The Official Aston Villa FC thread

The Official Aston Villa FC thread

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Discussion

bristolbaron

5,227 posts

224 months

Thursday 13th March
quotequote all
Just popping my head in the door, whilst not a Villa fan as such I’ve been following my friends sons progress over the past couple of years within the academy. He’s just turned 17 and has now signed his first pro contract - fingers crossed in time he’ll make his way into the 1st team:

https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2025/march/10/burrowes...

TriumphStag3.0V8

4,432 posts

93 months

Thursday 13th March
quotequote all
bristolbaron said:
Just popping my head in the door, whilst not a Villa fan as such I’ve been following my friends sons progress over the past couple of years within the academy. He’s just turned 17 and has now signed his first pro contract - fingers crossed in time he’ll make his way into the 1st team:

https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2025/march/10/burrowes...
Good luck to the lad. Wonder if he will make an appearance on the bench against Preston.

TriumphStag3.0V8

4,432 posts

93 months

Thursday 13th March
quotequote all
LotusOmega375D said:
Job done again last night. Asensio could have had a 10 minute hat-trick after coming on (2 goals + hitting inside of post). Credit to Brugge fans, who kept on singing, often in English. Great to see more previously injured players coming back too. We were seated very high up yesterday:

Yes, a clean sheet and not really having to get out of second gear. Bit nervy at the start but calmed down well. Will be a hell of a game against PSG but we do raise our game against the big teams. Let's hope for no injuries during the internationals.

type-r

16,271 posts

225 months

Thursday 13th March
quotequote all
As a Liverpool fan, I would love to see you guys go all the way. Your manager is wiley, you have a good team and I reckon you'll find a past PSG. Just need to summon up some of the Rafa spirit from 2005.

SWoll

19,943 posts

270 months

Thursday 13th March
quotequote all
type-r said:
As a Liverpool fan, I would love to see you guys go all the way. Your manager is wiley, you have a good team and I reckon you'll find a past PSG. Just need to summon up some of the Rafa spirit from 2005.
Same here. Lots of friends and family in the Midlands who are Villa fans and season ticket holders so the team I'm now supporting in the competition.

Emery a proper European specialist so in good hands.

buyerandseller

819 posts

190 months

Thursday 13th March
quotequote all
LotusOmega375D said:
Job done again last night. Asensio could have had a 10 minute hat-trick after coming on (2 goals + hitting inside of post). Credit to Brugge fans, who kept on singing, often in English. Great to see more previously injured players coming back too. We were seated very high up yesterday:

Magnificent sight, couple of my friends, who were at the game, proud to see their Dad's face on the banner, Vic Crowe.

Shooter McGavin

8,076 posts

156 months

Thursday 13th March
quotequote all
Marvellous to see us progress into the last 8, but the sending off rather killed it as a tie.

Whenever an opposition player is sent off or a penalty is awarded against them, I try to view it through the eyes of "would I be happy if that was given against us?".

For both the soft penalty in the first leg and last night's sending off I thought they were a bit harsh on Brugge, but we don't make the rules. There have been occasions in the past where we've not had the rub of the green with the refs, all part and parcel of the game. I'd just hate to fall foul of it if the boot was on the other foot.

I try not to be a conspiracy theorist but I've watched the Atletico Madrid 'double touch' penalty about twenty times and genuinely cannot see where Julian Alvarez has touched it twice. There is no movement/deflection of the ball whatsoever, it makes me feel very, very nervous about VAR as we move into the closing stages against the ever-present 'bigger' clubs. If we are to lose to PSG (I'd love to beat them, but just can't see it happening) I would like it to be fair and square rather than a massively contentious VAR decision like that.




SWoll

19,943 posts

270 months

Thursday 13th March
quotequote all
Shooter McGavin said:
Marvellous to see us progress into the last 8, but the sending off rather killed it as a tie.

Whenever an opposition player is sent off or a penalty is awarded against them, I try to view it through the eyes of "would I be happy if that was given against us?".

For both the soft penalty in the first leg and last night's sending off I thought they were a bit harsh on Brugge, but we don't make the rules. There have been occasions in the past where we've not had the rub of the green with the refs, all part and parcel of the game. I'd just hate to fall foul of it if the boot was on the other foot.

I try not to be a conspiracy theorist but I've watched the Atletico Madrid 'double touch' penalty about twenty times and genuinely cannot see where Julian Alvarez has touched it twice. There is no movement/deflection of the ball whatsoever, it makes me feel very, very nervous about VAR as we move into the closing stages against the ever-present 'bigger' clubs. If we are to lose to PSG (I'd love to beat them, but just can't see it happening) I would like it to be fair and square rather than a massively contentious VAR decision like that.
There's a close-up slo-mo video doing the rounds on Twitter etc. where you can see his left foot slip and lightly touch the ball before he hits it with his right.

https://x.com/elipeno/status/1899957567008161993/v...

Shooter McGavin

8,076 posts

156 months

Thursday 13th March
quotequote all
SWoll said:
Shooter McGavin said:
Marvellous to see us progress into the last 8, but the sending off rather killed it as a tie.

Whenever an opposition player is sent off or a penalty is awarded against them, I try to view it through the eyes of "would I be happy if that was given against us?".

For both the soft penalty in the first leg and last night's sending off I thought they were a bit harsh on Brugge, but we don't make the rules. There have been occasions in the past where we've not had the rub of the green with the refs, all part and parcel of the game. I'd just hate to fall foul of it if the boot was on the other foot.

I try not to be a conspiracy theorist but I've watched the Atletico Madrid 'double touch' penalty about twenty times and genuinely cannot see where Julian Alvarez has touched it twice. There is no movement/deflection of the ball whatsoever, it makes me feel very, very nervous about VAR as we move into the closing stages against the ever-present 'bigger' clubs. If we are to lose to PSG (I'd love to beat them, but just can't see it happening) I would like it to be fair and square rather than a massively contentious VAR decision like that.
There's a close-up slo-mo video doing the rounds on Twitter etc. where you can see his left foot slip and lightly touch the ball before he hits it with his right.

https://x.com/elipeno/status/1899957567008161993/v...
Probably one for a VAR thread, but personally I don't think that is conclusive. To me it shows his left foot went microscopically close to touching it, but didn't actually touch it before his right foot did. There was no wobble on the ball or deflection.

I felt Altetico were extremely hard done by, if I were in charge the rule in this case, where someone clearly accidentally slips, should be that they retake it. Especially in a world where all these pathetic stuttered run ups designed to throw the 'keeper off balance are permitted, it's a bit of a joke.

Hopefully Asensio will put three past PSG in each leg so we won't have to discuss this for Villa. hehe

bristolbaron

5,227 posts

224 months

Thursday 13th March
quotequote all
TriumphStag3.0V8 said:
bristolbaron said:
Just popping my head in the door, whilst not a Villa fan as such I’ve been following my friends sons progress over the past couple of years within the academy. He’s just turned 17 and has now signed his first pro contract - fingers crossed in time he’ll make his way into the 1st team:

https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2025/march/10/burrowes...
Good luck to the lad. Wonder if he will make an appearance on the bench against Preston.
Quite possible, he’s been called up for the England U17 squad for next week now so if he impresses in those games he could be in with a shout. bounce

LotusOmega375D

8,429 posts

165 months

Tuesday 1st April
quotequote all
So maybe time to take stock as the season run-in starts. Basically no other Premier League club still has so much to play for. Even the U18 side has just reached the FA Youth Cup final. Secondly we seem to be getting all of our senior players back to full fitness (touch wood).

Premier League.
Brighton (A)
Forest (H)
Southampton (A)
Newcastle (H)
Man City (A)
Fulham (H)
Bournemouth (A)
Tottenham (H)
Man Utd (A)

Most of those fixtures are effectively European place 6 pointers, so there’s plenty to play for on that front.

Champions League QF
PSG (A & H)

FA Cup SF
Crystal Palace

Do you think we will end up with any silverware at long last? From all of the above I would happily take an FA Cup win and the corresponding Europa League qualification. Or will we end up with nothing? To be honest we’ve probably reached the end of the road in the Champions League, but you never know!




Gad-Westy

15,438 posts

225 months

Tuesday 1st April
quotequote all
LotusOmega375D said:
So maybe time to take stock as the season run-in starts. Basically no other Premier League club still has so much to play for. Even the U18 side has just reached the FA Youth Cup final. Secondly we seem to be getting all of our senior players back to full fitness (touch wood).

Premier League.
Brighton (A)
Forest (H)
Southampton (A)
Newcastle (H)
Man City (A)
Fulham (H)
Bournemouth (A)
Tottenham (H)
Man Utd (A)

Most of those fixtures are effectively European place 6 pointers, so there’s plenty to play for on that front.

Champions League QF
PSG (A & H)

FA Cup SF
Crystal Palace

Do you think we will end up with any silverware at long last? From all of the above I would happily take an FA Cup win and the corresponding Europa League qualification. Or will we end up with nothing? To be honest we’ve probably reached the end of the road in the Champions League, but you never know!
The CL would be a dream but does seem a tall order! The FA cup and top 6 in the PL would do very nicely I think given how things currently sit. That said, fourth to tenth is so tight at present that maybe a top four finish wouldn't be so ambitious.

buyerandseller

819 posts

190 months

Tuesday 1st April
quotequote all
I think with Unai at the helm anything is possible, as mentioned the availability of key players is essential with, I think, only Barclay currently injured.

I fancy Villa to be able to beat PSG over two legs, although their cheating by having the league match in between fixtures postponed may push things in their favour and shows they're treating Villa seriously, but Unai will certainly have a point to prove.

On their day, with all personnel available, Villa can beat any team home or away, so can't see any reason they can't win the FA Cup and climb up the league in to a European qualifying position.

Shooter McGavin

8,076 posts

156 months

Tuesday 1st April
quotequote all
Your glass is very much half full!

Much as I am enjoying the ride this season, I can't see us beating PSG and Palace have become a bit of a bogey team for us.

I hope you are right and I am wrong, time will tell eek

Quhet

2,621 posts

158 months

Thursday 3rd April
quotequote all
Fantastic win last night and great to see Malen get his goal. Our January transfer business is looking better and better with each game!

TriumphStag3.0V8

4,432 posts

93 months

Thursday 3rd April
quotequote all
Shooter McGavin said:
Your glass is very much half full!

Much as I am enjoying the ride this season, I can't see us beating PSG and Palace have become a bit of a bogey team for us.

I hope you are right and I am wrong, time will tell eek
We owe Palace! I can see us winning that one. PSG could go either way.

buyerandseller

819 posts

190 months

Sunday 6th April
quotequote all
Cracking result at the weekend, just coming into form at the right time, City and Chelsea dropping points puts Villa right back in the mix for a UCL place.

Judging by recent performances PSG overcoming Liverpool may not turn out to be the wonder performance it was reported as, still fancy Villa over the two legs.

UTV


Tim O

610 posts

181 months

Sunday 6th April
quotequote all
For the Wordle players amongst us, well, today, it’s a sign, I tell you, a sign!

TriumphStag3.0V8

4,432 posts

93 months

Monday 7th April
quotequote all
Tim O said:
For the Wordle players amongst us, well, today, it’s a sign, I tell you, a sign!
What was it? Villa?

Tim O

610 posts

181 months

Monday 7th April
quotequote all
TriumphStag3.0V8 said:
Tim O said:
For the Wordle players amongst us, well, today, it’s a sign, I tell you, a sign!
What was it? Villa?
Yes! 😀