Aston Villa Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2025/26

artanevilla · 21-04-2026 11:02AM

North Stand is set to be closed for the 2026/27 season. Might make it tough to get tickets.

pavb2 · 21-04-2026 01:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124411170#Comment_124411170

What was the original timeline for works?

artanevilla · 21-04-2026 03:36PM

Not sure about this time around but this has been mooted since Lerner's time. Seems like actual progress is being made.

pavb2 · 21-04-2026 04:19PM

I liked Lerners model from 2010 it wrapped the two lower sections around though I don’t think the capacity would have been much more than 51k.
There’s never an ideal time to carry out this type of project but the latest approach seems to be to have all the disruption in a shorter time frame which I think is correct but I’d also be prepared for inevitable delays as these things rarely finish on time.

cgorzy · 21-04-2026 05:33PM

We look likely to get Champions League so assuming that happens it will be a shame to have reduced capacity for it but I suppose with the extra cash from Europe it will easily cover the match day losses so maybe getting the whole North Stand job done next year makes sense from that perspective.

Getting tickets will be different next year for sure

artanevilla · 21-04-2026 08:09PM

I think we played European matches in the Hawthorns the last time VP was being redeveloped.

Panrich · 21-04-2026 09:00PM

According to the interweb, Hawthorns capacity is just over 28k. That wouldn't make sense this time around.

Patser · 21-04-2026 09:04PM

Amazing that I'm starting to hope for a Chelsea equaliser, and a drawn game - as I'm more worried of Brighton going on a run and catching us than Chelsea

Panrich · 21-04-2026 09:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412523#Comment_124412523

When we played Brighton at the Amex at the start of December, a win for them would have put them above us in the table. Amazing that even with our bad run recently, they are so far off us.

Patser · 21-04-2026 09:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412523#Comment_124412523

Although it would be even funnier if Chelsea got no Europe at all next year.

There's a risk that if we finish 5th but win Europa League, 6th place gets Champions League - I don't want a 'Big 6' getting loads of money on our coat-tails, while we'll still be expected to cut costs while they get promoted by Sky as European Giants

CSF · 21-04-2026 09:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412551#Comment_124412551

Happy to have Chelsea to have Thursday night football next year, to stop them having a year like United this year

Patser · 21-04-2026 09:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124412554#Comment_124412554

True - Europa Conference League would be ideal - maximum mileage to minimal appeal opponents

Patser · 21-04-2026 09:57PM

Ok so mathematically 6 points from 5 games gets us Champions League, and that's actually if Brentford or Bournemouth win all their last 5 games, 5 points from 5 games beats Brighton, and 3 points from 5 games beats Chelsea

LeBash · 21-04-2026 10:06PM

Wouldn't it be great if we got the CL spot sewn up after beating Spurs and sending them down on the same day. Owners should offer 5 Million plus some third choice from the reserves for whatever player we want. Just to rub their nose in it after the Grealish deal they offered us when we went down.

artanevilla · 21-04-2026 10:10PM

The Lion does not concern itself with the cock.

pavb2 · 22-04-2026 12:49PM

I know it’s football banter but it Reminds me of the saying ,Be careful how you treat people on the way up as you might meet them on the way down’

More recently when Gallagher joined them over us there were comments from them about our place in the food chain.

Other than Blues and their mock coffin I don’t think there was excessive pleasure from other fans when we went down. I don’t think this is true for Spurs For all the hype that surrounds them I think the comment that they are no ones second team is true.

Patser · 22-04-2026 07:25PM

I think it was a bit different when we went down. We'd been circling the drain for a few years, had obvious ownership issues; and people were sympathetic as there was a serious concern we'd go bust.

Same as no one is really gloating about Leicester - they won the title 10 years ago, but after the tragic loss of their owner, investment dried up and they've slowly disintergrated into an existential crisis.

Spurs on the other hand were in Champions League this year, 5 years ago were happy to jump on the 'Super League' bandwagon, have happily embraced their 'Big 6' moniker. They may not have been great the last few seasons, but money was not the issue, poor signings and managers yes; but they've had investment. So yes, there's be a big bit of fun to be had if they go down, it'll be self inflicted not ownership/financial/existence related

Patser · 24-04-2026 08:38PM

Of course Forest find form just before the Europa League semi finals

cgorzy · 25-04-2026 11:46AM

Onana missing today, hopefully just a precaution before the Europa game on Thursday. Barkley on the bench is a surprise to me. I think he is playing well and can’t play on Thursday.

Patser · 25-04-2026 12:07PM

Yeah Bogarde getting start in midfield ahead of Barkley and Luiz is a bit strange, although he's always solid and deserves some game time. I'd also prefer Buendia as an impact sub these days than a starter

Bounty Hunter · 25-04-2026 12:12PM

I think he’s just giving Onana a game off like he did Pau in our last game and he will 100% be ready to go vs Forest while our normal Europa stalwart Bogarde steps in now but won’t be playing mid-week. Barkley will come on later though considering he isn’t in the Europa squad.

Patser · 25-04-2026 01:05PM

Finally some life in this game, and great skill by Rogers. Honestly thought it was in and amazed when net didn't move

Patser · 25-04-2026 01:05PM

Na then Ollie also shoes off and hits just wide

Patser · 25-04-2026 01:18PM

Crap.

1 - 0 down at HT - great cross by them, by Martinez was able to save, so disappointing no-one alert in box to clear it.

Very little intensity to game, so if Villa can step it up, the game is there to be won

Patser · 25-04-2026 01:54PM

Lucky let off not to be 2 down - but really, really need to wake up. We've a lot of the ball, but its all casual, trying to pick out nice little passes. No-one killing themsleves to get on to ball

Patser · 25-04-2026 01:57PM

Emery going with 4 changes.. he's had enough

Barkley, Sancho, Bailey and Luiz coming on

Patser · 25-04-2026 02:02PM

Entire midfield changed. McGinn, Tielemans, Bogarde and Buendia off.

One eye on Thursday I assume, but still game is in balance, so this feels like we're happy with the loss.

Surprised Tammy still on bench

Patser · 25-04-2026 02:20PM

Fecks sake, 4 minutes of extra time, and we're still fannying about or chipping it aimlessly away. We're still not storming forward looking for something

Smurts · 25-04-2026 02:24PM

Very disappointing, Liverpool now have a chance to go above us at 3 o clock 😣

25-04-2026 02:25PM

Bailey is awful, every time I see him in a Villa shirt it's just zero effort.

Ollie looked sharper today, didn't get a goal but looking like he's capable of scoring.

Aston Villa Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2025/26

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