Aston Villa vs Fulham Pre-Match Thread

[PaulWinch again]

Nobody gets angry when the Villa win.

Agreed or at least no one should.

[Hookeysmith]

Last week was gut wrenching and so, so avoidable

[Dave]

F365

A home game with Fulham suddenly feels of quite outsized importance to Aston Villa’s whole season. The heroic failure against PSG in the Champions League and dismal failure against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup means hope of joining Newcastle in the ‘ended our trophy drought’ comfy seats has now gone, while anything less than victory over Fulham will leave Villa facing a near impossible task to claw their way back into the Champions League positions this season.

Even with an extra one.

It all leaves a few harsh questions about whether the season, about whether Emery, has been a success. About whether that spectacularly fun but undeniably expensive January loan splurge was actually worth it if none remain at Villa Park beyond May and PSR chickens start coming home to roost next year.

Defeat to Fulham would even raise the prospect of Villa finishing below the Cottagers and maybe even Brighton. It’s not Tottenham bad. It’s not Man United bad. But for a team and manager that have done so very much right in trying to re-establish Villa among the Premier League’s leading clubs a trophyless season with a mid-table finish would feel distinctly squibbish.

Villa have been on quite a journey this year, and it still feels like there’s one significant turn left yet. It just isn’t yet clear in which direction.

[Sexual Ealing]

F365

A home game with Fulham suddenly feels of quite outsized importance to Aston Villa’s whole season. The heroic failure against PSG in the Champions League and dismal failure against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup means hope of joining Newcastle in the ‘ended our trophy drought’ comfy seats has now gone, while anything less than victory over Fulham will leave Villa facing a near impossible task to claw their way back into the Champions League positions this season.

Even with an extra one.

It all leaves a few harsh questions about whether the season, about whether Emery, has been a success. About whether that spectacularly fun but undeniably expensive January loan splurge was actually worth it if none remain at Villa Park beyond May and PSR chickens start coming home to roost next year.

Defeat to Fulham would even raise the prospect of Villa finishing below the Cottagers and maybe even Brighton. It’s not Tottenham bad. It’s not Man United bad. But for a team and manager that have done so very much right in trying to re-establish Villa among the Premier League’s leading clubs a trophyless season with a mid-table finish would feel distinctly squibbish.

Villa have been on quite a journey this year, and it still feels like there’s one significant turn left yet. It just isn’t yet clear in which direction.

No mention of the time Emery developed hayfever when he was doing his driving test, the excellent busker singing Cage's 4'33 outside the new club shop, the new club shop, Paul Faulkner's diabetic cousin or Olsen's refurbished Atari. If it was Spurs that's all they'd talk about. Typical London filth.

[VancouverLion]

I really hope it's, Ramsey, Rogers, Malen, behind Ollie.

3-1 Us.

[Allan C]

F365

A home game with Fulham suddenly feels of quite outsized importance to Aston Villa’s whole season. The heroic failure against PSG in the Champions League and dismal failure against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup means hope of joining Newcastle in the ‘ended our trophy drought’ comfy seats has now gone, while anything less than victory over Fulham will leave Villa facing a near impossible task to claw their way back into the Champions League positions this season.

Even with an extra one.

It all leaves a few harsh questions about whether the season, about whether Emery, has been a success. About whether that spectacularly fun but undeniably expensive January loan splurge was actually worth it if none remain at Villa Park beyond May and PSR chickens start coming home to roost next year.

Defeat to Fulham would even raise the prospect of Villa finishing below the Cottagers and maybe even Brighton. It’s not Tottenham bad. It’s not Man United bad. But for a team and manager that have done so very much right in trying to re-establish Villa among the Premier League’s leading clubs a trophyless season with a mid-table finish would feel distinctly squibbish.

Villa have been on quite a journey this year, and it still feels like there’s one significant turn left yet. It just isn’t yet clear in which direction.

Absolute and utter rubbish

[VillaTim]

F365

A home game with Fulham suddenly feels of quite outsized importance to Aston Villa’s whole season. The heroic failure against PSG in the Champions League and dismal failure against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup means hope of joining Newcastle in the ‘ended our trophy drought’ comfy seats has now gone, while anything less than victory over Fulham will leave Villa facing a near impossible task to claw their way back into the Champions League positions this season.

Even with an extra one.

It all leaves a few harsh questions about whether the season, about whether Emery, has been a success. About whether that spectacularly fun but undeniably expensive January loan splurge was actually worth it if none remain at Villa Park beyond May and PSR chickens start coming home to roost next year.

Defeat to Fulham would even raise the prospect of Villa finishing below the Cottagers and maybe even Brighton. It’s not Tottenham bad. It’s not Man United bad. But for a team and manager that have done so very much right in trying to re-establish Villa among the Premier League’s leading clubs a trophyless season with a mid-table finish would feel distinctly squibbish.

Villa have been on quite a journey this year, and it still feels like there’s one significant turn left yet. It just isn’t yet clear in which direction.

I'm not sure there's much you can argue with in that . Win tomorrow is the way to answer it .

[olaftab]

If Mings doesn't start tomorrow he's either not fully fit or something is going on .

How about this, Emery doesn't like braided hair types?

[Clampy]

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I'm glad we've had the week to get last Saturday out of our system though. Us to win amd Ollie to go past Gabby's record.

[VillaTim]

If Mings doesn't start tomorrow he's either not fully fit or something is going on .

How about this, Emery doesn't like braided hair types?

No Kamara then or Onana. or Bailey

[Holy Trinity]

This is such a must win game!

Are we reserving the orange dot for relegation battles only because the next 4 games are arguably the most important 4 games of our existence. Champions league this season sees us kick on with minimal churn. Europa league and I think the churn could be significant and whilst I trust Unai and Monchi to get us back into the champions league eventually I'd rather do it again next season and build a squad of young future superstars like PSG are currently trying to do.

[Drummond]

If Mings doesn't start tomorrow he's either not fully fit or something is going on .

How about this, Emery doesn't like braided hair types?

No Kamara then or Onana. or Bailey

Only counts in defence

[Mister E]

This is such a must win game!

Are we reserving the orange dot for relegation battles only because the next 4 games are arguably the most important 4 games of our existence. Champions league this season sees us kick on with minimal churn. Europa league and I think the churn could be significant and whilst I trust Unai and Monchi to get us back into the champions league eventually I'd rather do it again next season and build a squad of young future superstars like PSG are currently trying to do.

"the next 4 games are arguably the most important 4 games of our existence" - are you happy with your hyperbole?!
Just asking...

[Pete3206]

For a match of such magnitude, I'm struggling to be arsed if I'm honest. Still feels like the season ended last week.   

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

For a match of such magnitude, I'm struggling to be arsed if I'm honest. Still feels like the season ended last week.

Let’s hope the players don’t feel like this.

Massive game which we need to be up for.