Reflections on Conference League

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

I really enjoyed this campaign and was hoping to get to the final to compete for our first trophy in 28 years. Loved our trip to Lille and it’s inspired us to make further European trips next season with or without a match tkt. It’s injuries that did us in the end…we’ve had an horrific run of them this season, so it’s great we got as far as we did.
We lost the semi at VP, where both Luiz and McGinn went awol. I’m not convinced Luiz in particular is a big game player. We needed to go into the away fixture with at least a 2 goal advantage and failing to do this left us on the back foot. As fans we need to be more intimidating at home (the 12th man, as Saunders used to say). Legia, Lille and Olympiacos have shown us the way. On our travels we have to be sure not to leave all our chanting in the squares of the cities we’re visiting.
I’m proud of the club, Unai and the players overall. I’m also proud of the fans who went away in numbers and to my knowledge conducted themselves brilliantly.
Here’s to the next European campaign! UTV!

[Ben1505p]

I was never that bothered about this Anglo-Italian Cup to be honest

[caster troy]

Losing Tielemans, Rogers, Moreno and Zaniolo for the home straight has been a bridge too far clearly. McGinn and Luiz don't work well as a CM pairing and Bailey/Digne desperately need a rest. I'd probably have gambled a bit more with using the kids in the last couple of games as the gap between them and a 'dead on his feet' senior player must be greatly reduced, but Unai seems them in training and must not think they are up to it.

[Chico Hamilton III]

The Mostar trip was fantastic - incredible town, friendly locals and a great night followed by a couple of mental nights in Sarajevo. Who gives a shit what other clubs’ fans think of the Conference League, it’s given a lot of travelling Villa fans one of their best ever seasons.

[curiousorange]

I don't know whether it's a stick or twist issue, really. Once we got to game 33 or whatever it was and we were in pole position to get Champions League, it would have been perfectly understandable for Emery to play a second string in the Conference League. But would we as a fan base have accepted that? As it is, we've done our best to do both, but in hindsight maybe we should have chucked this in.

[Nev]

I've considered everything that happened last night, looked at the stats, expected goals, form and injuries for both sides and cannot shake off the thought that I had at 8pm last night. We lost because the manager had no gel in his hair and I've never seen this on Matchday before. It may come over as slightly biblical in a Samson style but I hope he cracks open the Brylcreem or even Vitalis before kick off on Monday.

[Neil Hawkes]

Pleased to see more energy than the Brighton game, everyone looked completely out of steam during that one.

Sad, not angry, at the result.

Proud at where we are now, and how much effort has gone into us getting here.

Unfortunately I do believe our amount of games and injury list - more so the most recent to Tielemans, Rogers & Zaniolo - has left us relying on Spurs to lose one of their remaining games, rather than us winning one of ours; I just don't see anything left in the locker.

I cannot berate Unai for the tactical choices he made, there are no other options left than to play who we have left, even those that are unfit and the others that are out of form.

[ChicagoLion]

I don't know whether it's a stick or twist issue, really. Once we got to game 33 or whatever it was and we were in pole position to get Champions League, it would have been perfectly understandable for Emery to play a second string in the Conference League. But would we as a fan base have accepted that? As it is, we've done our best to do both, but in hindsight maybe we should have chucked this in.

I think you are right but he would have got pelters.

[Paul.S]

I've never seen us win anything and probably never will, shame really.

They did their homework on us and were very good. They didn't take the Martinez press bait once over two legs and because that's a big part of our build-up play we didn't know what to do.

Every time we're so close to some silverware we just don't perform. The century curse goes on......

You will don’t worry.

[wince]

Reflections this morning are disappointment as we could have won this and if we do get CL next year, will we be content to go as far as we can as we have little hope of winning it. What concerns me the most is how venomous these boards got at times. We can all get carried away and get frustrated but at times this run in has brought out the absolute worst in some who simply cannot see what a journey this has been. Not saying we have to be happy with the results but at times I wondered why some actually bother supporting us. It has took the shine off things to hear the team being called cowards etc and quite tiring.
Yes we may fall to 5th to a team who have played 20 games less than us but we should be proud of how high we have gotten and use this as a learning curve to play better in Europe next season as CL or not we are back in Europe again next season.

Be proud and we will get better when we have more of a squad who isnt injured! And be nicer to each other

[Ads]

Fucked the coaches off and in a taxi back to the bar. I intend to salute this European adventure in the best possible way, but drinking my body weight in gin. Fucking love the Villa.

That holdback in the car park was insane. Apparently police riders were not available to escort coaches back to the pick up venue.

I think the Police were deliberately taking the piss. Streets were empty in the Uber and the car park was rammed with those police busses. All the police were drinking cups of tea.

[SamTheMouse]

Last night was one of those games where I think Buendia would have been useful. He always wants the ball and always looks to make something happen.

He's been a bigger miss for us this season than you might think.

If not for all the fucking injuries, there's a fair chance we'd be in the final and challenging for the league title too.

I genuinely can't remember us having had such rotten luck in that respect. Although we've never been what you'd call fortunate. The epitome of that was probably Nilis. Turns up, looks bloody amazing, and two games later his career's over.

[DC1874]

Usual Talksh*te nonsene about last night, no mention of our depleted squad that's down to the bare bones with the last men standing running on fumes!

[Monty]

Usual Talksh*te nonsene about last night, no mention of our depleted squad that's down to the bare bones with the last men standing running on fumes!

It's almost like they want you to get annoyed.

[Keeno]

I don't know whether it's a stick or twist issue, really. Once we got to game 33 or whatever it was and we were in pole position to get Champions League, it would have been perfectly understandable for Emery to play a second string in the Conference League. But would we as a fan base have accepted that? As it is, we've done our best to do both, but in hindsight maybe we should have chucked this in.

In hindsight, you're right.

We'd definitely have got something from the Brighton game, probably feel better going into the Liverpool game and would likely have 4th place wrapped up by now.

As you say though, he would've been ripped to shreds by the fanbase if he did so.