Best Villa moments of the season

[cheltenhamlion]

It may sound gushing but I nominate the fans. It started at that QPR home game and carried on.

The team did great things but, as always when it matters, the Villa Park crowd carried us through.

As I say, second half vs QPR and it all began.

[chrisf]

It was best summed up for me I think at the end of the Wigan 0-3 defeat (it may have been another game but I'm getting older and the memory plays tricks).  Half the ground had walked out in disgust (and I quite understand why) and with about 10 minutes left a frenzied and fast version of Paul Lamberts Claret and Blue Army started which carried on until full time.  It showed that even if many were losing faith many of us were willing to see it through.

I'm not sure if it was the Spurs or Wigan game. In any case, we'd just been stuffed to follow on from the Chelsea game but we still believed and wanted to show it. My guess is that a lot of those still singing at the end had been at Norwich a few weeks earlier. What a night that was. I was buzzing for days after.

[andyaston]

That second half against Sunderland was pure bliss.

[glasses]

Arsenal 4 - Wigan 1

Sorry, Frank. I'm not having that. It's not really you as such. I work surrounded by Baggies fans, all of whom on Wednesday were full of 'Bet you're glad Arsenal have saved you?' and 'You're lucky they had to go to Arsenal'. It's pissed me off. My response has been simple. We aren't relegated because after us both playing the same fixture, 37 games, we have five more points than Wigan. Arsenal haven't just been chasing Champions League football this month, they were doing so when they beat us in our match at the Emirates too. We have stayed up on merit. Whilst its not something to be proud of as such, we have avoided relegation by digging deep and winning important matches.

[Rudy65]

First time poster. villa fan for 40 years.

Gave up my ST in the Trinity this season after 6 years due to work commitments of my son. As a result we had to go to the odd game instead. After seeing the Swans game we then saw Wigan and Southampton and Bradford. Oh dear. Threw my flag down in disgust after Bradford! As others have said the last 30 mins in the home game were desperate.

However, the QPR and Sunderland games were truly fantastic for the atmosphere. Liverpool and chelsea were great as well. Bentekes winner against QPR had me dancing around like an escaped lunatic much to my sons embarrassment! Best thing was all this games were viewed from the Holte after many years away. Villa fans are known by some to be fickle but I felt we really stuck together and with the team throughout.

Sounds bizarre but the threat of relegation made me care more, got me to go to more home games than I thought Id go to and has made me look forward to next season already.

UTV

[Toronto Villa]

welcome to the mad house Rudy. You thinking about getting a ST next year? I wonder how many people will consider going back and getting one for next season?

[Rudy65]

Thanks Toronto.

Doubt i will renew the ST due to my sons work but will certainly go more often than not. Just great to have some belief again

[amfy]

Its been mentioned before a few time but us lot this season have been on the whole great with what we've enjoyed/endured.  It was best summed up for me I think at the end of the Wigan 0-3 defeat (it may have been another game but I'm getting older and the memory plays tricks).  Half the ground had walked out in disgust (and I quite understand why) and with about 10 minutes left a frenzied and fast version of Paul Lamberts Claret and Blue Army started which carried on until full time.  It showed that even if many were losing faith many of us were willing to see it through.

The only thing that stopped me posting about this was my inability to remember which game it was! In this run of terrible results, the fans that stuck with the team and stayed ( and I do completely understand why some couldn't) really did drag them back out of it. It happened in more than one game, but was particularly noticeable in the one where many left about half an hour early. Those of us that we're left just lifted ourselves and got behind them, and you could visbibly see it lifting the team. For me that was a turning point where the fans rebuilt their shattered nerves. From the second half of Newcastle, you could see it starting to work.
The belief that we matter, that we can make a difference, that the players respond to us and care what we think and feel, that has been the best thing for me. I was thinking that had long gone.

[Percy McCarthy]

The mad 'Paul Lambert's claret and blue army' chant was towards the end of the Spurs game when we were 4 down.

Apparently Garth Crooks said we were the best fans in the league on telly the other day. Didn't see it myself - a nose told me. Which was nice.

Anyone see it?

[LeeB]

The fourth goal at Norwich.

The moment when hope became faith.

[olaftab]

Can't forget the opener v manure at VP. Christian absolutely demolishing Smalling before laying it perfectly for Andreas and his rocket hit the back of the net and bounced out before anyone realised a goal has been scored. Magic!

[Cleybrooke]

Chanting "One Gareth Barry!" after he scored followed by "Milner give us a goal!". Old School at the Etihad.

[Matt Collins]

Benteke will rightfully get all the plaudits but I think Delph has been outstanding since January.

Agree with you, Delph has been like a new signing. Really impressed with him

Delphi, since the WBA game, has been our best midfielder. We still lack a little something in central midfield, but he's the player we thought we were getting. I'm really so happy for him. Just needs to add goals and more discipline to his tackling.

[JUAN PABLO]

best moment

just realising today Ive still got money I won on betting Paul Lambert to be Villa manager and forgetting to take the money out

result 

[Matt Collins]

Many have been mentioned, so I'll mention some other pleasing points:

Seeing us actually pass the ball like a proper premier league side for the first time in years and years
Lowton against Sunderland. Best villa full back performance I've ever seen
Delph's form since the turn of the year
The atmosphere against QPR
starting to defend corners properly
Learning to come back after conceding (from being shocking, we actually did it quite a bit - at least against weaker sides)
Benteke's goal at WBA
Arsenal'a third v Wigan. First time I've relaxed all season!