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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...
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2025/march/10/burrowes...
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.https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2025/march/10/burrowes...
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 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.
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. 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.
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.
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.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.
https://x.com/elipeno/status/1899957567008161993/v...
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.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.
https://x.com/elipeno/status/1899957567008161993/v...
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.

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

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!
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!
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. 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!
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.
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 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
We owe Palace! I can see us winning that one. PSG could go either way. 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

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
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
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