Aston Villa (0) vs Nottm Forest (1) - EL SF 2nd leg pre match

[Rory]

We're going to smash it. Obviously.

No disrespect to them, but after all the pants-wetting, they're still Nottingham Forest and we're still Aston Villa.

We have a better manager than them, we have better players than them, we have better fans than them, and we are going to win the match and the tie.

[eye digress]

Still feel he's been targeted by herd mentality the past few times he's played, especially Sunday. Tammy and Barkley where about as press resistant as a stale blueberry, Tielemans with his worst game in the shirt for some time and absolutely zero assistance on the right for Cash from Sancho. Poor lad had to cover about 20 yards of space at all times. At least he looked like he gave a shit.

Not saying he's good enough, but Emerys moved him about like a chess piece all season and he's rarely played in a side chock full of our best.

I agree.

He was doing really well until late January; like the team as a whole, his form has dropped off since. His versatility makes him important to us way beyond his value. Every player can be criticised but bashing Bogarde is often the easy option among other under performers. He’s a young player, he’s ours, get behind him.

[eye digress]

The only reason I think it might well be Dougie is that we didn't see him at all on Sunday.

Also, we’ll be expecting to be on the ball more tonight, so it should suit Dougie better, despite his limitations in that position.

[eye digress]

He has to solve the problem of lacking a defensive midfielder or we cede the midfield to Anderson.

Struggling to find a decent performance without Kamara or Onana.

Spurs away in the Cup?

[Smirker]

Good morning all 

My balls are tingling for the claret and blue 

[Rory]

Good morning all 

My balls are tingling for the claret and blue 

And you know why?

Because we're going to win, that's why!

[simboy]

It will be Turkey or turkeys by the end of the evening I guess ...

[Ads]

Never felt so nervous about a game in my life.

[OzVilla]

A pivotal game in so many ways.

Lose with so little physical and mental recovery time to Burnley I'll really fear for us. Win and I think we'll have the greatest end to a season in decades.

So all or nothing, literally.

Fuuuuck........ UTFV!

[Ads]

5Live at half time last night was going on like PSG were coming. They had a game plan last week and we didn't apparently. I felt we contained them and I am not sure what not having a shot at at goal beyond the penalty second half was planned, but that's Stephen Warnock for you. If MGW plays, then apparently it's over for us.

I hope the players feel a simmering anger from the justified criticism that came at them from the weekend. And I hope they take this talking up of Forest and their form against Burnley and two sides with their buckets and spades out as the 2nd coming of PSG or Pep's Barca, with the jaw grinding irritation it deserves.

Super John McGinn is the key for us. An elevated performance from him, to give Yuri the time to pull strings, to let Rogers find the space, absolutely key.

This feels like a 1 shot do or die. The game is just massive and all consuming for me and the players too I hope. Time to fucking deliver, Villa. Fucking deliver.

[Dave]

Never felt so nervous about a game in my life.

Feel like I'd like to just go to back to bed and wake up in about 22 hours time rather than deal with the stress of today.

[Rigadon]

Never felt so nervous about a game in my life.

Feel like I'd like to just go to back to bed and wake up in about 22 hours time rather than deal with the stress of today.

Same! 

I can't see Gibbs-White being able to play with that wound on his head, and if he does, surely not without severe discomfort.  They should also be playing without that thug in midfield.  But fuck em - just win the bloody game Villa. 

[Ads]

Never felt so nervous about a game in my life.

Feel like I'd like to just go to back to bed and wake up in about 22 hours time rather than deal with the stress of today.

Done 2 cup final wins in 1994 and 1996. The cup final defeats in 2000, 2010, 2015 and 2020. Semi final defeats against Liverpool in 1996, Olympiacos, Palace last season. Play Offs against Fulham and then that 7 minutes of added on time against Derby. Last game of the season at Man United last time out. Going to Carrow Road in 1994. Needing to beat Brighton in 2023 for Europe. Watching Man City labour against Spurs on the box to get us Champions League football.

Important moments, ones by and large I enjoyed, that I was looking forward to or as angry and disappointed as I was, that I got over.

For this game, I've found levels of stress I did not think I had. I don't get nervous about football. I am bricking it over this. Like I have major surgery or something booked. I don't want to contemplate defeat, stomach is in knots and it's only quarter to 9.

[Bully2345]

I was genuinely nervous yesterday. I think we've lost the game so many times in my head that I've reached a comparative level of zen today.

Think positive. Be positive. Semi finals don't come around every day

[Nev]

I watched the first half of the match last night and it changed my mood completely. No real idea why, but it was great football, exciting and full of endeavour from both sides and we can play like that and did against both of them.

I woke up this morning full of optimism, not that we will defiantly win but the all round feeling of being in a European semi, on the cusp of the CL and a night at a boiling and noisy Villa Park ahead. It feels like the culmination of the last few years, and as bad as Sunday was and as disappointed in the Manager I felt it doesn't define us or him, it's more than that.

I'm already looking forward to Burnley and the likely reward of a victory there even if we end up disappointed tonight the future still promises much. David Bradleys video came up on my timeline again last night, the first time I've watched it for while and I welled up, bursting with pride for my club and the people I share it with.

Tootling along the Hagley Road into Town, Brassneck at full volume, and the skyline of the City in the distance I relished the day and night to come, whatever will be, will be and I wouldn't want to change anything.

Even the prospect of a fucking drum in the ground can't temper my mood. Up The Fucking Villa.