Adam2003

3 minutes ago, GlobalVillan said:

Out of interest, did ypu consider the CWC a major European competition?

It was considered to be huge at the time and the ECL may be new, but eventually it will be held in similar regard. 

In fact, the cup winners of.some countries qualify for the ECL like they used to for the CWC.

Another good comparison is the League Cup. We are proud of our record but it was a novelty when introduced. Likewise the Ryder Cup in golf.

2 hours ago, TheMelvillan said:

well I for one am not scared of Champions League. Bring it on

Of the teams we have played this season, Lille, Man City and Arsenal are all going to be in next season’s CL. We’ve beaten them all…

16 hours ago, sidcow said:

Yes, his reaction said it all. I'm sure in that moment he knew his season was over

And likely missing the Euros if so.

Just now, mikeyp102 said:

We all know Old Villa would absolutely lose in these circumstances. Let’s hope Emery’s boys are different

How we finished last season to secure Europe gives me a lot of faith.

Can we update to 2024/25 in the thread title and crack on?

2 hours ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

If you still don’t think we will finish 4th you can get 5-1 on Spurs now. I’d be all over that if I didn’t believe. 

Got a security bet on this today. Financially it would probably be better for my family for Spurs to pip us at this point  

3 hours ago, ferguson1 said:

……………...…….Olsen…………………..

Cash…..Konsa……Pau…..Digne

………….McGinn……..Luiz……….

  Bailey..….….Rogers……..Diaby

………………..…Watkins….……………..

It’ll be this unless for some reason (freshness, fitness, injury niggle) Carlos or Lenglet get a run out in defence.

1 minute ago, villan95 said:

I actually thought he helped us get a bit more control back breaking up the play and being more physical than what we had.

Yeah agreed, he seemed to do a better job than the others (all excellent and established players, just not today) who had been attempting to play central midfield. 

42 minutes ago, Alakagom said:

First time in Premier League history we will finish above Man United. We can sleep happy 

This is a lovely moment, speaking as someone traumatised by that club.

1 hour ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

Emi stays on we probably win that. But we wouldn’t have deserved too.

I always wonder about this mindset - I know what you mean, and don’t disagree with your point, they were better than us outfield 10 vs 10. But goalkeepers are part of the team. Us finding and investing in a great goalkeeper is a valid part of ‘deserving’ a win. I guess people say the same if a striker grabs a goal against the run of play though.

2 minutes ago, Cmac said:

Bookies have us at 1/4 for top 4. Spurs 5/2. Shows the position we are currently in. 

Will anyone judge me if I stick a couple of hundred on Spurs to reverse-jinx us?

4 minutes ago, S-Platt said:

Are we appealing and trying to get Emi to play for both legs of the semi finals?

 

I love Emi and will forgive him any sin but I’m not sure what grounds we would appeal on. I’m pretty sure “he was just asking for a ball back” would be laughed off

Edit: obviously hope I am wrong and we can convince whatever UEFA beancounter we need to!

1 hour ago, Tom13 said:

Don't know...The type of character Mings is I could see him wanting to be playing week in week out in all the crucial games - I could see him wanting to leave tbh. Especially given how much football he's missed out on over the course of his career.

Don’t see it in his first season back after a year out - can’t see anyone putting up the cash for him and think he’ll be happy to compete for a place. What you say may come true summer of 2025 if he can’t get enough games but I still think a season easing back in slightly will have been beneficial to him. And that can include plenty of big games - look at the list Lenglet has played in, in PL and Europe.

1 hour ago, VillaChris said:

Chelsea loss last night means we've secured top 6 with still of a month to the season to run

We shouldn’t forget this, absolutely right. Amazing. Best season in how long?

3 hours ago, gwi1890 said:

Genuinely couldn’t believe that some couldn’t see his massive potential a few weeks ago the comments here were embarrassing.

You could pin this comment on 95% of player threads to be fair

3 minutes ago, AntrimBlack said:

Konsa and Torres are our best pairing.

I don't think that will change with Mings' return. He will be backup.

If Mings next season plays the 23 games Lenglet has this season, I think that will be fine for everyone.

Think the Euros squads increasing to 26 means Southgate will take him.

UEFA just expanded the Euros squads to 26 which means Watkins or Toney might become Watkins and Toney. Gives Konsa a really good chance as well.

35 minutes ago, HalfTimePost said:

I'm surprised at the talk of just 4 more points.

Personally was doing the guesstimate maths earlier and think we need 6 more

I think 4 would do it but completely get why you would want 6. Let’s compromise and get 12!

17 minutes ago, VillaParkAvenue said:

He gets two yellows

And stays on the pitch

Emi Martinez, the world’s no 1

Was really expecting the last line there to be “Emi Martinez, France is his bitch”

I mean yes, if we “just” get into the Europa League, while also going deep in European competition, that’s a great season. I definitely agree with that. But still, let’s move this to other football in case we don’t need it eh

I believe we can win the 2-3 more games needed for CL  

54 minutes ago, duke313 said:

We'll be fine, Olsen will step in.

Emi will be back for tougher away 2nd leg.

Yeah this is for the best. Then he can get booked in the second leg, booked again in any pens, and still be fine for the final.

6 hours ago, villa4europe said:

"but toney can take a penalty..." 

On a serious note I think Watkins taking (and scoring vs missing) that pen will factor into Southgate’s thinking for sure.

2 hours ago, Pongo Waring said:

First yellow was load of Bullsh*t, why would he want to time waste when the score is a draw on agg 

He knows we will always win on pens with him playing