Aston Villa v Crystal Palace Pre-Match Shenanigans

[DC1874]

"Ended up in T1 in the North Stand about 6 rows from the front so will have the usual cramped but amazing view.

I did notice that odd little fenced off section which is directly behind the goal in the Upper North had a ticket available and was going to purchase it out of curiosity. Anyone ever sat there, do you get a hot flask and a team sheet or is it just the same as "normal" seats?

Always wondered who actually sits there, assumes it's just some sponsors and perhaps players family overflow if they can't all get in the section in the Trinity by the tunnel."

Yes sat there a couple of times - it's the old North Stand Press Box!

[ChicagoLion]

Any word on the Holte Suite?

Closed til further notice. Ominous

Maybe a RACC problem?
That’s quite some revenue they are losing every home game. I am sure they will find an innovative and fan friendly way if making it up.

It was open last Friday for an event so the Suite is fully functional. My cynical side suggests that someone sees this as a revenue stream to be exploited by charging for admission/converting to hospitality and that it's function as part of your season ticket is long gone.

Yes, but why haven’t they done that then? seems odd to completely give up on any revenue whatsoever.

[Nev]

Any word on the Holte Suite?

Closed til further notice. Ominous

Maybe a RACC problem?
That’s quite some revenue they are losing every home game. I am sure they will find an innovative and fan friendly way if making it up.

It was open last Friday for an event so the Suite is fully functional. My cynical side suggests that someone sees this as a revenue stream to be exploited by charging for admission/converting to hospitality and that it's function as part of your season ticket is long gone.

Yes, but why haven’t they done that then? seems odd to completely give up on any revenue whatsoever.

Absolutely, but no odder than the "two badge" situation. Confused and illogical thinking seems to be the order of the day at the club, off the field anyway. Rather like someone coming in and making decisions to make an impact and impression rather than basing them on logic and taking into account the fans, sorry customers.

[Monty]

We're starting to be written off as 'mid-table' already. Nevermind that we've started better than Chelsea or Man Utd, with a boatload of injuries. No, it's already decided that we're on the same level as Palace, more or less. It's really, really important that we do something about that.

[simboy]

I am informed that the aim is to reopen the Holte Suite for the Brighton game.

[nick harper]

We're starting to be written off as 'mid-table' already. Nevermind that we've started better than Chelsea or Man Utd, with a boatload of injuries. No, it's already decided that we're on the same level as Palace, more or less. It's really, really important that we do something about that.

Yes, think there is a perception that Europe will have a big impact on us. This is the sky prediction…

Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm

I'll be testing out a theory over the next few weekends: Aston Villa are overrated by the markets.

They went off as short as 4/1 with Sky Bet to beat Liverpool at Anfield. At the start of the season they were the same price as Brighton for a top-four finish. It's all a bit over the top, no? They barely laid a glove on Liverpool and were thumped at Newcastle too.

Despite Villa winning each of their last eight Premier League games at Villa Park, I'm all for taking Crystal Palace on the double chance option at 10/11 with Sky Bet. Palace have only lost only three of 14 Premier League games since Roy Hodgson returned as boss and he is actually unbeaten in three meetings with Emery when the Spaniard was at Arsenal.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2 |

[pablo_picasso]

A Saturday game will be a shock to the senses...

[Risso]

I am slightly worried about this game. On the one hand our home form is superb and Palace's record at Villa Park is atrocious with two wins in over 50 years. On the other hand, we've got Watkins bang out of form, and an uncertain defence still trying to find the best combination and without its mainstay in Mings. Palace have got some pace up front which we've struggled with. We *should* win but I won't be overly surprised if we don't.

[Monty]

We're starting to be written off as 'mid-table' already. Nevermind that we've started better than Chelsea or Man Utd, with a boatload of injuries. No, it's already decided that we're on the same level as Palace, more or less. It's really, really important that we do something about that.

Yes, think there is a perception that Europe will have a big impact on us. This is the sky prediction…

Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm

I'll be testing out a theory over the next few weekends: Aston Villa are overrated by the markets.

They went off as short as 4/1 with Sky Bet to beat Liverpool at Anfield. At the start of the season they were the same price as Brighton for a top-four finish. It's all a bit over the top, no? They barely laid a glove on Liverpool and were thumped at Newcastle too.

Despite Villa winning each of their last eight Premier League games at Villa Park, I'm all for taking Crystal Palace on the double chance option at 10/11 with Sky Bet. Palace have only lost only three of 14 Premier League games since Roy Hodgson returned as boss and he is actually unbeaten in three meetings with Emery when the Spaniard was at Arsenal.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2 |

Same price as Brighton for top for is 'a bit over the top'! The fuck is going on?

[Charlie8182]

I'm expecting a narrow win but a lousy game, similar to last season at home.
I'm struggling to ever remember a great game against these, even in 80/81 we laboured to a 2-1 win even though they were bottom of the table.

[Chris Smith]

I get a similar sense as there was prior to the Everton game. A bad result the week before and there was a fair amount of anxiety but we battered them. Clearly, Palace are stronger opponents but I’m expecting Unai to have us focussed and raring to go and us to win by a couple.

[Drummond]

I am slightly worried about this game. On the one hand our home form is superb and Palace's record at Villa Park is atrocious with two wins in over 50 years. On the other hand, we've got Watkins bang out of form, and an uncertain defence still trying to find the best combination and without its mainstay in Mings. Palace have got some pace up front which we've struggled with. We *should* win but I won't be overly surprised if we don't.

I have had that nagging doubt too (though not the Watkins bit), however, I put it down to a loss last time out and then the extended International break. I'm more confident as the game approaches and thinking of our winning run at home.

[ventnorVillain]

Any word on the Holte Suite?

Closed til further notice. Ominous

Maybe a RACC problem?
That’s quite some revenue they are losing every home game. I am sure they will find an innovative and fan friendly way if making it up.

It was open last Friday for an event so the Suite is fully functional. My cynical side suggests that someone sees this as a revenue stream to be exploited by charging for admission/converting to hospitality and that it's function as part of your season ticket is long gone.

Yes, but why haven’t they done that then? seems odd to completely give up on any revenue whatsoever.

Absolutely, but no odder than the "two badge" situation. Confused and illogical thinking seems to be the order of the day at the club, off the field anyway. Rather like someone coming in and making decisions to make an impact and impression rather than basing them on logic and taking into account the fans, sorry customers.

We'll all be referred to as clients soon.

[ventnorVillain]

I'm expecting a narrow win but a lousy game, similar to last season at home.
I'm struggling to ever remember a great game against these, even in 80/81 we laboured to a 2-1 win even though they were bottom of the table.

I remember the game against Palace in 80/81. IIRC there had been an outbreak of flu at BHM during the week before and several players were still feeling the effects. I heard that Dennis Mortimer had to be helped off the pitch at the end as he didn't have the strength to make it to the dressing room on his own.

[Skerra]

SHQ, what I’m trying to say is that before any of our matches, there are some with wild predictions like 4-0 or 5-1 etc. Some were also saying this for our matches v Newcastle and Liverpool. There are also a lot of realistic assessments. I tend to go with the more realistic one. It’s because, mainly due to our injuries, we haven’t settled yet as a team so, never sure what type of performance we are going to get.