Europa League 2025-26

[Dave]

Be quite nice to turn this back into a thread about football and leave the politics to the politics thread.

Agreed.

If their "supporters" have form for causing trouble then we should not allow them in the ground. Surely that is simple enough.

If we ask UEFA and they agree to it, then sure.

Otherwise, unilaterally deciding that we don't want away fans to attend a match at Villa Park is definitely not simple.

[PeterWithesShin]

Whether some people like it or not this match is highly political, so that would will be the main discussion.

[Dave]

Whether some people like it or not this match is highly political, so that would will be the main discussion.

I mean, if people want to use the thread to talk about whether Maccabi Tel Aviv are more likely to play Nicolaescu or Turgeman, and whether Lazetic is doing a better job that Robbie Keane, I can't imagine anyone is going to stop them.

In the absence of that, the politics stuff seems most likely to fill that void.

[Meanwood Villa]

From a footballing perspective, it seems we've got a couple of the trickier ties on paper up first, then an easier run before the January finale. I just hope we are not too passive in the away matches (imagine that) as they're all potential banana skins for various reasons.

From a travel perspective, I booked flights to Amsterdam yesterday, less than half hour by train from Schipol to Rotterdam. Hoping the size of the stadium will mean getting in isn't too challenging. A German friend described Feyenoord fans as "violent" so what can possibly go wrong?

[brontebilly]

Be quite nice to turn this back into a thread about football and leave the politics to the politics thread.

Agreed.

If their "supporters" have form for causing trouble then we should not allow them in the ground. Surely that is simple enough.
I'm sure the football team is just a football team so nothing wrong with the game being played.

Would you have any issue with Villa playing a team that supported Putin?

[Paul.S]

Can’t wait for the Europa games to start. There’s nothing like them and I’m going to enjoy them.

[Dave]

Be quite nice to turn this back into a thread about football and leave the politics to the politics thread.

Agreed.

If their "supporters" have form for causing trouble then we should not allow them in the ground. Surely that is simple enough.
I'm sure the football team is just a football team so nothing wrong with the game being played.

Would you have any issue with Villa playing a team that supported Putin?

If we were drawn to play against them, of course not. We can't choose who we play against.

If we decided we were going on a pre-season tour of Luhansk Oblast, then it's fine to have an issue with it.

[eamonn]

Hookey may have a different answer to that. Pretty sure he does.

[Ads]

Turkish Airlines from Manchester seems to be the cheapest flying out on the Wednesday. £200 difference from this Pegasus Air who I'd never heard of.

[Tuscans]

I see Feyenoord are talking to Vardy about a possible deal.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I see Feyenoord are talking to Vardy about a possible deal.

I’m surprised he’s not at a club yet. On a one year deal, as cover, I wouldn’t be against him coming to us.

[martin o`who??]

Can’t wait for the Europa games to start. There’s nothing like them and I’m going to enjoy them.

You can't beat catching ketchup bottles on the Holte.

[Gareth]

I'd love the Maccabi match to be nothing but a footballing contest but, anyone who believes there won't be at least a bit bother, is mistaken imo.

Their supporters won't know what's hit them. They may have done a minimum of 32 months military service, possibly even fought against Hamas and/or Hezbollah, but they'll shit themselves when some balding, overweight fifty-something Brummies come at them looking for vengeance.

Even worse when the heathens want to be their mates to fight d’vile

[cdbearsfan]

Be quite nice to turn this back into a thread about football and leave the politics to the politics thread.

Agreed.

If their "supporters" have form for causing trouble then we should not allow them in the ground. Surely that is simple enough.
I'm sure the football team is just a football team so nothing wrong with the game being played.

So we should leave the politics out of it unless you want to raise a political point?

[Sexual Ealing]

Be quite nice to turn this back into a thread about football and leave the politics to the politics thread.

Agreed.

If their "supporters" have form for causing trouble then we should not allow them in the ground. Surely that is simple enough.
I'm sure the football team is just a football team so nothing wrong with the game being played.

So we should leave the politics out of it unless you want to raise a political point?

Edit. Not worth it.