markavfc40

Lots of positives from that first half and it is frustrating that we are losing, which is something I didn't think I'd be writing.

Second half we just need to stay in the game for as long as we can and who knows what could happen. Not one to be defeatist but I think I'd take a loss by no more than two goals though and move on to Brentford.

Martinez, Pau, Mings, Kamara, McGinn, Ramsey, Bailey, Watkins (that is 8 players) would all be part of our best 11 for a lot of us and none of them start tonight either through injury, illness, suspension or being rested.  

I'd say a result tonight, even a draw, would be up there with our best results in a long time given who we have out.

Just now, DCJonah said:

Where's the Martinez news? 

That's not good as it must be a late injury. That could be horrendous if it's long term.

He is ill.

Edit false info

I hadn't realised how well Preston are doing. Tough game for Sha today, although given how crap they are I guess every game is tough 

Just seen in the news that despite us having experienced the wettest 18 months since records began the UK could face water shortages if this summer is hot and dry, which whilst not wanting to state the obvious is a possibility in summer. The reasons for this are that we are not storing our water properly with no new major reservoirs having been built in the past 30 years, rivers have been engineered to move water quickly so it runs into towns and cities (causing floods) and many wetlands have been drained then farmed or built on. All of this means that all the rainwater we get is not being stored properly but causing floods followed by water shortages in summer. 

The VAR decision in the Newcastle West Ham game to ask the referee to review his on field decision, which was no penalty, was up there with some of the worst officiating seen this season. It was never a penalty. Gordon at no time had control of/possession of the ball and if anything needed to be given (it didn't) him stepping in front of Phillips was a foul on Phillips.

16 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said:

Big carrot for Wolves with the chance to be in a European place tonight - we'll need to be ready for a very determined side.

Pleased about this. Gives them a little extra incentive to push for a win but with that also comes a little extra pressure.

Despite all our injuries/suspensions (I know they have some) on paper we are the better team and on a very good run with only one defeat in our last 6 in all comps (inc 4 wins). I think you add in home advantage, and hopefully a rocking VP and a second half under the lights, then, for me, it all adds up to a win for us by at least 2 goals. 

@delboy54 hope you have a long, healthy and happy retirement mate. Hopefully helped along by watching Villa win a thing or 2 

I'd imagine this time yesterday we all thought we'd have to win today to maintain the same gap to Tottenham. As it is though we've only drew but have gained a point on them.

There are going to many more twists and turns but that is another game played and we are another point better off on our main rival for 4th. Onto the next. 

43 minutes ago, mjmooney said:

Gee, thanks.  

The best indicators of longevity are the death ages of your parents. Mine lived to 87 and 84, despite both having grown up with poor diets, relative poverty and the stress of war. Nothing's guaranteed, but as a fit and heathy 70 year old, I'd hope to do at least as well. 

But, as in the case of Steve Harley and countless others, the big banana skin is always cancer. 

Take the test

My post wasn't meant to come over as you can't  be in your 70's and really fit, healthy and enjoying life. That is certainly my intention  My point was just that I don't consider someone who passes away in their 70's as no age to go or that they were 'only' 72/73/74 etc. 

I'm 50, I keep myself in reasonable nick but even now I'd say if I can get to my mid 70's then I'd have had a decent innings whilst of course hoping I'll hang around at the crease for a while longer than that  

First time under Emery I didn't have a clue what we were trying to do first half as we looked clueless. Fair play to him though he got it spot on in the second half and his subs changed the game. Would have been a real injustice had we lost it at the end as only one team tried to play football in that second half.  I couldn't watch that tripe West Ham serve up every week.

That maintains our record of not having lost two league games on the bounce all season (actually since start of May) which shows how much character we have in this team.

That could be a really valuable point come the end of the season. 

Just picking up on something I just read in the deadpool thread and someone dying at 73 and being described as only 73. I see this a lot that people in their 70's being described in terms such as no age or even young. 

I can't see someone in their 60's as young or no age never mind their 70's. I'm 50 so no spring chicken and whilst I don't consider myself old I certainly couldn't see myself, or definitely not describe myself, as young. Life expectancy for males in the UK is I think 78 and dropping so you get into mid 70s and you've had a half decent knock I'd say. 

I'm probably influenced by having lost my dad when he was 60, my mother in law when she was 55 and numerous aunts/uncles on both mine and my wife's side in their 60's. The only nan and granddad I was close to were 69 and 73 and back when they passed away in the 1980s/early 90s that was considered a good innings. My mom is 80 this year and I'd say that is a really good age to get to. 

It seems I'll be going against the grain here but I've just finished Masters of the Air and really enjoyed it. Nothing will ever come close to Band Of Brothers but I thought this was on a par with The Pacific.

That is fantastic. Can't praise Coventry enough. 

Fair play to Coventry. 

This has been a great game.

Cov should be out of sight. Hope they don't pay for all these missed chances.

They deserve that. 

Coventry play some lovely football. Robins has done an unreal job with them.

Another rat deserts the sinking ship.

6 hours ago, villa4europe said:

Villa open the doors of VP to the local community in support of ramadam

The social media comments are somewhere between embarrassing and a disgrace 

"when are they doing it for lent??!" like you do lent Keith 

I started reading a few and quickly got to one that said 'Hopefully it went off with a BANG' I left it at that as knew they'd be plenty more neanderthal, racist bile. 

29 minutes ago, Callum said:

Mate, if them 3 start tomorrow we're in big trouble.

Ramsey is part of our best 11 for me. Ajax had 9 players 22 or under in their starting 11 last week so certainly against them Roger's and Tim wouldn't be out of their depth, just as they weren't last week. FWIW though I don't think either will start.