MapleVilla

I think he's just being managed in a way that keeps him on the pitch as long as possible without pushing our luck and injuring him further. It does look like he could do with some rest to properly recover but we don't have that luxury at the moment.

8 hours ago, sharkyvilla said:

I'm surprised the FA haven't kicked up a fuss about us not delivering the stadium we offered in the bid with 8000 fewer fans and out-of-date facilities.  They left out Old Trafford, the second biggest ground in England because it isn't up to scratch.  I wouldn't be surprised if we got stripped of it and it got given to Leicester or someone else.  I'm not really sure Heck would be that bothered about it, I mean how much do clubs actually make from being hosts?

Ye I was wondering that as well. If they have been scrapped then surely we bid for the hosting in the Euro's based on upgrades to the stadium?

23 hours ago, Chindie said:

They decided to play it on Hoth.

LOL now that's a proper game!!! 

3 hours ago, birdman said:

Done. It's definitely Ramsey  

As I was scrolling down the page I was waiting for this!!!

BBC reporting it as we've lost 119.6m and PSR rules are 105m. They also say infrastructure, womens team, academy costs etc aren't included in the PSR. BUT they don't say what the 119.6m breakdown is. We've also released a generic statement saying we look forward to continuing to make the club sustainable etc. Typical clickbait misinform people instead of just spitting facts. BBC is getting worse and worse as news outlet.

36 minutes ago, NorthEastVillan said:

Think it may only be for the away leg due to the Netherlands having a strict stance on betting sponsorship. Could be wrong though.

Edit: looking into it further it is indeed due to Dutch advertising regulations.

 

We did something similar in the AZ Alkmaar game too.

22 hours ago, Zatman said:

The Salt Lake vs L.A. game at weekend looked hilarious

What did I miss?!

They're not used to seeing such big numbers

22 hours ago, HKP90 said:

Do they only play 1 game per month or something?

Season has only just started. Some teams don't have many home games to start. Especially here, it should be -20c or so but it's abnormally warm for this time of year. Imagine living in Texas and then coming and playing in the snow in Canada! Schedule is a bit weird for the next few weeks. I believe our first home game is this weekend.

8 hours ago, Don_Simon said:

A 6,000 mile roundtrip. Wonder what the away following was like?

They have no away sections at the grounds here. So that should tell you enough about travelling support! Having said that, they're all family friendly places so there's no shouting profanity at a dodgy free kick decision. Worst you hear is "ref you suck"! I'm hoping to go to the Charlotte vs Toronto game here. See if I can shout "UTV" as I'll be near the touchline/benches.

Another week another injury. We should do a poll, who's going to be next?! Rotten luck for him, feel for him. Was looking like he was just getting his stride back.

4 hours ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Think he's deffo Zaniolos replacement

 

That was my thought as well.

I went to see Pantera at Scotiabank arena in Toronto the other night. For those not up on North American sports it hosts the Maple Leafs (NHL) and Raptors (NBA) games. Multi purpose arena basically. The food and drinks on offer is insane. And I was thinking about it while I was in line. It's been a while since I've been to a game at Villa but from what I remember it was basically beer and some sort of pie/chips/sausage etc. I had the choice of popcorn, nachos, hotdogs, chocolates, crisps, pizza, poutine, the list goes on. On top of that you have guys walking around with popcorn or beer bags in the stands and you can buy there and then. You can also scan the QR code on seats in certain sections and order food/drinks. It's North America so it's all about convenience of course, and some of these things would never work at a football ground in the UK. BUT the options I had just for a concert, and the few extras you get when you to a NHL or NBA game are crazy. I think from what I've seen, Tottenham's new stadium is more in line with modern day sporting experiences and I think there's a lot we can learn from it. I'm not saying that we'll be rolling the pounds from all of a sudden selling popcorn in the Holte End! But I think in terms of the experience at the stadium we could be doing a hell of a lot more, even without any new North stand or whole new stadium. Obviously a new stand/stadium would allow us to expand these sorts of things a hell of a lot more. But I think it would help with attracting other events at Villa Park to make more money.

I should also say I saw a bag of Doritos for $10 CAD which I think is about 6 quid!

3 hours ago, OutByEaster? said:

Unfortunately I can't tell you much at all, work commitments meant that I couldn't be there in person.

 

Ugh the suspense in reading this page !!!

So am I right in thinking it's one big open bar sort of area for before and after the match? Not somewhere you'd sit during the game?

I wonder if we're purposely not showing any pics of Pau training just to keep Luton guessing. 

On 15/02/2024 at 05:34, Captain_Townsend said:

Our charge from 2016 to today has been an epic journey of positivity. 

Even if we end up 7th I will be delighted. Being back in the top 7  two years in a row is actually amazing considering where we came from.

Also, the hand we have been dealt is cruel so even if we collapse I will still applaud every person connected with this club for the season we were having before injuries bit.

%100 this

I'll take one

I can see there being complications and uncertainty around the bottom few teams at the end of the season. "Are we relegated or playing in the premiership next season? Have we got to plan for parachute payments or can we spend x amount on that player we've been eyeing up?".

20 hours ago, DaveAV1 said:

I meant 10 goals this season not 19, I’m an optimist not a lunatic!! If he gets 19 then I’ll take the credit for my forward thinking!! 

I'll save this for future reference

7 minutes ago, KAZZAM said:

The 2nd points deduction should be another minus 6 and another minus 4 for reoccurring rule braking. 

Or if successful on appeal the points are reduced.....if not they're doubled 

Is he Zaniolo's replacement? Seems to be ready made and can be brought in gradually until the end of the summer. Not thrown straight in.

1 minute ago, OutByEaster? said:

Does anyone else find it odd that we now have a deal that the club haven't confirmed being discussed openly by the local (and presumably sanctioned) press as a matter of fact?

The communication coming out of the club is really poor at the moment - at a well run club, we either don't know about this at all yet or it's being shouted officially from the rooftops.

 

I think it may all be tied in. Not defending the lack of communication that's happened since Heck has come in. But I think the badge and the Adidas are probably all tied in together so they're not going to announce one without the other.

I think the Adidas deal sounds more flexible than what we've ever had up until now. I think it's just been here's the contract, length and money. Now it sounds like they're in it for the long term and the more successful we are the more we'll potentially get. 

On 21/02/2024 at 06:48, rodders0223 said:

He's absolutely pap.

No doubt he must have been some talent the way people talk about him but bad injuries. You're not moving from a top 5 league to Turkey in your 20s because you're a top top talent.

A punt like Tielemans. Well worth it, based on supposed talent and the finances not breaking the bank.

...but no, absolutely not a PL player.

I think the move to Turkey was a late move to get him out of Rome. He clearly had to leave and that seemed the only viable option at the time (IIRC). Was too late for any of the other european clubs to potentially come in for him. They probably kept an eye on him and how he did there before re-assessing. But I agree, it's not a progressive move from Serie A. I'm sure he was hoping to pickup his form there and get a move to a bigger club. I have to admit I'd had high hopes for him, especially with Emery working with him. But it's not appearing to work out. Reminds me of the Barkley loan. Flashes of good performances and the odd goal but ultimately not what we need right now.

6 minutes ago, Don_Simon said:

A Villa fan in Canada!

Welcome Cyrup Regis.

From the Shire of Warwick but now live in Maple Land