That Night- 20 Years On

[SoccerHQ]

I was there and I remember seeing at least two blues fans being bounced down the steps in the upper tier.  How they didn't go over the edge I'll never know.  Horrible night.

There were loads in the North Stand upper that night. It was a real problem around that time with more lax ticketing arrangements so for games against teams like Newcastle and Everton whole rows used to celebrate if they scored at VP. 03/03/03 wasn't quite like that but was amazed to see little pockets of them celebrating openly after the first went in and they were quickly told to do one a few seconds later.

[brontebilly]

Filling in a document for somebody at work and I've had to pop the date down and it's dawned on me that it's been 20 years since probably the worst night our club has had at Villa Park for a multitude of reasons. The result, the opposition, that it was broadcast, the awful red cards, the errors, the violence and the general evil atmosphere that appeared to saturate everything.

Perhaps those older than me remember worse, Rangers friendly for example. But there was something about that night that brought is down to their level in every sense and there can be no bigger indictment than that.

All true, but I can't help thinking it was also the night many of them that had believed their own myths over the years got to the 'finding out' part of their 'fucking about'.

 

Yes I agree Lee. I think it was a double edged sword of those on their side believing all the nonsense (upper Witton Lane man certainly finding out the hard way) and our side wanting to disprove it.

I had a bizarre incident a few months before which underlined their state of mind at that point. Was drinking in Poppy Red on a Sunday afternoon after football and was minding my own business having a piss in the urinal with one other bloke in there. He started singing SOTV and I laughed and said 'no mate, I'm Villa', so he started to try and kick me while we were both stood there pissing. I grabbed him and threw him up the wall and was about to leather him when his mate came in and diffused the situation, I think my cock was still hanging out at the time.

Be careful in those public toilets mate 😜

[N'ZMAV]

I was there and I remember seeing at least two blues fans being bounced down the steps in the upper tier.  How they didn't go over the edge I'll never know.  Horrible night.

I remember that

[Brazilian Villain]

I was living in Rio at the time and had flown back for 2 days in the middle of Carnaval to see us avenge the 3-0 defeat. All I really remember of the game is sitting in the Upper Holte with about 10 mins to go thinking I could be in bed with a beautiful Brazilian morena instead of being there. Can't ever recall being more miserable at VP. I still wonder what the fuck I was thinking going back for it.

[Ads]

If you read Small Heath Alliance for their version of events, you see exactly where the attitude comes from that caused so many of them to be attacked. The exaggeration and myth making all on show. If we manage to play them again at any point in the league before we all die of extreme old age, you might just get an 03/03 style night again as a result.

[Legion]

Hateful evening in every way possible.

[brontebilly]

For those of us not from Birmingham the rivalry really is something else and hard to comprehend. Is it certain areas, schools, industries etc that are traditionally Villa/Blues? How is it still so strong to this day

It's hard to believe now but the day Grealish got punched they were actually above us in the league ! Our team 20 years ago was rubbish looking back. Watching here on YouTube...pitch in absolute shite aswell. Dion Dublin abysmal lack of leadership. JLS at right back!

[LeeB]

If you read Small Heath Alliance for their version of events, you see exactly where the attitude comes from that caused so many of them to be attacked. The exaggeration and myth making all on show. If we manage to play them again at any point in the league before we all die of extreme old age, you might just get an 03/03 style night again as a result.

It's funny because despite their win, I've never heard them really go on about it in the time that has passed, I think largely because they knew they'd had their myths shattered.


They came on coaches from then on.

[Stu]

For those of us not from Birmingham the rivalry really is something else and hard to comprehend. Is it certain areas, schools, industries etc that are traditionally Villa/Blues? How is it still so strong to this day

It's hard to believe now but the day Grealish got punched they were actually above us in the league ! Our team 20 years ago was rubbish looking back. Watching here on YouTube...pitch in absolute shite aswell. Dion Dublin abysmal lack of leadership. JLS at right back!

In my opinion at least, their mindset is that they exist in spite of Villa. As in these days they actually exist to spite Aston Villa Football Club. I don't know when this happened, but in my experience of living in the same city as them, that's the vibe I get. It's probably why so many brummie reds are from nose families.

[Stu]

If you read Small Heath Alliance for their version of events, you see exactly where the attitude comes from that caused so many of them to be attacked. The exaggeration and myth making all on show. If we manage to play them again at any point in the league before we all die of extreme old age, you might just get an 03/03 style night again as a result.

It's funny because despite their win, I've never heard them really go on about it in the time that has passed, I think largely because they knew they'd had their myths shattered.


They came on coaches from then on.

That's true. And Villa didn't put coaches on for us to go to the sty. Not because, somehow, one set of Brummies are harder than the others, more like it wasn't seen as necessary.

[dave.woodhall]

They had coaches that night as well. They always did. Then the one time we ran a couple, they went on about it for years. They tell lies. It's what they do.

[astonvilla82]

If you read Small Heath Alliance for their version of events, you see exactly where the attitude comes from that caused so many of them to be attacked. The exaggeration and myth making all on show. If we manage to play them again at any point in the league before we all die of extreme old age, you might just get an 03/03 style night again as a result.

It's funny because despite their win, I've never heard them really go on about it in the time that has passed, I think largely because they knew they'd had their myths shattered.


They came on coaches from then on.

That's true. And Villa didn't put coaches on for us to go to the sty. Not because, somehow, one set of Brummies are harder than the others, more like it wasn't seen as necessary.

What the point of getting a coach to St Andrews, when Jeeves can drop me directly from my stately home in the shires

[Vegas]

I was there that night. Nastiest atmosphere at a game I’ve ever been to and I was away a lot in the late 80s (missed the 70s and early 80s as I am too young).

There were a few Blues all around us in the Trinity, like someone else said maybe they believed their own hype but they got a day of reckoning that night. I’m not saying that in a proud or braggy way. I’m not a violent guy but I felt angry that night and others way more so.

I’m not a big believer in stuff like “they dragged us down to their level “. Humans are humans and tribal events can worryingly quickly lead to people scenting blood. It had been building up for a while and some pretty raw emotions spilled out.

[clash city rocker]

Fair to say that night they didn't quite grasp the feeling of villa fans towards them. For too long they believed their own hype about them and many had a shock that night.

[fredm]

As I walked to the ground going past the church there was an atmosphere in the air. I had never felt that before at any match and I have never felt it since.