Who should create the Atmosphere?

[dave.woodhall]

Symbiotic relationship.

Who sang that one.

Count Five.

[Pat McMahon]

I think Risso’s point above about our style yesterday not being conducive to a raucous atmosphere is spot on. The fact we were hemmed in for much of our own half doesn’t help get the crowd geed up for a game when we were playing a team on a similar footing to ourselves. Contrast this to the response from the crowd when we get off to an aggressive start in big games, such as the Newcastle, Spurs and a Brighton games last spring when we were on a mission and the whole ground was absolutely rocking. See also Arsenal and Man City more recently.

The 1-1 draw against Man City last year also had a great atmosphere as the crowd were willing us on to hold out against the zillionaires and the players responded. In each of these games the players and fans fed off each other’s energy. Yesterday felt flat before kick off and the slow start to the game sucked a lot of energy out of the crowd.

Our pre match music is pretty poor and I think they should just get the DJ in from the Aston Social for a few bob. Caveat, I haven’t been in there this season but presume he is still working the crowd up nicely. A lot better than crazy train and the other stuff that we hear.

Finally, I wouldn’t be beating ourselves up on this. In my experience most grounds now have an average atmosphere at best. Anfiield for me is a myth for most league games, based on my own experience and mates who go there, but comes alive for their big rivals and European games (on tv at least). The best atmosphere I have heard this season was Forest, helped by a noisy start and then an early goal in each half, and the fact they were up for a fight against a top team - just like we were against Man City last year.

[Rory]

Sorry to be a bore, but some of those players are paid more in a week than many supporters  are paid in five years - and it is the supporters who give up their money to attend.

When the players play well, create chances, take shots, win corners, whatever, then the supporters respond. That's what they are there for - to 'support', not cheer for something the team are failing to deliver.

If the players need the crowd to inspire them, they should give a proportion of their salary to Paddy and ask him to sort them out with a few lines before KO and at HT.

I'm not exactly vitriolic when we play shite. Everyone has bad days.

But the men, women and children who pay for their seat in VP are in no way to blame for those days.

[LeonW]

I think it’s mainly down to the players. Supporters will always cheer when someone chases someone down or puts in a great tackle (especially if it leaves one on) or produces a great bit of skill. That in turn pushes the players on replicate receiving the support and applause.

Negative play is not going to get supporters on side, especially at home. I think that the interview McGinn gave before the spurs game was because he knew how what the likely reaction would be to our set up. It was not an approach that was going to get supporters belting from the rafters at another attempt of Konsa trying to pass to Cash in a back 5 under pressure at home from a half decent Spurs. Although that may be something we may need to get use to if we did get into the champions league.

[RamboandBruno]

I think it’s mainly down to the players. Supporters will always cheer when someone chases someone down or puts in a great tackle (especially if it leaves one on) or produces a great bit of skill. That in turn pushes the players on replicate receiving the support and applause.

Negative play is not going to get supporters on side, especially at home. I think that the interview McGinn gave before the spurs game was because he knew how what the likely reaction would be to our set up. It was not an approach that was going to get supporters belting from the rafters at another attempt of Konsa trying to pass to Cash in a back 5 under pressure at home from a half decent Spurs. Although that may be something we may need to get use to if we did get into the champions league.

Its ironic really, but just before he got sent off, McGinn was harrying their defence like a man possessed, won the ball, created a chance and got the Holte End right up….and then he got carried away..

[Billy Walker]

I think the vibe the fans create is incredibly important and it's something that I've heard the players and manager(s) constantly repeat - like any human they respond to positivity and support. When we beat Everton in our first match back the atmosphere was incredible and there was simply no way we were going to lose - even some of the Everton players remarked that they'd rarely experienced such a crowd.

The question is would Villa stand more chance of winning the Conference League and finishing top four with a home crowd that's bang at it, (metaphorically) fighting and kicking each and every ball with the players, or with a home crowd that's anxious, flat as a pancake and waiting to be entertained?  If we want to end our trophy drought and get Champs League football this season I think we have to play our part. In my experience Villa are unbeatable when Villa Park is together and totally up for it.

[Brazilian Villain]

Can we book Russ Abbott for Lower Grounds . That would get things going.

Thanks for the reminder that Russ Abbot is still alive. Still only 76, but there's been neither sight nor sound of him for years.

[steamer]

Agree with Risso, who are the noisy fans when their team is putting in a crap performance and losing 2-0 at home.
Seen some very quiet top six grounds when the game is flat.

[algy]

Can we book Russ Abbott for Lower Grounds . That would get things going.

Thanks for the reminder that Russ Abbot is still alive. Still only 76, but there's been neither sight nor sound of him for years.

He played a character on (from what I remember was...) a shit TV detective show a couple of years back. Like Death in Paradise type thing, but I don't think it was Death in Paradise.

Spent half the show skwinting trying to work out who he was, cos I recognised his face but nothing else.

[Chico Hamilton III]

I think the vibe the fans create is incredibly important and it's something that I've heard the players and manager(s) constantly repeat - like any human they respond to positivity and support. When we beat Everton in our first match back the atmosphere was incredible and there was simply no way we were going to lose - even some of the Everton players remarked that they'd rarely experienced such a crowd.

The question is would Villa stand more chance of winning the Conference League and finishing top four with a home crowd that's bang at it, (metaphorically) fighting and kicking each and every ball with the players, or with a home crowd that's anxious, flat as a pancake and waiting to be entertained?  If we want to end our trophy drought and get Champs League football this season I think we have to play our part. In my experience Villa are unbeatable when Villa Park is together and totally up for it.

As the Ajax tickets are more reasonably priced then you might have a point. But I paid £110 for an adult and under 21 ticket on the Holte for Spurs and if the club want to go down that kind of pricing route then they can also set the tone for the atmosphere and give me something to get excited about.

[chrisw1]

Agree with Risso, who are the noisy fans when their team is putting in a crap performance and losing 2-0 at home.
Seen some very quiet top six grounds when the game is flat.

It can even be the same for some away fans.  Hardly a peep from Spurs until they were winning on Sunday and after that very loud.  At least our away following isn't that fair weather.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

The fans 100%.
If it was all down to how the team/players are doing struggling mid-table and relegation threatened teams would have no atmospheres at all.
Obviously if the players on the pitch are doing well, then any atmosphere will be heightened.
I have little time for the ‘feed me entertain me’ types, whilst sitting on their hands.
Back in the day the trinity road stand would stamp their feet to generate atmosphere. That was a unique sound that is sadly missing these days.
Unfortunately I couldn’t attend last Sunday and I won’t be there Thursday, but I fully expected Villa fans to boo every touch by a spuds player (to create an intimidating atmosphere).  I gather this didn’t happen. I hope it does vs Ajax and that Villa fans demonstrate themselves as being the proverbial 12th man!

[ChicagoLion]

I thought it was down-to the bloke who controls the sound on the PA system and the pre kick off sound effects.

[Dante Lavelli]

When it is £100+ for a couple of tickets to spurs then you’re probably pricing out a fair chunk of the youngsters and people most likely to create the atmosphere.

Again, if we had bigger ground we could have a 10k ‘holding pen’ that under 30s can pass through,

[VillaTim]

I thought it was down-to the bloke who controls the sound on the PA system and the pre kick off sound effects.

If we could invest in a better sound system that would help . Then just bang out some decent tunes in the build up and that should generally be an improvement.