Was excited for this game as soon as the draw was made, and it didn’t disappoint.
Fantastic effort from the lads, rode our luck towards the end but you’d expect that against a premier league club.
Actually nice watching us pass the ball with a bit of purpose, rather than the dull pass around the back we had earlier in the season.
Atmosphere was good, however a couple of negatives, it felt like it was the job of 1 poor steward to basically find everyone’s seat in the family stand. With the bigger crowds maybe they could have 1 or 2 more on guiding people to their seats, rather than just stand at the front blocking people’s view. It did see to calm down around the 12 minute mate.
Also getting away from the ground was a nightmare, normally shoot off 5 mins early to beat the traffic, but stayed for the pens and to clap them off. Bit of a nightmare drive home, but home now and it was definitely worth the trip, kids enjoyed it as much as i did.
Who was the team chanting “you’re just a shit [name of one of their players]” at Joe Jacobson when he was taking a corner, only for him to then score directly from it?
Shame about the penalty shoot out - after their fifth penalty was missed really thought it was going to be our night but not to be.
Great to see us looking like a decent team again, as others have said really good performances across the pitch - hopefully we can keep the momentum going now. Would really like to see Anders given a chance in the league.
Not sure how much the M40 issue contributed to the chaos around the ground pre-match. I was caught up in that and missed kick off (although fortunate to be in before the goal) but quite surprised to see how many people were still walking down Hillbottom Road / outside when I got to the ground. Did think there was a chance kick off might be delayed.
Good performance last night.Henderson is proving to be our best signing in my opinion.Anders showed again that he too could prove to be a real asset.To be honest they all showed to a man what they are capable of.Norris is starting to nail the No1 spot down too.
It always intrigues me when I read of the expectations people has with reference to getting in and out of the ground with a big crowd.All I can assume is they have not attended many away matches.I have not been to too many myself but I have been away 20-30 times over the years.Maybe it’s because I always drive but I can not remember an easy stadium to park at,it has always required a 20 minute walk and always been a case of parking in side streets and a ball ache to get clear at the end.Any like Oxford or Stevenage that have ample parking still requires being stuck in long queues to leave.Where are all of these superb stadiums with ease of access located because I have not seen them?
I had some friends come down for the Villa games last season.They are die hard home and away supporters.They thought getting in and out of Adams park and the 45 minute wait to get out a completely normal experience in football.
I often wonder if it’s just another excuse given for our weak local support. Pricing is another one. £1 a kid only generted a handful of extra fans but a full house against Wrexham brings the armchair brigade out.
We could of course have better acccess to the stadium but to assume there is some sort of infrastructural utopia involving any large crowd is a little naive.
I think the availability of parking and its sporadic nature is the big issue, not necessarily the time taken to arrive and leave. I do agree to an extent though. People would be more inclined to suck it up for Championship football (understandably, although the residents of Sands may not be too keen).
But yeah, it is what it is. You can drive right up to stadium at Reading but it will take you just as long, if not longer than AP, to get out. And then you navigate multi-lane chaos. But such is life.
I have been to Wimbledon away ,Luton,Brentford(old ground),Peterbourough,Cheltenham,Oxford,Stevenage. Only Oxford and Stevenage had enough parking and were still a nighmare at the end.All of the other stadiums were no different to our own.They all involved finding a side street a mile or two away and were surrounded by permit only parking.
My Villa friends say they experience the same wherever they go in the top flight. I really don’t see us as much worse than anywhere I have been.
The buses really showed how viable they are
I Was on WW2 and we only had issues getting out of hillbottom road. The rest was not an issue at all
My sister, who prebooked parking, Had to wait an hour to even get our of the ground, by the time that happened, I was just 1-2 minutes from Aylesbury Bus Station
Access in and out is pretty easy on a bike. Even if you park a bit away and cycle the last couple of miles. Makes a huge difference and takes a vehicle out of the mix. Of course walking is even easier.
If you’re capable of either, for big matches you should probably leave Hillbottom Road for those who aren’t.
That was a very enjoyable evening, notwithstanding the disappointing conclusion.
Watching from the family stand really adds to the experience, especially with such a fantastic atmosphere, aided by an early goal.
Generally agree with most correspondents, such a strong, disciplined and committed display from our players, who are now showing their respective abilities, playing with confidence and, most importantly, as a team.
Stand out for me was Jamie Mullins. Mixed it physically whilst showing great technique and a footballing brain. Delightful.
The progress under Michael Duff is remarkable, great to see and hopefully he’ll be allowed to complete the job he’s started.
Apart from his early f#ck up when he lost the ball, Taylor was very solid and won almost everything that came into the box.
He also outsprinted Alex Iwobi!!!
I’ve been his biggest critic and there was a moment in the second half when the lino didn’t put his flag up, pointed at Taylor and Harvie was giving him shit. The lad looks very low on confidence, I hope he’s supported correctly from team mates and isnt subject to that sort reaction regularly.