Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[VillaAlways]

0-2 Villa

[PeterWithesShin]

Let's just make Petrov Day a day to remember. Lovely interview with him on AVTV.

Plus this on the OS.

Stan Petrov has thanked supporters for organising 'Stan Petrov Day' for the game against Wigan.

Almost 4,000 supporters will wear face masks of Petrov on Sunday to honour their former skipper who has retired from football after being struck down by acute leukaemia.

Petrov admitted it was funny to hear of the tribute afternoon on the final day of the season but stressed he was honoured to hear of the fun-filled festivities.

He told AVTV: "I have seen the masks. They look nothing like me at the moment!

"It's really funny. It will be funny and weird to see my face on 4,000 other people.

"I will really enjoy it. It will be even more enjoyable because we're safe now. The fans will go and enjoy it and I'm sure I will too."

Petrov chatted days after he led an "incredible and emotional" lap of appreciation following the Chelsea game.

He added: "I was surprised I was able to hold my tears. I was almost there.

"It was so emotional saying bye. I was nervous.

"When I walked on the pitch and the fans were there with their posters singing my name it was incredible.

"I had a great day and it was perfect."

[Des Little]

A visit to every pub in Wigan town centre and 10 pints for me. Is there a game on or something?

[Mazrim]

Exhibition football from Villa and a routine 3-1 win.
Weimann, Gabby and Bennett.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I care.

Like every game, I'm getting nervous and want us to win, not that I ever thought we'd ever get relegated, I just love it when we win. It makes my weekend, puts a smile on face, makes me believe in our progression. Nothing would make me happier on Sunday than finishing off the season with a victory, seeing the Villa fans celebrating behind the goal then reading your tales on here of how much fun you had.

It's been a tough season and the Villa fans have been superb throughout. I hope the lads give them the victory they deserve.

3-1 Villa. Bowery, Delph and Sylla (from 45 yards but too late for Goal of the Season).

[VillaSpen]

Wigan 4-8 Villa.

[PaulWinch again]

Hopefully we'll better Southampton's result as I have £20 with a mate that we'll finish above them.

[supertom]

3-0 Villa. Benteke hattrick. Yeah I know, but he's just that good.

[Villafirst]

1-5 Villa, Bent 19th, 38th, 57th, 76th & 95th minutes!

[cheltenhamlion]

Its nice not having to worry about it.

[Deano's Mullet]

2-2 with Villa leading well in to injury time before shocking defending lets Maloney into score an equaliser

[Damo70]

1-2. We will miss Benteke but they are shell shocked after Tuesday and tired and drained generally. Watching the aftermath of the Arsenal game gave me the impression they really didn't think they were going down and the cup final seemed to distract them from how serious the situation was.

[mallo]

2-2, a farewell to Bent and not a care in the world

[Chris Jameson]

At something like 750,000 per league placing this is worth circa 3.75m isn't it?

Can't remember who it was who came out with the laughable suggestion that the entire league campaign had been organised in order to provide SKY with a relegation decider for the final day (or words to that effect) but now I've read that it makes sense. That is how they will be selling the match on SKY.

[richard moore]

At something like 750,000 per league placing this is worth circa 3.75m isn't it?

Can't remember who it was who came out with the laughable suggestion that the entire league campaign had been organised in order to provide SKY with a relegation decider for the final day (or words to that effect) but now I've read that it makes sense. That is how they will be selling the match on SKY.

Talk Shite are now promoting this as 'judgement day' or some other load of old tosh for Spurs and Arsenal. You can just imagine the behind the scenes scurrying around to change all the hyped up straplines and advertising once the relegation places were sorted