Stevo71

Wish there was some vid of Unai and the bench when the winner went in. The harmony in the squad is just fantastic.

That's a great point. The media would be short stroking it all over the place lauding the "elite" job their boy Gerrard was doing and linking him to the Plop job with every breath. Villa itself would be a complete afterthought. Spared from that.

Spot on. I keep reminding myself he's younger than Deano, who I would 100% expect to still be learning if he were still here. Depressingly, both are younger than me...

Indeed. Proper Champions League. Money crept in over the next decade.

Yep. Fourth under Little as well and wasn’t good enough for CL that year if I remember right.

Sure we'd all love to see that piece of paper Nassef gave to Unai when he asked him to write down a team at the "interview". Fair to assume a) he didn't just write down a team from our current squad and b) Nassef didn't flinch at what that new team might cost. At the very least Unai was content that something like his imagined team might be achievable over the course of a few windows. And by extension would have had a few players already earmarked for upgrade. Maybe a few things changed once he finally got amongst the lads, but I have no doubt whatsoever the overall strategy will be crystal in Unai's mind. So exciting. Villa and Unai are perfect for one another. UTV.

I'm hoping this has been fixed

I suspect “Champions of Europe” will get a heartfelt airing at the weekend. They’ve unfairly and unjustly taken a seat at the top table, artificially inflated their league and cup wins tally and lorded it over far more historic and worthy teams for over a decade, taking players at will. I’m getting more worked up about it the more I think about it.

On a side note, I heard on a podcast a few months back that footballers take PEDs as well - an asthma diagnosis is the common one apparently. Allows for legal use of drugs to improve oxygen intake or something. Anyone else heard this? Cheating could sadly be way more common than we'd like to believe. But stuff like this is still a kick in the nuts even to cynics like me...I clearly still have a core of naivety that thought it was the arrival of Mancini and one or two key players that got Citeh rolling. Emery's arrival was going to be the same flashpoint moment for us in my eyes, along with some marquee signings. But if it's not to be then fine - I'm way more comfortable trying to do this within the rules laid down. UTV - winners of the 2019/20 League Cup.

Hopefully not Feet of Stone. Welcome!

As we've probably all seen in our workplaces, there are people in teams who are perfectly capable but tend to drift and look to others. Without stronger, more alpha team mates around them they kind of fade - given solid guidance they do a great job. I wouldn't be surprised if just a few additions to the team with a better, stronger mentality had a galvanising effect, a force multiplier so to speak. That might be enough to get us to the next window, rinse and repeat. Either way I think we've finally hit a point where some of these players are getting found out and, unlike previously, shade cannot be realistically thrown at the manager. An individual match balls up maybe, but not when looking at the longer term trend. Before, there could be suspicion at Smith's lack of prior top-level management, ROK's coaching, Gerrard's "rookie" status etc. All of which offered potential get outs for criticism of the players ("If only they were coached properly they'd be great players" argument for example - one I've certainly used) or even self-analysis by the play themselves. There seems to be no hiding place now, which can only be a good thing imo. Sorry, bit of a ramble. UTV.

I was entering "draw" territory at that point

I was sat six rows back from the dugout yesterday, thanks to a mate. It was as good to watch Unai orchestrating the game as it was the game itself. The guy is just magnificent. Conte was trying but off it yesterday; it was two top class managers duking it out, with our guy coming out clear as the elite coach. None of the celebrating with the bench when we scored was contrived, the guy was ecstatic! So were the subs it should be said - he has brought real togetherness to the squad very quickly. I was negative about the subs because I feared it would disrupt us and our cohesion. Within minutes it was obvious (to me, finally) that the disruption was all on Spurs. The players introduced knew their roles to a T. It was masterful use of subs, especially Cash. I still didn't relax because it's us and I am not used to this level of preparation, but my God did we see that game out expertly. It was a joy (though biting my tongue was sweet agony). This is going to be special I think. No ceiling I can see (yes I'm still giddy). UTV

The only thing that would come close would be him helping Villa win a CL final imo. I think us and his country will be the two biggest professional loves of his life no matter what happens in future. He may go on to glory at another club eventually, but we have been absolutely pivotal in this moment for him. Neil Cutler, take a bow.

Still feel like I'm thawing out. And I have a headache. It's usually any excuse to be inside Villa Park but last night was stretching it. Good to see Pep though. Top guy and a bit of fun with the fans. Be nice to give the proceeds to the Babbs Mill families. That minutes silence really got me.

*Might* have turned 4 today /pedantmodeoff

Or his opinion is "no" and he doesn't want Messi upset with him when we sign him in January

Hi all. Lifelong Villa fan, 51. Too young to go to Rotterdam (watched on telly), but seen a lot of other big games in our history: Tranmere, both league cup wins, Milan, play-off surge and final. Older I get, the bigger role Villa plays in my life. Seen a few managers come and go. Have gone from lurking to wanting to post, coz Emery looks like the real thing. Cheers and UTV!