The "R" Word

After facing relegation battles the past several years, this year has been the worst.  The only win to date has been the opening match vs Bournemouth way back in AUGUST.  Most of us are bracing for what looks likely as a drop to the Championship.  Absent a miraculous turn-around, we in the U.S. will be needing to find ways to catch Villa matches in another way.

Here is the dress code for the remainder of this season.

San Diego Meet-Up

The opening weekend of the 2015-16 Premier League season kicked off with the 2015 North America Meet-up in sunny San Diego California.  We had people representing 10 U.S. states, ENG, and IRE!  It was a fantastic weekend hosted by Simon Tissington and the San Diego Lions.  

Friday 7 Aug:  this was arrival day for many and we gathered at the Shakespeare Pub for a rousing night of drinking and singing to get us warmed up for the Sat morning match vs Bournemouth.

Saturday 8 August:  6am bright and early!   Great win, awesome company, and amazing singing at the Bluefoot Bar in San Diego!  We also raised over $3,300 for Acorns Children's Hospice!

Footy SF

Footy SF maintains a webpage that connects people of a variety of football supporter groups in the Bay Area.  AVFC California is happy to be included on this list.

Flags!

Just a sample from Lions Club branches in North America!

 
 

 

 

New AVFC California logo

Ups and Downs: 2015 FA Cup Final

THE DOWNS: All of the excitement leading up to Villa's first FA Cup Final appearance since 2000 was drowned by the result of the game and the awful behavior by some Villa supporters during and after the game.

THE UPS:  Fantastic turnout across North America as photos from meet-ups in Cleveland, Chicago, Toronto, Denver, Vancouver, San Diego, and many more were posted on Facebook.  In San Francisco, we had a great turnout at The Mad Dog in the Fog where we outnumbered the Gooners easily 10-1.  We had a great time with our "regulars", new people to the club, and Villa supporters visiting California from the UK.

UTV!

North American Lions - 2015 FA Cup Final!

Sherwood, FA Cup

Tim Sherwood has infused energy into the team and has helped maintain a glimmer of hope for avoiding relegation and taken us through to the FA Cup Final.  This will be another season where we will be sweating until we secure a place in the Premiership next season, but Sherwood has brought life back to the Villa faithful!

FA Cup Final
Aston Villa vs Gooners
9:30 a.m. Kickoff (Pacific)

• The Mad Dog in the Fog (San Francisco)
• Brittania Arms (Monterey)
• The Olde Ship (Santa Ana)
• The Bluefoot (San Diego)

Staying Up and FA Cup Semi Final

Another roller coaster year for our club - but "Villa til I die" is the cry for all Villa supporters.  Tim Sherwood has infused a bit more enthusiasm into the squad and I am hoping that it will be just enough to keep us in the prem (again).

FA Cup semi's are coming up on April 18th - it's been life-giving to have this cup run happening during such a dismal season.  Hope to see some of you out at the Mad Dog for this one.

Happy Christmas from the Mad Dog in the Fog!

Happy 140th!

North America Lions Club members collaborated and put together in the last 24-hours a video to wish Aston Villa Football Club a Happy 140th birthday and many more!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXdcGHuMgdg

California Lions Club Caps to Support Acorns

A California Lions Club cap was produced for the Texas tour and were sold to support Acorns Children's Hospice, Aston Villa's charity partner.  A limited supply of these special caps are still available.  

If you are interested in purchasing a cap, email avfc.california (at) gmail.com.  The caps are $20 USD each + shipping costs.  All net proceeds go to Acorns.  In your email, please specify quantity and shipping address.  All payments should be made via PayPal.  Caps will ship as soon as payment is received.  UP THE VILLA!

Villa Park in May and Texas in July

Sorry for the lack of new material here.  Back in May, the North American Lions roared into B6 for the final matches of the 2013-14 season (Hull, City, and Spurs).  A great trip that included playing in the annual chairman's game and enjoying the Lions Club Awards Night.

(Image courtesy of Alicante Lions)

In July, Aston Villa headed to the Lone Star State to play two pre-season friendlies with MLS teams (FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo).  There was an amazing turnout by the Villa faithful from all parts of the U.S. and from around the globe.  Funds were also raised for Acorns, Villa's charity partner.  It was an amazing trip - I am hoping that Villa will be visiting the U.S. again sooner rather than later!

The Season and Suffering has Finally Ended

Another Premier League season has come to a close and Villa had to battle again to avoid the drop to the Championship.  Now begins the summer drama of (1) new ownership (2) transfers and (3) and all the rumors that fly around!

Let's hope this is the beginning of a new (much more positive) chapter in the history of Aston Villa.  UTV and VTID! 

Nice start... not so nice finish.

Westwoods free kick got Villa started fast, but Man Utd scored multiple times through a weak defense. The game could have been very different if Beneteke could have made at least 1 or 2 of those 3 great chances he had.  Sigh.

North America Invasion 2014

Lions Club members from all over North America will be descending upon B6  for the final week of the Premier League season (Hull City at home and 2 away fixtures at Man City and Spurs).  Following the Hull City match, Lions Club chairmen will take to the Villa Park pitch for the annual UK Lions vs Overseas Lions match and then followed by the annual Lions Club awards night.

(from our Chicago meet-up for the opening of the Premier League season in Aug 2013)

Times are Tough

Villa was able to hang on to a 1-1 draw today vs. Swansea.  A point is positive, but we are in the midst of a long dry spell.  Many supporters seem to be getting restless with PL and the team.  Boos coming from the Villa Park stands is difficult to hear.  No doubt this is a hard time for Villa supporters.  Injuries continue to plague us.  Our depth is limited to none.  Our scoring threats are in a deep slump.  I'm hanging in there with this team and the manager.  It is hard to feel like things could be worse, but we are still not as bad off as we were last year.  Keep the faith.

Monday Night Football

Monday night football versus West Brom had a very rough start, but the mighty Villa did not sink in defeat, but battled back with second half goals from El Ahmadi and Westwood helped Villa capture one point from this derby match.  Love the heart of this year's team!

We Will Not Be Moved!

The long-awaited home win came today versus Man City.  An improbable result as we were without The Beast and Gabby in the front.  How did Villa stay in this game and eventually take all 3 points?  Pure determination and never giving up.  Every man on the pitch worked for the entire 90 + 4 minutes, especially Tony Moon... It was clear he was tired and banged up, but his motor would not stall.  This Villa team is so different from teams the past several years.  A goal from the opposition does not cause panic or hopelessness.

Fight On!

Today's 2-1 loss to Chelsea was tough because of the missed handball call on Terry in the final minutes which could have helped us possibly level the score.  Despite the loss - this year's Villa squad is different.  They fought until the end - there was no sign of throwing in the towel.

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Chicago 2013 North America Meet-Up

So much to say about this amazing event.  It was great to have been able to participate in this first one in Chicago.  Looking forward to seeing this become an annual event!

AVFC sent a message from the players to the supporters in America which we viewed for the first time right before kick-off!


Same moment...from two different angles.