For most Villa fans, the point of caring about this season has now long. A 6-0 drubbing and plenty of signs being shown that the players have given up, have been the final nails in the coffin. In amidst all the Joleon Lescott drama and pain that Villa fans have had to suffer since the last two games, there have been firm signs from supporters that enough is enough – from the ‘outthedooron74’ initiative, a commercial boycott and a Supporters’ Charter. A trip down to Villa Park on a cold Tuesday night was at least going to be interesting, although that would have nothing to do with the likely result.
Prematch Fan Thoughts
The fans expected nothing more than a loss and some predicted a heavy one, with Romelu Lukaku on fire and the 49% Everton buyout boosting morale for the Blue half of Merseyside. However, this game was less about the football itself and more about a protest in the shape of a walkout. A topic which had everyone talking and asking questions like “Are you or aren’t you?”
Still, on the train to Aston, the team news arrived and it was pretty boring. No signs of blooding any youth. A team consisting of a back five in defence and a midfield which clearly doesn’t have enough Premier League quality to compete. Brad Guzan was picked in goal to many bemoans from fans and Jordan Ayew returned after three games out.
On the walk up to Villa Park after visiting the legendary chip shop, there was less hustle and bustle than usual and it was expected after fans had took it upon themselves to protest in an even more severe manner. By not turning up at all. I don’t blame them, Lerner can Fox off robbing our money after the shambolic way in which he runs this Football Club. Even still, what were we to expect from the travelling support? And would the walkout be a successful one? Let’s look back at Tuesday’s events.
The Match
The hopes of an unlikely win lasted about five minutes as Micah Richards left Ramiro Funes Mori to easily head in from a corner kick. Fun. Then, Villa kicked into life and the Villa fans roared their praise for the outburst of intent from the Villa team. Something we don’t see often and it was pretty much capped off after Ashley Westwood had a volley saved. One thing that has to improve on the football pitch is the amount of contribution our midfielders give to our goal threat. Whoever those midfielders may be next season.
Oops, who’s that wheeling away in front of the Holte End? Aaron Lennon made it two and like the two games previous to this one, I concentrated more on the fans behaviour than I did the match. Something I found thoroughly enjoyable as the rebellious atmosphere began to pick up.
Anyway, Lukaku scored Everton’s third, produced a somewhat scumbag celebration in front of L2 and then Rudy Gestede picked up a consolation goal for his troubles. A cross met by the striker’s massive forehead, a forehead that I think will definitely thrive in the championship, as long as his teammates work out that it’s a good idea to cross to him.
The Atmosphere
The atmosphere was a fairly comical one as the Everton fans were very humorous when it came to banter between fans. We sang songs to them like “Three goals! You’ve only scored three goals!” which was met with a round of applause from the away fans. Then, immediately after, another song picked up in L1 and L2 “Your neighbours scored six, your neighbours scored six! How sh*t must you be! Your neighbours scored six.” Which was met with laughs and boos alike.
Apart from the Everton fans’ respect and fun, and all round good support, there was a more important task at hand going on inside Villa Park. An act of defiance.
‘Outthedooron74’ was fairly successful as around a few thousand supporters left the ground, but that was just the tip of an enormous iceberg with the frosty words ‘Lerner Out’ engraved on it.
The walk out just added to an array of chants, banners, flyers and posters; some of which were shamefully confiscated by a posse of stewards.
On top of that, my new favourite song, the classic “We want Lerner Out…” and most notably “Tom Fox, what a w*nker, what a w*nker!” bellowed out of Villa Park with the Everton fans even joining in at some stages. We also sung “We want our Villa Back…” which again was met by applause from the respectful Away following.
It was certainly a night that stirred up the rebellious trait in every fan, singing loud and proud and putting fire into my belly about getting these perpetrators out of our club.
Post-Match Fan Thoughts
Tuesday night was certainly a brilliant example of what we need to do for the rest of the season, as the headline days later read “Desperate Aston Villa preparing to axe chief executive and two key members of club’s senior staff.” A headline that gave us an example of what can happen if we make our voices heard in every way possible. We must aim now to do this at every game; home and away in order to get some change at our Football Club. Will Steve Hollis swing his axe? Only time will tell.
Another story which came out of the woodwork days after the game was that the squad has a serious divide in it. ‘IN THE RED CORNER’; Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards, Gabby Agbonlahor and any other Premier League Experienced old boys who unlike Stan Collymore states, have massively underperformed and let the club down. ‘IN THE BLUE CORNER’; practically all the new signings including Jordan Veretout, Idrissa Gana and probably Remi Garde.
The cause of this divide is down to the more British based players stating that Remi Garde’s tactics and overall management is poor. I wonder who I and every other Villa fan is going to side with? 100% the red corner gang. Oh wait, I apologise, my phone just typed that whilst it was in my pocket.
Away Fans Score – 10/10
Classy. The only word I can use to describe the Everton travelling support. They did their club proud as they stood by the opponent who they have competed against more times than any other clubs have in English Football. They were humourous, filled both tiers on a cold Tuesday night and they had a guy in just speedos raising money for charity (who rightfully got applauded from the Villa fans).
The first 10/10 from MOMS as they were the best English fans I’ve ever seen at Villa Park, in a long time. I have to reiterate the use of the word ‘English’ as nobody will ever compete with the mental Rapid Vienna away support though. Cheers to all Evertonians, hopefully we’ll see you again someday.
UTV
Follow Chad on Twitter – @ChadBillyWrenn
Follow MOMS on Twitter – @oldmansaid
Evertonians are also Liverpudlians. Most of their fan base is within 35 miles of Goodison. Good luck to them – an honest well run club. That they took Barry when we jibbed at the price is just one more sign of the difference between a well run club and the pitiful organization in command at Villa Park.
Sadly I think the damage to the Villa reputation is now becoming deep and destructive.
The world of football knows about our absent landlord and his mates, and is pitying us. Like charity, who wants pity?
Trevor Fisher
There is sympathy from other proper football supporters, but we’ve become a laughing stock thanks to Lerner in the eyes of the media.