[Archived] We'Ve Got A Semi (Thread) On

[tomphil]

Its a strange descision but there must be a valid reason for it. If Villa had been given the full 7.5k they prob would still have sold out today and you would still be coming on here saying theres loads of villa going to be in the home ends. Its understandable you should assume this but apart from the odd few, who as long as they behave no probs, it just wont happen weve heard it all before and im sure lancashire plod have taken it into consideration!

[McAds]

tomphil, edit, didn't see your new post. I'm on here saying that people are trying to go in your end, because that's what folk are saying. If we'd have had the full end, then these people would have had a ticket and would be content.

Sambo, the idea that we’re anything like Small Heath makes me want to vomit blood from my eyes. I’m surprised they brought enough support to block the road, as normally their parole officers won’t let them travel that far out of Bordsley Green.

[sambo]

tomphil, what is it based on then, as like I said, I merely asked for confirmation not the specifics of why the police shook their head.

Sambo, the idea that we’re anything like Small Heath makes me want to vomit blood from my eyes. I’m surprised they brought enough support to block the road, as normally their parole officers won’t let them travel that far out of Bordsley Green.

It was at St Andrews

I heard they brought a horrific allocation to Burnley though.

I think only a few people would have the bottle to sit in home ends. Like someone said, even if you sold 7,500 there'd still be the same problem.

[tomphil]

tomphil, edit, didn't see your new post. I'm on here saying that people are trying to go in your end, because that's what folk are saying. If we'd have had the full end, then these people would have had a ticket and would be content.

Sambo, the idea that we’re anything like Small Heath makes me want to vomit blood from my eyes. I’m surprised they brought enough support to block the road, as normally their parole officers won’t let them travel that far out of Bordsley Green.

As you might have noticed pal were a bit touchy on the infiltration subject after a bad experience at home to man city 10 years ago were the club and plod messed up and it lead to a potentialy very bad situation thats why people get up in arms about. Im sure sure origional post didnt intend to cause much offence. Your right about brums support though lol.

[Stuart]

1) Its quite the siege mentality you’ve developed there. Usually such parochial behaviour is exhibited only from the provinces in their hatred of the Sassenach, but well done for competing.

2) I’m not attempting to illicit sympathy, I’m telling you about the situation that has been created, not by either club, but by your local police constabulary. This morning on the day you no longer needed a 4+ away booking history, 2000 tickets went in a little over an hour. Regardless of how many away supporters we brought in 1974, 2004 or whenever the demand for this fixture is very high and consequently people are going to try to buy tickets in Blackburn ends on a larger scale than would be normal for a popular away shut out.

3) It’s got nothing to do with measuring how big your schlong its all to do with a bizarre police decision that has created a situation that could potentially be far worse than what they were trying to stop; i.e. an extra 3000 Villa fans.

1) Haha. Now I'm parochial. Are you Vinjay in disguise?

2) Can you read?

3) Eh? Schlong measuring?

Can't believe you are still justifying Villa fans buying tickets in the home ends as something else other than Villa fans' fault. In any case, it all sounds like a bit of bravado to me. We'll see how many fans are in our ends in a couple of weeks won't we.

Anyway, good luck in your two cup finals this season: 5th and 20th January.

[stuwilky]

I suspect its likely that Villa will receive the remaining tickets in the Darwen End now. Might not be finalised until after Christmas though, and by then Im sure that there will be 7 or 8 thousand with tickets in the Jack Walker stand (did someone say it was a claret and blue thing?) Why are they bothering with the semi though - arent they already through to the final?

[Hughesy]

Villa only sold out because the ticket prices were cheap...when it was full price they couldnt even sell the 3000 we gave them!

Breaking News: 2ND CLARROT & BLUE SIDE TO HAVE THOUSANDS LOCKED OUT - WITH OVER 10,000 IN THE STADIUM!!!

[Stuart]

Steady Stu, that's parochial seige talk!

[Derby Blue]

I suspect its likely that Villa will receive the remaining tickets in the Darwen End now. Might not be finalised until after Christmas though, and by then Im sure that there will be 7 or 8 thousand with tickets in the Jack Walker stand (did someone say it was a claret and blue thing?) Why are they bothering with the semi though - arent they already through to the final?

Not sure how many have been sold in the Rovers half of the DE but I'm pretty sure they won't sell Villa the remaining tickets. i know you can segregate in the stands but theres only one segregation gate in the concourse which is in the middle. Unless they block off one of the stairways to the stand - which must be against safety regulations?

Villa won't get any more tickets unless they move all the Rovers ticket holders out of the De and into the JW or BBE. Still can't see that happening though.

[Stuart]

Not sure how many have been sold in the Rovers half of the DE but I'm pretty sure they won't sell Villa the remaining tickets. i know you can segregate in the stands but theres only one segregation gate in the concourse which is in the middle. Unless they block off one of the stairways to the stand - which must be against safety regulations?

Villa won't get any more tickets unless they move all the Rovers ticket holders out of the De and into the JW or BBE. Still can't see that happening though.

Did I hear a 'whooosh'?

[stuwilky]

Not sure how many have been sold in the Rovers half of the DE but I'm pretty sure they won't sell Villa the remaining tickets. i know you can segregate in the stands but theres only one segregation gate in the concourse which is in the middle. Unless they block off one of the stairways to the stand - which must be against safety regulations?

Villa won't get any more tickets unless they move all the Rovers ticket holders out of the De and into the JW or BBE. Still can't see that happening though.

Whilst what you say is correct, are Rovers selling tickets in the Darren End?

[cletus]

I think this McAds bloke is trying to convince us Villa are a MASSIVE club & we should all quake in our boots cos they`re coming to town

Spurs fans had the same attitude at the Cardiff final. "thanks for coming lads!" they jeered before the game "Are you here to watch the Hoddle revolution?" & "Little old Blackburn" they shouted as we walked through the Spurs fans outside the Millenium Stadium.

Rovers will do their talking on the pitch. Martin O`neal will be under far more pressure to produce the goods than 'little old Blackburn'

I`m predicting a Rovers v United final

[den]

They’ll look to buy up tickets in the Blackburn ends. It is always happens when demand far outweighs the supply.

They can look all they like McAds, but they wont get. Even Rovers fans without a history of buying tickets wont get one. Rovers have one of the tightest security regimes in the country - if not the tightest.

Once your allocation, whatever that might be, is sold out, the rest of the Villa fans can forget it.

Thus, I can't see plod [if it is them] changing their minds about allocation to away fans because of that possibility. It wouldn't be anything new to them and it wouldn't be anything that fazed them in the least.

The regular Villa away support will all get a ticket. Your part time fans might struggle.

[Hasta]

I'd heard it on the websites and took no credence in it until a few days ago somebody whose opinion on all things Villa is valued very highly provided a detailed explanation, so I asked my mate who works up in Lloyds House (WMP intelligence HQ) and he confirmed it with our liaison officer.

I’m guessing it’s because of the disorder at previous games. I know a load of knob heads smashed in your toilets the other year, as I saw it for myself. Totally pathetic behaviour and the sort of thing that you only really see when we play the Blues. Then of course a good number the season before last couldn’t hold their beer and did over the Fernhurst and were acting like general obnoxious ######, standing in the road blocking traffic etc.

To be honest, I can’t imagine its any worse than what United are like, but that’s the decision and this is what I assume it’s based upon.

McAds. This rumour about reduced allocation because of trouble last year was all over VillaTalk before the league game. It's not true. Rovers have put home fans behind the Darwen End goal as much as possible over the last 12 months and both the league game and this is just another occasion. As you say, every year we get 8000 Man Utd and liverpool fans here. A load of them come on the train and are in town from 10am. Often these games are played as 5.15 kick offs which is always great fun. The police allow these all the time. In fact we seem to be the only Premier League club that often plays local derbies at 5pm if you notice. The police also were willing to allow 8000 Burnley fans here (albeit under escort). 4 years ago they did allow 6000 Burnley fans here unescorted for a midweek FA Cup game. They've allowed 8,000 Man City fans here for an FA Cup quarter final (and some of that lot are scum of the earth). Lancashire Police very rarely dictate to Rovers on these matters and there is no reason why they would or have in this case.

As Villa generally come to Ewood in smaller numbers, they've got themselves excited over the trouble last year when they filled the away end - probably because they're not used to seeing trouble to be fair to them. However the incident at the Fernhurst was, whilst quite serious, the kind of things that happens there now and again with having away fans in. Any damage to the ground probably happens more than people think also. I remember being told a few years ago that the most anyone ever damaged the toilets was Chester in the FA Cup when they were a non-league side. We've had 12,000 Celtic fans here for Christ sake. There's no reason whatsoever that Villa in a cup semi is a risk. It's laughable.

Regardless of who you say you have spoken to, I don't believe for one second this is anything other than Rovers trying to sell the DE lower to home fans for better atmosphere/support. We may achieve a full house. We probably won't. However once again we can't fault the club for trying.

(BTW, I know Stoke is the exception to my argument.)

[villadan]

Alright lads,

Good luck in the semi and I guess as it is 2 legs then we shall definitely see the best team win.

Really looking forward to the game and although I am a season ticket holder I couldn't get tickets this morning, they sold out within an hour or so, there does seem to be a lot saying they will head to Blackburn anyway to watch in the pubs (Time will tell).

The following is what General Krulak has said (Villa board member who posts on Villa forums)

1. Blackburn game: We received an allocation of 5,000 tickets for the game...which is more than the 15% that Blackburn had to provide. We have gone back and asked for as MANY MORE tickets as we can get. Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that we will get any more. We WILL be showing the game in both the Holte Pub and Holte Suite...details will be posted on line.

So it seems from that there will not be any extra allocation the only reason I can see is you want Blackburn fans in instead which is more than understandable, I think if it was a police matter then we probably would not have bothered even asking for more.

Some of you seem to be getting rather uptight and irritable towards us when we have always had quite a decent rapport not sure if it is just semi final nerves.

[TrentVilla]

Blimey...

I've been on here just about every day since the draw was made then I don't look for a few days as nobody was posting in the thread and it goes mental, typical.

Not really sure what kicked it all off but I can see a few people are getting in the Christmas spirit nice and early and falling out.

Does it really matter how many we took with us this season or last season?

All I know is that despite following my side home and away up and down the land year after year I missed out on a ticket, gutted but I don't expect any sympathy from you guys.

Anyway enough about tickets and attendances how about we discuss the game?

How do you think you guys will line up? As normal or do you think Sam with sping a surprise on us?

[Stuart]

Steady with the 'us' Dan. There are some very good Villa posters who come on here (yourself included) and it's not a 'them and us' thing (I can only speak for myself of course). Some visitors just need to remember which club this is a supporters site for.

By the way, given the time of the game (evening, midweek, early Jan) and the fact it's being shown on SKY - surely this will be a reason NOT to travel up (without a ticket)? Must be plenty of pubs in Brum showing the match and plenty of houses.

To be fair, Trent, there is a lot riding on this match - for both clubs. This could be a massive boost for our season, and for Villa it's a chance to win a place in a European Competition. Only problem is for you guys it's the wrong one!

I think you should throw this one so you can concentrate on the league.

Mind you, if we won it, no doubt other clubs and the media would devalue it again. Much like the "Worthless Cup" a few years back.

[TrentVilla]

Must be plenty of pubs in Brum showing the match and plenty of houses.

I can confirm there are plenty of both in Birmingham

To be fair, Trent, there is a lot riding on this match - for both clubs. This could be a massive boost for our season, and for Villa it's a chance to win a place in a European Competition. Only problem is for you guys it's the wrong one!

To be honest mate the place in Europe isn't that much of interest and we will likely end up in the Uefa Cup through the league anyway, I'm affraid what we really want is a trophy. Its not just you that a trophy would be a huge boost for, winning this cup would I think be a big step in the progress of the club and our young players.

I think you should throw this one so you can concentrate on the league.

Not a chance mate, only change will be it will be Brad Jnr in goal

Mind you, if we won it, no doubt other clubs and the media would devalue it again. Much like the "Worthless Cup" a few years back.

Without a doubt, same if we do.

[Derby Blue]

Whilst what you say is correct, are Rovers selling tickets in the Darren End?

I have mine for the DE but not sure how many are sold. I notice that you can't buy any on the onerovers site - not sure why though as all other areas of the ground are for sale.

[Stuart]

To be honest mate the place in Europe isn't that much of interest and we will likely end up in the Uefa Cup through the league anyway, I'm affraid what we really want is a trophy. Its not just you that a trophy would be a huge boost for, winning this cup would I think be a big step in the progress of the club and our young players.

I didn't say winning a trophy would be a massive boost. That would be unbelieveable. The boost would be getting to Wembley. Although once we're there, who knows.

Not a chance mate, only change will be it will be Brad Jnr in goal

Damn it. I was hoping Brad snr would be in there. He was quite benevolent during the league match. Looks like MON is taking this seriously then and putting his strongest side out.

I imagine Sam will experiment a little with our side. Nothing to lose. Don't want to say too much but we've been saving all of our goals for the league cup this season.

Btw, you're not McAds dad are you? She went off about tea time and hasn't posted since. Bath night?

[McAds]

As you might have noticed pal were a bit touchy on the infiltration subject after a bad experience at home to man city 10 years ago were the club and plod messed up and it lead to a potentialy very bad situation thats why people get up in arms about. Im sure sure origional post didnt intend to cause much offence. Your right about brums support though lol.

I’m not aware of this incident, what happened?

You’re right, I didn’t intend to cause any offence and all the talk of small club Rovers, blah, blah, blah has not come from me, but some over defensive Blackburn fans themselves.

I rang the ticket office earlier to enquire over the where abouts of my tickets and got talking about the allocation. He confirmed what my friend had said and that there is little chance over us getting extra tickets due to the misbehaviour of recent years. Sad that the knobheads have spoiled it for the genuine supporters who want to go but now cannot.

As for Small Heath, their support is garbage. They took just over a 1000 to Turf Moor the other month. It must have been a right family affair that day, if there was more than two families in the ground I’d have been shocked.

McAds. This rumour about reduced allocation because of trouble last year was all over VillaTalk before the league game. It's not true.

Whatever was said about the league game, I have no idea, but as far as this fixture is concerned, the Lancashire police saying no more than 5k is most definitely the case. I’ve had it from WMP and the Villa.

[AggyBlue]

As for Small Heath, their support is garbage. They took just over a 1000 to Turf Moor the other month. It must have been a right family affair that day, if there was more than two families in the ground I’d have been shocked.

I assume you're including home fans in that statement

[TrentVilla]

Damn it. I was hoping Brad snr would be in there. He was quite benevolent during the league match. Looks like MON is taking this seriously then and putting his strongest side out.

I imagine Sam will experiment a little with our side. Nothing to lose. Don't want to say too much but we've been saving all of our goals for the league cup this season.

Nope there will be no Brad Snr it will be Brad Jnr, he has played every game in the league cup this season and I think the last couple as well. He looks like a very very capable deputy though as he proved in the 3rd up at Sunderland when he saved 4 penalties.

O'Neill is definately taking it seriously, it will be the best side we have available for the game.

I also have a feeling Sam with pull a surprise with your side, no idea what but I expect something different from him.

[McAds]

I assume you're including home fans in that statement

Of course!

[Stuart]

I also have a feeling Sam with pull a surprise with your side, no idea what but I expect something different from him.

He does something different most games. Maybe he'll play with two goalkeepers, or play Andrews in the hole.

I bet he's furiously shaking his magic 8 ball as we type. And no that wasn't intended to be a freudian slip!

Don't know if you've seen much of Super Keith this season by the way. He's a superb box-to-box midfielder. Kind of like Lampard but available for a snip at £4m. What do you reckon, are Villa in the market?