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,...
Aston Villa’s Strength in Numbers and Ugly International Call-up Fallout and Future
With Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad & Ugly’, an old favourite MOMS column that started...
Good, Bad & Ugly of Villa’s Week – the New Striker, Playing to the Whistle & Ugly Opinions
Good, Bad & Ugly of Toon & BarrowWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad...
The Good Bad and Ugly of Undercooked Aston Villa’s Season Starting
Good, Bad and Ugly Season OpenerWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad & Ugly’,...
The Good Bad and Ugly Of Jack Grealish’s Move to Citeh
The Good Bad and Ugly Of Super Jack GrealishWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good,...
Dream Final, a Lesson in VAR and the Quest for Football Immortality
Good Bad and Ugly European Championship SpecialWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad &...
Valuable Villa Lessons, Southgate Indecision and Ugly End for Villa Transfer Target
Good, Bad & UglyWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad & Ugly’, an old favourite...
Top Full-back Targett, Villa’s Need to Change Gears and Corner Strategy
Good Bad UglyWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad & Ugly’, an old favourite MOMS...
Aston Villa’s High Performance Future and the Need to Take a Leaf Out of the [Red] Devil’s Playbook
Good Bad UglyWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad & Ugly’, an old favourite MOMS...
Aston Villa Get Off the Beach, Football Fundamentals and United for the Cause
Good Bad UglyWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad & Ugly’, an old favourite MOMS...
Aston Villa Rediscover Attacking Intent, Dean Smith Puzzles & Attracts Faux Rage
Good Bad UglyWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad & Ugly’, an old favourite MOMS...
Aston Villa is on the Right Side of History as Football Finally Unites Against the Ugly
Good Bad UglyWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad & Ugly’, an old favourite...
Dean Smith’s B-List Barkley Dilemma and Reality of Villa Park Expansion
The Good Bad UglyWith Aston Villa’s fortunes more good and less ugly nowadays, MOMS podcast contributor Phil Shaw resurrects ‘The Good, Bad & Ugly’, an old favourite...