BG_Villa_Fan

I share your optimism about the squad and manager. Really depends on defining what "The next level' is - if it's top 6/7 then it's not that far away, consistent top 4 is very different though and we're a long way from it. In my opinion the only player who we couldn't replace is Grealish, everyone else can be improved on, although Emi Martinez is quickly becoming close to irreplaceable too. I agree about Luiz, he's a good player, has potential, but losing him to Man City wouldn't be a disaster and 35 mil can buy you a very good replacement if spent wisely. Barkley is a tough one to have a strong opinion on, as he's not played that much yet, he might be critically important to the way we play. Or not. Also, as discussed so often, strength in depth is important and there's some squad building to be done there. It'll be interesting to see how the club approach this in the summer with some players going - would they sign squad players or will they look to buy quality that go straight to the first 11 like last time? What's important to remember though, is that we have such a young and balanced team right now, that getting to the next level might only need some internal improvement. We're seeing some of it this season and it's something I've rarely seen from Villa teams of the past.

An offside goal, a penalty and a red card. What more can you wish for...

Offside offside offiside

I'm hoping for the opposite - Frank is sacked and the new manager comes in and needs money for his own signings, so they sell us Ross and Tammy

Maybe, maybe not. I imagine it's more about playing regularly before the euros but if Swansea are promoted and he's playing well they might buy him.

Why are people talking like he's been sold. It's only a loan, he'll be back. Some prem league teams could have used him - WBA, Burnley, Brighton even.

I imagine if any player's had it serious they won't be playing against Everton. It could be a very makeshift side for sunday, on top of the preparation and fitness issues they'll face after not being able to train for so long.

I have sympathy for Fulham and for Tottenham as well in this case. But to be honest I only really care about Aston Villa. The game should have been postponed. I have a lot of concerns for the Everton game, let alone throwing the kids again. Even if our players test negative , they won't be physically ready for Everton. It'll be a loss. If we were forced to play Tottenham too it'd have been two losses at a very wrong time of the season.

Absolutely true. Also, it takes between a month and two for the body to create the antibodies for the virus, it's not magically immediate immunity like some seem to imagine. Players will have to be tested even after getting a vaccine. They shouldn't be getting it, instead the league should be suspended for at least a month, probably more.

Well done boys. So proud. Delaney too. Most Liverpool players were gentlemen there. Their coach - not so much.

Yaaaaaaaaahahahhahahshhahagsgsghshshsh

Well done boys!

Hahhahah f off Wijnaldum

F off Milner

F*ck off Liverpool

If we had a bomb squad we'd have been able to play them tonight. Good old days

Don't think there's an outright malicious intent behind favoring the big clubs but a combination of personal biases, pressure and just the natural inclination of leagues to promote their biggest clubs with the biggest fanbases, compared to smaller ones. Everybody wants to watch Man U and Liverpool fighting for the championship as opposed to Leicester or even Tottenham. It's just a better product business wise. When asked about which teams he'd want in the NBA finals former commissioner David Stern once famously said Lakers vs Lakers. Such biases exist everywhere.

They had a miniscule margin of error last season. Now that they're a little bit worse across the field and have a little bit less luck the law of averages has kicked in.

I'm not bothered about this transfer window at all. Unlike last season we don't really need anyone. For the first time in forever I'm confident this team is run well and know exactly what they're doing , so they'll figure out how to improve the team, whether now or more likely in the summer.

Smith Rowe from Arsenal looks very good.

"It's all just mass hysteria. A point away at Luton is very good and it keeps us close to the playoff positions. There or thereabouts. You just have to roll your sleeves up and have another go."

The Villa pen was denied not because the ref didn’t think there was contact but solely because he saw on the VAR replay that the defender barely touched the ball first. You could even hear him say it ffs.

Wait wait so your opinion is that the Leeds penalty is real but Villa’s against Brighton not? Seriously?

That disallowed goal.

How is this Leeds penalty given but Villa’s against Brighton not. There’s no consistency.