Zrinjski Mostar v Aston Villa pre-match

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

As far as I can see Servette and Olympiakos will definitely drop into the Conference, I’ve not looked at who’s playing who in the Europa fixtures but all the other places are still up in the air, although there are a few which will take some large goal swings to alter the goal difference.

Edit. Perhaps this could have gone in the group thread.

[pauliewalnuts]

Don't we avoid a two legged tie against a team that drops from the Europa League if we finish top of the group?

That's a pretty big reason to want to finish top.

Yes, but it's not the end of the world if we don't. Compared to the last two matches this one feels low stress, and it's nice to have that before starting the Brentford pre-match discussion.

I don't think it would be the end of the world, just that there is something riding on the match, it isn't a dead rubber.

EDIT - if we had to go into the knockout round, those two matches would be played on Feb 15th and 22nd.

That would leave us this run of games:

10 Feb - Man U (h)
15 Feb - Conference League tie 1
17 Feb - Fulham (a)
22 Feb - Conference League tie 2
24 Feb - Forest (h)

5 matches in 14 days rather than 3 (I haven't checked if that Forest match is on the Sunday or not, so might be one more day involved, but even so, I'd much rather play 3 games rather than 5.

Plus there's also the chance of drawing someone decent in the teams that drop from the Europa League.

Finish top of the group and we can totally forget about the distraction of Europe till March 7th.

[VillaTim]

By the way , anyone dropping out the Europa into the conference at this stage means they are pretty crap or things aren't right at the club. Don't lose any sleep over these teams

[usav]

If Bailey’s bloody shot had gone in, none of this would matter.

[olaftab]

Don't we avoid a two legged tie against a team that drops from the Europa League if we finish top of the group?

That's a pretty big reason to want to finish top.

agree, but Sunday is still far bigger / more important

NO. It is not.

[VillaTim]

Don't we avoid a two legged tie against a team that drops from the Europa League if we finish top of the group?

That's a pretty big reason to want to finish top.

agree, but Sunday is still far bigger / more important

NO. It is not.

ohhhhh yes it is  (it is that time) (also true)

[Lsvilla]

Plus there'll be FA Cup ties to throw in the mix. Those of you out there - I'm looking at you especially Olaftab - need to make sure those of us lazing in the Caribbean don't have to stress tomorrow about having too many games in February.

[olaftab]

No worries my friend. We were up and ready at 5.30 this morning so no way our boys are going to make a mess. A decent 2-0 win tonight and off we go to progress in the League and FA cup.
Lsvilla you just grab another rum and stare at those waves and relax.

[Clampy]

It'll be a tough game again if the first leg is anything to go by but a 1-2 win for us I reckon. Duran, a Luiz penalty and a Bosnian bloke goes home happy after finding a blue parka in a pub.

[lennythekad]

A Villa fan got beaten up in Split last night by some Hajduk dickheads, who’d got wind of a few Villa in town. They were wandering round looking for lads on their own. He’s in a group of 10 or a dozen, but was on his own walking back to his hotel, when he was attacked by the cowardly bastards. All I know at the moment is” he’s in a bit of a state”, but he’s on the coach to Mostar.

[Mister E]

By the way , anyone dropping out the Europa into the conference at this stage means they are pretty crap or things aren't right at the club. Don't lose any sleep over these teams

Stevenage. January 2023

[Somniloquism]

A Villa fan got beaten up in Split last night by some Hajduk dickheads, who’d got wind of a few Villa in town. They were wandering round looking for lads on their own. He’s in a group of 10 or a dozen, but was on his own walking back to his hotel, when he was attacked by the cowardly bastards. All I know at the moment is” he’s in a bit of a state”, but he’s on the coach to Mostar.

I hope it isn't one of ours (HandV member). And hopefully medically he is ok even if the experience wasn't pleasant.

[Bully2345]

I'm glad a couple of you aren't in charge considering you seem keen for extra games

[pauliewalnuts]

I'm glad a couple of you aren't in charge considering you seem keen for extra games

Panathinaikos, that Belgian team Brighton's owners own, Sparta Prague, AEK Athens and Olympiacos amongst the teams in 3rd in the EL as it stands.  They're far from all shitty sides.

[AV84]

I'm glad a couple of you aren't in charge considering you seem keen for extra games

I don't want extra games, all I meant was the build up to this game feels relatively relaxed compared to the nervous anxiety of the last two league games, which felt like hugely important games in terms of shaping our entire season.