WakefieldVillan

Yeah, Petrov was the one that first came into my head - He was absolutely class that day. Was always a big fan of Stan though I think he divided opinions, at least in the early stages of his Villa career. Was there for Luna debut at The Emirates - Can't really remember how well he played but won't forget his goal, sealing the match and the ensuing celebrations - great day out. Ron Atkinson - "Ron's Return" - Sheffield Wednesday 2 vs 3 Aston Villa. Two nil down to win 3-2. One of my favourite Villa games. 6 Debutants that day - Probably my picks being Steve Staunton and Dalian Atkinson (RIP) from memory.

I'm hoping for a MASSIVE reaction from the players after yesterday. Martinez Young Konsa Mings Digne Sanson Luiz Kamara Ramsey Watkins McGinn (if fit) Score line could be anything, but I'll go for 3-2 Villa.

I'd go: Olsen Cash Konsa Mings Augustinsson Buendia Dendoncker Kamara Bailey Ings Coutinho We have been lucky for a change that we have a decent draw (on paper) for a change and not the annual trip to Old Trafford but we still need to play with the right attitude and treat our opponents with respect (on their big day out!). Olsen looked to be more reassured (albeit underworked) against Spurs so I would give him a start in this (get to at least a QF place before looking at Emi returning in this competition!) I'd play Augustinsson as he looked lively on Wednesday night, hopefully he can put more pressure on Digne in the coming weeks. Start with both Bailey and Buendia as I think these both could do with the confidence (hopefully) this game will bring and maybe can both play themselves into a bit of better form. Let Coutinho do his bits playing just off Ings and I think we should, should run out comfortable winners (3-0 or 4-1 - would be my prediction) After 45-60 mins look to bring on the likes of Ramsey (if fit), Sanson (if alive), Chambers, Archer etc..

Ratings 9/10 Luiz (MOTM), Kamara. 8.5/10 Young, Watkins. 8/10 McGinn, Mings, Konsa, Olsen, Coutinho. 7.5/10 Buendia, Digne. 7/10 The other subs. 5/10 Bailey (only disappointment). 10/10 UNAI EMERY

No you didn't, it was during the first half.

One of his misses was an absolute sitter! He was pretty shocking first half - second half he played well, 2 nice assists.

That aged well To be fair, he was shocking first half!

I wasn't convinced either. Yes we played well in parts of the game particularly 25 minutes after the interval but we were already 2-0 down and chasing the game. Don't get me wrong, we obviously created some chances and if we were more clinical it may have been a different outcome but they (Nunez) wasted several chances too and this wasn't the same Liverpool side as 3 years ago when they were sweeping past all and sundry, this is a team that have lost to Leeds and Forest this season! So I think this one was a chance wasted! We miss some steel and nastiness!

To be fair there's a few teams looking a million miles away from Newcastle currently.

My ratings would be Olsen 4 - The defenders just don't trust him. Young 5.5 - solid enough, may have been good to put MC on to freshen up 60/65 mins Digne 4.5 - poor Konsa 5 - uncomfortable night Mings 6.5 - best of the backline but sloppy for the 3rd goal. Luiz 5.5 - cracking cross for our goal, but loose in possession. Kamara 7 - solid, key player when we were dominating the second half. McGinn 6 - unlucky not to have an assist, switched off for the 1st goal, better than he has shown (under Gerrard). Buendia 5 - not a lot came off for him but needs to stop throwing tantrums. Bailey 4 - could (should) have scored twice, a game to forget. Watkins 5.5 - great header, willing running, but missed the key chance at 0-1.

Same old same old, give you hope then ultimately blow it. Always say I don't mind losing if we play well, do the basics, not concede silly goals etc etc.. but that wasn't the case tonight and I really believe they were there for the taking if IF we had put in a better performance and not carried 7 or 8 players. Voted Kamara MOTM, Mings was going to be my choice but then he does the crap loose ball that led to the third (killer) goal. Typical of him really. Plays well for 89 minutes but you just know there's a mistake in there. Anyway, no point ranting over Mings, he was miles better than Konsa who was given the run around by Andy Carroll, sorry Nunez. Digne getting megged by the 9yr old summed his game, probably the worst player on the pitch. Though Bailey might have something to say about that. We're a decent side WHEN THINGS ARE GOING FOR US, but we look so weak at times, too many not strong enough on the ball and when you have a BIG 6 favouring ref then you gotta do more. I'm looking at you three in particular Luiz, Digne, Buendia. The high line looked suspect but we looked dangerous going the other way, shame we had our own Andy Carroll. I kinda understand the no subs as we were on top BUT ultimately we lost and it didn't pay off - and Emi and Leon were looking well off it, so fault at the manager for that. 3 terrible goals to concede, Digne should be putting the first for a throw. Second one was a run from Ox ? I think, easily past 2 or 3 tackles, next thing, corner, deflection, of course, goal. And mistakes for the last, Mings, Konsa and Olsen (slightly harsh) but all so avoidable. No shame in losing to Liverpool, but this one is frustrating as I've known.

Not sure if this is the right thread but I needed to talk.. Was on holiday 2 weeks ago, while I was away my 81yr old dad fell and was taken to hospital by my sisters. He's had an irregular heartbeat for years, and had trouble with his legs swelling and general forgetfulness but on the whole he seemed to be "ok".. Since he's been in hospital, the doctors have said that he's got kidney failure, fluid on his lungs which is affecting his heart, he's been on oxygen to aid his breathing and also got covid while on the ward so today was the first time in 2 weeks I've been able to see him I knew he was going to be in a bad way but f*** me, it was (is) hard seeing him how he was, so skinny, fragile, bruised, weak.. I was in tears within seconds, I couldn't speak.. my sister was there with me and she seemed to hold it together better, talking to him but only getting little garbled mutters back, not sure he was aware we were even there. I literally couldn't speak, all I could do was cry. I was crying last night so its not like I'd been holding it in. It's so hard seeing a parent like this, especially one that's always been so strong, well built and now he's a just a weak poorly frail man. We got told by the doctor that dialysis is probably not an option because he's not responding to the treatment and getting worse, we also found out he'd fallen from his chair and he keeps taking his cannula out. Apparently he's not eating but when we left he was sat up a little having some soup - we feel that the two nurses that came round at lunch time only made more of an effort to ACTUALLY feed him cos we were there. You could see the hospital is short staffed so I'm worried that he's not having the best care then the doctor asked us whether they can stop treating him, cos when they treat the lungs the kidneys worsen and vice versa, basically preparing for end of life I couldn't call it. Its all happened to fast. When I lost my mum to dementia 4 years ago it was an easier call, her life had been awful for 5 years prior and we just wanted her at peace. I'm really not ready for losing my dad. (But I know deep down its inevitable). We left the hospital with that they will keep treating him for now and as said previously, he was sat up slightly having a bit of soup, whether that's is last meal or not I really don't know Hes 82. TODAY. Happy Birthday dad. Love you ❤

I think this is key, I think the majority of ones voting for Messi weren't born when Maradona was playing, and very few on here would have been born when Pele was so I can easily see why fans are swayed by this. I was 9 during the 86 World Cup and I was mesmerised by Maradona, shamed now to say but I wanted them to beat England back then purely down to the genius of one man.

Summed up perfectly

In your opinion. I'd still go Maradona as the (IMO ). As many pundits have said, probably a generational thing people opting differently. Glad he (& more so Emi) won though, truelly world class player and a joy to watch!

From a couple of weeks ago this, he's got the 3 Villa baby tops too.. and to think I was contemplating letting him choose a Yorkshire club to support when he was older because I thought it would be easier for him to get to matches etc.. anyway, sense prevailed (not sure what i was thinking) and I literally can't wait to take him to VP he's 15 weeks, love him to bits but boy is it hard work

9 points separate 9th (Fulham) to 20th so perhaps 12 teams still involved. Out of those 12 I really can't see Leicester or us () being involved - I think our squads are too good. That leaves 10. I think Fulham and Brentford should be ok whilst they have Mitrovic and Toney up top. Palace have a decent squad and Zaha (when he's not missing pens). So 3 from the bottom 7. But I would probably narrow that down to 3 from 4 as most likely - which is the current bottom 3 (Wolves, Soton, Forest) and Bournemouth. I think Leeds, West Ham & Everton will all probably have enough, but if I could pick 3 then these are the 3 I would love to see go down

Only watched till we went 2-1 up because I was 30 minutes behind the live match (on daddy duties) - once our second goal went in I thought I would check the score because I didn't want to watch the last 30 minutes if I was going to end up disappointed - Was a wise move. Couldn't believe it when it flashed up FOUR two Well, actually, I could.. It was typical Villa really wasn't. But TBH I did hope that the introduction of Mings, Buendia and Bailey had strengthened us but appears not. I haven't seen the last 3 goals but by all accounts we made it very easy for them. Very disappointing, especially given Man City have drawn Liverpool and we would have had a home tie against Burnley I think it was. Hate losing to these words removed too. I will cut Emery some slack, I see both sides to the argument of playing fringe players and going all out with a strong eleven - but he was let down by a few, especially Olsen. First half we looked like we had a game plan at least and although we didn't provide much threat, we also limited them to I think one half chance (header over the bar) - but in truth both teams were poor in possession. I can't really comment on the second half having only watched 15 minutes. But I think we are in good hands with Emery and I am looking forward to how he moves us forward

I had a feeling theirs would be stronger than what people were thinking. I'll be stunned if we get through this.

Sorry for your losses. Losing a parent definitely made it harder for me over Christmas the last few years, but becoming a new dad recently I am very excited for future Christmas's

Martinez Cash Konsa Mings Young Luiz Sanson Buendia Ramsey Bailey Watkins Go strong, go for the win, look to introduce the likes of Chambers, Digne, McGinn and Ings 45-60 mins in. Beating these twice in a week would be absolutely class - Get the feeling they will have a point to prove though so not overly confident - Suppose it all depends on who picks the stronger team.

In my lifetime, my top 5 1. Maradona. 2. Messi. 3. Ronaldo (Brazilian). 4. Ronaldo (other). 5. Zidane.

Heroes Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel Twisted Crème Egg Twirl Cadbury Dairy Milk Wispa Fudge Dinky Decker Crunchie Bits Eclairs Celebrations Galaxy Caramel Maltesers Galaxy Mars Snickers Twix Milky Way Bounty Usually go for Celebrations over Heroes based on liking more of what's in - Would only eat the ones bolded. Milky Ways at a push. Top 5 of each in a combined tub would be

Fantastic appointment. I voted for Poch (mainly because my mates said we had absolutely no chance of attracting him) but Emery was my second choice, so delighted, like pretty much every Villa fan right now. It's a real signal of intent by the owners and hopefully it's the start of some exciting times, dare I say it, with a push for Europe and a cup success or two

Hopefully if Mings plays well this will have little relevance Some good match ups there though - Feeling much more positive about this now and think (hope) we can come away with a point (3 would be A-mazing). Need the first goal, silence the crowd and I can see a 1-1.