How much will Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact Aston Villa's season?

[chrisw1]

We don't agree on this issue Chris as well you know; i love my football as much as the next person but it simply isn't important at the moment. Until it is safe for all concerned don't play - certainly not behind closed doors, which is a souless travesty of what the game should be.

Where we agree is we both want the season voided.  Where we disagree is I don't think playing behind closed doors is as impractical or heinous a crime as you do.  I do, however, think it will be difficult for them to do it in time to finish this season. 

My hope is they void this season and start next, if necessary, behind closed doors.  At that point in time I thnk most of us will be used to the new normality.  I expect social distancing will still apply, but most people will be back at work.  I imagine testing will be readily available to clubs.  I think at that point playing behind closed doors is perfectly reasonable. 

[TopDeck113]

The Neviller speaks (again).

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11977461/gary-neville-how-coronavirus-could-reset-football-and-why-players-should-learn-other-skills

An intelligent and astute man. 

I have always been led to believe that one of the PFA's roles is to prepare its more lowly paid members for the realities of earning a living once their professional career is over.  It would therefore have been good to see Gordon Taylor justifying his salary by telling his members to get off FIFA for five minutes and do some future career planning.

[aev]

We don't agree on this issue Chris as well you know; i love my football as much as the next person but it simply isn't important at the moment. Until it is safe for all concerned don't play - certainly not behind closed doors, which is a souless travesty of what the game should be.

You say you love your football yet you don't want to give clubs the lifeline that is needed for many to survive.

You'd rather clubs go to the wall, destroying the English leagues as we've known them just because the way to survival is (in your opinion) "a souless travesty of what the game should be"?

There are plenty of people that think that football should have been cancelled, and the season voided (it was the most popular choice in a BBC poll). Of course, this may have been influenced by vested interest, but you only have to read the above from Gary Neville to see what a predicament football finds itself in.

This is affecting all sports - many of the larger cricketing counties have undertaken massive stadium reinvestment recently and they will also be struggling.

The crazy thing is that football is so awash with money, and yet it seems hocked the hilt.

[Brassneck]

We don't agree on this issue Chris as well you know; i love my football as much as the next person but it simply isn't important at the moment. Until it is safe for all concerned don't play - certainly not behind closed doors, which is a souless travesty of what the game should be.

You say you love your football yet you don't want to give clubs the lifeline that is needed for many to survive.

You'd rather clubs go to the wall, destroying the English leagues as we've known them just because the way to survival is (in your opinion) "a souless travesty of what the game should be"?

There are plenty of people that think that football should have been cancelled, and the season voided (it was the most popular choice in a BBC poll). Of course, this may have been influenced by vested interest, but you only have to read the above from Gary Neville to see what a predicament football finds itself in.

This is affecting all sports - many of the larger cricketing counties have undertaken massive stadium reinvestment recently and they will also be struggling.

The crazy thing is that football is so awash with money, and yet it seems hocked the hilt.

I have looked over many quotes from fans of other clubs.  The vast majority want the season to play out.  It is only on here that we have the blinkered obsession with voiding it because of our own interests.

I too want the season to be voided for obvious reasons but I try to look at if from all angles.  It is not about greed or financial gain - It is about survival.  In our case, we made a record loss last season and have spent most, if not all our TV money this season on transfers and wages.  Can you imagine how much we're hemorrhaging each week?  Do you really think we are "awash with money"?  What about Burnley?  Southampton? Brighton? and at least half of the other PL teams?  Do you think they can continue paying out multi millions in wages each week with no income?

We don't know if it is possible to finish the season at this stage (although it looks less and less likely).  Until we know for definite one way or the other, we can't possibly arrive at a decision and it is right to keep all options open.

[LeeB]

Mate, it's going to be voided.

[Drummond]

I have looked over many quotes from fans of other clubs.  The vast majority want the season to play out.  It is only on here that we have the blinkered obsession with voiding it because of our own interests.

The BBC Sport poll suggested differently. The people I speak to in the main suggest differently to. So, I think it fair to say that opinion is split.

I'd cancel this season and the beginning of next too, given the Chief Medical Officer's thoughts about social distancing for the rest of the year.

With the World Cup due to take place in November 2022, perhaps the season could start January next year and play through until October. If, after that, they want to revert to the usual football season, just play catch up for a period of time. If not, play seasons in a whole new way.

[aev]

We don't agree on this issue Chris as well you know; i love my football as much as the next person but it simply isn't important at the moment. Until it is safe for all concerned don't play - certainly not behind closed doors, which is a souless travesty of what the game should be.

You say you love your football yet you don't want to give clubs the lifeline that is needed for many to survive.

You'd rather clubs go to the wall, destroying the English leagues as we've known them just because the way to survival is (in your opinion) "a souless travesty of what the game should be"?

There are plenty of people that think that football should have been cancelled, and the season voided (it was the most popular choice in a BBC poll). Of course, this may have been influenced by vested interest, but you only have to read the above from Gary Neville to see what a predicament football finds itself in.

This is affecting all sports - many of the larger cricketing counties have undertaken massive stadium reinvestment recently and they will also be struggling.

The crazy thing is that football is so awash with money, and yet it seems hocked the hilt.

I have looked over many quotes from fans of other clubs.  The vast majority want the season to play out.  It is only on here that we have the blinkered obsession with voiding it because of our own interests.

I too want the season to be voided for obvious reasons but I try to look at if from all angles.  It is not about greed or financial gain - It is about survival.  In our case, we made a record loss last season and have spent most, if not all our TV money this season on transfers and wages.  Can you imagine how much we're hemorrhaging each week?  Do you really think we are "awash with money"?  What about Burnley?  Southampton? Brighton? and at least half of the other PL teams?  Do you think they can continue paying out multi millions in wages each week with no income?

We don't know if it is possible to finish the season at this stage (although it looks less and less likely).  Until we know for definite one way or the other, we can't possibly arrive at a decision and it is right to keep all options open.

PL football is awash with money. I didn't say we were, but our owners are certainly extremely wealthy. The reason we were purchased was presumably so they could make some more.

What I find difficult is the intransigence of football. Look at some of the PL clubs furloughing non playing staff, and the difficulty of getting playing staff to agree to deferrals (not even cuts to wages). Friends of mine have been furloughed, and they are taking a wages cut effectively, they aren't being deferred.

[The Edge]

Mate, it's going to be voided.

I agree. Nothing else seems feasible. However when we finally do get to restart i'd like to see all clubs start with the points they achieved from the voided season. There would be some crazily high points totals but the records could show this. I can't stand Liverpool but they have earned their 25 point lead which should pretty much guarantee them the title. And i'm totally against playing behind closed doors. Just waiting until the time is right and picking up where we left off is the fairest solution.

[David_Nab]

this is all total bullshit. Social distancing measures of some kind will be in place for months which will preclude close contact sport full stop. Just do the decent thing and void the season now. Football is going to eat itself unless it does. I'm never going to feel the same way about football now - watching these selfish fucknuts arguing about money whilst 700 odd people are losing their lives every day is obscene. Among the many things i hope change for the better as a result of this is the end of celebrity worship, chief amonst them prime donna actors, artists, footballers, reality tv bumholes etc.

It's not just about finishing this season.  Next season will probably have to start behind closed doors too and the same issues will apply.  Do you think they should void that too or try to work out a way to play it even if behind closed doors?

That's the next issue being kicked down the road.Say we start next season behind closed doors , at what point is it fair to bring fans back  , is it fair that you could play a home game with no fans at start of season but the same fixture away later in season does allow fans.

My argument now is that playing games with no fans ins't consistent with the rest of the season having fans so to be consistent myself I'll put forward that if next season starts behind closed doors the whole season should be played out like that.

[Chico Hamilton III]

It is only on here that we have the blinkered obsession with voiding it because of our own interests.

Villa fans on a Villa fan site putting Villa's interests first. Not entirely sure what else you would expect to find on here.

And I don't believe you anyway, when you say it's only on here.

[Brassneck]

We don't agree on this issue Chris as well you know; i love my football as much as the next person but it simply isn't important at the moment. Until it is safe for all concerned don't play - certainly not behind closed doors, which is a souless travesty of what the game should be.

You say you love your football yet you don't want to give clubs the lifeline that is needed for many to survive.

You'd rather clubs go to the wall, destroying the English leagues as we've known them just because the way to survival is (in your opinion) "a souless travesty of what the game should be"?

There are plenty of people that think that football should have been cancelled, and the season voided (it was the most popular choice in a BBC poll). Of course, this may have been influenced by vested interest, but you only have to read the above from Gary Neville to see what a predicament football finds itself in.

This is affecting all sports - many of the larger cricketing counties have undertaken massive stadium reinvestment recently and they will also be struggling.

The crazy thing is that football is so awash with money, and yet it seems hocked the hilt.

I have looked over many quotes from fans of other clubs.  The vast majority want the season to play out.  It is only on here that we have the blinkered obsession with voiding it because of our own interests.

I too want the season to be voided for obvious reasons but I try to look at if from all angles.  It is not about greed or financial gain - It is about survival.  In our case, we made a record loss last season and have spent most, if not all our TV money this season on transfers and wages.  Can you imagine how much we're hemorrhaging each week?  Do you really think we are "awash with money"?  What about Burnley?  Southampton? Brighton? and at least half of the other PL teams?  Do you think they can continue paying out multi millions in wages each week with no income?

We don't know if it is possible to finish the season at this stage (although it looks less and less likely).  Until we know for definite one way or the other, we can't possibly arrive at a decision and it is right to keep all options open.

PL football is awash with money. I didn't say we were, but our owners are certainly extremely wealthy. The reason we were purchased was presumably so they could make some more.

What I find difficult is the intransigence of football. Look at some of the PL clubs furloughing non playing staff, and the difficulty of getting playing staff to agree to deferrals (not even cuts to wages). Friends of mine have been furloughed, and they are taking a wages cut effectively, they aren't being deferred.

It’s only the bottom few teams who want the season voided.  Teams with nothing to play for would prefer to carry on, as would teams with a chance of winning something.

H&V would be no different if we were in the position of Leeds or Liverpool or even Sheffield United.  There’s no moral high ground here and you’re kidding yourself if you think there is.  You will be suggesting Newcastle fans are bothered who owns their club next.

[Brassneck]

It is only on here that we have the blinkered obsession with voiding it because of our own interests.

Villa fans on a Villa fan site putting Villa's interests first. Not entirely sure what else you would expect to find on here.

And I don't believe you anyway, when you say it's only on here.

You don’t believe me?

I’m heartbroken.

[Ads]

I'm strongly in favour of any solution that benefits us. Fuck fairness and if that fucks the Albion in the process, even better.

Void the league.

[cdbearsfan]

I don't see the desperate rush to make a decision. What if we can't play until next spring? You may as well just decide to carry on from where we are now if that's the case. Wait until we have some idea when it is safe for football to return then decide what to do. Voiding the season now is the football equivalent of panic buying.

[CT]

I'm strongly in favour of any solution that benefits us. Fuck fairness and if that fucks the Albion in the process, even better.

Void the league.

Gets my vote too.