Melbourne - FA Cup Final

[MelbourneVillain]

Hey. Just a shout out to any Villa fans in Melbourne, who aren't aware of our Supporters Club (AVSC Melbourne Lions - as appears on Facebook).

We will be watching the FA Cup Final at the Charles Dickens Tavern, 290 Collins St in the city's CBD. It's a short walk from Flinders St Station and the management have confirmed that it will be a designated 'Villa fans only' venue, for the match - although I'm intrigued as to their screening process if there are Arsenal fans who aren't wearing their colours! The game kicks off at 2.30am, but we will be hitting the place for around 11pm to deck it out in claret and blue.

Bring your flags, banners, scarfs, hell bring along you're signed photo of Ivo Stas. There was a great turnout at the Sports Bar at Crown Casino for the semi-final, but we're stoked to get a proper pub to call home for the final.

We'll be there this Saturday for the Southampton match (9.45pm ko) if you want to get your bearings

[Hillbilly]

Will be there for the final. There was a great atmosphere at the casino. Hopefully there won't be anyone like that idiot Liverpool fan who started the bother that got one of ours kicked out.

[robbo1874]

Bet the management will be hoping you pair drink a lot of beer after they've designated the pub Villa fans only 😄

To be fair I think there's only about 10 villa fans in Brisbane...

[amfy]

I saw 2 Villa fans in Brisbane and I was only there for 3 days! They must just all walk up and down the side of the river!

[MelbourneVillain]

Bet the management will be hoping you pair drink a lot of beer after they've designated the pub Villa fans only 😄

To be fair I think there's only about 10 villa fans in Brisbane...

We spent enough on Saturday night! There were 15 of us. We're expecting upwards of 50 for the final, going on provisional interest. The fact that we all stayed put, despite going 5 down in the first half, would've given them confidence for their cup final profits

[Havencheese]

Thanks for the heads up Melbourne Villain, I'll be there in the Charles Dickens clad in my mid 90's AST sponsored strip, think it was the shirt for the victory over Leeds. There are Villans out there, plenty of them.

A good mate of mine is a Citeh fan within hours of the semi final, he was onto me to watch it in preference with a Villa fan. Generates a very good atmosphere in the Dickens, get the joint a rockin like the Holte.

[Hillbilly]

On grounds of superstition, I'll go for my 1950's no.9 home shirt cos it worked fr the semifinal.

[placeforparks]

when i lived in melbourne, the charles dickens was always full of spurs fans.

all the arsenal fans will be at the celtic club at the top of queen street. watched that final where they gifted blues the trophy. hope they do the same this year...

[Harpo]

Bring your flags, banners, scarfs, hell bring along you're signed photo of Ivo Stas. There was a great turnout at the Sports Bar at Crown Casino for the semi-final, but we're stoked to get a proper pub to call home for the final.

Oh no, bad omens... don't do it! I was in Melbourne in 2000, watched the quarters and semi final in the casino and then switched to the Charles Dickens Tavern for the final. It was full of Chelsea fans waving celery around, possibly the most depressing two hours ever spent in a pub. Stay in the casino!

[Gerrin]

Fascinated that Villa is so well supported around the world. Are most people exiled Brummies or do we genuinely have appeal to those not originally from the area.

[MelbourneVillain]

Just a timely, bump-up in case any melbourne-based villians slipped through the cracks the first time this went up.

Charles Dickens Tavern. 290 Collins St, CBD. Saturday 9pm - Sunday 5am

[MelbourneVillain]

Fascinated that Villa is so well supported around the world. Are most people exiled Brummies or do we genuinely have appeal to those not originally from the area.

Bit of a mix. Plenty of exiled brummies and locals who have adopted villa for a variety of reasons. Chris Herd is responsible for one of the locals I know that follow us! I'm hoping after Saturday that we might get a few 'glory hunters' jump on board