Win this and use it as rocket-fuel to slam WHam on Sunday.
It's my first double-header in attendance at Villa since a 0-0 and 1-1 with Charlton (Weds evening) and Bolton, (Saturday aft) April '05. I'd be impressed if anyone remembers either of those games. Mid-era Dolly Doldrums. I think even our goal against Bolton was an OG...
The dross served-up on the pitch was thankfully enlivened by a trip to the Bartons, after the Bolton game - in the Boardroom, no less.
Dave Woodhall spluttered with disapproval when he asked what I was drinking and in my callow youth, I asked for a pint of Budweiser. He got me something dark and Belgian and in a weary tone, suggested I had much to learn about life.
Drummond was an affable presence. He smiled a lot - not many H&V men did at the time. Has that changed over the years? Dear Reader, I'll leave that for you to judge.
Mark Fletcher, the forum's SJM in the mid-00s, just as ebullient in real life. Amfy, friendly and a welcome female presence. Disco Stu...his Morrisseyisms not as barbed in person as on H&V Manilla but still, hard to know who he really was. Ozzjim, a generous host but at the time still seemingly hung-up on the "Bolton semi girl".
It was formative, thank you all.
