WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
Beyond our wildest dreams, we have done it; finally our thirty year wait for silverware has come to an end courtesy of a special night in Istanbul, where Unai’s Villans completely dismantled Freiburg and scored three sensational goals. I don’t even know where to start, whether this was heard on the TV or not, all of the fans were singing “Austin McPhee ole ole!” and rightfully so. The man is a genius! All I ask next season is to bring in a defensive set piece coach, as I do not believe that is his forte (and neither do the statistics!).
I am going to format this in a different style. I am going to write this article about the game and then another article will come out soon and it will be titled something like “gallery” where I will post all the photos and descriptions, as there really is too much to do in this article! So that will be out soon for those who want to read.
The blood, sweat and tears of missing the flight and spending a total of an extra £1,000 for the four of us due to missing it were all worth it. It was all worth it just more tears, the ones that streamed down my eyes when that full time whistle was blown! I know it still hasn’t fully sunk in… that’s the best part.
Every player was faultless, I’d do player ratings but I’d give every player a ten no matter what! Buendia, what a goal. I got the goal on video and I am going to upload it to Youtube or a video sharing website and I’ll post the link in here shortly, and lots more videos. Tielemans, what a fantastic strike, and Rogers with a poachers finish.
We did exactly what I said we should do and that was completely restrict Freiburg and we will show our quality. We didn’t all out attack the game and I think that was Emery’s plan, we wanted to tire Freiburg out. I thought their only two threats were going to be set pieces and counter attacks. It was clear that they couldn’t play in sequences longer than a minute before they’d lose it, go back, or put the ball out of play, but I actually still think they are no mugs, and they could have scored against another mentality of Villa, but they were never going to win when we played the way we did, with the mindsets we all had.
It was fantastic to see Nassef and Wes on the pitch too, and Prince William in the stands of course! It just showed pure togetherness, and I would advise you all to read what Konsa wrote a few days ago. I think we have seen more personality from the manager too than we have ever seen, and I think this season has told us more about the ins and outs of Villa than we have known for god knows how long.
One thing I admired was giving Mings the last few minutes, and Sancho. It was also good to see Elliot lift the trophy, and make a little remark on social media about how much he contributed! I don’t think there is any bad blood there, and I genuinely think he is a nice lad but a bad deal all round. I hope he finds somewhere in the future, but I wouldn’t rule out him coming back to Villa on a better deal to be honest.
Anyways, we have finally done it – and I have finally seen us win a trophy.
Istanbul, you were incredible. All this stigma about Turkiye – I feel more safe in Istanbul than I do in London. Turkish police were fab. Letting us Villa fans drink and set off flares on the streets. The searches were not as rigorous as everyone makes out, in fact they are bigger in the UK. A well-run city that put its life on hold for an incredible fixture. Istanbul.
UP THE VILLA!
Nice piece Alfie.
You perfectly highlighted all the important aspects of Wednesdays fabulous night including your own emotions. I suspect there were a few emotional tears shed amongst the fans.
I particularly liked Emery’s actions replacing Lindelof and Buendia (albeit it seems Buendia wasn’t happy about it) so both could get the ovations they deserved and allowing Onana and Sancho to contribute. Also Mings being allowed a few minutes on the pitch – classy from Unai.
It was really nice to see Elliott joining in, being part of the group and also good to see Kamara on the pitch at the end. Very nice comment by Prince William on X recognising Kamara’s contribution to the team.
I tend to agree with your sentiment that we might yet see Elliott back at Villa but not for £35m – after all football’s a funny game!
Just a shout out to Ollie, Chesty and Konsa for making the England WC squad.
There is going to be quite a Villa representation in America.
Well written Alfie and hitchens he used to be my favourite player by the way.
Watkins was superb 👌 ran them ragged I was praying he’d score and m ginn.
Also very pleased the way we went a out the match perfectly no doubt who was best team no 1 nil or 2-1 a definite result no argument about it 👍
Roy, Hitchens was my first football hero and I had the nickname Gerry at school – although I wasn’t particularly good at football.
My first visit to Villa Park was 1960 (at the tender age of 10) v Blackpool. Sir Stanley Matthew’s played for Blackpool (who I had the honour of meeting many years later) Hitchens scored two great headers and we drew 2-2.. Hence Hitchens60
Great piece Alfie looking forward to seeing the pics
What a night must of been amazing to see and I’m so happy for all the fans that were there
Memories that will last a lifetime for all of us UTMV
Alfie, thank you for the superb article and summing up our thoughts.
I was so nervous before the match. I was 15 when we won the European Cup. I recall my nerves that night. It after 20 minutes I was at ease. But those 3 wonderful strikes. And saved for the final. Not trying to be greedy if Buendia had scored after the wonderful interplay beforehand, it would have been team goal of the season.
Sunday should be a party and then to the summer transfer business. There is a view our UEFA settlement was based around us qualifying for the Europa League, not Champions League. Who knows, we might be able to bring in a higher quality player than expected.
Sid, I read Unai has been handed a £100m transfer budget plus (I assume) income from sales.
Alfie, can you run a poll on who we think we’ll selling the summer – or is that too difficult?
Shouldn’t be too difficult Hitch. Let me sort the gallery out first and then I’ll work on that. All in all I am still recovering from Istanbul. I have City away tomorrow and then I am off to Mallorca on Monday… lol
Today is a day for celebration of Villa’s achievements in this amazing season, maybe organising an execution squad for players that have been involved could wait a week or so. Great article Alfie
Still buzzing about Wednesday night. Seeing SJM lift the trophy was amazing and thoroughly deserved.
Watching the parade brought tears to my eyes when the ‘hi ho Aston Villa’ music began.
Today’s game doesn’t really count for much but I do hope it’s not a mauling like Palace. The starting lineup however suggests it might. It would be nice to finish 4th though.
For one last time. UTV! COYL!
If we don’t finish 4th it will be a disaster of a season so sick of being nearly men
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
UP THE MIGHTY VILLA
Although 4 th would be nice
Yeaaass Ollliee come onnn UTMV
Magnificent. How could you not be proud. Even Bailey turned up… And down.
That’s the double over City this year.
Brilliant result, especially after the first half.
Well done Unai, your are a genius. Well done Villa for this season’s memories.
Yeaaaaasssssssssssss wooo hooooooooo
A Unai second half masterclass! Pissed on Peps parade😂
4th place and Europa league winners. Not too bad after all.
If we can get a great summer of transfers, we can really push for the title next season.
Thanks Alfie for keeping the site running!
UTMV!!
Aston Villa 26-27 Retro Jersey Leaked – Footy Headlines https://share.google/xD4UHsCfQa5cZRXi7
THE JERSEY I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!!! 🤩🤩🤩
Shame that shitbag Palinha saved Spurs. Lucky f***s.
Seconded. A right ****.
A net spend of £4.5m whereas Chelsea have recently spent £500m. That is ONE HUNDRED TIMES MORE.
Club of the season for me. Obviously!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
On another note, Slot looked very isolated and abandoned at the end of their match. Almost felt sorry for him. Salah has been a tosser this season.
Shame Spuds didn’t drop. I don’t expect Spuds or ManUre to pull up trees next season either.
With sales, we may have £150m to spend next year!! Spend wisely!!
UTMFAV!!!!!!!!
Hooray utv what a 2nd half after a pissed poor 1st half what a half time team talk that was they must have had red bull drinks,
After that 1st half I was expecting a thrashing but when cash came on it changed whole game and villa actually dominated city in 2nd half.
Come on villa now is the time to push on but Bailey and garcia need to go at least.
What an end to the season I don’t want it to finish now utv and emery
We were worried about Liverpool and City in the last two games, and they were both dispatched with little fuss. What an unbelievable job Emery has done. After four seasons, I feel that Villa fans are now taking things for granted. That says a lot about the work this man has done. If you put it all into perspective – where the club was when he arrived – and where it is now, it’s staggering. That he’s been overlooked as a nominee for manager of the season is an absolute disgrace. I hope that’s privately pissed him off and he uses it as extra fuel to power a title challenge next season – that will all depend on the summer transfer window; the club cannot afford, literally and from a football perspective, another window like last summer.
Congratulations to Unai, his staff, the owners and, of course, the players, for a magnificent season that will go down in history. Thank you to all.
Brilliant result – sadly didn’t see the game as entertaining friends to a barbecue.
UTMV
Our best season since 82 i am always proud to be a villain but I feel ten foot tall today we all knew of our potential but we are seriously at the start of it now
Years and years of hope killing everyone on this brilliant site and now we are winners our dreams and hopes fulfilled it’s a beautiful feeling and we all know that with the right recruitment next season can be as good
VILLA ARE OFFICIALLY BACK
UTMV
Can’t believe we won today lol. We never win that kind of game.
Trying to upload some photos but the whole site crashed yesterday for about half an hour because I uploaded 21 at the same time.
Photos will go up and then a season overview. So no specific article for the City game.