SC Freiburg v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

[cdbearsfan]

Am I the only one too scared to watch any of these videos?

[Godfrey Brian]

I actually feel sick at the moment. I really hope we do it. But we have been here before. Let’s hope the villa we saw against Liverpool and forest turn up. It just feels we think we have done it before kicking a ball. Or I am a miserable fucker.

I have to admit this is my concern. I can't help thinking that we are acting as though we have won it already. The press has already handed us the trophy on the back of Unai winning it 4 times previously.

Finals have to be won. Anything can happen. From a scrappy set piece to a worldie. From a dodgy penalty to a soft red card.

That said, I do think we will win, but I don't think it will be easy. I'm not having all of these 4 0 predictions.

I am not there myself, but I am very much enjoyig the sights and scenes for those that are lucky enough to be there.

Istanbul gateway to the East...gateway to glory.

Come on lads, bring back the Cup.

Come on you Lions!!

Agreed, this will be a tough occasion. Having watched yesterday's media conference though I was knocked out by the intense focus that Unai Emery has instilled into the players for this game. They haven't bought into the easy win thinking and were demonstrating the respect they have for their opponents. They've clearly done their homework on their opposite numbers as well.

I'm really hoping for one of those Villa generational moments tonight, in fact I've dug out my lucky Villa cap to wear. It's been worn to one game before in Rotterdam 26th May 1982!

[Toronto Villa]

Am I the only one too scared to watch any of these videos?

Nah. You should embrace it CD. As Unai said, enjoy the pressure, not fear it. Soak it in. The players will need to perform whether you watch the videos or not. They really well done. You get a real sense of how much they understand what this means to us and to many of them. It’s great to see.

[cdbearsfan]

I'm getting an anxiety attack just thinking about pressing the play button.

[Stu]

I'm getting an anxiety attack just thinking about pressing the play button.

Agreed. I couldn’t watch a ‘Road to Istanbul’ vid on YouTube last night because I felt like I’d be jinxing us. I’m a grown man for gods sake.

[Proposition Joe]

Am I the only one too scared to watch any of these videos?

I am the same. Scarred by FA Cup 2000, I can't help thinking that the more it means to us, the more likely it is we won't get it. So all these emotional videos etc I just swerve and try and remain calm.

The one "safety net" for tonight, if we do lose, then at least it's to a nice friendly team like Freiburg, and not to a dickhead club like our last few FAC and League Cup finals.

[cdbearsfan]

True. And I console myself thinking I may be terrified but I would be feeling a whole lot worse if we hadn't secured Champions League football and tonight's final was Freiburg vs Forest.

[olaftab]

Disappointed that the team bus is not here….

[olaftab]

Biblical weather in Istanbul

[Monty]

Chance of thunderstorms it seems later. Not good.

[Somniloquism]

Although Accuweather (who I found used to be more accurate then BBC) has weather of "Mainly Clear" from about 1800 Turkish time.

[Monty]

Although Accuweather (who I found used to be more accurate then BBC) has weather of "Mainly Clear" from about 1800 Turkish time.

Inshallah!

[PeterWithesShin]

https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/sxk9shs6j#?date=2026-05-20

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Chance of thunderstorms it seems later. Not good.

Earlier than that.
https://en.haberler.com/istanbul-residents-receive-3-hour-warning-from-2256544/