And thankfully we got it.
If nothing else, it should stop our confidence deteriorating even more.
Straight away, I should say that this was not a good performance today and you could see why Brighton are struggling so badly. I think Martinez only had to handle the ball on one occasion after a shot from Maupey.
They threatened a lot early on and I couldn’t see them not scoring, but the stat where they have scored only 10 goals at home in 13 games says it all. It’s hard to see why too really, as they do all the right things and really should have punished us at least a couple of times. Indeed, I just couldn’t see them not scoring.
We weren’t helping ourselves by giving the ball away so stupidly with Ramsey and Mings being particularly notable.
Douglas Luiz also gave away two shockers, but they were later in the game. Fortunately Brighton didn’t make anything from the chances, but make no mistake, we’d probably have been punished on each occasion by a more incisive side.
But while I thought we were not at all good early on, I did think things got better and at times, we looked much better than of late.
Today’s puzzling decision from the manager centred on him electing to play Ings and Watkins up top again.
And it didn’t work. Again.
Ings was invisible, full stop and while Watkins looked completely devoid of confidence and desire, he did at least manage to get on the scoresheet after Mings did exactly what we’ve all been complaining about in launching another long punt for Olly to run onto.
Fortunately, after maybe a hundred attempts of trying this tired, failed tactic, they actually got it right for once and Olly was given the chance to do exactly what he is best at. Running onto the ball, as opposed to being given it.
He simply dispatched it with aplomb.
I’m happy for him because he’s been getting dog’s abuse from some fans on other sites. He has been incredibly poor of late, in my opinion, but he’s allowed that as long as he keeps scoring.
That was our second goal though and I’ve got ahead of myself.
I know John McGinn got MOTM today and I can definitely see why. He ran his guts out and looked strong, while making decent runs, passing mostly well and even defending well to at times. A very good all round game.
But I would have given the award to Matty Cash, who seemed to be involved in nearly everthing. The icing on the cake was that he also scored a very tidy goal too. He’s another one I’m happy for as he’s been getting loads of verbals via the internet too. I really don’t get it, because I think he’s possibly been our single most consistent player this season.
And then, it seemed to me that in the last few minutes we actually increased the pressing. Okay, it wasn’t as dynamic as you’d expect, but it was very late into the game. Was this down to increased fitness or just increased confidence?
I suspect the latter and this result, which is frankly all that mattered today, will have seriously helped the lads.
Certainly Matty Cash looked ecstatic as he was leaving the pitch.
I have two things left to say.
The referee was terrible. I thought the latest edict was to try and let play continue and to give the benefit of the doubt? Well, at one stage we’d commited 5 fouls and got 4 bookings. Which makes us look the dirty side, which we weren’t at all. Indeed Brighton looked to me like they wanted to try and get a Villa player a red.
That said, we didn’t help ourselves.
Cash got one for taking his shirt off. I believe that there was sort of half permission to show pro Ukraine messages on your shirt today, which is what Cash did. But he took his shirt completely off, which is an automatic yellow.
Mings got one for steaming in and opening his trap after another Brighton foul and Ramsey one for something stupid too, which I forget.
The point is we shouldn’t be conceding needless bookings as often as we do.
And the final thing is to salute the fans, some of who spent five hours getting to the game after a big pile-up on the A23. They were in fantastic voice yet again.
Let’s hope we can move forward after this result.
UTV!
Comments
111 responses to “Brighton 0-2 Villa; The win was all that mattered.”
A win is a win and Gerrard saves himself from what I think would have been serious stick if we’d have lost after pairing Ings and Watkins again.
I do not agree Badger over Minns and Ramsey giving the ball away, yes on Luiz he is the biggest culprit every match to me, Ok slow start first 10-20 minutes but let’s face it shocking game for fouls 17 Brighton and 11 Villa makes it a questionable game of football. Not only that giving us a inexperienced official, they backed it up with Michael Oliver on VAR. Poor game but welcome points?
Mings was out wide, nearly on the touchline, where he came under pressure and passed the ball back to Martinez, nearly giving a goal away. Okay they didn’t score from it, but it was a terrible decision. You’re correct though having thought about it, he didn’t actually give it away.
In fairness, he was actually quite solid for most of the game.
Ramsey got turned over directly in front of the box instead of hoofing it, to give them a chance.
Again he didn’t actually give it away, but it amounts to the same thing.
You’re right though. Luiz undermined everything he had done with two straight passes to the opposition.
In other news, Roman Abramovich has handed over control to Chelsea’s charitable foundation.
I’m not sure what the implications of that are, but it is a big decision and Sky have just announced it during the Man City game.
There is pressure on the government to seize Abramovich’s assets as he’s allegedly close to Putin. That would include Chelsea and I’m unclear what the implications of that would be – possible they wouldn’t be able to trade.
I suspect, by transferring the asset into the charitable foundation, it will be protected from any government sanctions. I’m groping in the dark though.
OLL might have a view on this.
Definitely what he is trying to do. Hope it gets seized anyway, not wishing ill on the team/fans. We’ve spent too long laundering dodgy Russian money.
There are lots of reasons why playing out from the back is unnecessary. Here is one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrJANwX8YJ8 – see 2:55 (Tony Daley goal)
Enjoy!
Memories BFR, we had only one player that sent the long ball today and not even praised for it.. happy days.
Great memories. I find that far more entertaining than Martinez passing the ball to Mings in his own area, which only serves to help the opposition’s attack. Where’s the logic? There are more ‘long ball’ goals I recall but can’t find the YouTube clips. Playing out from the back is a nonsense, and I’d gladly argue that with Pep himself.
Apologies, didn’t see the new post so am reposting here.
I didn’t want to make a prediction but I had a strong feeling we’d win today – and I’m honestly not being clever after the event.
That relieves a lot of pressure on the fans, the players and the manager. Now go out and show us what you can really do.
It was reminiscent of the Everton game – gritty, hard fought and resilient. McGinn was everywhere and deservedly MoTM.
We have to find a way of combining that resilience with the more expansive style of play (particularly at home) that SG demands and all the fans want to see.
Fair play to SG – he got it spot on today.
No penalty decision via VAR, if that was villa it would be a pen every time!
Tom, I’ll give you the reason, it was Michael Oliver on VAR and he’s not a Villa Fan.
It was a top gesture by SG to give Iroegbunam his debut today – also showed his trust in him to help see the game out.
I notice that Chukweumeka was not on the bench. If he won’t sign a new contract then it’s pointless offering him opportunities. If it’s the case then I’m with the decision not to include him in match day squads – something to watch for.
Luiz disappoints me – imho he’s a show boater – he had opportunities to play simple balls today but tried to be ‘clever’. He get’s caught out and his two misplaced passes were simply appalling. Luiz has had his chance and if rumours are true he wants a move then why keep playing him?
Time to give Sanson a run in the side – I think he’ll surprise a few given an opportunity to play a run of games.
I’m still hoping Sanson turns out to be a good player for us. Needs to stay fit and get game time.
It’ll be a damn shame if we lose Chukwuemeka. We will rue it. Jude Bellingham mark 2 in my opinion. Classy player with unlimited potential. Real shame.
Thing is Ron, how many times have we said that in the past? Remember the Moore brothers? And how many great players have we sold because they were crap at the time.
Anyone got a claret and blue crystal ball?
It’s a fair point, Bum Bum. I thought Nathan Delfouneso was going to make it. Chuky does seem to be a ‘Rolls Royce’ of a player – he has that effortless, languid style. His hat-trick performance against Newcastle in the youth team last season was magnificent. I do think he’ll make it, whether at VP or not. I’d put money on it – about a fiver to be exact.
According to the BBC – Abramovich has loaned Chelsea £1.5bn which ‘they don’t believe is about to be called in’ – wow! How does that square with FFP?
And we have owners that have invested £100’s of millions into our club through share issues – essentially backing themselves to increase the value of the club by taking us to the top of European football. As a result we have no debt – we might moan about our luck on the field but as supporters we are super lucky to have NSWE as owners.
We should never forget that we owe our owners a massive debt of gratitude.
You’re being exceptionally generous with the plaudits today Hitch 🙂
I get the sentiment, but don’t think we should forget it’s an investment that they hope to get a very good return on and not a gift.
I’m not suggesting they haven’t been good to us though.
As for that £1.5 billion, wow, that leaves them in good stead doesn’t it?
And I thought the club was supposed to be making a profit now?
Was he worried that the money might be sequestered? I suspect so.
I’m trying to be more objective in my advancing years – and not to be so negative – probably only last as long as it takes for us to lose a game though 🙂
Absolutely, you’re right it is an investment Badger and I truly hope they make a mint as, for the fans, that’ll be reflected in Villa being a European force.
I would still rather us be debt free than owing our owners £100’s millions.
Oops. ignore the last line. You’ve already said his assets might be seized.
He does have some genuine assets now though. His shares in Gazprom earned him about £650 million in dividends just the other day.
My shares in Lloyd’s earned me £0.67p last year 🙂 🙂
Nobody likes a show off Hitch 😂
That’s because it was Lloyd’s the cheap chemists!!!!
Anyone see Villa loanee Fin Azaz goal yesterday for Newport? Stunner. Not a player that’s been talked about much but is having a really good season, definite promise in that lad as well as our others like Kesler Hayden, Archer, A.Ramsey. it would be superb if we can turn some of these lads in to stars.
I’ve never even heard of him????
It is a lovely goal though. Video here, around 1:28;
https://www.skysports.com/football/newport-county-afc-vs-tranmere-rovers/report/448844
We nicked him from Albion; I think they let him go but not sure on that.
I have had my eye on him since the FA Youth Cup squad. He is a key engine-room player. A bit surprised he only went to League 2, but it will toughen him up.
I know this is completely unrelated to yesterday’s (good) result, BUT, can anyone tell me why almost every (men’s) football player these days appears to be wearing a sports bra??
I think it’s to hold an electronic device for performance monitoring
Thank you. That makes some sort of sense.
I simply thought that along with boots that let them skid all over the place, this was some sort of sports-fashion that didn’t exist until recently!
For instance, its how they know how many km a player runs in a game. I think it also monitors heart and lung functions.
Thanks gents. Like so many modern things it just perplexed me…
Wonder if it’s just in the PL, or do they all wear this stuff in the Championship and lower leagues?
Right down to league 2. The lump of the insert between the shoulder blades is unsightly. However the bra would let players dispose of the undershirt. I always wore an undershirt to counter the caustic effect of the rear of an embroidered club badge on the left nipple.
Nope. You’re all wrong. It’s because they’re really sexy in a trans way!!!! As Alan Partridge would say “Would anyone like to smell my cheese”?
So they’re all ‘fannies’ after all 🙂
How long before a PL club wears a a full rainbow strip?
Ooo you are awful, but I like it. 😂
See Bielsa’s been sacked – so we can benefit from new manager bounce
At least we’re consistent in something 🙂
So my semi prediction has come true.
How typical 🙁
Not really Badger, you’ve managed to get it wrong on match day many times, but to your defence you called that right,.
That’s gratitude for you. Leeds will go down this season. And we’ll beat them in two weeks.
That’s a big prediction BFR.
I suspect Brentford may be in more trouble though.
I think BFR may be on the right track.
The guy that Leeds are apparently ready to appoint (Marsch) so quickly didn’t even last 6 months in his last job, and has no PL experience at all. They are in free-fall at the moment and only have 12 games left in which to turn it around.
Everton look dodgy as well.
The longer they’re tied up in the FA Cup, the harder it’ll be. It’s surprising how many times a team reaches Wembley only to be relegated.
They’re going to be in the mix to the end of the season.
Everton make official complain to PL over refereeing decisions. Damn right. We should have done that a long time ago. Not that it’ll make a difference. How was Rodrigo moving his arm out towards the ball to control it not a pen? Would it have been given if an Everton defender had done it at the other end? You bet your ass it would have.
Not just the generally poor standard of refereeing but the complete failure of VAR to do what it’s supposed to do.
There’s an overriding bias in decision making towards a few clubs and it’s becomingly embarrassingly obvious to all but those in authority.
it has to stop as the game’s being slowly killed off.
Hitch, you’re completely right about VAR.
But I’d also stress the absolutely abysmal standard of most of the refereeing I’ve watched this season: refs appear to lack any consistency, common sense or courage: they allow blatant fouls and then produce a rash of yellow cards for what used to be taken as normal physical contact. I could go on…
Part of the problem may be VAR itself: referees (especially the less-experienced ones) allow it to make decisions for them, rather than using their own judgement or listening to anything the linesmen/women say to them; in fact the ‘assistants’ at pitchside now seem completely pointless – everything is decided by a few people in the VAR room.
Balls are what they lack.
And integrity. And professional pride. And balls. Did I mention balls?
Agree completely. It was so obvious that VAR should have confirmed the penalty in 10 seconds, not (again) looking at the previous couple of minutes ‘build-up’ to find a reason for not giving it.
Sounds vaguely familiar 🙂
I watched that at the time. 100% handball, but not surprised when it wasn’t given.
Totally agree about the reffing too. I’ve always accepted mistakes as part of the game, but there has to be big money changing hands now imo.
No doubt, Badger. The individuals in the VAR room are no doubt compromised; I dread to think who is controlling them. It’s not the PL or the FA, that’s for sure.
The combined monsters of the Premier League and online betting (including real-time), have created the ‘perfect storm’ for corruption in the English game. I am convinced. How long before it’s splashed on the front pages of the tabloids? I think we have a while to wait yet. It’s not what you know; it’s what you can prove – who famously said that? I’ll be impressed if anyone can recall. 😉
Sounds like one of Joe Stalin’s. He came up with “It is not who votes that counts, it is who counts the votes”.
Denzel Washington in ‘Training Day’.
Not quite as erudite as Mr. Stalin!
Haha, Hitch has it! I’ll put the Stalin one in the memory bank, though, OLL.
Great article from The Athletic.. UTV
There was a switch of focus at Aston Villa last week, as manager Steven Gerrard decided to adjust the schedule in an attempt to bring his squad closer together.
Gerrard sensed that it was an ideal time to take his foot off the gas in training and instead work on ways to boost morale.
A team meeting was arranged to discuss the poor run of results and performances. Players were encouraged to voice any concerns and air their thoughts on the best way forward. Then, in a refreshing change of pace, social activities were set up for the team before the players joined the coaching staff for a group meal.
It felt like the reset button had been pushed after a challenging start to 2022. For the first time since Gerrard joined in November, the players were able to switch off for a short period.
When normal training resumed later in the week ahead of the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, there was an upbeat feeling among the group after a few days of team bonding, and it paid off. Matty Cash, the right-back who is turning into one of Villa’s most reliable performers, struck early on at Brighton, and Ollie Watkins added another to register his first goal of the calendar year.
A 2-0 win, a clean sheet, a cameo for Morgan Sanson after six weeks out and a late debut for young midfielder Tim Iroegbunam made it a weekend full of positives for Villa.
In training last week, the team had worked hard on staying compact and reducing the distances between defence, midfield and attack. Gerrard asked for a sharper focus on maintaining possession in the middle of the park to reduce the number of unnecessary turnovers that had left the defence exposed in recent weeks.
It was a back-to-basics approach at Brighton that worked. Villa were a little more cautious in attack but ruthless when it mattered. There was a lot to like about the organisation and the way they limited the threat of Brighton by working harder for each other.
As the full-backs sat deeper and offered more protection out of possession, the midfield players stepped up. John McGinn was back to his all-action best. Even Philippe Coutinho played a part in a more disciplined, determined defensive effort from Villa, justifying his place ahead of Emi Buendia.
Villa were starting to get twitchy about their position in the table. “Needed that!” tweeted Danny Ings, Emiliano Martinez and John McGinn after the victory. “That felt so good,” added Cash.
With Newcastle United, Burnley and Watford all picking up points in recent weeks, Gerrard and his squad were nervously looking over their shoulders at the teams below. The manager even admitted that his side needed to buck up their ideas or risk getting caught in a relegation battle.
With 30 points from 25 games, Villa are not home and dry yet but the picture looks much brighter. The manner of the performance was also pleasing and it was clear to see what it meant to those involved.
Gerrard, Aston Villa
Gerrard was delighted with the win at Brighton (Photo: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Support staff ran onto the field to congratulate the players on the final whistle. First-team coach Michael Beale hugged Sanson. Gerrard locked arms with captain Tyrone Mings. Buendia, the record signing who was dropped to the bench, made his way over to supporters to pass on his shirt and even youngsters Iroegbunam and Tommi O’Reilly, who made the squad for the first time, lapped up the joy as chants of “Villa, Villa, Villa” echoed from the away end.
This felt like the weekend where Villa got their season back on track and helped repair a disconnect that was slowly building between players and supporters again.
Gerrard set his players the challenge to finish with a flourish and break into the top ten. It’s an achievement Villa have been unable to deliver for over a decade yet now seems possible if this victory can be the catalyst for better things.
Gerrard has watched the 1-0 defeat by Watford three times and said he continued to pick up positives on every re-run.
“We had our highest possession, highest final-third entries, most crosses, most shots and ten corners in the game,” he recalled. “We just didn’t have a ruthlessness so that was what we worked on. We’ve had to reset a few things this week so I’m pleased with the response.“
After a few days of soul-searching, Gerrard also made amends for errors against Watford by getting the big decisions right at Brighton.
He opted for Watkins over Buendia, which proved to be a big difference. He put Ezri Konsa back in ahead of Calum Chambers and decided that a more pragmatic approach would benefit his side after a rough run of results.
No doubt the decision to take a step back and strengthen the team spirit also helped. Villa looked strong and unified again. The challenge now is to build on it.
Good read Bill; thanks for posting it
That’s actually a fantastic insight. Maybe Gerrard shouldn’t be sacked ‘)
Amazing what a win can do for our morale. Let’s get to the end of the season and see what happens over the summer. I’m feeling pretty positive. The path won’t be linear so we need ride the dips and enjoy the peaks.
UTV
Hmm, who wrote that?
It sounds like a fairytale and one win against a toothless Brighton does not make everything rosey in my eyes, I’m afraid.
I’ll reserve judgement until we play a team that doesn’t look like it’s at serious risk of being relegated.
Pessimistic?
No, I’m just being pragmatic.
There were good signs against Brighton.
But it wasn’t a good performance, imo.
We do definitely need to build on it.
Come on Badger, there’s nowt wrong with a bit of positivity.
The real story here is that perhaps SG had recognised signs of challenges within the dressing room and took steps to address it. We can’t criticise managers for doing nothing new and then do the same when they do something different.
Saturdays’s performance was so much better – particularly from McGinn who was back to his best in doing the hard yards.
I also liked the way SG defended Watkins in respect of his decision not to pick him to start against Watford. I also thought his comment about playing Ings and Watkins together gave an insight to his thinking.
Agreed ‘one swallow doesn’t make a summer’ but at least I saw one on Saturday.
It might just be my distorted memory, but we seem to have some history of playing better against teams ‘above’ us (which Brighton were on Saturday and still are today) – regardless of the final result – and playing poorly against those that we’re expected to beat.
And I’m not just thinking of this season…
If I’m right, it suggests that Villa players need to stop thinking about ‘easy’ games and treat each game more like a cup-final!
Absolutely. Mentality and psychology are equally as important as physical attributes and skills. I believe the best managers excel because they know this and work on it.
I’m with Badger on this one. We reached 55 points last season and this season we are on 30 points with 13 games remaining. League position can give a false perspective. Would finishing 9th or 10th be an improvement on last season if we only get 45 – 50 points? Progress for me is accumulating more points than the previous season. Beating a pitiful Brighton team was good for morale but I will be more impressed with a win against Southampton who are one of the form teams right now.
Not really, Holte. If you finish runners up one season, then win the league the next with less points, does that mean you didn’t really win the league? Every season is different and can’t be compared with points. League position is a better comparison because all 20 teams (with all their strengths and weaknesses that season) have played each other twice, so that is a true reflection of who deserves to finish where, bent refereeing skew at the top, notwithstanding.
Christ sake Badger, you do go on, that is how we all see it.
How we all see what Bill?
In a season where we were expecting to push for a Europa league place after spending yet another fortune, we look nowhere near and up to now I’m disappointed.
As I said, I’m reserving judgement, that’s all.
If I see something to get positive about, I will, don’t worry 🙂
A fortune? Badger, we’ve spent next to f*** all this season. We sold a £100 million player, who was the reason for our (relative) progress, and spent that cash on inferior players. So, by definition, we’ve gone backwards. Actually, we may finish slightly above last season, which, when you consider the zero net spend, would be an excellent achievement by Gerrard, having taken over a team in wretched form. Top 9 or 10 would be disappointing, yes, but it’s slight progress on last year, which is saying something, considering the upheaval of the last 8 months or so. And let’s not forget, it’s been over a decade since AVFC finished in the top 10 of the Premier League. Taking nothing away from what the owners have done for the club, of course. We’re still on course. But REAL investment is needed in the summer.
BFR, we still laid out £90 odd mill on players.
Didn’t it put us in the top three or higher?, I forget.
Yes, no net spend but that’s still a fortune and a massive outlay if you think we’ve lost a player worth more than that to us, imo.
And that’s what’s happened. We’ve lost by far our best player and even though there’s been no net outlay, it’s still a massive cost, to my mind.
As for top 10, I don’t see it happening, but hope you’re right.
On a completely different subject: I see B’ham Live reporting that Villa are submitting plans to finally re-build the Witton End / “North Stand” and increase capacity to ‘over 50,000’.
Putting to one side the rail/road problems around VP that we all know about, it’s a positive step, although personally I hope that they include some outline plans for re-developing & expanding the “Doug Ellis” stand in the future as well.
Agreed, Ardent. I think the ‘Doug Ellis’ should mirror the Trinity Road stand with the ‘North Stand’ mirroring the Holte End – now that would be a truly magnificent, and still traditional stadium!
Personally, I don’t think 50,000 is enough; if you’re going to go through all that rigmarole, you may as well get it up to at least 60k.
Agreed – I think that merely adding an extra 7,500-8,000 seats is hardly worrth the cost/disruption, I’d also like to see them mirror the Holte at the Witton End, now that would be impressive…
This ‘1st phase’ as they’re calling it should really aim for around 55,000 – just my opinion…
Totally agree 50,000 isn’t anywhere near enough although it is called phase one, so hopefully the transport network will evolve in time for the extra demand. I would like to see the Holte End mirrored for the North Stand and to mirror the Trinity for the Doug Ellis Stand which should be renamed the Ron Saunders Stand. Reason being that stands should be named after managers or players, not owners who run the club for 25 years and won two league cups!
Holte, that’s two league cups more that the sweet f*** all we’ve won in the 25 years since, to be fair. And consistent top 6 finishes in the league with a few flirts with the top of the league and even a few title shouts. We’d take that now, wouldn’t we?
I think some of us look back with affection and some of us with frustration of what might have been. I’m certain that it was Ellis coming in that forced Saunders to leave and also the quick break up of league champions and European cup winners to being relegated five years later when we should have been a major force. Unfortunately the constant change in management meant the break up of our greatest ever team far too quickly.
In his defence I think he cared about the club but to name a stand after him was complete arrogance.
If you’re happy with a couple of league cups and a handful of top six finishes under his regime then fair enough but for me he wasn’t a successful owner so we will have to agree to differ in our opinion.
Ellis is the ultimate ‘marmite’ Villa owner who continues to split the fans.
Holte, I agree; I think he did care about the club but I also think ego was a driving force. He never came to terms with us winning the European Cup when he was unable to take the credit for it and his treatment of Dennis Mortimer and the other players in the winning team was nothing short of scandalous.
He knew the cost of everything and the value of nothing and claimed to have left the future of the club in safe hands!
I have never supported naming a stand after him – what did he actually do to deserve that? I’ve always advocated calling it the Dennis Mortimer stand and the newly developed North End stand should be named after Sir Ron.
What a truly iconic ground that would give us – the famous Holte End, the historic Trinity Road and newly developed Mortimer and Saunders stands taking the capacity to 60,000.
Up the mighty Villa
That would be the way to go Hitch. I like the way the owners have embraced our proud history. I think it would be a tough call to remove the Doug Ellis name from the stand now he is no longer alive but as you say, there are more deserving names who WERE part of our most successful team.
It may be just a little too soon today perhaps.
However, it’s already nearly 16 years since he sold out to Lerner; by the time they finally get around to finishing what I presume will be “Phase 2” (i.e. rebuild or enlarging the Witton Lane stand) it ‘s likely to be 20 years or more.
Just as with having to tell youngsters who Mortimer and Saunders were, in a couple of years they’ll have to explain who Deadly was.
I think you really have to be 60+ already to remember the times around our last league title & the EC win – so I ‘d imagine in another few years they’d have no big problem with changing the name of the stand.
Ouch! I’m 55 and remember those days really well. I never thought back then that we would never win the league again 40 years later ☹️
Well done!
I’m 63 and while I do remember a lot of good games from the 1970’s, and early 80’s, it is all beginning to feel like a very long time ago!!
My two sons are in their early 30’s and late 20’s: been taking them to VP since they were six or seven; used to have to spend ages explaining to them when they were young who all these people were that they kept hearing other fans talking about: Sir Ron, Tony Barton, Peter Withe, Dennis Mortimer, Nigel Spink (although they had heard of Nigel, as my late Dad used to know him…).
Well they now know the history – nut that’s just what it is to them, I guess – history. Waiting for us to make some more for their generation!
Yep, I totally agree with that sentiment re stand names.
Unfortunately, it won’t be long until the vast majority of Villa fans say “who?” when the names Mortimer and Saunders come up, same as we regard some of our older greats now.
It seems nuts, but there would probably need to be a major PR thing to explain why the names, imo.
Which reminds me, at Stamford Bridge earlier this season there were 3 cracking Asian girls in the away end next to me and another 3 in front. All in jeans and jackets, not a veil anywhere, nor an Asian man. After they joined in the My old Man song and got the names right of Spinksy and Birchy and Alan Macnally – I asked them if they knew who those players were. Not a fair question – they were not born at the time – and they hadn’t a clue. Asked to why Paul Birch was immortalised – I hadn’t a clue either, how he got included with the other two Icons. So never mind the PR all you need is a song.
Tell us more about the cute Asian chicks…😁
🙂 🙂
Good to see we have an international following amongst the beautiful people – Ladywood Road rocks 🙂
Haha, that’s great OLL.
There’s something massively perverse in the thought of Asian girls singing “bollocks, you’re a c*** ”
It just doesn’t seem right.
I’m not sure why Birch was involved either, but no doubt it just works.
Just yesterday I saw a clip on Twitter of Villa 2 Inter 0 at VP in 1990 (a great night). Somebody commented that Birch gave Lothar Matthaus a torrid time that evening – maybe that’s the reason? 🙂
Maybe slightly easier to call it the “Brian Little” or “Gordon Cowans” in that case,
Just a thought…
I assume AEG is cup tied as he hasn’t made the Everton bench for tonight’s game?
If that’s not the case then his loan move to Everton is going to be a personal disaster. I’d be sad about that.
He made a start for us as a sub, as far as I can see Hitch.
I can’t be bothered to look, tbh, as he won’t be our player for long.
He did ok for where we were, but we’ve moved on.
He was no doubt handsomely rewarded for his efforts.