Two wins. Momentum restored. Six points clear of Chelsea, five of Liverpool, with seven games remaining and destiny firmly back in Villa's own hands. The question now is simple: can they do it themselves and not have to rely on others?

In this episode the show takes stock of where Villa are, where their rivals are, and what the fixture list actually looks like for the final stretch. We take a closer look at Chelsea's home form, with a double-header of Manchester City and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in their next two games. Liverpool are juggling the FA Cup and a two-legged PSG tie. United have been the form team since Christmas but face both Chelsea and Liverpool before the season is out.

Elsewhere: injury updates including the new recruits to sickbay and a Viking manuscript that has absolutely nothing to do with Aston Villa.

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In this episode the My Old Man Said podcast show we break down what actually changed — why the tempo was different, why Sancho suddenly looks like the player clubs have paid six figures a week for, and what McGinn's return means beyond the obvious.

There is also a discussion of whether this is sustainable or whether it took a relegation-threatened West Ham side, forced into an unplanned formation after a warm-up injury, to make Villa look this good.

Elsewhere: Watkins dropped from England and what that means for his remaining season, Tielemans' neat twenty-minute cameo, the Digne versus Madsen question, and why Villa have scored more goals from outside the box than any other team in Europe's top five leagues.

Destiny is in Villa's own hands and it's time for them to do it themselves.

UTV

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We look back at the Villa Park conclusion to the Lille two-legged Europa League tie — including a first half at Villa Park so deliberately passive that even those in the ground were losing the will to watch — and discuss the highlights of a much improved second half performance.

There is also a look at the quarter-final draw. Bologna are the opponents, but Porto, currently crushing the Portuguese league, having won 22 of 26 games, loom as the most dangerous side left in the competition. Nottingham Forest face them in the other quarter-final in Villa's side of the draw.

Elsewhere: there's talk of croissant mutations, the Premier League £30 away ticket cap being extended, the Bologna quarter-final pricing that brought on a familiar fury, Lindelof's Batman mask and the case for him being the signing of the season, and a tifo poem that nobody is claiming authorship of.

It's West Ham on Sunday, with an international break following straight after. Then the final chapter of a twin-prong attack for Champions League football begins in earnest. 

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Villa's 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford was not a shock. It was, as this podcast noted immediately, an expected result, an expected performance... and an expected xG. What makes it significant is the context and manner of it - three consecutive league defeats, a Champions League place that is now being held by inertia rather than form, and a set of structural problems that are becoming harder to attribute to bad luck.

In this episode, the show dissects the latest misery inducing trip to Old Trafford, including the moment that may have defined Villa's entire season. Then the post-mortem episodes broadens out into the harder questions about what has gone wrong, whose responsibility it is to fix it, and whether there is still time.

The structure versus creation argument reaches crunch time. It's Lille in the Europa League second leg next, but then relegation threatened West Ham and Forest back-to-back mean it's do or die time.

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Villa win 1-0 in Lille to take control of the Europa League tie — but the harder test arrives Sunday.

In this double-header episode, the show analyses Villa's controlled but unconvincing win in France — the goal, the Watkins miss that should have killed the tie, and the moment John McGinn walked off the bench and immediately reminded everyone what Villa have been missing.

Then it's forward to Sunday and a trip to Old Trafford, where the show sets out exactly why this fixture matters beyond three points, and why, despite United's impressive form under Carrick, this may be the moment Villa's season turns.

Plus the MOMS panel prediction for Old Trafford, and a Tim Sherwood comparison that will not be retracted.

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The show discusses the injury latest, with McGinn edging closer to a return, the squad selection dilemma for Thursday given the trip to Old Trafford follows days later, and whether Emery should rotate or go strong in France.

Also discussed: Opta's supercomputer gives Villa an 80% chance of finishing top four, while the Bud 3000 is considerably less optimistic. The Tammy Abraham situation and Emery's Clockwork Orange-style process. Filipe Luís's remarkable and abruptly ended reign at Flamengo, and what it has in common with Ron Saunders. KSI's stake in Dagenham and Redbridge. The FIFA registration block on Brian Maggio. And lessons from Lincoln City in League One that Villa's current squad would do well to absorb.

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The opening goal was exactly what the team needed. Quick tempo, Douglas Luiz breaking forward, Bailey finally receiving the ball in space, and a sharp finish by Luiz to cap a rare moment of attacking fluency.

It was the type of move Villa have been missing.

Then came the moment that changed the night.

Watkins thought he had put Villa 2–1 ahead after a brilliant breakaway move involving Morgan Rogers. The celebrations were long enough to believe momentum had shifted. Then the VAR check arrived, the goal was ruled out, and the momentum would soon shift in Chelsea’s favour.

Chelsea scored before half-time and from that point the balance was gone.

The second half exposed the structural issues Villa have been carrying for weeks. Chelsea repeatedly clipped passes in behind Villa’s high line, with Enzo Fernández dictating play and wide players stretching the defence. Once the pressure mounted, Villa’s resistance faded quickly.

The final scoreline reflected the underlying numbers. Chelsea’s expected goals approached four, a rare figure in a game Villa never truly regained control of.

Yet the wider picture remains strangely open.

Despite defeats and inconsistent performances, the Champions League race continues to wobble around them. Rivals are dropping points too.

But Villa's buffer is effectively now gone.

If Villa are to stay in the race, they need to turn their form around pronto.

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It was a warning.

Villa went to Molineux knowing exactly what was at stake. A six-point cushion. Chelsea next. Momentum fragile but intact. Instead, they produced a performance devoid of conviction and lost to a Wolves side that had won one game in twenty-eight  

The tone was set early. Pau Torres, unmarked from a corner, headed wide when the script demanded a goal. From that moment, belief drained. Villa overplayed and hesitation set in. It was tension disguised as patience.

The system didn’t shift. Wolves’ back three nullified Villa again. The midfield lacked line-breaking presence without Kamara and Tielemans. Barkley’s introduction brought little defensive awareness, with questions raised over positioning for the opening goal.

And when Wolves scored, Villa folded.

It was a zero-sum performance. No rhythm. No authority. No personality.

The bigger concern is psychological. Villa are no longer chasing. They are protecting. And suddenly they look like a team feeling the weight of expectation.

Because if this was the wobble, the next four games will tell us whether it becomes a collapse.

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Six points clear of the Champions League trapdoor and yet it doesn’t feel comfortable.

This episode digs into the strange duality of Villa’s current position. On paper, the table looks strong. After 27 games, Villa sit on 51 points, three clear of Manchester United and six ahead of the Champions League drop line. Historically, that buffer matters.

But performances tell a different story. The attack has stalled. The midfield spine is missing. The Molineux record is grim.

Kamara, Tielemans and McGinn absent has stripped control from the centre of the pitch. Pau Torres’ progressive passing is badly missed. Villa are defensively solid, conceding just five goals in 2026, but they are not imposing themselves. Games are tight, tense and reliant on moments rather than dominance.

And now comes Wolves away.

Four games without a win at Molineux. The last victory came in lockdown. No witnesses. It barely counts  .

Wolves may be near the bottom, but they have athletes, a back three Villa struggle against, and nothing to lose. For them, it is a free hit. For Villa, it is a pressure point.

Lose, and doubt creeps in fast with Chelsea and Manchester United next. Win, and the fear flips into leverage.

Because here is the opportunity: Villa only need to finish above one of Liverpool, Chelsea or United to achieve their objective  .

That is the equation.

Fear factor or opportunity?

The next two weeks will decide the narrative of the season.

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Aston Villa remain in a strong league position, but the performances beneath it are raising legitimate questions. The defensive numbers are impressive. Only five goals conceded in 2026. Structure is there. Organisation is there.Fluency is not.

Across recent weeks, Villa’s open-play chance creation has dipped sharply. The xG numbers now align with what the eye test has been saying for some time. Games at Villa Park have become tight, tense, and dependent on moments rather than patterns.

There is also context. The midfield spine has been disrupted. Kamara, Tielemans and McGinn missing together strips out control and tempo. Yet Unai Emery has left Pau Torres benched, a player whose progressive passing underpinned last season’s best performances.

But every contender has injuries.

This episode asks the harder question: is this a temporary grind phase, or are we watching a team slowly stalling?

The Wolves fixture looms large. Win it, and momentum returns. Lose it, and doubt spreads quickly into the Champions League race and beyond.

This is the stage of the season where narratives harden.

Momentum or meltdown? The next few weeks will tell us everything.

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Goalkeeper sent off. Game swings. Villa lose. End of story.

Except it isn’t that simple.

This My Old Man Said post-mortem episode pulls apart the FA Cup tie from the moment of the red card onward and challenges the assumption that it was automatically over. Yes, the dismissal changed the balance. Yes, momentum shifted. But knockout football is rarely decided by a single flashpoint.

The discussion centres on what Villa did next. The shape change. The substitutions. The tempo. The psychological reaction. Did Villa protect the game properly? Did they give up too quickly? Were there moments to reset that went unused?

There is frustration, but not hysteria. Context matters. The red card altered the task, it did not remove it. We look at the fine margins that separate resilience from resignation.

The bigger question running through the show is this:

When the situation turns against you in a cup tie, how long do you stay in it?

Villa were tested. The red card hurt. But the tie still required managing.

What happened at Villa Park does once again throw up questions of both the character of the Villa team and what role does the FA Cup plays now in football?

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But it was three points.

Aston Villa laboured past Brighton in a game that never quite caught light. Tempo was slow, rhythm inconsistent, and the usual midfield control absent. Large spells felt like two teams cancelling each other out rather than one asserting itself.

Then came the decisive moment.

A late corner, a near-post run, and Tyrone Mings making sure someone attacked the space properly. In a match short on incision, it took authority rather than invention to break it.

The performance lacked fluency. Brighton limited Villa’s creativity and exposed the absence of key midfield leaders. There were groans at over-elaboration and impatience at predictable build-up. Even the atmosphere reflected it, with noticeable empty seats and tension around ticket pricing bubbling beneath the surface.

But the table does not ask how.

Villa are still third and the Champions League conversation remains real. And at this stage of the campaign, winning without playing well can matter more than anything else.

Ugly at home. Effective when it counted.

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On the surface, a draw after taking the lead feels frustrating. Dig deeper, and it looks very different.

Aston Villa went to one of the league’s most awkward away grounds, against one of the form teams in the division, without their key midfield controllers. What followed was not control or fluency, but resilience.

Villa started brightly, moved the ball well early, and took the lead through Rogers with a cracking finish that hinted at a comfortable afternoon. It didn’t last. Bournemouth raised the tempo, flooded central areas, and turned the game into a sustained physical and tactical test.

Without Kamara, McGinn, or Tielemans, Villa struggled to slow the game down. Possession became survival rather than dominance. Bournemouth piled on pressure, racked up shots, and forced Emi Martinez into a genuine man-of-the-match performance.

This episode breaks down why the lack of midfield control was inevitable, why the goal conceded was frustrating but out of character for the defence in the game, and why Villa’s ability to ride the storm says more about their season than the scoreline does.

This was not pretty. It was not comfortable. But it was earned.

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The transfer window assessment is framed through damage limitation, PSR pressure, squad balance, and the reality that replacing key midfielders mid-season is close to impossible.

That context feeds directly into the on-pitch discussion, starting with a battling draw away at Bournemouth. Down bodies, short of control, and under pressure for long spells, Villa scrapped for a point that looked more valuable the longer the game went on. It wasn’t fluent. It wasn’t comfortable. But it was resilient.

The Bournemouth game is treated as a stress test rather than a failure. A measure of how this Villa side copes when structure is disrupted and energy has to replace cohesion. There’s frustration, but also recognition that these are the moments that define whether a team stays competitive through adversity.

This isn’t a side pushing on right now. It’s a side needing to hold the line.

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Aston Villa had the ball, the territory, and eventually a numerical advantage against Brentford. What they didn’t have were the midfielders who usually turn control into pressure. Kamara. Tielemans. McGinn. Without them, Villa’s dominance stayed neat, predictable, and ultimately harmless.

This My Old Man Said post-mortem episode focuses on how midfield absences shaped the game. Villa circulated the ball patiently but lacked aggression between the lines, runners arriving with intent, or anyone prepared to take responsibility in tight central areas. Brentford were able to retreat, organise, and wait.

Even after the red card, Villa struggled to change the pattern. Possession increased, urgency didn’t. The disallowed goal only deepened the frustration, with VAR dragging play back to find a marginal infringement and draining what little momentum Villa had built.

Brentford didn’t steal this. They controlled any potential chaos and Villa lacked the guile to break them down.

We also look at the bigger picture and should we be concerned?

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Knowing a win would guarantee a top-two finish and second-leg home advantage in the Europa League knockouts, Aston Villa approached the Salzburg game with management in mind. For too long, that drifted into passivity.

The first half lacked tempo and bite. Defensive concentration wavered and a young, fearless Salzburg side were given encouragement they should not have had. Villa looked like a team trying to coast a European night that demanded focus.

The second half changed when Villa did. 2-0 down and the tempo lifted, intent sharpened, and the physical and technical gap finally told. Once Villa switched on, control followed quickly and the outcome that mattered was secured.

This post-mortem looks at where Villa misjudged the night, why youth and energy became decisive, and how fine the margins are in Europe when game management slips into over-management.

Villa got what they needed. In the end.

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With Aston Villa hit by a cluster of midfield injuries at the worst possible time, this transfer catch-up looks at the merit of the triple signings of former players, that were originally signed by Dean Smith. Are we upgrading? Gambling? Or is it just damage limitation?

The conversation centres on the loss of Kamara, Tielemans, and McGinn and why that trio underpins almost everything Villa do well. Defensive stability. Control. Goal contributions. Take all three out and you are not tweaking a system, you are protecting one.

That context frames the return of Douglas Luiz, the intrigue around Tammy Abraham, and the pragmatic reality behind Leon Bailey’s situation. None are presented as silver bullets. All are discussed as players at career crossroads, arriving not to transform Villa but to stabilise them.

The sentimentality that the trio brings makes the signings a cut above a punt on an unknown, and all three have proven already they can do a job in claret and blue.

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Aston Villa went to St James’ Park, absorbed the noise, managed the pressure, and left with three points without ever losing control of the game. Not through survival. Through composure.

This post-mortem focuses on how Villa dictated terms in an environment that usually overwhelms visiting sides. Newcastle had the crowd and moments of momentum, but Villa had structure, discipline, and clarity in their decision-making.

There’s discussion of how Villa managed territory, why conceding space was part of the plan rather than a weakness, and how game intelligence across the pitch prevented Newcastle from building sustained pressure. Individual performances are assessed through the lens of control rather than volume.

Breaking the two decade St James’ Park hoodoo matters not because of history, but because of what it says about where this Villa side is now.

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Everton came to Villa Park with a clear plan and left having disrupted the one area Aston Villa normally rely on for control. The midfield. Not through brilliance, but through physicality, timing, and exploiting a lack of cohesion caused by Villa's injuries and enforced changes.

This My Old Man Said post-mortem focuses on why Villa never established rhythm, why second balls kept going the wrong way, and how Everton repeatedly bypassed what is usually Villa’s strongest platform. Without stability in the middle, everything else felt reactive rather than controlled.

There is discussion of personnel issues, structural balance, and how quickly control can evaporate when familiarity is lost. This is not framed as a season-long flaw, but it is a problem in the present tense. One that matters if left unresolved.

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As Everton arrive at Villa Park, this main show looks past form lines and reputations to focus on why Aston Villa are structurally well suited to matches like this. Patient play, physical resistance, limited space, and an opponent built to frustrate rather than entertain.

The discussion centres on Emery’s evolving approach. Positional discipline, intelligent rotation, and letting the ball do the work rather than chasing it. Villa are not running more than opponents. They are running smarter. The Opta data backs it up. Fewer pressures, fewer recovery runs, and a squad that is being preserved rather than burned out.

Everton are assessed honestly. Organised, stubborn, but limited. Short of goals, short of creativity, and reliant on attrition rather than incision. This is not a game Villa need to force. It is a game they need to manage.

There is also look at Villa's squad depth, Kamara’s absence and recovery timeline, Torres’ return, January transfer noise, and why Villa appear better positioned for the second half of the season than many of their rivals.

The show also steps back to take in the wider football landscape. Macclesfield’s record-breaking FA Cup shock over Crystal Palace. José Mourinho making his players sleep at the training ground after defeat. Austin MacPhee’s cheeky second-ball intervention and the fine line between marginal gains and gamesmanship.

There's also the Lovers Walk Unlimited Orchestra's Istanbul '26 remix of the Youri song ahead of Villa's Europa League game against Fenerbahçe.

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Noise, needle, moments of quality, moments of chaos, and a sense that one team understood the occasion far better than the other. Aston Villa went to Tottenham, took the FA Cup seriously, and left having knocked Spurs out for the second season running.

This post-mortem doesn’t run chronologically. It picks out the moments that defined the day. Villa’s control in the first half. Two exquisite goals that reflected preparation and confidence. Spurs’ brief second-half push. And the way Villa weathered it without ever losing their grip.

There’s discussion of Buendía’s influence, Rogers’ physicality, Tielemans’ intelligence in tight spaces, and why this game suited Villa’s evolving style perfectly. There’s also a wider conversation about mentality. About why some Villa sides of the past have treated the FA Cup as a burden, and why this one clearly doesn’t.

From the scenes in the away end to the handbags at full-time, this felt like a team enjoying competition rather than managing it. Villa didn’t just progress. They owned the occasion.

A proper cup tie. Properly won.

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It’s a question people keep trying to answer with labels. Possession-based. Pragmatic. Ruthless. Transitional. And it’s a question that keeps missing the point.

This main show uses the goalless draw at Crystal Palace, the looming FA Cup trip to Spurs, and Villa’s broader winter form to step back and assess the current questions. Not just results, but method. Not just systems, but intent.

There’s discussion of why the Palace game told us very little that we don’t already know, why defensive control is often mistaken for stagnation, and why Villa’s ability to adapt matters more than any single tactical identity. The FA Cup conversation strips away sentiment and focuses on priorities, squad depth, and realism in a congested season.

Kamara’s structural importance, Tielemans’ influence, Watkins’ contradictions, and Villa Park’s growing authority all feed into the same conclusion. This is not a team chasing an aesthetic. It’s a team executing a plan.

The Lovers Walk Unlimited Orchestra also return for the new year to celebrate Villa's winter and their midfield maestro.

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A new year, the same authority.

After the winning run ended at Arsenal, Aston Villa returned to Villa Park and did exactly what mature sides do. They took control, strangled transitions, and dealt with Nottingham Forest without drama.

Forest pulled one back, but it never felt like a turning point. Villa remained composed, dictated the tempo, and reasserted themselves through midfield dominance, intelligent pressing, and clinical moments at the right time.

This post-mortem focuses on the substance rather than the scoreline. Kamara’s immediate impact. Tielemans running the game. McGinn delivering again. Watkins trusting himself and finishing instinctively.

More importantly, it examines the bigger picture. Villa absorbed the Arsenal defeat, learned from it, and moved on. No overreaction. No hangover. Just control.

This is what good teams look like at home. And Villa Park is now very clearly their ground.

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Villa went to the Emirates chasing history and left with a 4–1 defeat that looks brutal on paper, but tells a far more nuanced story when you strip it back. A controlled first half, big chances missed, then everything pivots on one moment: Onana off at half-time and the midfield grip disappearing instantly.

This post-mortem picks through where the game actually swung, why Arsenal’s second goal effectively killed it, and how injuries, set-piece fragility and wasted chances turned a competitive contest into a harsh scoreline.

There’s frustration at refereeing inconsistencies, disbelief at McGinn’s miss, a word on Watkins getting back on the scoresheet, and a reality check on what losing away to the league leaders really means.

The run is over. The position isn’t. And Villa are still very much where they need to be. 

UTV

Check out the Lovers Walk Unlimited Orchestra's A Holte End Christmas EP

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Then Unai Emery changed everything.

On this My Old Man Said post-mortem show, we dissect one of the most revealing wins of the season. A game that looked dead and buried until a triple substitution flipped the script, Ollie Watkins reminded everyone what a proper centre-forward does, and Villa scored twice in a twenty-minute burst that left Chelsea flat on their backs.

We get into why the first half was arguably Villa’s worst of the season, how Chelsea’s energy and game management exposed familiar issues, and why Emery’s in-game reading of matches is now a genuine competitive advantage. There’s deep discussion on Watkins’ impact, the mentality shift under Emery, and the growing pattern of Villa winning games without control, possession, or apology.

This isn’t about pretty football or stats. It’s about resilience, timing, and a team that no longer folds when things go wrong. Villa are now ten points clear of Chelsea, racking up wins from losing positions, and quietly building the foundations of a serious Champions League push.

Unsustainable? Maybe. Uncomfortable? Definitely. Effective? Absolutely.

UTV

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On this episode of My Old Man Said, Villa are resurrected. Unai Emery finally gets his second win over United, Christmas is officially saved, and Morgan Rogers announces himself properly with two moments that decide a game Villa did not fully control but absolutely deserved to win.

We break down the key moment that mattered, Watkins’ understated role in the winner, and why Rogers has crossed the line from “promising” to “decisive”. There’s an honest look at a midfield that got outworked, a defence that stood firm anyway, and why Villa’s ability to grind out one-goal wins is no accident.

We also ask the uncomfortable questions. Did United tactically get it right? Did Villa rely on magic rather than control? And why, despite the win, this still felt nervier than it needed to be.

Add in Martinez doing Martinez things, Emery losing his mind on the touchline, and the quiet reality that Villa are now ten points clear of United, and you have a night that finally feels like a line drawn under decades of nonsense.

The corpse stays buried. For now.  

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On this week’s My Old Man Said, we ask the only question that matters. Is this finally an Emery Christmas, or are Villa about to be visited once more by the ghosts of United past?

We strip away the noise around title talk, dig into why Villa still cannot relax against United, and question whether this run of one-goal wins signals control or simply survival. There is Europa League progress, Basel reflections, United’s injuries and absences, and the uncomfortable truth that history keeps intruding no matter how poor they look on paper.

No hype. No festive false comfort. Just a clear-eyed look at where Villa really are and what beating United now would actually mean.

Also, we hear the first track on the Lovers Walk Unlimited Christmas EP

Listen here to A Holte End Christmas EP

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This post-mortem from the London Stadium digs into a game that should have been a banana skin and nearly was. West Ham had momentum, Jarrod Bowen was running the show, Villa looked leggy after Europe and yet somehow, once noses were in front, the door slammed shut.

We get forensic on the turning point. Digne on, Bowen gone. Control reclaimed. Emery-ball reasserted.

There’s a brutal assessment of the first half, Watkins dithering when the game was there to be killed, and why Villa are still making life harder than it needs to be. We also take aim at the growing xG moral panic and the uncomfortable truth that winning efficiently is now being treated as a flaw.

Nine wins on the bounce. Three times conceding inside ten minutes. Still perfect after European Thursdays.

Villa are not clicking. That should worry everyone else. 

UTV

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RM26 now has Villa's updated squad to play with - can you get a tune out of Harvey Elliot and maybe win the Europa League?

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The show pulls apart the tactical swings, the substitutions that made no sense until they suddenly did, Arsenal’s strange lack of urgency, the late shift in momentum, and the way Emery’s bench forced the decisive moment. From Matty Cash’s hammer strike toBoubacar Kamara’s ground-level heroics to the eruption that followed, this episode captures a statement performance from a team that is starting to believe in itself.

Villa are grinding, adapting, evolving, and winning games they used to let slip. And the rest of the league has no choice but to take them seriously.

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The show pulls apart the Brighton match first. Emery’s rage in the dugout. A tactical plan that looked too respectful. A comeback powered by firepower off the bench. Questions about the squad answered by Onana bullying back posts, Watkins waking up again and Marlon emerging as a genuine asset. Emery’s long-range revolution gets dissected too. The pundits are baffled, the xG merchants are twitching, but Villa are simply doing what good teams do. Take the right shot when it is on.

From there the episode moves into the Arsenal preview. A match that could tilt the entire narrative of the season. Beat Arsenal and suddenly the door creaks open to something bigger. As MOMS say, the T-word is banned until further notice, but the implications are impossible to ignore.

There is also Villa News: Barkley’s injury setback, Martinez disappearing again in the warm-up, Young Boys away-end arrests, merch-line overload and the progress of the North Stand redevelopment. Emery’s Clipboard returns with a forensic look at Martinez’s numbers, Bizot’s impact, and how fine margins in goalkeeping shape the entire season. The Villa Engine gets a nod with the under-18s hammering Fulham.

Then there is the bigger picture. The Football Supporters’ Association “Stop Exploiting Loyalty” campaign gains parliamentary backing. BBC research highlights the rise of abusive posts aimed at managers. And Juan Sebastián Verón gets banned for refusing a guard of honour in Argentina.

It is a sprawling, funny, chaotic and insight-packed episode that captures Villa’s strange reality this season. Emery’s side are grinding, exploding, wobbling and rising again, often in the space of a single match. And as the show suggests, if Villa beat Arsenal, things might get very interesting indeed.

A proper bumper edition. Listen. Strap in. And avoid airports whenever world leaders land.

UTV

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Credits:

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This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second half belonged to Villa. Kamara’s top-corner screamer lit the place up, exactly the moment of quality the afternoon had been begging for. From there Villa pressed higher, forced Wolves deeper and finally imposed their rhythm. Ollie Watkins and Donyell Marlen gave the front line purpose, the midfield tightened up and the atmosphere switched from frustrated to defiant.

In this episode the podcast digs into why Villa started so slowly, how Martinez’s intervention changed everything, Marlen’s tough afternoon leading the line, Watkins’ impact from the bench and the tactical tweaks Emery made to drag the game back. There is also talk of the VAR stamp incident, Villa’s remarkable home form and the growing pattern of grinding out league wins straight after European nights.

It was not pretty but it was the kind of win top four sides collect without apology. Leeds and Wolves beaten back to back. Six points banked. Emery satisfied. And Villa waking up at the right moments with the season about to hit full throttle.

UTV

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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The episode also looks back at the Young Boys win and the question the habit of Villa looking a little foggy after European nights. With two-point Wolves up next, it is exactly the fixture that can trip a team that has not fully reset. There is talk of a lack of sharpness, with Ollie Watkins needing a spark and the reality of winter football when injuries and workload begin to stack.

Along the way the show looks at Premier League’s new Squad Cost Ratio idea, the odd decisions coming out of Sky’s TikTok department and Ronaldo’s mystery discount ban. It is the new format of the show, built around more stories, more football insight and more of the MOMS irreverence that cuts through the noise.

UTV

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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It was not pretty. It was not controlled. It was not Emery-ball in its purest form. But it was the kind of away win that top-four teams collect without apology. Villa stood up to the size, the chaos, the set pieces, and the atmosphere - and came out with exactly what matters: three points and a foothold in the Champions League chase.

In this new-look post match episode, 'The MOMS Post-mortem' we break down the VAR incidents, the tactical switch that changed the game, Watkins’ substitution, Rogers’ growing influence, and Emery’s quietly confident mood as Villa climb back into the top four.

Spotify Links to Opera Tracks

My Old Man Said Opera

Holte Enders in the Sky - Traditional Verse Aria

Also available on all music streaming platforms.

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s My Old Man Said podcast, David Michael, Chris Budd and Phil Shaw unpack a dominant display built on Buendia’s brilliance, Martinez’s penalty heroics, and Emery’s evolving system finally clicking again.

From Cash’s Plan B assist to Barkley’s clever cameo, the show breaks down every moment - including the “sh*t skimmer” finish, the triple substitution power play, and why Buendia’s fire is changing Villa’s attack.

There’s also talk of Watkins’ role, the PSR shadow over squad decisions, and how Emery’s fine-tuning could push Villa back into European contention.

As ever, expect blunt truths and a few laughs along the way.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods.

Spotify Links to Opera Tracks

My Old Man Said Opera

Holte Enders in the Sky - Traditional Verse Aria

Also available on all music streaming platforms.

GET AD-FREE SHOWS and JOIN MATCH CLUB

Get ad-free shows and extra shows, and join My Old Man Said's 24/7 Villa community, Match Club.

For more details and to become a member, click here: Become a MOMS Member

Join the show’s listener facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we look at Villa’s evolving mentality under Unai Emery, the re-engineering of Matty Cash into a right-back goal machine, and whether Villa’s defence can stand up to Liverpool’s bruised but dangerous attack.

There’s also discussion on Arne Slot’s wobble, Liverpool’s long-ball problem, and how the likes of Gravenberch and Salah might define the contest. Plus, updates on Emi Buendia’s injury, tactical tweaks, and the latest musical sermon from the MOMS Lovers Walk Unlimited Orchestra - serving up some funky gospel Polish funk to lift the Villa faithful ahead of Anfield.

Emery’s touch is almighty divine,

Turning right-back water into wine!

Man of the match, goal of the month, new deal signed,

The Polish Cafu is doing just fine.

Topics Discussed

• From Go Ahead Eagles to Manchester City momentum
• Is Anfield the “final boss” in Villa’s progress?
• Emery’s tactical evolution and right-back alchemy
• Slot’s Liverpool transition: brittle midfield, long-ball hangover
• Buendia update and likely Villa line-up
• Can Villa strike from the left against Salah’s side?
• The gospel according to the Lovers Walk Unlimited Orchestra

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Lover Walk Unlimited Orchestra - Lovers Walk Records

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s My Old Man Said, David Michael, Chris Budd and Phil Shaw break down how Villa controlled the champions, ghosted Haaland, and played out from the back with Harlem Globetrotter-level confidence.

From Matty Cash’s grass-cutting finish to Pau Torres’ ice-cold passing, the trio dissect how Emery’s control culture has flipped Villa fortunes this season - and what comes next with Liverpool looming.

Expect wit, insight, and the usual madness - plus a few operatic nods from the Lovers Walk Unlimited Orchestra.

UTV

Spotify Links to Opera Tracks (also available on all streaming platforms)

My Old Man Said Opera

Holte Enders in the Sky - Traditional Verse Aria

GET AD-FREE SHOWS and JOIN MATCH CLUB

Get ad-free shows and extra shows, and join My Old Man Said's 24/7 Villa community, Match Club.

For more details and to become a member, click here: Become a MOMS Member

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Something for the Weekend edition of My Old Man Said, David Michael and Chris Budd dissect how Villa managed to make a mess of a winnable tie and what it tells us ahead of Manchester City’s visit to Villa Park.

From the strange lethargy in Holland to Emery’s squad rotation gamble, we pick apart what went wrong, who’s to blame, and how Villa can bounce back with a statement win over City.

Expect frank talk, tactical insight, and the usual humour - plus an appearance from the Lovers Walk Unlimited Orchestra to lift spirits.

UTV

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Lover Walk Unlimited Orchestra - Lovers Walk Records

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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We dissect the new blue-collar Spurs, Buendía’s resurrection arc, and Emery’s latest tactical masterclass - while also diving headfirst into the off-pitch chaos that’s gripped Villa Park: from the political circus around the Maccabi Tel Aviv away fan ban to the weekly merch drops that seem to matter more than the football.

Also in this packed show:

• Curtis Davies literally folds Paddy Kenny in half
• Bowie’s Ziggy catsuit and Spitting Image horror
• AI football and £179k-a-day sackings
• Why UEFA should never have let this fixture happen

All that, plus 'Speed Demon' and 'Emery's Clipboard'.

UTV

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the My Old Man Said podcast , David Michael and Chris Budd, are joined by the returning Max Stokes of Villa on Tour to look back at Villa’s start to the season so far, and reflect on Villa's best European trips of the past three seasons.

It’s part travelogue, part therapy session - and an update to see if Emery’s blueprint is still intact.

Expect analysis, dry humour, and the odd flashback from the continent.

UTV

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Max Stokes - @villaontour_

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this face-to-face interview recorded inside the changing rooms of Biggleswade United, the ninth-tier club where Balagué is chairman, My Old Man Said takes the conversation far beyond the touchline. From Emery’s obsession with control and structure to the Spanish influence redefining English football, Balagué opens up about a year spent shadowing Villa’s manager for his new book The Rise of the Villans.

Expect fly-on-the-wall stories from Bodymoor Heath, conversations with Emery's mum, the mystique behind Emery’s intensity, what makes Villa’s project so unique, and how football has evolved from the Cantona-Wenger era to the analytical age of Emery, Guardiola and Maresca.

For Villa fans, it’s a rare insight into the inner workings of a club on the rise. For everyone else, it’s a journey through the modern game’s cultural transformation — told by one of football’s great storytellers.

UTV

Get a good deal on 'Rise of the Villans' here

Get tickets for the Witton Arms launch event

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Guillem Balagué - @GuillemBalague

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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After a winning week that took Aston Villa from the chaos of Rotterdam to the comfort of Villa Park, My Old Man Said returns to make sense of it all.

From the surreal experience of being herded behind Perspex to watch Villa play Feyenoord to the sight of Napalm Death on the flight home, the European trip had everything - but most importantly, it reminded fans what Unai Emery’s Villa can be when fully switched on.

Back on home soil, Burnley offered the perfect chance to consolidate that rhythm. With Marlen’s ruthless finishing, Bogarde’s composure under pressure, and a midfield that finally hummed again, it felt like the real Villa had clocked back in. Yet, the familiar sight of a soft goal from a set piece showed there’s still work to do before they can start dreaming bigger.

In this episode, we unpack the growing control in Villa’s play, the tactical tweaks behind the win, and why this run might just be the spark to reawaken Emery’s machine - plus a few laughs along the way.

UTV

As mentioned in the show:

InvestEngine – Build Your Own ETF Portfolio (ISA and SIPP options available)

Build your own SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) by choosing your own ETF's for long-term flexibility and specialisation in how your pension is invested. Zero trading fees. One of the best ways to build a low cost pension and beat the commission drag of pension companies that shave off your earnings. You'll also get up to a £100 bonus - Start with InvestEngine here

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s My Old Man Said podcast, we break down a game that went from frustration to relief. From Watkins snapping his seven-hour league goal drought, to Buendia’s record-breaking six-minute cameo of a goal and assist.

We also ask the big questions: has Pau Torres unlocked Villa’s true identity for Emery? Are new arrivals like Elliott and Sancho destined to struggle?

Beyond the pitch, we try and embrace a new football “woke” language guide.

UTV

Be Smart and Invest in Yourself

As mentioned in the show, don't feed football's commercial beast and invest in yourself. These are investing services MOMS personally uses (after hours of research) - all low-cost, no trading fees, and they come with bonuses when you sign-up below:

Penfold – Pensions Made Simple

Perfect if you’re self-employed or a freelancer. A super simple, low-cost pension you can set up and manage straight from your phone. You’ll also get a £50 welcome bonus when you use the code MOMS and join via this link - Sign up to Penfold here

InvestEngine – Build Your Own Portfolio (SIPP option available)

Build your own SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) by choosing your own ETF's for long-term flexibility and specialisation in how your pension is invested. You'll also get up to a £100 bonus - Start with InvestEngine here

Trade 212 – The Essential ISA

MOMS go-to investment app. Invest up to £20,000 a year tax free through a Stocks & Shares ISA. The ISA is one of the last great tools to beat inflation and get a better return than any savings account. Plus, you’ll get a bonus share when you join through this link - Open your Trade 212 ISA here

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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Join the show’s listener Facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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We dive into Unai Emery’s squad choices, the ongoing questions around recruitment, and whether Ollie Watkins can really be trusted to deliver when it matters most. With Fulham next at Villa Park, history says this should be three points - but for the first time under Emery, there’s genuine doubt.

From transfer missteps to corporate tifos, and fromLincoln City air raid siren ultras to the cold reality of Villa’s current strike force, we get into the big picture issues and why a result against Fulham is non-negotiable.

UTV

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Follow the show on:

X/Twitter at @myoldmansaid / Threads at @myoldmansaid / Bluesky at @myoldmansaid and join the show’s listener facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Become a MOMS Member for ad-free & extra shows -  MOMS Membership

Join the show’s listener Facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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From powder-puff defending that gifted the Black Cats an equaliser, to attacking play that never once forced their keeper into panic, Villa’s performance was a rancid watch. Possession stats may look healthy, but the reality was lethargic movement, predictable patterns, and wasted opportunities.

This week’s My Old Man Said Podcast digs into the identity crisis at Villa Park. Why, nearly three years into Emery’s reign, does the starting XI still resemble the one he inherited? Has Villa’s slick system simply gone stale? And why does every promising new signing need months to “learn the system” while results go begging?

We also cover:

• The missed chance to put ten-man Sunderland to the sword.
• Emery’s frustrations boiling over on the touchline.
• How ticketing shambles continue to test the patience of travelling supporters.
• Why Tony Pulis might just have been right all along.

Is this a bump in the road, or the first cracks in the Emery project?

UTV

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If you want ad-free advance versions of the shows and extra exclusive shows during the month and to join My Old Man Said's 24/7 Villa community, Match Club, please do support the show by becoming a MOMS Member.

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Follow the show on:

X/Twitter at @myoldmansaid / Threads at @myoldmansaid / Bluesky at @myoldmansaid and join the show’s listener facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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Join the show’s listener Facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Something for the Weekend edition of the My Old Man Said podcast, we tackle the mini-meltdown around Aston Villa’s start to the season and ask whether patience is already in short supply.

From the Carabao Cup exit to questions over Emery’s squad strategy, we get into why the noise around “Emery Out” is nonsense, and why context matters when judging the bigger picture.

We also look ahead to Sunderland, the youngest side in the Premier League under Régis Le Bris, and weigh up how their physical, Palace-like style could pose Villa problems. With memories of Benteke’s hat-trick against the Black Cats in a 6-1 win recalled, we ask: can Villa find their spark again, or will this become another bruising away day?

UTV

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Follow the show on:

X/Twitter at @myoldmansaid / Threads at @myoldmansaid / Bluesky at @myoldmansaid and join the show’s listener facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Become a MOMS Member for ad-free & extra shows -  MOMS Membership

Join the show’s listener Facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We also catch up with the latest Villa news, including the League Cup defeat against Brentford and beers at Villa Park while watching a match.

UTV

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If you want ad-free advance versions of the shows and extra exclusive shows during the month and to join My Old Man Said's 24/7 Villa community, Match Club, please do support the show by becoming a MOMS Member.

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Follow the show on:

X/Twitter at @myoldmansaid / Threads at @myoldmansaid / Bluesky at @myoldmansaid and join the show’s listener facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

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With the Grealish narrative dominating the headlines, Villa fans will be more interested in what new loanees Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliot can bring to the party.

UTV

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If you want ad-free advance versions of the shows and extra exclusive shows during the month and to join My Old Man Said's 24/7 Villa community, Match Club, please do support the show by becoming a MOMS Member.

For more details and to become a member, click here: Become a MOMS Member

Follow the show on:

X/Twitter at @myoldmansaid / Threads at @myoldmansaid / Bluesky at @myoldmansaid and join the show’s listener facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

Get your MOMS EXCLUSIVE NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.sjv.io/ZdjLdq

Become a MOMS Member for ad-free & extra shows -  MOMS Membership

Join the show’s listener Facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UTV

GET AD-FREE SHOWS and JOIN MATCH CLUB

If you want ad-free advance versions of the shows and extra exclusive shows during the month and to join My Old Man Said's 24/7 Villa community, Match Club, please do support the show by becoming a MOMS Member.

For more details and to become a member, click here: Become a MOMS Member

Follow the show on:

X/Twitter at @myoldmansaid / Threads at @myoldmansaid / Bluesky at @myoldmansaid and join the show’s listener facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid 

Chris Budd - @BUDD_music

My Old Man Said - https://www.myoldmansaid.com

Get your MOMS EXCLUSIVE NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.sjv.io/ZdjLdq

Become a MOMS Member for ad-free & extra shows -  MOMS Membership

Join the show’s listener Facebook group The Mad Few.

Credits:

David Michael - @myoldmansaid  | Chris Budd - @BUDD_music / Phillip Shaw - @prsgame

This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.