Well, I woke up today and said to myself, “today’s the day”, is today the day that Unai and the lads step up and show they have the stomach to pull it out the bag when it matters, or are we going to watch Forest and Palace lift a European trophy whilst we continue to plod through the decade trophy-less? That really is the question, and, no matter what, we will find out the answer tonight.
I cannot rememeber a time where we played Forest at Villa Park and did not win over two goals, but that is merely all well and good when you are playing in bright daylight with all the space in the world in a game that feels like a pre-season friendly.
I have all the love in the world for many of our players, but unfortunately I believe that if you are serious about getting to a European final, there are certiain players that you simply just cannot start. Similar to what I said earlier, it is all good having all the space in the world at home in the Premiership, but certain players just cannot play in this game.
Injury news – Onana is out. Again. I am absolutely fuming. I am done with these players. It is all good going oooh, whey three times at the Holte or away end when we win, but what leg have you got to stand on when you cannot go three games without picking up a knock? It is so weak, and it’s a player who I genuinely think could be worth over £75,000,000 if he could keep fit, but no doubt he will slice that value in half when it’s clocked that he is like a glass hammer. That means Bogarde comes in, who has been miles off it.
As for Forest, the big talk is of Morgan Gibbs-White, who didn’t train yesterday, but I can see him being in the squad, as a mask has been made for him. Murillo is back in training, who didn’t play last week, and Forest have a couple players returning.
Overall – this is probably the biggest Villa game to my memory, and to win this would be one of the best nights of my life, and I will have to find a way to get to Istanbul despite the extortionate flight prices.
I am going to say it, I think we will win 3-0 tonight and take it 3-1 on aggregate. But I believe that whoever gets the first goal will win the tie, that I am confident of. I am too nervous to type anymore, lets just get this over and done with.
UTV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was 15 last time we got to a European final and then won. 59 now and we go again. I felt an elation tonight that has been dormant for so many years. Thank you Villa!
As I said just before kick off, Unai’s master change set up with Lindelof, genius and that is Emery.
Snap! I was a 15 year old kid in Rotterdam with my mom and siblings. Absolutely loved the game and the atmosphere and attitude the players showed. A complete turnaround! Happy 59 year old wishing I still had a season ticket.
I’ll be first to admit i got it wrong the boys turned up tonight they showed determination and fight they fought for everything evey ball every 50 50 ball and played some brilliant football at times
Mcginn buendia Watkins lindelof all brilliant very proud of them
But wish they had turned up against spurs though.
At last another final let’s hope they turn up this time
And its definitely helped my cold better utv and emery
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a post match interview like SJM’s. The most eloquent, honest, intellegent, inspiring and generous I’ve ever heard. What a guy.
And Forest complaining about injuries. F**k them. We’ve had it too but have battled through when even Villa fans were against us.
Who is the scouser on TNT???!!!! Awful.
Villa. You did us proud. Thank you. See you at Burnley to all but cement our CL place next season and the financial opportunities it has so far tried to deny us!!!
UTMV!!!!!!
Let’s get that SJM statue built as part of the North Stand development. A true legend! Love the guy.
Agree 100%. I hope it can be built with him holding the trophy aloft. But Unai would have to have one too!
Where’s Badger? Is our leader okay???
A word from Badger would be good on this momentous day!
Shout out for Torres as well. Probably his best game for us.
Tears tripping me here in turkiye watching that omg I got the whole bar supporting villa there what a night what a memory I like you guys are absolutely in villa heaven tonight
We are destined to win this cup I think and then just onwards
McGinn. Club legend whether we win the final or not. Who signed him? We have to bloody give Brucey some credit (great manager by the way, and I mean it).
Thank you also to Dr Tony. I doubt we’d have been looking at bargains in the Scottish League if the club weren’t financially stricken! Good work! 🤪
I’m still in the warehouse, post match tot is going down too nicely! 🤣
We won! 🥹
So sorry I didn’t watch; I missed a huge occasion and a great night due to lack of faith. But so so happy that it was l, indeed, the ‘rock n roll’ Villa that turned up and battered them, as Bum Bum predicted.
Huge congratulations to Unai, his players, his staff, and Mr Sawiris and Mr Edens. Thank you all! Now, let’s please get the job done in Istanbul!
UTMV!!!
BFR, what are your like!! You never kept the faith, you even never see our future King dance and joined in with the chanting. you missed a great night football. I’m watching it again now on watch back , believe me BFR great game, I felt the same disappointment but forgave them and ashamed the way I felt on previous games. Little 8 I’ve had many great football nights in Turkey with the Turkish fans and how they love the games, I would love to go back there, nearly bought a place in Içmeler and wished I had. Enjoy your holidays,
I am equally ashamed and delighted, Bill. So pleased for all concerned. I’ll take this opportunity to remind everyone of that stark social media post I saw in the winter about Unai that made a permanent impression: “Whatever happens, never turn on this man.”
We would all do very well to remember that.
Meanwhile, I wonder if Bournemouth and Brighton will take their foot off the pedal psychologically, knowing 6th could get them CL if we win it. Whatever, our away form is poor and we need another shift against Burnley!
Ahem. No comments about my spot on 4-1 prediction???
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
It did occur to me Bum Bum.
Numbers for the next lottery draw please 🤣🤣
Bloody hell yes Bum Bum, what horse will win
In the 2-30, I have to admit that when you said that, I wasn’t sure you meant it. The players in the game showed grit and determination and got their rewards, proud Villa fan. Good question where our leader Badger? Get back here mate your our leader.
I’ve emailed Badger but not heard back.
I believe he’s in Spain at the mo.
Don’t want to hear anything about Turkish teams making it hell… that atmosphere last night was more intimidating than any football stadium I’ve ever seen around the world.
Bum Bum. C’mon mate no big deal. Everyone thought it would be 4-1.
😆
BFR think it was you who said we wouldn’t win 3-0… you were right! 🤣🤣
Thanks Bill having an amazing holiday cheers even better watching all the highlights back on you tube yippeeeee UTMV
…meanwhile, Shitcho is making headlines for his (embarrassing) social media exchanges with fans. The sooner he leaves our club the better, in my opinion.
What’s been said??
Shitcho gloating that he’s reached 3 consecutive European finals (which is factually accurate), but fans giving him stick for his lack of input. Shitcho, rather than ignore, engages in pointless and mindless ‘banter.’ Embarrassing. Goals and assists, Shitcho. Goals and assists…
Re some comments asking about Badger – he’s all good. Not sure when he’ll be back on the forum but he is fine. I believe he has been approving posts still behind the scenes.
I will do my best to keep the site up and running as long as it takes, even if it’s not quite the same!
Let me know if there’s anything I can improve.
Thanks Alfie
You’re doing a great job, Alfie.
Personally, I would like to see the links on the right hand side of the page that allow us to go immediately to the latest comments, rather than scrolling through everything every time. It’s an important feature and all would like to have it back…
Alfie, doing a great job mate and that’s not against Badger input, Badger made and saved this site many seasons ago to what it is today, we all have our moments in life when we think I’ve had enough. I know Badger will be back he’s worked bloody hard for what he’s got, he’s now enjoying it, he made the move I didn’t do. I bet the result against Forest made his day. Alfie hold the fort for him and the best site on social media 🥃All round,
Good work Alfie…
Bournemouth and Brighton aren’t going away; make no mistake, Villa need to win tomorrow!
Agreed BFR – Unai has to play a full strength side tomorrow and get the win – we can’t rely on winning the Europa League although I desperately want us to do so.
Win tomorrow and rotate against Pool and trust the gods are with us.
UTMV
A draw against Liverpool is fine, as long as we win tomorrow…
Thanks for the nice comments. BFR I will have a look into your request, and I’ll certainly hold the fort.
Badger is in the UK. Typed the latest article on his computer.
So only Bournemouth and Brighton can catch us now. I did think Fulham would have got a draw against Bournemouth, especially when Christie was sent off but stupidly Andersen evened things up! We need a win now against Burnley as Liverpool and Citeh after probably won’t bring us much. As long as citeh have a chance of winning the title, it means they will need a win against Bournemouth so fingers crossed.
I think we should start thinking about winning and not just surviving. The way we played against Forest and that sleepwalk between ‘Pool and Utd suggests we can finish 4th if not 3rd. A win today with some addition to our GD would be a start. How important will Buendía’s late goal against Spurs be.