Other Villa stuff

[Dave]

A tiny bit more on Chema Sanz joining the coaching staff;

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7405480/2026/06/29/unai-emery-aston-villa-staff-chema-sanz/

Doesn't go into any detail on what his role is going to be or anything, mostly that he is 'expected' to join.

New font designer for the webpage.

[luke95]

8 Legia Warsaw fans up for trail this week after the trouble at Villa Park. Trail expected to last 4 weeks

[Dogtanian]

8 Legia Warsaw fans up for trail this week after the trouble at Villa Park. Trail expected to last 4 weeks

Let's hope the court canteen hides their condiments!

[Somniloquism]

They will probably get off because the prosecution started to lead them at the trail.

[PeterWithesShin]

Eight Legia Warsaw fans have admitted their part in violence before a match against Aston Villa in 2023.

The men all pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday and will be sentenced at the same court on 21 December.

Four police officers were hurt in clashes with away fans near Villa Park ahead of the Europa Conference match.

The tie went ahead with away fans blocked from entering the stadium over safety fears.

The eight men are Mariusz Palka, 42, Jaroslaw Gredka, 50, Gregorsz Grabon, 52, Doran Urbaniak, 42, Grezegosz Grabon, 52, Bartlomiej Szmytke, 23, Marchin Staniec, 32 and Adrian Mitura, 35.

Pictures from the scene showed police officers with batons and shields trying to regain control of the area while missiles were launched at them.

West Midlands Police said one of the injured officers had been taken to hospital, and said two police horses and two police dogs had also been hurt.

[Dogtanian]

Is it normal for there to be such a long delay before sentencing?

[andyh]

Maybe the Legia boys have got a big plastering job to get finished ?

[Halfway to Moseley]

Hope we bill them for the anti-mayo netting on the side of the Holte.

[Hopadop]

That is an unusually long time to adjourn sentence for.  It looks like they're all on bail, and possibly living in Poland, so there'll be some practical issues for probation in interviewing and preparing the Pre Sentence Reports.

Under this year's Sentencing Act the judge can now make a Suspended Sentence Order of up to 3 years, which our heroes may well be in line for.  But as part of the SSO there'll be conditions (probation, curfew, unpaid work etc) that won't be workable unless Polish probation are prepared to take it all on.  And who will pay for that etc?  What will happen when there's a breach of the Order?  There's no point the judge sentencing them to anything other than immediate custody, in the UK, unless it's all in place.

So it sounds like there'll be some cross border sorting to be done.  Nightmare.

[Brazilian Villain]

Such sad news that Steve Hopcroft has passed away. An excellent, respectful man who reenergised Aston Villa’s academy alongside Mark Harrison. They moved from West Brom and Hopcroft was widely considered the best spotter of talent in the Midlands and beyond. Hopcroft helped scout so many talents - including spotting Morgan Rogers aged 7. His contacts, network and skill empowered Villa’s youth. A hard-working, hugely respected figure who will be deeply missed.

https://x.com/J_Tanswell/status/2074205658967110017

[cdbearsfan]

Steve Hopcroft and Amanda Burke have passed away. RIP.

https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/july/06/news-tribute-to-aston-villa-staff/

[Dogtanian]

Footage of some of the Legia Warsaw scumbags has been released;

https://www.itv.com/news/central/2026-07-09/disturbing-footage-shows-worst-uk-football-violence-in-decades

They didn't catch the Mayo Bandit, it seems.

[PeterWithesShin]

Eight men were due to stand trial at Birmingham Crown Court for their involvement in the violence.

But seven have now pleaded guilty to violent disorder, while an eighth admitted affray. Here are the details of what they did:

Jaroslaw Gredka, 50, of Leicester – He had his face covered, as he pushed a gate into police officers and dogs. He also carried a pole towards the police line and gestured to officers.

Gregorsz Grabon, 52, of Bridgwater, Somerset – Pushed a car park gate at officers as the violence continued.

Adrian Mitura, 35, of Warsaw, Poland – Kicked the gate towards officers.

Karol Talkowski, 35 – Threw an item at police.

Marchin Staniec, 32, of Poland – His face was covered as he threw items at police and brandished a branch over his head. He threw an item at police and pushed a bin at them.

Bartlomiej Szmytke, 23, of Poland – Pushed a bin towards officers in Witton Lane.

Doran Urbaniak, 42, of Leicester – He was at the front of the crowd in Station Road, threatening officers with his fists raised before throwing an item at the police. He was instrumental in maintaining the crowd’s hostility to police.

An eighth man, Mariusz Palka, 42, of Bristol, admitted affray after gesturing at officers as he refused to move away during the violence.

They will be sentenced in December.

[kipeye]

Is it normal for there to be such a long delay before sentencing?

It always takes time to ketchup.

[UK Redsox]

A bit surprised at the ages of some of those involved.

eg, I wasn't expecting one to be a bloke in his 50s from Somerset