Elma

With Chelsea in 6th so regardless of what they do in the Conference they end up in Europa, and Villa in our hand-me-down Conference League place. Would enjoy that.

Agree with that. Was against DCL a year ago when we'd have been paying a fee, but bearing in mind how little Wilson can contribute now and that DCL is five years younger, I don't think it's a bad shout as a Wilson replacement. Would be great to get a higher level CF but it might be difficult to convince one to come if we're generally playing 4-3-3 and Isak is first choice. Villa had (and are) having trouble keeping their two happy. A João Pedro or Ekitike who can play wide (right) or central would have be great in the squad, but Ekitike didn't want to come and and we prioritised Gordon over João Pedro when we seemed to only have the budget for one. Both would probably cost too much now. Maybe we've identified another one and will make a move in the summer? Failing that DCL is a low risk option allowing us to focus funds elsewhere. Seems like a decent lad too who would fit into the squad without too much fuss.

Think the difference between say 4th and 17th would be something like £40 million. Not sure if this is correct but seems like it's in the right ballpark. https://goaltheball.com/premier-league-prize-money/

I'm not saying we'll do it, but one of the chasing pack could still pass Arsenal. They've a tricky home game v Bournemouth between the PSG games, then Liverpool away. You could see them being on 68 points when we rock up for game 37.

Villa don't, only Forest.

Taking the optimistic approach, but we could be sure with two games to go. If we beat Ipswich and Brighton while Chelsea lose to Liverpool, then Villa not winning at Bournemouth in the late game on Saturday 10 May would mean a victory over Chelsea on the Sunday lunchtime would seal it. Anyway, one game at a time.

Beautiful reverse psychology 🤣

Got a Villa winner written all over this.

Don't think that's enough to overturn the onfield decision. Poor decision.

We'll know more after tonight. A Man City win and we would need ten points (3 wins, 1 draw), provided one win is against Chelsea to all but mathematically guarantee UCL. Chelsea would have to win their other four (I really don't see that with their fixtures) just to have a chance of beating us on GD, and with their GD, Villa would likely finish behind us even if they won all of their remaining games. First things first - a professional performance against Ipswich then we go to Brighton with an eight day rest where a point would be fine, and a win would really take the pressure off.

Good goal that.

Wouldn't a draw confirm it too though, and leave them favourites for the title?

I'm guessing Leeds want a draw in this?

Not sure if it makes it much easier but I think Chelsea are at home to both Everton and Liverpool, before they come to us.

Yeah, they need all three today.

The way we pulled them apart down his side at Portman Road I'm not entirely sure that's a good thing 🤔

Arsenal winning. They'll hammer Ipswich today the way they've started.

Lars Sivertsen on Talksport just now speaking very well about NUFC. Labouring the point that we sold players we didn't want to sell, and we were being ignored when the window shut due to a lack of business, but sometimes keeping a tight squad together and good coaching pays dividends. Seems to really understand the game.

Stunning save by Trafford at Watford.

I inherited the one with orange sleeves from my older brother, and then kept going collecting the rest on my own. That orange sleeve one is iconic - reminds me of Ricky Hill, Brian and Mark Stein, Frank Bunn, Mick Harford, Steve Foster, David Preece (RIP) et al. Great team they had.

Got a soft spot for Luton (had a load of their kits when I was a kid - some of my collection below - and one of my best mates is a Hatter) so am cheering them on. Hint of offside on that goal I thought though?

No way we should think of selling, and after losing Anderson I don't think Howe will entertain it. It would have to be a last PSR resort and I don't think we're in that hole any more? A loan, maybe with a recall option maybe.

And yet my 82 year old mother would switch Lucy off as "women shouldn't be commentating on men's football as they have annoying, squeaky voices". Mind you, her mum's definition of a good husband was one who "takes you out once a week and doesn't beat you" - so each generation moves on a little I guess.

It was bizarre. I looked it up before I posted it and it was the 2-1 defeat on 17 April 1995, exactly thirty years ago (yesterday). Seems like yesterday! I was only 20. 😭 I miss those days of short, pithy spontaneous terrace humour - seems like these days chants/songs are more robotic and every team just sings variants of the same. The two responses to the original post suggested shoe-horning current players names in, which kind of defeats the point and makes it something different.

Equally that's a generous assist against Brentford. Left Tonali with a bit of work to do 😂