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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Massive tonight think we will lose but with the massive roar of the lions that could help us through UTMV
In the pub now, settling my nerves. Walking to the ground soon, these lads need our support.
McGinn starts, Gibbs-White benched, Murillo benched, Sangare benched. Lindelof in DM.
D.day has arrived and I have a stinking cold not sure if could stay awake to watch to be honest.
I wish I could be more confident and a win would cure my cold but I’m afraid forest want it more than us we are just bottlers going back many years. Maybe if Saunders could come back to life we’d win but emery isn’t tough enough and when things go wrong he just can’t react to it as seen against spurs. With him it’s all about the plan and structure laid down before.
You notice when other teams have problems a player goes down injured and rest of team run to touchline for instructions, not villa though he just stands there while players talk amongst themselves because he has no idea what to do to change it if plan not going to plan.
At least will have another chance next year.by finishing 6th or 7th
Has Unai been listening to the fans.
Lindelof either playing double pivot with Tielemans or we’re going three at the back. Either way at least Unai has thrown the dice – good.
MGW on the bench – don’t think they can risk him unless they’re in a desperate situation but who knows,
Roy, I suspect it’s because Emery trust his players to work to the structure they’ve agreed and additional instruction is only required in extremis.
I’ve been certain we would lose this sf, the same as ‘I knew’ we would lose against Fulham and Spuds – it’s been horrible waiting for defeat after defeat. Maybe the feelings are changing just a little bit – we’re definitely not favourites any more – maybe that just might work in our favour?
Come on you Villa lads; show us just what you are capable of tonight.
UTMV HEITS
I hope he hasn’t based his lineup off the fans, Hitch. I think double pivot though.
That was tongue in cheek by me Alfie 😂
Woke up feeling we will lose. Now seen the tactical switch with Lindelof and I like it.
Going for the win
Roy I totally agree. This is D-Day and will define if we’re winners or bottlers.
I hope Emery can pull this out the bag and finally win something with an English club!
Try and stay awake mate!
All the neutrals want Forest to win. I can’t feel any positivity and to make things worse, Karen Carney is there again to relish a Villa defeat.
First goal is crucial assuming it’s not 0-0. Forest score first and it will be game over IMO.
We won’t won 3-0. That’s all I can say.
They will defend deep and hit us on the break with fast, dynamic, attacking players. If we amble at back, they’ll set traps and press us high. We’ve got our work cut out. The only way to win is if the Villa that played PSG and Newcastle at VP last season and Arsenal this season turn up. The ‘rock n roll’ Villa. If ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ Villa turns up, it will be curtains. Again.
And no, I won’t be watching. A bleery eyed Google search at 6 tomorrow morning with heart in mouth. See you on the other side…
There really is a healthy decided on here tonight. I just hope you can all cope with a final.
Here we go!!!!
Divide even
Where’s VAR – that’s a penalty; not that we’ll get one!
Wow!!!!!
Buendia is on FIRE
Villa are on fire! Keep it going!!!
Can we keep it going and will Forest be as inept in the second half.
Next goal probably wins it.
Here we go. 45 minutes to define us.
Buendia earned that
What a bloody game!!!!!
Little Emi!! A player we were happy to move on has been on fire tonight!! Boy, football is confusing!!!
Hold on boys!!!!
Big Emi is solid tonight thankfully!!
SJM!!!!!!!!!!
Delighted you are there Alfie. You deserve to be on this amazing occasion. Cheers mate
Cheers mate! UTV
Super John McGinn – hope you’re watching BFR
Torres has been sensational as well
Gotta be Mcginn for me but every one of the villians are hero’s what a night. And Uni never panicked. It was always a plan
OMG! We were fantastic tonight!
We haven’t played like this since we narrowly lost to PSG, and we were awesome then too. Wow! Wow! Wow!
F**k the Tottenham game! In Emery we trust!!!!