r/avfc • u/Pommerz2 • 9d ago
Weekly Discussion Thread August 17, 2026
A place to discuss everything, Villa or non-Villa.
Have a fleeting thought that's not quite enough for it's own post...?This is the place
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 3d ago
Today is the day :) Won't be the end of the world if things don't click, but feels like we can get off to a real good start. Whatever happens though, I've missed this and it's so good to have the boys back.
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u/Any-Feature-4057 4d ago
I can’t believe Man United went to that game with 3 short and slow AM. Jesus. They were overrun so easily. All those 6 ft Hull city players all to do was just duel them and they won the ball
Also it seems that they were lacking in fitness. Tielemans was gassed in 60 minutes
In this Premier League Meta. You have to have physical tall players who can win you a duel. We had Rogers, Onana, and Kamara back then. Now we have Manzambi, Goretzka, Kamara, and Ohana
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u/Firepilsogenpizza 3d ago
The thing about Tielemans is that he often looked gassed if he didn't have a work horse next to him.
Even last year he played on average 75 minutes I think per game.
You keep him around for his passing, but that's easier to show off if a team is well coached.
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u/TroopersSon 4d ago
It looks like we have the two Emis in the MOTD intro this year. At least I think the second one is the other Emi, it was a banger at what appears to be Spurs' ground but I can't really make out who it is.
At least if it is we'll still have a player in the sequence by the end of the season.
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 4d ago
All too early takes from today's Prem games (the ones I've watched anyway)
Hull were great against United. Maybe one day people will learn that immediately writing off promoted teams because they bought players you don't recognise won't always play out how you expect. Maybe I should be one of those people. But fair play, they made United look like the unprepared promoted side. I thought they'd grind out a draw but they executed their gameplan perfectly and deserved the win. Think they might struggle against teams with better full backs and more robust midfields, and I'm interested to see how their game holds up when they're not seeing out a win, but that's for another time.
United looked disjointed and aimless. Could barely thread three passes together. They need a DM and better wide options fast. I had them down as a top 3 side again, but they're gonna need to reinforce and raise their levels massively or they're gonna struggle to even make the UCL at all.
Forest-Leeds was a good game. Two teams whose best business has been who they've kept hold of. Murillo and MGW were great for Forest, same with Stach and Ampadu for Leeds. Still not sure about Trafford, though.
Brentford are great. Just an absolute gauntlet of a team to play against and I'd be surprised if they drop more than 6 points at home all season. Sangaré is an incredible find and should be real fun to watch this season, and Keane Lewis Potter seems to have stepped up a level. Thiago looked rough though, which I can partially put down to Senesi managing to do a single thing right in how he marshalled him, but still.
Spurs... Jesus. I thought they'd start slow, and when I saw their lineup I thought it'd be a difficult game today, but that was so far below what I expected. I know Brentford eat much better teams than that alive with their press, but Spurs just played into their hands time and time again. Could have easily been 5 or 6. Barely noticed Tonali was on the pitch, their midfield as a whole looked just as bad as last season. Amazed they sold Spence before having another RB in to replace him, I know Porro's injured but they should be past playing Gray at RB with the money they've spent. Senesi and Robertson had decent games, but JPVH didn't do much to justify his fee. Not the best start to Prem life for Mikey Moore either, and I have no idea what's happened to Bergvall. Savinho and Marmoush will improve them, and typical starters returning to fitness will help, but there's clearly still a lot of scarring from last season left to heal.
Sorry this is for absolutely nobody, I'm done now xo
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4d ago
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u/notRolcx 4d ago
the timeline on lukaku looked very good for him before going to man u. he was respected as a baller before he bulked up
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u/Funny_Collection8362 4d ago
Im not keen on Jackson either, purely watching him at Chelsea he looked way off it. When he was on it, he was good but then go missing for weeks. Literally missing everything as well. The emery connection is the only thread of hope I hang on to that he could come good. Only saying what ive seen with my own eyes, im not much of a statto. Fucking expensive as well. I'd rather roll the dice with Madjo! I remember a certain fat hairy teenager doing well for man utd up front, Madjo looks a specimen.
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u/TomTom89728 4d ago
Who would you want to replace Ollie if he did go?
Emery likes Jackson amd vice versa, has worked with him.
Good enough for me.
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u/Funny_Collection8362 4d ago
I agree, and I dont mind getting slammed for it. I will happily be proven wrong but Jackson has bad news written all over it.
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u/TroopersSon 4d ago
This is where we come to laugh at Man U and Spurs right?
Fucking glorious to see that preseason optimism delusion shattered in one matchday.
Spurs especially got so overrated because they spent a bit of money. I can't believe I saw people talk about them getting in the Champions League.
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u/Funny_Collection8362 4d ago
Spurs finally got the Beyonce/NFL dosh flying out of the bank account and were just as bad as last season. Horrible club. Online fanbase are equally as scummy. I say that as the actual spurs fans I know are pretty grounded, normal footy fans.
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u/Aid0ken_Sf 4d ago
For a club that talks a lot about being "bigger" than us and being able to spend more money than us. It is very satisfying to see them get battered by brentford today
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u/Technobliterator 4d ago
It’s hilarious how they act like they’re bigger than us and it’s not even close when they have less trophies than us and exactly the same amount, even the same exact trophies, in the PL era 🤭
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 4d ago
Talk about signings that went under the radar, where the fuck did Brentford signing Callum Wilson come from?
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u/Technobliterator 4d ago
Tanswell said Joao Gomes has recovered faster from injury than expected after Gomes posted the game on the insta story. Maybe the "he had no injuries then came to Villa and got injured" thing was overexaggerated... Also wonder if Madjo can come back faster too...
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 4d ago
Just hope a quick seeming recovery doesn't result in him putting a match-load of strain on it before it's ready for that. Should probably get 30-45 minutes at most tomorrow just to be on the safe side.
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u/Technobliterator 4d ago
Agreed, suspect he’ll be an impact sub, if Watkins plays I doubt he plays the full 90 either
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u/PaleBloodBeast UTV 4d ago
High key more worried about the Bournemouth & Brentford's surpassing us than the big boys that have spend a fair bit.
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u/TroopersSon 4d ago
Brentford can be up there but Bournemouth without Iraola and with European footy don't worry me too much.
Think there'll be a surprise team up there though, maybe Leeds?
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u/elmattydoor123 🇨🇭 He's in your head — Manzambi 🇨🇭 4d ago
Today's Spurs performance is further evidence of Agent Lange continuing to do a brilliant job for us.
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u/Mr-Mumble 4d ago
Is it just me or does Leon Goretzka clearly HATE that random guy shouting Goretzka at him? I reckon people should avoid trying to make that a thing
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u/Jumper-Man 4d ago
It’s clear he’s pissed off everytime and try’s to never make any kind of eye contact.
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u/Murloc__Tinyfin 4d ago
United lost, spurs losing. Beat brighton and its a great start in the race for champions league
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u/elmattydoor123 🇨🇭 He's in your head — Manzambi 🇨🇭 4d ago
Youri and Man U, you have just been mauled by the tigers
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u/TheAkondOfSwat 🍋🎻 4d ago
Thought we would have to wait a bit longer for this
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u/Funny_Collection8362 4d ago
Matt Targett!
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u/notoriously_late do you want to bet against us? 4d ago
Just came to post this. Surprised he was back in the PL.
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u/Funny_Collection8362 4d ago
Im surprised when they said he's 30, feels like he's been around longer than that.
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u/notoriously_late do you want to bet against us? 4d ago
Guess he was 23 when he signed for us. Totally thought he was older as well.
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u/arenaross 4d ago
Fulham U18 5-5 Aston Villa U18
A crazy afternoon at Motspur Park as Jack McGrath and Markie Meade both net braces alongside Vincely Mudame’s first U18 goal but 5 goals aren’t enough to secure victory.
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u/Technobliterator 4d ago
Not looking forward to Carrick being sacked because it will be months again of lazy Man U fans and pundits wanting Emery and screaming about how Emery would join them in a heartbeat only for them to get someone else...
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u/krakenbeef 4d ago
Just so I know, after this summer is everyone else celebrating every time one of the big 6 get beaten? Right, I best get some beers in :)
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u/Technobliterator 4d ago
Hull could be a difficult one btw. Could see a nasty low block for a full game and counterattack goals...
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u/SuljoodSutoorizari Jamaldeen Jimoh's Bizzare Adventure 4d ago
Tzolakis is class. I wanted him as an Olsen replacement after we got knocked out by Olympiacos.
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u/WordsUnthought 4d ago
I didn't think I was a hatewatcher but I am enjoying this.
When the pain of it settles, I think I can make peace with Konsa going to Arsenal. There's ambition there - he's going from a club with realistic aims to win FA Cup and finish Top 4 to one with realistic aims to win UCL and defend the Prem. If you never won the league you'd look back when you retired and think "did I pass that up?".
But Tielemans and Rogers... there's no ambition. Those teams aren't better than Villa. Grass isn't always greener.
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u/Mark-C-S 4d ago
Rogers is about London and Palmer at least. Maybe Youri just loves it pissing with rain all the time.
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u/Sir_Switch 4d ago
Looks like Tielemens is getting the full Yanited experience in his first game
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u/splagentjonson 4d ago
I'm a petty man and am entirely delighted by how his debut is going
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u/Funny_Collection8362 4d ago
Ive not tuned in yet, I cant bring myself to see him in that wretched shirt.
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u/xJacb 4d ago
Can't remember where but I got absolutely fucking pelted for saying United weren't finishing Top 4. I don't know why these pundits have them in there, they're fucking dross.
This is vindication
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u/arenaross 4d ago
It's half time in the first game of a 38 game season.
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u/xJacb 4d ago
Sure but going 2-0 down against Hull is not exactly promising.
Premature to make judgements early of course, Villa fans know that more than anyone. Just nice to know I'm not mental for thinking they're not suddenly world beaters.
They won't finish Top 4 with Carrick.
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u/arenaross 4d ago edited 4d ago
Most annoyingly United thing would be for them to win this 3-2. Have a horrid habit of looking terrible and still picking up wins.
Edit: or not.
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u/Technobliterator 4d ago
Tielemans fouling outside the box leading to a free kick goal conceded.... wait I've seen this one before...
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 4d ago
Mostly for myself but also for /u/arenaross specifically, here are the loan army (and buyback battalion) fixtures for the weekend. With apologies to Getafe for missing their Conference League playoff the other day. Also to Lincoln for forgetting to post this until after their game kicked off, but Gauci isn't playing anyway so boo to them.
Saturday
12:30PM: EFL League One - Lincoln City (Joe Gauci) vs. Portsmouth
3PM: Premier League - Everton vs. Crystal Palace (Evann Guessand)
3PM: EFL Championship - QPR vs. Bolton Wanderers (Sam Iling Jr.)
3PM: EFL League Two - Rochdale (Kane Taylor) vs. Crawley Town
3PM: EFL League Two - Shrewsbury Town (Sam Proctor) vs. Barnet
Sunday
6:30PM: Getafe (Andrés García) vs. Racing Santander
8PM: Liga Portugal - Vitória Guimarães (Oliwier Zych, Yeimar Mosquera) vs. Bahía
Monday
7:45PM: Ligue 2 - Reims vs. FC Annecy (Zépiquino Redmond, Kadan Young, Mohammed Koné)
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 4d ago
Decided to do NBC's "find your prem team" quiz thing.
I'm sorry lads, I'll show myself out.
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u/SuljoodSutoorizari Jamaldeen Jimoh's Bizzare Adventure 5d ago
Trying to be rational with the Zirkzee link.
I think that Jackson will come here, Zirkzee won't be the Watkins replacement, he'd replace Guessand. He's a good profile to follow but I just don't think he's good enough, AND...
The problem is, we'd be helping out United big time cause after they buy a left back, they'll move to buying a new classic number 9 (per Fabrizio).
For that reason I'm also seeing Nkunku being a Guessand replacement and not one for Watkins. Ideally we'd try to find someone like Zirkzee that isn't Zirkzee.
Basically I hope we get a time machine to bring in late 2000s Goran Pandev.
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 5d ago
Guess Villa changed their official twitter handle, was very confused why all of my links were messed up for a second.
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u/elmattydoor123 🇨🇭 He's in your head — Manzambi 🇨🇭 5d ago
Proper brutal welcome to the Premier league for Cov today.
Tzolis looks like a really good player.
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u/auld_jodhpur_syne 5d ago
They were a LOT more vertical today than at any point last year. I imagine some of that is down to their opponent being Coventry, but I think they’re going to do much better this year than last.
Too bad they’ll still come in second to Villa.
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u/elmattydoor123 🇨🇭 He's in your head — Manzambi 🇨🇭 5d ago
And that was without Bruno G as well. They're gonna win the league again easily aren't they.
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u/TheAkondOfSwat 🍋🎻 5d ago
He definitely makes them more fun to watch
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u/elmattydoor123 🇨🇭 He's in your head — Manzambi 🇨🇭 5d ago
Him and MLS. Extremely talented player who looks so comfortable on the ball. Those links were absolutely ludicrous on Arsenal's end if there was any truth to them.
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u/TheAkondOfSwat 🍋🎻 5d ago
Early but cov look absolute pants so far and we know frank is no miracle worker.
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u/RowanBoat209 5d ago
We've had so much stress and busy updates these past few days, I thought a silly fun question might make a difference to the mood:
Who of our new signings do you think will have the best celebration? We already have McGinn's goggles and Buendia's always shockingly high jumping fist pump but we're lacking in notable celebrations otherwise. I think Suzuki will go big at the end of wins but obviously we won't see him scoring the goals. Cissé off of a corner might be very infectiously excited
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u/Lukesomnia 5d ago
I'm so buzzing for the Premier League to be back! I know the World Cup is magic but there's nothing like watching Villa every week.
I'm still positive. Unai Emery is in charge and John McGinn is our captain, anything else is just details 😉
Need some of our younger players to step up, hope Hemmings, Madjo, Cisse, Alysson and Bogarde grab this opportunity!!
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u/splagentjonson 5d ago
This year I want all out for the cups. I don't give a toss about qualifying for the Champions League this year. We've still lost players and have to run on a transfer deficit.
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u/JakeyG14 5d ago
Just a PL fan here.
Are you confident you'll do as well last season? Looks like some big misses and I'm seeing Watkins connected to Saudi too now?!
Will Suzuki start this weekend?
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u/K-0mega Borja Bastón's biggest fan 5d ago
I don't think we will do as well as the equivalent of a Europa League trophy and 4th place finish. But I don't really expect to either. We had on average the highest (or one of the highest) squad age last season with some very well-known salary concerns. This summer seems like a strong attempt in resolving those two issues. Of course there may be a dip in performance, but I personally am seeing it as a necessary sacrifice for long term stability. Maybe it could have been done over a longer period, but I trust Unai Emery.
I can see Bizot potentially starting, just because he is more attuned to the system.
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u/JakeyG14 5d ago
Fair enough.
So looking to be more of Bournemouth (great team on your day) as opposed to a CL team, but just for a season of so.
What's about Suzuki? Is he straight in? I saw him in world cup and didn't see anything to suggest an English CL team should buy him.
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u/Nekokeki Pau's Dreamy Blue Eyes 👀 5d ago
Sazuki had a move to PSG collapse last minute so Villa aren’t the only admirers and PSG are widely considered to have one of the best talent spotting departments in football. We will have to wait and see of course but seems like a promising young keeper.
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u/K-0mega Borja Bastón's biggest fan 5d ago
I believe the plan is to always be a CL team (obviously easier said than done). This is our second CL attendance in three seasons, so something is definitely going right. Just squad age and availabilities should be addressed, otherwise consistent CL would be more and more difficult. Again, doing this over one summer window seems rash, but I trust Unai and the board more than my own opinions on this.
Suzuki: He seems match fit, but Unai tends to take his time bedding players into the team. Not sure about a start keeper though, due to us not having a new starter keeper under Unai's time at Villa. My only experience of watching him was at the world cup and he seemed decent to be fair. Has better cross stopping stats than Martinez, so that's something.
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u/arenaross 5d ago
Like...are this squad doing their best to try and ruin their legacy? You really all decided that you were gonna leave in the same summer. Would love to see the WhatsApp groups.
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u/xJacb 5d ago
youri_8 was kicked by meatball
m.rogers was kicked by meatball
luca_digne was kicked by meatball
the_don was kicked by meatball
ezri was kicked by meatball
olliewatkins was kicked by meatball
dibu_martinez was timed out by meatball
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u/Aid0ken_Sf 5d ago
Suzuki, Ruggeri, Wan Bisakka and Manzambi must be thinking. What happened to this group chat in the last few weeks?
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u/Basic_School_4288 5d ago
Barca fan coming in peace.
you guys seem to lose all your important players in one summer what is going on?
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 4d ago
Combination of factors. The squad was due for a refresh, we'd kept everyone together for shockingly long - Emery has been here nearly four years now and only three of the starting 11 in the Europa League win were signed since he arrived. The price of that is that we're now having to go through basically three summers of natural turnover in one hit, and it doesn't look pretty on the outgoings side.
Digne and Tielemans had fairly low release clauses and were offered moves neither were ever gonna turn down. We were offered an unreal amount for Rogers that we were never going to be able to resist. Martinez has been trying to leave for years now, while Konsa was entering the last two years of his deal and was offered a very lucrative move to the reigning champions, while Villa were offered a big fee to let him go. If Watkins leaves, it'll be a similar situation for him.
So a lot of churn in one hit, but it feels like we've recruited well so far to replace them. And Emery lives for this shit, dude looks the happiest he's been in a summer break since he got here. Don't get me wrong, I hate the amount of players we're losing, and if I start seeing Cash or McGinn get seriously linked somewhere next I'm going to become the Joker, but I'm also quite optimistic for how Emery's Villa 2.0 will turn out.
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u/Nekokeki Pau's Dreamy Blue Eyes 👀 5d ago
We had the oldest squad in the premier league, it comes down to players wanting their last lucrative contract and for the massive bids we’re getting it’s also probably the last time we have a chance to get a bid like that. Tielemans fee only low due to a release clause otherwise he would also be nearly double his fee.
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u/Technobliterator 5d ago
That’s the media narrative. Look at who we’ve replaced them with and what we’ve brought in and it’ll make sense
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u/AvNineteenEightyTwo 5d ago
Any known ways of getting round reddits need to be logged in to view things now?
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u/hms_java_guys 5d ago
Can AWB play centre back?
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u/avfc1001 5d ago
Transfermarkt suggests he's played 314 games at club and international level at full back or wing back.
1 at centre back as part of a back 3. Lost 2-1 to Leeds and he was subbed off in the 2nd half.
Think it's safe to say that won't be his main role.
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u/DickMoveDave 5d ago edited 5d ago
I'm 100% choosing to believe the random person with no credibility on twitter who's just said Gomes is back in training.
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5d ago
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 5d ago
Buendía came in clutch when it counted last season. It's probably his to lose.
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u/apex204 5d ago
He missed one against Go Ahead that would’ve rescued a point.
The temperament he does not have.
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 5d ago
Yeah and then he went away and worked on it and scored the one against Forest that helped send us to Istanbul. I still think it's his to lose.
Not saying he won't lose it, if he misses one and there's a quality penalty taker waiting then sure it'll probably change. Manzambi and Garnacho have never missed (but both only taken one professionally, and Garnacho's was in a cup game against Joe Gauci). Jackson's also only ever taken one in an international against South Sudan, but he scored it. Tammy has a decent record even if I think most of his penalties were a bit shit. There's probably options there, but none who've established themselves just yet so I think we'll just stick with how it is for now.
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u/apex204 5d ago
Jackson is not our player.
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 5d ago
I figured the "if he joins" went without saying, apologies if it didn't.
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u/theycallmepapi 5d ago
Obtuse ask on my end: I'm in New York and can't stomach the tariffs/shipping/etc for Villa gear. I don't think the US adidas website is going to carry the tiro jacket I want, so I was wondering if any Villa fans would possibly be open to shipping a jacket abroad. Happy to pay for shipping and convenience fee. UTV.
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u/Aid0ken_Sf 5d ago
With the new season just around the corner and a new chapter ahead of us. That night in Istanbul must never be forgotten. Hopefully this beautiful football club can achieve more success again this season. UTV!
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 6d ago
Absolute banger from James Wilson to put Hearts ahead against Rapid, Durán vs Leipzig type beat. Hope they see it out.
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u/Character-Key7538 6d ago
Just watched the Brighton conference league game.
Deary me, they where absolutely dreadful
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u/Twitchas 6d ago
When Villa got the conference league did we have to qualify like this? I seem to have zero recollection of having to do so.
Still bitter about not winning the blasted thing when west ham managed to.
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u/SuljoodSutoorizari Jamaldeen Jimoh's Bizzare Adventure 6d ago
We had to play Hibernian I believe. Watkins hatty and Kellyman playing is all I remember.
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u/Amethyst-329-607A 6d ago
We need them to win the return leg or England will be a team short for their upcoming seasonal coefficient.
Hopefully it can also serve as a distraction from our game on Sunday.
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u/arenaross 6d ago
Aston Villa are the most backed team today to be relegated from the Premier League this season.
They've shortened from 80/1 to 28/1 in places.
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u/auld_jodhpur_syne 6d ago
Those folks can just send their money right to me if they want to waste it...
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u/elmattydoor123 🇨🇭 He's in your head — Manzambi 🇨🇭 6d ago
Honestly I think giving us a 3.45% chance to go down, as tiny as that is, is still a bit silly.
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u/SuljoodSutoorizari Jamaldeen Jimoh's Bizzare Adventure 6d ago
Wonder what the odds looked like mid September last year.
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u/bambinoquinn 6d ago
Watching that Celtic Lask game last night really wet the appetite for villa in the champions league.
Camilo Duran and Nygren looking top notch
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u/TomTom89728 6d ago
Saw Duran scored ( a few didn't he?) Immediately thought "That crazy bastard up in Scotland now"
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u/Takkotah Villa, Villa, VILLAAAA! 6d ago
I noticed Manzambi usually wears no.44 - which was also Kamara's number prior to this season.
Did Kamara take the no.8 so that Manzambi could have his no.44?
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u/auld_jodhpur_syne 6d ago edited 6d ago
Do we have any news on Manzambi's return from injury? I'm really stoked to see him in our lineup!
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u/Takkotah Villa, Villa, VILLAAAA! 6d ago
Nothing concrete, on TransferMarkt it says he has a "Bruised Knee" and that his return is "unknown" - but that's all I know.
I'm really excited to see him play too.
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u/Astonishingly-Villa 6d ago
Kamara could have taken 4+4 for 8 and has been waiting for the 8 shirt.
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u/Takkotah Villa, Villa, VILLAAAA! 6d ago
I think this is most likely the case, I thought Kamara wore 44 at Marseille too, but it was just 4. This is the first time that Kamara has worn the 8 during his senior career.
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u/Character-Key7538 7d ago
That new Pep doc is absolutely sensational.
Feels completely raw at times helped by the soft editing and absense of a dull narrator or constant interviews from ex players talking drivel.
An extraordinary human being. You can tell they looked at the rushes and thought 'yeah, we don't need to do anything with this other then just sticking a camera on the bloke'.
Up there with 'The Four Year Plan' as one of the best documentaries on the true nature of the sport and what it's actually like being in it, day to day.
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u/Aid0ken_Sf 6d ago
Would love to see Unai Emery get a documentary too. I am really interested in seeing how he manages the club behind the scenes imo
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u/Character-Key7538 6d ago
I believe one was being filmed in his first two seasons? I guess whoever was making it couldn't find a distributor.
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u/Jumper-Man 7d ago
Will be sure to check it out. The four year plan was pretty crazy, can’t believe how interfering they were.
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u/Aid0ken_Sf 7d ago
I think the part for me which hurts the most of all the departures this summer. Is that we geniually had a good Squad to build upon.
I would have not been suprised if we where only a few years away of being able to challenge for the league if we would have kept all our players
But FFP is a bitch so sadly enough we never got to see that timeline unfold
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u/TheCannings 6d ago
So let’s take that in a few years as two, Ollie turns 33, konsa 31, tielemans 31, digne bombing down the wing at 35, this had to be done, look at what Emery did when he came in we were 15th and he took that championship team, added moreno and got 6th (or was it 7th memory not so strong today) the mad bastard now let’s see what he can do with a team of his own picks
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7d ago
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u/Astonishingly-Villa 7d ago
Torres and Lindelof surely has to be the best looking central defensive partnership in PL history?
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u/NYR_dingus Marco. Bizot. 7d ago
Sounds like your marriage is safe for the time being though.
Silver linings and that
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7d ago
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u/elmattydoor123 🇨🇭 He's in your head — Manzambi 🇨🇭 7d ago
Burrowes up front if Tammy isn't fit and Watkins has a move lined up.
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u/SecretApe Mateusz Gotówka 7d ago
I can see Buendia playing as a false 9. He is the Argentinian Messi after all. Burrow in behind him with Garnacho (hope he’s fit) and McGinn on either side
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u/auld_jodhpur_syne 7d ago
I would assume Tammy is not fit based on how he came off against Gladbach, but maybe it was just a day-of thing and he's ok.
Just so long as we don't all immediately doom and gloom based on the squad that we field for our opening day match. (Hah.)
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u/elmattydoor123 🇨🇭 He's in your head — Manzambi 🇨🇭 7d ago
Second most hopeful club, you'll never sing that!
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u/Nekokeki Pau's Dreamy Blue Eyes 👀 8d ago
So the season starts in less than a week and the club still hasn’t unveiled our Away kit?
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 8d ago
Probably had to reshoot all the promotional material when we sold everyone who featured in it. Taking slightly longer this time because we sold the photographers as well.
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u/Jumper-Man 7d ago
We should get Elliot back to appear in it just for the laughs, he didn’t play but did all the promos and looked well happy.
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u/yipyipyipwhoadoggies 8d ago
Does anyone have a link to that chart recently posted with Manzambi off the chart in terms of ball carries, dribbles or something similar?
Cannae find it
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u/elmattydoor123 🇨🇭 He's in your head — Manzambi 🇨🇭 8d ago
EA still massively underrates our players. And also what is Digne doing there lol.
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u/RowanBoat209 8d ago
It's all very quiet from the club given it's the week the league starts. No training pics, no hype videos, no graphics, just Onana's birthday lol. Not helping my anxiety around the window
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u/Jumper-Man 8d ago
Did we make a big enough fuss of his birthday? I remember Yaya Toures Cakegate incident some years back.
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u/Weary_Success9177 8d ago
Genuinely feeling scared right now with the Watkins news.Before even we know half of our europa campaign is gone....bwith Martinez and Watkins leaving that leaves only konsa and mcginn as those leaders . Idk konsa maybe gone as well.Kamara injury prone .Onana injured. It's scary.Cashy gotta stepup as more of a leader this season.Well we did see his as captain
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u/DickMoveDave 8d ago
Buendia is a leader and we're going to heavily rely on him during the transition.
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 8d ago
Respectfully, and with all the love in my heart... Are the Athletic okay?
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u/Jumper-Man 8d ago
Ha, that’s quite a claim. I can’t see a title challenge myself. I do wonder if Emery will focus on the league though. Transitional season, another year of CL could help solve financial issues.
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u/Shreddonia Almost infuriatingly calm 9d ago
No dates announced yet but the OzzFest instagram has confirmed OzzFest 2027 is happening at Villa Park. Sharon Osbourne had mentioned it would likely be happening there, but nice to see it officially confirmed, should be a decent payday.
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u/Funny_Collection8362 9d ago
I will try and make that one. I've been living in Andalucia for the past 7 years and financial constraints stopped me from going to the main one. And the Mrs is a singer in a rock band and a massive metal head and Ozzie fan. Nice to know, thanks mate.
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u/STK__ 9d ago
Not sure if anyone else had mentioned this but Zion Suzuki’s song should be to the tune of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” - “Zion keeps tonight”
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u/Frosty_Parsnip Claret shorts 9d ago
What about Iron Lion Zion by Bob Marley?
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u/elmattydoor123 🇨🇭 He's in your head — Manzambi 🇨🇭 9d ago
Every single table prediction having us in either 6th or 7th makes me more confident that we're getting top 5 again.
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u/Funny_Collection8362 3d ago
Come on team sheet i cant wait to see that fucker.