Reflections on Conference League

[AV84]

Thought I'd ask this now before things get emotional tomorrow night, one way or the other.

Just wondering what people's feelings are about the whole competition now we've done a season of it? Anyone's opinion of it changed since we qualified, for better or worse?

Anyone travelled to some/all of the games and able to compare it to previous European adventures?

I thought it was nice to be in any kind of European competition after so long but didn't really rate it that highly in terms of prestige. But I think it's been a really useful learning curve for the team, especially when you compare it to something like Newcastle getting CL before they were ready for it. We're down to bare bones of a squad and those left are running on fumes but it feels like it's an experience that's really bonded the team and it really seems like something special is happening at Villa.

I'll be sick if we can't turn things around tomorrow night, but in terms of what this thread is asking, I am now of the opinion that the Conference League is a fantastic thing to be a part of, and the aim should always be to move up a level but it's nothing to look down on, and I think I'll always have a little soft spot for the competition going forward, whatever happens tomorrow night.

[pauliewalnuts]

I don't think it's about being ready for the CL or not, I'm sure we wouldn't have been too concerned about that had we qualified last year.

However, where I do think there's a bit of truth in that argument is that having had the opportunity to go deep into a European competition has more value - on pitch, not financially - than 6 CL group games and out you go would.

Newcastle were quite unlucky to get such an awful group so hopefully we get a more forgiving one.

[Clampy]

I've not been to any of the away games (a couple of mates are over in Athens now) but I've enjoyed it overall. It's been different, maybe because it's been so long since we had European games. This time last year, I thought it might be too soon for us but up to now, we've coped pretty well with it and we'll be doing it all over again next season. Which is nice.

[Chris Harte]

Didn't have a high opinion at the start but I've been to all the home games and enjoyed them, witnessing a perfect record until the Olympiacos game, the mentalness of the Hibs and Lille fans and the surrealness of the missing Legia fans. European nights feel special regardless of the competition you're in.

I've not given up hope of going to Athens just yet. I'll go whether I have a ticket or not because my mates and I have all got pass-outs to do it off the other halves and, without being morbid about it, we may never get another chance to do a European final.

[pauliewalnuts]

I've not been to any of the away games (a couple of mates are over in Athens now) but I've enjoyed it overall. It's been different, maybe because it's been so long since we had European games. This time last year, I thought it might be too soon for us but up to now, we've coped pretty well with it and we'll be doing it all over again next season. Which is nice.

I think we are really feeling the burden of the extra long season, but we are at least feeling it right at the end which suggests it'll be easier to remedy with returning players plus signings.

[algy]

I've really enjoyed it so far. Hopefully there's one more round to go, but even if there isn't - even if this is it - it's been great fun. Not been to any of the aways, although I'll go to Athens sans-ticket if we make the final, but been to a good number of the home games. Loved getting back in to going to Villa semi-regularly again ... I had just opened to go to a league game and one European game this season but enjoyed it so much I've just kept going to them.

[olaftab]

I have absolutely loved it and can’t understand the antipathy towards it from some quarters. Superb entry level competition for teams in around  6/7 in the League. Builds the team discipline and drum beat of playing twice a week, dealing with travel etc.

[Olneythelonely]

I prefer this song to the Champions League song. There, I’ve said it.

[AV84]

I don't think it's about being ready for the CL or not, I'm sure we wouldn't have been too concerned about that had we qualified last year.

However, where I do think there's a bit of truth in that argument is that having had the opportunity to go deep into a European competition has more value - on pitch, not financially - than 6 CL group games and out you go would.

Newcastle were quite unlucky to get such an awful group so hopefully we get a more forgiving one.

When I say ready for the CL I meant in terms of squad depth and experience of playing so many mid week games. We had one up on Newcastle anyway with Emery in charge, who is vastly experienced in European competition compared to Howe who was learning on the job.

Obviously if we'd finished in 4th last season and had CL this year I'd have enjoyed every second of it, but quite likely we'd have had the same experience as Newcastle, and had the injuries/fatigue hit earlier in the season. I think the same thing happened to Brighton, and West Ham last season. They won the CL but their league form suffered, but they balanced things much better this season, perhaps as a result of things learned last year.

But yeah, in terms of preparing and building towards actually competing in the Champions League, not just making up the numbers, I think the Conference has been invaluable and will stand to us next season.

[Risso]

Two of the injuries (Mings and Buendia) were back in August so just unlucky and nothing to do with extra games. You can probably add Ramsey to that as the challenge he received that broke his foot has lasted all season, and that was as a result of somebody stamping on him. Without those three injuries we'd probably be in a much stronger place to see out the season.

[VillaTim]

It has been exactly what I thought of it , a 3rd tier euro competition designed for smaller nations/clubs gatecrashed by a few bigger clubs. Many of the games have been insipid and boring , Alkmaar away stands out . It's a good stepping stone for us for next season though whichever more challenging tournament we end up in.
We entered the conference as favourites, if we don't win it a few questions need asking .

[PaulWinch again]

I think it’s a good competition, and I think it’s been very useful for building up the player’s experience of the cadence of managing European football.

[Des Little]

It’s certainly tested us at times, and whetted the appetite for hopefully more of the same in the future. That said, and at the risk of stating the bleeding obvious, I really hope we manage to win it, because in an ideal world we won’t be in this competition again any time soon. It is, however, blindingly clear that this squad needs a sizeable upgrade in many areas if and when we compete in Europe again next season.

[jon collett]

It has been exactly what I thought of it , a 3rd tier euro competition designed for smaller nations/clubs gatecrashed by a few bigger clubs. Many of the games have been insipid and boring , Alkmaar away stands out . It's a good stepping stone for us for next season though whichever more challenging tournament we end up in.
We entered the conference as favourites, if we don't win it a few questions need asking .

Think this is spot on until the last sentence

I just think it’s got in the way this season and mucked us around.

Ultimately we have to be looking to making progress to where we ought to be as a Club. This has been a distraction although hopefully provided experience too,

I have great faith in Unai and I do think he has kept a sense of perspective.

[claret+blue ed]

I think it’s been a great tournament, however it turns out, I’ve done all the homes, but not ventured abroad, they have looked a great experience for all who have been though, which is what it is all about. I do think the squad will benefit from this, getting used to all the travelling as well as the extra games. For me, the chance to win a trophy is something we should all be embracing, it’s certainly been a while, so no thoughts of it being a competition that has no gravitas from me