UECL AZ Alkmaar v Aston Villa Pre Match

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I'm expecting a very tough game. They'll be no push overs, their league form clearly demonstrates that. Played 9, won 8, drawn 1, scored 25, conceded 4. Only PSV are better with 9 straight wins.
Massive game for both teams and it would be great if we could come away with all three points.

[TelfordVilla]

The Frisian hooligan comrades of AZ are "looking for riots" against us, so says the local Alkmaar paper.

   after what happened last year with West Ham, I fear for the travelling Villa fans. Stay safe people.

This is precisely the same nonsense spouted at the first match of my local club in the Dutch 2nd Div when Cambuur played against them first match, cue a huge police presence with a ring of steel and not so much as a beaker thrown in anger. Bunch of keyboard hooligans attention-seekers.

   what are you on about. The bunch that tried it on against West ham were not even AZ fans. They entered the stadium after the match with one intent. To have a go at the English fans. How could they recreate that in the Dutch 2nd division match you refer to. They will have a go at any Villa fans they stumble across. Probably not in the stadium though.

[Ads]

I'm sure we'll be fine. More risk of being washed away in this rain than anything else.

[eamonn]

Did we get El Ghazi back on the payroll to scout these? He's in Germany now playing, but I bet he'd do 'owt for us.

[NeilH]

 what are you on about. The bunch that tried it on against West ham were not even AZ fans. They entered the stadium after the match with one intent. To have a go at the English fans. How could they recreate that in the Dutch 2nd division match you refer to. They will have a go at any Villa fans they stumble across. Probably not in the stadium though.[/quote]
AZ ultras attempted to buy en masse tickets online for the game and then create issues in the home end together with Cambuur in the away end, fortunately Telstar admin spotted it, immediately closed online sales and the police then created a ring of steel within a km of the stadium, checking tickets and ID cards. This is a small club with a very local fanbase where I have never seen trouble, so it was rather confronting to cycle from home to the ground and be stopped by cops asking for my id and match ticket to go further.
There are groups here intent on causing trouble, just look at PSV last night and the authorities are not handling it well. The fact that our fans will be collated in a smallish square and then bussed to the stadium, shows that no chances are being taken.

[NeilH]

The Frisian hooligan comrades of AZ are "looking for riots" against us, so says the local Alkmaar paper.

   after what happened last year with West Ham, I fear for the travelling Villa fans. Stay safe people.

This is precisely the same nonsense spouted at the first match of my local club in the Dutch 2nd Div when Cambuur played against them first match, cue a huge police presence with a ring of steel and not so much as a beaker thrown in anger. Bunch of keyboard hooligans attention-seekers.

   what are you on about. The bunch that tried it on against West ham were not even AZ fans. They entered the stadium after the match with one intent. To have a go at the English fans. How could they recreate that in the Dutch 2nd division match you refer to. They will have a go at any Villa fans they stumble across. Probably not in the stadium though.

AZ ultras attempted to buy en masse tickets online for the game and then create issues in the home end together with Cambuur in the away end, fortunately Telstar admin spotted it, immediately closed online sales and the police then created a ring of steel within a km of the stadium, checking tickets and ID cards. This is a small club with a very local fanbase where I have never seen trouble, so it was rather confronting to cycle from home to the ground and be stopped by cops asking for my id and match ticket to go further.
There are groups here intent on causing trouble, just look at PSV last night and the authorities are not handling it well. The fact that our fans will be collated in a smallish square and then bussed to the stadium, shows that no chances are being taken.

[olaftab]

Checked into a bit of a flea pit right next to Oude kerk a penalty kick away from the red light district😩

[AlexAlexCropley]

Checked into a bit of a flea pit right next to Oude kerk a penalty kick away from the red light district😩

Don't bring any bed bugs back

[pauliewalnuts]

I do not have a problem with us rotating this season, given how many matches we will play, but I would be tempted to go very near full strength on this one.

They're a really decent side by the looks of it, and we could do with the three points.

[Toronto Villa]

Why am I more nervous about this game than I was for our game vs West Ham?

[VillaTim]

Happy to see Emery make full use of the squad tomorrow . Sunday is a huge game and chance to make top 3 or 4 !!! Use the squad tomorrow that's why we have them

[Ads]

Amsterdam has been bouncing tonight!

[VillaTim]

Did we get 950 allocation in the end ?

[Pat McMahon]

Amsterdam has been bouncing tonight!

A mate has sent photos - one bar seems to have hundreds in there

[ChicagoLion]

Happy to see Emery make full use of the squad tomorrow . Sunday is a huge game and chance to make top 3 or 4 !!! Use the squad tomorrow that's why we have them

Agree.
As the season progresses we will have bigger games and with players missing.
It is essential that squad players are ready and not expected to be up to standard after several weeks without playing.