MapleVilla

Odegaard was running things and causing us problems in the first half. At times they looked very strong against us. But to say they battered us is an exaggeration. Martinez made an incredible save, and we hit the crossbar/post.

Surprise surprise the Luiz tabloid rumours start up after Arsenal "blew the title".

Ahhh knew it! Looked like multi story car park from the walk up to it. Was a little underwhelming till I went in and got to my seat. Love the Spanish stadiums with their steep stairs.

Tie it in the the Coca Cola cup we won!!!

Something that's crossed my mind. Wouldn't make a huge difference but may help with expansion. When I visited the Camp Nou it looked a lot smaller than I was expecting. Not as tall as I was expecting. But once I go inside it was huge. It's clear the pitch is lower/below ground. Like the stadium sits in the ground more than if it was at ground level. If that makes sense? I wonder if there's scope to do that at Villa Park and add some seating? Probably pie in the sky and not feasible from a structural point of view. Just something I thought about.

Can we buy Birmingham airport?! Went through it recently. Got to the be the worst airport going.

Still optimistic this will all implode!!

He was playing alongside Meatballs yesterday wasn't he? He's often been better just behind Watkins but yesterday he looked so good in the middle. There was a few times in the first half where Odegaard and co were breezing through our midfield a little bit. But in the second half the tweak we made (instruction or tactical adjustment) made a huge difference. We were bossing cosistently, and he looked so good.

I saw him against Wolves from the Trinity. He gave away a few passes and looked like he was struggling a little. But I think was more being on the same wavelength as the rest of the team. He then made a couple crazy runs with the ball. Fighting off players and eventually getting fouled because that's the only way they could stop him. Since then he's looked like he's gone up a gear or two. Seems to be settling in nicely now and yesterday he looked the best I've seen him yet. Reminds me of Ramsey in his ball carrying. Looks a very good signing, and exactly the sort the owners have been talking about. Looks like a bargain the way he's been playing the last few matches.

I thought they had a bunch on loan as well?

Super easy job for good money I assume. Obviously pocket change from what some of the ex pros haven't earned. But considering the non pro's are "professional journalists" it is about a competant as a cabbage on a table.

No I thought Stoke bought him after we released him/his contract ended.

The main problem with that idea (other than sharing a stadium with such a small club who are rivals) is that their revenue is no where near ours. We'd be paying for most of the operating costs. Not like the San Siro where both teams are usually towards top end of the league and in some sort of European competitions most of the time. It would maybe solve quite a few problems, but I think would also cause an uproar and a magnitude of other ones as well. I think the Sty plans are literally just that. They still think they're going to be in the Premier League at some point soon and will have the need for a bigger stadium......even though they're the wrong end of the table and no where near filling the current shed they have. Even if they have a remarkable season next year and get promoted. They're not building for a promotion. They haven't got the money to build a squad capable.

Do we need to do a whip round to cover your accounting fees for such glorious work?!

I thought it was an Arsenal shirt before revealing the full picture!!

I keep thinking it's a headache tablet or some sort of over the counter drug you'd get from boots or superdrug!!

This for me also. Rogers being cheaper and younger. More room to increase re-sale value (if it goes that way), can mould him into how we play, probably a little easier too. Think he's better value for money than Zaniolo. It's a shame but I think the transfer and then the wages he'll want will be too much for us to throw at, as it looks like we need to wary of FFP.

Saw this yesterday, and also saw Mings doing some jogging on the grass. Both seem to coming along nicely. Looks like Emi is a little ahead of Mings. But would love to see either on the bench towards the end of the season. No problem in waiting if they're not ready for that.

Exactly this. Plenty of teams fighting for things, plenty not got anything to play for, long seasons and tired players. Plenty of time for weird results to pop up. We need to make sure we keep picking up points, no matter what.

We have Toronto FC, but everyone here calls it soccer!! Talk about being confused!

How does the relegation work? There's a playoff between the 2nd from bottom of the Bundesliga and 2nd in Bundesliga 2? Or something to that affect?

Looks a great buy and more training and coaching from Unai and co. I think he'll be a great player for us, and for a great price as well.

The Wolves game was my first game in something like 18 years. I thought the atmosphere was electric at times. Obviously can only compare to a few games years ago but definitely the best I've heard there.

That too!!!

I would too if it looked that bad!!!