Marka Ragnos

AC/DC via Florida Death Metal filter ...

Like everyone wants him? Sorry, no can have.

Quite excellent.

I don't think I'm authorised to post something so Brummily hip, but here goes ...

General reminder about the potential horror of avalanches. This may be behind a paywall, but you get a few free stories, I think. Tragic but also eye-opening, for me at least. I don't ever do off-piste (backcountry) skiing, and probably never will, but I still find this fascinating.

Very well said. That totally cuts to the core issue: What is the purpose of rules? How can these negligible, microscopic after-the-fact determinations about lines on screens really have anything to do with protecting against some practical disadvantages on the pitch?

We need to go for third.

Speaking generally, I think we need to get past the idea of thinking of “who is best?” in this or that position, and think always about pairs of players. We absolutely will need two superbos for every position.

I also like that theater late in the game when he was “slain in action” during a save, and then he lay down with the ball cradled in his arms, … but then he cheekily lifts up his gloved hand and waves at the crowd to make more noise whilst holding his fetal position. And the north stand roared

I feel like all of our players are irreplaceable at different times -- but none of them really are, we all know. I guess I am more smitten with this cast of characters on this squad than I have been with any Villa squad. I don't want any single thing ever to change. And while I do hope we hold onto this charmed squad and manager as long as possible, intellectually, I know football seasons are long and short at the same time, and change inevitable, awful, and yet redemptive, too. It's like love. Enjoy what you have while it lasts, because in the end, it will always change.

Europa League is actually pretty amazing, too -- and we're basically in. Are we going to stop and celebrate that fact? No time for resting yet? Isn't it pretty incredible that we've picked up Europa league almost as an afterthought? Are we ever going to stop and say wow? Maybe I have a lot of the old Villa in me, but I'm still just pinching myself that we're even back in Europe. I don't want to get too carried away, but I love thinking that some newer, younger Villa fans may be a generation who start to think of Villa the way my father did in the glory days. So again ... EUROPA LEAGUE 2024/2025!!!!! Is there an argument to be made for embracing our certain Europa League qualification for 2024-2025 over a hard-won, but potentially taxing Champions League spot we may be less "ready" for?

When I see the Olympiacos' badge, I sometimes think of old Ultravox album covers. I think Peter Saville were involved in that one? I love that Downcast & Pouty Greek Dude look.

I've wondered that, too. Also: One of the best badges ever?

If we get past Olympiacos, I hope we get Fiorentina next. I have a feeling Brugge could wind up being a tricky contest for us. I think we'd do better against an Italian opposition. Fiorentina is a bigger club, too. I want us to face the biggest clubs we can, always.

Anybody have a sense of whether there's any chance of successfully appealing either of the yellow cards from tonight? To me, it seems like there were some pretty obvious mitigating circumstances that ought to be taken into account. He was being physically threatened, for one.