SimonVilla

It's so weird - has the odd moment where he looks brilliant, but too often looks weak and off the pace.

Hopefully he'll be on it on Thursday and after a good preseason be up to Bailey's level next year.

Diaaaabbbbyyyyy

Ref’s a prick

Long way back from here

Perhaps this is an unrealistically large overhaul of the squad, but strength in depth has clearly been a challenge this year - despite the absolutely brilliant season. I would be expecting Monchi and co will be looking to move 8 out (including loans finishing) and bring 8 in - something like the below. This feels like almost the minimum to compete in league and Europe next season.

OUT

Olsson

Carlos (if it makes financial sense)

1 of Moreno/Digne (if it makes financial sense)

Chambers

Lenglet

Hause (is he still here?)

Tim (loan)

Zaniolo

Total out of playing squad - 8 

IN

2nd/3rd choice keeper depending on Gauci

4th choice CB in for Carlos

Kosta in as 2nd choice RB - or Kosta out on loan and BIG signing of 1st choice RB with Cash as backup

LB signing for Moreno/Digne

Back up DM much closer in quality to Kamara

Extra CM 

Attacking Midfielder/winger extra body

Archer back 

Total in - 8

I've absolutely geeked out and made an excel spreadsheet for our fixtures vs spurs ones. If we get through vs Lille then  after this weekend's match vs Bournemouth both us and Spurs have 6 games in 22/23 days from 27/28th April through to 19th May - but two of ours are Conference League games. I.e. our fixture congestion is pretty similar.

I think a mid-low case prediction for us is to get to 70 points, picking up 2 wins and a draw from our remaining prem fixtures - this would be a big drop off in form for us (1.4 PPG), 73 points is probably more of a proper mid case prediction (2 PPG).

Unless Spurs can get some points off City, Arsenal or Liverpool (who will all still be fighting for the title...) they can only get 69 points, and that involves beating Chelsea at Stamford bridge.

Anything could happen of course, but it's ours to lose.  

That was the least up for a villa match I’ve been all season. What a result, brilliant. 

Still on for the title 

Everything’s coming up Milhouse 

Jesus 

Foden>Chambers 

Wasn’t expecting Pau, Bailey and Tielemans to start on the bench. Big game for Tim. 

Win and we're back in the title race 

I’m seeing zero benefit from playing Zaniolo.

Diaby redemption - here we go. 

Oh ffs

That ball into Watkins to hold up/lay off/get fouled is working brilliantly. 

Expecting as full strength a side as we can muster with any required resting coming in the Ajax game before full strength again vs Spurs.

Thanks guys. 

13 minutes ago, imavillan said:

You don't say in your post but If you're travelling by train i'm assuming you'll be going through New Street?

If so you can leave luggage there. It will be a lot easier for you doing this.

Drop your bags here, go to the match, collect bags after, get on the train. Happy days.

Yeah, coming thorough New Street, so I think I'll leave it at the station. What's £12.50 after a £120 train ticket? I'll have to remortgage so I can get a Balti Pie at half time too.

Hi all,

Haven't been to VP since pre Covid - I'm travelling for this game and will have a bag as I have a long train journey each way.

Is having a bag going to cause an issue/is there anywhere I can safely leave it at the ground? 

Some mild googling suggests other grounds only let you bring in "an A4 sized bag" which isn't going to carry much.

Apologies for the mundane question. Cheers.

Oh ffs 

Time to admit we probably won’t win the league 

**** shit bollocks