Humbling to hear how much you like Villa Park. We are extremely lucky as fans to have inherited a stadium and a club with the richness of history that Villa have. Just to say too, a lot of Villa fans have a sort of ancestral respect for Bournemouth as when Villa once dropped down to the old Third Division, we played you in a match that seniors mention with vividity and great fondness due to the size of the crowd and the beginning of the march that eventually led to League and European glory. Also Bournemouth is just one of the most beautiful cities in the UK and when you're land locked in Brum like us, it's a great treat to visit.
villa fan here, our atmosphere has been a big talking point for us this season, the main issue was negativity with our playing style, a lot of people would moan and groan at the slow build up/playing out from the back but that has been a lot better as we've played it more now. hopefully we can get our atmosphere back to being on of the best. i have a sneaking suspicion that next season ours will be banging. best of luck for the season lads.
I think its cos we arent doing anything interesting at the moment, we are just a mid table team because of the poor start we had, and we arent in any cups
Regardless of what your atmosphere is like, listening to a Bournemouth fan discussing it is pretty hilarious. Can't compete with the cathedral that is the Vitality Stadium under the lights.
@@tomfullard9862 Like I was saying our atmosphere hasn't been great this season , but normally we are known to have a very decent atmosphere, who do u support?
Yea what a player he was and if we didn't have a shocking manager at the time of his comeback he could of gave even more to the club which would of been sick atleast he got a nice send off in a friendly I suppose
I’m a Villa fan and there is a big debate at the moment about the lack of atmosphere at games at the moment. So the score of 4 is very interesting and not surprised. You have an entertaining channel so good to see. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Villa fan here and I can't knock anything you guys have said. As other villans have mentioned the atmosphere is a big talking point amongst fans lately. I do think this will improve a lot more next season when we feel like we have something to aim for in the league. Hopefully you guys can stay up so you can give us another try next year.
Villa fan here.... a superb vlog done with an excellent twist to the usual stuff. Will be watching more (have subscribed). I'm aged 67 and been going down VP since 1966. We were singing Hi Ho Aston Villa in the 60's (before Wolves copied it), we also were singing the "Glory, glory Aston Villa" song in the 60's well before Spurs, then Man ure nicked it... but our words made it inevitable that we could no longer sing it. You are correct in all you say, and our atmosphere has been crap for a couple of seasons now. Really hope you guys are still watching Premier League footy at Dean Court next season. UTV.
I'd like to add that I am so impressed with your vlog. The thoughtfulness, the originality in how you present your content and authenticity is very high. Well done, and as a Villa fan I'll definitely be back 👏
One thing about the atmosphere. Don't get me wrong the atmosphere at villa park can be a bit naf when we play against teams like palace and Bournemouth and that's no disrespect to these clubs. The atmosphere can get very rampant when we play "the big boys" such as when i went to the Arsenal game, probably with the help of a 5th minute Watkins goal, the atmosphere then was bloody brilliant especially with the fire exhausts (idk what their actually called) before KO. The atmosphere also intensifies whenever the game is "under the lights" at a late kick off like the game against Leeds which was a Friday 8pm KO. But when the atmosphere starts rocking, the ground starts shaking at VP. I suppose this chant is suitable. "WERE ASTON VILLA, WE'LL SING WHEN WE WANT" lol. Great channel and epic matchday vlog, no doubt this season despite Bournemouth's position in the league, has put a spotlight on your channel, keep it up. UTV
Villa Park is either world class for atmosphere (usually under the lights) when we're up against it or absolutely woeful when we are playing against a team we think (no disrespect to you lot) should beat (and if that doesn't happen then it becomes a cauldron of hate and misery) - we're at a turning point because we need to get used to Unai's football which is slow build up. It's been a long arduous journey since 2016 - now we find ourselves in mid table and 4 points off 6th - away to Chelsea next for a destiny decider. Even the Hi Ho Aston Villa song is shite as we only join in every 2 mins - its a rubbish fan engagement song. Love your Channel - Up the Villa and hope you stay up.
I was at the match (in the trinity upper tier, opposite you guys) - to be fair the atmosphere was a little flat on the day. It varies and depends I think a lot on how aggro the away fans are - so typically Leeds, west ham, Leicester, wolves then the atmosphere is always banging. Great vid.
Fantastic call going to the Bartons Arms. Without a doubt the best pub in Birmingham (although there are quite a few good ones). To improve your away day to Villa (hopefully next season) don't walk the route you took to Villa Park in the vlog past all the sofas and fridges up for grabs on the street - walk past Aston Hall the other side. Might take you a bit longer from the Bartons Arms but it's a much nicer place to look around.
I’m a villa fan and again like many on the comments agree with everything you’ve said. Villa park as a stadium is absolutely beautiful and we’re lucky to call it home,but the atmosphere hasn’t been great so again kind of agree with your scores. Great content lads and I hope you stay up but in all honesty I don’t think you will. It was a poor performance from you guys Im hoping you can up it a little and find the points you need to stay up. Great club Bournemouth are and you two seem like nice genuine fellas. All the best UTV
Sam you and your fellow cherries are welcome back at Villa Park at anytime. Thank you for the honest review of your match day experience - a quality vlog as always. The facts on the Bartons Arms - it’s folklore so who knows really. I hope it’s true but Mark Twain once said “Never spoil a good story with facts”. See you all next season in the Premier League UTV
Fair comment all round. Enjoyed your blog, it’s nice to have educated (football-wise) fan views, keep up the good work. Like most Home supporters it’s all to do with the importance of the occasion. Over the years I’ve been at VP when the roof has come off (given the occasion and who we’re playing at the time) and other times it’s been quite flat, like Saturday was. You only have to watch footy on the tv to witness similar eg rarely are a top six club over enthused when Villa (or similar) come to town. It’s been like that for years I’m afraid - let’s hope that changes next season under Uni. Don’t take it personally tho’ I was in that 48,110 crowd in Feb 1972 - trust me, the roof came off that day! Well done lads, hope you stay up!
Great show lads. Villa fan here, and I think you are spot on with your views of your trip to B6. When the standing option was taken away after Hillsborough, it rightly became labelled as a library. I feel that back in the day when fans could stand, the atmosphere was always incredible, especially when we played Bournemouth at VP in 1972. I think that also, in the back of the minds of some Villa fans that Bournemouth had become a bit of a bogey team for us, so probably a bit of fear as well. Villa fans need to be more vocal. I really enjoyed your comments and I hope I see more of your shows. Keep up the good work...
Nice review lads, I agree Villa park was totally flat on sat real disappointed was like that for the Palace game aswell ps the knocking down the North Stand and building a bigger wrap around style stand
What a refreshing football podcast. It is refreshing to hear two intelligent football fans giving an interesting summary of their day. I was impressed talking to Bournemouth fans prior to the games too, what nice people. Look forward to seeing you next season . UTV 🦁A Villa fan subscriber!
Villa fan here too. Just found your channel and subscribed. It’s great to see the view of the away day experiences you have. Will be binge watching to see the good and bad of the other stadiums you have visited. Great channel, good honest reviews and keep up your good work! Glad to hear you like us brummies!!👍
I feel privileged to be a STH at Villa Park and l love every second being at the home if football. l’m glad you enjoyed the experience. You provided a fair review. Good to David Brooks back . Did you visit the Fanzone , there was a band playing and also an interview with Stuart Downing and some food stalls. There was the most beautiful double rainbow over the Doug Ellis at half time which you wouldn’t have been able see on Saturday. l’m sure you could have given us a point for that😂. Glad you received a good Brummie welcome , we’ll try hard on the atmosphere front. Safe travels. Looking forward to seeing us move up your review table.😂
Villa fan here. Your review was fair, out atmosphere can suck at times. With regards to other comments you made, the stadium is being exanded to about 55,000 but the style of the stadium is being kept tradidional with the red brick and there is going to be a large box park out the front for food stalls and entertainement so pre match and post match even should be much much better. Quality show
Good luck for the rest of the season your review was pretty much spot on, ive been a Villa fan for over 50yrs even on a bad day the atmosphere was never as bad as itts been this season.
With the demise of Upton Park and White Hart Lane, Villa Park has to be my favourite away ground - bar none. Probably influenced by being there in 1972 (I know it's changed!) and finding our way onto the Holte End that day. Our view of Ted's diving header was identical to the now iconic photo. Also great affection for the Brummies who formed a protective ring around us and saved us from some "interaction" with the boys from the back of the Holte End! Thought the view from the lower section was excellent on Saturday, preferred it to the upper section and the ludicrously tight concourse up there. Definitely "decent day" - has to go up in the final shake-up!
Us Villa fans would agree with you on atmosphere at the moment it's not what it has been previously unfortunately. Fair play to being able to give an honest unbiased opinion on the ground after a loss
Cheers lads, more fan channels should do what you do. Us at Villa have constantly said our atmosphere needs improving and so we saw yesterday Holte terracing is coming back. Good luck for the rest of the season, as you've had some amazing results. It's just consistency lacking I guess but considering what resources you have compared to most, if not all around you in the table, you've done great tbh
Your review was fair and spot on. As others have mentioned the fan engagement, noise factor has been a topic all season between the fans and the club is aware especially as its such a contrast to our Away supporters who are absolutely brilliant no matter the result (btw do you critique the visiting fans to Bournemouth too?) It does get to be like a library at times, it's a fair call. We've been better... Per the renditions we've seen we are all looking forward to seeing the changes that are coming to the outside of the ground, as well as inside in the coming few years.
The Barton Arms was completed circa 1901 so a little after the 4 members of a Wesleyan Chapel cricket team at Villa Cross in Lozells formerly Handsworth/Wood area, who formed Aston Villa football team in Heathfield road. Ps don't forget Aston Villa formed the football league through their man William McGregor in 1888 🏐🏐🏐🏐 UTV
All very fair comments...the Barton Arms is a great choice for ale and good food...good to walk the mean streets of Aston too...not to everyone's taste of course, but good that you didn't turn your nose up as others would do...hope the Cherries stay up
Nice review lads. I think as Villa fans we can appreciate mutual commiserations with fellow sufferers. In fairness home enthusiasm has been drained out over many years, hope it keeps improving with Super Unai Emery.
The problem with Villa Park atmosphere wise is that the hardcore noisy fans are at the back of The Holte End and completely disconnected from the away fans, so we get no to and fro type banter. If the game itself is one that gets the fans pumped up then the atmosphere can be electric. As for future recommendations, get the train and head for Gas street basin, its where all the canal side bars are in the city centre. Its a 15 minute walk from New Street station. Get a taxi to Villa Park half hour before kick off.
Great content. Under dean Smith the atmosphere was amazing. Gerrard killed it. The ground is undergoing updating. The new north stand looks amazing and villa have just brought all the land behind the road in the doug Ellis stand where away fans sit. So will be redeveloped in coming years
Great vid. Was at the game in Trinity Road stand, atmosphere was a bit flat tbh. Concourse in Doug Ellis is cramped compared to Trinity Road where there’s much more space & chicken tikka & Chips - Yum - hope you stay up
As a Villa fan of 50 yrs . i enjoyed your experience at Villa Park... i gotta say that Villa need to install the safe standing in the Holte.. i used to stand on the Holte as a Kid and it was amazing..
Fair rating. Recently I've been comparing the atmosphere to when we beat United in November, where it was positively electric. Then again, we hadn't beaten them at Villa Park for 30 years. We always pop into the Bartons before a game. Beautiful, classic old Victorian pub. Laurel & Hardy stayed there, Sabbath probably played there.UTV
In terms of the stadium, there are plans to essentially replicate the Holte End in the North Stand, which will knock up the capacity to over 50k which will be awesome. Also close up the corners at that end a little
Thanks for the honest review chaps. I’m sure you’ll have another think and move it up to 2…😉 the home atmosphere has been pretty poor recently but when it’s rocking theres no better place. They are rebuilding the North stand next season as well as creating a sports park /box park behind and academy facilities. Will hold 50 k. UTV
Do you have more subscribers than seats available at Dean Court (Vitality Stadium)?> Great video and looking forward to next game Outside St Andrews you often find various bits of furniture and appliances Have to take a van up to Brum next time UTC
Villa fan here. We were above the away fans. Atmosphere was a bit flat BUT it felt like a family game. We've not had many 3pm kick offs so that felt a little weird too. It just feels at the moment that the rest of us wait for the Holte End to start and we follow. It also didn't help that the whole of the upper Doug Ellis was Villa Fans. Since the opening game of the season (at home against Everton) there's been good banter backwards and forwards at that top end so maybe that messed with the noise levels. Great podcast. All the best
Fair comments all round. The atmosphere has been a big talking point this season. Most seasons I’d say Villa Park would be an 8, but our fans are getting used to the slower build up play by Emery. It’s working, so I think fans just need a little time to get used to our new style.
I’m definitely coming back to see this move up at the end of the season 😂 but most villa fans will hold their hands up and say atmosphere this season has been so off it. Definitely the worst since we got back to the prem. I put it down to gerrard completely ruining our season. if we had Emery from the start we’d be flying and obviously it would be much better but, as you said, it’s looking like we’ll be forever in 11th from now until may. Best of luck to yous too 🤞 there’s teams I’d much rather see go down (wolves being one 😂) and this channel has great content. Keep it up 👍
Yea plus people are nervy with Emery system which does indeed make sense given our recent history with managers and how tough this system is. I'm hoping as people get used to it there would be less moaning and groaning that they ain't rushing to move the ball up the pitch and so on. Martinez in that game summed up my opinion on the matter on that game telling them to calm down 😅
The Bartons Arms is a historic, listed pub from the 1800's, approx 20 minute walk to the ground. It has some magnificent architectural features and an association with Laurel & Hardy from their days touring the UK. Right at the top is a modest function room which, back in the 70's, hosted bands like the Stranglers (I saw them in '77, £1.25 ticket). But he's right; the walk to the ground will take you through the more diverse area of Aston.
The Villa supporters are understandably cautious because of the many defensive calamities they’ve regularly witnessed at home this season (and basically after a sh*t couple of years). Our away following is consistently more upbeat. After such a positive review of the day I thought ‘Can’t complain’ was a bit tight. Hate to think what sort of day you had at Brighton & West Ham! Anyway good luck for the rest of the season, wouldn’t want you nice lads having to visit our nasty neighbours in Small Heath. 😂
Really good assessment chaps, would have to agree on the atmosphere. I put some of it down to some very big price increases at the start of this season. We lost a few lads in front of us who were there for years, all through the championship. They’ve been replaced by ones who don’t add a thing to the atmosphere and get annoyed with those of us that do! Come to the Sacred Heart next season for a drink. You’ll stay up, no worries. UTV
Your version of the origin of the Villa is a bit confused, yes it was a cricket team that wanted something to do in the winter, but they were based at the Villa Cross pub not the Barton Arms.
Barrton arms is not a bad little pub. Used to be Ruskin Hall we used to go to when I was a kid going to Villa with my mates and our dads. They used to have two sides in there one for the away fans and one for the home fans think it was free entry if you were a season ticket holder then a quid entry if you wern't. Sadly it was closed to make way for a mosque. Anyway nice show boys really interesting and different idea for away day discussions.
The problem with our atmospher (villa) I thinks is that we are basically playing for nothing cant go down most likely wont get europe. Its like yeah we won then look at the table and stil 11th.
Yes we're still 11th but we're only 4 points off 6 obviously game in hands for those teams but we ain't too far off and we do have some of them yet to play the 2nd fixture which can really close the gap. Especially the final game of the season against Brighton were we will give a big show for the new badge apparently
@@dennisgoatimer1079 No i know im just saying thats why i think the atmosphire was bad for that match we have been 11th for weeks no. It will 100% get better now
I’ve been watching your podcasts recently, I was enjoying them and going to subscribe but unfortunately you referred to BC as a massive club, so I won’t.
Atmosphere is due to the new style... we're all mega grateful to have an elite manager but the fan base are still getting used to playing out from the back and you can feel the anxiety! In general though now the villa fans are a bit passive and we were louder back in the championship!!
TBF folks the atmosphere was killed off by Slippy G (Steve Gerrard) the football was dire and the result were worse. it going to take some time to adjust and think Unai is definitely the right man to bring back the feel good factors, we can't wait for the summer and see who he brings in.
As a villa fan since Gerrard's time there we haven't had a great atmosphere hoping emery slowly bringing it back but the holt end is usually good and the bit by the away fans but the rest of the stadium has been dead quiet
I sit in the holte and seemed a little quiet tbh, but possibly the change of play is a little slower and less exciting at times but its the future so will get better.
The atmosphere can be very bad at home. If the noise from the upper holte could drop down then the atmosphere would be abit better. The fans in the trinity road just sit there arms folded. I have a season ticket in the upper holte at the back and my voice is gone every game.
I have lived in Aston all my life and also live there and never has anyone seen the Barton arms as a match day pub might as Well go into town at that point the Barton arms ent even in Aston lmao it's not a match day pub lads sorry to tell ya
That's BS, come on its a Villa match, Bournemouth just beat Liverpool and we are still making our way up. Why go IF you aren't going to enjoy yourself and cheer the team on!
Three clubs use HI Ho Silver Lining (by the late Jeff Beck which was his hit debut 1967 single) Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa and...Sheffield Wednesday. Beck came to not like the song referring as his "pink toilet seat" song, saying it stays around your neck forever
It was strangely quiet against Bournemouth considering we took an early lead, may be because we didn’t really need to step up too many gears to win? It wasn’t the greatest atmosphere on the day tbf.
Like they said, the game was a bit dull, no tackles flying in really, we were in complete control for the most part without being too threatening. After 2-0 it went up a notch and the players reacted hence a flurry of chances (and the third goal). Fair assessment overall.
I love the way villa fans give it the big one, they had 3 good seasons in the 80s and before that it was over a hundred years ago. Blah blah blah is all you hear of them.
Atmosphere at villa has been sh!t for years. Its all families, it's always been the lads who've been the pub that get the songs started. Nothing against families at games obviously, but it has compromised the atmosphere