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I'm especially pleased with that result as the AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Matt Ryan (the Australian national 'keeper) is currently the meanest 'keeper in all of the Top 5 European domestic leagues.
They are currently second in the Dutch league, unbeaten in nine games, with him conceding only four goals in those nine games.
Yet Villa put four past him last night, can't believe he'll be too happy with that!
After the years of turmoil since we were last in any European competition, several seasons of relegation flirtation, going down to the Championship under Lerner, losing a drab play-off final against Fulham, and all the chaos under that idiot Tony Xia, it finally feels good to have some grown ups in charge who know what they are doing and a team that is delivering on the pitch.
UTV!
They are currently second in the Dutch league, unbeaten in nine games, with him conceding only four goals in those nine games.
Yet Villa put four past him last night, can't believe he'll be too happy with that!
After the years of turmoil since we were last in any European competition, several seasons of relegation flirtation, going down to the Championship under Lerner, losing a drab play-off final against Fulham, and all the chaos under that idiot Tony Xia, it finally feels good to have some grown ups in charge who know what they are doing and a team that is delivering on the pitch.
UTV!
LotusOmega375D said:
Since when has the Dutch league been top 5 in Europe?
England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France = 5 leagues.
Eredivisie is 8th according to this. Not a powerhouse, but not mugs either!England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France = 5 leagues.
https://www.thetoptens.com/soccer/powerful-europea...
Funny old game last night, as Greavsie would say. We arrived about 2 hours before kick-off and were passed by various speeding Police hoolivans with blues and twos. We saw a few Legia fans on the way in, but no trouble makers. The Police appeared to have sealed-off Witton Lane, so I guess other arrangements were made for Home fans’ Doug Ellis stand access. We were in Trinity this time, so when taking my seat, I was very surprised to look across to the Away section and see 100% empty seats. This was 20 minutes before kick-off and we were still blissfully unaware of what had been going on outside.
The lad next to me claimed he had earlier seen someone outside the North stand with blood pouring down his face, but he may have been exaggerating. The stadium announcements didn’t explain anything. Then when Warsaw equalised, there were a few pockets of fans celebrating, who were promptly manhandled out of the stadium by Home fans and stewards. After that, the atmosphere was quite tense and obviously a bit weird, due to the lack of Away fans.
From what we heard afterwards, Legia only had about <1000 tickets allocated, but about 2000/3000 fans turned up, most of whom were bizarrely expecting to buy tickets on the day! I guess the Police thought it was just too difficult and risky to somehow separate the good honest ticket holders from the idiot chancers, who ended up spoiling it for all of their fans and Club.
Aston Villa did well though. I’m off again to the Man City match next week, so that will be the ultimate test of how far we have come. We’re going to have to at the very top of our game to get anything out of it.
The lad next to me claimed he had earlier seen someone outside the North stand with blood pouring down his face, but he may have been exaggerating. The stadium announcements didn’t explain anything. Then when Warsaw equalised, there were a few pockets of fans celebrating, who were promptly manhandled out of the stadium by Home fans and stewards. After that, the atmosphere was quite tense and obviously a bit weird, due to the lack of Away fans.
From what we heard afterwards, Legia only had about <1000 tickets allocated, but about 2000/3000 fans turned up, most of whom were bizarrely expecting to buy tickets on the day! I guess the Police thought it was just too difficult and risky to somehow separate the good honest ticket holders from the idiot chancers, who ended up spoiling it for all of their fans and Club.
Aston Villa did well though. I’m off again to the Man City match next week, so that will be the ultimate test of how far we have come. We’re going to have to at the very top of our game to get anything out of it.
He’s half the player he used to be. Rarely plays a forward pass. Rarely takes on the opposition full-back. Do you remember how he used to be top of the fouled players statistics by about double those of the second placed player? Guardiola has coached that out of him to fit his system. Good for Man City, but not good for Grealish or his fans, of which I am one.
Jacob Ramsey has already usurped him in my opinion.
Jacob Ramsey has already usurped him in my opinion.
Seems like Souness agrees with me. Today’s Daily Mail back page.
Report here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article...
Report here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article...
Edited by LotusOmega375D on Saturday 2nd December 10:33
LotusOmega375D said:
Seems like Souness agrees with me. Today’s Daily Mail back page.
Report here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article...
He was a great player for us, no doubt, but his off-field antics were an utter embarrassment to the club - but that was the price we had to pay as we needed him at the time. It hurt when he left - mostly because of the way that it was handled, rather than the fact he left. Report here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article...
Edited by LotusOmega375D on Saturday 2nd December 10:33
Now, he looks to be a shadow of the player he was, playing in Pep's system. Has he lost that spark and would he ever be able to get it back? Who knows - but one thing is certain, his behaviour and off-field antics would not be tolerated at Unai Emery's Villa - and hopefully Unai is here for a very long time.
Has Grealish matured, or is he just being managed/advised/controlled better as he is no longer the star man? Who knows - I guess time will tell. I think there is still a very good player in there somewhere if he wants there to be. He has won everything at City and has raked in millions, so I am sure he will not be too disappointed if he never makes it back to Villa. If he leaves City I can see him going to Newcastle or possibly to Saudi (although I suppose that is the same thing) - I can't see Arsenal, Liverpool or Man U taking him, and Chelsea can't afford him, Brighton have their recruitment system which is working really well for them, Jack does not fit into it. Doesn't really leave any other options and I can't see him wanting mid-table mediocrity or a relegation scrap.
TriumphStag3.0V8 said:
It has been a shaky start to the season. The loss of Mings has been massive. The shock defeat against Newcastle really rocked confidence in the team and the defence.
Then to lose Carlos shortly afterwards knocked us again.
This on top of Losing Moreno, Buendea and JJ.
5 of our first team players out. It has been a horrible start to the season and we look very shaky at the back.
Yet we are still sixth in the prem, with a positive goal difference, having played Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea and although we lost the first group game in Europe, we are far from out of it.
I think we will have some more shaky games coming up but Unai will mold us back into a solid unit. Still have lots of confidence for this season.
Bring on Everton!
Just following up to my own post Then to lose Carlos shortly afterwards knocked us again.
This on top of Losing Moreno, Buendea and JJ.
5 of our first team players out. It has been a horrible start to the season and we look very shaky at the back.
Yet we are still sixth in the prem, with a positive goal difference, having played Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea and although we lost the first group game in Europe, we are far from out of it.
I think we will have some more shaky games coming up but Unai will mold us back into a solid unit. Still have lots of confidence for this season.
Bring on Everton!
Couple of months on and we sit 4th. We are still without Mings and Buendia. Moreno and JJ are only just about coming back and starting to build up match fitness and we have had Carlos back for about half the season to date.
We have qualified from our Conference League group with one game left to play, and are very likely to finish top of the group.
We have beaten Spurs, Brighton and Chelsea amongst others and have the second highest goals scored in the league.
What a season so far! The next month or so will be pivotal. If we can get something from Arsenal and/or City then we are very real contenders for a CL place. Even if we don't, I am sure we will bounce back quickly.
UTV
TriumphStag3.0V8 said:
LotusOmega375D said:
Seems like Souness agrees with me. Today’s Daily Mail back page.
Report here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article...
He was a great player for us, no doubt, but his off-field antics were an utter embarrassment to the club - but that was the price we had to pay as we needed him at the time. It hurt when he left - mostly because of the way that it was handled, rather than the fact he left. Report here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article...
Edited by LotusOmega375D on Saturday 2nd December 10:33
Now, he looks to be a shadow of the player he was, playing in Pep's system. Has he lost that spark and would he ever be able to get it back? Who knows - but one thing is certain, his behaviour and off-field antics would not be tolerated at Unai Emery's Villa - and hopefully Unai is here for a very long time.
Has Grealish matured, or is he just being managed/advised/controlled better as he is no longer the star man? Who knows - I guess time will tell. I think there is still a very good player in there somewhere if he wants there to be. He has won everything at City and has raked in millions, so I am sure he will not be too disappointed if he never makes it back to Villa. If he leaves City I can see him going to Newcastle or possibly to Saudi (although I suppose that is the same thing) - I can't see Arsenal, Liverpool or Man U taking him, and Chelsea can't afford him, Brighton have their recruitment system which is working really well for them, Jack does not fit into it. Doesn't really leave any other options and I can't see him wanting mid-table mediocrity or a relegation scrap.
I guess though Man City is a good place to be as expected when you win everything and have done for years.
He has 4 seasons left at £300k a week so Man City have £60m tied up in his salary plus the £100m they paid. No one will buy him now for anything over £30m imo.
Quhet said:
That's the best I've seen Villa play in a long long time. Sensational performance from Bailey and McGinn. Got to be our best team since the mid 90s if not earlier. What a time to be a Villa fan!
Too true. Reminds me of standing on the Holte End during the Graham Taylor days. Even some of the songs are the same! Terrific atmosphere from start to finish. There’s a renewed feeling of positivity amongst the fans, which is helping to drive the players on. Just posting this full time score for posterity, in case it’s another 10 years before we beat them again!
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