After months of discontent shown by Aston Villa supporters, including a series of Aston Villa supporter protests organised by the Aston Villa Protest Group (AVPG), tomorrow evening will see a ‘protest’ of a different kind.
Having had to suffer the sight of watching a bunch of over-paid, under-performing first team players this season, the idea of going to Villa Park to give the U-21’s players full support to highlight the difference of what Villa supporters will give players when they play for the badge and shirt has been hatched.
“It started during the aftermath of another appalling Aston Villa loss, when a Villa supporter joked to a friend on Twitter that he may start watching the Villa U-21 team instead,” explains the organiser behind the ‘@SupportThe21s’ Twitter page, that is coordinating the idea. “My friend replied, “What a great protest idea, imagine 30K at a U-21 game!” Although 30K was probably a bit optimistic, the more I thought about it, the idea in itself was a decent one.”
At the time of writing, the U-21’s are currently third and in contention to gain promotion from the Barclays U-21 Premier League Division 2. A contrast to the first team’s efforts.
There are only two games left, including a home tie at Villa Park on Monday evening. Potential playoffs await the Villa Under-21’s if they finish 2nd or 3rd.
Remaining fixtures
⦁ 11/4 West Ham – Home – VILLA PARK 7PM K/O
⦁ 18/4 Blackburn Rovers – Away – Leigh Sports Village. (unconfirmed)
⦁ Potential playoff fixtures
With such a great achievement this season already, the U-21’s perhaps deserve Villa supporters backing more than the first team, and if you’re a season ticket holder that has been staying at home for the woeful first team games, then you can get in free for the U-21’s.
“Many fans are craving a way to protest and show their discontent with a lacklustre first team,” says a Villa fan behind the initiative. “Attending this fixture in large numbers and creating a positive atmosphere for the U-21’s will provide a platform to do so in a productive way and also provide an opportunity to witness a passionate team under a flood-lit Villa Park.”
The response on social media to the idea has been very supportive to the idea, with many Villa fans not aware that the reserve fixtures are open to the public, let alone the fact they receive free entrance as season ticket holders.
On Monday the 11th April they hope as many Villa supporters as possible will join in to create something special for the young Villa players and give them the support they deserve and ultimately generate a larger interest in U-21 fixtures of the future, helping the club return to where it belongs.
The fixture vs West Ham could see the likes of Jack Grealish, Adama Traore, Andre Green and Jordan Lyden get a run out, as they stake their claims for next season’s senior first team.
So bring your scarves & flags and leave this season’s negatives at the gates and roar the young lions on to promotion at Villa Park. Supporting the U-21’s on mass could be a positive way of helping rebuild the club step-by-step. UTV
Details
Date: Monday 11th April. K/O 7PM
Venue: Villa Park
Tickets: Available at the gate
Prices: Free to Season Ticket Holders, £2 Adults, £1 U-18’s.
Follow on Twitter – @SupportThe21s
Birmingham Mail article on Support the U-21’s
Great win tonight (3-2) and an enjoyable experience from the looks of it despite the rain. For the first play-off, if it is a Villa Park tie, as expected, we should go on mass. UTV
Dunno some of them, but tonight’s line up looks very exciting. Wish I could I would switch to the U21 games in a heartbeat. Hope some of them are still at Villa come August.
yes good idea. Now how about meeting afterwards for a drink and get to know each other? That woiuld clinch it for me.
Don’t do twitter so lets hear about what is projected after the game. A couple of hundred on the gate won’t make a difference. Making a basis for future actions would.
After all one of the issues is why the kids rararely make it into the first team
Advice on what happens after please
Trevor Fisher