iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I knew you would be. Heaven’s On Fire!

Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

@soniccathedral.bsky.social Nice to see you tonight, chap - an added bonus. Also, saw this on the way home and though of you…

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

One week later and the same issue remains. Not enough chances created. Got to hope Emery can do something during the international break. Right now, everything that could go against us is going against us. #AVFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I went to uni in Brum, so I know Selly Oak well. My brother-in-law is a Bradford fan, so I know all about your other option. I think you got the better part of the deal. But until last season, it was a tougher choice than it should have been been!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I didn’t know you were a Villa fan, Gavin. Very glad I’ve bought your music now. Hah! Up the Villa!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Yep. Got to hope they’re the key to unlock some chances. There were signs of an Emery team, but we just missed a spark.

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The second half was a Tielemans game. No one in midfield making small, incisive passes into gaps. My concern is we don’t look like a team that’s going to create chances. Hopefully things improve when some of the other players are up to speed. Credit to Hull. They defended very well. #AVFC #HCAFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Not bad, but not great. Some nice play at times, but still a massive work in progress. You can see Emery’s trying to get them to play his usual way. But we desperately miss some quality in the middle (in short, Tielemans). Let’s hope we pick something up in the second half. #AVFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

True. I guess the next few weeks could be tough, but Unai will sort it. I think it could be quite a fun season.

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Disappointing result, but lots to be positive about. Yeah, no shots on target, but Arsenal are so well organised. So many players not up to pace and so many more to come in. Good performances from Cash, Buendia and Hemmings. We go again. Up the Villa! #AVFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Super Madjo and Hemmings to start every week. What a performance from the kids. Up the Villa! #AVFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

So Madjo’s first official game is a European final. Crazy. Up the Villa! #AVFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Great second 45, too. Special praise for Borland, Lynch and Alysson. The season’s just ended? It’s only just begun. Up the Villa! #AVFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Impressive first half - really enjoyable. Stand-out performers were Madjo, Hemmings, Cisse, Carrol and Nedeljković. All change for the second 45. #AVFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

The end credits have rolled… That’s all, folks. Four years until another World Cup. Already counting the days. Nothing beats it. Football forever. #WorldCup #WorldCupFinal

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Could have been 8-8 or something even more crazy!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Yeah, reminded me of a couple of playground classics! Just good fun. I was also desperate for us to win at the end, which i didn’t expect at the start!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

What have we just witnessed? Incredible match. Anyone who says England can’t defend should focus on the last 20 minutes plus what felt like four hours of injury time. Total carnage of a game. Football, eh? Incredible. #ENG #ENGMEX #WorldCup

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

This World Cup is all about world-class players turning up. Jude Bellingham, take a bow. What a first-half performance. #ENG #ENGMEX #WorldCup

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

WTF does this mean? Is this another dig at the Villa? #AVFC #FRASWE #FRA #WorldCup

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Japan need a different approach (or manager). All the skill and close control in the world, but that second-half display was far too defensive. Take a risk and play more expansively. Frustrating. Don’t suck up the Brazil hype, either. This isn’t a 1982-era side. #BRAJPN #JPN #WorldCup

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Oh, yes. I wish England had someone who could run with the ball like him!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Who’s your team? France? If so, I can see why you’re happy!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Lots of goals, but not much to play for!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

So far, the final round of group games have been a wash out. The comfort of a potential third-place qualification means too many of the games are being played without risk. The World Cup needs jeopardy at the group stage. #WorldCup

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I decided to spend the match watching Messi. What was fascinating was his ability to find space. He walked around the pitch and conserved energy. As soon as the ball was near, he was alive. His close control was stupidly good. Used his experience to dominate. Genius. #Messi #ARGAUT #ARG #WorldCup

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Well, that was worth staying up for. Brilliant from Cape Verde. Fabulous match. #URUCPV #CPV #WorldCup

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Smart thinking. And no Peter Crouch ads, either.

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Two things from this World Cup. One, it’s the first World Cup where I think ITV’s coverage is much better than BBC’s. Two, Peter Crouch would advertise anything. #WorldCup

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

So, that second-half performance from France? Like a different side. Olise was masterful. #FRASEN #FRA #SEN #WorldCup

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Cape Verde were heroic. Spain were hopeless. What a performance by the newcomers. Get in! #WorldCup #ESPCPV #CPV

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Strange performance from Japan. Seemed to have so much and played within themselves for 80 minutes. Suddenly alive for the last 10 minutes. Nagging feeling there was a lot more for them if they’d taken more of a risk. #WorldCup #NEDJPN #JPN

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I love the Japanese national anthem. Thirty seconds of euphoric sadness. Like something lifted straight from a sad cutscene in Zelda. Wonderful stuff. #WorldCup #NEDJPN #JPN

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

I’ll let you know when we win the Super Cup. Hah!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Yeah, but I think that’s pushing the definition of major trophies…!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Now we’ve got the monkey off our back and finally won a major trophy, I think our aim for this season should be simple: beat Palace (and if that’s unreasonable, then not losing by three or four). Well played, Eagles - two trophies in two years. #AVFC #CPFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Memo to Unai: send the players on a three-day bender before every away day. What a way to end a brilliant season. Up the Unai! Up the Villa! #AVFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Not good enough Villa. Absolutely livid. (Joke. Who cares?) Europa League Champions! #AVFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Very jealous. Tried to get tickets. Failed, badly. Worst website since the last time I tried to buy tickets… Hope you had fun!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Aston Villa - Europa League Winners 2026. Get in! Class all over the pitch. So pleased for Unai and the lads. Up the Villa! #AVFC

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Hah! At least we’re not dismal anymore!

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

The pure excitement of seeing the scores on the first page: “They’ve given us a dimismal, Dad,” as I used to scream as a little kid who didn’t know the word dismal. It was my old man’s favourite memory. He loved my obsession with the Argus. Like you, I’d devour everything. I loved all the tables.

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

We liked: Italy, Bulgaria, Australia. #Eurovision

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Mark Samuels @marksamuels.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

And then there’s the ones that spend time on their ‘socials’ during a gig, telling their virtual friends what a great time they’re having…

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