Thank you santa....

[oldskoolvillan]

Played with a bit more swagger than of late, at least for most of the game, we look more solid with Onana alongside Kamara, which was probably Emerys original plan before injuries etc got in the way, Youri is much happier with the more free role,and it benefits everyone in front of him, lets hope the players take the lift from this into the new year with them. Merry Christmas all UTV.

[westcountryvillain]

Fantastic performance - haven't seen that from us for some time, and the scoreline flattered them; it is frustrating that we seem to be more up for some games than others. I'd like to see us play with that energy and intensity to get the advantage then shore up to see out games, especially at home.

That's our strongest 11 at the minute IMO and we still have Ramsey to come back, Kamara is class & to have him with Onana as you say makes us more solid. The debate I guess is does Mings at some point displace Torres to increase the chances of a clean sheet, save Torres for CL games where it's a bit more cagey?

Rodgers is some player when he's having a good game, looks unstoppable and to think we nearly lost Duran in the summer - what must that pair be worth now!

[Exiledvillan]

I think that we were collectively magnificent, with several star performers.
Pity to concede, but Digne can hold his head up high, just one of those things, no blame attached.
Brilliant energy from the team, with no lack of cohesion. A 5-star performance.

[Exiledvillan]

Seasons greetings to all.

At 60, I'm too old and fat, to squeeze down that chim chiminee charroo.

[Zippity]

Season's greetings, folks. Hope you're all having a great Christmas.

Looks like your boys hit their straps against Man City and we're hitting a bit of form so it shoukld be a cracking game. Mind, we're two of the most serious threats to the cartel so VAR won't know who to screw over most today! I'm not confident of our ageing CBs containing Duran or Rogers-we're vulnerable against pace-but Tonali is beginning to pull the strings )and allow Bruno to do the same), Gordon can be unplayable and Isak is superb (although expect him to hit a straightforward chance straight at the 'keeper at some point).

Good luck for the rest of the season after today and all the best for 2025.

[Exiledvillan]

Kin-ell folks. We really can't handle pace backed up with in-your-face football, can we?

Duran? That's how he rolls, Capt Psycho at your service. He plays on emotion, bit of a lucky dip.

We were lucky to get away with 3, really.

Bah Humbug.

[Zippity]

Evening, folks.

We played well but you were in it up to the sending off. Honestly, man-what on earth was Duran thinking?? The angle from behind shows him clearly move his leg over to put his foot on Schar and, even though there was little contact, I don't think it was a difficult decision for the Ref. Such a stupid move.

Funnily enough, I thought Rogers was just beginning to put us under some pressure when he was taken off.

Fair play to your fans, too...they never stopped singing in that second half; great support from them today.

[westcountryvillain]

Evening, folks.

We played well but you were in it up to the sending off. Honestly, man-what on earth was Duran thinking?? The angle from behind shows him clearly move his leg over to put his foot on Schar and, even though there was little contact, I don't think it was a difficult decision for the Ref. Such a stupid move.

Funnily enough, I thought Rogers was just beginning to put us under some pressure when he was taken off.

Fair play to your fans, too...they never stopped singing in that second half; great support from them today.

Howdo Zipp - hope you enjoyed your Christmas after that!

I've no complaints about the result - Villa can't really cope with intensity and although we were growing into the game you looked well organised and solid at the back. I do have a problem with ref though - if you look at Duran's body language he checks Schar is ok and is fuming about being sent off, the ref didn't go to the screen to take a 2nd look & some of your fans agree it was harsh, his left foot rolls underneath him before he puts his right foot down. But it is what it is....

However Gordon was persistently fouling and shirt pulling, one time in particular he tugs Cashy down when we're in transition and nothing gets done. Didn't feel like a balanced game at all ref-wise - but the outcome would've been the same I reckon. Isak is a wonderful player and it's good to see a number of clubs upsetting the cartel - good luck for the rest of the season except at VP.

[Zippity]

Alright, man.

Aye, if it had been the other way round, we'd have been livid with the ref for some of his decisions.

It's been a strange season for both clubs with form being up and down. Hopefully we both have strong second halves to the season-somebody needs to stick it to the cartel and we're (both clubs) best placed to do it. I'm not discounting Forest but I suspect they might drop off the pace a bit.

Happy New Year to you all.

[oldskoolvillan]

Happy New Year Zippity and the rest of the reprobates who frequent this establishment, I think we are suffering from a combination of what Newcastle did in their first season in the CL, and also of players hitting their median after over performing (for them) last season. We either need to recruit next level, never easy in this window and with PSR bullshine probably not achieveable in short term at all, or Unia needs to reinvent the wheel for a second time and get them performing to last seasons level. Answers on a postcard. One thing we must absolutely do especially with Pau out for potentially the rest of the season is sort the defense out, round pegs in round holes would be a good first step.