Post by: Toronto Villa on January 08, 2021, 09:38:53 PM
Post by: LukeJames on January 08, 2021, 09:39:44 PM
Post by: aldridgeboy on January 08, 2021, 09:40:03 PM
We have sone amazing talent coming through.
Very proud.
Post by: Taylor on January 08, 2021, 09:40:15 PM
Post by: Nev on January 08, 2021, 09:40:20 PM
Post by: john e on January 08, 2021, 09:40:25 PM
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 08, 2021, 09:40:35 PM
👏
Still beating them on aggregate, too. 😁
Post by: Jon Crofts on January 08, 2021, 09:41:03 PM
Post by: Behind Bluenose Lines on January 08, 2021, 09:41:46 PM
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 08, 2021, 09:42:08 PM
Did the club proud.
Post by: Chris_Jephcott on January 08, 2021, 09:42:10 PM
Many premier league teams would lose to Liverpool 4-1 - or worse. So that is really something to be very proud of.
Post by: mrfuse on January 08, 2021, 09:42:20 PM
Post by: LukeJames on January 08, 2021, 09:42:58 PM
Post by: London Villan on January 08, 2021, 09:43:12 PM
Post by: Allan C on January 08, 2021, 09:43:25 PM
Post by: Exeter 77 on January 08, 2021, 09:43:35 PM
Post by: adrenachrome on January 08, 2021, 09:44:06 PM
https://twitter.com/farria_c/status/1347655656107630599
Post by: p_ad on January 08, 2021, 09:44:08 PM
Post by: villadelph on January 08, 2021, 09:44:18 PM
Liverpool should be ashamed.. a pathetic first half and a $200mil payroll could barely see them through.
These ain't your grandpa's cubs!
Post by: Damo70 on January 08, 2021, 09:44:35 PM
Post by: Ads on January 08, 2021, 09:44:41 PM
There was a 15 minute spell where we aped the first team, pressing high and moved the ball, socring a great goal.
There's careers out there for them and I think perhaps one or two with us as well.
A stain on the club? What utter fucking bilge.
Post by: JD on January 08, 2021, 09:44:53 PM
I am immensely proud of these young players who stood up tonight and Villa as a club.
What a proud evening despite the result.
These young kids are heroes, every one of them and well done Mark Delaney, you are bringing through some very special players.
Post by: stubbsyandy on January 08, 2021, 09:44:56 PM
Post by: Villa Lew on January 08, 2021, 09:45:04 PM
Post by: dicedlam on January 08, 2021, 09:45:11 PM
Well done lads!
Post by: bilsim on January 08, 2021, 09:45:39 PM
The fact that Liverpool had to bring on the likes of Thiago, Firminio and Ox to beat a bunch of kids is embarrassing from their perspective.
Post by: TopDeck113 on January 08, 2021, 09:45:50 PM
Post by: Nunkin1965 on January 08, 2021, 09:45:54 PM
Superb lads.
Post by: eamonn on January 08, 2021, 09:46:42 PM
His goal will live long in the memory.
Post by: saunders_heroes on January 08, 2021, 09:46:46 PM
Up the Villa!
Post by: manic-road on January 08, 2021, 09:46:58 PM
Post by: olaftab on January 08, 2021, 09:47:21 PM
Wow!John McGinn II.
https://twitter.com/farria_c/status/1347655656107630599
Post by: SaddVillan on January 08, 2021, 09:47:31 PM
Outfouled us 7-2.
So much for those who thought we'd rely on thuggery to stay in the game.
Great effort by all The Cubs.
Worked hard, showed some lovely skill.
How much did the Liverpool squad cost?
Post by: Percy McCarthy on January 08, 2021, 09:47:49 PM
Post by: Villatillidie1982 on January 08, 2021, 09:48:16 PM
Post by: Fred Crump on January 08, 2021, 09:49:15 PM
Post by: p_ad on January 08, 2021, 09:49:44 PM
Post by: Damo70 on January 08, 2021, 09:49:59 PM
Post by: mrfuse on January 08, 2021, 09:51:43 PM
Loved seeing Louie at the end, it dawning on him that he should swap his shirt with someone on the Liverpool team quickly before it was too late.
His goal will live long in the memory.
Even better was when the coach told him to go and get his own shirt back.
He did and too right too.
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 08, 2021, 09:52:45 PM
Post by: Goldie.7 on January 08, 2021, 09:53:46 PM
Post by: Jon Crofts on January 08, 2021, 09:53:48 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/ZTf5YHP/BE2-BD2-C8-F09-C-45-F2-88-FA-CECB72-BAF17-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZTf5YHP)
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 08, 2021, 09:54:16 PM
Post by: Dave on January 08, 2021, 09:54:48 PM
There's a few decent players in that side. It's going to be interesting to see where they end up.
Salah and Mane will probably go to Madrid. The others didn't look all that to me.
Post by: adrenachrome on January 08, 2021, 09:54:54 PM
Wow!John McGinn II.
https://twitter.com/farria_c/status/1347655656107630599
True, Olaftab.
Read a comment yesterday in the Liverpool Echo when the game was in doubt, that it would go ahead due to our "vast youth resources".
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-aston-villa-fa-cup-19574232
Post by: The Edge on January 08, 2021, 09:55:00 PM
Post by: TopDeck113 on January 08, 2021, 09:55:25 PM
Loved seeing Louie at the end, it dawning on him that he should swap his shirt with someone on the Liverpool team quickly before it was too late.
His goal will live long in the memory.
In years to come, whichever Liverpool player got the Villa number 61 shirt will be able to show it to his grandkids and tell them about the night he got to play on the same pitch as *the* Louie Barry.
Post by: paul_e on January 08, 2021, 09:56:15 PM
Post by: Drummond on January 08, 2021, 09:57:43 PM
Post by: London Villan on January 08, 2021, 09:58:26 PM
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 08, 2021, 09:58:31 PM
Liverpool midfielder James Milner speaking to BT Sport: "They're a good set of lads. They put a shift in. In the first half they got the goal to keep playing. We got the result in the end but not an ideal situation for our team.
"We had a situation where we got into areas but we didn't get the final ball - that has happened in the past few games.
"We needed to keep working hard and pushing things to get things right.
"We knew we had to do things better. We didn't get it right, especially for their goal.
"One of their lads said he hadn't played for two months."
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 08, 2021, 09:59:05 PM
Post by: Ad@m on January 08, 2021, 09:59:21 PM
Loved seeing Louie at the end, it dawning on him that he should swap his shirt with someone on the Liverpool team quickly before it was too late.
His goal will live long in the memory.
In years to come, whichever Liverpool player got the Villa number 61 shirt will be able to show it to his grandkids and tell them about the night he got to play on the same pitch as *the* Louie Barry.
That won't happen I'm afraid.
One of the coaches bollocked him for swapping his debut shirt so he ran down the tunnel after Fabinho and got it back!! 😂😂😂
Post by: The Edge on January 08, 2021, 09:59:48 PM
Brilliant effort from the kids and showed plenty of quality but the physical difference between U23 and senior football showed in the end. I reckon most of the 16 that we put out look capable of a decent professional career, I'd keep Barry and Revan around and give them time on the first team bench, most of the rest look like they could hold their own for Champ/L1 teams and I reckon they'll be well up for some first team football somewhere after that.U23? Quite a few of those players were academy U18. To play against the PL champions and current world champions(and hold their own) is an achievement of epic proportions.
Post by: Somniloquism on January 08, 2021, 10:00:16 PM
Post by: mrfuse on January 08, 2021, 10:00:19 PM
"You've had lots of experience even playing for Barcelona."
"Yeah but I had to come back and play for the Villa."
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on January 08, 2021, 10:00:47 PM
UTV
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on January 08, 2021, 10:00:53 PM
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 08, 2021, 10:01:56 PM
Post by: clash city rocker on January 08, 2021, 10:02:04 PM
Post by: Clampy on January 08, 2021, 10:02:56 PM
Post by: LukeJames on January 08, 2021, 10:03:54 PM
Barry was asked about his stint at Barcelona and said: "It was a good experience over there (Barca) but I've got to come to the club I've loved my whole life and my dad's crazy for."
Managed by a fan, Captained by a fan, Our next wonderkid to come through is a fan.
This fucking club!
Post by: paul_e on January 08, 2021, 10:05:56 PM
Brilliant effort from the kids and showed plenty of quality but the physical difference between U23 and senior football showed in the end. I reckon most of the 16 that we put out look capable of a decent professional career, I'd keep Barry and Revan around and give them time on the first team bench, most of the rest look like they could hold their own for Champ/L1 teams and I reckon they'll be well up for some first team football somewhere after that.U23? Quite a few of those players were academy U18. To play against the PL champions and current world champions(and hold their own) is an achievement of epic proportions.
True but most of them do play at U23 even though they could qualify for U18
Post by: john2710 on January 08, 2021, 10:05:59 PM
That's goal of the season sorted.
Some standout performances but they all can stand proud.
Post by: Border villan on January 08, 2021, 10:06:14 PM
Post by: gpbarr on January 08, 2021, 10:06:39 PM
Could hug them all - Covid stops me!!!
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on January 08, 2021, 10:08:18 PM
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on January 08, 2021, 10:08:41 PM
Post by: Russ aka Big Nose on January 08, 2021, 10:09:09 PM
They were always going to win, but Thiago for Henderson made a massive difference - entirely different tempo and more intelligent forward passing (rather than exchanging one-twos with the defenders).
He, Thiago, will make a massive difference to them - assuming Klopp puts him in the team ahead of Henderson.
Anyway - the future is bright, the future is Claret 'n Blue! UTV
Post by: exigo on January 08, 2021, 10:12:13 PM
Post by: Mister E on January 08, 2021, 10:12:37 PM
Post by: CT Villan on January 08, 2021, 10:12:58 PM
Post by: mrfuse on January 08, 2021, 10:15:17 PM
see you later.
Post by: TonyD on January 08, 2021, 10:16:27 PM
Great comments by Barry post match.Is there a link?
"You've had lots of experience even playing for Barcelona."
"Yeah but I had to come back and play for the Villa."
We know.
Don’t we......another superstar
Post by: TonyD on January 08, 2021, 10:20:10 PM
If that Cnut moans about fixture congestion again he can fuck right off.Too right. Didn’t need to play Salah etc against our youth team. BTGW
Post by: pauliewalnuts on January 08, 2021, 10:20:33 PM
No wonder our senior team put 7 past those jokers.
That for me is the best post of the last twelve months.
*applause*
Post by: Lastfootstamper on January 08, 2021, 10:21:03 PM
Great comments by Barry post match.Is there a link?
"You've had lots of experience even playing for Barcelona."
"Yeah but I had to come back and play for the Villa."
We know.
Don’t we......another superstar
https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1347664111577010177?s=09
Post by: dicedlam on January 08, 2021, 10:24:26 PM
Barry's finish was exquisite, showing the finish of a top striker way beyond his years.
This lad is going to be top draw.
Post by: Ian. on January 08, 2021, 10:25:39 PM
BrilliantNo wonder our senior team put 7 past those jokers.
That for me is the best post of the last twelve months.
*applause*
Post by: TelfordVilla on January 08, 2021, 10:28:27 PM
Post by: mrfuse on January 08, 2021, 10:28:29 PM
Post by: clash city rocker on January 08, 2021, 10:29:04 PM
see you later.
Total class
Post by: BC Villain on January 08, 2021, 10:29:17 PM
Marvellous - embarrassed Liverpool again. They had to empty the bench to beat a team of kids on their knees. Louie’s goal was excellent.
And still some of their twattish fans are on social media giving it large.
Brilliant effort by these young lads. NSWE have made a big statement with their investment into the academy. Great to see some signs of real progress already
Post by: The Man With A Stick on January 08, 2021, 10:29:59 PM
Post by: SamTheMouse on January 08, 2021, 10:32:15 PM
They did us proud, and we can look forward to seeing a few of them in the first team sooner rather than later.
Post by: richtheholtender on January 08, 2021, 10:33:42 PM
Great comments by Barry post match.Is there a link?
"You've had lots of experience even playing for Barcelona."
"Yeah but I had to come back and play for the Villa."
We know.
Don’t we......another superstar
https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1347664111577010177?s=09
Third comment down “Come to Liverpool” it starts already 🤣
Post by: TonyD on January 08, 2021, 10:35:19 PM
Now's the time to expand Villa Park, we could shift another 10,000 season tickets based on the potential coming through.True. In hindsight should have used the time to build.
Post by: Abbeyfealeavfc on January 08, 2021, 10:35:41 PM
Louie Barry always scores against l'pool!
That lad is a natural goalscorer and has a great future ahead of him. The goalie had a good game too.
My 23 year old son informed me the average age of the team tonight was 18 years 294 days and that he suddenly feels old!
UTV!
Post by: darren woolley on January 08, 2021, 10:36:09 PM
Post by: Aldridge Villa on January 08, 2021, 10:41:34 PM
Post by: Somniloquism on January 08, 2021, 10:42:24 PM
Now's the time to expand Villa Park, we could shift another 10,000 season tickets based on the potential coming through.True. In hindsight should have used the time to build.
Yep, should have planned, applied for permissions, knocked down a stand or two, rebuilt them and started as soon as the first lockdown was announced . Of course the fact that Covid is affecting everything from Architects to Public Offices to Builders and Suppliers (as well as Brexit's effect on the building workforce as well) shouldn't have stopped us building the new stands and then hoping that the extra capacity could ever be used. Senior Management out.
Post by: Brazilian Villain on January 08, 2021, 10:44:02 PM
Looks like exciting times ahead.
Post by: Steve67 on January 08, 2021, 10:46:26 PM
Master Barry comes across as a lovely young man, very proud and delighted with life, so he should be.
The future is indeed bright, in fact, the present is bright too.
Mourinho is a ******.
Post by: nordenvillain on January 08, 2021, 10:47:26 PM
Interesting fact - That's the first time Liverpool have scored 4 in an away FA Cup game since 2006 against .................... SHA !!!
Post by: Brazilian Villain on January 08, 2021, 10:48:25 PM
607 international caps between the Liverpool squad put out tonight, so I read on the BBC.
It's not that many, still less than Villa's combined shirt numbers.
Post by: nordenvillain on January 08, 2021, 10:48:40 PM
As everyone else has said, immensely proud of every single Villa player tonight.
Interesting fact - That's the first time Liverpool have scored 4 in an away FA Cup game since 2006 against .................... SHA !!!
When they scored 7 !!!!!!!
Post by: Risso on January 08, 2021, 10:50:13 PM
Post by: TonyD on January 08, 2021, 10:52:19 PM
Class.
Have said for a while. Should be on the bench.
Post by: Nev on January 08, 2021, 10:52:22 PM
As for Liverpool, I have been saying that something is wrong there for a few weeks and it struck me tonight. It's the manager.
From a positive, warm and almost swashbuckling style of management for the last few years, the setbacks this season appear to have driven him to being overly negative, rather dour and humourless and he came across as rather tetchy tonight.
His hypocrisy regarding player welfare can't have gone unnoticed by the players and they look like they are playing within themselves and with rather more caution.
But tonight belongs to those young lads and I hope they enjoy every single second of the afterglow.
Post by: Morleys left boot on January 08, 2021, 10:54:39 PM
On so many fronts
So proud of the lads tonight we have some great kids we really do ,well done
Post by: Somniloquism on January 08, 2021, 10:56:54 PM
As for Liverpool, I have been saying that something is wrong there for a few weeks and it struck me tonight. It's the manager.
From a positive, warm and almost swashbuckling style of management for the last few years, the setbacks this season appear to have driven him to being overly negative, rather dour and humourless and he came across as rather tetchy tonight.
His hypocrisy regarding player welfare can't have gone unnoticed by the players and they look like they are playing within themselves and with rather more caution.
I've said before, he is just the German version of Moaninihio. Came in and people liked his style. Then just starts to moan and blame and try to get everyone to kowtow to his demands. Then the pram is flung as well as the toys.
Post by: Pete3206 on January 08, 2021, 10:59:09 PM
Heroes in claret and blue.
Post by: Steve67 on January 08, 2021, 11:00:31 PM
607 international caps between the Liverpool squad put out tonight, so I read on the BBC.
It's not that many, still less than Villa's combined shirt numbers.
Just had a quick look and it is over 500 caps. Not sure where the beeb got 607 from but it is over 500 according to anfieldonline/stats/internationalcaps.
Post by: paul_e on January 08, 2021, 11:02:58 PM
As for Liverpool, I have been saying that something is wrong there for a few weeks and it struck me tonight. It's the manager.
From a positive, warm and almost swashbuckling style of management for the last few years, the setbacks this season appear to have driven him to being overly negative, rather dour and humourless and he came across as rather tetchy tonight.
His hypocrisy regarding player welfare can't have gone unnoticed by the players and they look like they are playing within themselves and with rather more caution.
I've said before, he is just the German version of Moaninihio. Came in and people liked his style. Then just starts to moan and blame and try to get everyone to kowtow to his demands. Then the pram is flung as well as the toys.
Personality wise maybe but in style of play they couldn't be much more different. I think it was around the time the league got stopped last spring where Klopp changed, before that he was very different in interviews, it's almost like the pressure of winning their first title in so long and in backing that up this year has weighed heavily on him. Probably doesn't help that his attitude now matches that of most of their supporters, I think he's just gone native.
Post by: Steve67 on January 08, 2021, 11:04:58 PM
Post by: Somniloquism on January 08, 2021, 11:06:06 PM
Post by: aj2k77 on January 08, 2021, 11:06:40 PM
Post by: Steve67 on January 08, 2021, 11:09:27 PM
Has lucky bag teeth Klopp said anything yet?
You mean Dougal, from the Banana Splits, Jurgen Dougal?
Just checked, it's Bingo, not Dougal. Wrong TV programme!
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 08, 2021, 11:11:41 PM
Post by: TonyD on January 08, 2021, 11:12:09 PM
The modern game moves so so quickly. Every club has the technology to watch in detail every game and their opponents. Liverpool were so good at playing a high tempo AND a high pressure to retrieve the ball with very good players. They were brilliant. But long gone is the time where you can be brilliant for more than a season or two. Citeh with all their money and talent were also top of the perch for a while.As for Liverpool, I have been saying that something is wrong there for a few weeks and it struck me tonight. It's the manager.
From a positive, warm and almost swashbuckling style of management for the last few years, the setbacks this season appear to have driven him to being overly negative, rather dour and humourless and he came across as rather tetchy tonight.
His hypocrisy regarding player welfare can't have gone unnoticed by the players and they look like they are playing within themselves and with rather more caution.
I've said before, he is just the German version of Moaninihio. Came in and people liked his style. Then just starts to moan and blame and try to get everyone to kowtow to his demands. Then the pram is flung as well as the toys.
The future is the manager (a management team ) that can adapt and see the new way to win.
With a unified club, with money to spent, and a nucleus of motivated players.
That’s us.
Post by: olaftab on January 08, 2021, 11:13:36 PM
607 international caps between the Liverpool squad put out tonight, so I read on the BBC.How is Mourinho involved in all this?
Master Barry comes across as a lovely young man, very proud and delighted with life, so he should be.
The future is indeed bright, in fact, the present is bright too.
Mourinho is a ******.
Post by: Somniloquism on January 08, 2021, 11:20:17 PM
607 international caps between the Liverpool squad put out tonight, so I read on the BBC.How is Mourinho involved in all this?
Master Barry comes across as a lovely young man, very proud and delighted with life, so he should be.
The future is indeed bright, in fact, the present is bright too.
Mourinho is a ******.
Well it should be said regularly anyway but he is arguing we should also play all the players tonight against Spurs even though that fixture can be rearranged later in the season. Wait to he has his whole first team out due to Covid though and I'm sure tunes would be changed.
Post by: Small Rodent on January 08, 2021, 11:20:49 PM
607 international caps between the Liverpool squad put out tonight, so I read on the BBC.How is Mourinho involved in all this?
Master Barry comes across as a lovely young man, very proud and delighted with life, so he should be.
The future is indeed bright, in fact, the present is bright too.
Mourinho is a ******.
Because he’s a ******
Post by: Gareth on January 08, 2021, 11:24:31 PM
Post by: TonyD on January 08, 2021, 11:25:42 PM
Imagine if we had been able to pick our first choice academy team with Chukumena, Ramsey A, JPB, WrightI know.
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 08, 2021, 11:26:58 PM
Post by: wince on January 08, 2021, 11:39:53 PM
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on January 08, 2021, 11:45:44 PM
We are Aston Villa.
And no one can fucking touch us because we are class.
Post by: Meanwood Villa on January 08, 2021, 11:47:40 PM
Post by: Dante Lavelli on January 08, 2021, 11:47:57 PM
Post by: paul_e on January 08, 2021, 11:48:11 PM
Wasn’t the rugby score I predicted and will eat my words. Proud of the lads and some quality on the reserves. Let’s not rush Barry into the squad though. Kid looks class but don’t want weight of expectation to hamstring him. Well done cubs!
I don't think it'll be a weight to him or that the expectations will be massive, he just looks ready to step up a level, either with us or on a loan but with Archer already out I'd hold on to him and keep him around the squad (when they're not isolating). 2-3 cameos this season would be enough to give him a taste of it in a team that is actually able to create chances for him (that's no disrespect to the team tonight who were wonderful but we were on the backfoot too much to bring him into the game, our first team would be a very different game for him. What I would also say is that he rans his bollocks off at times, any time the ball was punted away he tried to get there and do something, that's a great attitude and will help him a lot.
Post by: Footy-Vill on January 08, 2021, 11:48:52 PM
Bridge - 20
Revan - 20
Walker - 20
Rowe - 21
Chrisene - 16
Hayden - 17
Sylla- 18
Raikhy - 18
Bogarde - 17
Barry - 17
I thought Revan was outstanding and was Villas player of the match
His experience shown through and did some unbelievable blocks led the team and set by example.
One lovely play in 2nd half whilst dispossession of Liverpool player winning it and carrying ball out from defence all the way to near half way line
A less cultured player just hoofs that a way.
So proud of the discipline shown as some here advocated some fouling tactics and roughing up Liverpool players which is uncalled for
Also respect to Liverpool who genuinely showed respect as Villa grew in to game and played in right spirit without the antics which you see them go back to vs Man Utd.
One thing was that it was a very much system set out with little attack which was own disappointing as Barry hadn't seen much of the ball
Of course given circumstances maybe anything other than a 4-5-1 wasn't going to be taken on but would have preferred if Deleany had given them some more scope to attack as Liverpool couldn't cope with the literal 2 or 3 attacks the boys had
Great work to create the goal and score it
Well played
A nice bit of cheer in some respects and a certain solid team and defence organised display
Up the Villa.
Post by: SheffieldVillain on January 08, 2021, 11:52:38 PM
What I would also say is that he rans his bollocks off at times, any time the ball was punted away he tried to get there and do something, that's a great attitude and will help him a lot.
In terms of style - the pace, the chasing down, you can imagine in 6-12 months with a bit more physical development that he could slot easily into the system as an alternative in the role Watkins plays without the team having to adapt to a different type of player.
Post by: Damo70 on January 08, 2021, 11:55:19 PM
see you later.
I love that. Talk about taking the piss. ;D
Post by: Meanwood Villa on January 08, 2021, 11:55:48 PM
Post by: Louzie0 on January 09, 2021, 12:05:30 AM
Post by: Louzie0 on January 09, 2021, 12:07:12 AM
Worst thing Klopp did tonight was sitting on those seats when it clearly said "Do not use"Klopp is a complete [W*****]
If there’s a delay, the auto thing didn’t work.
Post by: Matt C on January 09, 2021, 12:16:42 AM
UTV
PS: next time Klopp is moaning about fixtures I hope a reporter remembers to ask him why he felt the need to play his first team against an U23/18 side.
Post by: CT Villan on January 09, 2021, 01:15:15 AM
Onodi - 19
Bridge - 20
Revan - 20
Walker - 20
Rowe - 21
Chrisene - 16
Hayden - 17
Sylla- 18
Raikhy - 18
Bogarde - 17
Barry - 17
Please excuse my ignorance, but are these marks out of 5 or 10 ? ;D
Post by: cdward on January 09, 2021, 01:26:10 AM
So proud of the Villa tonight.
UTV
Post by: tony scott on January 09, 2021, 03:03:46 AM
Post by: geolex on January 09, 2021, 06:19:26 AM
It wasn’t just Barry’s finish. Look how he struggled of his defender.
Class.
Have said for a while. Should be on the bench.
Lets not pas over the quality of the ball through to him it was superb
Post by: geolex on January 09, 2021, 06:20:44 AM
It wasn’t just Barry’s finish. Look how he struggled of his defender.
Class.
Have said for a while. Should be on the bench.
Lets not pas over the quality of the ball through to him it was superb
Edit... his pass was better than my 1st attempt.. ;D
Post by: N'ZMAV on January 09, 2021, 08:19:01 AM
It was a proper embarrassment for Klopp (again)
those kids had more heart than that side we had under Garde :D
Post by: Sdwbvf on January 09, 2021, 08:35:31 AM
Post by: algy on January 09, 2021, 09:00:20 AM
Not going to single anyone out, they all get 10/10.
Post by: stubbsyandy on January 09, 2021, 09:05:06 AM
CBBC Newsround have just reported on the game. Completely focused on Louise Barry's goal. Barely mentioned Liverpool.She’s a great prospect
Post by: London Villan on January 09, 2021, 09:05:51 AM
Post by: PeterWithe on January 09, 2021, 09:08:31 AM
Stats were a little, ahem, one sided but a score line I would have bitten anyone’s hand off for before. And fair play to Liverpool, thought they conducted themselves in the same manner we did when we played their kids. And I like Klopp, so there.
Post by: Dr Butler on January 09, 2021, 09:42:45 AM
Genuinely celebrated the goal more vociferously than any other goal this season. It felt like I was watching a team of my own offsprings.
So proud of the Villa tonight.
UTV
this was me watching on my laptop, dancing around like a loon when the ball hit the net.
I thought they all played well, but I would like to specially mention Revan, Bridge and Rowe who I thought were all magnificent :)
UTV
The Doc
Post by: nick harper on January 09, 2021, 10:28:06 AM
In the cold light of day, some of the players who played last night won't make it to the big time, and that will be the pinnacle of their career. But what a highlight to have. Every single one, and Mark Delaney, did themselves and the club proud. They held the best team in the country to a draw for all except 5 minutes, when cramp had just started to set in and they'd brought £112.5m worth of reinforcements off the bench.
Not going to single anyone out, they all get 10/10.
And they will always be able to say they have a first team appearance for the great Aston Villa at Villa Park. Something to tell the grandchildren one day....fantastic !
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 09, 2021, 10:30:05 AM
Post by: Mossie Hennebry on January 09, 2021, 10:51:50 AM
If we aren’t going to sign another striker in January then I really would be giving Barry a go on the bench. The current incumbent is Davis. I reckon this lad would score more goals!He's only 17 though. You don't want his hips going at 25! He'd probably learn more with the youth coaches right now. And there is probably 2nd level studies to consider too.
Post by: Mister E on January 09, 2021, 11:07:27 AM
Rooney, Owen and Brian Little - to name three - managed it.If we aren’t going to sign another striker in January then I really would be giving Barry a go on the bench. The current incumbent is Davis. I reckon this lad would score more goals!He's only 17 though. You don't want his hips going at 25! He'd probably learn more with the youth coaches right now. And there is probably 2nd level studies to consider too.
Playing Barry between JG and Watkins, or Watkins and Traore, would be really interesting to watch. The kid has fantastic goal instinct, it would appear.
Post by: martyn ellis on January 09, 2021, 11:11:16 AM
(Written under the influence of no more than a black coffee and a couple of rounds of toast!)
Post by: colin69 on January 09, 2021, 11:11:44 AM
Post by: clash city rocker on January 09, 2021, 11:27:46 AM
Post by: Sdwbvf on January 09, 2021, 11:31:43 AM
CBBC Newsround have just reported on the game. Completely focused on Louise Barry's goal. Barely mentioned Liverpool.She’s a great prospect
Ha. Autocorrect!
I'd already had to stop my brain calling him Gareth
Post by: Villa Lew on January 09, 2021, 11:34:06 AM
Louie Barry's goal was superb, he has a look of a natural striker, his goal will live long in the memory. I would have thought in another 12 months, maybe sooner, he will be pushing for a first team place. The future for Aston Villa is looking bright, very bright.
Post by: fredm on January 09, 2021, 11:56:55 AM
Bet the youngsters that had been training with the first team were dead envious last night
Sickening for them really. Feel for them. And who knows, presumably with them have that little bit extra than those who took their positions last night, what might have happened?
Post by: Chris Smith on January 09, 2021, 12:10:26 PM
Last night was just the tip of the iceberg of how well our club is currently being run (after so long). From the top we have what seem to be a pair of committed owners who do their job and allow the rest of the hierarchy to do theirs; we have a chief exec who speaks sparingly but eloquently and to the point when necessary; we have a media friendly manager who grew up supporting the club and has been given time to impose his mark on the playing staff, backed up by a team of assistants who seem to know what they're doing; we have a stalwart ex-player in Delaney (I used to love watching him) who is developing a very young bunch of U-23s, some of whom will surely progress to greater things, whilst ensuring their educational needs are also catered for; we have a club captain who bleeds claret and blue and a 17-year-old young gun who looks as though he will follow in his footsteps. We have a training complex second to none and a 'proper' football stadium which is a delight to be in. But best of all, we have an approach to the game which respects the people who support the club, the local community and which has a 'let's-just-get-on-with-it' approach to the profession; no bleating, no histrionics, no petty mind games, just people in the right positions, doing what they know and at last getting results. As we saw last night, that wasn't just the academy, that was the whole club on show and I'm looking forward to following the group over the next few seasons when we get rid of this viral curse and slowly break into the hearts and minds of the media who currently fuel the hype surrounding the so-called big six. Well done Aston Villa.
(Written under the influence of no more than a black coffee and a couple of rounds of toast!)
I was thinking along very similar lines this morning, Martyn, but you have put it much better than I would have. Everything about the club feels right at the moment.
Post by: Ian. on January 09, 2021, 12:14:55 PM
Post by: Flamingo Lane on January 09, 2021, 12:20:55 PM
Post by: TopDeck113 on January 09, 2021, 12:33:39 PM
We endured the lost decade, but the next ten years look like they might be shaping up to be momentous for the club and its fans. It'll be fun!
Post by: aj2k77 on January 09, 2021, 12:39:01 PM
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 09, 2021, 12:46:57 PM
Oh and Koop was dismissive and arrogant in his pre match interview.
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 09, 2021, 12:52:35 PM
Shall we play a game of Guess When Klopp Next Moans About Playing Too Many Games or Not Having Enough Subs?
I'll go for Tuesday.
Post by: aj2k77 on January 09, 2021, 12:56:16 PM
Post by: DB on January 09, 2021, 01:01:09 PM
Post by: DeKuip on January 09, 2021, 01:02:08 PM
Last night was the 61st FA Cup defeat of my life and most definitely the only one where at the final whistle I’ve punched the air and shouted proudly “well played lads”.
Next year we’ll win it!
Post by: Matt C on January 09, 2021, 01:04:30 PM
Bet the youngsters that had been training with the first team were dead envious last night
Sickening for them really. Feel for them. And who knows, presumably with them have that little bit extra than those who took their positions last night, what might have happened?
Does anyone with a better knowledge of the U23s know who those few might have been? Aaron Ramsey & Kaine Kesler?
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 09, 2021, 01:05:46 PM
Post by: paul_e on January 09, 2021, 01:17:52 PM
Bet the youngsters that had been training with the first team were dead envious last night
Sickening for them really. Feel for them. And who knows, presumably with them have that little bit extra than those who took their positions last night, what might have happened?
Does anyone with a better knowledge of the U23s know who those few might have been? Aaron Ramsey & Kaine Kesler?
Kaine Kesler played (and was given man of the match) had Hayden on his shirt though. The missing youngsters were Philogene-Bidace, Wright, Chukwuemeka, A Ramsey and DJ Sturridge.
Post by: paul_e on January 09, 2021, 01:19:04 PM
Following on from Martyn’s post above. Four years ago today was the debacle at Wycombe. Fans and players tearing into each other at the side of the pitch and the players being roundly abused as they got onto the coach afterwards. Probably the shoddiest excuse for effort I’ve ever seen in a first team game. The transformation to today is monumental.
5 years ago but yes, it's a big turnaround.
Post by: Matt C on January 09, 2021, 01:22:53 PM
Bet the youngsters that had been training with the first team were dead envious last night
Sickening for them really. Feel for them. And who knows, presumably with them have that little bit extra than those who took their positions last night, what might have happened?
Does anyone with a better knowledge of the U23s know who those few might have been? Aaron Ramsey & Kaine Kesler?
Kaine Kesler played (and was given man of the match) had Hayden on his shirt though. The missing youngsters were Philogene-Bidace, Wright, Chukwuemeka, A Ramsey and DJ Sturridge.
Thanks paul_e. Looks like a fair few have been training with the senior group.
Post by: Lastfootstamper on January 09, 2021, 01:25:36 PM
Post by: Allan C on January 09, 2021, 01:34:30 PM
Following on from Martyn’s post above. Four years ago today was the debacle at Wycombe. Fans and players tearing into each other at the side of the pitch and the players being roundly abused as they got onto the coach afterwards. Probably the shoddiest excuse for effort I’ve ever seen in a first team game. The transformation to today is monumental.Great post, watching that day was possibly as low as it got for me. I remember the attitude of the players and the disrespect they showed to the fans and the shirt. Yesterday was one of my proudest. I was still dancing round the living room and screaming at half time after our goal
Post by: OCD on January 09, 2021, 01:46:55 PM
Some of the absences yesterday were because some of the kids had been in contact with the first team. Aaron and Jacob Ramsey both live in their family home for instance. The commentator mentioned something about Philogene-Bidace living with someone from the first team squad too.
What a great buzz there must now be around the youth sides and the club as a whole. The first team must have watched that and been proud too. It wouldn't surprise me if the first team squad do something for the kids to commemorate the occasion.
As an aside, Klopp said pre-match that was the team they had trained all week for and would have played against us. The way the kids cut through them for their goal makes me think our first team would have a field day...again! The first team must have watched that thinking the same too.
Post by: eddiemunster on January 09, 2021, 01:52:17 PM
There's a few decent players in that side. It's going to be interesting to see where they end up.
Salah and Mane will probably go to Madrid. The others didn't look all that to me.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Absolutely love your comment Dave, wish I'd thought of it first!!
Post by: OCD on January 09, 2021, 02:18:17 PM
Post by: Stinkin_Thinkin on January 09, 2021, 02:26:28 PM
Interesting to see Michael Owen go from grumpy old pro to being lit up by young Louie.
It did remind me of owen against Argentina, the way he got across the defender. great vision for the pass aswell.
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 09, 2021, 02:28:40 PM
Post by: Risso on January 09, 2021, 02:40:53 PM
Interesting to see Michael Owen go from grumpy old pro to being lit up by young Louie.
It did remind me of owen against Argentina, the way he got across the defender. great vision for the pass aswell.
Size of the bugger these days. He must be as wide as he is tall.
Post by: The Edge on January 09, 2021, 02:42:22 PM
2 years ago we were mid-table in the Championship. The growth and improvement in the club is quite astonishing really.Re: Your opening sentence. I know a couple of blues knuckle draggers I hate to admit I'm related to some too. They hero worship that muppet Paul Mitchell and I really love to point out that was a sliding doors moment when he Judas'ed Jack Grealish. Grealish scored the winner and we've never looked back since. It really grinds their gears.We should have our own Paul Mitchell day to thank him for kick starting our club back on the road to greatness.
Some of the absences yesterday were because some of the kids had been in contact with the first team. Aaron and Jacob Ramsey both live in their family home for instance. The commentator mentioned something about Philogene-Bidace living with someone from the first team squad too.
What a great buzz there must now be around the youth sides and the club as a whole. The first team must have watched that and been proud too. It wouldn't surprise me if the first team squad do something for the kids to commemorate the occasion.
As an aside, Klopp said pre-match that was the team they had trained all week for and would have played against us. The way the kids cut through them for their goal makes me think our first team would have a field day...again! The first team must have watched that thinking the same too.
Post by: MorrisNielson on January 09, 2021, 02:45:13 PM
1969-70 - Brown JK - Bolton Wanderers - League - 15 years & 349 days
1959-60 - Ashe NJ - Swansea City - League - 16 years & 47 days
2014-15 - Hepburn-Murphy RMA - Sunderland - League - 16 years & 176 days
1957-58 - Hazelden W - West Bromwich Albion - League - 16 years & 269 days
1960-61 - Baker AR - Fulham - League - 16 years & 290 days
1963-64 - Wright MJ - Blackpool - League - 16 years & 347 days
2020-21 - Chrisene BJ - Liverpool - FA Cup - 16 years & 362 days
2020-21 - Swinkels SL - Liverpool - FA Cup - 17 years & 2 days
2020-21 - Bogarde L - Liverpool - FA Cup - 17 years & 3 days
1960-61 - Sleeuwenhoek JC - Bolton Wanderers - League - 17 years & 37 days
1997-98 - Barry G - Sheffield Wednesday - League - 17 years & 68 days
2020-21 - Rowe EJ - Liverpool - FA Cup - 17 years & 83 days
1975-76 - Cowans GS - Manchester City - League - 17 years & 103 days
2000-01 - Cooke SL - Celta Vigo - Inter-Toto Cup - 17 years & 169 days
1978-79 - Jenkins LR - Ipswich Town - League - 17 years & 176 days
1960-61 - Brown R - Rotherham United - League Cup - 17 years & 177 days
1976-77 - Linton I - Stoke City - League - 17 years & 177 days
1984-85 - Daley AM - Southampton - League - 17 years & 184 days
2008-09 - Delfouneso NA - FH Hafnarfjardar - UEFA Cup - 17 years & 194 days
2020-21 - Barry LM - Liverpool - FA Cup - 17 years & 201 days
1978-79 - Shaw GR - Bristol City - League - 17 years & 217 days
1999-00 - Bewers JA - Tottenham Hotspurs - League - 17 years & 218 days
1973-74 - Campbell RM - Sunderland - League - 17 years & 219 days
2015-16 - Green AJ - Tottenham Hotspurs - League - 17 years & 231 days
2019-20 - Archer CD - Crewe Alexandra - League Cup - 17 years & 261 days
2018-19 - Ramsey JMDC - West Bromwich Albion - League - 17 years & 264 days
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 09, 2021, 03:16:26 PM
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on January 09, 2021, 03:45:16 PM
Aston Villa’s team of teenagers had the champions worried.
The gallant young troops were called upon to tackle Liverpool after a COVID-19 outbreak ruled the entire first-team squad out of the contest.
In what was surely the strangest game in Villa’s long history, the youngsters — all of whom made their debuts — had just 24 hours to prepare for the tie.
This is the story of how Mark Delaney and the club put together a patched-up team that held the title-winners at the break before succumbing to a 4-1 defeat.
It includes a whirlwind 24 hours of phone calls and last-minute preparations for Delaney, pep-talks and messages of support from senior players, a player recalled from step seven to add experience, parents dropping teenagers to the stadium and a minibus taking them home — and a pumped-up performance full of grit and fight.
Rain pelted down on the West Midlands streets, turning snow into an icy, slippery surface on Friday morning. If it was uncomfortable to walk outside, the steps that Delaney would take throughout the day would become even more daunting. How do you prepare for a game of this magnitude in such a short space of time?
The chaos had already started on Thursday when 14 positive COVID-19 cases were returned in the regular round of testing. With every member of the first-team bubble forced into isolation, Delaney was called upon to fix up a team. Only the preparation was different.
When Villa beat Liverpool 7-2 in the Premier League back in September, the manager Dean Smith had the benefit of a detailed and well-structured training schedule created specifically to target the opponents’ weaknesses. Delaney, however, relied on a quick video analysis session at Villa Park before the match as preparation. Some of the players were even dropped at the stadium by their parents. There was no pre-match meal together or even a match-related workout to fall back on. After four weeks without a competitive game, they were simply asked to turn up and compete.
Initially, Smith was planning to rotate his team and use some of the fringe players in the game. That team had trained earlier in the week in advance of the game and were ready to start shape work on Thursday.
Then came the setback. Every member of the first-team bubble was tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday but when so many cases — including nine first-team players — returned positive, the entire set-up had to then enter into a period of isolation. As some of the top under-23 players such as Carney Chukwuemeka, Jadon Philogene-Bidance and both Jacob and Aaron Ramsey — had also been training with Smith’s group, the task of assembling a back-up team was difficult. Could Villa really put together a squad made up largely of under-21s for a televised match against the best team in the country? Cue panic and confusion.
The first step was to cancel Smith’s pre-match press conference. Like the rest of the first-team, he began isolating. Smith called Delaney to tell him he may have to step in.
“I was just preparing for a normal Thursday training session,” the under-23s coach said.
The session went ahead as planned but if the talent pool looked slim, it was because most of the top young players had already been ruled out. There were also plenty of confused faces when the players and coaching staff were told that they would be tested afterwards.
What had just felt like an ordinary midweek session had, in reality, become preparation for the biggest game of the players’ lives. Villa Park under the lights against Jurgen Klopp’s, Liverpool… as a teenager. It’s what dreams are made of.
It’s no surprise then, that the following hours were filled with both nerves and anticipation. As the club waited overnight for the fast-tracked test results to come back on Friday morning, it felt like the hours before Christmas for the teenagers.
Some players sought the advice of their experienced peers while members of the first-team got in touch to wish them well. Others had lengthy conversations with their representatives, many of whom are former players.
One member of the team received some useful instructions that he took on board. “Put yourself about, run your socks off and show how much you want to play for the football club,” he was told, echoing Delaney’s message from earlier this season where he said: “If you wear your heart on your sleeve for this club you will get your rewards.”
Villa supporters appreciate effort and enthusiasm and while there weren’t any inside to offer their backing, the thousands watching across the globe acted as a encouraging alternative.
Another player was also told to “be vocal”. For a young group, there were some loud voices out there, especially during a period of productivity before the break.
Smith also addressed the group via video link before the game wishing them well and telling all those in the squad to enjoy the experience.
At times it was testing beyond belief. Sadio Mane’s opener after just three minutes didn’t help. Villa’s squad numbers made the teamsheet look like the middle of a takeaway menu and it was very much as you would expect; men against boys. The youngest-ever Villa team in history were camped inside their own half for the majority of the game, but only late on did they really crumble, and even then, the scoreline stayed respectable.
It was an inspired effort given that Delaney didn’t even know his starting line-up until just eight hours before the game. He told many of his players that they were in the squad via a phone call. Then there was a mad rush to get shirts printed and the kit laid out in the dressing room in time.
With the two first-team kitmen isolating, the job fell to the another member of staff in the department. It was eventually completed with time to spare. For the first time this season Villa were not allowed to advertise the LT.com betting partner patch on the arms of their shirts because the team was made up largely of players under the age of 18.
Their excited reaction on arrival to the ground two hours before kick-off showed a wonderful youth and exuberance. The players took selfies with their hanging shirts and sent the pictures to loved ones. Some parents were there waiting at the end to pick them up while a minibus was laid on to take the other stragglers home.
Were they deflated by a big defeat? Not a chance. Instead they were filled with joy and delight with memories and mementos that will last a lifetime.
Louie Barry swapped shirts with Fabinho and then quickly grabbed his own back as well, no doubt realising the importance of retaining such a prized asset. And they say the magic of the FA Cup has disappeared. No doubt the 17-year-old’s equalising goal was certainly the Villa highlight, but Kaine Kesler also looks a future star in the making, too.
Lamare Bogarde showed good energy in the heart of midfield on the same day as he signed his first professional contract. Dom Revan wore the armband to become the least experienced captain in Villa’s history, Akos Onodi made some impressive saves and Jake Walker, recalled from a loan spell at Alvechurch in step seven of the league system specifically for the game, stood firm as one of only four starters past his teenage years. His social media following increased significantly in the build-up to the game, and like his team-mates, he emerged from the outing with praise.
Unused substitute, Taylor Hart, might not have got on, but it was quite the rise for another young member of the squad. In 2015 he was a part of Villa’s under-11s who travelled to Wembley to watch the FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool where Jack Grealish first made his name on the real big stage. Last night he sat in the stands close to Jurgen Klopp, watching his pals run a wealth of talent so close that they had to bring on the big-guns in the second half just to finish the job.
Delaney, with his 22-year association at Villa as a player and a coach, had been in the dugout hundreds of times before. But as the first-team manager, for a game live on BT Sport, and with the watching world assessing his every movement, this was completely different.
He stuck to his traditional attire; shorts in sub-zero temperatures, with a club coat and a woolly hat. He looked familiar but nothing in the textbook could have prepared him for such a whirlwind 24 hours.
“It has been manic,” he said, explaining how both Smith and assistant boss John Terry had called him up throughout the day to help him through his moment in the spotlight.
Delaney’s day started by ringing around his young group of teenagers, many of whom still live at home with their parents or in digs provided by the club, to reveal whether they were in or out in the hours before kick-off.
He then had to liaise with the club’s head of communications to find out the schedule for his pre and post-match media duties, before calming the nerves of his players to get them prepared for Henderson, Milner, Salah and co.
Such was the scale of change in the starting line-up, Villa’s content team even provided a stats pack for reporters with information on player positions and offered advice on pronunciations.
It was a strange night full of unusual surroundings. The players’ car park, usually packed to the rafters, had so many empty spaces. Range Rovers were replaced by vehicles in a significantly lower insurance group by essential workers of just the tender age of 16 and 17. What was their answer if the lockdown police questioned the reason for being out late at night?
“I was asked to stop Salah and Firmino, officer.” And for a while, they nearly did.
What happens next will depend on their development, of course, and while it’s unlikely we’ll see many in the first-team again, this fixture could be the springboard to future success.
It was for a clutch of players in December 2019 when Liverpool had to field a young group due to the participation in the Club World Cup. Caoimhin Kelleher has since jumped ahead of Adrian to become No.2 to Allison, Ki-Jana Hoever moved to Wolves for a fee potentially rising to £13.5million, Harvey Elliott is doing well on loan at Blackburn Rovers and central midfielder Leighton Clarkson has featured in the Champions League.
Asked how they felt after the outing, Delaney said: “Shattered!”
“They’re proud of what they have done, but they’re shattered.”
Winston Churchill famously once said: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” The bravery that Villa’s under-age rookies showed suggests they gave it their best shot.
Post by: Risso on January 09, 2021, 03:52:01 PM
Post by: The Edge on January 09, 2021, 04:43:26 PM
Can’t see this anywhere else. Taken from the Athletic by Gregg EvansGreat write up. Thanks for posting
Aston Villa’s team of teenagers had the champions worried.
The gallant young troops were called upon to tackle Liverpool after a COVID-19 outbreak ruled the entire first-team squad out of the contest.
In what was surely the strangest game in Villa’s long history, the youngsters — all of whom made their debuts — had just 24 hours to prepare for the tie.
This is the story of how Mark Delaney and the club put together a patched-up team that held the title-winners at the break before succumbing to a 4-1 defeat.
It includes a whirlwind 24 hours of phone calls and last-minute preparations for Delaney, pep-talks and messages of support from senior players, a player recalled from step seven to add experience, parents dropping teenagers to the stadium and a minibus taking them home — and a pumped-up performance full of grit and fight.
Rain pelted down on the West Midlands streets, turning snow into an icy, slippery surface on Friday morning. If it was uncomfortable to walk outside, the steps that Delaney would take throughout the day would become even more daunting. How do you prepare for a game of this magnitude in such a short space of time?
The chaos had already started on Thursday when 14 positive COVID-19 cases were returned in the regular round of testing. With every member of the first-team bubble forced into isolation, Delaney was called upon to fix up a team. Only the preparation was different.
When Villa beat Liverpool 7-2 in the Premier League back in September, the manager Dean Smith had the benefit of a detailed and well-structured training schedule created specifically to target the opponents’ weaknesses. Delaney, however, relied on a quick video analysis session at Villa Park before the match as preparation. Some of the players were even dropped at the stadium by their parents. There was no pre-match meal together or even a match-related workout to fall back on. After four weeks without a competitive game, they were simply asked to turn up and compete.
Initially, Smith was planning to rotate his team and use some of the fringe players in the game. That team had trained earlier in the week in advance of the game and were ready to start shape work on Thursday.
Then came the setback. Every member of the first-team bubble was tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday but when so many cases — including nine first-team players — returned positive, the entire set-up had to then enter into a period of isolation. As some of the top under-23 players such as Carney Chukwuemeka, Jadon Philogene-Bidance and both Jacob and Aaron Ramsey — had also been training with Smith’s group, the task of assembling a back-up team was difficult. Could Villa really put together a squad made up largely of under-21s for a televised match against the best team in the country? Cue panic and confusion.
The first step was to cancel Smith’s pre-match press conference. Like the rest of the first-team, he began isolating. Smith called Delaney to tell him he may have to step in.
“I was just preparing for a normal Thursday training session,” the under-23s coach said.
The session went ahead as planned but if the talent pool looked slim, it was because most of the top young players had already been ruled out. There were also plenty of confused faces when the players and coaching staff were told that they would be tested afterwards.
What had just felt like an ordinary midweek session had, in reality, become preparation for the biggest game of the players’ lives. Villa Park under the lights against Jurgen Klopp’s, Liverpool… as a teenager. It’s what dreams are made of.
It’s no surprise then, that the following hours were filled with both nerves and anticipation. As the club waited overnight for the fast-tracked test results to come back on Friday morning, it felt like the hours before Christmas for the teenagers.
Some players sought the advice of their experienced peers while members of the first-team got in touch to wish them well. Others had lengthy conversations with their representatives, many of whom are former players.
One member of the team received some useful instructions that he took on board. “Put yourself about, run your socks off and show how much you want to play for the football club,” he was told, echoing Delaney’s message from earlier this season where he said: “If you wear your heart on your sleeve for this club you will get your rewards.”
Villa supporters appreciate effort and enthusiasm and while there weren’t any inside to offer their backing, the thousands watching across the globe acted as a encouraging alternative.
Another player was also told to “be vocal”. For a young group, there were some loud voices out there, especially during a period of productivity before the break.
Smith also addressed the group via video link before the game wishing them well and telling all those in the squad to enjoy the experience.
At times it was testing beyond belief. Sadio Mane’s opener after just three minutes didn’t help. Villa’s squad numbers made the teamsheet look like the middle of a takeaway menu and it was very much as you would expect; men against boys. The youngest-ever Villa team in history were camped inside their own half for the majority of the game, but only late on did they really crumble, and even then, the scoreline stayed respectable.
It was an inspired effort given that Delaney didn’t even know his starting line-up until just eight hours before the game. He told many of his players that they were in the squad via a phone call. Then there was a mad rush to get shirts printed and the kit laid out in the dressing room in time.
With the two first-team kitmen isolating, the job fell to the another member of staff in the department. It was eventually completed with time to spare. For the first time this season Villa were not allowed to advertise the LT.com betting partner patch on the arms of their shirts because the team was made up largely of players under the age of 18.
Their excited reaction on arrival to the ground two hours before kick-off showed a wonderful youth and exuberance. The players took selfies with their hanging shirts and sent the pictures to loved ones. Some parents were there waiting at the end to pick them up while a minibus was laid on to take the other stragglers home.
Were they deflated by a big defeat? Not a chance. Instead they were filled with joy and delight with memories and mementos that will last a lifetime.
Louie Barry swapped shirts with Fabinho and then quickly grabbed his own back as well, no doubt realising the importance of retaining such a prized asset. And they say the magic of the FA Cup has disappeared. No doubt the 17-year-old’s equalising goal was certainly the Villa highlight, but Kaine Kesler also looks a future star in the making, too.
Lamare Bogarde showed good energy in the heart of midfield on the same day as he signed his first professional contract. Dom Revan wore the armband to become the least experienced captain in Villa’s history, Akos Onodi made some impressive saves and Jake Walker, recalled from a loan spell at Alvechurch in step seven of the league system specifically for the game, stood firm as one of only four starters past his teenage years. His social media following increased significantly in the build-up to the game, and like his team-mates, he emerged from the outing with praise.
Unused substitute, Taylor Hart, might not have got on, but it was quite the rise for another young member of the squad. In 2015 he was a part of Villa’s under-11s who travelled to Wembley to watch the FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool where Jack Grealish first made his name on the real big stage. Last night he sat in the stands close to Jurgen Klopp, watching his pals run a wealth of talent so close that they had to bring on the big-guns in the second half just to finish the job.
Delaney, with his 22-year association at Villa as a player and a coach, had been in the dugout hundreds of times before. But as the first-team manager, for a game live on BT Sport, and with the watching world assessing his every movement, this was completely different.
He stuck to his traditional attire; shorts in sub-zero temperatures, with a club coat and a woolly hat. He looked familiar but nothing in the textbook could have prepared him for such a whirlwind 24 hours.
“It has been manic,” he said, explaining how both Smith and assistant boss John Terry had called him up throughout the day to help him through his moment in the spotlight.
Delaney’s day started by ringing around his young group of teenagers, many of whom still live at home with their parents or in digs provided by the club, to reveal whether they were in or out in the hours before kick-off.
He then had to liaise with the club’s head of communications to find out the schedule for his pre and post-match media duties, before calming the nerves of his players to get them prepared for Henderson, Milner, Salah and co.
Such was the scale of change in the starting line-up, Villa’s content team even provided a stats pack for reporters with information on player positions and offered advice on pronunciations.
It was a strange night full of unusual surroundings. The players’ car park, usually packed to the rafters, had so many empty spaces. Range Rovers were replaced by vehicles in a significantly lower insurance group by essential workers of just the tender age of 16 and 17. What was their answer if the lockdown police questioned the reason for being out late at night?
“I was asked to stop Salah and Firmino, officer.” And for a while, they nearly did.
What happens next will depend on their development, of course, and while it’s unlikely we’ll see many in the first-team again, this fixture could be the springboard to future success.
It was for a clutch of players in December 2019 when Liverpool had to field a young group due to the participation in the Club World Cup. Caoimhin Kelleher has since jumped ahead of Adrian to become No.2 to Allison, Ki-Jana Hoever moved to Wolves for a fee potentially rising to £13.5million, Harvey Elliott is doing well on loan at Blackburn Rovers and central midfielder Leighton Clarkson has featured in the Champions League.
Asked how they felt after the outing, Delaney said: “Shattered!”
“They’re proud of what they have done, but they’re shattered.”
Winston Churchill famously once said: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” The bravery that Villa’s under-age rookies showed suggests they gave it their best shot.
Post by: frankmosswasmyuncle on January 09, 2021, 04:47:13 PM
I celebrated that goal like a demented Banshee and every time I watch it, it gets better!
I can feel Uncle Frank sending lots and lots of "likes"!
He liked a defensive scrap and would have loved this one.
I have read at least two reports that clearly didn't realise this was a makeshift U23/U18 side due to our better youngsters also self isolating, which makes the performance even more credit worthy. Mark Delaney, his staff and these boys deserve every atom of praise that comes their way.
Aston Villa handled the whole of this situation with genuine class and aplomb.
I bloody love this football club.
UTV!
Post by: OCD on January 09, 2021, 05:23:03 PM
Youngest Aston Villa Debuts (subject to change due to lack of creditable sources!):
1969-70 - Brown JK - Bolton Wanderers - League - 15 years & 349 days
1959-60 - Ashe NJ - Swansea City - League - 16 years & 47 days
2014-15 - Hepburn-Murphy RMA - Sunderland - League - 16 years & 176 days
1957-58 - Hazelden W - West Bromwich Albion - League - 16 years & 269 days
1960-61 - Baker AR - Fulham - League - 16 years & 290 days
1963-64 - Wright MJ - Blackpool - League - 16 years & 347 days
2020-21 - Chrisene BJ - Liverpool - FA Cup - 16 years & 362 days
2020-21 - Swinkels SL - Liverpool - FA Cup - 17 years & 2 days
2020-21 - Bogarde L - Liverpool - FA Cup - 17 years & 3 days
1960-61 - Sleeuwenhoek JC - Bolton Wanderers - League - 17 years & 37 days
1997-98 - Barry G - Sheffield Wednesday - League - 17 years & 68 days
2020-21 - Rowe EJ - Liverpool - FA Cup - 17 years & 83 days
1975-76 - Cowans GS - Manchester City - League - 17 years & 103 days
2000-01 - Cooke SL - Celta Vigo - Inter-Toto Cup - 17 years & 169 days
1978-79 - Jenkins LR - Ipswich Town - League - 17 years & 176 days
1960-61 - Brown R - Rotherham United - League Cup - 17 years & 177 days
1976-77 - Linton I - Stoke City - League - 17 years & 177 days
1984-85 - Daley AM - Southampton - League - 17 years & 184 days
2008-09 - Delfouneso NA - FH Hafnarfjardar - UEFA Cup - 17 years & 194 days
2020-21 - Barry LM - Liverpool - FA Cup - 17 years & 201 days
1978-79 - Shaw GR - Bristol City - League - 17 years & 217 days
1999-00 - Bewers JA - Tottenham Hotspurs - League - 17 years & 218 days
1973-74 - Campbell RM - Sunderland - League - 17 years & 219 days
2015-16 - Green AJ - Tottenham Hotspurs - League - 17 years & 231 days
2019-20 - Archer CD - Crewe Alexandra - League Cup - 17 years & 261 days
2018-19 - Ramsey JMDC - West Bromwich Albion - League - 17 years & 264 days
A few recent entries there. Note the last 2 as well.
According to Gregg's article we were going to shuffle the team a bit and Philogene-Bidace, Chukwuememba, Aaron Ramsey and Jacob Ramsey may well have all featured anyway if it hadn't been for Covid.
Post by: West Derby Villan on January 09, 2021, 05:33:47 PM
Gregg's actually got quite good since he left the local rag.
Thanks for posting BNS
Couldn’t agree more (about Gregg).
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 09, 2021, 06:03:56 PM
Gregg's actually got quite good since he left the local rag.
Thanks for posting BNS
Couldn’t agree more (about Gregg).
He’s certainly not Pasty his best.
Post by: villa `cross the mersey on January 09, 2021, 06:22:47 PM
Klopp is an absolute twat. Sorry VCTM, but he really is.No need to apologise CD.....I fully intend to challenge Klopp ( hereafter referred to as Bingo) about his line up against a bunch of kids , next time I see him . Meanwhile I can confirm that my mutt, Marley has duly pissed up his front gate and wheelie bin directly under the glare of his security cameras and His two personal security guards ....all in the name of the mighty AVFC
Shall we play a game of Guess When Klopp Next Moans About Playing Too Many Games or Not Having Enough Subs?
I'll go for Tuesday.
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 09, 2021, 09:50:08 PM
https://twitter.com/avfcofficial/status/1347966869194477571?s=21
Post by: wittonwarrior on January 09, 2021, 10:10:09 PM
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on January 09, 2021, 10:39:05 PM
Klopp is an absolute twat. Sorry VCTM, but he really is.No need to apologise CD.....I fully intend to challenge Klopp ( hereafter referred to as Bingo) about his line up against a bunch of kids , next time I see him . Meanwhile I can confirm that my mutt, Marley has duly pissed up his front gate and wheelie bin directly under the glare of his security cameras and His two personal security guards ....all in the name of the mighty AVFC
Shall we play a game of Guess When Klopp Next Moans About Playing Too Many Games or Not Having Enough Subs?
I'll go for Tuesday.
(https://i.ibb.co/pyqrMb0/61451-65fdc85ff20a10e63cef4b52e5c32d04.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pyqrMb0)
Post by: The Edge on January 09, 2021, 10:59:32 PM
Hahaha quality. Keep up the good work.Klopp is an absolute twat. Sorry VCTM, but he really is.No need to apologise CD.....I fully intend to challenge Klopp ( hereafter referred to as Bingo) about his line up against a bunch of kids , next time I see him . Meanwhile I can confirm that my mutt, Marley has duly pissed up his front gate and wheelie bin directly under the glare of his security cameras and His two personal security guards ....all in the name of the mighty AVFC
Shall we play a game of Guess When Klopp Next Moans About Playing Too Many Games or Not Having Enough Subs?
I'll go for Tuesday.
Post by: DrGonzo on January 09, 2021, 11:23:58 PM
It is an indescribable effort put in by the entire club and shows an admirable attitude to promoting success at every level. The idea that excellence will be rewarded is something that is well worth fostering in any business. We should hope that the guys involved last night will feel empowered by the faith shown in them and the quality of that perfomance, and use it as a springboard. Very proud of being a Villa fan right now.
Post by: Hillbilly on January 09, 2021, 11:31:16 PM
Bingo is funny but I still prefer Klippity.Klopp is an absolute twat. Sorry VCTM, but he really is.No need to apologise CD.....I fully intend to challenge Klopp ( hereafter referred to as Bingo) about his line up against a bunch of kids , next time I see him . Meanwhile I can confirm that my mutt, Marley has duly pissed up his front gate and wheelie bin directly under the glare of his security cameras and His two personal security guards ....all in the name of the mighty AVFC
Shall we play a game of Guess When Klopp Next Moans About Playing Too Many Games or Not Having Enough Subs?
I'll go for Tuesday.
Post by: eamonn on January 10, 2021, 10:10:07 AM
Klopp is an absolute twat. Sorry VCTM, but he really is.No need to apologise CD.....I fully intend to challenge Klopp ( hereafter referred to as Bingo) about his line up against a bunch of kids , next time I see him . Meanwhile I can confirm that my mutt, Marley has duly pissed up his front gate and wheelie bin directly under the glare of his security cameras and His two personal security guards ....all in the name of the mighty AVFC
Shall we play a game of Guess When Klopp Next Moans About Playing Too Many Games or Not Having Enough Subs?
I'll go for Tuesday.
(https://i.ibb.co/pyqrMb0/61451-65fdc85ff20a10e63cef4b52e5c32d04.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pyqrMb0)
DO SOMETHING
Post by: eamonn on January 10, 2021, 10:11:58 AM
It was amazing, but if you are going to quote massive articles can you at least have the patience to crop the majority of them so that we don't have to scroll through insane amounts of text please.
I know, gets on my wick too. Especially when it's the very next post after the massive article. Like, no shit- you're responding to the article. No need to repeat the fuxking thing.
Post by: exigo on January 10, 2021, 10:24:50 AM
In fact, now I'm trying to think of the top weirdest games we've ever played.
Not nazi saluting in Germany?
Behind closed doors in the European Cup?
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on January 10, 2021, 10:58:49 AM
In fact, now I'm trying to think of the top weirdest games we've ever played.
Celta Vigo intertoto at the hawthorns.
Barry took the penalty.
https://www.11v11.com/matches/aston-villa-v-celta-vigo-02-august-2000-3428/
Post by: LeeB on January 10, 2021, 11:01:33 AM
In fact, now I'm trying to think of the top weirdest games we've ever played.
Celta Vigo intertoto at the hawthorns.
Barry took the penalty.
https://www.11v11.com/matches/aston-villa-v-celta-vigo-02-august-2000-3428/
Crash landing Santa has got to be in there
Post by: The Edge on January 10, 2021, 11:04:45 AM
Good read that Gregg Evans article. But, surely it's our strangest game since the very first – where we played a half of rugby and a half of football?I have a vague memory of a game at Villa Park over the Christmas period in the 70s against Southampton. I think it was a friendly and it was bloody freezing. A crowd of about 3,000 huddled together at the back of the Holte. My only recollection is a brilliant one handed save by Nigel Spink right in front of the Holte from a volley by Mike Channon. No busses to get home. The whole thing was bizzare.
In fact, now I'm trying to think of the top weirdest games we've ever played.
Not nazi saluting in Germany?
Behind closed doors in the European Cup?
Edit: I may have dreamt the whole thing.
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on January 10, 2021, 11:11:09 AM
Post by: andyh on January 10, 2021, 11:20:36 AM
The ****** is ‘supposed’ to be a journalist.
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 10, 2021, 11:22:28 AM
Woman beater, racist and all round ****** Rod Liddle having a go at Aston Villa for fielding a weakened team in the FA cup and not treating it with respect.The Sun
The ****** is ‘supposed’ to be a journalist.
Post by: dave shelley on January 10, 2021, 11:25:31 AM
Post by: Meanwood Villa on January 10, 2021, 11:25:34 AM
In fact, now I'm trying to think of the top weirdest games we've ever played.
Celta Vigo intertoto at the hawthorns.
Barry took the penalty.
https://www.11v11.com/matches/aston-villa-v-celta-vigo-02-august-2000-3428/
This was the first one I thought of. Bizarre game. Would VAR have made it better or worse I wonder?
Post by: eamonn on January 10, 2021, 11:34:14 AM
Post by: The Edge on January 10, 2021, 11:41:34 AM
Woman beater, racist and all round ****** Rod Liddle having a go at Aston Villa for fielding a weakened team in the FA cup and not treating it with respect.Wtaf? How could we NOT field a weakened team in the circumstances? Does anyone have a link?
The ****** is ‘supposed’ to be a journalist.
Post by: TopDeck113 on January 10, 2021, 11:42:27 AM
Post by: Meanwood Villa on January 10, 2021, 11:54:03 AM
Woman beater, racist and all round ****** Rod Liddle having a go at Aston Villa for fielding a weakened team in the FA cup and not treating it with respect.Wtaf? How could we NOT field a weakened team in the circumstances? Does anyone have a link?
The ****** is ‘supposed’ to be a journalist.
I was wondering about this. Is the angle that we won't countenance postponing a league game but we are willing to do it for a cup game? Which is sort of true but has far more to do with the structure of the competitions than us.
Post by: Meanwood Villa on January 10, 2021, 11:54:40 AM
Post by: andyh on January 10, 2021, 12:05:16 PM
No. He’s talking (out of his cock) about not treating the cup with respect.Woman beater, racist and all round ****** Rod Liddle having a go at Aston Villa for fielding a weakened team in the FA cup and not treating it with respect.Wtaf? How could we NOT field a weakened team in the circumstances? Does anyone have a link?
The ****** is ‘supposed’ to be a journalist.
I was wondering about this. Is the angle that we won't countenance postponing a league game but we are willing to do it for a cup game? Which is sort of true but has far more to do with the structure of the competitions than us.
https://twitter.com/BenTrenchard/status/1348225603862994944?s=20
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 10, 2021, 12:06:29 PM
Post by: Nev on January 10, 2021, 12:06:44 PM
Rod Liddle is a ******.
Rod Liddle is a ******.
Post by: eamonn on January 10, 2021, 12:16:04 PM
Did I imagine us playing a home league game against West Ham in white shirts sometime this century? What was that all about? Several lads who I sat by regularly left before the kick off in protest.
That did indeed happen. As chronicled in H&V match-thread #341 circa 2010. The ref thought Spam's away shirts still contained too much claret and blue (I think) and as we had the resources of the Villa Village nearby, we had to change into our change strip.
Post by: olaftab on January 10, 2021, 12:16:18 PM
Post by: Percy McCarthy on January 10, 2021, 12:19:59 PM
Woman beater, racist and all round ****** Rod Liddle having a go at Aston Villa for fielding a weakened team in the FA cup and not treating it with respect.
The ****** is ‘supposed’ to be a journalist.
And he’s a Brexiter (of bourse he is).
Post by: Lastfootstamper on January 10, 2021, 12:22:25 PM
Post by: pooligan on January 10, 2021, 12:23:28 PM
Post by: Meanwood Villa on January 10, 2021, 12:25:35 PM
No. He’s talking (out of his cock) about not treating the cup with respect.Woman beater, racist and all round ****** Rod Liddle having a go at Aston Villa for fielding a weakened team in the FA cup and not treating it with respect.Wtaf? How could we NOT field a weakened team in the circumstances? Does anyone have a link?
The ****** is ‘supposed’ to be a journalist.
I was wondering about this. Is the angle that we won't countenance postponing a league game but we are willing to do it for a cup game? Which is sort of true but has far more to do with the structure of the competitions than us.
https://twitter.com/BenTrenchard/status/1348225603862994944?s=20
That's so bad. Completely uninformed
Post by: Sister of Top Cat on January 10, 2021, 12:34:01 PM
Yes i remember us having to play in our white away shirts against Wet Spam as the referee which may have been that idiot Mike Riley said that the Wet Spam away kit was to much like our home kit and he would postpone the game .Of course our club just got on with it like they did Friday and agreed to wear our away kitIt was Mark Halsey wasn't it? TC was on holiday so I took a mate who'd not seen us play for a couple of seasons. In the first half the shirts had no names on them so she hadn't a clue who anyone was!
Post by: pooligan on January 10, 2021, 12:51:39 PM
Post by: OCD on January 10, 2021, 12:55:22 PM
No. He’s talking (out of his cock) about not treating the cup with respect.Woman beater, racist and all round ****** Rod Liddle having a go at Aston Villa for fielding a weakened team in the FA cup and not treating it with respect.Wtaf? How could we NOT field a weakened team in the circumstances? Does anyone have a link?
The ****** is ‘supposed’ to be a journalist.
I was wondering about this. Is the angle that we won't countenance postponing a league game but we are willing to do it for a cup game? Which is sort of true but has far more to do with the structure of the competitions than us.
https://twitter.com/BenTrenchard/status/1348225603862994944?s=20
That's so bad. Completely uninformed
He also mentions the Chorley-Derby 'cup upset' without realising that Derby also had to put together a makeshift U23 side made mostly of U18's like we had to. You would think that someone who makes a living out of writing about football would have the first clue about what was going on.
Post by: pooligan on January 10, 2021, 01:07:29 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/XpbhWzF/Villa-v-West-Ham.png) (https://ibb.co/XpbhWzF)
Post by: hipkiss92 on January 10, 2021, 01:54:59 PM
Just checked on the match and it was 18th April 2009 .The referee was none other than one of the worst referee's to ever been seen in the Premier Rob Styles He insisted that unless Villa wore their away strip he would call the match off Just to upset Villa even more he refused in the last minute to give a penalty for a blatant handball by Tomkins Anyone who can remember the idiot will agree he was the Kevin Friend of the dayRemember it well in our run at the end of that season where we didn't win for about 11 games after the Moscow / Stoke debacles.
Post by: The Edge on January 10, 2021, 02:20:19 PM
As the Sun is such a bastion of virtue, morality and top notch journalism I fully expect this journalist to be fired for such an ill informed lazy and spiteful comment.No. He’s talking (out of his cock) about not treating the cup with respect.Woman beater, racist and all round ****** Rod Liddle having a go at Aston Villa for fielding a weakened team in the FA cup and not treating it with respect.Wtaf? How could we NOT field a weakened team in the circumstances? Does anyone have a link?
The ****** is ‘supposed’ to be a journalist.
I was wondering about this. Is the angle that we won't countenance postponing a league game but we are willing to do it for a cup game? Which is sort of true but has far more to do with the structure of the competitions than us.
https://twitter.com/BenTrenchard/status/1348225603862994944?s=20
That's so bad. Completely uninformed
Post by: dave shelley on January 10, 2021, 06:19:35 PM
Post by: dave shelley on January 10, 2021, 06:24:02 PM