jackbauer24

Does anyone know how tickets are sold in relation to blocks? There doesn't seem to be any information anywhere as to how many category one tickets there are or which blocks are for sale when or whether you can chose seats at the front of a block etc. It just seems to be a case of buying blindly and being grateful! For example, does anyone have a definite guide to which blocks are category 1, 2, 3 or 4 as there a multiple maps for Wembley depending on event. It seems odd in this day and age that the choice is so limited - I can't think of any event from Villa to concerts to comedy to the cinema that you don't get a seating plan BEFORE you book.

I need a mathematician! I'd like to know the magic number for survival considering fixtures. I THINK it's 40pts. Burnley can get a maximum of 35pts but Hull could only then reach 40pts. QPR can get max of 36pts but then Newcastle could only get 41pts, and Leicester 40pts. Sunderland's max is 45pts but Leicester then limited to 40 again. Leicester's max is 43pts but this limits Sunderland to 42pts and QPR to 33pts. Hull's max is 46pts, this limits Burnley to 33pts. Newcastle's max is 44pts but this limits QPR to 33pts. Therefore assuming worst case scenario and every opposition team wins games we don't want them to, Burney go down (gifting Hull 3pts) QPR go down (giving NFC and LCFC 3pts) leaving it between Leicester and Sunderland for highest possible total of 42pts for Sunderland (assuming Leicester win) or 40pts for Leicester (assuming Sunderland win). So although highly unlikely that every team will win every game, the magic number still looks like being 40 for mathematical safety. A draw in the Sunderland/Leicester game intrestingly makes the magic number slightly higher I believe at 41! But I am no mathematician so someone please check my workings!

Just for the record, it ISN'T in our hands anymore. Should Sunderland and Leicester win their games in hand, we could win all our games and still get relegated I believe. I know some teams play each other but I think that still doesn't give us a helping hand. Largely still up to us, but not entirely and Everton feels like the most crucial game now. Lose that and we're down I think.

Doubt anything else is worth the hassle, make life easy for a few extra quid and as a percentage of your holiday cost it's tiny. Check out holidayextras and you'd probably find hotel night before your flight, with parking for whilst your away and transfers for less than you think. I've often found it's cheaper than parking alone... Well almost! It's a holiday, you don't want stress of public transport or loadsa changes for sake of a few quid per person.

Once again I know I'll get a ticket as a ST Holder (plus 3or4 FA Cup) but two things strike me; If you've been a season ticket holder for 50 years but haven't been to an FA Cup game you're pushed to the last day of Season Ticket holders - that seems really unfair! Loyalty doesn't count for much, spending £10 on a cheap early round does. And the other thing I'd like Villa to explain is how they allocate the blocks, it was really weird how they released them for the semi final, especially online. Aren't they all available immediately - I'd like option of seats, not just to be in the gods because it's easier for them that day.

General racial profiling when it comes to potential takeover individuals/parties: British - Know's the game, isn't rich and can't invest well enough. American - Has no idea about 'soccer' and surrounds themselves with yes men. Puts club in debt. Russian - Loaded, probably has dodgy connections but invests plenty. Egyptian/ Arabian (or anyone who wears a thawb for simplicity) - rich, probably royalty, likes to use club to promote own wealth/standing. Indian/Chinese (anyone Asian falls under this category for those lacking geography skills) - dodgy trading, will change the colours of your team and alienate the fans. European - trying to use us a feeder club for their other club. Mixed nationality consortium - just in it for the money and are heartless money men who will sponsor everything. Right, are we all clear? Let's move on.... (please sense sarcastic tone before being offended!)

I think a few are getting carried away by the euphoria of yesterday. Watch it back if you can, Richardson was pretty bad truth be told, both defensively and attacking. He was beaten easily, his crossing was atrocious and his passing sloppy. It's not hate for hates sake, I just say what I saw. Delph was amazing yesterday but that doesn't mean that I missed the fact he was equally (if not more) culpable for Liverpool's goal as Okore was. He was still MOTM though. Everyone makes mistakes but Richardson was poorest player for Villa by a mile. Okore was slow when he came on and got beaten a few times but was much better as the game wore on. As for Richardson's clearance, I'm ecstatic he made it but let's not get carried away that it was particularly difficult! And I'd say that if it was any player! I'd be much happier with Lowton there. Nothing against him personally, just think he's not very good! And especially in that position.

You've really got to feel for Brad Guzan if Given is selected. When he's understudy the manager drops him for the final. When he's No.1. the manager keeps faith with the understudy throughout. Harsh.

If you tried, and failed, to get tickets for the semi-final then you'll have zero chance of tickets for this one. I believe our season tickets numbers are around the 20k mark, few thousand under or over. So they'll get the vast majority and what ever is left will go to people who have a strong booking history this season with some weighting to FA cup games at a guess.

If you're Sherwood you say "clean slate, if you want to play in the final then you need to earn it over the remaining matches" - anyone not playing to their full potential is told there place isn't safe - from Vlaar to Benteke. (Even if he's bluffing!)

I don't think is a hard decision at all. On current form Westwood is light years ahead of Sanchez. Whether there is potential for Sanchez to take that position is a different question but Westwood didn't put a foot wrong recently and rarely does. He's a 7/8 of ten pretty much every game. Sanchez is 10 out of ten one game then 2,3 and 1 the next! I think Westwood is very under-rated on here and he didn't look out of place alongside Delph or Cleverley yesterday - the weakest midfielder we had was N'Zogbia. If it'd have been Westwood that had failed to clear for their opener (instead of Delph) he would have been slaughtered, yet I can't remember a single thing he did wrong yesterday and in many matches. He plays 100%, keeps things tidy and is calm. He might not be the most attacking midfielder we've got but if we put on 11 forward minded players we'll just end up getting relegated having scored the most goals ever!

I'm afraid to say zilch unless you know someone who can't go, can get in with a corporate group or if you're loaded and can buy one from 'select sources'... I'd be prepared to sell mine... A 10% deposit on a new house MIGHT persuade me!

Very interesting site, but having looked at it closely it'd actually work out more than the plane so, unless you're really enjoying the views or can break up your journey, it's just not worth it. Ah well, always look for something new!

I'd posted this in the 'YouTube hilarity' thread but was advised to put it elsewhere - so if this is the wrong place please move it. I made this video by re-editing the 140th Celebrations video with David Bradley. It was a little too sombre for me, so I cut David, remixed video, added more and shoved on a song that just seemed so fitting for Villa! Tried tying the video to the lyrics as much as possible too. I made it about a month back but just got round to uploading it. I have rarely edited videos before but this was just crying out to be made! Fight Like Lions! We're Aston Villa, and we'll go down in history... Not looking for praise, just think it pumps Villa fans up ready for Sunday.

I hope I'm doing this right.... I made this video, might put it in the Villa section if that'd be better place? Basically a pumped up remix of the 140th video we did with David Bradley seeming a little sombre and though it needed a kick. I don't edit videos at all and it was only because I heard a song that sounded so suitable for Villa (especially when we were in trouble) that I just felt I had to make it!

This may not be an educated response but I noticed Tunisia was incredibly cheap, too cheap almost... I think it's a bit volatile there at the moment but how far that spreads and whether it impacts on tourist areas I'm not sure. However it's obviously reduced travel, the museum incident in Tunis won't have helped but it might be perfectly fine. I'd have gone, other half wouldn't as she said any above average risk is too much for a holiday.

Cheers for that - was more 'thinking aloud' than actual planning. Thinking now of one way flight to Budapest, week there, some form of transport to Split in Croatia, week there, then fly homeway. But it's all just thought at moment. Might be worth a separate thread but anyone tried Airbnb type services? Seems pretty cheap for Split. Don't need anything for Budapest as I'd be camping (Sziget Festival).

Has anyone travelled extensively abroad using trains? I'm thinking of heading to Budapest in late August and am trying to decide whether to take the plane or try something new and go by train. I'm not going to drive it as I've done that before! I know it'd take about a day on the train but no idea as to how much it costs (way more or less than plane?) is it too much hassle and has anyone ever used a sleeper train? Plane costs circa £180pp return. Train Route is; Lon St Pan - Paris (Eurostar) 3hrs (+1.30hr for connection) Paris - Zurich (TVG) 4hrs (+1.15hr for connection) Zurich to Budapest (Sleeper) 12hrs Budget is a major consideration due to change of personal circumstances but I quite like the idea of a different way of travelling. Any thoughts?

Reading a follow up article on BBC, it seems as though the whole argument is flawed; as the stand was up for demolition it was no longer insured.

I thought this too BUT I strongly suspect those that got online tickets got way less choice regarding seats than people who phoned up and spoke to a person. I got my tickets online and had choice of about three high tiered blocks. No ideas of row etc. For the record I was quite early in the queue (ST with 2 FA Cup) but was quite disappointed with the options/ information. I was on at 9am on my first day of sale so wasn't exactly hanging about either. Should we get to the final, I'd definitely phone up next time.

Whilst my opinion on Cleverley has softened to the point where if he stays I'd be quite content, I still don't think he's done enough to make us bend over backwards to keep him. If financial constraints remain in place then the difference in quality between Cleverley and Westwood is not enough for the difference in cost. Personally speaking, I think Westwood is more than capable of matching Cleverley. Despite nearly the same number of appearances (TC 26 & AW 22) the stats seem to suggest Westwood is out performing Cleverly, admittedly it's not been a great season though. Westwood has an assist, Cleverley doesn't despite being fit during out upturn in form. Cleverley has picked up 6 yellows to Westwood's 2. Westwood intercepts, clears and blocks more than Cleverly which perhaps only indicates a more defensive position despite having provided an assist. Westwood has made more key passes and is dispossessed less than Cleverley. I'm sure there are plenty of stats the other way round but I don't think enough to warrant Cleverley being chased and huge chunks of any budget being used on him. At his best, he's marginally better than Westwood but largely no different and often worse.

Does anyone else just get the sense that politicians chose the colour of their tie by the likliehood it'll give them power?! I don't believe many of them really feel passionately about most of the issues facing Britain/ the public and will simply flow the way of least resistance to maintaining their grip on power. Lib Dems killed any political will/hope in this country. Once a party that could provide 'change' and were different to the others quickly sold their soul to grab a morsel of power. It just highlighted they're all the same really; rich, well-educated, white, middle-aged males who just care about title. Few have cares more than whether they'll stay in power. How can anyone really inspire the masses to care about a general election when all it really is seat swapping exercise for like for like personalities than value self promotion over making a difference? If the public unanimously said they'd only vote for Raving Mad party, they'd all scramble for their novelty ties just to stay in power. Lib Dems not only abandon free education policy but raise cost to get power. Tory MPs become UKIP as their bandwagon roles on. UKIP members become Tory so they have more chance of votes. The party system doesn't work. I'm not sure what the alternative is but this system is now broken. Maybe all MPs should be independent, they have all year to discuss, research, decide issues that are relevant to their constituents without being told what to do by a party. They abstain from votes that they don't have opinions on. In the modern age almost all issues could be decided by anonymous, referendum type entries on computers. Very few people will agree with every policy with just one party; how do you vote if you're for one thing but against the other a party suggests? I'm rambling. Suffice to say I wont be voting. I see no point, little changes other than the colour of the tie.

That's what I've booked too - cheap, direct, easy. All that's needed. Gets there in plenty of time to soak up atmosphere, no messing with the tube, straight back after match. Would have preferred Official Travel but that's £10 more per person which seems ridiculous since Villa should be arranging a mass discount for all the coaches they are supposed to be putting on. I can't see how National Express can put a special coach from Digbeth to Wembley for 33% less but there you go!

I still fear we are over hyping him. He's played a handful of games, has had some tidy movement, had limited impact in a few games, one assist (?) and one sending off. Ultimately his end product is severely lacking at the moment, his greatest contribution normally comes from winning free kicks. Don't get me wrong, he's got bags of potential but I don't think he should be starting still. I think N'Zogbia (recently) and Gil (on the few games he's played) offer more from kick off. Grealish should still be an impact sub, using his trickery against tired legs. He might be ready for starts next season but needs a little more strength and think we need more experience in that position until we are mathematically safe.

What really irritates me about Sanchez is he makes the SAME mistakes every week. He is constantly trying to let the ball roll across him but will get tackled easily, he has very little strength and fails to hold up the ball nine times out of ten. He doesn't approach the ball and waits for it to come to him and you don't have that luxury in the middle of the park. So whilst he blocks some balls well, he has no ability to hold the ball up, pass to other players or read the play. He always looks like he might get sent off with his delayed reading of the game. It feels like every goal we concede comes from Sanchez hesitation! But I'm not writing him off, for a time he looked like he'd got up to speed but it hasn't been maintained. He's our weakest midfielder and needs to start next season a lot better than this if he is not to be replaced.