Aston Villa vs Birmingham City Pre-Match Thread

[hipkiss92]

You have been in the Premier League since it's inception, but are only achieving at a level similar to the clubs that bounce  between divisions.

Currently, or for the last four years. You make it sound like we've been like that since the PL inception.

Following a quick trawl of wiki:

Agreed.  Martin O'N spent a lot of money attempting to break into the top tier and nearly made it.  The financial chasm even within the Premier League is enormous and the Financial Fair Play rules are a joke.

In the past decade, your average league position is 12th.

N.B. My intent was not to provoke you.

In that time we've also had five relegation battles (which for some reason your lot seem to count as an achievement because it's 'exciting'), two cup finals, 3 further semi finals, one good European campaign and two other shocking losses in the playoff round and two good tilts at making the top 4 under O'Neill.

Our average position might be 12th in that time, but haven't actually finished within 3 places of that position apart from O,Neill's first season in 06/07. So that's a fairly obvious example of making statistics fit your argument.

And as PWS pointed out, if you use the 30 year timeframe you've quoted, we've achieved more than Blues have in 140.

[Jimbo]

Philly, may I ask a question? Why are blues fans so interested in events in Aston, and wouldn't it be better for their club if they concentrated all their efforts in supporting them, rather than hating the Villa?

Honestly, is this any more true for Blues fans rather than Villa fans, or Bristol City and Rovers fans?  I can say I hate Villa at all.  Generally, I'm relatively oblivious to what's happening to you, but this game is a focal point.  Also, I live 4,000 miles away so my perspective may be different.

This game aside, though. I can honestly say I can't name a single player of yours, but recently I had a blues fan of rare intelligence quizzing me about Carles Gil and why he hardly plays. Why would that be of any of his business if not to pick a perceived weak point and attempt to gloat? I couldn't give a damn who does and doesn't play for you. Nothing could be further from my mind.

[philly]

Everyone spends in the premier league now and wastes ridiculous money, you see it with some of the newly promoted clubs outspending us and the top 6 can get away with it.

Spare me the drivel, likes of Hleb and Zigic cost 5p did they?

It is ridiculous money, and getting worse.
I hope Bournemouth have someone more skilled in writing contracts than we had at the time.  Failure to insert relegation clauses must border on criminal negligence, though Zigic had a few goals that made him worth the money. 

[philly]

This game aside, though. I can honestly say I can't name a single player of yours, but recently I had a blues fan of rare intelligence quizzing me about Carles Gil and why he hardly plays. Why would that be of any of his business if not to pick a perceived weak point and attempt to gloat? I couldn't give a damn who does and doesn't play for you. Nothing could be further from my mind.

To some extent this may reflect the media saturation that comes from being in The Premier League.

In the US, I can simultaneously watch every Premier game live (and have the cricket live as well).  I also have to select Premier players for my fantasy team (and even have 1 Villa player).

I'm not sure it indicates obsession.

If you every do get relegated, you'll perhaps realise how focused coverage is.

[PeterWithesShin]

I reckon I can name 4 sha players. Gray, Caddis, Shinnie and Robinson (if he still plays for them). Apart from Robinson no idea of their first names though. My continued boycott of Sky and most of the local media is probably the main reason for that though.

[philly]

I reckon I can name 4 sha players. Gray, Caddis, Shinnie and Robinson (if he still plays for them). Apart from Robinson no idea of their first names though. My continued boycott of Sky and most of the local media is probably the main reason for that though.

I'm not actually that much better: Guzan, Hutton, Grealish, Gardner (or has he left?), Gestede and Gabby.

Anyway, this has been fun, but I must attend a soiree tonight!

[Dave]

I reckon I can name 4 sha players. Gray, Caddis, Shinnie and Robinson (if he still plays for them). Apart from Robinson no idea of their first names though. My continued boycott of Sky and most of the local media is probably the main reason for that though.

I'm not actually that much better: Guzan, Hutton, Grealish, Gardner (or has he left?), Gestede and Gabby.

Anyway, this has been fun, but I must attend a soiree tonight!

You've never heard of Joleon Lescott or Micah Richards?

Blimey.

[Percy McCarthy]

I've asked all three of these bozos why their crowds are so shit and none of them have said a word about it.

[philly]

You've never heard of Joleon Lescott or Micah Richards?

Blimey.

I have, but wasn't aware you'd signed them.

[Clampy]

That's the problem with games like this, it brings the simpletons over here being really simple. It'll be worse next week in the lead up to the stripeyfilth game.

[LeeB]

Shadenfreude? From you lot?

That's like stopping to laugh at the man who's Rolls Royce has a flat tyre, whilst you're pushing a shopping trolley of tat up the hard shoulder.

[brian green]

I am becoming mildly alarmed at the frequency in the pages that Small Heath are being dignified by being referred to by the colour of their strip. I gives them a bugus stature of football normality. Small Heath they were and Small Heath they will always remain. The two words indicating lesser stature and the name of the infamous Acid Bath murderer fit them like a six fingered glove.

[Stu]

Do they have any players worthy of note? If any of them are any good we could take them of their hands.

[Ads]

I've not paid attention to them football wise for a good few years now.

I know of Paul Robinson and Grey and that is it.

[tomd2103]

Perhaps as an interlude to this chest thumping and bravado, you’d welcome a view from a Bluenose on the other side of the Atlantic.

As Birmingham fans we’re used to disappointment, as it’s frequently piled on top of us.  As a balance, watching Villa’s remarkable lack of achievement over the past 30 years can deliver an exquisite level of schadenfreude. 

And there we have it.  The equivalent of the schoolboy failing his exams, but taking satisfaction out of the fact that the boy in class that he is jealous of didn't quite get the results he wanted.  I know you have said that you live on the other side of the Atlantic, but you should look up articles written by Gregg Evans in the Evening Mail.  A kindred spirit.