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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,...
Five Reasons To Be Cheerful As Villa Are a Top Eight European Team
Five Reasons to be Cheerful After Villa Complete Champions League Group StageWith the Champions League league stage over and done with, Aston Villa have...
Aston Villa Turn Corner only to Crash in Monaco
The Good, Bad and Ugly Of Villa's WeekA week that began with Aston Villa turning a corner, ended with them running into a speed...
Ollie Watkins’ Finishing Woes: A Deeper Dive on Why He’s Under the Spotlight
The Good, Bad and Ugly of Villa Life After Leicester WinNew Year, unfortunately, same misfiring Aston Villa as they nervously beat the 19th-placed Foxes...
Revealed! Everything That Will Cost £1.50 at Villa’s Anniversary Game
Let the £1.50 150th Anniversary Celebrations Begin!There has been some understandable controversy surrounding the club's decision to select the upcoming FA Cup 3rd round...
Five Reasons To Be Cheerful as Villa Fans in 2025
2024 will always be remembered as the year Aston Villa returned to Europe’s top table, although much of the heavy lifting was actually done...
The Good, Bad and Ugly of Aston Villa in 2024
The Good, Bad and Ugly of Villa's 2024With 2024 now in the rearview mirror, it’s time to reflect on the highs and lows that...
Five Reasons To Be Cheerful As Villa Are Winless in Eight
What a difference a few weeks can make to a league position and the atmosphere of a fanbase. The drop-off in Aston Villa's form...
Unai Emery has to turn Aston Villa’s Cruise Control Off
The Good Bad and Ugly - Slow MotionWith games about to come thick and fast, Aston Villa have found themselves back in mid-table traffic....
Five Reasons to be Cheerful As Flying Start Hits Turbulence
Five Reasons to be Cheerful Despite Poor Emery WeekHello darkness, my old friend... Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration; we haven't...
Five Reasons To Be Cheerful as Villans When On Top Of Europe
Five Reasons to be Cheerful as VillansLet's be honest, when Unai Emery joined Villa, we all half-expected the team to be at the top...
Aston Villa Sit Pretty as Things Get Serious
The Good Bad and Ugly - Big Boy BattlesAston Villa, three for three in the Champions League, with a fully fit squad, it's time...
Unai Emery’s Tactical Caution: Is Aston Villa Missing Momentum After Big Wins?
Are Aston Villa’s Post-Victory Performances a Cause for Concern?Is apparent tactical conservatism holding back the team's momentum, or part of a bigger plan?By Adam...