The Official Bristol City v Aston Villa Match Day Thread

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4 hours ago, havanatopia said:

Good day to one and all. It is rather strange how, when I am searching for relevant or interesting topics for each Match Day, I come across coincidences. They might be rather irrelevant but they add a bit of interest, at least that is what i think and what is a thread if not of interest to all of us or, at the very least, most of us. So if I make the remark that the Burger Bar Boys are coming today to 'receive' a beating from the Johnson Crew would it mean anything? To those who tend to watch and follow gang culture they might. They are both, or were, rather notorious gangs from Aston and the former were involved in some murders that hit the national news in 2003 when 2 girls died when they got hit in cross fire as the Johnson Crew were targeted. I am merely using a simile that connects Aston to Bristol City via the Johnson Crew. So hopefully we can give Aston Villa a metaphorical beating today.

And our 'on this very day' event this week is Krakatoa which really requires little introduction to anyone but it is a fascinating piece of history.

To this day Krakatoa remains the most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history. A small, uninhabited, volcanic island located west of Sumatra in Indonesia the explosion of which was heard 3,000 miles away and threw five cubic miles of earth 50 miles into the air, created 120-foot tsunamis and killed 36,000 people.

Krakatoa exhibited its first stirrings in more than 200 years on May 20, 1883. A German warship passing by reported a seven-mile high cloud of ash and dust over Krakatoa. For the next two months, similar explosions would be witnessed by commercial liners and natives on nearby Java and Sumatra. With little to no idea of the impending catastrophe, the local inhabitants greeted the volcanic activity with festive excitement.

On August 26 and August 27, excitement turned to horror as Krakatoa literally blew itself apart, setting off a chain of natural disasters that would be felt around the world for years to come. An enormous blast on the afternoon of August 26 destroyed the northern two-thirds of the island; as it plunged into the Sunda Strait. Talking of eruptions...

This rather square shaped affair is a volcanic island named after our venerable city and has, since May of this year, blown its top in anger. The core heat source of course being red and everything around it being a rather icy blue seen from satellite. Bristol Island is one of the more southerly of the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic. Something is stirring in Bristol. There is a Villa island located north of Trondheim, Norway, its a bit tiny and insignificant at less than half a square mile unlike Bristol Island, at 18 square miles, which remains the least researched island of the arcing South Sandwich chain due to its largely ice capped terrain and inaccessibility. The fact it is stirring for the first time since 1956, just after City's last title winning season before our recent League 1 triumph suggests there is renewed fire in the belly. I shall be watching the continued activity of Bristol Island with interest.

Talking of insignificant things Aston only has a population of 32,000. Being incorporated, as Aston Manor, into the city of Birmingham only in 1909. Aston, although famous for Aston Hall designed by John Thorpe for Sir Thomas Holte and later leased by James Watt Jr, the son of Industrial pioneer James Watt, there are not that many great buildings of note in the borough. In fact it was the most deprived area of Birmingham for many years with 20% of homes up to the 1950's not 'fit for human habitation' according to a health service report of the day. Large scale refurbishments of terraced housing were not carried out until the 1980's. The juxtaposition of Aston Hall, a classic Jacobean style building that was the first to enter municipal ownership in the mid 19th century, with such depravity is stark. But Aston does have Aston Villa. Clearly the most successful club in Birmingham with a glorious history and until its disastrous last campaign in the Premier League was the 6th longest consecutively serving club in the top flight, since 1988/9 season, and second only to Everton in total number of seasons, 97.

As a youngster I cannot forget the six seasons, one after the other, that English clubs won the European Cup culminating in Villa in 1982; Liverpool 3, Nottingham Forest 2 and Villa 1. We were the kings of Europe and at that time I thought it was going to carry on forever! That Villa team under Tony Barton played some beautiful football. Just remember these players:-

Jimmy Rimmer, Kenny Swain, Gary Williams, Allan Evans, Ken McNaught, Dennis Mortimer (c), Des Bremner, Gary Shaw, Peter Withe, Gordon Cowans and Tony Morley. 

Paul Breitner,  Dieter Hoeneß and Karl Heinz Rummenigge played for Bayern.

Peter Withe, who was man of the match that night at De Kuip in Rotterdam, was eulogised in these famous words by the best football commentator I have ever had the pleasure to listen to, Brian Moore:- "Shaw, Williams, prepared to venture down the left. There's a good ball in for Tony Morley. Oh, it must be and it is! It's Peter Withe" . They beat the mighty Bayern Munich 1-0. That sign adorns the North Stand at Villa Park, I believe, to this day.

One of the most memorable incidents of the final occurred after 10 minutes when veteran goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer suffered a repeat of a recurring shoulder injury. His replacement, Nigel Spink, subsequently made only his second first team appearance for the club. His performance in helping prevent Bayern from scoring throughout the match was subsequently highly praised, and is seen by many as the making of a player who would be Villa's first choice goalkeeper for the following 10 seasons.

Villa now have to rebuild and like all of the West Midlands clubs under Chinese ownership; what a bizarre sequence of events that led all three famous clubs to relinquish control to the rather disliked Asian nation. I hope it goes well for the sake of the fans but crikey oh reilly are we all lucky we have not only a British owner but a Bristolian one at that. I would not trade places with Villa in a million years. 

So, to todays clash of the crest fallen and the rising reds. Surely we can turn decent displays over Norwich and, particularly, Newcastle into a win? I really do hope City can secure the services of a proven goal grabber before the window shuts in spite of the words of Lee Johnson telling the press he is happy with all he has done in the window even if no striker does come in. That said we do have the talent to open up Villa and I think we will. Tight affair, as all Championship matches are likely to be, but i think we will just edge it 2-1. Abraham and Flint; no need for a Christmas tree, just get on and do the job. UTC. Enjoy the match. 23,800 ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good to see you are capable of getting your back off the mattress, and getting the Match Thread out at a reasonable hour.

Anyhow - 2-1 to City.

Revenge is best served cold: we remember 1979, you Brummy ********ds.

 

Uncle TFR

[ChippenhamRed]

I have included Villa as the dodgy one in my accumulator. Big fan of the compensation bet.

[ZiderEyed]

Nothing I hate seeing more than a bigger club with no respect for the team they're playing. Hope we pump them even more now.

[ciderbeans]

We've just got to mirror image buttons performance against Derby last night. The way they performed will get them a long way.

[...]

3 minutes ago, ZiderEyed said:

Nothing I hate seeing more than a bigger club with no respect for the team they're playing. Hope we pump them even more now.

Don't we respect Villa??
 

 

Uncle TFR

[downendcity]

9 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

Of course I've herd of Wildebeest .

[mozo]

Richard Hoskin summed up the significance pretty well. He didn't mention a draw though, which is what i expect. Villa a goal up at half time, but finish 1-1. 

BBC Radio Bristol's Richard Hoskin: "As we assess the start of the season for Bristol City, a lot hinges on the game with Aston Villa.

"Win, and it's nine points out of 15 going into the international break. Lose, and it's three league defeats in a row - and two long weeks before they can do anything about it.

"In fairness, it's been a tough couple of weeks - taking on Norwich, Newcastle and now Villa. But a victory against Roberto di Matteo's side would give City real belief they can challenge in the top half of the Championship this season."

[Malago]

I'd have taken 7 points from 5 games at the start of the season and I'd happily take them now.

[Major Isewater]

Now,  more than ever , this league proves that anyone can beat anyone

16 minutes ago, ciderbeans said:

We've just got to mirror image buttons performance against Derby last night. The way they performed will get them a long way.

Are ' Buttons ' a Cinderella club ?

[Offside]

Tough game today but it would be good to get something out of it. We'll have to be better in the final third than last week. McCormack will probably score against us as usual so we'll need goals today. A draw would give us 7 points from those opening 5 games which would be a decent return.

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

1 hour ago, DingleRed said:

Aston. Only place I've paid a car minder. All of 12 I would think 

Me too (£5) although I think I must have paid the 12yr old's son.

 

As for the game today. Very very tough so I'd take a draw all day long.

[Fordy62]

3 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

Are ' Buttons ' a Cinderella club ?

Amidst NeilS's world of smut and innuendo occasionally comes a moment of comedy genius. 

This, Major, is excellent work. 

[Son of Fred]

29 minutes ago, Jack Dawe said:

Tough, tough game today. We need our best performance so far this season and/or some outrageous luck (or just a ref that gives a penalty when one of ours is clearly fouled in the box. Too much to ask?) Oh, and we need to stop Ross bloody McCormack somehow

Today's Ref;  last season stats;  74 yellow, 4red, (and a partridge in a pear tree).....stay on your feet,lads...

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

Just another thing....

Isn't it kind of cool that we have our "Man in Manila" @havanatopia doing the match day thread each week? Thousands of miles away on the far side of the earth , in a different time zone , committed City fan and definitely original. No offence to others but it's become part of the match day ritual for me and he's made the position his own!

[Fordy62]

14 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

Just another thing....

Isn't it kind of cool that we have our "Man in Manila" @havanatopia doing the match day thread each week? Thousands of miles away on the far side of the earth , in a different time zone , committed City fan and definitely original. No offence to others but it's become part of the match day ritual for me and he's made the position his own!

Indeed. If there were paid positions going at OTIB, Hav would be second behind Tom & the mods. 

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

Just now, Fordy62 said:

Indeed. If there were paid positions going at OTIB, Hav would be second behind Tom & the mods. 

Blimey- you mean they take all the abuse for free?

[JamesBCFC]

http://www.avillafan.com/forum/index.php?/topic/15282-bristol-city-vs-aston-villa/&page=1

they seem confident, few variations of "we should be beating the likes of these easily."

[SedRA]

Apparently created the most chances in the championship so far. A few people seem quite confident we'll get something from this, gonna need to be on top form to do so I reckon. 

[reddogkev]

I can't see us losing 3 league games in a row, we're too good for that, even against sides the calibre of Norwich, Newcastle and Villa.

As much as I'll be screaming for a city win, I fancy a 1-1 draw.

For me, important that JK quickly gets on the scoresheet, and today will be that day.  We all know who'll score for the Villans.

Come on you REDS.....

[JoeAman08]

I have a Villa supporting mate and he's always been quite cheery even with their year last year. Exchanged talks about our teams and Nathan Baker. Then yesterday an exchange on Facebook made me really hate their fans. So cocky and arrogant because of their name. They've got no clue about the league and how tough it is. Quite funny from a team who's wins in 2016 you can count on one hand. They've got talent no doubt but they haven't got the bottle to battle in this league. I see no personalities that can be up for the fight. He was offended when I said I don't think they'll go up but finish 9th or 10th and that we'd be in the same ballpark. That he'd bet everything he owned that they'd finish above city. Now they could be favourites to do so and it wouldn't be a surprise but as a neutral, could you do it? The blind faith in the name of a club is so maddening. So yes, I hope we teach them a lesson today. The result won't matter much to me as long as it is close though. Couldn't stand a battering at the hands of those arrogant <insert choice of name here>. Looking forward to this one. COYR!!

[chipdawg]

Huddersfield supporting mate who went to their game at Villa Park said Villa were excellent for about an hour, then ran out of steam- to the extent that one of their players was bent double on the pitch retching after tracking back. Get into em,

2-0 city. Tammy and Flint

[ChippenhamRed]

29 minutes ago, reddogkev said:

I can't see us losing 3 league games in a row, we're too good for that, even against sides the calibre of Norwich, Newcastle and Villa.

As much as I'll be screaming for a city win, I fancy a 1-1 draw.

For me, important that JK quickly gets on the scoresheet, and today will be that day.  We all know who'll score for the Villans.

Come on you REDS.....

Sorry but I don't think we're "too good" to lose three games against Norwich, Newcastle and Villa.

Equally if we were to lose today I wouldn't be worried about losing three in a row - those teams are hardly representative of the division as a whole.

I'd say our results so far suggest a mid table finish and regardless of today's result I think that's where we're likely to end up.

Edited August 27, 2016 by ChippenhamRed

[EstoniaTallinnRed]

1 hour ago, P'head Red said:

I think we've held our own against the other two that have come down, I'd be delighted with a draw. Once LJ figures out the 'perfect blend' starting 11 then I think we could be anyone on our day. 

I prefer them to be Bristol City and YES, let's hope this is our DAY!

[EstoniaTallinnRed]

33 minutes ago, JoeAman08 said:

I have a Villa supporting mate and he's always been quite cheery even with their year last year. Exchanged talks about our teams and Nathan Baker. Then yesterday an exchange on Facebook made me really hate their fans. So cocky and arrogant because of their name. They've got no clue about the league and how tough it is. Quite funny from a team who's wins in 2016 you can count on one hand. They've got talent no doubt but they haven't got the bottle to battle in this league. I see no personalities that can be up for the fight. He was offended when I said I don't think they'll go up but finish 9th or 10th and that we'd be in the same ballpark. That he'd bet everything he owned that they'd finish above city. Now they could be favourites to do so and it wouldn't be a surprise but as a neutral, could you do it? The blind faith in the name of a club is so maddening. So yes, I hope we teach them a lesson today. The result won't matter much to me as long as it is close though. Couldn't stand a battering at the hands of those arrogant <insert choice of name here>. Looking forward to this one. COYR!!

Hear, Hear!

[downendcity]

1 hour ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

Just another thing....

Isn't it kind of cool that we have our "Man in Manila" @havanatopia doing the match day thread each week? Thousands of miles away on the far side of the earth , in a different time zone , committed City fan and definitely original. No offence to others but it's become part of the match day ritual for me and he's made the position his own!

I reckon that Havana's match day thread is one of the 5 pillars.

[CyderInACan]

2 hours ago, havanatopia said:

Perhaps, if it was an analogy, yes but its not.

Even though all three are literary devices used as tools of comparison, metaphors and similes are both figures of speech, while analogy is not. An analogy is a rational argument that is used to explain how two apparently dissimilar things are, in reality, quite similar.

Ok. It's just crass. Happy? 

[RaspberryRed]

Perhaps I'm deluded and yes Villa do need to be respected but I strongly believe that once we find our shooting boots then someone's in for a spanking. Let's hope it's today  COYR

Edited August 27, 2016 by RaspberryRed

[JoeAman08]

16 minutes ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Sorry but I don't think we're "too good" to lose three games against Norwich, Newcastle and Villa.

Equally if we were to lose today I wouldn't be worried about losing three in a row - those teams are hardly representative of the division as a whole.

I'd say our results so far suggest a mid table finish and regardless of today's result I think that's where we're likely to end up.

You could look at these fixtures both ways really. We are catching these teams not as finished articles. However, we aren't either. We've signed what 6?7? New players. Many for the first team. We aren't up to speed just like they aren't. It's why I'm optimistic for the season. Think we could be a wildcard to push for a playoff spot. I don't expect it but at the same time, I don't know how good we can be. We are still an unknown. These 3 games I think, regardless of result, show us how good we can be. Come out today with respect like we did against Newcastle and Norwich then I'm still just as positive. So the point I'm trying to make, is that I don't think you can even say our result so far suggest mid table. I would argue it suggest a bit better. Top 8 I'd say as an unfinished article. Burton looks like a better result now. Losing by 1 to the two favourites for winning the league isn't awful with a new squad. Like I said, I won't expect top 8 but I think our form so far suggest a bit better than mid table. It's a long year though. Can't wait 

[The Coach]

I'll go 2-1 City.

Abraham x2

McCormack to get the goal for Villa

[OldlandReddies]

City to come of age today. 4-1, Tomlin to shine and Tammy to grab 2 more. More good news.....the general Korey to return to the squad. COYR's !!!!!