Gather 'Round The Lamp S5 E25 - Golden Sands - Unai's New Contract, Bournemouth Bonanza, Facing Cole Palmer and Chelsea's Less Relevant Chaps

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Hey guys, it's James Chester PERSON here. You're listening to the Gather Round the Lamp podcast by underagaslitlamp.com ORG.

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Gathering the Lamp, an Aston Villa ORG podcast.

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To the heart and it's day goes to Bailey PERSON, scores.

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We're going on, every year off the mark.

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He's off the mark. He did it. Everybody can't get to go. Douglas Ruiz PERSON with a fighting cross. And when they held the lead, Jacob Ramsey PERSON.It's on time. And this is it in. It's a glorious goal from Job PERSON again. Looking again. There is the opening goal. The Tyro Amiens PERSON.It's an Unai Emory ORG, European NORP adventure for Aston Villas ORG.

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Welcome Villains and Gather Round for this week's episode of Gather Around the Lamp WORK_OF_ART, an Aston Villa podcast by underagaslitlamp.com ORG. I'm your host, Andy, and this week, first of all, joining me. Welcome back. James.

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Hi, good evening, Andy PERSON. Hello, listener. Thanks for having me back here. It's been a short while, but yeah, plenty to talk about on the pod. And it's a few good news stories. So hopefully it'll be an enjoyable next 45 minutes or an hour how long way going?

Speaker 076.44s - 90.24s

Yeah, absolutely. Good to have you back on. And also joining us this week, there's three on the show this week and we've got a special guest. It's Cole PERSON from the Holtcast. Welcome Cole. Yeah, thanks for having me. It's,

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it's been a while but it's good to be back. Excellent stuff. So as we say, plenty to talk about

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obviously some good news breaking today and also a big win at the weekends to discuss. But we'll start with the, well, excellent news and news that we perhaps weren't expecting at the beginning of the day today. And that is that Unai Emery has extended his contract until 2027, just adding the extra year to his contract. That's been announced today.It's expected that there may be talks in the summer around a new full deal, which can be discussed in the summer with the club. And this comes on the back of obviously strong recent links to buy Munich with several top European NORP clubs looking for a new manager this summer.Given his record and reputation Emery PERSON is obviously always going to be linked with other top clubs and he's done an absolute tremendous job at Aston Villa so this news willcome as a huge boost to the, obviously to the fans and also probably to the players and the squad who have done so well under him. I'll come to you first. What's your take on this news breaking? And what's your view of the timing?Do you think it's significant given the rumors?

Speaker 3184.18s - 251.74s

Well, I think given the rumors, it's perfect timing, to be honest. And to give listeners a little bit, probably behind the scenes, this is our second attempt at this part of the podcast. You can blame me for that one. SoI'm definitely repeating myself and it feels a little strange. But it is a lot of probably smoke and mirrors. You see that a lot with the transfer window where player A is linked with Team X, Y and Z. And then it ends up, well, the probably club that you assumed he would have went to, he actually goes to.And I feel like that was pretty similar here. I would assume that the media probably knew what was coming and decided to get some clickbait titles out of it. And well done to them for doing so. I guess it worked on non-villa fans, but all in all, I mean, it's brilliant news. It's good to hear and to know that we have this person at the helm for as long as we do. And hopefully, discussions in the summer do proceed and they proceed well because the way things are going atVilla ORG it's an extremely exciting time and long live the king. Absolutely.

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Obviously great news and looking forward to many years of success. Now, James, I mean, what's your take on it? How have you received this news today? With a smile on my face, Andy PERSON.

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Yeah, I think when the news story broke early today, popped up of my phone. Yeah, it gives you tingles of sort of excitement, really. It was the news, I think. None of us were necessarily expected to hear today, but I think everyone's glad to hear. I think just to wax lyrical on Emory ORG, I mean, you probably could do a full pod on the records.This man's broke in the relatively short period that he's been at the club so far. He's got a 57% win percentage, I think, which is the highest of any Aston Villa ORG manager ever. He's fourth in the league standings in points accrued in the Premier League ORG since he took over, which considering where we were when he took over, is a fantastic achievement. But yeah, I think it was, I think I read the David Ornstein PERSON article, which I think is the new story which was first to break this earlier on today.And I thought it was significant. I think as sort of Cole PERSON was alluding to there really, that the talk was obviously that the club have made the announcement today that it's effectively a 12-ment extension to his contract, but there are obviously plans to sit down in the summer to sort of discuss potentially and restructure a much more longer term deal and I think yeahsort of once the ex once that sort of news had sort of sunk in a little bit and I think yeah given given the the sort of the news in the room is particularly obviously the links with the buying job sort of in the last week or so I think it feels to me like yes it's a bit of gamesmanship I think really from villa and it's sort of a bit of week or so. I think it feels to me like, yes, it's a bit of gamesmanship, I think, really, from Villa ORG. And it's sort of a bit of a hands-off to some of these other clubs. Because obviously, his record speaks himself,and it's not really any surprise that he's been linked with the very, very top jobs available in Europe LOC, I think. But I think, yeah, this is Aston Villaila PERSON sort of putting the marker in the sands, that he's our man. And it does feel that a relatively short period of time has been in manager, but at the same time, it does feel that we're still sort of at the beginning of thethe United Emery era here at Aston Villa ORG. And it feels very exciting. I think that where this is going to go still with sort of as I say the progress has beenabsolutely remarkable but it feels that we're far from the end of that at the moment so it's only good news I think and hopefully I'm looking forward to hearing details of a of a further deal announced in thesummer which ties us all together for much, much longer. Yeah,

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I think, obviously, I echo it all. I think all the superlatives have been, have been usedabout Euni Emory in his time at Villa and obviously previously he's got a decorated managerial career behind him. And it, you know And it is interesting.I do think the timing is pretty significant. I think they've obviously taken this opportunity with rumors kind of ramping up to, like you say, to kind of stake our claim on him. I just wanted to sort of come to you, Cole PERSON, because you were sayingsomething interesting earlier about obviously, I mean, obviously we all sound like young whippersnappers, but you're quite a bit younger than myself and James Cole PERSON.And, you know, this, I mean, we grew up through the 90s. We saw Brian Atkinson's team, Graham Taylor's team, Brian Little, John Gregory PERSON, etc. I'm not sure exactly when you first became aware of a villa and started and got the bug, so to speak. But in terms of your villa support in life, you know,where's the last couple of years ranked and how is, you know, is it hard to kind of almost get your head around the fact that we have a manager of this caliber? Well,

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considering I came in right around the Lambert PERSON era, I guess you could say yes. If you're comparing that to this, that is, I don't even want to know what comparable. You want to compare that to this is. I mean, I could probably come out with 10 different poor ones that make no sense. But to save everyone in their ear drums from listening to that, yeah, it's, I think in one way you look at it and think it's allowed villa fans to haveridiculous dreams again and realize those can actually be achieved. Because when you sit back and you look at the days in the championship, I mean, I could have never foreseen this happening this quickly. And I think that's the thing. And we all sit back as Villa fans and you can say, well, it's Unai Emory ORG, but this all started with the ownership. And yes, we had to go through, what we had to go through free Unai Emory ORG.We don't have to mention his name. And Dean Smith PERSON reestablish this club and got that feel good connection with the fans back. And there was that turbulence in between. But this is almost like a virtual reality with Villa ORG. I just, it's really hard to put it into a lot of words when, I mean, of course, it's rich saying that on a podcast, but you almost get emotional talking about it because of what he means.And I know a lot of fans will say next, the next thing, the next success. But I think with this, we literally just have to bask in the moment and enjoy it because I hope it lasts for another five, 10, 15 years. I've seen the quote about him hopefully being the next Sir Alex PERSON in terms of longevity. And if he wins as many titles as Sir Alex PERSON, I'd be a very, very happy fan. But I just think enjoy it. And it's not enjoy it while you last. Just enjoy it.And why does there have to be an end date on it? No, this is it, isn't it?

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And I think as football fans, you do kind of have this, you get lulled into this idea that success is linear and it, you know, progress is, is just on a, on an ever increasing scale. But of course, it doesn't always work like that. And that's one of the, that was one of the arguments,I suppose, James, for Emory ORG potentially having his head turned. You know, if you get offered a big job, you never know when things are going to go on the slide, maybe at Villa ORG and the fansare going to suddenly turn and, oh, I wish I'd taken that job at Buy Munich ORG when I had the chance. You know, it's that kind of thing, managerial, you know, the managerial success can be very fleeting, can't it? And, you know, you might be the hero today,but you're the buffoon the next day. And that's so often has been the case, hasn't it? Particularly with villa managers, of course. I think the last villa manager to be taken from a spy another job was Graham Taylor in 1990 when he took the England GPE job, you know. So, yeah, that's a long time ago. And most, it's the managerial graveyard.So would you kind of almost have blamed him for kind of having his head turned by a big club do you think and I think

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as I say it's it's absolutely you look at the record what is he's done well I suppose not even at Aston Villa I mean obviously he came to Villa with an incredible record particularly obviously well well versed inin European Cup EVENT competition. But, and I suppose we've always, you'd look at experiences as well, the fact that he signed a new deal. We've seen players sign new deals and then sort of two, we're not even two months later sometimes, off their pop. And it was just the club perhaps strengthening their bargaining position and negotiating the deal but this sort of I think even without the deal announcement today this has always felt a bit different really I think it's been sort of widely reported really about thesetup and what the club have done to bring Gunei PERSON in and and the terms they've sort of agreed with him that this doesn't feel necessarily like a fleeting relationship obviously both parties I think both Philor PERSON and Emeryhave invested quite heavily in each other and it just feel that like as I suppose let's hope I mean the comparisons maybe with Alex Ferguson PERSON and a bit premature but it feels like maybe this we could be at the start of it.As I said, this sort of feels like the beginning, and hopefully this could be a bit of a dynasty. Obviously, as I say, it's well known that Emery's been given remarkable free reign, which he almost certainly won't get anywhere else, not at the Byans, not at the Barcelona's, not the Liverpool ORG's, obviously, well, the level of control is being given at Aston Villa and the autonomy to bring in his team around him, which is real sort of, I think, fundamental to how he operates, and I don't think he would, I mean, look at, I suppose he has obviously been at PSG ORG,he's been at Arsenal ORG, and perhaps haven't had the same level of success that he's sort of starting to get now at Villa ORG. So, yeah, never say never in football, I suppose. But as I say, this does feel different. And I think it just kind of shores up, I think, where we're going.

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They've certainly got him tied in, haven't they, in lots of different ways, not just through his contract, which, as we all know in football, doesn't always mean a great deal. I think it would also be very expensive, wouldn't it, for anyone to buy him out of his contracts and not just him, but obviously all the staff and all the people that he would presumably want to take with him because he brought them he brought them here so he wants that that kind of thing around him doesn't he that support around him and and that's a big part of his success we don't know an awful lot about his backroom staff do we but you know I imagine it's you know it's allhands to the pump isn't it in getting the players prepared and improving the players on a week by week basis, which obviously we do see. But yeah, I mean, just great news, isn't it? And fantastic to see that happening for us to have a nice thing and to be able to keep it for a while longer, which is, which is unusual. But yeah, we'll obviously pick up on that sort of a later day and we'll follow with interest in the summer to see whether whether that contract, that new contract sort of becomes a thing.But we must obviously get onto the Bournemouth ORG game. Following up from the incredible night in Lill on Thursday night, just a few days before, extra time and Martinez PERSON time, I think we'll have to call penalty shootouts from now on because heabsolutely dominated that situation didn't he and it was some of the most wonderful entertainment I've seen on a football field to be honestbut it was obviously a big ask to follow that up against Bournemouth and we're expecting maybe a few changes but it went with largely the same team. I think there were only a couple of changes. Bailey came into the starting lineup with Louise PERSON,Douglas Louise PERSON missing with suspension. DRB played at front with Watkins PERSON. I think the rest of the team, certainly the back four, was pretty much the same. Maty Cash kept his place after his kind of match-saving exploits in Lill PERSON.And of course, it was only sort of three days on from that. Cole PERSON, were you expecting a few more changes for this game than we actually saw?

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Well, I think naturally you would, but I think after all kind of the post-match stuff for Lila Way, where Mee Martin is just kind of saying they need the fans for Sunday, everyone's tired and yada, yada, yada, with that kind of stuff. I think you would expect it, but then when you look at the starting lineup and you look at the bench, I think there was at least 304 youth team players and they're very youthful players that you're thinking, okay, we're very late in rotation, of course, no DougieLouise through suspension. They're happy with that. Zanyola PERSON didn't even make the bench at all, and hopefully he's back very soon because it's still getting even more thin. And I know the season's coming to an end here very shortly, but we need everybody. We can at this point with that amount of congestion coming up with the semifinals and, of course, the rest of the Premier League ORG. But I guess you could say yes, but at the same time, no. I think the thing I'm most surprised about is the fact that we didn't look as leggy as I thought we did.It was almost kind of a reverse thing. We looked leagy against Leal PERSON. You would think we'd even look more leggy against Bormouth PERSON. But what I'm going to assume is the atmosphere pre-match outside, when the players are coming in, maybe that amp them up a little bit, it seemed like at least through my eyes watching the TV, it seemed like the atmosphere was actually pretty loudand they kind of reciprocated that. So I think things like that do go a long way. And of course, there was the 1897 group having their first game trying to establish a little bit of atmosphere with the flags where they were located too. So all in all, I think that definitely helped.And to be honest, I felt like Bormath just kind of walked into Villa ORG's game plan. Of course, Cash PERSON's very poorly timed penalty wasn't welcome and definitely wasn't needed. Maybe that's a discussion in terms of Maddie Cash and his Villa future for another day. But I think when you sit back and look at it, I don't really look back at this game and think Villa ORG were playing poorly.I kind of felt like as soon as we got that leveler, it was Villas ORG to take and they did just that. Yeah, absolutely.

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Certainly did. And I certainly got the same impression in terms of the atmosphere. I mean, we were at the game James. We didn't get to welcome the coach because we were on a on a on a sweaty train trying to make our way over to the ground weren't we but the atmosphere was pretty good in the ground. I thought and you know really supportive andobviously you know very kind of welcoming towards Emmy Martinez after his heroics in France a few days before. And as Cole PERSON sort of said,

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Emmy had obviously been in the press in the week, hadn't he sort of saying, sort of an appeal really to the fans to sort of be the 12th man. And there has been, I suppose, criticism from certain sections of the fan base, of be to be the 12th man. And there has been, I suppose criticism from certain sections of the fan base, hasn't there over the season that the atmosphere could be better?As Carl PERSON said, we have the new group, which was nice to see. It's, I'm fully support. Anybody who's going to try and do something positive to try and create a better atmosphere down at Villa Park FAC. But yeah, I think, I think Sunday was a really good afternoonthe fans did get right behind the team from the very beginning I thought yeah there's sort of on the line up yeah it'd have been lovely to have made some changes butit's just not we haven't got the strength of squad at the moment have we we've got so many I mean I'm not going to go through all the the players missing but we're sort of just lacked that opportunity, really. And I felt this game had a real possibility of being a real sort of banana skin for us. Yeah, I think, obviously, the emotion and obviously playing the 120 minutes of theLeal game on the Thursday night and the quick turnaround back into the game. I don't think you really quite knew what villa team you were going to have and what they were going to have left in the tankbut as the thing is they've done all season really I mean the record in fairness playing on the Sunday after the Thursday nightI think we've won every single game with the exception obviously of the Spurs ORG game shall I said about that the better but I think the sort of the Spurs ORG game. Shall I said about that, the better.But I think the sort of the tactics, we knew what Bournemouth ORG were going to do. And we sort of, as we've done all season, really, and a mark of memory's teams is sort of have a game plan, stick to the game plan and just be patient. And that game plan will bear through as it sort of as itdid after 90 minutes so so yeah um yeah real sort of positive afternoon i think and i think the players stepped up and hopefully like nice to think that the fans played our part in sort of cheering

Speaker 01320.12s - 1435.42s

and supporting them home yeah i do think um well, I mean, the atmosphere was good. And part of the reason it was good is because they won the penalty sheet out. I think if it had gone the other way, the energy levels in the ground and on the field might have been very different. It's amazing how a kick of a ball like that can have such an impact, really. And I'm sure it may have been somewhat different in that situation,but that's not how we operate these days. Is it we win these games and we get through? And that's the difference that we've all got to get used to. Oh, you obviously sort of alluded to the penalty. I mean, it was a fairly lively start from both teams, really,but Bournemouth ORG seemed to be sort of pushing, created one or two sort of early openings. And then there was a move. Villa ORG were appealing for a foul on DiRBon the halfway line. I'm not quite sure really whether that was much of a foul. I think they looked at it, but there wasn't much in it really. And Bournemouth ORG broke into the box and cash slid in rather rashly and took out. I think it was Clive PERSON. I can't remember, to be honest, if it was cliver.And the penalty was rightly awarded. It was a stone wall penalty, which Salanki PERSON dispatched, not one that Martinez PERSON could quite get his hand too. He wasn't too far away from it. I mean, it was a stone wall, a penalty, I think, as you can get.I mean, what did you think was it? Did you see any foul on? DiRB ORG certainly went down. And were you concerned at this point that this might sort of burst fillers bubble a little bit in terms of their energy levels?

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In regards to Diabi PERSON, to be honest, I felt like it happened so fast that I still don't really understand what happened. I can see in slow motion replays, I can see the cause for concern. But to be honest, I think it maybe would be a little bit harsh. I don't know. Who knows what's given these days half the time unless it's so blatantly obvious that you can't get it wrong, as is, of course, Cash is the challenge on. I think it was Clivert PERSON. I'll give Maddie Casha little bit of credit in the bank, considering this is only a second game back from injury, and I think he missed about five odd games, at least in the league that I can think of. So when you think of that, of course, he's still kind of regaining match sharpness, but I think literally from that Thursday to Sunday period, probably in my mind, just highlights that is Maddie Cash PERSON.He goes from one extreme to the other. It's kamikaze all the time. And I mean, going from the highs of scoring the equalizer to keep Villa ORG in the conference league and of course eventually to move on to the semifinalsto this. And kind of funnily enough when I was watching this, I thought to myself when he was kind of stepping back trying to hold him off. And I thought, please don't bite into this. And of course, he did. And I thought, okay, maybe initially the negativity.I mean, it's still a PTSD. I think that's the best way to describe it. You're thinking, oh, God, here we go. Come on, Emmy PERSON. Of course, he doesn't save it. And then you're going down thinking, oh, come on.Like, let's not throw this one away. I know the Arsenal ORG result was a massive surprise, but we really need this one. And that negativity does kick in. But I think it has to be said as well. As negative as you can get, I don't think I've ever in a villa seasonkind of changed from, I'm just going to brush that off and feel positive about it. And I think that is the Unai Amri PERSON effect because we have mentality monsters. You look at Leon Bailey PERSON, of course, coming onjust after we conceded against Leal PERSON, saying calm down, we have time. It just feels like we have those kind of characters throughout this team now, and Una Amri PERSON's established that. So, I mean, this game, this incident is a perfect testament in my mind of Villa really kind of taking one step back and taking two step forwards, where, I mean mean how many seasons could we say it was the other way around previously?

Speaker 01591.28s - 1641.66s

Absolutely and I do I would agree. I think we feel like we've seen that challenge from Cash PERSON before in the penalty area. He has given away penalties on that side but like he like you say you say, that's, that's part of his, his all-action sort of personality, isn't it? And the way he, he plays the game. I actually thought he had, um, he had a pretty good game on, on Thursday night. I thought he played quite well on Sunday, um, aside from the penalty. Um, but of course, James, it did,it felt a little bit edgy then, didn't it? And Solanke PERSON did go through again, really, and it was an excellent, excellent challenge by Conzer PERSON. It did have that feel of, if we concede again quickly, it could be a, it could be a dicey afternoon.

Speaker 21643.72s - 1739.38s

Yeah, I think obviously always conceding first is to sort of put the jitters on, certainly the fan base, if, as you say, less so now the team. And I think, I'd love to see the stats, but Vila, I think the last couple of years, certainly perhaps certainly the start of Emery PERSON's tenure, sort of had a great record of if we scored first, we'd go on and win the game, but likewise, conceding first.We didn't have a great record necessarily of coming back. So it was a bit, yeah, obviously, no complaints really on the penalty now. Having seen it back, I think, it's just thinking the ground at the time. Yeah, I think like calling for a foul on Diarbi PERSON, but yeah, I haven't seen the highlights back at match of the day. There wasn't much to it, I don't think.I think the fan base may be a little bit in sense because I think there'd been a couple of those before then where the boom of players going through the back of bill of players and none of them were being given. And it was getting a bit frustrating, I think, at that point. But I think apart from the fact Diabbor PERSON sort of started clutching his back,I don't think you'd have, I don't think you'd have even thought it was a foul challenge, really, at all. So, yeah, as I say, I think you've both covered the Matty Cash PERSON challenge in detail. So there's no need to go through that. And credit to Solanky PERSON, I think, obviously, there was quite a long wait then for him to sort of have his opportunity from the spot,which is, I'm sure, not a good thing for his nerves. But, yeah, he was a good penalty. Didn't really give Martin his too much chance to save it.

Speaker 01740.88s - 1851.62s

Yeah, he's an excellent striker, isn't he? He's really come good. And in a similar way, perhaps to Wally Watkins PERSON, he always had the potential and all the kind of raw attributes. But it's just putting it together, isn't it? And he's certainly done that at Bournemouth ORG. And he's having a really good season.And he took the penalty really well. But we're not here to talk about Bournemouth players unless unless Salanky PERSON is to become a villa player at some point. We'll leave it there. And we'll move on to better matters. And obviously, just before half-time, really, it was in injury time. I mean, Bournemouth ORG looked like they were just kind of happy to see the half-out, really,and get to half time. And then it was a break forward by Leon Bailey, and he delivered an exquisite pass, really, with the outside of his boot, which found Rogers PERSON making his running from the left. And he took the ball really well in his stride and sort of chopped back inside and and scooped the shot really into the roof of the net off the goalkeeper. He was actually singled out. Rogers on match of the day two that night for a bit of analysis and a bit of praise as well. And he himself has said that he is actually playing a lot more than he expected to when he signed.And that's kind of due to injuries and suspensions and things that happen within obviously Premier League ORG squads. I mean, Cole PERSON, how big an impact has he been? And what are the strengths that help him at this level and and in Emory's system, in Emery PERSON's team?

Speaker 31852.24s - 1960.76s

Well, it's kind of funny because I feel like he's definitely put all the question marks about why we bought him in January to bed or, I don't know, 10 feet under the ground, I guess you could say at this point. I think when you really look at his capabilities, and that's probably the first thing I noticed during his first game for Vila was he carries the ball just like Jacob Ramsey PERSON.And you could even say if you want to be a little bit more bold, maybe even Jack Realish PERSON. He just has that little bit about confidence on the ball, the know-how. And it's very interesting if you're kind of putting two and two together with Jacob Ramsey's PERSON injury riddled season. And then you bring in Morgan Rogers halfway through the season.And of course, Morgan Rogers PERSON, sorry, is more tall in stature and has a little bit maybe more of that noticeable presence because of how he is. But you could almost say they're very similar in regards to that. And I think that bodes well. And of course we can say he's playing this many games through injuries. But, I mean, I think it's two goals and an assist in his last five games.At this point, I think it's fair to say he's not playing because of that. It's because he's forced his way into this team. He's good enough. And, I mean, the fact that he's only 21 years old, I think the fee was what, around eight could rise to 15. Let's buy five more of them if we can find them because I don't know.Inserts explicit content, whatever at this point in time. Just he is absolutely marvelous and long may that continue with him being only 21 I can only think of what he's going to be like if he's at Villa say at 25 it's just it's a promising futureyeah absolutely

Speaker 01960.76s - 1974.88s

he's an exciting player to watch isn't he James and I think the crowd responds to him, obviously, in the ground, because he's already got his own song as well. But what have you made of him since he signed?

Speaker 21976.5s - 2169.1s

Yeah, no, quite. I remember when we signed it, but January, I can't really claim that he's been on, was on my radar, particularly until the the FA Cup tie against Middlesboro ORG, although I obviously did impress in that game. And I thought, I did think, the money we were spending on, in particular at the time when the talk was that we didn't havea lot of money to spend, it did seem like a bit of a strange move to put so much trust in him. And then I think, yeah, the first couple of games, obviously, he looked more likely to get a booking than create a sort of an assist or a goal. So the jury was out for me a little bit initially.But he just seems to be going from strength to strength at the moment, doesn't he? I mean, he's got so many attributes as I mean, Cole PERSON, he mentioned, it feels like a sort of a cross between Ramsey and Greelish. I think Andy PERSON has sort of had the very similar discussionin the stand on Sunday. I think he's, I think what I like about him, a couple of things is his ability to sort of take the ball, particularly sort of on the half turn.He's obviously his direct running is very sort of Ramsey PERSON-esque. He's quick, he's strong,he's powerful. He just keeps going and going. But I think as well what I was starting to notice onSunday, with his link at player Watkins PERSON, he seems to be a very intelligent footballersomething Emery has sort of said a few times hasn't he that he likes working with himhe thinks his potential is very very high he sort of he listensand he adapts well to what Emery PERSON asks of him so even perhaps he's obviouslyhe's still really I'm glad, isn't he so, but it just feels that there's, there's a lot moreto come. And yeah, just to talk about the goal, um, it was a, a lovely movefinished off by, by Rogers PERSON. And I thought, yeah, given the experiences he's got so far in the Premier League ORG,I thought it was an incredibly composed finish of sort of to, to take the ball and his stride, the cup back and then the finish. But I do want to single out of the Leon Bailey PERSON assist. I mean, there was a not dissimilar assist, wasn't there?I think it was the Sheffield United ORG away game over the Christmas period where Douglas Louise sort of assisted Watkins PERSON. And I remember at the time, a lovely through ball with the outside of the bootkins and I remember at the time a lovely frubal with the outside of the bootand I remember quite a few of the pundits purring over it as rightly so and I think Dougie PERSON perhaps thought you'd gotthe Aston Villa assisted the season sewn up but the assist from from Bailey PERSON on Sunday was every bit as goodand also watching about the highlights again sort of special mention as well for our new midfield in force of Musa DiR from Bailey on Sunday was every bit as good. And also, watching back the highlights again, sort of special mention as well for our new midfield enforcer, Musa Diabhi for breaking up the ball and for tacking and feeding the ball to Bailey PERSON. So, yeah,a lovely goal. And, yeah, really pleased to see sort of obviously a local lad as well, Rogers PERSON and doing well. And, yeah, feels like he could be a real sort of fan favourite going forward from here, I think.

Speaker 02170.64s - 2364.18s

Yeah, it's one of those signings where I just, I can't quite believe it's happened because I'm not sure that I even knew who he was before. He was linked with Villa ORG. Well, I knew obviously when we played him, played them in, played Middlesbrough ORG in the in the cup. But I'm not convinced I even knew who he was.And it was one of those confusing ones, but we were signing. We had signed the, the Costa, the Serbian right back. And that's the type of business we were doing. But I didn't really expect him to be such a big part of the squad and that's the type of business we were doing but I didn't really expect him to be such a big part of the squad and part of the team nowbut he's so good he's so good on the ball and when he gets going the only way to stop him really is to foul him and that does sort of heart back to Jack Grealish PERSON doesn't itwhere that was a very similar sort of situation. We won a lot of free kicks, you know, playing through Jack Grealish PERSON, didn't we? So, you know, if he's offering this that kind of, that kind of potential with hopefully more goals than Jack Grealish, then certainly he's going to have a great villa career, of course, and just looking forward to seeing what sort of levels he goes on to next.And I think he's nailed down that left side position now. I just don't see, you know, Ramsey's out for the season, but I think even if he was back, you know, in the next couple of games, I don't think he'd get back into the side on that, on that side of the pitch,to be honest. But yeah, it's a really interesting one. And he obviously made his mark. He got us back in the game before half time. And I think you felt a sort of collective sort of breathe out from the Villa ORG crowd at that point. I felt like, you know, that was really important to get that goal and to almost start again second half because we felt like, you know, Bournemouth ORG were kind of a little bit more there for the taking at that point.And, you know, first half may have been a little bit of a struggle, but, but Villa were a different beast then in the second, second half. And Watkins PERSON obviously getting increasingly into the game, you know, more on the ball and giving the Bournemouth ORG centrebacks a really hard, hard time. It was a really excellent display. But then it was a great move, really, that saw Watkins PERSON, you know,running down, bearing down on the penalty area as he does before playing a wonderful slide rule. Pass to DiRB ORG, who just slotted it into the corner. I think that's got to be another contender for assist of the season, in my opinion. It was a lovely pass. And Cole PERSON, it was another example of the scintillating attacking play that we've seen so oftenand now getting quite used to at Villa Park and another boost for Diabee PERSON, who I thought was pretty impressive in the second half on Sunday. Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 32364.38s - 2450.68s

And I think Diabi PERSON would probably even admit himself. He needed that. And it's probably come at a very good time, considering the final run-in of the season, to get players like that off the mark who have went a little bit, I wouldn't say ice cold,but maybe kind of heading towards kind of middle ground where, I mean, you'd like maybe to have a few more goals on the season or assist, but he's slowly getting there again. And I think with a character like him, it's probably been kind of overshadowed by Leon Bailey season with the season he's having as well. So, I mean, to have two of those kind of typical wide players, I guess you could say, I mean, I know Diabhi does sometimes play in the middle or alongside Watkins PERSON, but to have two of those speedy players who, of course, have history at Leverkus ORG. And previously, I mean, it is a Waltham ORG site. And I mean, it was a very lovely taken goal. Lots of confidence with that.Good to see Ali Watkins first and foremost get the first assist here. And of course, I'm sure we'll speak about a second assist. But it is that norm that I'm still uncomfortable with in a weird way because when's the last time Villa ORG have put I mean if you look at probably Villa's highlights of all the goals this season so many of them you could put up there with probably some of the best throughout the entire league really when's the last time you could say that on such a consistent basis? Yeah, definitely.

Speaker 02450.98s - 2484.12s

I mean, we just, it is, like you say, something we've, we have got used to and we're used to seeing particularly at Villa Part FAC, really, you know, the team sort of just open up and really, really cut open the opposition defense and you know we did this on on three occasions reallyin this game that ended in goals James I mean you know something we're getting used to in Villa Parkis great goals and great team goals yeah and I'm here for it

Speaker 22484.12s - 2605.64s

I mean I think sort of almost every goal at the weekend, Andy PERSON, we sort of turn around to each other and sort of said, wow, what a goal, what a move. And yeah, I think it's hard to pick my favourite of the bunch, really. I think everyone was just on the game, wasn't it? Again, second goal, the DiRB ORG goal.I think also Rogers PERSON, lovely football to Watkins PERSON. Watkins PERSON lovely turn and then to sort of feed in. Because I think a lot's being sort of made about Watkins PERSON is near and obviously he's so, I think he's level with Bentacki now, is near 19 goals most in the Premier League season for Asson Villa ORG. Obviously one short of the mythical 20 league goals a season,not done since Peter Wither PERSON in the top flight. And I think as the game went on, everyone was sort of, I think you could see the players, the fans just willing him to score. But, I mean, having sort of felt, I remember thinking at sort of half timethat Watkins PERSON had had quite a quiet game really. But there was a 20-30-minute period in the second half where he was the best, I think we've seen of him almost. He was he was unplayable. He was strong and like the sort of you can see the tactics. Obviously plan A was to sort of play out from the back but we were very willing umsort of once we're drawn the press to sort of hit it long and try and sort of put pump it into the channel for whatkins PERSON to chase which obviously we know is so good at um and it was his pace he was just given the the boom of defence, nightmares. And I hope Garraf Southgate PERSON was watching. I mean, how sort of there was talk, isn't there? They're going to extend the squad numbers to 26 as well. So if, I mean, there's no way Watkins PERSON should be anywhere other than on the plane, isn't there? I mean, he was absolutely fantastic on Sunday.

Speaker 02607.3s - 2698.68s

Yeah, he certainly was, and he very nearly got his 20th goal, didn't he? I'd say he's chasing that record-breaking 20th league goal. I've never seen a Villa striker get 20 league goals in my lifetime. I think it happened when I was about one, like you say, Peter PERSON with way back. So I've always kind of thought about and Tammy Abraham PERSON did it, of course, in the championship, didn't he? And I thought that was something of a miracle. But if Watkins PERSON can do, it'll be, it'll be absolutely great.And he came quite close in terms of the third goal. Obviously, little ball through from Diabia PERSON. And Watkins PERSON took it around the goalkeeper. And his shot was, he kind of poked it towards the goal. And it looked like it was certainly going wide. And Bailey was there just to tap it into the into the empty net to make it 3-1.Cole Watkins PERSON obviously knows about this, doesn't he? He's aware of the numbers. He wants that 20th goal. He looked like he was quite desperate to get it and it did look like the other players were trying to put him in as well. They're obviously aware of it. He's obviously told them, you know, if you get the chance, you know, put me in.He's got four games to do it. Surely he's going to get at least one more goal.

Speaker 32699.4s - 2771.04s

See, the cynical part of me, this is where it comes out because I feel like sometimes when you're trying that hard, it doesn't come off. And that is my biggest fear with this. I honestly feel like he could get like six more assists in the last four games the way he's playing, but somehow won't score. And I don't mean that in a negative manner. But it just sometimes when you're kind of, I don't know, trying to kick it a little bit harder,trying to move it around a little bit more, taking an extra second when you don't need to or taking it too quickly. Maybe, hopefully that doesn't creep in, but I mean, in reality, he will surpass that. And I mean, it's well deserved. I think he's on 31 goal contributions between 19 goals and 12 assists, and he leads the Premier League ORG and assists as well. He's the only player to have that many contributionsor over 30, I should say, this season. Honestly, in my doubt, he has to be the player of the season. And I know if that's biased coming from a Villa ORG fan, but I mean, the numbers do speak for themselves, don't they? Well, they do, and it's now, like you say, it's the goal, the goal contributions that they,

Speaker 02771.04s - 2872.06s

that they talk about. And he's, he's right up there, isn't it, at the top of the charts with that. But it's his overall play as well. I think the numbers are only half the story in terms of Olly Watkins PERSON. And that's always kind of been the case. The numbers have kind of caught up with his overall performance this season, haven't they?And normally, you know, we're saying his all-round game is good, but he needs to take his chances. He needs to score more goals. This time, this season, he's leveled it up. And he's playing absolutely out of his skin and he just looks so confident and so comfortable up there and doing his thing. And, yeah, he's, he's, he's got to go to the euros, of course. Um, but most of all, we want him, uh,we're on him ready to go again next season, don't we? And hopefully any rumours of Villa ORG looking to offload him for a massive fee or, you know, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, any rumours of Villa ORG looking to offload him for a massive fee or, you know, to kind of comply with PSR ORG regulations and all this type of thing. We just hope are wide of the mark and he's in a Villa shirt come August. But I just wanted to make an honourable mention as well for Yuri Tealermans, alongside John McGinn PERSON in the centre. They've obviously deputised with Douglas Louise PERSON being suspended.And we haven't missed Douglas Louise PERSON, have we? In essence, we've beaten Arsenal and Bournemouth ORG. And these two, and particularly Tealemans PERSON, I think, you know, have really been excellent in there, Cole PERSON. Yeah, absolutely. I mean,

Speaker 32872.36s - 2972.92s

in kind of a humorous way, I guess you could say Dougie Hugh PERSON, or Dougie Who PERSON, I even screw that up trying to be funny. So maybe that ruin that whole moment. But regardless of that, it's quite outstanding when you think about it, because there was a time not too long ago that if you would say that either there's no Bubba Kar Kumar or Dougie Louise or even both, that Villa ORG aren't going to be successful, the fact that youcan have John McGinn and Yuri Tillman's who lester fans in the summer in particular were saying he doesn't have the legs for it yada yada yada negative negative things um i mean he's proven them wrong this season but to put in that shift against arsenal i mean literally i guess you could say probably for the last eight days those three games in particular you have to give him um full credit and it is definitely well deserved. I know there are things in the media, especially coming out today, saying thatUnairis PERSON looking potentially at a couple more central midfielders. And then again, people will kind of maybe sit back and think, well, does that mean we're losing somebody? But all in all, you also have to think about European NORP qualification, if it's going to be the Champions League ORG, which we would assume at this point in time, it's going to be we do have to thicken out that squad,not only in numbers, but in quality. So, I mean, full credit to Tillamins, full credit to hopefully some exciting signings in the summer. But, I mean, for once, I can sit back and say Villa ORG's midfield is world class. That feels very nice to say. It is, isn't it?

Speaker 02972.92s - 3125.46s

It is absolutely. And it proves that we, you know, sometimes we have to, well, how many times have we said it? You know, when we have lost big players, you know, we, we actually, Emory ORG finds away, doesn't he? You know, most of the time he gets there in the end. And of course, you know, Telemans and McGinn PERSON are excellent midfielders. They should be able to put in a good shift there. But, you know, you get used to the players that are there and performing so well.But I just had to mention him because he has had a lot of stick this season. but you know, you get used to the players that are there and performing so well. But I just had to mention him because he has had a lot of stick this season. And I think he's been exceptional, like you say, over the last three matches in particular. So that's great to see. But we'll get on to the Chelsea game this weekend. And it's a huge match at Villa Park, 8pm, Saturday night. Potchitino PERSON's young team really have started to show a little bit moreof their undoubted potential although I do believe they're losing currently as we record in fact they've lost I've just seen they've lost 5-0 to Chelseato Arsenal ORG this evening obviously missing Cole Palmer tonight so they'll be hoping that he's back 5-0 to Chelsea to Arsenal this evening. Obviously missing Cole Palmer tonight, so they'll be hoping that he's back for Saturday as well. And of course they went out the FA Cup, didn't they, on last Saturday at Wembley against Man City ORG. We've had a mixed season against Chelsea ORG,obviously beat them at Stamford Bridge FAC, 1-0 in September, and then had the FAA Cup EVENT tie where we drew nil-0 at the bridge and lost convincingly at Villa Park FAC in the N-3-1. So we'll be looking toturn that around. Emery PERSON will most likely be without Moreno PERSON and Zaniola PERSON after their recent knocks but he'll have Douglas Louise PERSON back after suspension.Emery PERSON will obviously be hoping that the last obviously giving the players a couple of days off after their exploits over last week will help freshen up the squad mentally and physically after a really draining fortnight. James, what do you make of this one?And how do you see it going and how vital is it in the race for fourth place?

Speaker 23127.68s - 3281s

Yeah, I think I'm not really quite sure what to make of this game. I think a couple of weeks ago looking at the running, you would have sort of perhaps earmarked this game as one of the more difficult games. But Chelsea, they've been a fairly enigmatic team, I think, this season now. I think when it clicks, they've been very good. I mean, they've knocked us out in the cup, didn't it, in the Villa Park FAC?And we were second best very much that day. But, yeah, obviously, they lost at the weekend. There was obviously all was not well. The penalty incident at Everton the other week sort of I don't think that's ever a positivething to see on the pitch that the team spirit is perhaps a little bit off. Potchitino PERSON's got a bit of work to do there I think and obviously tonight's result it'll be interesting to see whateffect that has on their morale on their sort of mentality going into the weekend. I think Cole Palmer PERSON, I think, is key. I think if he's still missing at the weekend, I think it's a sickness bug, isn't it? He's had, which sort of put him out tonight. So I'd be interested if he's back and if he is, if he's firing on all cylinders, because he's a fantastic player. But yeah he's firing on all cylinders because he'sa fantastic player but yeah I think with every reason to be confident and comfortableI think looking at this with the last week or so shows we could beat anybody on any given day and why notbe confident and I think it is it is a vital game. We're sort of, I mean, it's, I keep having to pinch myself really, sort of thinking about sort of four games out now and being in the, not just in the discussion, but very much in a driving seat for fourth position and Champions League ORG football.I think it could be a huge game. I think we, we spurs are playing again, aren't there, this weekend, but it's the North London Derby, I think. But we play before them, crucially. So I think if we do manage to win, that's a nine-point gap we've got to Tottenham ORG. And yes, they've got the games in hand to claw that back.But I think given their fixture list, and I think just the, again, mentality, I just, you just feel if we could, if we could beat Chelsea and get those nine points clear, then that's going to be a huge, huge step to, I think I can almost hear the echoesof the Champions League ORG music sort of ringing in the ears, really, for the next season down at Villa Park FAC.

Speaker 03282.36s - 3290.78s

Games, you should know better than to say things like that. Well, you should know better than to say things like that. It's notically in public. Well, yeah, I suppose I must carry it.

Speaker 23290.84s - 3315.2s

I mean, my first ever game was the first Graham Taylor PERSON era, and it was Wimbledon EVENT at home, and we were neck and neck with Liverpool ORG for the title, about four or five games out, and went along with my dad and sort of expecting us to pick up more points. We'll never win to get close to the challenging for that title. And yeah, we lost 3-0 and I think we picked up another point in that season.

Speaker 03316.56s - 3349s

Yeah, no, I remember that. Absolutely. Yeah. Thanks for bringing that up. for bringing that up. But, yeah, I mean, James is right, isn't he? You know, potential Cole to go nine points clear. All right. Spurs have the games in hand. But it feels like Emery PERSON can kind of manage this from this situation now.If he's got the points on the board, he'll feel fairly confident that you can see it through. Yeah, 100%.

Speaker 33349s - 3386.38s

And again, it's that mentality thing. And I think probably even Spurs fans would admit it that that's probably been the biggest question mark this season. It's been very up and down. It started very positive. And now it's a bit of catch up, which isn isn't i guess in one mindset you could say it's in kind of your hands in terms of what you do from now here on out will dictate that butthere's also that added pressure probably more than ever to almost be perfect and it's very hard to be perfect when your games in hand i believe uh chelsea GPE and it could be wrong maybe man city then you throw an arsenal too um I don't know if

Speaker 03386.38s - 3392.72s

they still have to play Liverpool ORG as well I can't remember but anyways there's yeah so I mean if they

Speaker 33392.72s - 3502.22s

get through that gauntlet unscathed undefeated then I guess you could could probably say fair play but I mean it's just as much in our hands as it is theirs and you look at this Chelsea game and now that the fact that they've lost 5-0, again, to be cynical, maybe you sit back and think, oh, hopefully this doesn't mean a positive reaction for them on Saturday. At least I will have no idea what's going on. I'll be in a wedding. Literally, the ceremony kicks off when this game kicks off or starts.I don't, I guess the ceremony doesn't kick off, but you know what I mean, in that mentality of gamesmanship already. But you do have to look at this game and think there's so, there's so many more positives and negatives heading into it. I think you could almost, I mean, maybe in a hipster way, so I just kind of let the good vibes keep going. And maybe even some people think I'm being crazy. I think there's an argument even in my mind, start with John McGinn PERSON and your achievements as that duo. And my argument for that purely is because you look at how he played against Arsenal ORG and how much they pressed and like to be on the ball.Chelsea ORG do it in a much more chaotic manner. Sometimes it works and I mean evidently as of Tuesday it didn't. But I think that could really work against a team that you could say doesn't really have a well-established midfield. There's not that much organization. It's either one extreme positively for them or one extreme negatively in terms of performances and consistency.Honestly, I think we could kind of roll with the similar team he played against Formith PERSON and do very well. Yeah, I mean, that's the point now, isn't it?

Speaker 03502.22s - 3547.38s

I suppose, is it worth kind of sticking with that team? I mean, I feel sure that Douglas Louise will come back in, but, you know, at the same time, you know, certainly Telemans and McGinn PERSON should remain in the side. So we'll see what the, you know, how they change it up really and what they do with that. I imagine it will involve perhaps DRB or maybe Bailey PERSON coming out of the team for that game. But we shall see. The only thing left really is to do the predictions.What are we saying for this one? Paul PERSON, do you want to hazard a prediction?

Speaker 33548.6s - 3557.26s

Not going to be cynical on this one. I'm going to be purely positive. I'll go with a nice 3-1 again. Why not?

Speaker 03557.5s - 3561.62s

A nice day out for everybody that is in the area at Villa Park FAC.

Speaker 33562.26s - 3571.56s

Hopefully, easy and relatively routine, and their goal just comes from something random that we forget about five seconds later, because we're three-nill up or something. Let's go for that.

Speaker 03574.22s - 3575.1s

Excellent, James.

Speaker 23576.94s - 3598.36s

Yeah, I'm feeling confidence, I think, last week. The wins in our sales. Chelsea ORG all over the shop. We've got the sort of the finish line in sight now. It's in our hands. I over the shop we've we've got the sort of the finish line in sight now it's in our hands I'm going for a two one winand I think yeah put more pressure on on spurs over to them I'll be a bit more circumspect

Speaker 03598.36s - 3646.94s

then I'll go one nil last minute Oli Watkins how's that that'll do nicely, I think. Yeah, that might not be so good for your wedding, Cole PERSON. You're sweating on a last minute winner.But, yeah, either way, you'll be celebrating. So that's fine. No, good stuff. That's all we got time for, but thanks for joining me today, guys. Really good to have you both back on.And thanks to everyone for listening. We'll be back next week to review the Chelsea ORG game and look ahead to the Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympi Arcos ORG. So hopefully see you all then. Until then, stay safe and up the villa.