u/Ok_Committee_2696

Always enjoy listening to Hitzlsperger, and tonight it prompted me to watch his 12 Villa goals on YouTube. Obviously, there's one in particular that stands out! If anyone's unsure of what qualifies as a 'thunderbastard', that's it there.

This led me to have a quick scan at his career; Bayern under 19's, Villa, Stuttgart, Lazio, West Ham, Wolfsberg, Everton. The only fee anyone ever paid for him (Lazio I think) was £550K. The rest were free's. I know he never quite realised his early promise at Villla, but that's still mental.

After another right back bit the dust, my wife asked if Cash would have made this squad if he hadn't chosen Poland. Impossible to say I know, but he does seem a Tuchel-type player; follows instructions, good team player, can attack and defend. I wonder if he has some regret over the decision? (Wife also said probably not, as he has more important stuff to sort out this summer).

I appreciate fans are probably getting pissed off with posts relating everything to Villa. But..... That Portugal free kick had a certain long-haired Scotsman's finger's all over it.

I know Lee Dixon seems to think most of England's frailities are down to Ezri Konsa, but I quite like him and Stones. There's definitely a similarity with Ezri and Pau. Perhaps I'm just used to it, and accept that occasionally we'll look vulnerable.

I was listening to a 5 live interview today with the author of 'Inside the box'. I haven't read it yet, but it basically gives examples of how limitations can encourage innovation, collaboration, and success.

And visa versa. For example, General Magic, a tech start-up comprising some of the greatest minds in Silicon Valley, given massive resources and unrestrained freedom to explore ideas .... and failing (Man Utd and Spurs?)..

Then, a jazz pianist finding his concert piano so out of tune, he couldn't use many of the keys, and one foot pedal was broken. He improvised his play, he used the broken foot pedal as a percussion instrument ..... and the resulting performance became the greatest selling jazz piano solo album of all time.

As the author described the concert, for some reason, I pictured Unai at the piano.

For some reason, I just started to think about Gerrard's punditry during the CL final.

I can't recall his exact words, but they were something like:

Coming out for the 2nd half, "keep it tight, carry on the same, throw the occasional counter-punch."

Advice nearing the end "No mistakes".

Heading to penalties, "players will just want the final whistle now, get on with penalties."

Coupled with "Chelsea should wipe the floor with us" and the mental approach, compared to Emery's couldn't be more stark.

But then, Gerrard isn't alone. Historically, very few high-level players made great managers. I wonder if they're bound, constrained by their own experiences, and success achieved under pragmatists like Benitez and Mourinho?

It can't be a coincidence that most exceptions (Enrique, Kompany, and arguably Arteta) have some kind of link to Pepe.

When (hopefully many years from now) Emery goes, I'm hoping there's a direct link to Emery and this elite mindset.

Did I hear on commentary tonight that Daichi Kamada is out of contact in summer?

Wouldn't mind that.

Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, Daichi Kamada....

I keep reading fans saying Villa need to lower the squad age. Maybe, but surely not by much?

I've only had a quick Google, but it seems:

Villa this season = 28.3 average age.

Arsenal invincibles = 26 to 28

Man City treble winners = 27

Utd under Ferguson = 26.4

I think, with the advance of sports science and careers lasting longer, we're not far off the sweet spot for major success.

I mentioned in a recent post about drawing with Bayern in the CL. Today, I found myself checking which of today's results would be best for our CL qualification.

I don't think my brain is capable of accepting recent achievements.

I knew I was working away in Liverpool for the final. But just realised I'm staying in a crappy Travelodge and will probably watch the game on my phone. As I did when:

• We beat Man City at home
• We drew with Bayern
• We beat PSG at home
• Man City beat Spurs to secure Champions League for us.

If it works again, I suppose I'll have to book into a Travelodge for every big match.

Just got to the bit in 'Rise of the Villans' where Emery tells staff that, where Man City dominated the 2010's and 2020's, he believes Villa can dominate the 2030's. I wonder what he thinks now? I'm assuming the realities of PSR have ruined this fantasy. On the other hand, with regular European football, increased stadium capacity, and a generation of youngsters who dominated last season...... As a fan, the Europa final feels a bit like the pinnacle, but I'd love to believe that pathway is still being mapped.