rodders129

Let’s clear this up now…we are one of four teams currently in the title race. Whether we will win it or not remains to be seen but we’re challenging…until we drop off by a 5/6 point gap we’re in it

People need to get a grip and toughen up a bit. You saw how Emi and Argentina won the World Cup. You see how aggressive City, Arsenal and Liverpool can be. This is the reality. I get it. It’s new territory for Villa, but if we want to talk about competing for the title then this is what comes with it. Roy Keane was a serial Premier League winner and he took red cards a plenty. I wouldn’t behave like that at work, sure. I’m sure Martinez isn’t petulant in day to day life. But this is a football match, and winning it is the be all and end all, not making friends or being a model citizen.

A few points… Everyone on here keeps referencing our dropped points to Forest, Wolves, Bournemouth etc, but the other three title challengers have had similar struggles. That’s why we’re two points off top. The calendar year points total is a strong body of evidence to show this is not a temporary patch of form…it’s a sustained pattern under Emery. Our style of play is generally a less intense press and more control/ball retention. I think this is contributing to less injuries, less fatigue and more opportunity for less rotation and therefore stronger team dynamics. MON understood the benefit of a consistent team selection but his playing style wrecked the players by March. Emery has the best of both worlds. Out of Newcastle, Brighton and Villa (the three teams new to European competition), Villa are the one thriving in the PL (also West Ham from last and this season). Emery is a master and balancing European competition with league performance and is drawing on all of his experience. Look at Newcastle. I feel sorry for Howe, but it was naive to think their all action high energy style would carry through the extra fixtures. After that opening fixture who should have thought where we’d both be now. The season is a marathon not a sprint. Honestly though as Villa fans, short of a trophy win, it simply doesn’t get better than this. The thrill of the rise to the top, the excitement of the chase, and seeing the development and emergence of a team of good lads buying in to Emery. Wherever we finish just enjoy it. I guarantee deep down this is more satisfying to Villa fans than the PL title win is to Man City fans

Are you watching Gerrard you utter, utter bellend?

I can’t shake this feeling that we’re going to smash Arsenal tonight. I feel like the players and the fans realise this is our moment now and something special is happening. Probably lose now but I wouldn’t be shocked if we steamroller them

Al Ettifaq still slogging away mid table. Out the cup and one win in nine in the league, dire. Also hilarious how Southgate still picks Hendo

Has anyone clocked how good he is with his feet now? It’s astonishing!! He was pinging 50 yard diagonals to the full backs like Pirlo. I didn’t see anything better from Ederson last night and he’s put up as the ultimate ball playing GK. When you combine Emi’s new confidence playing out with his all round keeping ability and his insane leadership/desire/will to win, I honestly think he’s in the conversation for best in the world

He’s saying he’s setting the team up tomorrow to reduce the distance to city and wants Villa to be the protagonist Let’s see what happens, massive game at VP under the lights One things for sure, Emery is setting us up to try to win. Expecting goals in this one

Great press conference from Emery today. One thing he said I found interesting. He’s using matches as practice sessions for tactical ideas and options moving forward. Thinking two, three, four games in advance for what will be needed. Practicing with matches but still needing to win and produce. Emery is playing chess

Fernando Nelson

How about this one… Why do certain fans take umbrage to a casual question framed with an informal tone? Is it due to a displaced frustration or deeper seated insecurities?

Why’s everyone hating on Gabby? Just curious

Time for the ‘Cash isn’t at the top level’ chat to stop. Emery clearly views him as a key player now

Absolute love the guy. He typifies Emery’s Villa. Hard working, athletic, tactically astute and also a humble professional. He’ll stay and become a Villa legend

Southgate are you watching this Southgate are you feeling this Forever neglected, forever scorned The Holte End remembers

Where else are you going to find a left footed, ball playing centre back with European experience and a year playing in the Prem. He’s also a specialist in a back three. As a cover for Mings it’s a no brainer

What is this sick, self destructive part of me that wants to watch the Man City reveal video and interview?

Doesn’t look happy

Let’s not get bitter lads. He’s probably a bigger Villa fan that a lot on here, myself included. I couldn’t even bring myself to watch half the games when we were in the Championship, he spent 3 years of his career down there with Villa. He gets to push on and play at the level he belongs right now, we get 100m, maybe he comes back to Villa at the end of his career?

There a video doing the rounds of him bantering with gaffer on the training pitch

4231 with Luiz and JWP as the two

Could last night have gone any better? Game over at 50 odd minutes, key players subbed off and rested, Kane confidence fully restored, set pieces now firing, clean sheet and now on to a rocking Wembley for the semi Reflecting on it again, it’s also really great that Sancho hasn’t played a minute and then gets a 1/4 final win, something most former England stars never experienced Southgate clearly rates Grealish as well. You don’t bring the guy on at 0-0 vs Germany if you don’t respect the quality. It’s almost like Southgate wants to break the culture of the individual flair talisman but just rotating them. The strength is in the structure and the goal output. The mercurial talent is secondary. I doubt we’ll see Foden again though

Was watching a YouTube highlight video of Michael Laudrup and think there’s quite a lot of similarities