Pre-season 2023/24

[Smithy]

At his age I'd like to think he could get fit enough to start and play a whole match.  But I'm not holding my breath.  I'd probably still take the money from Saudi if it was offered, but there's just that small chance he could be great for us.

There really was something there last night, his confidence visibly grew as it went on and him and Dougie linked up really well. I still have some hope.

He was neat and tidy, like he always is, but there was one passage of play that made me think "Hmmm, maybe he really is up for this".  It was in the build up for the third goal, when Revan broke down the left, he absolutely bust a gut to sprint and try to offer numbers in the box.  It's little things like that, off the ball, that can sometimes tell you more about where a player's head is at.  Hopefully it was a good sign.

[Pat Mustard]

At his age I'd like to think he could get fit enough to start and play a whole match.  But I'm not holding my breath.  I'd probably still take the money from Saudi if it was offered, but there's just that small chance he could be great for us.

There really was something there last night, his confidence visibly grew as it went on and him and Dougie linked up really well. I still have some hope.

He was neat and tidy, like he always is, but there was one passage of play that made me think "Hmmm, maybe he really is up for this".  It was in the build up for the third goal, when Revan broke down the left, he absolutely bust a gut to sprint and try to offer numbers in the box.  It's little things like that, off the ball, that can sometimes tell you more about where a player's head is at.  Hopefully it was a good sign.

He visibly reacted to the fans singing his name before the free kick he almost scored from - I get the impression that after the last few years of his career he wants to be in an environment where he's wanted.  A fully fit and firing Coutinho is an asset almost any side in the world would benefit from.

[CT Villan]

ICYDK, with a free 'digital account' at VillaTV you can watch the official extended highlights, amongst other things. Full 90 minute replays require a subscription though.

https://www.avfc.co.uk/video/

[Drummond]

Buendia looking stronger. Bailey looking quicker and more confident in himself. Coutinho chasing and making confident runs, looking for the ball. Olsen not conceding.

All positive signs from players who have been maligned in one way or another previously. It looks good.

[AV84]

At his age I'd like to think he could get fit enough to start and play a whole match.  But I'm not holding my breath.  I'd probably still take the money from Saudi if it was offered, but there's just that small chance he could be great for us.

There really was something there last night, his confidence visibly grew as it went on and him and Dougie linked up really well. I still have some hope.

He was neat and tidy, like he always is, but there was one passage of play that made me think "Hmmm, maybe he really is up for this".  It was in the build up for the third goal, when Revan broke down the left, he absolutely bust a gut to sprint and try to offer numbers in the box.  It's little things like that, off the ball, that can sometimes tell you more about where a player's head is at.  Hopefully it was a good sign.

Twice in that passage of play he was running into spaces where he could have made things happen if he'd gotten the ball back. We got a goal out of it anyway, but as you say, it's good to see.

[paul_e]

That 3rd goal was my favourite of the 3. Watch it back a few times and look at how our players are moving as a unit, everything is planned in that as 1 player leaves a space if he gets followed another player moves into the same spot and we recycle it until someone finds they haven't been followed and then we quickly identify the overload and spring through.

From there Revan did exactly the right thing where instead of trying to pick a pass to Coutinho or Archer (who both attracted defenders out of the area) he hit it into the 'channel of uncertainty' where if the defender hadn't played it Kellyman had a tap in.

From a coaching perspective it had absolutely everything you'd want to see in an attack and was one of 3-4 times where we were brutally efficient in opening them up.

[ROBBO]

I hope to see youngsters like Kellyman get real game time this season, it's an exiting time for Villa stalwarts.

[VillaTim]

I hope to see youngsters like Kellyman get real game time this season, it's an exiting time for Villa stalwarts.

I expect they are going to be included in the conference cup games and carabao. Great opportunity for these kids

[Bad English]

Most important today for this of you who are in Valencia: if going for a paella, do try the traditional Valencian one, which is not based on seafood but contains chicken, rabbit, butter beans, flat green beans, sometimes artichokes and maybe even a snail or three (helix aspersa, not the helix pomatia Burgundy variety), and of course a local round-grain rice such as 'bomba' or 'flor'. Marvellous!

[VillaTim]

raining cats and dogs here . What a cracking UK summer we are having. Wish i'd gone Valencia now

[JD]

Most important today for this of you who are in Valencia: if going for a paella, do try the traditional Valencian one, which is not based on seafood but contains chicken, rabbit, butter beans, flat green beans, sometimes artichokes and maybe even a snail or three (helix aspersa, not the helix pomatia Burgundy variety), and of course a local round-grain rice such as 'bomba' or 'flor'. Marvellous!

Looks as sounds wonderful BE.

[Flamingo Lane]

Most important today for this of you who are in Valencia: if going for a paella, do try the traditional Valencian one, which is not based on seafood but contains chicken, rabbit, butter beans, flat green beans, sometimes artichokes and maybe even a snail or three (helix aspersa, not the helix pomatia Burgundy variety), and of course a local round-grain rice such as 'bomba' or 'flor'. Marvellous!

I hearty recommend this dish at Masusa Paella Bar, which is in the Russafa area, just off Gran Via.

[Axl Rose]

Take our those horrid butter beans, and I'd try it 😂

[VillaTim]

& the snails 

[Axl Rose]

& the snails 

They're not too bad. At least they'd be dead, unlike here where something might still be alive (I am a big fan of such things, though, I must say)