SV Rodinghausen vs Aston Villa, Mega Thread

[Louzie0]

You know, the more I look at those photos, the more I think Claret shorts with a white stripe up the side like the tops have in blue, would have been a better choice.

[villajk]

A mate of mine who's over there has just text me saying it's a terrible game. Mind you, pre-season ones can be can't they.

It was a terrible game.  Things can only get better.

We go again.

Noooooooooooo

[Dave Clark Five]

Reminder to self. Never arrive at a ground, in the middle of nowhere, 3 hours before kick off when in desperate need of a drink. The promise to let us in at 4 had vanished. 530 was our earliest chance.  Once inside, it wasn't too bad. We went in the stand as it was the same price in there as in the away enclosure, which was alongside the pitch opposite with very little in the way of facilities; the bogs being up the road in a school. Those who were in there did their best to drink the makeshift bar dry.

[danlanza]

So, shit then ?

[eamonn]

Reminder to self. Never arrive at a ground, in the middle of nowhere, 3 hours before kick off when in desperate need of a drink. The promise to let us in at 4 had vanished. 530 was our earliest chance.  Once inside, it wasn't too bad. We went in the stand as it was the same price in there as in the away enclosure, which was alongside the pitch opposite with very little in the way of facilities; the bogs being up the road in a school. Those who were in there did their best to drink the makeshift bar dry.

Did you do the Guess The Crowd game in your head to relieve the boredom?

I imagine it must have been the lowest turn-out of Villa fans at any game you've travelled to for a fair old time.

[danlanza]

7,500 ?

[olaftab]

I have written a very sternly worded letter to Mr Lambert. I am also sending copies to Mr Faulkner, Mr Lerner, The Pope, Genghis Khan, Fats Domino and Suzi Quatro.

I will be heard after this shambles goddamit!

I hope you picked the right address for Mr G Khan as he has moved recently. It's no longer  G. Khan , Asia Minor . It's G. Khan, Greater Prussia and District of Rome.

[Toronto Villa]

I thought it was funny that when Helenius scored the fans sang his name to the same tune as the Benteke song. The kit looks rather good too.

[Steve R]

Man up you lot. A point away from home is not a bad result.

Did McLeish punch the air at the end?

[Clampy]

The mates who have gone over got some cracking photo's with a few of the players and Lambert after the game. Apparantley Okore could'nt understand a word they were saying.

[Ron Manager]

This doesnt seem very positive for the club. There is an air of pessimism prevaling over B6 since the news about Benteke broke.

We need something to happen to lift spirits.

God knows what though.

[TheTimVilla]

I thought it was a nice little run out. Nobody pushed themselves too hard. Except Gabby, who seemed to think it was a Blues match.

Guzan had one shot to save, Herd and Albrighton (he also looked pretty fit) linked up ok on the right, Baker and Vlaar looked solid, Bennett had nowt to do. Tonev looks good. Very tall, with some tricks and an impressive turn of pace. Delph played well, and had a few nice touches. Sylla was ok. Bacuna, a taller Ashley Young, also looked good. Bowery was poor, second to the ball and looked lost.

Second half, a complete change. Steer didn't have much to do and couldn't be faulted for their free kick. Lowton was an auxiliary midfielder, getting forward a lot. Luna also looks good going forward but drew mirth from the fans when he went down clutching his face. Okore didn't impress me. He reminded me of Bryan Small, in that he seems to have no control over his limbs. And they're about the same height! Clark did ok. Westwood looked pretty good, as always. Cupboardy didn't do much, but Gardner tried a few flicks. They didn't come off, but I'm pleased to see him try them. Gabby, Weimann and Helenius linked up well. I can see Helenius slotting in well. Very similar to Crouch, with that same languor.

[Dave Clark Five]

Reminder to self. Never arrive at a ground, in the middle of nowhere, 3 hours before kick off when in desperate need of a drink. The promise to let us in at 4 had vanished. 530 was our earliest chance.  Once inside, it wasn't too bad. We went in the stand as it was the same price in there as in the away enclosure, which was alongside the pitch opposite with very little in the way of facilities; the bogs being up the road in a school. Those who were in there did their best to drink the makeshift bar dry.

Did you do the Guess The Crowd game in your head to relieve the boredom?

I imagine it must have been the lowest turn-out of Villa fans at any game you've travelled to for a fair old time.

While locked outside, I counted the seats (roughly) as I knew how many tickets had been sold and wanted to know what chance we stood. It was surprising when a club official sold us two out of his jacket pocket.

I reckon there were about 50 Villa there. Difficult to say how many had travelled from England but there was at least 21 of us. There were 3 German Villans. The remainder were ex pats.
A very strange place. As you stood at the main entrance, behind you were fields, with their crops growing. Cars were parked between these fields on the roadside. There was one little lane called Jerusalem Straße. It was all quite surreal.

[andrew08]

It was a good trip to a location who clearly weren't expecting us. All the facilities were as described but I have to say any time the Villa want to relocate my seat to the half way line with draft German beer within 2 paces then that will be fine by me!

We didn't play that badly tbf. We kept the ball ok without actually really going for it. Gabby was a bit chubby looking, but other than that nothing stood out good or bad really for me.

[TheTimVilla]

I thought I'd driven to the wrong place! I go there about 40 minutes before kickoff, there was nobody about and the ground seemed to be in the middle of nowhere!