Chris Heck - President of Business Operations

[Drummond]

I’m trying to think which games would be an easier sell than our first Champions League game in 41 years, against Bayern Munich, in a period when most people don’t view football matches as potential riots. I’m struggling to be honest.

Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Think back to all those games, Rotherham away, Derby County, Stevenage, Doncaster under O'Leary, Wigan, Bolton, etc. Those games against Inter Milan, Tranmere in the League Cup.

All of the defeats against ManU, the loss to Bradford City, the Cup Finals, all of them leading back to this. The Top echelons of football again, at Villa Park.

This is the pinnacle of club football, and we're back. Sure we could have drawn Real or Barcelona, but this is Bayern Munich, against whom we triumphed 42 years ago, and no game since has matched it, how could it? This though is our return.

[algy]

I’m trying to think which games would be an easier sell than our first Champions League game in 41 years, against Bayern Munich, in a period when most people don’t view football matches as potential riots. I’m struggling to be honest.

Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Think back to all those games, Rotherham away, Derby County, Stevenage, Doncaster under O'Leary, Wigan, Bolton, etc. Those games against Inter Milan, Tranmere in the League Cup.

All of the defeats against ManU, the loss to Bradford City, the Cup Finals, all of them leading back to this. The Top echelons of football again, at Villa Park.

This is the pinnacle of club football, and we're back. Sure we could have drawn Real or Barcelona, but this is Bayern Munich, against whom we triumphed 42 years ago, and no game since has matched it, how could it? This though is our return.

I agree here.  Because of the opposition - because they're intertwined with arguably the biggest single event in the club's history - because it's a competition we've not qualified for for 41 years, and it's the first time we've played Bayern Munich since then ... it IS the biggest game we've had probably since 26th May 1982.  If we'd won another European Cup it'd be different ... but we haven't, so it isn't.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Purslow on Radio 4 this morning, talking about our rise over the last few seasons, culminating in tonight’s game. Good on the interviewer for mentioning the prices for tonight’s game and asking if this is a fair way to treat loyal fans.

[Drummond]

What did he say in response to that? 'I'd have charged more' or 'Terrace View is good isn't it? That was my idea'

[Chico Hamilton III]

Gave a politician’s response - wouldn’t be appropriate to comment. And I thought he was one of us, going on the piss at Chelsea away and all that….

[Ads]

There are 7 tickets left for tonight, all corporate. They range from 5 at £348 for the Corner Flag and 2 at £576 in the 82 Lounge. The last 2 £1000+ tickets, have gone.

Edit, sorry 9, 2 in the Star and Lion have popped up.

[VillaTim]

Mr Heck will be patting himself on the back

[London Villan]

Bayern was never going to be an issue. Thousands of empty seats for a 3pm Saturday kick-off is - as will be the demand for some of the 5 home games in October...

[PeterWithe]

Purslow on Radio 4 this morning, talking about our rise over the last few seasons, culminating in tonight’s game. Good on the interviewer for mentioning the prices for tonight’s game and asking if this is a fair way to treat loyal fans.

I heard that, he did lose points for saying 'only five years ago we were playing in front of 25k fans at home in the Champ'

We didn't have an attendance that low did we.

[London Villan]

26k vs Barnsley was the lowest i think.

[Demitri_C]

Was the attendance really 38k?? How does that make sense when no one could get a ticket?

[Villatillidie25]

They didn't sell out (/ larger segregation) and i've read there were a few other blocks that needed to be left empty (maybe the lowest couple of rows?) to all intent and purposes though, it was a sell out, just at a slightly reduced capacity

[DC1874]

The thousand quid seats in Lower Witton Lane were sparsely populated!

[Nev]

I've heard it couple of times today:

"You're not moaning about ticket prices now!"

Yes I fucking am, it was still a rip off last night.

[Demitri_C]

I've heard it couple of times today:

"You're not moaning about ticket prices now!"

Yes I fucking am, it was still a rip off last night.

Yeah i know but if you are gonna be ripped off at least you can say you was there nev. What a amazing night