Columns
Regular My Old Man Said columns
Five Reasons to Be Cheerful as Aston Villa’s Preseason Begins
Five Reasons to be Cheerful as Villans - Preseason BeginsAfter arguably the best season Aston Villa have enjoyed in a generation, Unai Emery's squad has returned to Bodymoor Heath after a well-earned summer break. They've barely had time to unpack the sun cream before the squad has already undergone some serious surgery, and there's every chance more arrivals and departures are still to come.With...
World Cup Villa Reflections – Konsa Scapegoating, Villa Injury Woe and Ex-Villa Hero
The Good, Bad and Ugly of World Cup 2026 So FarWhile Aston Villa fans are either enjoying a summer off or worrying about UEFA cost spreadsheets, there's a World Cup on. It's a good chance to remember what football was like before the Premier League made it a product, or is it?The GoodUp to the quarter-final point, it's been a surprisingly entertaining World Cup,...
Incredible Solution to the Biggest Problem of Villa Park Expansion Will Amaze Fans
Villa Park's Transport ElephantAt the Aston Villa Fan Consultation Group meeting this week at Villa Park, that saw the club presenting its plans to...
John McGinn Bad Attitude and Insider Transfer Links
Early Business Media HeadachesAs we all know, Aston Villa addressed the core of their transfer activity before the actual summer transfer window opened. Ahead...
Ollie Watkins to Ditch Aston Villa Transfer Rumours
Debunking the Continuous Ollie Watkins Transfer LinksOkay. Enough is enough. It's time to fire up Media Muppets again.Media Muppets was always one of...
Villa’s Magic Moments and their ‘Ugly’ Mid-table Mentality
Good Bad and Ugly of 2021-2022 SeasonBy Phil ShawI trust everyone has fully digested the final day of the season, which had a comeback...
Will Philippe Coutinho Become the Teacher’s Pet? And Villa’s Need for Better Foundations
The Good, Bad and Ugly of Aston VillaBy Phil ShawHello, to save me copying and pasting Aston Villa’s repeated issues, I thought it was...
Aston Villa’s Lack of Believers and the Death of Premier League Scouting
Good Bad and Ugly of Aston Villa's WeekBy Phil ShawAfter a bit of a break waiting for something to write about in the good...
Aston Villa’s Broken Record and the Premier League’s Waste Problem
Good, Bad and Ugly of the Past Villa WeekBy Phil ShawWatching Aston Villa this season will go down as one of the great frustrations...
Aston Villa Learn Lessons in Control as the Ugly Bubble of the Premier League is Increasingly Exposed
Good, Bad and Ugly of Leeds and West HamBy Phil ShawWith worrying times outside of football beginning to creep into the game, it’s time...
Aston Villa Finally Click Into Gear as Philippe Coutinho Shines and Douglas Luiz Still Polarises
Good, Bad and Ugly of SouthamptonBy Phil ShawAfter a scintillating performance against Southampton, you’d think I’d be happy. But there’s still some Bad and...
The Problem of Aston Villa’s Jekyll and Hyde Midfield and Other Concerns
Good, Bad and Ugly of the Villa WeekBy Phil ShawI think it’s time for a good old-fashioned huff about Villa’s performance versus Watford, followed...
The Good, Bad and Ugly of Aston Villa vs the North
Good, Bad and Ugly of Leeds and NewcastleBy Phil ShawWell, the two week winter mini 'pre-season' break seems to have gone well…There’s a bit...
Column: Steven Gerrard’s Gamble, Villa Plot Twists and Other Loopholes
Good Bad and Ugly of United and EvertonBy Phil ShawA two-goal comeback at Villa Park, when Manchester United are playing is normally followed by...