Stephen_Evans

We should never have left Wellington Road. Poor Archie Hunter must have been turning in his grave!

So “we” looked at it in the summer, were minded to cancel it, but put in a renewed planning application and repeatedly led supporters via the fans consultation group that nothing was amiss.

I know we have separate kit threads, but in the context of brand identity I am concerned about what bright ideas Mr Heck will foist on us with next year’s kit.

He seems to have Ellis levels of political acumen at the moment.  Cue an all claret kit or some striped monstrosity!

On 17/12/2023 at 21:15, It's Your Round said:

It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to chant “we are top of the league, say we are top of the league”, at Villa Park

We have to get the result of course, but if you can’t hope to beat the blunted blades at home, on the back of 15 home wins in a row, and on a Friday night at Christmas, when can you. 

How about we don’t chant it.  Let’s act like we belong there.

I have not managed to watch the interview yet.  Does this feel like cancelled or postponed?

I feel very deflated by this news.  I also feel strung along by the club. The justification put out makes no sense at all.  

6 minutes ago, fightoffyour said:

We want our Purslow back
We want our Purslow back

 

You are probably joking.  But I actually do!

“Interesting new aspects to the kit” is a phrase which makes me shudder.  

Seems a bit “off brand” to me!

7 hours ago, HanoiVillan said:

A little snippet I found interesting from the Guardian (discussing Arsenal):

'The whole team defend with a mania. Only one team since the year 2000, Manchester United in 2012-13, have won the Premier League while conceding more than a goal a game. Last season Arsenal conceded 1.13 per game. So far this season it’s 15 in 17 games, equal fewest with Liverpool.'

from: https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/dec/18/premier-league-10-talking-points-weekend-action

We've conceded 21 goals in 17 games, a rate of 1.24, somewhat worse than Arsenal's rate last season. Yes we've scored a lot, but over the whole season we'd probably need to tighten up to really contend for the title. 

The Newcastle result was a bit freak and so was the own goal against Luton.  If those games are ignored for a moment, the general pattern is then 1 per game (15 in 15).

Our crowd have a key role on Friday. Not actually in the sense of being hyped up but instead being patient and focusing on the game in front of us rather than the league position if we win.

Even after 15 wins on the spin, some will be restless and uptight if we’ve conceded a freak early goal or something and then someone dares to pass back to Martinez.  Although thankfully Emery has been coaching us fans too in a way and hopefully everyone will hold their nerve if we’re not 3 nil up in 20 minutes!

Why do footballers give the referee a decision to make? Just walk away, it’s nothing to do with him.

4 minutes ago, Mark Albrighton said:

Up to 87 points over 42 games.

Some of the older folk will remember when a league season in the top flight was 42 games.

Converting the 80/81 title winning campaign from 2 points for a win to 3 means the points total back then would be 86 points (26 wins, 8 draws).

Emery is one point better than the best season of the manager who is often regarded as the best we ever had.

That’s astonishing when you put it like that!

8 minutes ago, Steero113 said:

I'm going to that gig and I will raise a drink to the old girl - horrid 1970's concrete façade and all.

And yet, I love it, certainly from the pitch side perspective.  It was an amazing facility for its time and it is still a reference point for visualising parts of the ground which have been replaced and also great moments on the pitch….Morley’s winner against Anderlecht, the penalty shoot outs in 1994, etc.

On 12/12/2023 at 18:01, wishywashy said:

Luiz signed a new contract a week before Gerrard was sacked, right? Emery coming in was clearly being sorted out before Gerrard's sacking (Given how Gerrard was obviously a dead man walking for weeks & Emery and 7 backroom staff were announced barely 3 days after the sacking). Wouldn't be surprised if he was made aware of the change in management.

There was about 10 days in it.  Suspiciously close!

A release clause (if there is one) may not be as simple as just an amount the buying club must pay.  Even Grealish’s clause stipulated (according to Christian Purslow) that Villa needed to have failed to qualify for the Champions League.

1 hour ago, Mic09 said:

For things you wonder about, but how is it that a 60 million nation with a clear link to Europe doesn't have access to cranes is almost beyond me. 

Can't you just call "Big French Cranes Company LTD" and use those?

I am sure OBE may have said before that there are only three cranes in Europe that can cope with the new roof and we need two of them.

I find it odd that people think of the Terrace View as “corporate”.  These aren’t business folks entertaining their clients, these are fans who are happy to pay extra for use of the facility.

The players seem to be managing 90 minutes + performances.  I’d love to see all fans staying until the final whistle.

4 minutes ago, jayEm said:

Two whole seasons to build the new stand seems quite a long time?

I think many people will be surprised by what an enormous project this is.  104 weeks isn’t long really.

7 minutes ago, Lichfield Dean said:

It's a sign?

It is indeed. See Genesis chapter 9 verses 8 to 17 for more details.

Arsenal scoring in the seventh of the six minutes of injury time.

19 minutes ago, The Fun Factory said:

You mean the public address system. Tannoy is the brand.

Oh hello Alan!

15 minutes ago, foreveryoung said:

Confirmed, defo misses today, injured during training, but should be back for Man City.

Confirmed where?