Pre-match thread. Aston Villa vs Arsenal. 21st July, kick off at 8.15pm.

[dave.woodhall]

You're so right: they might in fact be listening to it.

But in this age of incredible new technology, I think the chances are he means they'll be watching.

Which as we all know is a long way from "OMG!!!! They're going to have their feet up watching television!!!"

[AsTallAsLions]

You're so right: they might in fact be listening to it.

But in this age of incredible new technology, I think the chances are he means they'll be watching.

Which as we all know is a long way from "OMG!!!! They're going to have their feet up watching television!!!"

OMG! who said that?

[andyh]

Of course it goes without saying that I’ll be watching the game tonight.

But, do I watch the Watford game as well or take the dog for a walk and come back in time for the end of that game?
I really don’t think my nerves can take watching 2 games with so much at stake for us.

[Lastfootstamper]

You're so right: they might in fact be listening to it.

But in this age of incredible new technology, I think the chances are he means they'll be watching.

No, he's said they'll have it on. I don't know what it's like in your house, but in mine 'having the telly on' and 'watching the telly' are quite different.

[Clampy]

You're so right: they might in fact be listening to it.

But in this age of incredible new technology, I think the chances are he means they'll be watching.

Which as we all know is a long way from "OMG!!!! They're going to have their feet up watching television!!!"

OMG! who said that?

So if they are not sitting round watching the game, what exactly is the problem?

[AsTallAsLions]

You're so right: they might in fact be listening to it.

But in this age of incredible new technology, I think the chances are he means they'll be watching.

Which as we all know is a long way from "OMG!!!! They're going to have their feet up watching television!!!"

OMG! who said that?

So if they are not sitting round watching the game, what exactly is the problem?

You'll have to ask the people who have the problem with them watching the game. No idea why you're coming at me about it, or Dave for that matter.

[Des Little]

Of course it goes without saying that I’ll be watching the game tonight.

But, do I watch the Watford game as well or take the dog for a walk and come back in time for the end of that game?
I really don’t think my nerves can take watching 2 games with so much at stake for us.

I’m avoiding the Watford game by going out on my bike. There’s no way I can cope with watching both matches.

[Clampy]

Surprised by that. Not exactly great preparation watching the first half if Watford say go into a shock lead so they're then spending warm up wondering if Watford have held on and not really concentrating on the game ahead.

Brilliant strategy if Man. City are 3 up within 20 minutes though.

I'm staggered they'd be watching it!!

His exact words as follows, quoted by the Meaning Evil...

"The players will know the result. We'll probably have the game on. It's part and parcel of where we are at. We need to know what their result is, but it doesn't change our approach. We have to try and win to even catch Watford."

Inspirational as ever.

I was going by this. You  and others were not happy about something. Maybe we will never know.

[andyh]

Of course it goes without saying that I’ll be watching the game tonight.

But, do I watch the Watford game as well or take the dog for a walk and come back in time for the end of that game?
I really don’t think my nerves can take watching 2 games with so much at stake for us.

I’m avoiding the Watford game by going out on my bike. There’s no way I can cope with watching both matches.

As we’re in the same neck of the woods, I’ll give you wave as you go past !

[Drummond]

Surprised by that. Not exactly great preparation watching the first half if Watford say go into a shock lead so they're then spending warm up wondering if Watford have held on and not really concentrating on the game ahead.

Brilliant strategy if Man. City are 3 up within 20 minutes though.

I'm staggered they'd be watching it!!

His exact words as follows, quoted by the Meaning Evil...

"The players will know the result. We'll probably have the game on. It's part and parcel of where we are at. We need to know what their result is, but it doesn't change our approach. We have to try and win to even catch Watford."

Inspirational as ever.

Go on then, what exactly would you expect/want that quote to be?

[kippaxvilla2]

I feel physically sick.

[AsTallAsLions]

@Clampy: There's no mystery to it, I just find the general tenor of his press talk very uninspiring. I don't have any issue with him or the team keeping an eye on the Watford result, however (as most of us will be too) and I never said that I did. Soccer and Duncan both expressed surprise that DS suggested they would be seeing how the other game goes, so I provided the quote.

[Richard E]

Surprised by that. Not exactly great preparation watching the first half if Watford say go into a shock lead so they're then spending warm up wondering if Watford have held on and not really concentrating on the game ahead.

Brilliant strategy if Man. City are 3 up within 20 minutes though.

I'm staggered they'd be watching it!!

His exact words as follows, quoted by the Meaning Evil...

"The players will know the result. We'll probably have the game on. It's part and parcel of where we are at. We need to know what their result is, but it doesn't change our approach. We have to try and win to even catch Watford."

Inspirational as ever.

Go on then, what exactly would you expect/want that quote to be?

We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.

[Clampy]

I don't think the press talks really matter that much and besides, he said he wants to win the game regardless of what happens in the Watford match.

[olaftab]

It's a pressure game for Villa either way. If Watford  win we are looking up the north face of Eiger and if they lose we are under enormous pressure to win.