Fixtures 18/19

[Villa Lew]

When both sets of fans decide to behave, it will be on at a more convenient time. Until then, it's 12am on a Sunday. I can't see it changing anytime soon though.

Yes. So put the following match on a Wednesday, not Tuesday.

Which they very possibly will.

Would Forest agree to it though knowing they would be at an advantage of an extra days rest?

It's nothing to do with Forest, it's the League, who make the decision. Providing we give the EFL 28 days notice, they will agree to move the match to the Wednesday. See rules 26.3 and 26.4.

https://www.efl.com/-more/governance/efl-rules--regulations/section-5--fixtures/

[Ad@m]

They must take into consideration nearby teams not playing on the same day etc?

Every club has a pair that doesn't play at home on the same day except once a season to get round the problem that half the league are always at home when the other half are away.

It must be more complicated for us because we always seem to be at home when both Baggies and Blues are away and vice-versa.

We're only paired with Blues.

When I first started watching Villa in the 70s, both Blues and Albion (and indeed Walsall and Coventry) would always play at home when we were away.  Only Wolves would be at home when we were.   This is something that appears to have continued up until the present day.  It's worth noting that back in the 70s and further, fans would tend to float between clubs, often picking the most attractive fixture in a particular region to go to.  In those days, Villa were always the most attractive side, even when they were not doing well.  With attendance money a large part of a club's income in those days, teams would specifically ask to avoid playing at home when Villa did.  These days, it's more likely to be for operational reasons that teams don't play at home on the same day.

Exactly. It's a hell of a coincidence that we're always away when Baggies are at home and vice versa if the league don't do it deliberately.

Every single year - what are the chances?!

[dave.woodhall]

They must take into consideration nearby teams not playing on the same day etc?

Every club has a pair that doesn't play at home on the same day except once a season to get round the problem that half the league are always at home when the other half are away.

It must be more complicated for us because we always seem to be at home when both Baggies and Blues are away and vice-versa.

We're only paired with Blues.

When I first started watching Villa in the 70s, both Blues and Albion (and indeed Walsall and Coventry) would always play at home when we were away.  Only Wolves would be at home when we were.   This is something that appears to have continued up until the present day.  It's worth noting that back in the 70s and further, fans would tend to float between clubs, often picking the most attractive fixture in a particular region to go to.  In those days, Villa were always the most attractive side, even when they were not doing well.  With attendance money a large part of a club's income in those days, teams would specifically ask to avoid playing at home when Villa did.  These days, it's more likely to be for operational reasons that teams don't play at home on the same day.

Exactly. It's a hell of a coincidence that we're always away when Baggies are at home and vice versa if the league don't do it deliberately.

Every single year - what are the chances?!

We are paired with Blues. Albion are paired with Wolves. Other, informal, pairings occur all through the leagues and the four-way system we have is one of them.

[Nastylee]

We've always been the opposite to WBA so there's something at play. Back in the 60/70s, my dad, like many others used to  do Villa one week and the Albion the next so something is at play. Remember Villa are closer to Albion than any other club geographically.

[Brassneck]

They must take into consideration nearby teams not playing on the same day etc?

Every club has a pair that doesn't play at home on the same day except once a season to get round the problem that half the league are always at home when the other half are away.

It must be more complicated for us because we always seem to be at home when both Baggies and Blues are away and vice-versa.

We're only paired with Blues.

When I first started watching Villa in the 70s, both Blues and Albion (and indeed Walsall and Coventry) would always play at home when we were away.  Only Wolves would be at home when we were.   This is something that appears to have continued up until the present day.  It's worth noting that back in the 70s and further, fans would tend to float between clubs, often picking the most attractive fixture in a particular region to go to.  In those days, Villa were always the most attractive side, even when they were not doing well.  With attendance money a large part of a club's income in those days, teams would specifically ask to avoid playing at home when Villa did.  These days, it's more likely to be for operational reasons that teams don't play at home on the same day.

Exactly. It's a hell of a coincidence that we're always away when Baggies are at home and vice versa if the league don't do it deliberately.

Every single year - what are the chances?!

We are paired with Blues. Albion are paired with Wolves. Other, informal, pairings occur all through the leagues and the four-way system we have is one of them.

So maybe the Villa/Blues pairing is paired with the Albion/Wolves pairing?  Villa & Wolves home one week, Albion & Blues the next.

[eamonn]

Anyway, apart from December, all those other months look piss easy. Should be targeting to win all of them, 39 victories should see us as champions comfortably.

[dave.woodhall]

So maybe the Villa/Blues pairing is paired with the Albion/Wolves pairing?  Villa & Wolves home one week, Albion & Blues the next.

It'd save a lot of trouble but from way back there were only the two official pairings. There are some bizarre requests at times - Small Heath once wanted to be at home on Trev's birthday and Reading asked to be away on St Patrick's Day so London Irish, who share the Madjeski with them, could be at home.

[dave.woodhall]

Remember Villa are closer to Albion than any other club geographically.

Urban myth time - the other place is 0.6 miles closer to Villa Park than the Estadio del Smethwick is.

[Ads]

They've fucked around with the away scheme, which I do not like.

[SoccerHQ]

Think Reading start most seasons with a home game as they always request to be away the weekend Reading festival is on which is usually August 25th or around that date.

[Villa in Denmark]

Think Reading start most seasons with a home game as they always request to be away the weekend Reading festival is on which is usually August 25th or around that date.

August bank holiday weekend.

[dave.woodhall]

Think Reading start most seasons with a home game as they always request to be away the weekend Reading festival is on which is usually August 25th or around that date.

Things like that and Chelsea/QPR not playing at home on Notting Hill Carnival weekend are perfectly sensible. Incidentally, and I've said this before, one of the biggest moans from the "What do those clowns think they're doing?" element is when the longest journeys in the lower divisions are midweek. The clubs often ask for them to cut down on the need for overnight stays.   

[Stu]

They've fucked around with the away scheme, which I do not like.

What's changed? The last time I was in it, you lost privileges if you missed 3 aways in a row or something. Years ago, mind.

[Clampy]

They've fucked around with the away scheme, which I do not like.

What's changed? The last time I was in it, you lost privileges if you missed 3 aways in a row or something. Years ago, mind.

From.what I read earlier, you can send as many tickets back as you like now. Not sure what else has changed though.

[Ads]

They don't post them out automatically, you have to go online to sort and they've added a £1.50 booking fee. Paying more for a poorer service.