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Back to Villa Park. Back to them not opening the turnstiles on time and everyone standing outside. Classic.

Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to criticise him on football grounds. But it gets to the point where websites realise they get clicks for making fun of him and they just drag up so many irrelevant things. That's why I'm so glad to read balanced articles about this.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I am too. Seen so many unfair articles about him. Even the BBC have been writing tabloid-level hate slop about him, what he's wearing, his haircut and why all those things mean his career at Villa is already over.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Only thing of note in this first half was the physio in the full suit. #avfc

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

What a goal Mbaye just scored for Senegal.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Oh right, didn't see that. At least he's got plenty of time to get over it, hopefully someting minor.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I swear I read that Hemmings got called up for the England U20s, but he hasn't even been on the bench for either of their matches so far. #AVFC

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

No chance in a million years I'm paying that much to watch Villa vs. Viking. Not learned from Bologna last season. Fans don't pay a premium for European matches against small clubs.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I think he was actually born in a tube station during an air raid.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I understand that Israel shouldn't be playing in European competitions anyway. But then being 3-0 down to Ireland within 25 minutes after throwing a tantrum about Ireland potentially boycotting the game is objectively funny.

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Reposted by Dan

Cats with Jobs ⚒️ @catworkers.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

My new nickname. 📸 Dicky Ng

A relaxed tabby cat lounging in a round container labeled MR. DON'T TOUCH, eyes half-closed and one paw draped over the edge, beside a bilingual "Don't touch me" sign at a busy shopfront.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

One of the many times that Infantino has brought together groups that hate eachother in mutual dislike of him.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Gone for Suzuki as player of the month. #avfc

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Lmao that's an amazing comparison

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I was listening to this match on the radio. And Stuart Pearce noticed a small change to the positioning of Jackson during the first half that pulled van Hecke out of position. But instead, at half time after that first goal - all the talk from the other pundits was about "luck" and Spurs injuries.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt, but that is a long time to hold your arm in that very specific position, palm and everything. I feel like someone official should be looking into it.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It's especially odd that they just showed it on Match Of The Day with no comment. Didn't think to ask him or the manager what he meant by that gesture?

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Umm. So about that Pascal Gross goal celebration.... Being German, he knows what that looks like, right?

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Watching the Villa YouTube highlights and "The Swiss that couldn't miss" is a peak Woodwardism.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Going to have to listen to today's match on the radio. First match that I've not at least watched a stream of for aaaages. But I have a good reason, I have an appointment with the RSPCA to hopefully adopt a new cat! Has been about 9 months since Lily passed away and the house is too quiet.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Always a good idea to hyphenate cash-in-hand otherwise your message on the town's Nextdoor might look like you're offering something else.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Really excited for the match after midweek. Seems like things are starting to come together bit by bit. That said, I'd take a draw.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Making players feel confident and happy is definitely a talent, but it's not enough on its own. Tim Sherwood and Steven Gerrard both did the same at Villa. Players loved them, but the football was awful.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I posted something at the end of last season, about how all the players talked about how much fun they were, but never about how hard they work or any tactical changes he implemented. Those kind of managers tend to given short-term boosts, but get found out in the long term. Feeling vindicated lol

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Big thing that I enjoyed last night, mostly in the first half - and something that is clearly being practiced for more difficult matches in the future: McGinn, Hemmings and Mbaye swapping places constantly. All three trying to become confortable in any of the 3 attacking midfield positions. #AVFC

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

It was when he said "Villa may have had more of the ball, but Coventry have had it into the places it matters" - then the stats came up that moment showing that was provably not the case.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Commentators so desperate to push this narrative of Villa in disarray they're completely ignoring the game happening in front of them. So funny when the stats pop up in the corner and completely undermine the story they're trying to push.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Benefitting from snapping an opponent player and putting his out of the game. The rules working as designed there.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I keep seeing that from Villa fans and from the outside. He joined us having bately played football for almost a year. Then after about 45 minutes of pre-season he got elbowed in the head and missed the rest of pre-season through concussion. Of course he's not match fit yet.

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Reposted by Dan

Sooz Kempner @soozuk.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Fourteen years since the greatest tweet of all time.

Danny Dyer @ MrDDyer
15h1
Can't believe it's been nearly 11 years since them slags smashed into the twin towers it still freaks my nut out to this day 9/11 ch 4 10
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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

"Good good Zion! Good! I like it!" - Emery audibly over the touchline mic. He likes his passing too lol

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Composure too. No disrespect to Watkins, who has his own strengths, certainly better in the air - but he would have kicked the ball straight into Sommer's legs rather than take it round him.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Just had a similar conversation with my Dad. He was saying he reminds him of Jacob Ramsey before he scored that consolation goal against Arsenal and from then on it was like he had the confidence that he knew he could score.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Sommer should have been sent off for catching the ball outside the area, surely? But he made up for it by gifting Jacko his first Villa goal. He deserved it too, for his general play that first half. Gomes has been excellent too, his apology for the Brighton game maybe.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Finishing 4th with the 3rd lowest spend in the league is the kind of thing that hasn't happened since Leicester won.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Luis Enrique will win, but the point is that no other manager in that list could do what Emery has done at Villa with the restrictions placed on him.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Nice that the manager of Club Brugge knows more about the circumstances of our club that Sky Sports pundits have cover the Premier League as their job.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I was surprised because I've never heard anyone talk about Jackson as a forward that is really good at holding the ball up and bringing others into the game. Just needs someone who can keep up with him, hopefully Mbaye will help with that when he's ready.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The very same. Even if they said he has played badly today. I wouldn't agree, but at least it's an opinion that makes sense. Like, most Villa fans would agree João Gomes had a terrible league debut. But making the leap to "João Gomes is shit, he shouldn't play for Villa" is where I draw the line

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The ones I blocked were complaining about Garnacho and Wan-Bissaka saying they're never going to be good enough, etc. If you had that opinion in March or April when they've actually played for the team, then fair enough, but saying stuff like that now is just stupid imo.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Yeah, I think there's plenty of room for criticism. But saying that our incoming transfers should be sent back to where they came from and they're useless, based on small cameos when they're still getting used to the team isn't a valid criticism imo.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

It isn't people I follow, tbf, I have the #avfc as a column on my app, so it's my own fault I'm exposing myself to it lol

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Can't even be arsed arguing with some of the takes on here tonight. Just blocking. If you're writing off a new player based on 3 games, you're not arguing in good faith, just looking for a reaction. #AVFC

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

But ultimately a step in the right direction.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

One of McGinn's worst performances in all his years at Villa today, felt he was dragging the rest of the team back today.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Now that we have a squad there's a different threshold to meet. Not only do you have to be fit enough to play, but you have to be fit enough that you're a better option than Bogarde.

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Dan @cratesofhippos.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Can only presume that he's not yet at the level of fitness that warrants leaving someone else out of the squad.

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