brommy

3 hours ago, The Fun Factory said:

If we don't start the building next summer, we won't be hosting any European championship matches in 2028. Simple as that.

I think Summer 2025 is the latest. Completed in Summer 27 giving time for checks and approval to host in Summer 28.

3 minutes ago, DakotaVilla said:

There’s no way in the world it will be abandoned next season. Only 69 Terrace View tickets left for the palace game with 2 weeks to go. 

I also very much doubt that there will be an apology. I’d expect season tickets to go up again by 10 to 15 % but hopefully they will take the opportunity next summer to get facilities and service levels for regular season ticket holders up to at least minimum standards. 
 

I expect some of that demand will be the novelty of trying something new but, bearing in mind it's 'only' Palace, it does appear that the TVL even under the current pricing could be successful, if not for the 80% of Upper Holte fans not using it!

I wouldn't expect an apology but I would prefer, even expect, some action on the concourse facilities. With no game at Villa Park for over two weeks since Thursday evening, why can't the fast ordering screens of the Lower Holte be installed and the remaining concourse areas be cleaned of all the building dust that was still covering the floor and walls at the Hibs game, in time for the Palace game? 

I had a look around the reduced concourse on Thursday evening. Unfortunately the area has been reduced so dramatically, a quick solution to the reduced toilet facilities is not obvious. Hopefully some designer can be more creative, although that would probably need to wait until next summer.

2 minutes ago, useless said:

U16s also played Leeds in their version of the Premier League Cup, they won 4-2, don't know scorer details, Vinnie Hayward and Markie Meade both got an assist.

They as in our U16s or they as in Leeedz?

1 hour ago, tomav84 said:

this is something i'd like put to the FCG meeting. maybe another survey. how would holte end season ticket holders feel about another price hike, but with the terrace view being open to all? just take away the free program and beers

Unlikely but not impossible.

Given the 16% rise we've just suffered for dirtier reduced space and facilities (although hopefully the building dirt will be sorted by tonight), I think asking for even more money might be too much for some fans. 

IF  the walls currently separating the lounge area from remaining concourse were to be removed and the new lounge, bars and terrace area was incorporated back in to a much upgraded concourse for all Upper Holte fans to use, I might stomach another 10% for next season.

I think it's more likely that increased bar/food facilities (such as the screen ordering already used in the Lower Holte) and more toilets be introduced in the what remains of the concourse space.

Less likely but still reasonable and possible, is reducing the TVL entry cost to season ticket holders down to a point where the TVL is consistently used to its capacity of 1000. This will slightly reduce the stress on the concourse areas used by the remaining 5000 or so.

My preference would be to knock down the separation walls and treat the it as an improved concourse area, encouraging fans to spend longer in the stand before and after matches and increasing hospitality revenue that way. However, even given the recent significant price increases, I suspect this is unlikely.

26 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

So am I, which was what I've asked the OP to explain as I'm lost too.

If the mess wasn't Purslow, then I guess it was spmeone elses doing? Maybe it was Doris, or someone else. 

I forgot "Christian the untouchable" sn't allowed a bad word spoken about him on here. My bad!

 

What if it was 100% down to Purslow, with him doing everything in his power to persuade the owners it was the correct decision?

What if it was near 0% Purslow with him saying he didn't like the TVL but he was told to oversee the survey and get on with it?

Add on the fact that CP no longer works for Villa and it's all a bit pointless.

It was probably a collective board decision, but even that doesn't really matter. Especially as given the overall direction the club is currently heading, this issue is unlikely see fans wanting NSWE out.

What matters to me is how any negative impact can be rectified, reduced or compensated.

3 minutes ago, ender4 said:

This is currently showing as Tuesday, but will it move to Wed because we will play Chelsea on Sunday?

Chelsea is still showing as Saturday 23rd September at 3pm on my Villa calendar.

EDIT - could move to a Sunday to accommodate a Thursday ECL game if we qualify for the group stage?

5 minutes ago, Kiwivillan said:

That's the spirit

No one is saying we are going to lose the game. Merely saying it could be seen as arrogant to say 'Everton are crap so who are we getting in round 4'.

I'm expecting Emery to have learnt from the Stevenage result and whilst still acknowledging the difficult adjacent league fixtures, put out a fairly strong team. That's still no guarantee, but hopefully our stronger squad and another 9 months of Emery's coaching (since Stevenage) will see us through.

One of the biggest issues is the sheer size that the Terrace View Lounge occupies AND what the club currently hasn't done with the much reduced lower concourse (of the two concourses in the Upper Holte). I'm hoping to have time tonight to have a look at that space and then post an idea or two of how some of the issues could be rectified or reduced.

This isn't, or at least shouldn't be, the end story for the Upper Holte End.

5 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

 

Unai will teach him well…

Agreed. This is Emery teaching Nicolò how to wear shorts - 'Yours are too high'.

1 minute ago, UpTheVilla26 said:

When is the 4th round draw, more interested in who we get in that. 

That's Dyche's team talk written for him. Scribbled in crayon on the back of a toffee box, followed by -

PROVE UpTheVilla26 WRONG!!!

Have the balls been warmed yet?

16 minutes ago, Keener window-cleaner said:

Two Elphicks is actually easier to grasp how tall that is! 

That makes me glad to be very comfortable in metric and imperial units. Probably a result of the timing of my education rather than my intellect, as I'm far from 'bilingual' in anything else and I think Nicolo will use English far more than imperial units.

1 minute ago, Keener window-cleaner said:

And also all the confusion with us trying to convert that into meters and centimeters  

Come on, even my kids know what 6 foot is when used to describe height. It's two Elphicks.

On 28/08/2023 at 16:22, Hank Scorpio said:

I'm legitimately wearing a pair of trousers older than him right now.

At nearly 40 years old, my still in use Aston Villa bathrobe is nearly twice his age!

50 minutes ago, The Fun Factory said:

They already had the Holte Suite and Pub, plus ample outside space to do something, instead of monterizing open concourse space. Given the latest season ticket rules we should  be  lucky enough to crawl through a cat flap whilst doffing our caps to the rich people.

As someone who could afford the £480 surcharge but doesn't see the value in it, I just stopped short of liking your post, even if your final sentence was somewhat tongue in cheek.

23 hours ago, Stoobs said:

I know forums are a place for knee jerk reactions but the difference in this thread regarding the hate/love for SJM is startling. I attached myself to Villa as soon as SJM signed. I knew what a good player he was and his form was terrible for a spell. I felt he should have been dropped as well but was always of the opinion that he would come good and that no way should he be got rid of. He will dip in form again, no doubt, as there is no way he can keep these amazing performances going over a whole season. I just hope, when or if he does, there is no clamour for him to be sold at the first opportunity as he will always come good and is such a brilliant ambassador for the club.  Emery is the perfect manager for him and the club. Absolutely no panic whatsoever after Newcastle humbling. Played like Real Madrid since that game. Think McGinn and rest of players will have off days/spells but under Emery, feel they will always get back on track. Stay with McGinn through thick and thin. That last sentence was poetry. 

Great post above. 

I don't know if it's a modern, social media driven desire for instant results or gratification that drives the 'bad game = poor player' near instant judgement of football players or whether a sizeable minority of football fans have always done that, but it is something I've learnt not to overreact to.

28 minutes ago, Brumstopdogs said:

 

To answer the question posed, my guess of what Luiz is worth -

to other clubs - a maximum of £60m,

to Villa - a minimum of £80m.

This is why, providing Dougie continues to be happy in honouring his long Villa contract, I really can't see him moving in the short term.

1 minute ago, TRO said:

They was, but you can only look for incremental improvement within the scope of reason, for the era we are in......I think we all factor in the ability level, that we function at.

Pep with Trophies coming out of his ears, is still looking to improve......progress holds no bounds, because all competitors are progressing too, stand still and we are toast.

However, having said all that.....I fully endorse your sentiment of enjoying it, even if I see shortfalls, in what we do.....that is the essence of it......I am generally, really enjoying what we are doing.

I do tend to be more tolerant, of offensive errors, than defensive errors, I don't know why, its just me.....I just love, clean sheets as building blocks.

 

Honestly, I'm fairly similar. I'm annoyed at Burnley's goal and as for the Newcastle goals - I was so annoyed I tried to totally blank football out for a couple of days. Being a 'glass half full' guy usually helps me override the extreme annoyance which is much easier now we are usually scoring and winning.

3 minutes ago, Monkeypuzzle said:

Still don't get this joke since he never looked short playing for us and is down at 6'2" on Wikipedia and transfer market?

Mind you, I still don't get the "clearing in the woods" thing either.

I walked by Tommy Elphick along Trinity Road last season and I'd put him at around 6' to 6'1". The joke on VT came about because some saw his height as a restriction against playing CB and it then became a joke that some were claiming a six footer as a virtual dwarf.

As for 'clearing in the woods', perhaps a 'parting in Hollywood' would suit our post eighties Razzle, Fiesta and Escort VTers?

1 minute ago, TRO said:

I should probably digest that ....and take it in, it really makes sense.

 My problem is, I am a perfectionist, and sometimes it gets in the way of practicality......

I know, you are right in what you are saying.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

I'm still smiling that you've chosen this era at Villa to reinforce you are a perfectionist?! Most of the previous Villa eras must have been torture for you!!! 

31 minutes ago, TRO said:

I honestly can see all that....and I understand, why he does what he does.

I just feel at times, some of the goals we concede are sloppy or passive......I accept a goal against of high calibre skill, because we can't keep every threat out.

I know it seems like nit picking, because if we win, who cares....but i just feel nervy, when we haven't got the ball....and particulalry when the opposition venture in to our box.

We've still got players with some weaknesses and there will be occasions when the tactics don't work. Knowing we're still way off the elite level, I'm guarded against the expectation of winning all the time whilst not conceding some avoidable goals, in the knowledge and enjoyment of definitely heading in the right direction. UTV!

9 minutes ago, TRO said:

I am loving the way we play and I feel we are not there yet, despite massive strides forward.....but really enjoying it, overall.

However, I still get nervy, when we are defending or without the ball.

maybe, I shouldn't be, but I am.

I'm the same but put it more to extreme emotional investment in wanting us to succeed than our tactics or style of play.

2 minutes ago, IrishVilla10 said:

Similar to how we’re seeing cash play more forward Moreno could do the same too, great options to have 

Before Sunday and despite knowing Cash played more advanced earlier in his career, I'd have backed Emery to play Moreno in a more advanced role on the left, with Cash mostly holding back on the right. Now with Konsa apparently more comfortable covering the right back position than Pau covering the left, I'm not so sure.

It's great that Cash and Moreno (more than ably supported by Digne (for now)) give Unai the options to use against varied oppositions.

Just now, DakotaVilla said:

Of course the club should address the facilities but you don’t buy a season ticket to stand on the concourse or to take a piss in the stadium toilets. You buy it to watch the team on the pitch x 19 home league games. And that team is progressing rapidly. 

And yet the club often talks of the whole match day experience and encourages fans to arrive early and enjoy (spend on) the food and drink they are selling. At the moment, I think the financial gain of the TVL will be somewhat decreased by reduced spending by the majority in the smaller concourse areas - certainly until the quicker order facilities of the Lower Holte are introduced and increased toilets to cope with the inevitable two+ pint urinations!

The issue is about detrimental changes at increased costs for a majority in the Upper. In my opinion that shouldn't be ignored or glossed over by trying to compete on the pitch.