Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[Coop]

The incorrect use of the word as a pejorative aside: In the absence of "woke" players like Ezri Konsa would be enduring the same pig-ignorant abuse that plagued Cyrille Regis, Gary Thompson, and countless others. And their chances of representing their country in the first place would be severely reduced.

Knowing the poster that's more a jibe at the hipster twat client journalists that particular newspaper are fond of employing and seem particularly ignorant and dismissive of anyone outside of London or Manchester.

And I read the bloody thing every day, though too often through gritted teeth.

The incorrect use of the word as a pejorative aside: In the absence of "woke" players like Ezri Konsa would be enduring the same pig-ignorant abuse that plagued Cyrille Regis, Gary Thompson, and countless others. And their chances of representing their country in the first place would be severely reduced.

Site Rules, 23.2

'Not everything on here is posted with one hundred percent seriousness. Abuse, including politically incorrect abuse will liberally distributed when the good name of Aston Villa or any of their players are not judged to be world class and each worth hundreds of millions of Great British Pounds.'

Then perhaps "hipster twat client journalists" (a true pejorative) might've been a better choice? Nevertheless, my point stands.

[Dave]

One for the ages that, very dramatic. Thought we went defensive too soon but held on so got the job done. Norway will be tough but they're still not elite tier so will take that in a QF.

Yep. Elite tier I'd say are France Spain Argentina, we are perhaps one small step below. So we are going to have to beat 2 of those 3 at some point in the next 2 weeks.

I'd still be reserving judgment on Argentina until they've had a proper test.

They've done what they've needed, but a run to the quarter-finals of Algeria - Austria - Jordan - Cape Verde - Egypt doesn't feel like they've had to deal with much adversity yet.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

One for the ages that, very dramatic. Thought we went defensive too soon but held on so got the job done. Norway will be tough but they're still not elite tier so will take that in a QF.

It was a brave decision to bring Burn on for a rearguard performance.
Maybe he worked out they didn’t have the legs to do anything else.

I have no doubt Burn was introduced for psychological reasons by Tuchel. Those small, niggly Mexicans must have been thinking 'What in the name of Maria, José e Jesus is that fu*king monster!!? A Quinametzin?'.

[Somniloquism]

I'd still be reserving judgment on Argentina until they've had a proper test.

They've done what they've needed, but a run to the quarter-finals of Algeria - Austria - Jordan - Cape Verde - Egypt doesn't feel like they've had to deal with much adversity yet.

And they still seem totally reliant on Messi, who lucky for them can still do it unlike some other people who are too old. Although the opposition has also probably helped there.

[ChicagoLion]

One for the ages that, very dramatic. Thought we went defensive too soon but held on so got the job done. Norway will be tough but they're still not elite tier so will take that in a QF.

It was a brave decision to bring Burn on for a rearguard performance.
Maybe he worked out they didn’t have the legs to do anything else.

I have no doubt Burn was introduced for psychological reasons by Tuchel. Those small, niggly Mexicans must have been thinking 'What in the name of Maria, José e Jesus is that fu*king monster!!? A Quinametzin?'.

It looked like their only attack strategy was crosses into the box for Raul.

[AV82EC]

I thought he got his subs spot on. We went to a back 5 shut down the majority of crosses into the box and the Mexican manager panicked and started throwing big lads on which played straight into our hands. Fighting spirit shown by the whole squad who got on the pitch, Bellingham MotM with big props to Gordon, Pickford and Rice.

[ChicagoLion]

I thought he got his subs spot on. We went to a back 5 shut down the majority of crosses into the box and the Mexican manager panicked and started throwing big lads on which played straight into our hands. Fighting spirit shown by the whole squad who got on the pitch, Bellingham MotM with big props to Gordon, Pickford and Rice.

as it turned out yes. I just did not associate Mexico with the way they played against England, they were a lot more pass and move in previous matches.

[Dave]

I'd still be reserving judgment on Argentina until they've had a proper test.

They've done what they've needed, but a run to the quarter-finals of Algeria - Austria - Jordan - Cape Verde - Egypt doesn't feel like they've had to deal with much adversity yet.

And they still seem totally reliant on Messi, who lucky for them can still do it unlike some other people who are too old. Although the opposition has also probably helped there.

Yup. And I wonder, given that reliance whether it's still as easy when he's got a niggly Colombian kicking him all game or Anderson kicking his heels all game.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

One for the ages that, very dramatic. Thought we went defensive too soon but held on so got the job done. Norway will be tough but they're still not elite tier so will take that in a QF.

It was a brave decision to bring Burn on for a rearguard performance.
Maybe he worked out they didn’t have the legs to do anything else.

I have no doubt Burn was introduced for psychological reasons by Tuchel. Those small, niggly Mexicans must have been thinking 'What in the name of Maria, José e Jesus is that fu*king monster!!? A Quinametzin?'.

It looked like their only attack strategy was crosses into the box for Raul.

Well that as well, obviously.

[Martin Carruthers]

They went a bit Lambert v Bradford at the end there, putting on loads of forwards like a kid on a computer game

[VILLA MOLE]

Bellingham was immense last night as were England . That one run was Gazza-esque before getting tackled.

He is a bit Roy of the Rovers sometimes but I don't know if it is we don't seem to have enough pass and move options during games

Not just this morning but generally through patterns of play in England games

Don't mean to sound grumpy and tired as it was a fantastic effort   

[Dogtanian]

They went a bit Lambert v Bradford at the end there, putting on loads of forwards like a kid on a computer game

*shudder*