John

A comfortable first half, which gave us the cushion that we wanted and that we ultimately needed. A spirited second half fightback by Luton, ably assisted by a referee, who gave them the benefit of the doubt and then some. A superb late winner, just when the home fans thought they had at the very least a point in the bag.

Digne earned every penny of his salary this week, in that one splendid moment, with a goal that gave us a win, that could prove so vital at the end of this season, when the points are totted up. You have to feel for our opponents though, or do you? Those Hatters will be mad tonight!  We can breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate another cup final win on our road to the CL. 

20 minutes ago, Hank Scorpio said:

Mate we have made gigantic losses. Our revenue is tiny compared to the teams around us. One of Luiz, Ramsey, Martinez or Watkins will go.

It's just reality. Don't do it and we will get deducted points.

Is it? Even if it is, I can just ignore it and enjoy the rest of this season.....

I wouldn't rush him back, if there is any question at all. The same goes with Konsa, although I do hope one of them will be ready. We need them back by the Spurs game at least. 

1 hour ago, The Fun Factory said:

Didn't the tower get demolished earlier?

Is it this the tower below? If so, I believe it is the Great Hall which was sold in 1888 and demolished for houses to be built upon the land, before the club moved to Villa Park. 

Douglas, Evans, Cowans, Barry and Platt. 

Villa Park will be like Royston Vasey for UE:

21 hours ago, Follyfoot said:

The Wembley game was one of the worst football matched I have ever seen 

I think we have both seen a few that were worse, I certainly have, but I know where you are coming from. 

21 hours ago, Follyfoot said:

Little scored 10 goals in the competition that year. Not sure if this is a record

Andy Ritchie scored 12 for Oldham in 89/90. He couldn't walk on water though. 

So FFP proves toothless again. It seems that as long as you can afford to hire a team of KC's those point deductions will just melt away. Manchester City can breathe easier again, although I doubt they were worried in any case. I wonder if there will be any deduction for Everton and Forest, or will this ruling put them off facing any point deduction being appealed and reduced? Farcical again. 

8 minutes ago, The Fun Factory said:

The twice replayed final, one at Hillsborough, and one at Old Trafford. Amazingly the Wembley final didn't even have extra time.  An aggregate attendance of over 200,000- that will never be beaten.

The semi final went to a replay too, so three games there as well. Cost me a lot of A/L that competition did, but it was well worth it!

2 hours ago, maqroll said:

I can't remember the last testimonial match for a Premier League player.

Mark Noble? 

Tyrone organises our defence so well and wins more than his fair share of balls in the air. We have missed him defending corners, unsettling opposition defenders at our own corners and his timely defensive blocks. We have also missed his booming voice when we have been under the cosh in games. UE will have a place in mind for him.   

We really already have had more than enough of our share of injuries for this season and for next, so no more please! 

I was more worried about us picking up a further injury, than I was about Forest stealing a point from us. A tremendous win and another winning run at Villa Park has begun folks. This really is some team that we currently have the pleasure of watching! 

1 hour ago, DakotaVilla said:

Arsenal definitely made multiple formal bids for Luiz previously. 

Yes, I heard that too. It was when he had yet to extend his contract, so they thought they could get him on the cheap back then and tried to unsettle the player by letting their interest in him be known. Probably seriously under valued him or hoped they could add a few thousand and throw ESR in as part of any deal. If they bid again it's most likely to be less, than would stop the club telling them what to do with their bid and that suits me fine. 

7 hours ago, Pongo Waring said:

Lets not underestimate Ajax

Agreed, but I'm more of a Flash man myself! 

38 minutes ago, Milfner said:

Betis out!

Everybody Out! (except Villa)

37 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Just seen link to Arsenal for 85 million... Arsenal " preparing " a bid.

I think people underestimate what a massive loss Ollie would be.

Would need to be stupid money imo.

Hopefully those teams settle for Ivan Toney or something.

Makes a change from them preparing a bid for Douglas, but in both cases:

59 minutes ago, duke313 said:

Remember we were linked with this guy, huge bullet dodged.

Yes, but sad news for the player. 

I must admit when I first spotted this topic, I thought that we might be preparing to make a cheeky summer bid for Cole Palmer.  

23 hours ago, YLN said:

Young whipper snappers

I prefer to remember them in their playing days, as I prefer to think of myself, as I was back back then too. That said Gary still looks pretty good for a 63 year old! 

2 hours ago, sidcow said:

Wow.  I'm surprised it was still there in 1981.  It would have been there in my first visits to the ground although I have no memory of it.

Shame, it looks like an amazing building.  I'm surprised as late as 1981 they didn't have any difficulty getting it knocked down.  They'd have had trouble just a few years later I suspect.

 

I remember it. I recall there were still paint circles on one of the walls that the players perhaps used for target practice between the old Trinity and the club offices in the 60s. The buildings were noticeable,  when standing on the Witton End (at the right see pictures below).   

55 minutes ago, sidcow said:

Anyone know when that Gothic Victorian structure at the side of the North End was demolished? As late as when the North Stand was built? I guess some on VT may even remember it? 

In 1981. They had been used as the club's offices prior to that. During the 60's a gymnasium and a player's recreation area were housed in The Aquarium which was part of Aston Lower Grounds. Further information/pictures are on the link below:

https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2011/12/01/from-the-archives-villa-life-went-swimmingly-with-the-aquarium

59 minutes ago, RicRic said:

Tbf it may not be needed chelsea have been a big fish in the last couple decades and theirs is slightly under ours i think but we certainly need some renovation and modernising in a few areas, some penthouse features like the inside of Tottenham’s wouldnt go a miss

Chelsea had an owner that was allowed to plough his roubles into that club before FFP was a thing, they like Manchester City jumped the queue on the back of their owners, when nobody felt the need to do anything about it. Without their excessive spending back then they wouldn't be where they are today and able to spend pretty much what they like. 

1 hour ago, paul514 said:

It isn't about us having no money or the owners wanting to spend nothing, this is about an accountancy method we have to be compliant with and how it is done whilst spending a lot. Nothing more, nothing less.

Fair enough. It is going to be interesting to see how much we will be able to spend in the window. FFP really takes the fun out of suggesting we sign Mbappe doesn't it?