Swansea Match Critical

After reaching a confidence "high" following the win at Anfield, the Villa has reached a new low.  I wouldn't call the Swansea game a must win, but a result would certainly help the lads regain some traction.  Confidence is subtle, but very powerful.  I get this funny feeling that we may have been a little too confident following Liverpool (incl. all of the supporters).  When the going gets tough - players begin to press, which can easily turn into an accelerated fall.  The free-flowing confident play has turned tentative, but I know that this can be turned around.  The lads need the supporters more than ever - lets stay behind them no matter what.  We need the 12th man effect like they have in Seattle for the Seahawks.

Happy "Claret and Blue" Christmas!

Villa 1-3 Win at Anfield

OMG! That was the best Villa performance in the League this year.  A complete team effort.  The defense remained solid despite being pummeled with shot after shot from Liverpool.  Brad Guzan made some great saves.  Christian Beneteke...what can you say?  HE IS MASSIVE!  The entire midfield played amazingly.

listen to ‘Villa goals in Liverpool win’ on Audioboo

First Benteke goal from range

Goal #2 Andreas Weimann

 (above) Weimann on the break

 (above) Weimann finds Benteke on the wing

 (above) Benteke back heels it ... return to Weimann

(above) Weimann SCORES

Goal #3 Benteke

(above) Benteke battles thru 2 Liverpool players to score an unassisted goal

Fuel TV

Our informed California Lion's membership told me today that tomorrow's match vs. Liverpool will be broadcast "live" in the U.S. on the Fuel Channel.  I had never heard of this channel before (it is available through Direct TV and ATTUverse).  It is an affiliate of Fox and focuses on what they call "adrenaline" sports, but I guess drops in a Premier League match into their schedule too.  You learn new things everyday.

On to the Semifinals of the League Cup!

What a match vs. Norwich City this past week.  Villa played the their best game of the season and took the League Cup match victory 1-4 at Carrow Road.  Goals from Brett Holman, Christian Benteke, and Andreas Weimann (2x).

QPR up next and Villa Times Issue 3!

QPR is next for our boys in Claret and Blue (7am live broadcast over the web on Fox Soccer 2Go).

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The 3rd issue of the Villa Times magazine is out and available for purchase via Ebay!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190759028995?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Whew...3 points.

It wasn't very pretty for most of the match, but fortunately Christian Benteke was able to head one home with only about 10 mins remaining to help Villa come away with a 1-nil mid-week victory over Reading.  These games are critical if we are going to have a chance of finding some safety.  With Vlaar out with injury, the young defensive line, lead by Ciaran Clark, did well considering the circumstances.

listen to ‘Benteke goal against Reading’ on Audioboo

We are really missing a "field general" out there on the pitch.  So much young talent, but no one to really play the "Captain" role.

AVFC California's Youth

Nice to have some of our kids from AVFC California featured in recent editions of the Aston Villa News & Record.  Nathan Amos was featured in the "Fan Zone" in the 30 Sep 2012 matchday programme vs. West Brom.  Hope Leong was in the "Lion's Den" section of the 10 Nov 2012 matchday programme vs. Man Utd.

Alot of Season Left

After losses to the 2 Manchester clubs, we find ourselves in the bottom 3 at the moment.  We are in the midst of a tough part of the schedule so it is way too early to panic.  I think the Man Utd game really provided a preview of what this club is made of and how well it can play.  It really was sad to see us not able to hold onto that 2-nil lead, but the football Villa played was so much more enjoyable to watch than last season.  We have the Gunners on Saturday - our chance to get a result.



(Match will be televised live here on the West Coast @ 8:30am Pacific time)

Ahhhhh...the Sweet Taste of "3 Points"!

Those were some tense moments at the end of the match, but our lads were able to hold on and earn 3 points versus Sunderland at the Stadium of Light today.  Many Villa squad members had great games, but I think Barry Bannan played a central role in this victory (offensively serving great balls and really hustling in the midfield and in defense).  Loved hearing all of the Villa supporters singing their hearts out in the background on the internet broadcast this morning.  UTV!

Gabby scoring the eventual winning goal!

 Celebrating Gabby's goal.

3 Points!

No Result vs Fulham; The Villa TImes

Our last match versus Fulham resulted in a big zero points.  Still waiting for this new Villa team to take off.  Not sure what's missing.  Is Robbie Keane ready for another loan spell?


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The Villa Times is an unofficial magazine that is all things Villa.  It has begun production that last couple of months and are still working out a few snags.  I've decided to support their effort by advertising on our AVFC California website.  Give it a look and see if it is something you want to subscribe to!  The best way to check it out is to go to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillaTimesMagazine

A Point is, well, a point.

Not a horrible outing against West Brom.   Down nil-1, we were able to find that equalizer late in the game from Bent.  I'm still waiting to see Benteke breakthrough.

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Not sure what to make of all this stuff in the news about Bent being frustrated about not being in the starting IX this past weekend.  I wonder if it is mostly the media that want to make something more of it than is really there.

Implosion vs. Southampton?

The first half of the match was great.  Villa looked much like where they left off last week with Swansea.  Bent scored and we enjoyed a nil-1 lead.  But something "cracked" at halftime and a different Villa team took the pitch.  The defense slipped back into their "let's try not to lose" form and Southampton took complete advantage of it.

It's still early.   Let's bring things back together again vs. West Brom.

Villa 2-nil over Swansea

What a game!  Holman continues to be a workhorse that never stops running.  Lowton's goal was amazing!  Big Brad was again brilliant in net. And what about Benteke??   He looked unstoppable and he definitely will help open up some things for Benty.  Things are really looking up!  UTV!

The First Point of the Season!

Villa played a much better game yesterday to draw with Newcastle 1-1.  Overall - the passing game, possession, defensive aggressiveness, and attack is night an day compared to last year (and the last 2 weeks).  Hoping for much more of this in the coming weeks.  Guzan looked good in goal and nice connection between Bannan and Clark for the lone Villa goal.  Stephen Ireland is playing well as the central playmaker.

Great News about Stan

Wonderful news about Stiliyan! 

Positive News for Petrov in battle against leukaemia

Portland Invasion Complete

What an amazing journey!  AVFC California members invaded Portland, OR and supported the boys in claret and blue well before the match, during the match, and late into the night after the match.  Our charity raffle for Acorns was an amazing success raising $1,055.  It was great seeing and meeting so many people, especially other AVFC California members.

Open training was on 23 July 2012, the night before the match.  We all enjoyed it and especially had a great time meeting players and participating in Ian Taylor's Q &A.









Acorn's Raffle:  Our raffle for Acorns was successful.  Aston Villa, Portland Timbers, and AVFC California members donated the raffle prizes ranging from Lions Club necktie to a 2012-13 team-signed Villa shirt!

Pre-Match/Match  

Villa supporters started at Kelly's Olympian and then The Bitter End later in the afternoon where we joined the Timbers Army.  We filled Section 223 - the away supporters section at Jeld Wen Field.

Open Training - Portland

Several California Lions Club members enjoyed attending Villa's open training session at Jen Weld Field tonight.

Historical Ties Between Timbers and the Villa

Signed Villa Shirt to Support Acorns

AVFC California will be auctioning off a signed 2012-2012 Villa shirt with all proceeds going to support Acorns Children's Hospice in conjunction with our trip to Portland for Villa's pre-season friendly with the Portland Timbers.  More information to come.

Countdown to Portland

Updated information about AVFC California and the trip to Portland can be found on our "EVENTS" page.  Also included is a link to the most current information on the 2012 Summer Tour for all three cities ( Philly, Chicago, and Portland) on the official Aston Villa website.

Kids in California Support Stan!

Euro 2012

All group stage matches are listed on our "Upcoming Fixtures" page (including t.v. info)!

These are the Group D matches for the Three Lions:

What will the new kit look like?

There so many renditions of what people think or hope what the new 2012-2013 Macron kit will look like.  Alot of people are coming up with their own ideas and images are flooding the web.  Personally, I prefer a traditional claret and blue home shirt.  The away shirt - well, I think I will only say, I'll pass on the yellow.

***These are only mock images produced by people on the web.  They are not anything official.***

Lambert: The New Villa Gaffer

Paul Lambert, former manager at Norwich City, has been officially named Aston Villa's new manager (to replace Alex McLeish who was axed at the end of the Premiership season.

Paul Lambert confirmed as new Aston Villa manager after agreement reached with Norwich City

Villa appoint Norwich man Lambert as new boss to replace McLeish

Aston Villa: Fans urge Paul Lambert to sign Grant Holt
The Villa Nation sound very pleased with this appointment (but who wouldn't be after the season we just went through).  Let's hope that the upbeat enthusiasm will continue into the 2012-2013 season.

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NEW KIT!

If you are going to be in Birmingham June 16-17,  be sure to enjoy the festivities planned for the unveiling of the new Macron kits!

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2794879,00.html

"NEW" AVFC California flag

I heard about Barmy Flags from other Lions Club chairmen and then saw some of the many flags that Charlie has produced for clubs throughout England and beyond.   Although we already had a flag, it was not of the highest quality and the colors were just not "right".

Barmy Flags uses a heavy duty polyester as the base flag and all decorations are stitched on (rather than just printed like our older flag).  I ordered it before going to Birmingham and Charlie had the flag delivered to my hotel.  It was beautiful and the service was first-rate.  The old flag is still serviceable and will continue to be used by the club.  I'll bring them both to Portland.

THANKS CHARLIE AND BARMY FLAGS!

Old flag (2009)

New flag (2012)

New flag (2012)

This is why I am a Villa supporter

The Season Mercifully Ends

Sorry for the lack of posts recently.  I was busy in Brum and got to witness the draw vs. Spurs.  Today's match was a summary to our entire season.  Relieved that we remain up in the Premiership, but whole sale changes will need to be made over the summer.  Now I can breathe again.

To Owe Great Thanks

Villa boys held on for a draw versus West Brom on Saturday.  Several thank you's are in order:

(1)  Shay Given - great save to maintain the clean sheet
(2) Chelsea - for beating QPR  6-1
(3) Tottenham - for beating Blackburn


How it stands at the moment:

Remaining games to play that matter to Villa:

Aston Villa:  Tottenham, Norwich City
Wigan: Blackburn, Wolverhampton
QPR: Stoke, Man City
Bolton: Tottenham, West Brom, Stoke (Bolton's game in hand may become very important)
Blackburn: Wigan, Chelsea

Releg.........no, I won't say it.

It has come to the final 3 games.  It's put up or shut up.  That is all that is between remaining in the Barclays Premier League or tumbling to the nPower Championship.

http://blogs.soccernet.com/astonvilla/archives/2012/04/villas_relegation_threat_is_re.php

This ESPN columnist has touched upon something that I have seen within Villa at least the past 2 seasons.  Critical games are looked at as "Can't Lose Games" versus "Must Win Games".  Playing not to lose is not the way to play this game. 

Don't get me wrong - I am still hoping for a miracle of some kind.  I'll be supporting the Villa no matter where they end up, but right now the entire world of Villa supporters are frustrated and angry for good reason.  Time to focus on only one thing - beating West Brom on Saturday.

Hot off the Press!

Just received our first Acorns/AVFC California t-shirts and they turned out great! (modeled by Hope)

You can order your own and other items at AVFC California's store: http://www.cafepress.com/avfccalifornia

100% of the net proceeds are being donated directly to Acorns Children's Hospice, the official charity partner of Aston VIlla Football Club.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I can't believe it.  So we score first (Warnock) and before we can feel good about the lead, Bolton scores twice in less than 3 minutes following Villa's score.  The equalizer stunned the Villa and the second Bolton goal was the upper cut to end the battle.  

Villa played strong in the first half and had several chances.  It was amazing when we scored to take the lead - but the environment changed very quickly shortly after that.  I was listening to the commentary by Jack Woodward and it sounded like Villa players were completely stunned after the Bolton equalizer (Jack even used the term "drunk" to describe the teams deomeanor.  

What a horrible loss.  This relegation battle is not over by a long shot.  

Yawn.

Villa draws with Sunderland nil-nil.  Actually each team had their chances, but the shots that were attempted by Villa were really off the mark.  Weimann showed a lot of hustle all day.  Man of the Match? The linesman that called offsides on Sunderland's Bendtner's second half header that landed in the back of the net.  Whew. Again - 1 point is better none.

Acorns-AVFC California Products

AVFC California is selliing t-shirts, mugs, and drink glasses with all net proceeds being donated to Acorn's Children's Hospice - the Official Charity Partner of Aston Villa Football Club.

Support Acorns by purchasing AVFC California supporter club products!

Not Pretty

Villa tumbled to Man Utd this morning 4-nil.  The wheels didn't fall off of the bus until the second half and the United goals came in a flurry.  None of this was unexpected, but it is still painful to watch.  We at the Mad Dog in the Fog hung in there until the bitter end though.   The boys did fight hard, especially in the first half, but falling behind will knock the winds out of you sails eventually.