Well, the title says it all – the biggest Villa game in my time on this planet. As a Villa fan of the relatively younger generation, who’s heartbreak comes from getting relegated 15/16 and losing the play-off final to Fulham in 17/18, this game is undoubtedly the biggest of my lifetime, and the nerves have been there all week.
As I’m sat here in the sun in Nottingham drinking a large glass of Sangria (weather permitted) I thought I’d come on and write a short article 😉
Forest are without Hudson-Odoi but I still back players like Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White to prove problematic. As we know, Forest are on formidable form but I think at our best we can get past them.
For me, Onana adds a great deal to our side in terms of presence and physicality and missing him today would be a huge loss. Our forwards need to be up for it. I watched Kane on Tuesday and I genuinely believe he is still the best striker in the world, or definitely up there – let’s hope he proves it over in the States in summer.
A huge improvement on Saturday’s performance is required to get past Victor Pereira’s Tricky Trees, and I would take a draw.
For some reason, I am confident. I’m going to predict a 0-1 Aston Villa win. Don’t ask. I know I’m usually confident, but I didn’t think I would be today – maybe it’s the Sangria 😉
UTV!
Nottingham has phenomenal tram links. Coach left at 1.30pm so may as well make the most of a lovely day! Have a great day all.
As always love your positivity Alfie – us older fans have been worn down by too many disappointments. Yes, I know we experienced winning the league and the European Cup but that’s 44 years ago and since then there have been relegations and so many cup defeats whether semis, finals or third round at the hands of clubs at the foot of the footballing pyramid!
Our negativity is not driven by not wanting or hoping Villa will win but preparing our battered and weary psyche for (yet another) disappointment.
Have a great day out whatever the result.
UTV
Alfie, do my a favour. Take a big steaming piss on their trams on the way home. I’ve got a friend who drives them and it’s quite common, apparently. So don’t worry or hesitate.
No idea on this, so am I optimistic? I’m going to hide behind the sofa for this game like a big wuss!
Is Onana definitely out? That’s not great for us, or poor Mr Glass.
Gotta have the entire team playing to their uppermost level tonight!
2-1 to Villa!!!! The Very Mighty Villa.
2-1 win for me UTMV
I’m just not confident for tonight. If Onana is out, this will be a big miss. In context of last Saturday, we just didn’t turn up, and considering this would have virtually guaranteed a Champions League place. This was not the hall mark of a team having the gumption to take in its stride the sliding doors of football. I really hope I am wrong about the result tonight.
But that’s been so typical of Villa over the last three seasons – is think a chink in Emery’s coaching armour – does he impart negative energy for these ‘must win’ games? His pressers would suggest so.
Won’t know on Onana until the teams are announced. Fitness test yesterday – doesn’t sound good to me.
*is this …..
Who wins tonight will be the team that wants it more. We need to win those 50/50 tackles we bottled out of on Saturday! Can Emery motivate them? Time will tell.
Onana fit – my spirits have lifted and now feeling positive
Onana starts which is a massive bonus.
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins
Good to have Onana fit. I hope he’s 100% and not being risked. With their front two, I wonder if Mings instead of Torres would have been better.
We really missed Onana against Fulham and I think he will be the difference tonight. No goal fezt tonight but as always my heart and head are united. Villa 1-0.
Buendia performing could be key. He tends to be better coming on as a sub. Like Rogers he loses possession far too often. Will Digne cope with Hutchinson? Cash must do better against Williams? Getting nervous now! The 2nd leg will probably feel worse!
Buendia looking like the weakest link at the moment…
I’m thinking the same BFR, Buendia falling down every tackle, I’m not happy with our setup at all . They are matching us in every move.
Ok, who’s smashing Elliot Anderson? Any takers? John? Amadu? Bring Tyrone on…
Dirty fucker. 🤬
And that’s outrageous from Emi.
Please get to half time.
How is that not a foul on Ollie? Perhaps Marinakis can tell us?
Meanwhile, Buendia wins the ball and is penalised. I’m beginning to smell a rat. A big Greek one.
Yes, Ollie! That’s it. Give it back to the twat.
Thank God. Half time.
Ollie beak the dirty @@@@@@
Or someone
Anderson should have had 3 Reds for that
Bwendia passenger
Rodger’s Bone idol
Other than that doing ok
Yep.
BFR – my three points from the first half mirror your comments.
Anderson is a dirty (fill in the blanks) with an over the top tackle on Watkins which doesn’t even warrant a foul.
Sometimes Martinez is just out of this world
And the ref – big question mark from me. Misses the fouls and gives fouls for decent tackles.
0-0 and all to play for but we do need to step it up second half.
PS – thought you weren’t going to watch BFR 😂
I was just thinking the same. Sucker for punishment, Hitch. 😫
Terrible refereeing decisions against us. When they said it was being checked, I expected a red card but nothing! Buendia and Digne down the left side looks weak. I watched Watkins chasing down their defenders while Rogers was just ambling. I don’t know how we are going to create apart from set pieces which have been shocking so far.
Martinez has gone all Gandalf and they will not pass attitude.
I would take a 0-0 now if possible.
Who’s that idiot pundit saying that Anderson won the ball in the tackle on Watkins. To me that’s a red card all day long – over the top of the ball with studs showing.
I venture to suggest if the ref had shown a red card VAR wouldn’t have overturned it.
Watkins continually fouled and gets nothing – why?
We need onana off now
Onana off and playing 12 already
We are playing well.
I’m still smelling a rat with this ref. Who knows what awaits next week…
Heart rate’s starting to rise. Lord knows how Unai’s feeling.
WTF???! NOOOOOOOO!!!
This is so f***** up.