Balj

We end the season hoping we aren't relegated - that's shocking and we can't blame injuries, VAR or congestion. Too many games have been played with apathy, comical defending and some quite baffling lineups/substitutions/formations. These are all to do with management - I'm not sure where I am on BR but he has to shoulder the responsibility for the season and it has been below par. We've moved to a more possession based style of play but without the cutting edge to get use that possession to create chances. Our wide play does not seem to create chances with players beating their defender and cutting balls back in - a highly probably way of scoring. Vardy's unavailability isn't the issue as more possession and his age means we are moving away from his strength - Kelechi and Patson are different and need chances created for them in the way Vardy does not. Defensively we have been shambolic and I include Kasper in that as well as our lack of centre back depth - if anything Kasper's retreated to his line even more gifting chances at every set piece. I think we have real problems going into next season - something needs to be enlivened at the Club, not just new signings (new signings of late have not been good either). I can't be arsed to get on bus, train and walk to go to the Norwich game, that's how meh I'm feeling at the moment.

Yes - 2 points from mathematical safety. 1 leaves us open for a Bristol City.

Without Ndidi we were always going to have a striker/defender mismatch somewhere - Wes and Evans took taller and statistically bigger threats leaving Tammy inevitably against someone smaller. So although I am furious about our general ineptitude at set pieces I can kind of get the logic. The bigger problem for me, last few seasons, is that other teams will have a keeper dominating that Tammy/Ricardo area and we don't. I love Kasper as a man and as a shot stopper but our defensive frailties are to a large extent caused by a fundamental weakness in that space between goal line and penalty spot where other teams have a keeper who can dominate it to a greater extent.

I edited my post to reflect this! Just checked on the train for Everton on Sunday which is rail replacement to Nuneaton. I'm Solihull so will drive to Nuneaton. HS2 is already nailing my trail running routes, now trains too. Groan:(

Nuneaton seems to be the station to aim for. I train in/out from Coleshill Parkway for every home game and the train's always gone from or to Bham New St. However for this coming Sunday (Everton) it's rail replacement to Nuneaton.

Agreed - I've given up on the concourse and have taken packed lunch all season! Nicer loos would be good too - ours's are outdated. Thank God I've only ever needed a pee:)

I've got one going spare in J2 - can meet outside ground tomorrow.

I don't think so but Trafford Park (by the cricket Old T) is a mile away and a very easy walk - used that last time I was there with no drama. Metro is probably a better shout for regularity etc.

Couldn't agree with you more - so underrated at the moment....

Mobile Pret is a business idea for matchdays ......

I have a spare in J2 if anyone is looking for one - it's U18 (my son can't make it) but can upgrade. NOW GONE

Just listed 2 for resale in J2

Stream?

Thank you - lack of trains have screwed up my ability to make it on NYD. May sell out in light of last nights game so will list if so.

Anyone else having problems with this? Can’t seem to find the link to resell at the moment - doesn’t show up as an option on my personal details for the game I want to resell for.

Totally agree with you. On advertising/sponsorship you are tied into a contract for a specified period (sometimes with an option to renew for the sponsor/advertiser) so there is a delay between wanting to end it and being able to end it. There are sometimes grounds to terminate if a particular advertiser/sponsor does something that brings the Club into disrepute (and vice-versa). This may have happened with Wonga. I'm doing a sponsorship deal at the moment with one of the 2 big sports brands and interestingly they control who co-sponsors can be but don't object to being associated with gambling or alcohol. I've often wondered why the big brands don't themselves bring influence on Clubs to steer clear from particular industries. On a wider point to show how the betting industry is so insidious someone explain why the BBC regularly gives horse racing tips and why horse racing on tv shows odds (whilst not displaying betting logos). It shouldn't happen and happens for no other sport.

I have a home end ticket for anyone interested. Doug Ellis Stand, half way line. Face value £55. NOW GONE TO A HAND SITTER

Current state of trains https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-trains-man-city-22298914?fbclid=IwAR0jurbD4drowstzppwp8X-aRjYmws_YVznfo3fORzIs6zJ7qeTktPzSK38

Just listed 2 in J2 on the resale platform - should go on sale on the ticket site.

I live in the West Mids and all my Villa mates (and their forums) are in despair of getting to and from games because of the train driver shortages. They’ve been left queuing for trains after games for over an hour as each gets cancelled. It’s a pretty normal feature of the West Mids train network at the moment. Driving and parking relatively close by is perfectly possible and if it’s a 10/15 minute walk away you should get away pretty easily. It’s the side streets immediately round the ground which are a nightmare.

I have a ticket in the home end (Doug Ellis Stand) as I couldn’t get an away ticket - unfortunately I can no longer go so if anybody fancies sitting on their hands in the home end please let me know. Great seat (halfway) - face value £55. E-ticket so can be emailed.

I suspect getting an away ticket will be difficult - for info Villa home tickets go on general sale after 22nd November. I’ll probably sit on hands in the home section……

That’s odd - I’ve upgraded my son’s ticket to adult over a number of ages over the years. Not had cause to do it this season so would also be interested to see if the policy has changed. Maybe a way of forcing resale by the club under its resale system.

Ah - that makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.

Just a bit of feedback on this - I listed my son’s tix for Man City. We are in J2 - the ticket has been sold and on his account it says the remittance will be sent shortly. So all seems to be working well and I’ll be sitting next to the lucky buyer tomorrow. But also interesting the ticket sale and remittance is not down to a full sell-out as there were some tickets (very few) left before and after his was sold - of course they could be returns as well but it seems tickets maybe offered out even if not a sell-out.