LionOfGosforth

Emery has done a great job at Villa but not a chance in hell i'd swap him for Howe. I would back Howe to set us up tactically against anyone at all in a big one-off game, Emery getting his pants pulled down tonight.

Mendes has to be the best LB in the world

PSG just a different level. Likely CL winners.

Still recall watching the 3-1 home win over Man City and I doubt Richard Edghill ever recovered after what Ginola did to him that day.

On the other side of that coin, I think Villa are quite overrated at this point by many. They're playing a team that roasted Liverpool in both games. Villa have tbf had a good season, this is just a level too far for them at this point in their development.

Funny attempt to stay onside there Gross

Seems to have gotten a bit lost in their shuffle, class talent

Howay Dortmund, they don't like it up em

Quite cute Villa thought they had any chance whatsoever against probably the best side in Europe this season

Pen to Dortmund, daft challenge

First step in improving is accepting you're shit in the first place. Long road ahead for that club when your own fans don't want to hear it.

Think we're already at the point where it's impossible to imagine our midfield without him. He brings the engine and athleticism but adds technical ability, game intelligence and an almost English-like drive and passion that elevates the midfield to another level. Seems to have the best qualities of all the great English midfielders down the years allied to Italian traits you don't often see. Like an Italian Robson. Gets up and down the pitch, tackles, give and go's, gees up the crowds. Oh and he scores goals too. Fuck me, what do we have here

Ugarte has a "get me off this pitch" look on his face in the background of that. Wants none of it.

Made the same point in a post in the Man Utd thread. They (and the others in the cartel) get a sickening amount of coverage, way out of proportion with current levels based on...historically being good I suppose? Conveniently forgetting that in the late 70 and early 80s, Forest and Villa were big clubs who enjoyed huge success, particularly in Europe. I swear Man Utd have received roughly twice the coverage of us, Villa and Forest combined this season, as pundits and ex-players weep and wail over their pathetic efforts. They just can't understand/accept that these clubs, though historically successful, are in a trough of failure and it's about time, other clubs were given their due. Spurs are the perfect example of a cartel club who have achieved roughly nothing for decades, outside of a freakish run in the CL a few years back, but let's talk about them endlessly and why it's "going wrong" for them, instead of how Wolves took them apart.

I know injuries have hit him but it was easy to forget he even came on yesterday, just offers nothing at all. No clue what he's even good at anymore. Looks sick of his life when I see him.

It was almost sad watching him. Been a great player in his career but trying to compete in there with our midfield 3 is a thankless task when you can barely run. There were times i'd see us up the pitch and idly think "where's their midfielders?" and then Eriksen would amble just into view, like a little old man trying to run with teenagers.

My comment of "10 minutes" was a bit off but the point stands

That after 90+ minutes of running the entire midfield and scoring a great goal to boot. Mount had only been on the pitch about 10 minutes and just couldn't be arsed to try and keep up with him. Elite DM.

Yeah they're still a big club, mostly due to attendances and the odd cup. I don't think it justifies 75% of the coverage, no matter who they play, or having ex-players commentating and dominating the punditry. It's like the media can't stand they no longer win everything and want it all back the way it was. Christ knows why, other teams having some success is great for the game.

They're just another PL side now, not deserving of the amount of coverage they get from the media. So many ex-players of theirs commentating, wanking on and lamenting it all. Enough man.

Watching it back, must say I felt sorry for Eriksen. Player I have a lot of admiration for, forced to play 90 in that midfield, he looked like one of those over-50s trying to play a charity kickabout.

Hope today's result gives you a nice boost, get well soon Eddie

If only Ipswich hadn't blown it last week, they had a good shot staying up

Was watching them against Wolves last week and thought the same thing

IIRC, he was signed by Benfica for 12m, 6 months later had a canny WC and then they came along and gave them over 100m, bet they couldn't believe it