Hello chaps. Am I back? No not really. I just thought I ought to post something.
It’s been nice to hear of people being concerned about me, but there really is no need. Alfie and occasionally Bradley seem to be doing a fine job. Not that I’ve even looked, but it doesn’t seem people have left in droves. I’d still like to see more younger opinions on here, but hey ho.
I’ve had a bit of a torrid time over the last six weeks or so, but I don’t let it worry me. The NHS has been superb and well… we all peg it at some stage. No, I’m not that far gone yet!
So I’m sunning my very bony arse in Spain again.
Onto the important stuff.
How nice was it to see Arsenal lose last night?
I loved it, but hey, your opinion might differ. Any other British team and I’d have wanted them to win. But not the arrogant twat, that is Arteta. I detest him.
And the Europa cup.
I think it’s a superb achievement for the Villa and is even more commendable, given the limitations that are an absolute joke, that Emery has had to work with.
When you consider Slot has just been sacked, having spent half a billion under their stupid owners, it really puts things into perspective.
But here’s the miserable old bastard bit.
Does anyone care who won the Europa league?
For the kids, it’s great. Who doesn’t want a European trophy? Especially when you’ve not seen it before?
Put it this way. I couldn’t tell you who won it last year.
But ask me who won the Champions league and that’s easy. PSG, even though I was told it last night.
PSG. By far the best team in the world, imo and I knew they would beat Arse.
That’s the only real one to win. Europa and Conference? Trinkets, that are just more money spinners and I don’t care for them.
Hence my total lack of excitement.
But that’s not the full story yet.
There has been the usual load of sphericals talked about, with us signing all sorts, funded by a Rogers sale, while Emery is going to Real or whatever.
You all know what I think of this tosh.
The bigger story is the next chapter where we find out where we go next under Unai, who I am convinced is going nowhere and is focussed on where he is. We are his perfect job.
My missus thinks he will push us close to the Champions league cup next season.
And do you know something?
There have been times where I think Emery has been the biggest idiot going, this season. Yet he has constantly proved he knows far more than me.
I honestly wonder if she might be right?
Meanwhile, I’ll continue to keep my distance from the site for a while.
I’m happy to see where a younger POV might take us, if it comes.(Alfie, X and FB and all that crap).
It’s only a game, isn’t it?
Except my missus, one of her sisters and myself were chuffed when Arse got beat last night. And on the last pen? Double bonus!
Good to see a brief return, convenient given that I am on holiday. Be back active soon.
Hope all is well, Badger. I’m optimistic for next season too. I hate to say it, but I never doubted Unai for one moment this season! The man always has a plan!
We qualified for the CL TWICE in one season!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Unai wants the CL at Villa. I have no doubt that is his number one priority!!!
Instant response for those belittling the Europa Cup. Super up arranged for12th August when villa play PSG
Final will be at salsberg and no extra time just penalties.
Nice to hear your voice Badger – hope all goes well.
It’s sad, I think, that the value of winning silverware is devalued by the necessity of maximising income to meet financial regulations that are designed to ensure the status quo of the established clubs (who became rich when investment and risk weren’t penalised) rather than encouraging competition. I suppose I’m disagreeing with you on the value of winning the Europa League – as you know I’m hardly a ‘younger’ fan but to me it’s brilliant and important – I suspect to other older fans as well.
Villa have been criticised by some (no names etc. – not referring to posters on here) for raising ticket prices, particularly for the CL – compared with say Citeh – but that’s trying to compare chalk with cheese. These same people expect Villa to compete at the highest level but have no proposals as to how we increase our revenue – rant over!
Be great if we could win the Super Cup for a second time – after all Citeh and Manure have only won it once! I reckon PSG will be wary of us!
Badger
Great to see you back.
And sorry, but you can only win what is in front of you. Since our last piece of silver ware, we have had nearly 100 attempts at a trophy- 30 league, 30 FA Cups, 30 League Cups (proper name) and near 10 European seasons. Thus, the first win in 100 sounds great to me.
But I’m totally with you and your wife on another trophy. I think we can do well in the league next year and have a good run in the Champions League. I really believe we have started a new era of trophy winning due to NSWE and Unai.
The transfer rumour mill is now in full swing – one you either love or hate. For me it’s a bit of both.
Two items stand out for me.
1. According to the BBC – multiple sources are saying that Rogers is ‘open’ to a move to Arse who are said to be interested. I do believe Villa may be open to selling him – at the right price. As his contract runs to 2031 it’s going to be substantial.
2. Following Barca buying Gordon and with Bernardo Silva also likely to join them, triggering Rashford’s move for £26m now seems less likely. Manure still want to sell and, if you believe reports, Emery would like him back at Villa
Two questions – would you sell Roger’s to Arse for (let’s say) £100m plus add ons and would you buy Rashford for £26m assuming he’d be prepared to come?
Personally, I’d say yes to both – if Rogers doesn’t want to stay then let him go and use the money to help revamp the squad and Rashford would provide the missing quality in a wide position and be a stellar buy – but Emery has to play him with Watkins not instead of.
I’d go with that, Hitch. I rate Chesty, but selling him to a rival as that’s what Arse are now, we’d have to pull their trousers down! As PSG have shown, it’s about the team, not star players – although they still have one or two that are half decent…
I’d rather he go to Bayern for £125m. In truth, I don’t think we’d let him go for less than £100m. Stupid money, but that’s football!
It seems that Emery has explained to the club, that the only way we can expand the squad within PSR constraints, is to consistently qualify for the CL for the next few seasons, and they’re buying into that. We’d have been there last year if it wasn’t for that shite ref.
I agree with you on Rogers and also Emery’s point of view.
I think however we will be more financially constrained by UEFA’s SCR and the agreement signed with them last season than the new Prem SCR.
Time will tell.mm
And Youri scores!
1-0 to Belgium against Croatia and he’s playing with a smile on his face. Amadou is at centre back and is doing okay. Two decent teams.
Wow badger how miserable are you bloody hell
Get well soon though and enjoy the sun woop
Landed back in BHX at the early morning. Feel absolutely terrible, couldn’t even describe how ill I am. Over the next few days I will, as requested, run a few KEEP / SELL polls, and I will upload some photos onto the site of our special night in Istanbul.
UTV
Friends of ours recently came back from Spanish islands with horrible bug. Hope you feel better soon Alfie.
Balearic Islands. Pharmacist won’t prescribe me anti-biotics because I’ve been abroad. Last time I bother with the pharmacy, it’s a new rule every week to get you to pay more money. Never had a straight-forward prescription.
Rogers looks increasingly likely to be out the door in summer. Focus must be turned to trying to get the maximum transfer fee for him, in all honesty.
We’ve seen it all before, Alfie. It never happens until it happens… Hope you get well soon! IT’s all that Villa related fun you’ve been having!!! 🙂
Romano has hinted towards his exit, whilst not confirming it.
Thank you, also, I have barely been in the UK the last three weeks and have taken six flights (can’t wait to see my flying hating friends who played the chances game as soon as I mentioned 6 flights in quick succession 🤣)
But in all seriousness, it must take a toll.
It does seem likely that Rogers will go but NSWE have put a minimum of £80m fee of which a percentage has to go to Middlesbrough – around £12m I believe (sell on clause). Would also expect add on clauses to take the figure to closer to £100m.
If he goes then we’ll go all out for Gibbs-White is my prediction – not that accurate predictions are my forte 😄
See FIFA is making payments to clubs with players in WC squads – I calculate we have ten – also payments for players in the qualifiers which is another couple. All funds gratefully received 😄👍
Here’s the article for those interested.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c893ndl18y9o
Wait for the Premiership to force clubs to exclude them from the transfer budget, how convenient.
Watching the re-run of the WC Final 1966 which I watched live as a 17 year old (on my own) on a small black & white TV. Later went to the cinema to watch the film and was ‘surprised’ that the game was actually played in colour 🫣
The missus is watching and enjoying it yet she hates modern football.
It’s how football should be played – pure skill – no cheating, no shirt pulling, no players rolling about on the floor, no time wasting and no 14 players in the goal mouth for corners all standing on the GK! Pure joy.
Be interesting to compare how minutes the ball was in play in 66 compared to the modern game
Arsenal, according to the BBC, in for Gibbs-White. That rules them out of buying Chesty if that’s the case…
Gonna try and enjoy the World Cup as a distraction. Nowt else to do!!!
Alfie, they may not have prescribed you antibiotics as you may have picked up a bacterial infection while overseas. Antibiotics won’t fix that…And you should be saving them for when you’re really ill, not self inflicted!!! 😆😆😆
Interesting article by MOMS (David Michael) in which he basically rubbishes the rumours around Rogers impending exit with logical debate.
The sell on agreement with Middlesbrough is 20% but they may be on the increased value element of the fee rather than the whole fee. On that basis it’s unlikely Villa would consider a fee less than a £100m.
If Elliott moves, the fee secured, will be informative in regard to Rogers value.
The reality is that nothings going to happen until after the WC so the click bait kings are in full on mode – hard not to look though 😂😂
Emi being linked with juventus haa no chance he is the best keeper in the world and is vital to us who could we replace him with
If this club wants to be successful dibu should be kept