Currently sat in the airport about to take off on my honeymoon after marrying my best friend over the weekend.

I spent a portion of the day thanking everyone and telling them them what I appreciate about them, and logging on to the sub it dawned on me that this sub is such a huge part of my life, so I’ll hope you’ll excuse this personal post, but for all the laughs, memes, support, shared frustration over the 15 odd years I’ve been on this sub, thank you!

Whilst I’m blessed with lots of Villa friends now, there was a large portion of my life that I didn’t know anyone that supported Villa, so this was the only outlet I had to bond with people about it. We’re such an international bunch that I assume I’m not the only one whose been in that boat. I love this space - long may it continue!

Thank you my mainly anonymous Villa family. Love to you all and UTV 💜💙

A place to discuss everything, Villa or non-Villa.

Have a fleeting thought that's not quite enough for it's own post...? This is the place

I'm sure many of you have seen the recent example of some top tier journalism from Kyle Clark.

It's sad how refreshing I found it - it should be the standard we expect from all journalists. What are some other examples of great journalism, either in speaking with someone, print or other forms of media that you've seen recently?

A place to discuss everything, Villa or non-Villa.

Have a fleeting thought that's not quite enough for it's own post...? This is the place

Picked Villa after being told changing my team every week by my Dad wasn’t how football worked. No real reason. Didnt want to pick a ‘big’ team like everyone else, Dwight Yorke being my favourite player at the time, and I liked the kit. Dwight didn’t share my sentiment over ‘big‘ teams sadly.

Losing to Chelsea in Wembleys last ever game. Enkleman missing the ball. Losing to Doncaster 3-0 in the cup. Vassel missing a pen for England. Proper hope with O’Neil for the first time. Rapid fucking Vienna. Playing the second team in Europe and bottling top 4. And again. How on earth was Vidic not sent off? Seeing Rooneys looping header every time my eyes closed for weeks. 1,2,3…4 against Arsenal. Maybe he’ll stay! Maybe not…🐍 Circling the drain before the inevitable, with a car tweet along the way. Ah well, well go straight back up! A year in the championship will be fun! It was fun, but it wasn’t a year. Bruce tried, but Fulham and the cabbage won. One of our own to get us where we needed to be, on and off the pitch.

It hasnt been so bad…Young against Everton, Benteke getting us to believe again. The Scottish Cafu parting the scums defence. Konsa/Mings last minute against Watford. Staying up on the last day. Beating Brighton when it mattered.

Why is harder to remember the good times? Maybe it’s because most of us have had a lifetime of nearly moments. Not quite there Villa, falling at the final hurdle Villa. Typical Villa.

Today that can change, this feels different than all the other finals, doesn’t it? Maybe the baggie Skinner was penning a curse rather a song of hope. Well it’s been 30 years David. Time for the Holte end to write a new song

Would like to think as a mod here you can trust that this is legit... DM me if you're interested!