ChicagoVillan1983

I trust the system - if our team thinks he fits it's likely because of some super grimey detailed stats that say what he'll bring to the team. We are going a lot deeper these days than a lot of teams, and are thinking about what makes the whole unit fit together. I really believe in the project until proven otherwise. It's working so far...

This, and Google rewards clicks not quality of content. Like there was a story over the weekend that was like "Chelsea tipped to make amazing Aston Villa Signing" or something, and it was about Tammy... Nonsense, but I clicked.

The Noses would have.

As per my name, I’m in Chicago. After Wes half bought Villa I switched my allegiance to the Bucks (never really into the Bulls anyways). Have a Villa shirt with Giannis 34 on the back… Apparently it was too many letters for the Villa shop to add Antetokounmpo! They aren’t looking good. Think of getting into a 7 leg final and Jack carrying an injury… You’d be very concerned. At least I made money on the Over last night.

Going to have a little wank to a picture of Southgate before I fall asleep tonight!

I don’t care about the future, I care about winning this tournament… if we get destroyed today I’ll join y’all in criticizing Southgate… For now though, I’m actually going to give him the benefit of the doubt. No point letting Jack disappointment ruin what is the best chance of a final for the entire time I’ve been a football fan!

I don’t really mean this… but Grealish who?

If we win the whole thing I just don’t care if Grealish plays or not. I love the guy, but it’s Villa I care if he plays for…

Milot F'OFF-ICA!

Two things: 1 - This stinks of a moneyball play, and I love it for that 2 - If it happens, no way is Jack leaving

Yeah - US sports are a lot different when it comes to player movements. You don’t sell a player, you trade them - typically in exchange for a series of draft picks and/ or other players - you don’t exchange cash. In addition there’s the obvious weird dynamic where being really bad in a season doesn’t see you relegated, you are actually rewarded with a really high draft pick in the following years draft. In other words, Villa would have had a lot of early First round draft picks over the last few years had we equivalently sucked in a US sports league... Typically, if it’s clear a player isn’t going to sign a new contract, they’ll be traded with about a year left to go on their contract. But mega blockbuster deals are relatively less common.

The more I think about the game, the more I wonder if they panicked about losing their 100% record. That’s a big thing to give up. Lost shape and creativity trying to just hoof it to grab a goal and Leeds took advantage. That’s just naivety from a young and still forming and evolving side.

This, all of this. I’m pretty annoyed by the level of overreaction and just how binary and fickle some of our fans are. We’re switching between “we’re gonna win the league” and “Smith out”. Not sure if anyone else noticed but Leeds have drawn with Man City and barely lost to Liverpool. They’re a good side. In several alternate universes we won that game. It all hinged on the first goal which could have been ours. We did struggle to change our game to one or chasing for an equalizer - but to be fair on Dean, that’s the first time (other than the cup with our B squad) that we’ve been behind all season. One game doesn’t mean we’re doomed, just as four games doesn’t crown us champions. Deano is doing a great job. A lot of fans are extra pissed because it’s Leeds, and even worse because Patrick Scamford got all the goals. But like, STFU and enjoy where we are so far this season. It’s still a dream start and every single one of you would’ve taken this before the season began. We’ll finish ahead of Leeds. They can’t keep that level of energy up all season.

Smith out... JUST KIDDING. They had our number today - very well prepared to stop us playing the way wanted to. We had our chances, and different game if we scored first and they had to change their game. We lost shape and drive as soon as they scored - we didn’t have a well rehearsed game for being behind. It’s unfortunate, but back to business with the next game.

9 - We lose to Arsenal and one of Southampton or Leeds...

He’s not going to be good enough for us soon... Let him go and drown in mediocrity.

Cheating scummy Leeds...

Yeah. That’s totally fair. He was absolutely equitable to both teams - that’s how I judge a performance. It was nice to see a more flowing game for once.

Am I crazy... I thought that ref was super fair. He was letting the game flow and kept it moving. He was letting both teams get away with stuff that other refs wouldn’t. I gave him top marks... Grealish MOTM for me. Created a lot, but definitely has to shoot more. We were such a solid unit tonight. Traore was actually impressive when he came on today.

In the US I get every match for every team for $10 a month.

Was just nostalgically reading the first page of this thread... Hope this doesn’t come true...

You're just buying a load of out of the money options for cheap, and hoping that a couple pay off. It's a very smart strategy, but takes time as you said. We seem to be really nailing the Academy right now - which I think could be a crazy winner right now. You think of all those clubs across the UK alone that are struggling to the keep the lights on, they are likely to cut the academy first (we are human and we think of the immediate first - you'd sacrifice your 5 year health to stay alive for the next year). Even PL clubs are doing the same. | Kind of as Buffett says, we have cash when everyone else is suffering and scared. I think we're nailing this...

We’re not stockpiling players... Someone much better is Cash...

Hahaha. Browns 3-1 and Villa with 3 wins. It’s crazy.

Ok this win is amazing. If you want a little extra cherry on top of the greatest ice cream Sunday of this Millenium for Villa, just stick your head over in the SHA forum. Hahahaha, oh they’re unhappy and jealous AF...