The Fun Factory

He makes some decent saves when he plays, but as a unit we always look far more vulnerable.  It almost feels like the defence doesn't seem to trust him or the communication isn't there. He has had all week to get ready for the game so you would have think this would have been sorted. I think when he does play we should just play it as simple as possible at the back.

27 minutes ago, R.Bear said:

"He doesnt have Kamara next to him" is the biggest cop out I've ever heard. He's in dogshit form and its on him. If he's tired then he should be dropped/rested.

Prey who with exactly? We only got Tim who is very inexperienced and that is about it.

I know Dendocker wasn't great and was on a big wedge but in hindsight could we have just kept in him the squad until the summer?  Hindsight is a wonderful thing though.

We were unlucky but on the other hand we never had this game under control at all. 

I can't stop thinking about the missed penalty by Luiz. That was the moment to get back in to the tie.  Not much sleep for me tonight.

Oh and for the second game in a row where I am in the Holte it kicked of with fans fighting each other. I don't know what is going on.

The night started off the wrong way when I found that my last train back would be  cancelled so had to drive up which I'd rather not do.

Then the line up with Lenglet in and Torres on the bench. Look it could have worked and Emery is paid to make the big decisions, but two major changes in the back five instead of one for a European semi final? 

Our spine wasn't fully up to strength and it showed. Really missed Tielmans or previously Kamara in the middle. McGinn and Luiz looked two tired players tonight and combined with the changes at the back we looked all over the place.

Olympiakos looked decent but they got some luck as well. 4 goals from 5 shots on target.  We get it to 2-2 but the pen killed us. And the fourth was a utter fluke, and Luiz missing our penalty takes the biscuit. That will be burnt on  my retina for quite  a while.

So, so disappointing. Yes I probably sound like  a spoilt brat wanting more, but this was  such a chance to get through. It feels like another to add to the long line of missed Villa opportunities in cups down the years like Bolton or Bradford.

We could still turn it round but it feels a bit grasping at straws.  Feeling tired and flat after this. It's going to hurt this one.

Just a heads up for those traveling on the snow hill line, it appears that the last train back today at 23.00 is now cancelled. So I will have to drive then. Great.

1 hour ago, duke313 said:

I could see this happening.  The League Cup should be retained though.  Isn't the League Cup organised by the EFL anyway, of which the PL are separate?  So, The League Cup for EFL teams and a Premier League Cup for PL teams, which would have various matches played in different countries.

It would make the league cup utterly pointless. It would be the same as the football league trophy but with championship sidees who wouldn't want the hassle of more games for very little additional income. Either the cup staggers on with U21 sides from the prem teams in Europe or they will kill it off. I can see them taking the European spot from the cup at least.

On 01/05/2024 at 00:51, zab6359 said:

Just voted for him my player of the season, he's been awesome in my opinion.

Same here. Martinez, Konsa, Torres, Super John McGinn, Bailey or Luiz had a decent shout but it had to be Ollie. 

Some years I struggle to think of one player to vote for!

On paper they are not as strong as Lille, but probably better than this season's Ajax side. They also appear to have an upturn in form in the past few months. So it won't be easy but to quote our greatest ever manager (sorry Unai) with our usual vocal backing and 110 per cent effort from each and every one of the players I am sure we will get the right result.

Come on Villa one last push to the final lads.

9 minutes ago, Captain_Townsend said:

I would love to know how much revenue our smallest stand makes us, do we have the figure?

It can't be that much. It holds less than 7,000 and has the cheapest corporate facilities given the age of the stand. How much money will we be leaving off the table every home game if nothing ever happens?

19 hours ago, one_ian_taylor said:

But maybe his moonlighting is why it looks like his legs have gone, he's just knackered all the time.

 

And then you start to think,  is it just two leagues? Or is it one for each day of the week? Slight Craig David vibes (though to give him his due, David was at least monogamous within the period of a week, and did take Sunday off).

I don't think Phil needs to do a side hussle. 

On 29/04/2024 at 14:04, villa89 said:

I assume we would prefer to play Brugge in the final if we get that far? 

That would be the fairytale

I mean they haven't said offcially it has been totally scrapped either, just that there has been a comms vacuum for about five months on this when we originally expecting bulldozers to be virtually at Villa Park now.

They haven't taken down the future vision of Villa Park on the website either so is it the future by 2030, 2040?

2 hours ago, villa89 said:

Won't make a blind bit of difference in my opinion. Flogging Merch isn't going to save snooker (mainly because nobody will be buying it), just like changing test cricket from playing in white to playing in the same kit as the one dayers won't make any difference either. Snooker is a niche sport, and it's very difficult to see how its future will go, apart from the dominance of China.  

So dominant that they are yet to win the world championship? Snooker got lucky in the 80s along wth darts along with other sports because football was being run by amateurs. If I am making a guess it will go the way as other sports to the oil states  and in a shorter format.

The reasons why there are rumours he has cancelled it as that there has been nothing concrete since the announcement in the winter and at several supporters meetings he has made it clear that it isn't a priority for Villa at the moment.

12 hours ago, Dante_Lockhart said:

Hoping for a Higgins / Ronnie final.

Good grief no. Snooker needs to move from the class of 92. It isn't a great look for a so-called global sport when two of the favourites are pushing 50 and all of the quarter-finals come from Britain. Nearly 20 years on from Ding we are still waiting for a Chinese winner.

John Higgins head now resembles a large glazed cooked ham. I can't concentrate when I see him play I feel like  he needs to be covered in parsley sauce.

5 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said:

I'd guess so - the thing is the tickets are showing as purchased in my online account - I can make them available for resale, I see the details on them, I've got the transaction number - everything I'd usually see. When i open my account online, it's got a thing at the top that says "next event - Aston Villa v Olympiacos - with my seat numbers and so on. 

I just don't have any way to get to the barcodes.

I hope work appreciate that I'll be spending an hour on the phone to the Villa tomorrow ffs.

 

 Obvious thing but have you checked your junk/spam folder?

Its classic divide and rule. The big 6 don't want anyone long term to take their places. so are happy to give a bit to everyone else but in reality the gap is still going to be massive and harder to bridge.

12 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said:

Im guessing because it would mean next year Newcastle, who aren't in Europe, could spend up to £466m on wages while trying to build their revenues, while we, who are in Europe, would be restricted to around £200m on wages under the UEFA rules.

Although frankly the rules are becoming so comically complex as each club tries desperately to find a system that benefits only themselves, that it's very difficult to know.

Unfortunately, we've reached the point where Premier League clubs can't really be trusted to make the rules for football in this country, we need some sort of governmental regulator.

 

...which we also opposed to.

On 22/04/2024 at 10:35, Vive_La_Villa said:

Bloke in the concourse at half time while having a pint. So I wouldn’t worry too much.

Still, that is more reliable than the Football Insider.

He had to work overtime after Tielmans went off and Luiz was having a poor game. Endless hospital passes sent straight to him.

From what I have seen this season is has done ok for a mediocre side which has been in  a relegation battle all season due to the points deduction. Except when Dyche has decided to play him  as  a winger again which he can't do anymore. Though not sure Everton will extend his contract. He could probably play one for one more season abroad or just retire.

1 hour ago, OutByEaster? said:

There's a link on the beeb about Liverpool allegedly preparing for bids of £150m for Mo Salah, according to the always hilarious Football Insider. 

That got me to thinking - if Salah wants out this summer, when he'll be 32 and perhaps starting to fade, how much do you think a Saudi team would have to pay for him?

I'd think Liverpool would be quite happy to have his £400k a week off the wage bill at this point - £150m would be an absolute fever dream.

I reckon they'd let him go for £30-40m

It will be more than that even if his skills are waning. It would be massive signing for them in terms of marketing and branding. I reckon it would be nearer 60-70 mil.