164 Comments

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  1. Adam
    Adam April 17, 2015 at 8:32 am . Reply

    A lot of the Liverpool fans seem to think they are already in the final! Id love to wipe the smirks from their faces on sunday. Most biased set of fans going!…and NO fairytale ending for Steven Gerrard please!

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath April 17, 2015 at 6:06 pm . Reply

      Dont worry the ref will make sure they get through. Hopefully arsenal will stuff them in the final

  2. Andrew
    Andrew April 17, 2015 at 12:53 pm . Reply

    Liverpool fans honestly think they still have a top team, and can sign almost anyone. By some way the most deluded around.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath April 17, 2015 at 6:06 pm . Reply

      Liverpool are still a better team/squad than us.

  3. Dave.C
    Dave.C April 17, 2015 at 1:18 pm . Reply

    I apologise in advance for this post, it will be a bit long, oohah and probably a few others may slate me for it, but here goes. I love the F.A. Cup, there you go I said it. It seems fashionable these days to say that the Premiership is the be all and end all, and the F.A. Cup is just a sideshow. Being relegated is treated like a disaster on a scale of the Titanic sinking. Then, when you are at the top table, like the mighty Villa have been since it’s inception, just being there isn’t good enough, you’ve got to qualify for the Europa league by finishing in the top 6 or winning the League cup, then, when and if you achieve it, that will soon not be enough, you will have to strive for the Holy Grail of the Champions League. It’s all bollocks in my opinion, and whilst various clubs and various rich owners have been scrambling over each other to reach this Sky funded Nirvana, we turn around and see that football has eaten it’s own soul.

    To me, the F.A. Cup is a shining light in this greedy pool of darkness. I was born in 1964 and became a Villa fan in 1971. Living in darkest Herefordshire, Birmingham and Villa Park seemed a million miles away as a kid growing up in the 70’s, and I didn’t attend the shrine that was and is Villa Park until I was 18. I instantly fell in love with the Holte End, and have been countless times since.

    Of course, the only thing we haven’t won in that time is the F.A. Cup, that burns inside me. I’m now 50, and although none of us know how long we have left, if I go to my grave without my beloved Villa winning the damn thing, I’d be gutted.

    So this Sundays match means so much to me, has I’m sure it does to thousands of Villans, I would take a F.A. Cup win over premiership survival, I really would. Not that I think we will go down by the way, but surely football is about glory, not just surviving.

    I have a 17yr old son, who I’ve been taking to the Villa with me for the last 8 yrs. When I asked him the other day what is fav memory of the Villa is. He didn’t say finishing outside the bottom 3 the last 4 seasons, he didn’t even pick the 3 top 6 finishes. No, he said the day at Wembley v Man U in the league cup final. I replied that we lost and he was heartbroken when we left the stadium, he said that he loved being with so many thousands of Villa fans, and the reason he was so upset was he knew how happy he’d have been if we’d won!

    So, that’s it really. The Cup may’ve lost some of it’s lustre, but to me it still shines bright.

    If I’m lucky enough to live to a ripe old age, I want to be able to sit with a grandchild or two at my knee and not tell them about the time Villa finished 17th, or finished 4th, but about the time I took their Dad to Wembley to see Villa win the F.A. Cup.

    Come on you Lions, make my dream come true!!

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath April 17, 2015 at 6:12 pm . Reply

      Good post Dave C. Yes I agree it’s the only trophy iv never seen us win either. Having said that I was fortunate to see us win the big one in 1982 and how many clubs fans can say that. Yes I’d rather win the FA cup but not at the expense of going down. The FA cup no longer defines a club anymore even Wigan and Portsmouth have won it in recent years. I feel your lad will be disappointed in Sunday really can see us beating Liverpool tbh it will be close but in the end they will be too strong for us.

  4. langfordvilla
    langfordvilla April 17, 2015 at 1:59 pm . Reply

    Dave C….good post mate. Your right, the FA Cup is indeed a great trophy and to win it would be amazing. I was alive when we won it in 57. But alas too young to remember anything about it.

    People can call me crazy but I would honestly get more pleasure now from winning the FA Cup than the Champions League. For me, the Champions keague has been devalued because of its current set up which is mainly about TV revenue. The fact that if you finish 4th you still qualify is for me a complete nonsense. I am in the ‘if your not champions of your own league, then how can you be champions of Europe’ camp? Then you have the ridiculous seeding system where the only aim is to ensure the ‘biggest, or richest’ club is almost guaranteed to get through to the knockout out stages. For me, the Champions League stinks and will until such times that its returned to the simple knockout competition that it was when won it. But we know that TV companies and the money men will never let that happen! By contrasr, the FA Cup is still very special in that its more of a level playing field where anyone can still have their day (Bradford).

    Dave, I do hope that you get your FA Cup win that you desire……maybe its this year….you never know!

    Keep the faith!

    BTW…I dont fear Liverpool, I fear nobody! The might of Villa is about to rise to the top again!

  5. langfordvilla
    langfordvilla April 17, 2015 at 2:16 pm . Reply

    Press conference! Given to remain in goal…..Gabby is touch and go….I believe Tim is playing it clever here and Gabby will be fit! No word on Ciaran Clark yet!

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath April 17, 2015 at 6:13 pm . Reply

      Playing it clever? Lol it’s not like Liverpool will be scared of him either way in fact we probably have a better chance without him

  6. pat57
    pat57 April 17, 2015 at 3:11 pm . Reply

    Clark is out according to the BBC.

    I’d bet that Gabby will at least be on the bench if he doesn’t start.

    No so nervous about this one –
    – lose and we’ll have had a good cup run and a trip to Wembley for a change and we could then concentrate on staying up
    – win and it might be a champagne year after all and who’d have thought that a few months ago?

    What I don’t want is to win the cup and go down. Happens too often that.

    UTV

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath April 17, 2015 at 6:15 pm . Reply

      Agree I’m not nervous either way I fully expect us to lose but still a good run though we have had piss easy home draws tbf

  7. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson April 17, 2015 at 4:13 pm . Reply

    Dave C, nice post mate straight from the heart, I’m one of the lucky ones that’s seen them glory days, maybe Sunday will be kind to us all and you can share the times I’ve seen, I’m 76 and believe me Dave proud to be Claret and Blue, he’s some of them great players, Johnny Dixson, Joe Rutherford, Amos Moss Dicky Dorset, Peter Aldis, all them was great players for the Villa, I do hope you will see the good days again.

    1. langfordvilla
      langfordvilla April 17, 2015 at 4:15 pm . Reply

      Hi Bill…how dare you not mention my all time Villa favourite…..Charlie Aitken 🙂

      1. Bill Pearson
        Bill Pearson April 17, 2015 at 4:27 pm . Reply

        Sorry Langford, you know he’s a god , I will ask forgiveness.

  8. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN April 17, 2015 at 4:40 pm . Reply

    Ivor Linton anyone???? 😀

    1. langfordvilla
      langfordvilla April 17, 2015 at 5:22 pm . Reply

      Ivor hardon 🙂

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath April 17, 2015 at 6:15 pm . Reply

      Remember him thought he was going to be the new Pele eventually lol

  9. Dave.C
    Dave.C April 17, 2015 at 4:58 pm . Reply

    Thank you, Bill and Langford, I’ve seen some good times Bill, don’t get me wrong.
    Graham Taylor, the first time, loved the way we played under big Ron. We also did well under Brian Little and for a short time Gregory. I just wonder what good times my lad might experience with them.

    It drives me mad when people say the F.A. Cup’s not what it was. There are only 3 domestic honours you can compete for, whichever league you’re in, the League Cup and F.A. Cup. If you can win one of them that’s a good season in my book. I’d rather Villa have a full trophy cabinet than a full bank account, but then again, the two should go hand in hand.

    Did you ever see Gerry Hitchens play, Bill or Langford, I’ve heard he was a bit special.

    1. Bill Pearson
      Bill Pearson April 17, 2015 at 7:04 pm . Reply

      Dave yes seen him but did miss a few was doing my army stint at the time, great player for the Villa,.

  10. pat57
    pat57 April 17, 2015 at 5:16 pm . Reply

    Hitchens was fantastic only one player better IMHO – the great Peter MacParland. Used to watch him as a kid hanging off those little railings as he belted up and down the wing. Seen him on the telly a few weeks ago – still my hero. What a player!

  11. langfordvilla
    langfordvilla April 17, 2015 at 5:18 pm . Reply

    Dave C…..yes saw Hitchens play many times before he moved to Inter Milan. He was a great goalscorer. He didnt many England caps as I recall which was a real travesty IMO.

  12. langfordvilla
    langfordvilla April 17, 2015 at 5:33 pm . Reply

    Injury update….Westwood and Sinclair (that will please Andrew) both fit. Clark definitely out and Gabby touch and go……taken from the OS

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath April 17, 2015 at 6:23 pm . Reply

      All those doubters saying benteke won’t leave. Well here we go ooh ah right agsain already angling for move. http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/aston-villa-s-benteke-tells-belgian-press-he-will-decide-on-futur

      1. Andrew
        Andrew April 17, 2015 at 7:15 pm . Reply

        “Right again” lol okay…

        And angling a move. Doesn’t mention leaving, doesn’t mention staying. He mentions he’s ready to play and he wants to go on vacation, and in the end he’ll do what he wants and not listen to others. But then again you do like making things out of nothing when it comes to him “wanting to leave” garbage.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 12:17 am . Reply

          Trust me as long as he’s not injured he will be off assuming someone comes in for him

    2. Andrew
      Andrew April 17, 2015 at 7:13 pm . Reply

      Haha, I know Sinclair’s gonna play. Although after an injury wouldn’t be smart to start him, but he’ll continue to get games. I’m well aware.

  13. langfordvilla
    langfordvilla April 17, 2015 at 6:49 pm . Reply

    Bag of bollox…he CANT decide on his future until his contract expires. Until then we hold all the cards!

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 12:16 am . Reply

      Rubbish contracts arnt worth paper they r written on. If a player wants to leave then they shall leave

      1. Andrew
        Andrew April 18, 2015 at 1:35 am . Reply

        Contracts are definitely worth the paper they’re written on. Could be like Mainz or Zenit and hold Benteke like they did Tuchel and Spalletti, which both have done nothing since losing their manager positions but both are still contracted.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 4:08 pm . Reply

          If a player wants to go they will go contract or no contract

  14. Andrew
    Andrew April 17, 2015 at 7:16 pm . Reply

    Then there’s this which most don’t get is he is under contract. Can put any fee on him we want too and if no one pays, he stays.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 12:18 am . Reply

      Delight yorke and downing were under contract too. He was under contract at genk. If a team like Utd or arse come calling it will just be a matter of when he goes and how much we can get for him

      1. Andrew
        Andrew April 18, 2015 at 1:33 am . Reply

        Oh I agree, if United or Arsenal came in, we’d struggle to keep him. However United nor Arsenal will come in for him. Benteke’s going to go where he can start and Wenger likes Giroud and Van Gaal has an endless amount of money in which he can almost get who he wants. Nor will Benteke be happy playing back up to Rooney.

        If we get silly money for Benteke compared to Downing, so that was 20m for Downing so around 40m silly money for Benteke, of course he’ll go. I have no doubts. However what I do doubt is anyone of worth maybe bar Dortmund will come in for him.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 4:07 pm . Reply

          Maybe I Should rephrase my statement as if a decent club comes in for Benteke he will be off like a shot. If they then fair enough he will stay. I still think someone like Spurs would take him especially if they lose Kane. Also man city need a striker though bony is too similar to CB but maybe a part ex might be on the card with us getting bony

          1. Andrew
            Andrew April 18, 2015 at 4:17 pm . Reply

            That’s the thing I don’t think he’d go to Spurs, I think it’d be a CL club like Arsenal, or abroad to a Dortmund, Valencia, etc, or it’s staying with us.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 5:53 pm . Reply

              He wanted to go 2 windows ago. He wants to play in London remember and Spurs have a bit of a chance of CL. If he goes to a CL team he will only be a bit part player but will be in double salary so can’t blame him tbf

          2. Andrew
            Andrew April 18, 2015 at 6:18 pm . Reply

            Depends on the team, he’d start at Arsenal as he’s better than Giroud, although don’t think Wenger would start him. But other than that I don’t think a CL side would come in for him. He also wanted to go to Arsenal, not Spurs.

  15. langfordvilla
    langfordvilla April 17, 2015 at 7:24 pm . Reply

    I watched the actual interview that oohah linked. In his interview he was very positive and seemed to edge more towards extending rather than leaving. Like any top player, he wants to assess the ambitions of the club. Lets face it, if next season is anywhere near as bad as the last 4 then I wouldnt blame him if he wants to leave.

    P.S…..oohah…stop the scaremongering bollox

    1. Andrew
      Andrew April 17, 2015 at 8:38 pm . Reply

      Which is interesting as he has 2 years left anyways. Either way would be brilliant to see him extend again. I don’t think anyone should blame him if a bigger club came in. Would make sense to better his career.

    2. Andrew
      Andrew April 17, 2015 at 11:51 pm . Reply

      Sherwood said he wouldn’t stand in the way if Benteke wanted to leave, but has never got the implication that the striker has. He doesn’t want him getting down to 18 months so it looks like another sell or extend kinda summer. I’m going with the latter myself.

      1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
        OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 12:21 am . Reply

        Your going to look stupid when he goes in summer do t forget my apology

        1. Andrew
          Andrew April 18, 2015 at 2:12 am . Reply

          Good thing I won’t feel stupid if he leaves.

  16. KentNielsen77
    KentNielsen77 April 17, 2015 at 7:30 pm . Reply

    It sounds like OohAah is more in love with Liverpool than Houllier was.

    If Villa win on Sunday well add it to the list of things he’s ‘always’ right about.

    Have some optimism man.

    1. Andrew
      Andrew April 17, 2015 at 8:40 pm . Reply

      Told me all season last season on here how they were going to win the league, which he was wrong about.

      he’ll tell you he wasn’t surprised, despite claiming on here we’re going to lose to just about everyone.

      1. KentNielsen77
        KentNielsen77 April 17, 2015 at 9:08 pm . Reply

        I hope he’s wrong for the very “first” time ever on Sunday. UTV

  17. Sammy Morgan's Jock Strap
    Sammy Morgan's Jock Strap April 17, 2015 at 9:01 pm . Reply

    Oohah, can you please shut the fuck up for a few days? You are bordering on the ridiculous now…

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 12:20 am . Reply

      Why because I’m realistic. Mark my words we will lose on Sunday and benteke will leave in the summer. Stop burying your heads up your arse and accept it

      1. Andrew
        Andrew April 18, 2015 at 1:35 am . Reply

        Or you’re overly negative and seemingly hope he leaves so you can finally look right after the last 2 years of he’s leaving comments.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 4:10 pm . Reply

          Look BENTEKE wanted to leave in season 1 and wanted to go to spuds. When they didn’t bid for him he back tracked and stayed. Last season I would have been proven right if he wasn’t injured.

          1. Andrew
            Andrew April 18, 2015 at 4:18 pm . Reply

            Might have been proven right. Might. Not would have, might have.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 6:08 pm . Reply

              Arsenal winning looks like they will win cup tbh hope they stuff Liverpool in final

          2. langfordvilla
            langfordvilla April 18, 2015 at 5:00 pm . Reply

            Benteke will extend his contract in the summer and he is quoted as saying ‘oohah, my agent desperately wanted me to leave as he has now been wrong 100 times in succession. I am not leaving this great club who have been extremely good to me. Where could I go that is better, nowhere is the short answer’

            p.s……..ignore oohah, he only ever talks complete and utter bollox…..I am NOT going ANYWHERE

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 5:54 pm . Reply

              Lol yeah I really believe that Langford next you will be saying Messi and Ronaldo are desperate to join us

  18. Dave.C
    Dave.C April 18, 2015 at 12:16 am . Reply

    I think Sanchez will be a big loss for us, he stays back and allows Delph to do those box to box runs of his. Without him I can see Delph sitting and Villa being fairly impotent in midfield.
    If Liverpool dominate us there I fear the worse. With S.Gerrard’s birthday falling on cup final day I’ve just a feeling they’re fated to win it, hope to God I’m wrong. What chances a Villa Reading final!!

    1. Andrew
      Andrew April 18, 2015 at 2:14 am . Reply

      Fully agree, Sanchez is a giant miss for us. Delph and Cleverley are going to get over run. Need to play 3 in midfield again, but that means forcing Westwood to start when he’s just back from injury again.

  19. KentNielsen77
    KentNielsen77 April 18, 2015 at 7:47 am . Reply

    OohAah, I’m guessing a villa victory tomorrow would ruin your theory so I’m guessing you’ll be rooting for the Scousers – you wouldn’t want to be wrong would you?

    1. langfordvilla
      langfordvilla April 18, 2015 at 7:17 pm . Reply

      Dont you mean a Villa victory will ruin his life? 🙂

  20. OriginalLondonLion
    OriginalLondonLion April 18, 2015 at 11:31 am . Reply

    I am not expecting much tomorrow with the absentees we have, in fact if Liverpool get lucky early it could be a rout.

    However this is a chance to watch Given against a decent attack. I am not a fan of Guzan, Earlier in this post I said a right winger is #1 priority, but completely forgot we need a better keeper. Try this experiment, list the EPL #1 keepers and rank them in order of merit as a keeper. I think come the end of the season your list won’t vary much from the league table of their clubs. Last year only Arsenal (better than the keeper) and Stoke (worse) stood out.

    1. Andrew
      Andrew April 18, 2015 at 5:34 pm . Reply

      What keeper do you think should be signed?

      1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
        OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 6:03 pm . Reply

        Off subject worth putting a bet on Utd for league next season especially as they’ve a couple of hundred mill to play with to buy league. FFP working on behalf of Utd at last.

        1. Andrew
          Andrew April 18, 2015 at 6:19 pm . Reply

          Maybe, I’d still put money on Chelsea though. Largely depends on if Untied can attract what they need and Van Gaal has to get them playing well right from the start.

          1. langfordvilla
            langfordvilla April 18, 2015 at 6:37 pm . Reply

            Andrew….I see what you done there but I worked it out because I’m ultra intelligent….. Am I right? Is untied an anagram of United?….please tell me I’m right….statiscally, I must be right sometime! Unlike oohah who is never right! 🙂

          2. Andrew
            Andrew April 18, 2015 at 6:45 pm . Reply

            Hahaha. You’re clearly intelligent. I am not unfortunately for not being able to spell United.

          3. OohAhPaulMcGrath
            OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 7:00 pm . Reply

            True but the team they have now could easily finish top 2 IMO and they will get at 2-3 world class players to add to that. Plus they are in CL so should get players now

          4. Andrew
            Andrew April 18, 2015 at 7:07 pm . Reply

            Maybe. They need at least 1 quality CB, 1 RB, 1 midfielder, a future replacement for Carrick, 1-2 wingers, and a striker if they don’t sign Falcao and let Van Persie go. And they all have to be top, top notch to challenge Chelsea who will do their usual signing of a quality player or two, allowing 1-2 leave and still perform incredibly.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 8:03 pm . Reply

              True but they are bound to get those players must be great just to go out and buy 3-5 players for £200m and not even blink. FFP is so unfair it’s untrue

          5. Andrew
            Andrew April 18, 2015 at 8:12 pm . Reply

            FFP is so unfair, sadly. Although it’ll cost more than 200m depending on who they wanna get as teams are now pricing players far and above and every summer. Be interesting to see who they can get. I’ve seen a few United fans realistically admit they have no chance at getting the likes of Pogba, that they’ll have to settle for a step down.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 8:47 pm . Reply

              Didn’t they let pogba go in the first place lol

          6. Andrew
            Andrew April 18, 2015 at 8:53 pm . Reply

            Yeah but you get a lot of them claiming with Fergie gone, he’d instantly rejoin them, he loves them, would leave Juventus instantly for them. But then they still think they a majority think they can get anyone with a flick of the wrist, and a huge pile of cash.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath April 18, 2015 at 9:36 pm . Reply

              They probably can most players want to play for Utd and they pay obscene wages too

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