GlobalVillan

If he'd have been with us since August, we could have qualified for Europe I still have absolutely no f***** clue how we got knocked out the FA Cup though. He is a cup winning manager. Hopefully we will give the cups a proper good go next season. We can win something under him.

I've stood up for Emi in the past and have no reason not to again today. Yes he lost a couple of physical duels and he didn't have his best game, but he still scored and looked lively throughout.

I think we will finish the season well and I suspect we may even surprise one or two of the clubs above us in the run in. It's just to overhaul all those teams above us with the amount of games left is not viable. I'm so excited for next season though.as I think we will be in the race next year.

Would love to beat Wolves and put a nail in their coffin. Its time they pissed off ba k to where they belong. In the 3rd tier.

If Brighton win just one fo their 2 games in hand on us, they will be 7 points clear. Win both and its 10 points. We still have to go to Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United where we usually take no points. Its all about next season. And finishing as strongly as we can and hopefully finish top half to attract better players.

It's Brighton's to lose really I suppose, unless Brentford can squeeze in but with the games in hand, Brighton have a great chance.

They have some fantastic players and could very well have a good last 10 games or so with the squad they have. Not saying they will, but it wouldn't surprise me of they ended up in yhe top 7 as those clubs always find a way in the end. There are people (well someone) who thinks we are likely to finish in the top 7 and we are below Chelsea so....

As I said when he signed for them, he will end up at QPR or somewhere similar before long. So overrated its's criminal

Amazing how well Brighton are doing. Lost their manager to Chelsea and find themselves in the FA Cup quarter finals and 6th in the league with games in had on those around them. If somehow Chelsea don't finish top 7 then surely Brighton must be favourites for a European place. Incredible season for them.

I'd love to see them slip to 7th and end up in the conference League but I suspect they will end up 6th and in the Europa, with Chelsea just behind them. I'd much rather Spurs or Liverpool got the CL spot than this lot.

Manchester City don't have any other kind of mode.

Very good performance and unlucky to only get the one goal. With Kamara and Luiz I think we have the basis of a solid midfield. An upgrade on Ramsey in the attacking role and we would be looking very good indeed.

Listening to some of the blokes behind us in the Upper Holte today, you have to wonder why some people bother. Constant swearing at our players, not giving any credit for good things and constantly criticising and moaning throughout. Aside from that, there were a few pockets of noise at times but wasn't particularly lively. Probably didn't help that we got absolutely soaked at half time though!

Dougie, Mings and Cash were superb today. Solid win and and a clean sheet to boot. Can't ask for more than that

Couldn't care less about the Champions League and wouod rather stick pins in my eyes than watch it, but the longer Man City go without winning it the better. Today's draw should delay it a bit longer.

Not sure how much better Palace can do with the set up they have tbh.

At no point did I say it wanst possible. In fact I clearly stated it WAS possible. It's just not likely. And that's the point I was making since you stated it was.

Negativity? You see, that really frustrates me. Just because my head isn't in the clouds with unrealistic expectations, it doesn't mean its negativity. Its called reality. I don't think we will win the title next year either. Is that also negativity? For you to suggest us "likely" that the race for Europe will come down to the Villa v Brighton game in May isn't just optimistic, it's patently absurd. Could it happen, I suppose so. Is it likely? Of course it isn't. We are 30/1 to finish in the top 7. If you think it's that likely then you should sell everything you own and get down the bookies. And if you don't do that then I'd like to know why the negativity. Being realistic and managing expectations is not being negative and you shouldn't go around dressing it up as such. Not being happy clapper levels of delusional does not make someone a worse fan. In fact, unrealistic expectations amongst a fan base can, and does, have a negative effect, as I stated in my post.

We haven't even been in the top half this season and you think we are in the race for Europe? Personally I think that's just wishful thinking. I'd be chuffed with 10th as I've said all season but I have my doubts as to achieving that. On your last point, you think it's "likely" that qualifying for Europe will come down to our home game against Brighton? I think that's extremely UNLIKELY for about a million reasons. I don't even think Brighton will qualify for Europe for a start, the usual top 6 plus Newcastle will finish top 7 and I'd be thrilled if we finish within 10 points of a European place. I fear there are some wildly unrealistic expectations going on here and usually that manifests with fans moaning and complaining every time we pass backwards or mishit a cross. Emery is doing well and in the coming years we may be in the conversation but it won't be this year and absolutely not because of our game against Brighton. That game will be one of many midtable clashes that had no bearing on anything.

We were never in the race to miss out. Said it for months. We have nowhere near the squad for it in any case. Hopefully within the next few years we can start to push for that 6th/7th spot but it's going to be very difficult. Aside from the 7 obvious ones, you now have the likes of Brighton and Brentford to contend with. Can't help thinking we got these owners 10 years too late, as I think even getting a regular top half finish is going to be a huge ask nowadays. What's really annoying, is that whilst we have been told we plan to put together a "sustainable" model, lesser teams have flown past us. Again. I genuinely think our best hope to get into Europe in the next 5 years will be to win a trophy and yet every time we enter one, we chuck it away. Whilst Europe may be possible in the coming years via a 6th or 7th placed finish, I believe its never been harder and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if we didn't get a single top 7 finish for a very long time. Then again, maybe we will?

Should change our name to Aston Vi11a.

Scott of the Arctic

Thought the train strike was cancelled?

In that case I wonder what happened to Jo. Probably died of destitution.

Probably not as many as have scored FOR them.