Aston Villa v Celtic Pre match

[Chico Hamilton III]

My Celtic supporting boss from Glasgow is very worried about their lack of firepower up front.

Their fans have been told that banners over a certain size will require a fire certificate…… and they’ve been advised to avoid the Windsor before the game. I can’t imagine a pub with that name being high on Celtic fans’ list of priorities.

[ChicagoLion]

My Celtic supporting boss from Glasgow is very worried about their lack of firepower up front.

Their fans have been told that banners over a certain size will require a fire certificate…… and they’ve been advised to avoid the Windsor before the game. I can’t imagine a pub with that name being high on Celtic fans’ list of priorities.

To smash it up? Probably. Would suggest William keeps a low profile.

[JUAN PABLO]

Still a possibility Tyrone can play .

[JUAN PABLO]

Unai Emery said: "We will see this afternoon and then we are going to decide how every player is feeling. We have Lamare Bogarde in the squad as well, he is training every day and competing very well. Sil [Swinkels] is another option because he is training with us, but we are thinking of letting him leave on loan. I think he will need more experience to get minutes.

"We have enough players to compete and feel confidence. For example, Lucas Digne is left-footed and is an experienced player. He can feel confident [playing at centre-back]. Firstly, if Tyrone Mings is available then he could play, but if not, Bogarde - who has usually played in midfield - he is training sometimes as a centre-back. I am confident and I believe in the squad we have.

[UK Redsox]

Unai Emery said: "We will see this afternoon and then we are going to decide how every player is feeling. We have Lamare Bogarde in the squad as well, he is training every day and competing very well. Sil [Swinkels] is another option because he is training with us, but we are thinking of letting him leave on loan. I think he will need more experience to get minutes.

"We have enough players to compete and feel confidence. For example, Lucas Digne is left-footed and is an experienced player. He can feel confident [playing at centre-back]. Firstly, if Tyrone Mings is available then he could play, but if not, Bogarde - who has usually played in midfield - he is training sometimes as a centre-back. I am confident and I believe in the squad we have.

To summarise.......somebody will be playing left centre back

[brontebilly]

Some mad stories there. Didn't they wreck Manchester in more recent times for that UEFA cup final too.

Was there any truth in rumour Villa fans were waving tricolours etc to wind them up? 18 months or so after the bombings so I would have thought the tricolour would have more likely to be burned at both ends of the ground around then.

Old school Celtic fans would have a soft spot for Villa over 76. 

[144 Hard Boiled Eggs]

Were any of you at the infamous friendly v Rangers in 76?

I was there as a naive 14 year old. Similar to other recollections I was surprised to see so many away fans in the city centre in the morning, particularly for a friendly game.They were all over town and all seemingly drunk. As the day unfolded I became fearful for my safety for the first time at a football match. I had a wake up call and learned the art of being street wise, very useful to going to a football match, particularly away from home in the 1970s and 1980s.  I still look back on the day as a valuable life experience. And I’ve never liked Rangers since.

Same with me but I didn't realise until I got to the ground and the old bloke at the Holte End turnstile said "I wouldn't go in there son, go up the Witton End". Personally I've never had much time for either Rangers or Celtic, even more so now I partly live in Glasgow. Most of the fans I've met in pubs and out and about in Glasgow have been great and love chatting general football. What I don't like is, when on my frequent visits to lower Scottish league grounds, seeing all the locals waiting for the many coaches to Glasgow instead of watching their local team. Most sides still have a loyal hardcore following though (I went to Hibs with Clydebank  in the cup last week which was a great day, apart from the result!)

[Toronto Villa]

Anyone know if Stan Petrov will be at the game? Big game for him also.

[eamonn]

Dunno, I'm just hoping Didier Agathe is invited to perform the "Saturday Night" dance once the tannoy operator blasts out a bit of Whigfield for the half-time entertainment.

[Bosco81]

I’d keep Digne at centre half, and hope with a bit more time to work on it, him and Maatsen make a better job of it than Sunday.

It would be different if we’re away from home, but we’re going to have the majority of the ball and it should suit Digne playing there, rather than the alternatives.

[astonvilla82]

Some mad stories there. Didn't they wreck Manchester in more recent times for that UEFA cup final too.

Was there any truth in rumour Villa fans were waving tricolours etc to wind them up? 18 months or so after the bombings so I would have thought the tricolour would have more likely to be burned at both ends of the ground around then.

Old school Celtic fans would have a soft spot for Villa over 76.

You are correct concerning the tricolour, not sure if someone ran on with it towards the centre circle only for a Rangers supporter to run on carrying a big blue and white teddy bear, which finally kicked it off,pretty sure it all correct unless my mind playing up

[Flamingo Lane]

The stuff about a Villa fan waving a tricolour that kicked off trouble is made up nonsense.

[astonvilla82]

The stuff about a Villa fan waving a tricolour that kicked off trouble is made up nonsense.

Well there was definitely a tricolour in the witton end

[Demitri_C]

Letting swinkels go when we have a injury crisis in that position  seems abit crazy to me.

Unless of course a) mings injury is not bad b) someone is incoming

Its goibg ti be digne at cb i think tomorrow

[Olneythelonely]

Letting swinkels go when we have a injury crisis in that position  seems abit crazy to me.

Unless of course a) mings injury is not bad b) someone is incoming

Its goibg ti be digne at cb i think tomorrow

Unai has already confirmed a). Plus all the rumours suggest b). So probably not crazy to let a player go who has made a single appearance for us.

Great middle name though - Laurentius