look at our 11 yesterday who had experienced of winning a major cup final? Can only think of Reina who didn't play.
It's disappointing when I see Purslow admitting even this summer we couldn't spend to sign players on the wages of what Brighton are signing. That's a team who could get relegated with us.
Different times but in the 90s our team was stacked with top international players like Bozzy, Townsend, Southgate, Savo, Yorke etc. Even more in the 94 class and again the team that made the 2000 final was also of that ilk, the tactics were just too negative on the day as we know.
Hopefully we'll learn our lesson. Next time we spend 100m + get in two-three major players for about 70m to get people to sit up and take notice and then you plug the gap with experienced frees and loans to beef up the squad.
The game has moved on. Harry Maguire now costs 80m, Wan-Bissaka 50m.
Man City got Aguero and Robinho for 30m each as I remember, Milner cost 20m?
These days, there is no earthly way we would get two or three of the kind of players you are talking about for 70m. Which is I suspect why Purslow et al decided to go down the route of growing our own as Leicester did with Kante, Mahrez, Maddison, Maguire and so on.
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These days, there is no earthly way we would get two or three of the kind of players you are talking about for 70m. Which is I suspect why Purslow et al decided to go down the route of growing our own as Leicester did with Kante, Mahrez, Maddison, Maguire and so on.
In what way did Leicester "grow their own" with those players? Maddison cost £20m+, Maguire the best part of £20m.
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These days, there is no earthly way we would get two or three of the kind of players you are talking about for 70m. Which is I suspect why Purslow et al decided to go down the route of growing our own as Leicester did with Kante, Mahrez, Maddison, Maguire and so on.
In what way did Leicester "grow their own" with those players? Maddison cost £20m+, Maguire the best part of £20m.
In the way that they spent a certain sum i.e. 10-20m on players they thought they could improve to be stars and worth megabucks. Kante for 6m, Mahrez for less than half a million... you seem to have missed those out.
Perhaps it would have been better expressed as grew their own superstars from players they thought had potential.
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Unearthing gems may have been a better phrase, but he’s overall point is a good one.
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Walking back to station, Villa singing 'Champions of Europe, you'll never sing that'
Man City fan sparks up 'Champions of England, you'll never sing that'
I turned and asked him if he was sure?
I actually think he was serious as he kept singing it! Not the sharpest tool
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Walking back to station, Villa singing 'Champions of Europe, you'll never sing that'
Man City fan sparks up 'Champions of England, you'll never sing that'
I turned and asked him if he was sure?
I actually think he was serious as he kept singing it! Not the sharpest tool
From my own experiences yesterday after the match, and at the various service stations we stopped at, I don’t think I have ever come across such a group of arrogant, ignorant, ungracious bunch as them.
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Harry Maguire being valued at £80m says more about Manchester United than Leicester or the individual player IMO.
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Walking back to station, Villa singing 'Champions of Europe, you'll never sing that'
Man City fan sparks up 'Champions of England, you'll never sing that'
I turned and asked him if he was sure?
I actually think he was serious as he kept singing it! Not the sharpest tool
One of them accused us of living in the past, to which the obvious response was that at least we had a past to live in.
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Walking back to station, Villa singing 'Champions of Europe, you'll never sing that'
Man City fan sparks up 'Champions of England, you'll never sing that'
I turned and asked him if he was sure?
I actually think he was serious as he kept singing it! Not the sharpest tool
I was walking up Wembley Way yesterday with my son and Pat McMahon when a Man City fan thought he was being helpful/clever/funny by telling me which way the stadium was. I thanked him and told him it was my 11th visit with Villa.
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On the bus from Uxbridge, a kid asked his dad if this was Villa's first ever visit to Wembley.
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Just an observation whilst watching the game...I’m pretty sure it wasn’t just because they were wearing black shirts but they always seemed to have more players on the pitch particularly when we were in their half. When we dropped off, our defence and midfield were pretty static even though they were in formation which basically invited Man City to play it around and wait for the gaps. When we were attacking, Man City were quick to close us down to regain possession. It was only when we started to press and get into them at times in the second half that we posed any real threat...if we’d done more of that in both halves then the result may have been very different (we could have won...or lost by more).
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I could watch this tackle all day long, a thing of beauty.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1234178192522518530/pu/vid/720x1280/Y5_Go7HMydRjuKjW.mp4?tag=10
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Just an observation whilst watching the game...I’m pretty sure it wasn’t just because they were wearing black shirts but they always seemed to have more players on the pitch particularly when we were in their half. When we dropped off, our defence and midfield were pretty static even though they were in formation which basically invited Man City to play it around and wait for the gaps. When we were attacking, Man City were quick to close us down to regain possession. It was only when we started to press and get into them at times in the second half that we posed any real threat...if we’d done more of that in both halves then the result may have been very different (we could have won...or lost by more).
I think it'd have gone the other way, if we'd pressed that hard from the start we'd have taken a battering because their game is based around bringing defenders onto them and then exploiting the space. Holding our ground and not letting them find the gaps was the right idea, but we also needed to deal with Foden and sterling staying wide, it was that failure that led to both of their goals (albeit indirectly for the 2nd, it was an overlap with Jack chasing back that led to the 'corner').
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I could watch this tackle all day long, a thing of beauty.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1234178192522518530/pu/vid/720x1280/Y5_Go7HMydRjuKjW.mp4?tag=10
Won the ball fair and square.
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I could watch this tackle all day long, a thing of beauty.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1234178192522518530/pu/vid/720x1280/Y5_Go7HMydRjuKjW.mp4?tag=10
Won the ball fair and square.
And just because he manages a triple toe loop, pirouette dismount, the referee (from Manchester) decides it's a bit naughty.
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I could watch this tackle all day long, a thing of beauty.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1234178192522518530/pu/vid/720x1280/Y5_Go7HMydRjuKjW.mp4?tag=10
Won the ball fair and square.
I could watch this tackle all day long, a thing of beauty.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1234178192522518530/pu/vid/720x1280/Y5_Go7HMydRjuKjW.mp4?tag=10
Got the ball, studs weren't up. It was firm but fair. 20 years ago that would have been standard. The game's boring now, and fancy Dan's need a good bell ringing every now and again.
That said, if those tackles do come back, Jacky boy's gonna be in for it...
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Why did we switch off for that corner. Again far too much respect for the mancs until it was too late But overall quite proud
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Just an observation whilst watching the game...I’m pretty sure it wasn’t just because they were wearing black shirts but they always seemed to have more players on the pitch particularly when we were in their half. When we dropped off, our defence and midfield were pretty static even though they were in formation which basically invited Man City to play it around and wait for the gaps. When we were attacking, Man City were quick to close us down to regain possession. It was only when we started to press and get into them at times in the second half that we posed any real threat...if we’d done more of that in both halves then the result may have been very different (we could have won...or lost by more).
They did have more players than us. Three more.
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By way of contrast, I thought it was shocker and he was fortunate not to get a red. Let's face it, if Jack had been on the receiving end of one like that there'd be outrage, and rightly so.
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By way of contrast, I thought it was shocker and he was fortunate not to get a red. Let's face it, if Jack had been on the receiving end of one like that there'd be outrage, and rightly so.
I thought it looked a good challenge at the time, but when I saw the ref gave a foul and wen't for his pocket, I feared the worst.
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By way of contrast, I thought it was shocker and he was fortunate not to get a red. Let's face it, if Jack had been on the receiving end of one like that there'd be outrage, and rightly so.
A shocker? Come on seriously?
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I thought a yellow was fair, clearly won the ball but his follow through took him into Aguero. The mitigation is that the contact is Nakamba's shin/knee going into aguero as he pulled his feet away after getting the ball.
Put another way, that's a far less dangerous tackle than the Mee one that broke Wesley and wasn't even given as a free kick.
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By way of contrast, I thought it was shocker and he was fortunate not to get a red. Let's face it, if Jack had been on the receiving end of one like that there'd be outrage, and rightly so.
A shocker? Come on seriously?
No, I really did. It was a two footed jump, studs showing (I have to disagree with supertom on that). Getting the ball is irrelevant under the current laws, as I understand it. I thought it was dangerous, that's all.
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By way of contrast, I thought it was shocker and he was fortunate not to get a red. Let's face it, if Jack had been on the receiving end of one like that there'd be outrage, and rightly so.
A shocker? Come on seriously?
No, I really did. It was a two footed jump, studs showing (I have to disagree with supertom on that). Getting the ball is irrelevant under the current laws, as I understand it. I thought it was dangerous, that's all.
Watch it again from the angle behind aguero (if you can find it), by the time they connect it's not studs showing, it's shin on shin more than anything, it was still reckless and a yellow card but not dangerous, in my opinion.
Getting the ball should always have been irrelevant but it isn't, you see that version of the rule applied all the time for tackles that would be bookings otherwise.
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The only thing wrong with that tackle IMO is that it was two-footed.
His technique is great otherwise - his studs aren't showing at all, he's not come in high, in fact he's grounded himself brilliantly.
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Ah well it's all about opinions.
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I could watch this tackle all day long, a thing of beauty.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1234178192522518530/pu/vid/720x1280/Y5_Go7HMydRjuKjW.mp4?tag=10
Won the ball fair and square.
I could watch this tackle all day long, a thing of beauty.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1234178192522518530/pu/vid/720x1280/Y5_Go7HMydRjuKjW.mp4?tag=10
Got the ball, studs weren't up. It was firm but fair. 20 years ago that would have been standard. The game's boring now, and fancy Dan's need a good bell ringing every now and again.
That said, if those tackles do come back, Jacky boy's gonna be in for it...
There was an amusing incident that shows what the game has come to when Elmo "bought" a free kick from Zinchenko in the first half. I was laughing that the ref gave it but then I saw the slo-mo replay and it's even more ridiculous. You can clearly see Elmo, apparently looking at the oncoming ball, but really looking out the side of his eyes at Zinchenko, just waiting for a touch. As Zinchenlo approaches Elmo sticks his arse out, gets the merest touch and goes down like a sniper victim. I think that's what they call "experience" these days.
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I think it'd have gone the other way, if we'd pressed that hard from the start we'd have taken a battering because their game is based around bringing defenders onto them and then exploiting the space. Holding our ground and not letting them find the gaps was the right idea, but we also needed to deal with Foden and sterling staying wide, it was that failure that led to both of their goals (albeit indirectly for the 2nd, it was an overlap with Jack chasing back that led to the 'corner').
[/quote]
It is something that I have noticed nearly all the time, the full backs tuck in alongside the centre backs leaving acres of space out wide. This allows good teams to keep men out wide and then have plenty of time to get crosses in. With the quality that these teams possess it is a dangerous tactic IMO as the delivery is usually spot on and causes mega problems in the centre of the goal area.
The other tactic that the commentators picked up on was Mings standing like a telegraph pole in centre of the 6 yard box for corners, not marking anyone nor making any attempt to meet the incoming corner. As one of our best headers/defenders it seemed a completely illogical tactic.
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I think it'd have gone the other way, if we'd pressed that hard from the start we'd have taken a battering because their game is based around bringing defenders onto them and then exploiting the space. Holding our ground and not letting them find the gaps was the right idea, but we also needed to deal with Foden and sterling staying wide, it was that failure that led to both of their goals (albeit indirectly for the 2nd, it was an overlap with Jack chasing back that led to the 'corner').
It is something that I have noticed nearly all the time, the full backs tuck in alongside the centre backs leaving acres of space out wide. This allows good teams to keep men out wide and then have plenty of time to get crosses in. With the quality that these teams possess it is a dangerous tactic IMO as the delivery is usually spot on and causes mega problems in the centre of the goal area.
The other tactic that the commentators picked up on was Mings standing like a telegraph pole in centre of the 6 yard box for corners, not marking anyone nor making any attempt to meet the incoming corner. As one of our best headers/defenders it seemed a completely illogical tactic.
[/quote]
But if we had asked our full backs to play wider I feel sure City would have found it easier to by pass the centre backs. It’s so difficult trying to stop them. I thought some of their passing and ball control was outstanding, definitely a level above nearly every other team in Europe.
I can see them winning the Champions League this year (unless Stones plays).
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The only thing wrong with that tackle IMO is that it was two-footed.
His technique is great otherwise - his studs aren't showing at all, he's not come in high, in fact he's grounded himself brilliantly.
I actually think that was a great tackle.
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I fucking hate the trainer shoes they chose for the suits. That is all.
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The only thing wrong with that tackle IMO is that it was two-footed.
His technique is great otherwise - his studs aren't showing at all, he's not come in high, in fact he's grounded himself brilliantly.
I actually think that was a great tackle.
yep, It was a brilliant tackle.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Good piece. I grew up with us as a major club. And, to be fair, we have been in four major finals since 2000. Still, it is sickening to see how the game has evolved since 1996 and how we have been passed out by clubs that were way below us.
We simply need to sign better players. Within three years of being taken over Man. City had signed Robinho, Aguero, Yaya Toure, Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Milner, Shay Given and many more that I've forgotten.
Some were flops but one is still there scoring in cup finals and generally those signings made worldwide headlines and Man. City a very attractive team to sign for.
When you look at our 11 yesterday who had experienced of winning a major cup final? Can only think of Reina who didn't play.
It's disappointing when I see Purslow admitting even this summer we couldn't spend to sign players on the wages of what Brighton are signing. That's a team who could get relegated with us.
Different times but in the 90s our team was stacked with top international players like Bozzy, Townsend, Southgate, Savo, Yorke etc. Even more in the 94 class and again the team that made the 2000 final was also of that ilk, the tactics were just too negative on the day as we know.
Hopefully we'll learn our lesson. Next time we spend 100m + get in two-three major players for about 70m to get people to sit up and take notice and then you plug the gap with experienced frees and loans to beef up the squad.
Yes, but Man Citeh spent ridiculous amounts of money in the early days without the restrictions of FFP. We could've done the same, but we're hampered by FFP; ironically created first by Chelsea and then Citeh. Pity our owners didn’t takeover in 2010....
The pity was we had a muppet in MON who when we were spending loads wasted it on bog average players mainly as the idea of buying from outside the UK ( Bar Guzan and Salifou) an completely alien concept.Which he doubled up on by then giving them extortionate wages that left us hamstrung for years....
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I think it'd have gone the other way, if we'd pressed that hard from the start we'd have taken a battering because their game is based around bringing defenders onto them and then exploiting the space. Holding our ground and not letting them find the gaps was the right idea, but we also needed to deal with Foden and sterling staying wide, it was that failure that led to both of their goals (albeit indirectly for the 2nd, it was an overlap with Jack chasing back that led to the 'corner').
It is something that I have noticed nearly all the time, the full backs tuck in alongside the centre backs leaving acres of space out wide. This allows good teams to keep men out wide and then have plenty of time to get crosses in. With the quality that these teams possess it is a dangerous tactic IMO as the delivery is usually spot on and causes mega problems in the centre of the goal area.
The other tactic that the commentators picked up on was Mings standing like a telegraph pole in centre of the 6 yard box for corners, not marking anyone nor making any attempt to meet the incoming corner. As one of our best headers/defenders it seemed a completely illogical tactic.
But if we had asked our full backs to play wider I feel sure City would have found it easier to by pass the centre backs. It’s so difficult trying to stop them. I thought some of their passing and ball control was outstanding, definitely a level above nearly every other team in Europe.
I can see them winning the Champions League this year (unless Stones plays).
[/quote]
Been thinking today if there was anything we could have done differently in terms of tactics. I've seen a number of teams do it to us this season, where they know our lone front man is pretty isolated, so can go to just 2 at the back.
From the top tier yesterday, it looked like Manchester City were almost in a 2-5-3 formation when they had the ball. Their quality and comfort in possession means the three in midfield can rotate freely as they know they aren't going to lose the ball too often.
The one change I would have made yesterday would have been to go to a 3-5-2 when Davis came on in the latter stages and at least given them something to think about with two up top.
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I fucking hate the trainer shoes they chose for the suits. That is all.
I'm not arsed about the trainer-come-shoes. The absolute faux pas is this new fangled 'fashion' of blokes wearing no socks with shoes. They should be immediately castrated.
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It was all my fault we lost. The first pint I ordered was a Blue Moon, and then I realised what I’d done.
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I fucking hate the trainer shoes they chose for the suits. That is all.
I'm not arsed about the trainer-come-shoes. The absolute faux pas is this new fangled 'fashion' of blokes wearing no socks with shoes. They should be immediately castrated.
maybe they were wearing those tiny teeny little ankle socks that you can’t see
they are all the rage apparently
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
Or equally right just like anyone else on this forum.
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Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.
Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.
Douglas was great? He was awful mate.
Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.
And you'd be wrong.
Or equally right just like anyone else on this forum.
No. I am right. That's the law.
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It was all my fault we lost. The first pint I ordered was a Blue Moon, and then I realised what I’d done.
So at least have the decency of apologising to this forum, William and Tom Hanks and visit McGregor statue and rub your nose on his feet😡
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No. I am right. That's the law.
Yes I wasn’t including you and big Daz in the general forum plebs.
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It was so good of Wembley to close off two major exits via the stairs in the upper levels yesterday.
Everyone was then shoehorned into one exit. Some of the staff thought it was pretty funny. Not even remotely prepared for a major final
Almost as good as on the way up where the employees couldn't get people moved at the top and there was no way off a moving escalator.
I'll be glad never to go back, detest the place.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Good piece. I grew up with us as a major club. And, to be fair, we have been in four major finals since 2000. Still, it is sickening to see how the game has evolved since 1996 and how we have been passed out by clubs that were way below us.
We simply need to sign better players. Within three years of being taken over Man. City had signed Robinho, Aguero, Yaya Toure, Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Milner, Shay Given and many more that I've forgotten.
Some were flops but one is still there scoring in cup finals and generally those signings made worldwide headlines and Man. City a very attractive team to sign for.
When you look at our 11 yesterday who had experienced of winning a major cup final? Can only think of Reina who didn't play.
It's disappointing when I see Purslow admitting even this summer we couldn't spend to sign players on the wages of what Brighton are signing. That's a team who could get relegated with us.
Different times but in the 90s our team was stacked with top international players like Bozzy, Townsend, Southgate, Savo, Yorke etc. Even more in the 94 class and again the team that made the 2000 final was also of that ilk, the tactics were just too negative on the day as we know.
Hopefully we'll learn our lesson. Next time we spend 100m + get in two-three major players for about 70m to get people to sit up and take notice and then you plug the gap with experienced frees and loans to beef up the squad.
The game has moved on. Harry Maguire now costs 80m, Wan-Bissaka 50m.
Man City got Aguero and Robinho for 30m each as I remember, Milner cost 20m?
These days, there is no earthly way we would get two or three of the kind of players you are talking about for 70m. Which is I suspect why Purslow et al decided to go down the route of growing our own as Leicester did with Kante, Mahrez, Maddison, Maguire and so on.
Johnny Evans cost them about 7m I believe with his release clause after Smethwick's relegation. An experienced head it, kick it away CB who's been superb this season. We could do with one of those.
Piatek only cost Hertha Berlin a few more million than what we signed Wesley for. Scored for them in their last game. In fairness us signing Samatta looks a bargain so that's one I won't be querying.
Wolves signed Joao Moutinho for 5m......Indeed him, Neves and Diogo Jota cost them around 40m in total.
Plenty of good experienced players available in europe for decent fees.
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By way of contrast, I thought it was shocker and he was fortunate not to get a red. Let's face it, if Jack had been on the receiving end of one like that there'd be outrage, and rightly so.
Must admit I was expecting a red aswell. I agree it's something even 15 years ago wouldn't have even been a foul but in the modern game you see loads of those challenges getting a red.
Thought Marvelous did alright yesterday. Trouble is are we going to get similar from him and Luiz v Leicester and Chelsea or will it be Sunday league standard?
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Good piece. I grew up with us as a major club. And, to be fair, we have been in four major finals since 2000. Still, it is sickening to see how the game has evolved since 1996 and how we have been passed out by clubs that were way below us.
We simply need to sign better players. Within three years of being taken over Man. City had signed Robinho, Aguero, Yaya Toure, Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Milner, Shay Given and many more that I've forgotten.
Some were flops but one is still there scoring in cup finals and generally those signings made worldwide headlines and Man. City a very attractive team to sign for.
When you look at our 11 yesterday who had experienced of winning a major cup final? Can only think of Reina who didn't play.
It's disappointing when I see Purslow admitting even this summer we couldn't spend to sign players on the wages of what Brighton are signing. That's a team who could get relegated with us.
Different times but in the 90s our team was stacked with top international players like Bozzy, Townsend, Southgate, Savo, Yorke etc. Even more in the 94 class and again the team that made the 2000 final was also of that ilk, the tactics were just too negative on the day as we know.
Hopefully we'll learn our lesson. Next time we spend 100m + get in two-three major players for about 70m to get people to sit up and take notice and then you plug the gap with experienced frees and loans to beef up the squad.
The game has moved on. Harry Maguire now costs 80m, Wan-Bissaka 50m.
Man City got Aguero and Robinho for 30m each as I remember, Milner cost 20m?
These days, there is no earthly way we would get two or three of the kind of players you are talking about for 70m. Which is I suspect why Purslow et al decided to go down the route of growing our own as Leicester did with Kante, Mahrez, Maddison, Maguire and so on.
Johnny Evans cost them about 7m I believe with his release clause after Smethwick's relegation. An experienced head it, kick it away CB who's been superb this season. We could do with one of those.
Piatek only cost Hertha Berlin a few more million than what we signed Wesley for. Scored for them in their last game. In fairness us signing Samatta looks a bargain so that's one I won't be querying.
Wolves signed Joao Moutinho for 5m......Indeed him, Neves and Diogo Jota cost them around 40m in total.
Plenty of good experienced players available in europe for decent fees.
In your original post, you were talking about players who made 'worldwide headlines' and two or three 'major players'. Are you suggesting Jonny Evans falls into those categories? If we've now changed to experienced Premier League players, then yes, of course they are available for cheaper prices. As for Wolves, we all know why those players went there.
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Walking back to station, Villa singing 'Champions of Europe, you'll never sing that'
Man City fan sparks up 'Champions of England, you'll never sing that'
I turned and asked him if he was sure?
I actually think he was serious as he kept singing it! Not the sharpest tool
From my own experiences yesterday after the match, and at the various service stations we stopped at, I don’t think I have ever come across such a group of arrogant, ignorant, ungracious bunch as them.
There were quite a few of them stopping at the Kenton Rd Premier Inn where we stopped. To be fair they kept to themselves and were pretty quiet.
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Walking back to station, Villa singing 'Champions of Europe, you'll never sing that'
Man City fan sparks up 'Champions of England, you'll never sing that'
I turned and asked him if he was sure?
I actually think he was serious as he kept singing it! Not the sharpest tool
I was walking up Wembley Way yesterday with my son and Pat McMahon when a Man City fan thought he was being helpful/clever/funny by telling me which way the stadium was. I thanked him and told him it was my 11th visit with Villa.
Ha Ha, nice one
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The only thing wrong with that tackle IMO is that it was two-footed.
His technique is great otherwise - his studs aren't showing at all, he's not come in high, in fact he's grounded himself brilliantly.
I actually think that was a great tackle.
No reaction at all from Guardiola on the touchline at the time. Hard tackle yes, but not one uncommon twenty odd years ago.
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By way of contrast, I thought it was shocker and he was fortunate not to get a red. Let's face it, if Jack had been on the receiving end of one like that there'd be outrage, and rightly so.
Its one of those if Aguero had won it it would have been a foul the other way. For me the ref booked him on the reaction of Aguero who was soon up once he'd won the card.
A shocker? Come on seriously?
No, I really did. It was a two footed jump, studs showing (I have to disagree with supertom on that). Getting the ball is irrelevant under the current laws, as I understand it. I thought it was dangerous, that's all.
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My view of the tackle was from behind Nakamba. I couldn't believe he got booked. When I saw the card come out I thought it was for Aguero for rolling about pretending to be hurt. ******!
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Good piece. I grew up with us as a major club. And, to be fair, we have been in four major finals since 2000. Still, it is sickening to see how the game has evolved since 1996 and how we have been passed out by clubs that were way below us.
We simply need to sign better players. Within three years of being taken over Man. City had signed Robinho, Aguero, Yaya Toure, Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Milner, Shay Given and many more that I've forgotten.
Some were flops but one is still there scoring in cup finals and generally those signings made worldwide headlines and Man. City a very attractive team to sign for.
When you look at our 11 yesterday who had experienced of winning a major cup final? Can only think of Reina who didn't play.
It's disappointing when I see Purslow admitting even this summer we couldn't spend to sign players on the wages of what Brighton are signing. That's a team who could get relegated with us.
Different times but in the 90s our team was stacked with top international players like Bozzy, Townsend, Southgate, Savo, Yorke etc. Even more in the 94 class and again the team that made the 2000 final was also of that ilk, the tactics were just too negative on the day as we know.
Hopefully we'll learn our lesson. Next time we spend 100m + get in two-three major players for about 70m to get people to sit up and take notice and then you plug the gap with experienced frees and loans to beef up the squad.
The game has moved on. Harry Maguire now costs 80m, Wan-Bissaka 50m.
Man City got Aguero and Robinho for 30m each as I remember, Milner cost 20m?
These days, there is no earthly way we would get two or three of the kind of players you are talking about for 70m. Which is I suspect why Purslow et al decided to go down the route of growing our own as Leicester did with Kante, Mahrez, Maddison, Maguire and so on.
Johnny Evans cost them about 7m I believe with his release clause after Smethwick's relegation. An experienced head it, kick it away CB who's been superb this season. We could do with one of those.
Piatek only cost Hertha Berlin a few more million than what we signed Wesley for. Scored for them in their last game. In fairness us signing Samatta looks a bargain so that's one I won't be querying.
Wolves signed Joao Moutinho for 5m......Indeed him, Neves and Diogo Jota cost them around 40m in total.
Plenty of good experienced players available in europe for decent fees.
In your original post, you were talking about players who made 'worldwide headlines' and two or three 'major players'. Are you suggesting Jonny Evans falls into those categories? If we've now changed to experienced Premier League players, then yes, of course they are available for cheaper prices. As for Wolves, we all know why those players went there.
Yeah Joao Moutinho is proven worldwide player given he's got over 100 caps for Portugal, euro 2016 winner and played many years in CL for Porto and Monaco. I accept Wolves have slightly cheating transfer strategy but doubt their fans care and in any case everyone thought they'd just move those players on quickly to make a profit but they're all still there 3 seasons on.
Evans falls into the bracket of proven premier league player like Gary Cahill. Giroud would be another. Think the inexperience of the 11s put out this season shows we really need a couple more in the summer particularly at the back when Mings is out or even alongside him.
Given he's 31 there's no way with our current transfer strategy we'd sign him and to me that mindset is a mistake and hopefully we'll re-adjust in the summer when we stay up.
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Good write up here.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/mar/01/aston-villa-take-seat-at-top-table-but-leave-with-worry-theyll-never-belong
Good piece. I grew up with us as a major club. And, to be fair, we have been in four major finals since 2000. Still, it is sickening to see how the game has evolved since 1996 and how we have been passed out by clubs that were way below us.
We simply need to sign better players. Within three years of being taken over Man. City had signed Robinho, Aguero, Yaya Toure, Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Milner, Shay Given and many more that I've forgotten.
Some were flops but one is still there scoring in cup finals and generally those signings made worldwide headlines and Man. City a very attractive team to sign for.
When you look at our 11 yesterday who had experienced of winning a major cup final? Can only think of Reina who didn't play.
It's disappointing when I see Purslow admitting even this summer we couldn't spend to sign players on the wages of what Brighton are signing. That's a team who could get relegated with us.
Different times but in the 90s our team was stacked with top international players like Bozzy, Townsend, Southgate, Savo, Yorke etc. Even more in the 94 class and again the team that made the 2000 final was also of that ilk, the tactics were just too negative on the day as we know.
Hopefully we'll learn our lesson. Next time we spend 100m + get in two-three major players for about 70m to get people to sit up and take notice and then you plug the gap with experienced frees and loans to beef up the squad.
The game has moved on. Harry Maguire now costs 80m, Wan-Bissaka 50m.
Man City got Aguero and Robinho for 30m each as I remember, Milner cost 20m?
These days, there is no earthly way we would get two or three of the kind of players you are talking about for 70m. Which is I suspect why Purslow et al decided to go down the route of growing our own as Leicester did with Kante, Mahrez, Maddison, Maguire and so on.
Johnny Evans cost them about 7m I believe with his release clause after Smethwick's relegation. An experienced head it, kick it away CB who's been superb this season. We could do with one of those.
Piatek only cost Hertha Berlin a few more million than what we signed Wesley for. Scored for them in their last game. In fairness us signing Samatta looks a bargain so that's one I won't be querying.
Wolves signed Joao Moutinho for 5m......Indeed him, Neves and Diogo Jota cost them around 40m in total.
Plenty of good experienced players available in europe for decent fees.
In your original post, you were talking about players who made 'worldwide headlines' and two or three 'major players'. Are you suggesting Jonny Evans falls into those categories? If we've now changed to experienced Premier League players, then yes, of course they are available for cheaper prices. As for Wolves, we all know why those players went there.
Yeah Joao Moutinho is proven worldwide player given he's got over 100 caps for Portugal, euro 2016 winner and played many years in CL for Porto and Monaco. I accept Wolves have slightly cheating transfer strategy but doubt their fans care and in any case everyone thought they'd just move those players on quickly to make a profit but they're all still there 3 seasons on.
Evans falls into the bracket of proven premier league player like Gary Cahill. Giroud would be another. Think the inexperience of the 11s put out this season shows we really need a couple more in the summer particularly at the back when Mings is out or even alongside him.
Given he's 31 there's no way with our current transfer strategy we'd sign him and to me that mindset is a mistake and hopefully we'll re-adjust in the summer when we stay up.
I think we're at slightly cross-purposes here. I don't disagree that one or two experienced players would be good signings at the right price (Moutinho being a good example).
My point is simply that if you compare signings of the quality Man City brought in to achieve the signings - you talked about Aguero, Robinho, Tevez and Toure - you are not getting three of those for 70m nowadays. Nobody you have mentioned even comes close to that level of signing - top players in their mid-twenties, at the height of their career.
Even Neves and Jota who you rightly mention as very good signings, were more the 'Leicester type of signings' mentioned earlier - 21/22 year olds with promise bought for £12-20m, who are now worth double that at a minimum.
Basically, there are three types of signings in your post - the statement/worldwide headline signings they made of Aguero from Athletico or Toure from Barca etc, the young players from around Europe with potential (which is what I think we've tried to do, with less success than Wolves or Leicester so far), and the older experienced heads (Moutinho at 32 when he signed for Wolves, Cahill, Giroud).
Your idea of 2 or 3 signings for £70m is, I feel, very realistic for the second and third categories but not for the first, which is why I felt your comparison of some of Man City's signings didn't really work with today's fees. Not disagreeing at all with the basic premise.
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https://mobile.twitter.com/AVFCTransTweet/status/1234234774790852609?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email
See the episode of strictly during the final.
https://mobile.twitter.com/AVFCTransTweet/status/1234234774790852609?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email
See the episode of strictly during the final.
Going back to this, I don't know why some people bother going to away matches. I went for a piss on 82 minutes and there were 4 blokes stood in the toilets chatting. We were 2-1 down in a cup final at Wembley and they couldn't even be arsed to watch the game.
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I'm so proud of the lad's we were unlucky to lose a corner which wasn't a corner and hitting the post so bloody proud of them.
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Im not as gutted as i was as the fulham PO loss and the loss vs arsenal.
We showed a lot of spirit proud of them. The other two we were dreadful. Its not as tough to take amd hopefully be turning point of the season
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Had a great day out. Started in the designated Villa pub in Harrow-on-the-Hill which had a great, friendly atmosphere (even though no decent pale ale on draught). There were Villa fans of all ages from great grandparents to a young lad, who looked about 7, at his first cup final. Fans from many ethnic backgrounds joining in the famous songs and being one happy family.
A few Man City fans infiltrated for a short while and had a laugh with us. Got to say all of those I met on the train down, on the tube and after the game were fine; none of the nauseating arrogance we so often get from the red half of Manchester.
I didn't see one instance of poor behaviour and am therefore both shocked and appalled to hear that some Villa fans were involved in racist and aggressive behaviour.
I just hope that young Villa fan didn't have his day tarnished by these morons. They may be a small minority, and every club has idiots who can't hold their beer, but they have no place in the Villa family that I saw the best of this Sunday.
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I didn't see one instance of poor behaviour and am therefore both shocked and appalled to hear that some Villa fans were involved in racist and aggressive behaviour.
I just hope that young Villa fan didn't have his day tarnished by these morons. They may be a small minority, and every club has idiots who can't hold their beer, but they have no place in the Villa family that I saw the best of this Sunday.
There were some absolute buffoons on Wembley way and that video of those cretins having a punch up inside the ground was embarrassing. A pathetic sight.
Thankfully, the vast majority of the support was outstanding.
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It was all my fault we lost. The first pint I ordered was a Blue Moon, and then I realised what I’d done.
So at least have the decency of apologising to this forum, William and Tom Hanks and visit McGregor statue and rub your nose on his feet😡
I've let myself down, I've let this forum down and I've let the club down. I apologise unreservedly.
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The Villa ‘fans’ sitting behind us were the most foul mouthed, phlegm spitting, drunken morons it’s ever been my misfortune to see...ashamed
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The Villa ‘fans’ sitting behind us were the most foul mouthed, phlegm spitting, drunken morons it’s ever been my misfortune to see...ashamed
There was a bit of pushing and shoving in block 528 where I was, people moaning that people about 10 rows in front of them were standing up.
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Personally I just don't get such levels of drinking before a game to the point where you have no idea what's actually happening on the pitch.
4.30 kick off doesn't help either.
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Personally I just don't get such levels of drinking before a game to the point where you have no idea what's actually happening on the pitch.
It helped me greatly in 2015.
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Personally I just don't get such levels of drinking before a game to the point where you have no idea what's actually happening on the pitch.
4.30 kick off doesn't help either.
That was my view also, each of the trips to the White Elephant dome over last couple of years have been surrounded by people just completely smashed before kick off, some I would suspect were not just reliant on alcohol.
Guy behind who from the smell I would say had shat himself spent most of the game rolling fags and smoking them.
I think the big difference is for thousands it’s the only ‘away’ trip of season (my last 3 aways have all been to Wembley so I am one of those) so you aren’t sat with the same people as you are at VP week in week out - I know there were a number I tolerated Sunday but if I’d been sat by them at VP the stewards would have been alerted.
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Richard, I was also in block 528. Had a chap about 5 seats away who was so legless, he fell head first into 2 women sat in front of him. He didn’t come back for the second half as had probably fell asleep somewhere. Also, right next to me was a big chap who was standing about every 30 seconds. He seemed more interested in turning his back to the match and using very industrial language to all and sundry as they weren’t singing when he wanted them too. Eventually, around 70 minutes an elderly chap sat just behind him asked if he could sit down so he could actually see what was going on in the game. Needless to say, that nearly ended up in fisticuffs. During the match, I also had to shield myself from his flag as he wasn’t in full control of his actions.
For a lot of people it’s a shame their day is spoilt by others who get themselves too oiled up. Don’t know what the answer is.
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Treat people like grown ups, let them have a drink at their seat.
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I see that it’s still the case that a trip to Wembley brings all the scum out.
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A group of lads on my train down were openly doing coke at 10.30 in the morning. God knows how they ended up later.
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I had a group of half witted plebs, the ring leader of which was the biggest ****** I’ve ever had to sit near at VP for the Friday night game against Everton. They looked like how some coked up pissed up wankers look at 2AM outside some shit night club. That’s a pretty unusual occurrence for me at VP but I’ve always seemed to be surrounded by them on trips to Wembley.
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It's not unusual behaviour at all amongst the away fans, unfortunately.
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Some twats never get away from the Mrs unless we appear at a final so completely lose the plot. When I arrived at the green man for the Fulham game at around 2.30pm there were blokes puking into their own pint pots. Nothing wrong with a good few jars to lighten the mood just need to be able to handle your piss.
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I was sat five rows behind where that fight took place I saw it it was bad watching Villa fan's fighting each other there were children nearby which made it even more disgusting.
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For some reason going to watch football seems to bring out the very worst in human nature. The consumption of huge amounts of alcohol and in some cases drugs just go hand in hand with 'going to the match' Never understood it myself. Its the people with young children I feel sorry for, it must be terrifying for them.
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I do think that the Club should be alerted to this because it will stop decent people from going, who wants to expose their kids to this sort of behavior? I have experienced some of this and its appalling. From reading this it seems like the situation is deteriorating
Maybe through the Consultation Group, passing on the seat numbers to the club may be an idea.
The Club sometimes sends its own stewards and this can certainly help.
Any ideas?
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With a lot of the younger element nowadays it is more drug related than booze. You can tell by their actions, angry faces and aggressive behaviour.
The drunks are bloody annoying but usually end up asleep or fell over. If you watch that video there is one guy (with the woolly hat) who has no actual beef with anyone but just randomly hits out at strangers - in most cases when their backs are turned
I really hope that Plod gets images of these morons and shops them
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When I arrived at the green man for the Fulham game at around 2.30pm there were blokes puking into their own pint pots.
I am not in any way shape or form saying that kind of behaviour is acceptable, but if anyone had asked me before the match "Where do you think you're most likely to find Villa fans getting shitfaced and acting like absolute twats?" my answer would have been "The Green Man".
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I went to the big street gathering down the road from the retail outlet (where the grassy area used to be, but was fenced off this time) from about 1pm.
There were a group of kids doing the "let's go fucking mental" whilst throwing beer up in the air. Few older villa fans (with kids) were telling them off, I had to laugh at the one ~14 year old kid that had to be held back from "fighting" the men.. he'd have got his head punched in (and I half wish he did, tbh). A few bottles thrown, one flare thrown into the police van. Just general shithead behaviour really.
There was a guy aged 65+ who picked up a 2L bottle of pop from the floor and launched it at the police. I wasn't expecting that one.
Anyway, let's not kid ourselves that we don't have plenty of shit head fans. I saw morons at both Fulham away and Southampton away this season, including another imbecile who spent the second half trying to break his chair so that he could throw it. It's not just Wembley
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I didn't see one instance of poor behaviour and am therefore both shocked and appalled to hear that some Villa fans were involved in racist and aggressive behaviour.
I just hope that young Villa fan didn't have his day tarnished by these morons. They may be a small minority, and every club has idiots who can't hold their beer, but they have no place in the Villa family that I saw the best of this Sunday.
There were some absolute buffoons on Wembley way and that video of those cretins having a punch up inside the ground was embarrassing. A pathetic sight.
Thankfully, the vast majority of the support was outstanding.
Surely these buffoons can be identified at this stage and banned from the club?
Are the club actively barring supporters does anyone know, given this crap appears to be nearly a weekly occurance particularly on away days.
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Just for a bit of balance here, I had a great day and didn't see any over the top behaviour, racism or fighting. I know there's was isolated pockets of idiots and I've no doubt lots of smashed people around the Green Man, but my encounters were generally positive outside the ground and in.
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Just for a bit of balance here, I had a great day and didn't see any over the top behaviour, racism or fighting. I know there's was isolated pockets of idiots and I've no doubt lots of smashed people around the Green Man, but my encounters were generally positive outside the ground and in.
I think that's worth bearing in mind. In 33,000 people, many of whom aren't used to the situation they're in, there will always be a couple of isolated idiots but I don't honestly think any other club would be significantly better.
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The only things I saw and heard were the bloke 2 seats along puking after 5 minutes, disappearing never to return and a few blokes a few rows back having an argument about tactics which soon calmed down. Other than that, fantastic time in Boxpark and all in all a good day and most Villa fans in good spirits despite the result.
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Go with Woodhall on this
I was not there, but I guess if you were to go into any major city centre on a Friday or Saturday night there would be a load of twats either legless or doped up being idiots but they would probably be in a minority of people out for the night.
Not excusing Moronic or twatish behaviour and it seems from posts on other threads that Drugs are an issue. But lets not beat ourselves up we are probably no worse and maybe better than other sets of fans.
I was guilty many times of being pissed at games as I am sure many others were too.
The only Angels are in Heaven
Onwards and upwards
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we went to the Green Man for a bit
loads of pissed up lads kicking balls around and falling over in the sloppy mud whilst the crowd jeered and sang songs
I asked my 12 year old on the way back what was his favourite bit of the day he said ‘Green Man’
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Just for a bit of balance here, I had a great day and didn't see any over the top behaviour, racism or fighting. I know there's was isolated pockets of idiots and I've no doubt lots of smashed people around the Green Man, but my encounters were generally positive outside the ground and in.
Same here. On the train down, in Kilburn pre game and during and after the match didn’t see or hear anything untoward. Suppose it’s fine lines isn’t it, as you can be only a stones throw away from a bellend that could put a dampener on the day.
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I wonder if the Manchester Evening News website carried anything about City fans playing up?
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Some twats never get away from the Mrs unless we appear at a final so completely lose the plot. When I arrived at the green man for the Fulham game at around 2.30pm there were blokes puking into their own pint pots. Nothing wrong with a good few jars to lighten the mood just need to be able to handle your piss.
There was a bloke puking in the beer garden there at just after 11 in the morning.
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I’ve spent the last 3 Wembley trips in the Green Man and had a great time. The organisation at Wembley train station going home was rubbish and there were a few villa fans and Man City fans throwing a few punches at each other over the barriers. BTP nicked one Villa fan for something (not sure what) but he was dragged away minus a shoe to a chorus of boos. I did feel that the few BTP officers that were there when my son and I were in the queue were certainly concentrating more on our fans than the Man City fans who apart from the odd few were as quiet as they had been inside Wembley. You would never have guessed they’d just secured another trophy.
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Just for a bit of balance here, I had a great day and didn't see any over the top behaviour, racism or fighting. I know there's was isolated pockets of idiots and I've no doubt lots of smashed people around the Green Man, but my encounters were generally positive outside the ground and in.
Agree with this. We were in the box park from 1ish till about 3.30, absolutely mobbed and lots of alcohol being consumed, but felt completely safe and my kids who are only 9 and 13 had a great time along with loads of their friends. They were up the front when Ian Taylor was leading the Allez Allez sing along.
Too much alcohol can be a problem especially with lots of 16/17 year olds caning it, although plenty of older gobshites as well, but most people are fine even if they’ve had a bit to drink. Wembley apart as I drive to most games at VP I’ll generally have maybe a pint, but there are lots of people I know who go and have a fair bit to drink as it’s a major part of their social life and life in general, they love the villa and football, but the social aspect is really important to them as well, football is not just about football is it, it’s about your friendships.
Saying all that some plank nearly vomited on me and my son at half time at the Fulham okay off final!!
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There were 4 of us in block 527 near the halfway line - upper tier and the last seats before the neutral zone and stewards.
Support was generally excellent but a number of people were very focused on baiting their fans - plastics, cockneys, part timers etc. We were standing for the first 10 minutes, which I am ok with but not great for those who are not so youthful. Stewards came and tried to calm everybody but tempers frayed. At one point a man with a 60ish year old woman 2-3 rows behind had a go at some blokes in front to our left as his wife could not see. He was met with all sorts of threats and abuse because he had been pointing at them. The fact that he was pointing because they were standing was lost on them. The cops eventually came and sorted it but it was all unnecessary and escalated to 15-20 people getting heated. I don’t see this at Villa Park. A copper after the game told me a lot of Villa fans had been pissed idiots.
There were a fair few barbs down Wembley way. Villa fans having a go at them for not being ecstatic, city fans informing us we are heading downwards and living in the past. Nothing major, but some eejits on both sides.
Earlier in the Black Lion in Kilburn all was fine - boozy but good natured. I think I only saw 4-5 City fans on the street. Fewer drunks than the last few visits and generally a more subdued atmosphere on the street and in the tube. Nowhere near as intense as the last 4 visits.
I’ve seen a lot of comments about City being plastic fans because they were struggling to offload their tickets. I think this game shows they still have a very local fanbase in Manchester for whom another league cup is a low priority, so unable to draw on the global glory hunters of Liverpool, Manyoo etc. They are nowhere near the scale of their neighbours in the NW, not even Everton.
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Walking back to station, Villa singing 'Champions of Europe, you'll never sing that'
Man City fan sparks up 'Champions of England, you'll never sing that'
I turned and asked him if he was sure?
I actually think he was serious as he kept singing it! Not the sharpest tool
I was walking up Wembley Way yesterday with my son and Pat McMahon when a Man City fan thought he was being helpful/clever/funny by telling me which way the stadium was. I thanked him and told him it was my 11th visit with Villa.
Ha Ha, nice one
I can’t recall the exact comment but I remember giving him some advice about winning European trophies too.
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Like many, it was my 5th trip to Wembley in 5 years. Obviously, people will have had different experiences, but unfortunately some of the behaviour amongst our fans was the worst I had seen in all those visits. Whilst a lot of our fans were fine, there were more than an isolated few who weren't.
It mostly centred on picking on opposition fans for no other reason than they followed the opposition.
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Treat people like grown ups, let them have a drink at their seat.
I’m all for sticking up for the rights of football fans, however I think that would be a terrible idea. Imagine all the examples of poor behaviour in this thread and then add also getting soaked with beer several times a game.
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Some twats never get away from the Mrs unless we appear at a final so completely lose the plot. When I arrived at the green man for the Fulham game at around 2.30pm there were blokes puking into their own pint pots. Nothing wrong with a good few jars to lighten the mood just need to be able to handle your piss.
Brilliant.
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It was interesting to note that man city (who were as good as offering tickets to any person walking their dog past the Etihad) had a crystal palace fan representing them in the half time competition last Sunday.
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With a lot of the younger element nowadays it is more drug related than booze. You can tell by their actions, angry faces and aggressive behaviour.
The drunks are bloody annoying but usually end up asleep or fell over. If you watch that video there is one guy (with the woolly hat) who has no actual beef with anyone but just randomly hits out at strangers - in most cases when their backs are turned
I really hope that Plod gets images of these morons and shops them
If you've seen the photo of the lad who is supposed to have dished out the Coronavirus abuse to some oriental fan in the concourse (he has a blue puffa jacket on) he is also one of the ones scrapping in the stand. The woolly hat guy is also in the photo so one of his mates, not so innocent.
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I’ve never seen anybody take coke and then become more of a pleasure to be around. Awful drug.
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I had the misfortune of driving one of these arseholes to the Arsenal final.
He drank from Yorkshire to Wembley, which I don’t have a problem with but he was obnoxious in the ground. Luckily he was in a row in front.
He left in a strop before the end of the game and took the train home.
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Saw no bad behaviour all day. On a slight tangent, couple in front of us (block 136), chap in his fifties, female mid twenties, stood up all match,uttered not one word of encouragement to the team the whole match. Not one clap.
Just a disinterested stare at the pitch, like they'd never been to a match. Must admit it was unsettling.
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It was interesting to note that man city (who were as good as offering tickets to any person walking their dog past the Etihad) had a crystal palace fan representing them in the half time competition last Sunday.
Yep, I mentioned that in the match thread. Funniest part of the day :)
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I had the misfortune of driving one of these arseholes to the Arsenal final.
He drank from Yorkshire to Wembley, which I don’t have a problem with but he was obnoxious in the ground. Luckily he was in a row in front.
He left in a strop before the end of the game and took the train home.
Ah yes. Sorry about that.
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Saw no bad behaviour all day. On a slight tangent, couple in front of us (block 136), chap in his fifties, female mid twenties, stood up all match,uttered not one word of encouragement to the team the whole match. Not one clap.
Just a disinterested stare at the pitch, like they'd never been to a match. Must admit it was unsettling.
It’s so weird when you notice someone who consumes what you do in such a completely different way. There a bloke who sits a few rows in front of me at Villa Park, never celebrates goals he just sits there, stands up at the end of the game a few claps then he’s off up the stairs.
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Saw no bad behaviour all day. On a slight tangent, couple in front of us (block 136), chap in his fifties, female mid twenties, stood up all match,uttered not one word of encouragement to the team the whole match. Not one clap.
Just a disinterested stare at the pitch, like they'd never been to a match. Must admit it was unsettling.
Potential serial killer profile!
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I had the misfortunate to be sat in the middle of all that fighting on sunday. Didnt wreck my day but was embarrased by the behaviour, and certainly wouldnt have wanted to be stuck in the middle if I had the mrs with me - and must have been bad for those in the area with kids etc.
There was a really nice elderly guy sat in front of the guy with the black hat - thankfully somebody moved him out of the was as soon as it kicked off so he wasnt there by the time the fighting spread to his seat.
Dont know what started it but wasnt surprised when it did go off as something had been building up to it, at the time we thought it was related to two groups who had a run in earlier. - the video only shows a portion of what went on. What did suprise me was how quickly it spread round the rows around it and how some of the participents seemed to think its perfectly ok to just punch out at anyone that moved - a girl in the front of it all got punched in the face like that. as did people who were just trying to break it up. Seemed like people came over from elsewhere in the ground to "bravely" sneak up behind people and throw cowardly "sucker punches" The guy in the blue puffer jacket was one of the worst for random punching - the guys behind him called him out on it at the end and his excuse was "what do you expect me to do , im looking after my mates"
the main participents were all waiting in a line (no pun intended) before Kick off to get into the toilet cubicle -so unless they had a nasty stomach bug they were all indulging in the old marching powder - it showed in their faces when fighting as they just wanted to punch everyone and everything and werent capable of being talked round. In fact some of those running in to join in looked completely out of it and hardly capable of standing up.
It carried on after the videos stop, the stewards that were there were only youngish lads who obviously thought they werent paid enough to step in to stop it (not that I blame them) but waited for the head steward who was a women to turn up after it was all over. I suspect the policy may be they let it punch itself out in the knowledge its all on CCTV so can be traced after the event. i suspect a few are being ID'd already - feel sorry for anyone who got dragged into it that may get done as a result.
For the sake of balance I will say if it hadnt been for that incident whilst I saw lots of drunk people i saw no bad behaviour the rest of the day. I do tend to drink away from the ground though and only come into wembley not long before kick off.
think thats my first post in about 10 years, im going back into lurking mode again now.
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Oh for the days of pills and inflatable bananas.
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Thanks for that post ratboy I really hope the club will act and get rid of these total bellends
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I had the misfortune of driving one of these arseholes to the Arsenal final.
He drank from Yorkshire to Wembley, which I don’t have a problem with but he was obnoxious in the ground. Luckily he was in a row in front.
He left in a strop before the end of the game and took the train home.
Ah yes. Sorry about that.
Ha, it wasn't your fault Drummond! I appreciate what you did.
The other passenger was lovely and I've been told he's normally a decent guy.
Just not pissed.
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Saw no bad behaviour all day. On a slight tangent, couple in front of us (block 136), chap in his fifties, female mid twenties, stood up all match,uttered not one word of encouragement to the team the whole match. Not one clap.
Just a disinterested stare at the pitch, like they'd never been to a match. Must admit it was unsettling.
I was in Block 128 but this perfectly describes the couple to my right.
Whilst I was pulling my hair out at misplaced passes, shouting to our players to keep the ball, calling Lee Mason a twat and going nuts when we scored they showed no response whatsoever to anything that happened on the pitch or around them. Strange.
I also went to The Green Man, as usual, and other than a few idiots letting off flares, I saw no bad behaviour at all... just lots of slightly pissed, happy people and one stroppy youngster who got very upset when someone bumped into him and he spilt beer on his white t-shirt.
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I had the misfortune of driving one of these arseholes to the Arsenal final.
He drank from Yorkshire to Wembley, which I don’t have a problem with but he was obnoxious in the ground. Luckily he was in a row in front.
He left in a strop before the end of the game and took the train home.
Ah yes. Sorry about that.
Ha, it wasn't your fault Drummond! I appreciate what you did.
The other passenger was lovely and I've been told he's normally a decent guy.
Just not pissed.
Realised when I read this that I should have pointed out it wasn't me! Haha
That was quite a day you had though.
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There was trouble at the services on the way back too. I stayed on the minibus trying to kip so didn’t see it but was apparently old fashioned our lot against their lot.
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There was trouble at the services on the way back too. I stayed on the minibus trying to kip so didn’t see it but was apparently old fashioned our lot against their lot.
Whilst it wasn't trouble a couple of older Villa fans chanted "Champions of Europe you'll never sing that" at a couple of City fans at the services we stopped at. Everyone else pretended to ignore it. Made me feel strangely sad for some reason.
Generally didn't see any aggro. The biggest bell end was a City fan on the tube who said to my 8 year old "we might let you have the ball for a few minutes" to which MDC Jnr deadpanned "wow thanks" in a reasonably sarcastic way which made us laugh.
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The biggest bell end was a City fan on the tube who said to my 8 year old "we might let you have the ball for a few minutes" to which MDC Jnr deadpanned "wow thanks" in a reasonably sarcastic way which made us laugh.
Good lad!
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Did you just assume their gender!?
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Champions of Europe song. I cant stand it.
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Champions of Europe song. I cant stand it.
So you'll never sing that?
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Ask me after I've had a sniff of a beer mat at Leicester