FA Cup Final - Pre-Match Thread

[cheltenhamlion]

I am too much of a technological retard to post my Facebook stuff. If Richard can't,  I am sure Legion will later.

[Richard E]

OK then, here goes, apologies if the formatting is crap but I cut and pasted it:-

"They say that you don't choose Aston Villa, that it chooses you. There have been all too many occasions in my life where a part of me wishes it had chosen someone else.
Choking when challenging for the title in the first Premier League season for example.
I have never felt lower than I did when leaving the ground after the 2000 FA Cup final. Our first final in two generations and the team didn't turn up.
Being robbed of the League Cup in 2010 because that blob Phil Dowd couldn't face seeing Wazza and Co lose.
The last five years have been worse in some respects though. Crap football. Ever decreasing expectations. And all hope slowly being drained from us to the point we had accepted we were going to be relegated earlier this season.
This wasn't a Villa I could identify with any more. Where you had to drink your body weight in beer before a game to dull the senses ahead of the tortuous, tedious crap you were being forced to watch each week.
But now we find ourselves at the end of this train wreck of a season with a chance of glory. A chance to right those ills I have mentioned. To finally close some old wounds.
Aston Villa have been doing the right thing off the pitch since 1874. All too rarely have we got it right on it.
We are big underdogs for this game but I believe. I believe in the manager. Someone I didn't want when he got the job but who has taken a defibrillator to a club on its knees.
I believe in the players. I always thought we had good players but that they were not being used correctly.
I believe in the captain. Many others would have seen an International call up and diminishing contract as an excuse to go one of the Sky 4. Not ours. In the midst of all that bleakness he signed up for another four years and has fostered a team harmony we haven't had for many years.
I believe in the fans. We nearly took the roof off Wembley for the semi final and I don't doubt it will be louder and prouder this weekend, even with less of us there.
I believe in Aston Villa. I believe that now is our moment. I believe that if you combine all of the above then we become an unstoppable force. I believe it is our year.
So let's exorcise those demons. Let's win the cup for the first time since 1957. Let's give a new generation a chance to be part of what we keep telling them about.
I believe. Now let's fucking 'ave it!"

[The Laughing Policeman]

Play like Lions.

And the bloke in the suit is called Kevin Richardson. Omen or what?

[stubbsyandy]

OK then, here goes, apologies if the formatting is crap but I cut and pasted it:-

"They say that you don't choose Aston Villa, that it chooses you. There have been all too many occasions in my life where a part of me wishes it had chosen someone else.
Choking when challenging for the title in the first Premier League season for example.
I have never felt lower than I did when leaving the ground after the 2000 FA Cup final. Our first final in two generations and the team didn't turn up.
Being robbed of the League Cup in 2010 because that blob Phil Dowd couldn't face seeing Wazza and Co lose.
The last five years have been worse in some respects though. Crap football. Ever decreasing expectations. And all hope slowly being drained from us to the point we had accepted we were going to be relegated earlier this season.
This wasn't a Villa I could identify with any more. Where you had to drink your body weight in beer before a game to dull the senses ahead of the tortuous, tedious crap you were being forced to watch each week.
But now we find ourselves at the end of this train wreck of a season with a chance of glory. A chance to right those ills I have mentioned. To finally close some old wounds.
Aston Villa have been doing the right thing off the pitch since 1874. All too rarely have we got it right on it.
We are big underdogs for this game but I believe. I believe in the manager. Someone I didn't want when he got the job but who has taken a defibrillator to a club on its knees.
I believe in the players. I always thought we had good players but that they were not being used correctly.
I believe in the captain. Many others would have seen an International call up and diminishing contract as an excuse to go one of the Sky 4. Not ours. In the midst of all that bleakness he signed up for another four years and has fostered a team harmony we haven't had for many years.
I believe in the fans. We nearly took the roof off Wembley for the semi final and I don't doubt it will be louder and prouder this weekend, even with less of us there.
I believe in Aston Villa. I believe that now is our moment. I believe that if you combine all of the above then we become an unstoppable force. I believe it is our year.
So let's exorcise those demons. Let's win the cup for the first time since 1957. Let's give a new generation a chance to be part of what we keep telling them about.
I believe. Now let's fucking 'ave it!"

YES!!!!

[PeterWithesShin]

[not3bad]

OK then, here goes, apologies if the formatting is crap but I cut and pasted it:-

"They say that you don't choose Aston Villa, that it chooses you. There have been all too many occasions in my life where a part of me wishes it had chosen someone else.
Choking when challenging for the title in the first Premier League season for example.
I have never felt lower than I did when leaving the ground after the 2000 FA Cup final. Our first final in two generations and the team didn't turn up.
Being robbed of the League Cup in 2010 because that blob Phil Dowd couldn't face seeing Wazza and Co lose.
The last five years have been worse in some respects though. Crap football. Ever decreasing expectations. And all hope slowly being drained from us to the point we had accepted we were going to be relegated earlier this season.
This wasn't a Villa I could identify with any more. Where you had to drink your body weight in beer before a game to dull the senses ahead of the tortuous, tedious crap you were being forced to watch each week.
But now we find ourselves at the end of this train wreck of a season with a chance of glory. A chance to right those ills I have mentioned. To finally close some old wounds.
Aston Villa have been doing the right thing off the pitch since 1874. All too rarely have we got it right on it.
We are big underdogs for this game but I believe. I believe in the manager. Someone I didn't want when he got the job but who has taken a defibrillator to a club on its knees.
I believe in the players. I always thought we had good players but that they were not being used correctly.
I believe in the captain. Many others would have seen an International call up and diminishing contract as an excuse to go one of the Sky 4. Not ours. In the midst of all that bleakness he signed up for another four years and has fostered a team harmony we haven't had for many years.
I believe in the fans. We nearly took the roof off Wembley for the semi final and I don't doubt it will be louder and prouder this weekend, even with less of us there.
I believe in Aston Villa. I believe that now is our moment. I believe that if you combine all of the above then we become an unstoppable force. I believe it is our year.
So let's exorcise those demons. Let's win the cup for the first time since 1957. Let's give a new generation a chance to be part of what we keep telling them about.
I believe. Now let's fucking 'ave it!"

YES!!!!

COME ON!!!!

[ChicagoLion]

Good stuff Cheltenham.

UTV

[Marlon From Bearwood]

High five Cheltenham!

[Nelson Lodge]

To those fortunate to have tickets and going tomorrow. Should we lose do not walk out on the team. Stay as we did in 1971 when we lost in the League Cup final 2-0 to Spurs. Then we stood defiant and made more noise than those southern softies until our team received their tankards and came round to us to be cheered off the pitch.
The present squad for all it's many faults and deficiencies has staved off relegation, and given us the totally unexpected bonus of an FA Cup Final to look forward to. Only the 3rd in my life time and only the 4th since FA Cup finals started to be held at the old Wembley in 1923. The previous three, 1924 - lost, 1957- won, 2000 - lost. A truly abysmal record for a club of Villa's stature and tradition.
Anyway I hope tomorrow sees a win to bring the "holy grail" back to Aston for the first time this century.
Get the prayer mats out !

[Legion]

No. We're in Block 530 so miss out. If anyone can grab one left behind or not claimed at the end of the game for Freddy I'll be eternally grateful.

I'm sure I read somewhere that the club is giving scarves to all Villa fans with Wembley tickets, some on the day for display and the rest after the final at the club shop.

Cheers. Try explaining that to a very excited 7 year old!

[AlloLion]

I'll have to find a new answer to the question 'What do you want for Christmas?'

How about CB saying that he wants to stay at the Villa for life.

Was nervous all week, until I woke up this morning. Saw a great big Villa flag flying on the washing line, ready for Wembley.

(Bless my better half )

Enjoy the day, don't leave any thing on the terraces,sing your hearts out.

Bring it on 

[Small Rodent]

To those fortunate to have tickets and going tomorrow. Should we lose do not walk out on the team. Stay as we did in 1971 when we lost in the League Cup final 2-0 to Spurs. Then we stood defiant and made more noise than those southern softies

And you can cry if we win, but not if we lose.

[shipscat]

Finally back on British turf,in the big smoke, on route to Wembley central!

Spent the half term in the foothills of tuscany, with the brethren and had a wonderful time .

However, the constant checking of this site,the tactical discussions with my 13 year old how Tim's going to put le'Arse to the sword, and the silent prayers that we are not at home to Mr Cock up cum Saturday have stretched mrs Shipscats patience.

Suspect she was secretly pleased when she dropped us off in Poggibonsi, via Empoli and Pisa to come home.

Staying in Wembley tonight, pre match nerve settler in the weatherspoons!

Whatever happens tomorrow, I'll follow SGT maxim, with a twist, win or lose we shall be on the booze!

Come on my villa babbies..90 minutes to be eternal heroes, lauded in b6 forever.
 

[alan_clarke]

Ha! My video made the cut! Is this video going to be played on the big screen before the match?

[Toronto Villa]

You fellas are a lot closer to the action so naturally with everyone else around the excitement is that much greater. It's starting to hit me a bit now. I can't wait for tomorrow but I'm getting well nervous. I just hope the players and staff have planned and prepared well and they give it everything they have.