Well, yet again, another European away day for Aston Villa, and I have been fortunate enough to be able to be there again having got 4 tickets on the website by the absolute skin of our teeth (seriously, there was about 10 tickets left when it dropped to our priority window)!
We flew out this time, as opposed to the coach for Feyenoord, on the Tuesday morning to the EuroAirport, which is actually in France, with one exit taking you to France, and one taking you to Switzerland, and it also covers Freiburg, Germany. We got out and stopped off in the square by the train station and had a drink in Mr Pickwick’s, which was the designated meeting point for match-day before heading to the apartment, which was great, and catching up on some much needed sleep!
Waking up on the Wednesday, we visited the border triangle on the Rhine River, which has France, Germany and Switzerland in walking distance of each other, hence the name “triangle”. Following that, we headed to the highly rated Christmas market and were very impressed, very compact. Once we were done with that, we attended the Wednesday meet-up point at Paddy Reilly’s which was arranged by Steve from the Swiss Lions! We managed to meet up with Ian Taylor years after we coincidentally sat next to him on a Jet2 flight a few years back. The night continued until around midnight, and we then headed back on the amazing and completely free public transport (it was absolutely incredible, if you ever go to Switzerland, please use this).
Thursday morning. Match-day. We headed to Mr Pickwick’s early just after some souvenir shopping, and I bought a Basel themed “Gonk”, which made the regional news channel 🤣! Villa fans drunk there throughout the day and then it was time for the match. No problem getting into the stadium, in fact, I got in with a power bank and a can of Carlsberg… both “strictly prohibited” items… hm. Anyways, the bad part, you probably heard Basel fans over us all night, it was one of the flattest atmospheres I’ve ever been involved in unfortunately, with toilets that seemed like miles away from the seating area, and a 45 minute hold back at the end. I’m not sure how our first goal hit the back of the net, I thought it was missing from the upper section in the away section. We then got hit back with a more than deserved, easy peasy equaliser with some sloppy defending, I don’t think Martinez would have stopped that either, but maybe Torres would have cleared it with his head, I’m not sure. Tielemans goal was brilliant, which meant we got a very lucky win, but I suppose a win is a win, and West Ham is a must win on Sunday, which I’ll be at again. UTV
Now, for those interested if they read anything about this. There was a flare let off by an idiotic Villa fan, causing a young fan, who I hear has just recovered from a car crash, to be stretchered out with blood pouring from his eyes and other body parts. This is not the behaviour I want in our away sections, ever. I hear the fan is all well, but I was terrified. I heard a bang, and turned around to see smoke. Then a second one went off ten minutes later, and Villa fans started running to the exit, which was a mortifying sight, trust me, that’s a terrifying sight. But turns out it was just some Villa fans being stupid. But thought I’d clear it up.
So another great (and expensive!) trip, so grateful to be able to do this with this football club and I have attached some pictures below of some of the things I have discussed on this article!
Twins on Tour, eh?
Sounds like a really memorable trip!
A rocket nearly up your arse is what you’ll probably remember about the game in 50 years time 🙂
Seriously though, that’s a shame. I saw it reported earlier and assumed it was a Basel fan who did it.
It kicked off slightly at around 2am and even a plain clothes copper was injured. All instigated by their fans.
As for the game, I’m not sure we were lucky, but I wouldn’t begrudge you that view. I had no doubt we’d win after seeing them early on and would not have been happy if we had lost.
We did what was needed and that’ll do.
I didn’t think we played too well to be honest, and a lot said the same. But I stand by that you get a better picture of the game watching it on TV, which I know that’s why you like it, along with being in the warm and having a beer haha. 😉
Fener next.
I assume you’d draw the line at that one?
Nah, think I’m going. Flights are dirt cheap and there are some posh hotels going for pennies.
Nah, think I’m going. Flights are dirt cheap and there are some posh looking hotels going for pennies.
Also will easily get a ticket at 2,400 allocation, and it being in Türkiye.
That’ll definitely be an experience.
Yeah. Still not confirmed, but it is on the cards, I’ll purchase a ticket when they come out.
Great report Alfie and really nice to see the pictures.
Best of luck with your trip to Istanbul. A very different experience to Basel. I suggest you don’t show any colours after the match especially if Fener do not win.
Thank you mate. Yeah, I try to upload a few whenever I cover a European trip on here. Thanks mate, and yes, I imagine that it will be different. To be honest I wasn’t overly keen on showing my colours after the match against Basel, so Fenerbahce is a huge no, I want to be out of there ASAP.
Good one lads, enjoyed the read and the photies – now you’re international TV stars, can I have your autographs next time we have a drink? 🙂
Interestingly Emery agreed that we didn’t play that well, partly putting it down to reaction to Saturday’s game and I suspect the ‘flat atmosphere’ in the stand was a similar reaction.
We were the better team but tbf to Basel made a real game of it which befits their home record in the Europa Cup / League being undefeated with 7 consecutive wins since 2015!
As you say – a win’s a win – now, if you could just organise another win on Sunday it would be class.
Cheers Hitch, I’m sure we can arrange something… if I have time 😉
I can see why Emery thought that, we looked sloppy. I said 1-2 to be fair. I’m glad that’s how we won though, we rotated a lot of players and scraped a win meaning that we’ve managed to get a win by doing the bare minimum, meaning that we should have a nice and fit squad for West Ham. As for the atmosphere, I’d imagine so yeah, Basel’s fans were phenomenal though.
I did not realise Basel had a record like that, I’m guessing they’ve barely been in the Europa League then. But yeah, roll on Sunday, I’ll see what I can do.., a win there would be absolutely huge!
Actually Basel only missed one year in Europa (last year) since 2015 so they’re no pushover at home.
Enjoy your trip to Turkey. It’s a great place to visit but take care; their Ultras have an unpleasant reputation.
I don’t see how they’ve only played 7 home games in ten years though?
Yeah I will do if I go, which I should be. In all honesty, I heard simiar about Basel’s ultras and apparently not much went on despite Villa winning the game 1-2. It’s just about not showing Villa colours after the game. But before the game, I was singing in front of all of the Basel fans with literally about 4 of us, it was mostly couples, families and even neutrals. But to be fair, our entrance was on the opposite side of where their ultras are situated, so that makes perfect sense to be fair.
Think it was something like two draws, then seven wins – missed last season and then defeat to Villa.
Someone else can check the maths. 🙂
Ah okay. I’ll look into it when I can.
Nice read Alfie, Istanbul nice place you’ll like it and cheap. You put me to when I followed Villa all over England loved to have done what you’ve done. Thought the game was weak in some positions but yes a win is a win. I’ve invited my West Ham neighbour around Sunday watching the game which should be fun 😇. Good luck on your venture UTV.
Thank you very much Bill. Yeah, that’s what I’m hoping for, Basel was £9 a pint in one of the bars and we were in there 6pm until 12.30am on the Wednesday night, painful!
Glad to have taken you back to your prime days following Villa, though! I am incredibly grateful to get to do this and I just want to see us lift a trophy whilst I do so! I am still a little hurt because I really thought that the FA Cup was ours last year, and to see Palace win it was so annoying, to be honest.
Yeah, win is a win, we did what we needed to and the best sides win without playing well, especially away and especially in Europe. Hope you have a nice time watching the game with your neighbour, and I hope he walks out of your house miserable following an Aston Villa win!
Appreciate it mate, wonder where the knockout stages will take us. To be honest I wouldn’t mind Nottingham Forest, it’s seriously just a cheap game to keep my booking history going whilst barely having to spend any money, because my bank account sure is taking the hit from these trips! UTV.
£9 a pint? It’s £12 a pint in some London pubs.
Sounds like u had a great time lads!! Just stay safe!!!!
I’ve never known pints to be £12 in London. We did Brentford away in the cup in September, which is probably one of the most expensive parts of London, and it was around £7-£7.50 a pint, which we thought was awful still.
Yeah we did! And yes, that is the most important thing of course.
A mate of mine, during covid went to his local and they were charging £30 a pint. They claimed it was to make up for having to close. £30. I kid you not!!!!!! That’s East Dulwich for you…
Another reason why I only drink wine, the beautiful amber nectar or Bajan rum.
Bottoms up!
£15 for a large in Euston Station!!!! Shocking. That’s duty, the minimum wage and the raise in NI. Drink at a Micro Pub!!!!
Well that’s an absolute joke. Did anyone seriously pay £30?
Great pics Alfie good to see some pics of my fellow news and views family
No problem mate! Always try and source some photos for the European away days. West Ham tomorrow… I do love a domestic away, but if we don’t win I won’t be happy at all.
Watching Arse against Wolves.
Arse must have been watching the Villa / Wolves game. No intensity, lots of sideways passing etc. – best chance to Wolves and the only shot on target in the first half.
Great if Wolves won but would destroy my FFP team and used my wild card as well. Just shows – trying to be too clever loading up on Arse 🙂
Watch the bar stewards net an 88th minute winner 😡
Wolves sound well organised though.
It had to happen.
Very lucky goal off the back f the GK – shades of Martínez but can’t remember which game it was.
Wolves playing pretty well and more than a little unlucky.
Wolves equalise and it’s no more than they deserve.
Completely bo**oxed my FFP team but do I care – no!
Ah well, shame it didn’t last!
Wolves OG. Can you believe it!!!!
Wish Wolves won that but couldn’t help but chuckle at that last goal, Wolves are hopeless.