Pessimistic me shares the concerns that some of us have about Spurs being very capable of scoring at Villa Park on their day.
But even I have to tend to the view that we should win this quite comfortably.
I know, it’s brave of me but the requirement is quite simple for the rest of the season. Win our 2 final games. Emery will have drummed it into the players, although I doubt they’d have needed to be told.
Win these two games and what will be, will be. Plain and simple and anything less won’t be acceptable.
It might not even be enough for us to qualify for the Champions League, but if we can succeed in our final push, that’s it. We can do no more.
So saying we will win is a bit of a bold statement, but come on, if we can’t beat these, we don’t deserve to qualify anyway. We could probably not have had a better time to play them, all season, given that they face Man Utd in the Europa league final on Wednesday. Everyone in their side is going to want to play in it and there’s no way any of them will be giving any extra tonight. It wouldn’t even surprise me if Postecoglou has told them to take it easy. They have nothing to play for in the league and can’t be relegated, after all. Will Ange even play his first team?
I won’t even go into their current form. Well, I will do, but in a minute.
Squad news then and it’s very straightforward. Tielemans is out with a calf injury, Rashford is out with a hamstring issue and Ramsey is suspended after his very soft second yellow last week. I say soft and it was, but he should never have got himself booked the first time.
As for Spurs, the good news for us (but not the player, obviously) is that Dejan Kulusevski has undergone knee surgery. James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall are both out too and it’s quite odd, as I haven’t heard Ange bleating on about how he thinks they’re the only club to get injuries lately?
Son is due to get at least a few minutes after being out for a month.
It’s probably all a bit academic anyway, if the Greek (why did I think he was Australian?) decides to not field a full strength side.
And then there’s current form.
We’re the only team to have won 5 out of 6 of our last games, while Spurs’ form is abysmal. In their last 6, they’ve won 1, drawn 1 and lost 4. That’s relegation form.
Normally, I would be saying that we’re heading for a typical Aston Villa type fall here, but I just can’t see it. Yes, a small part of me knows it’s very possible, but even so, in my head losing against them is simply not an option.
I’ve loved watching Spurs all season. They’ve been my favourite and “go to” team, Villa apart and I always look out for them playing. The reason is simple. They are (or at least, were) either great or terrible and their games always give you goals.
And I fail to see anything different tonight.
I’m going for a 3-1 win. The only thing we have to fear here is complacency.
UTV
Romero starts for Spurs! Let’s hope he clatters a few Utd players.
Especially Fernandez. See him go down for a non existent punch in the face? Cheating twat.
Hi Chaps, hope you’re enjoying the non event.
I’m in Bonnie Scotland staying with friends, enjoying the sunshine, a few drams and not watching football!
What a shit game. Two shit teams. And an absolute pile of shite. Especially from United. Fakkin dreadful.
Well done the spuds. Champions League. You lucky f***s.
So Man U lose. Great!
But Spuds get CL and we might not?
That’s so poor 🙁
The year of the bird?
Liverpool, the Liver Bird.
Newcastle, the Magpies
Palace, the Eagles
Spurs, the Cockerels.
Odd season.
And Utd are the Dodo.
I’m quite happy for Spuds really, and Ange too. It’s a bit of a moot point about the winners getting a CL place. If Spuds were 7th or 8th, we wouldn’t even be talking about it. Part of the prize is a place in the next competition up. If it was us we wouldn’t be complaining!
I wonder which mug will take the Managers job next at WHL2?
Me too, had a sneaking suspicion the Spuds would turn them over but for no other reason other than they (MU) are absolute f**ing pants.
They have to be a good bet for relegation next season unless they do a massive clear out and some heavy spending? 🤞
Youri gets Fans’ and players’ player of the Year awards.
Well done and well deserved, imo.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/21/2025-player-awards-winners-men/
Fair play knew he would come good after his slow start right up for it as well brilliant
I’ve only just realised he’s only 28!
I thought he was 30’s!
Even better.
John Mcginn’s stonking shot against PSG got goal of the season.
I won’t mention who got young player of the year, with 14 goals and 15 assists, because he’s crap.
(Sorry, RSS, I couldn’t help it 🙂 ).
Matty Cash???
😂
lol. Close. Not.
Fair play to the lad (through gritted teeth). I suppose he deserves it given those stats.
And 14 assists, I ain’t having that last one!
Thought the Olsen award was a nice touch in an increasingly cynical world.
Wish him well for the future.
On a different note – the new away kit for 2025/26 has been issued. Although I do feel someone is going to have their arse kicked over it.
On the Villa app it states “Aston Villa’s new 2024/25 adidas away kit is available now”!
What idiot signed this off – why would we want to buy this seasons kit with 1 match to go? I guess Chris Heck this falls under Chris Heck’s jurisdiction. Is his mind elsewhere?
The only interesting thing from last night’s yawn fest was the mention that Villa’s game against Utd is on TNT sports.
I enjoyed it. It was like a game of chess. No sympathy for the crying ManU kids the cameras caught !
I was quietly delighted by the result. Man Ure were toothless and with half of the team knowing that they are on the way out and with nothing to play for in their last game, I’m hoping for a stress free regulation win on Sunday.
However, this being football, you can never count on anything and so my nerves will be stretched to the limit anyhow.
I don’t think the manager saying it wasn’t important to United before the match helped. Read the room. It’s never been so important.
Ratcliffe looked pissed at the end. I imagine he was banking on CL qualification. Literally.
I really don’t think Amorim is the man to take them forward at all. There’s something not quite right with his outlook. That ‘This final doesn’t matter’ was totally the wrong image to project. He’ll be gone by Christmas. Get Big Sam in! Or Dyche!
I bet Emery won’t be impressed with his comments either winning that competition 4 times. Another motivator for Sunday.
He was obviously trying to communicate that he gets how big United and their expectations are. But totally fluffed his lines, coming across as blasé and out of touch with reality. His delaying of subs despite zero impact from those on the pitch made Southgate look trigger-happy. Ten Fags was miles better. Top 6 finishes and 2 pots with a shit team; what more do you want?
Yeah but Ratcliffe is a grade A wanker so great to see his investment going down the pan.
Just reading came across Chris Heck’s (leaving) speech at the Villa awards the other night. He complied a list of his achievements:
I am intrigued by Coca Cola, Guinness and Red Bull – soon to be announced deals. Will they be sponsoring? Or is it official suppliers?
Lower Grounds
Villans
Corner Flag
150 Club
The Aston
Sports Pub
Trophy Suite
Chairman’s Suite
82 Champions Club
Legends
Oak Room
The Cells
Star Lion
Upgraded crest and new club branding
Fanzone
New Superstore
Stadium LED
Renovated bathrooms
adidas
Batano
Carlsberg
New women’s facilities at Bodymoor
New academy facility at Bodymoor
Soon-to-be-completed player hotel at Bodymoor
Stadium branding
Villa TV pre-game show
Villa podcast
Global content
Transportation shuttle buses
Concerts: Pink, Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy and Black Sabbath
Aston Villa Foundation and community every day
Business offices at Bodymoor
Warehouse vision and construction
Lion statue
150th anniversary celebrations
USA tours (twice—and soon to be three times)
Times Square
Players tunnel
Players’ family lounge
Bus wrap
Rail seating
New seats
New matchday presentation
New concourses
North Stand
Grounds crew of the year
Team of the year
Top 20 revenue club in the world
20 million social media followers
adidas global flagship stores
Bullring store
Anniversary kits
England national team game
London office
Champions League tifos
Fireworks
“Crazy Train”
JD Sports
adidas elite club status
Nemiroff
Acorns kits
150 Game
Fan wall
Brick murals
Custom adidas trainers
CAA Icon
Legends
Oak View Group
Levy+
Kendrick Lamar
Red Bull deal (soon to be announced)
Coca-Cola deal (soon to be announced)
Guinness deal (soon to be announced)
North Stand expansion approved
Witton Station upgrades approved
Best staff in the game
I did hospitality this year- first time ever. I did the Villans suite and William McGregor. Food was great, drinks great, staff were lovely. A really nice experience but crazy money.
No comment on the list, Sid? Or does it speak for itself?
I don’t care how big an a-hole you are, that’s bloody impressive. Just as we suspected, he did his job extremely well.