Here we are then, the eve of our biggest game since our last Cup final.
What’s to say that hasn’t been said on loads of other websites in the last week?
To be honest, not a lot, as it’s all been said. Many times over.
Cut through the analysis, opinion and some might say the undermining of our position by the London-based press though and the basic fact is we are about to partake in the ultimate game in the biggest domestic cup in the world.
And let’s not forget that.
The FA cup might have been scandalously debased by certain clubs over the last few years and the Copa del Rey (probably the nearest competitor) has had a lot of promotion over a similar period.
But the FA cup is the big one, by miles, if the world audience is anything to go by.
While the pull of the cup may have been reduced slightly by the top clubs placing more emphasis on the Champions League recently, I actually think it bounced back somewhat this year.
Who can forget Bradford turning over the mighty Chelsea on their own turf, after going two goals down, for example?
And this is the beauty of the FA cup, in my opinion.
While the money is in the Champions League, there is no chance that a one-off lesser club can ever win it. Which means there’s no romance in it at all.
Those of us old enough will remember Sunderland beating Leeds, Southampton beating Man United, Wimbledon beating Liverpool and of course, more recently, Wigan beating Manchester City in previous finals, I’m sure.
They’re unforgettable results that prove that the underdog can win.
Which leads us to where we are now.
We face an extremely good Arsenal side, who on their day can beat anyone. In spades.
There’s no getting away from it; they play great football and are massive favourites.
Indeed, they’re bound to win it, by all accounts.
But this is the FA cup, where form can totally go out of the window.
Hence I’m not even going to comment about previous form or even who’s available to play.
I believe that the game is in the lap of the gods.
I’ve been suffering mood swings this week whenever I think about the game, for what it’s worth.
My dark moments see us getting thrashed, which is my worst nightmare.
But my better moments see us winning by the odd goal.
That’s the truth of it.
But the difference between tomorrow’s game and the Champions League?
I truly believe we can win this.
Why? because we’re the Villa.
We’ve won this cup seven times and are well overdue an eighth win.
Ok, it’ll mess the old song of “seven times we’ve won it now” right up, but it’s already out of date and we need to add to our collection.
Surely us fans deserve it after what we’ve had to suffer over the last four years or so?
While of course we have no divine right to win, Arsenal have had their share of glory over the last couple of decades.
It’s our turn, I say.
And under Sherwood, we have a fighting chance.
Whatever happens, I can guarantee you, it’s going to be emotional on my part.
As Tony Butler used to say;
Get yer prayer mats out.
COYL! and UTV
3 – 1 Villa
COYL
WE FEAR NOBODY,
It took me a long time to write that.
Nerves on edge, as it would mean so much if we do win it.
A major upturn in our fortunes and all that.
Play with pride…you are wearing the most famous shirt in footballing history. Show no fear, contest everything like your life depends on it. We have been European Cup Winners…..Arsenal have never had that feeling. We are superior in every. Villa Park, the spirtual home of football. We gave the world football as we now know it. Create history….never give up and bring that trophy back to VP.
VITD
COYL
3 – 1 Villa
We fear NOBODY
I like it Langford.
No doubt Sherwood will be instilling the boys with similar words tomorrow.
I’m getting the onset of squeaky bum time.
I firmly believe Villa will have most of the football world behind them, I’m going to say 3-2 Villa, lads big day for me never thought I’d see us at Wembley in my time again, be shouting for us all and the midlands.
BP…hope you have a great day mate….you deserve it! Bring that cup back to Brum!
That’s more like it Badger!!! We’ve every chance and I am thoroughly looking forward to every bit of tomorrow.
Just seen Gabby being interviewed – he’s going to bloody start isn’t he? I’d love to see Grealish and Sinclair supporting Big Chris up front – not sure we’re going to get that though.
Also, I bet Man City are delighted that you’ve assigned their FA Cup final defeat against Wigan to Arsenal.
Kent,
For info, I’m not the only writer on here and I do try to be a bit more positive than a certain other writer 🙂
The Wigan final?
Aargh, I was trying to think of big losses and confused Arsenal losing to the scummers.
I’ll correct that.
And thanks for pointing it out.
Ha ha, (sorry for being pedantic). If we get beaten by Arsenal tomorrow hopefully someone will write that we won……I’ll take that.
As for tomorrow, I just can’t see the point of thinking we’re beaten before we’ve even kicked a ball. Win or lose we need to do ourselves proud.
Under Sherwood, I’ve no doubt we’ll put a fight up, which is all you can ask.
If we were under a certain other manager, I wouldn’t expect us to have half a chance.
And we wouldn’t have got this far anyway.
I didn’t sleep a wink last time before the Chelsea game.
Thought I’d be ok this time but feel more excited/nervous/anxious than then as I think we have a much better chance.
Doubt I’ll be sleeping tonight much either and am on the rattler at 8:13am !!!
Best wishes to Villans everywhere, and a safe trip to those going down.
We can do it. Will we ? Come on, see it through lads.
I’ve spoken to loads of netrals Vaze and many seem to think we’re destined to win this one.
Even the missus (who is rarely wrong) says we’re going to win.
I’m a bit long in the tooth, which means I try not to get too excited in case I get let down.
For info, all trains on the London Mid line are going to be dry mate, so you might want to look into other options.
Booked up with Virgin the day after the Liverpool win.
Not fussed about totting on the way down, with a 5:30pm ko I wouldn’t get in the ground lol !
Win or lose, we’ll come back with some booze.
I really am on the fence, we have it within us to win, I didn’t feel that last time.
The Liverpool game was a classic example, we didn’t let them play, and didn’t lack belief even when we went behind.
Arsenal’s efforts against Reading & Sunderland recently give me hope, I think we’d take the chances their opposition had in those games.
But Arsenal can turn it on as we know. I haven’t got over the three goals in five minutes at ours or the five goals at theirs. An eight nil aggregate is pretty strong form going into this match.
But maybe something has to give. Whatever, Sherwood will give it more of a go than Lambert, and more than Gregory did fifteen years ago.
Fingers crossed.
I’m going to have difficulty sleeping tonight. Great write up Badger.
We’re not a Sunderland, Wimbledon or Wigan. We are the mighty Aston Villa who have rediscovered our claws! F**k the last two games, we’ve turned from weak kneed pushovers to the Lions we know we really are. COME ON VILLA! LIFT THAT GOD DAMNED MOTHERFREAKIN’ CUP AND MAKE US ALL PROUD!!!!!!
Speed is the name of the game for both sides tomorrow.
I love the FA. Cup, it’s the true soul of football to me, where every team no matter how small can have that dream of having their day in the sun. Where I live, 13 miles north of Hereford, people still talk about that Ronnie Radford goal v Newcastle, and rightly so. Even though Hereford United no longer exist, that goal will never be forgotten, that is what the FA Cup can do. I’m like a kid on Christmas Eve tonight, I hope and pray the Villa boys can make our dreams come true. I’ve a feeling this final will be a classic, I’m going to have a bet on Jack Grealish being man of the match. My prediction….4-3 for Arsenal…or 3-2 for Villa, if it’s 0-0 I’ll eat Paddy Ashdown’s hat!
Has he not already ate it ? 😉
I’ve watched villa in four Wembley cup finals in my time supporting them. First two were wins against Manure and Leeds (sat at home = we won both) and the following two Chelsea and Manure (went to pub = we lost both).
Staying at home tomorrow with eight year old son who is more nervous than me !
COTV !!!
got mates coming over to mine tomorrow , 1 arsenal, 1 chelski and 1 utd .
the curry is in the slow cooker and the beer is in the fridge .
im hoping its going to be a good day or my arsenal mate can fuck right off.
then he will miss out on one hell of a curry .
come on benteke !
come on vlarr !
come on villa !
win or lose i will be on the booze but i would rather we win than be sobbing into my vodka come 7 o’clock tomorrow night.
if we win it will be party time at my house if we loss then it will be more like a wake one way or another i will be drunk . but im hoping it will be a happy day. up the villa .
Sod it cannot sleep, got to get up. 4-30 am? thanks Langford I certainly will mate even if I have to Nick it..
I’m going 2-1 to the Villa after extra time!!
Nice day for it.
Up at 6.30 too. Too wired to sleep!!!
Well up for it today may the drinking commence,av a good un VILLANS.get it down yer. UTV SOTA 😀
Good morning Villa fans ,the big day has arrived am excited and nervous. Safe journey to all who is traveling. I believe we can win this 2-1 Villa. To all Villa fans enjoy the day and wherever you are wear your colours with pride. Villa, Villa. Villa.
Will be watching this game tonight whilst on my holiday in Thailand. Starts at 11.30pm here.
Villa for .2-1 win today. This is our time.
Up The Villa
‘Morning all Villa fans the world over – what a great day for our club. Reading the blog made my hairs stand on end and sent shivers down my spine!
Got the kids, grandkids and friends coming round to watch the match; beers in the fridge and the barbecue’s ticking over.
Was at Wembley when we beat Manure with the kids and want more of that feeling.
Come on you Villans make us proud. Roar like lions.
COYL UTV
I rang my boss this morning telling him I’ve got a problem with my eyes, I can’t see myself making it into work today, he said I didn’t think you’d be in, I’ve already covered your job ha ha. He said I’ll see you Monday…….and enjoy the match!!! What a top boss 😉
2-1 Villa
COME ON VILLA
LOL 😀 nice one I’ll try that with my gaffer.