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S1 E55 Villa conquers the champions
15 Plays17 days ago
Today Craig and Nyla discuss Aston Villa's stunning 2-1 triumph over Manchester City. Thank you for listening and happy holidays!
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Transcript
Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:00:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to today's episode of the Daily Villa Podcast as part of the Global Sports Podcast Network.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City Match Overview
00:00:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
My name is Nyla and I'm delighted to be joined by Craig today to talk about Aston Villa's glorious 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Villa Park. How are you, Craig?
00:00:30
Craig Birtwistle
I'm doing very well, Nyla. I actually got in the Spirit of Things for Christmas and I got Secret Santa and I got a gift for Pep Guardiola. Do you know what I got him?
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um What's that?
00:00:41
Craig Birtwistle
I bought him a triangle because that's the only way he's going to get three points.
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh no, but do you know what? That's actually not bad. I'm sure he'll appreciate that.
00:00:52
Craig Birtwistle
um I am a dad, so I've got to pull out the dad jokes occasionally.
00:00:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it was a big three points for Villa. um Very enjoyable watch, I'd say. What were your overall thoughts on
Performance Highlights and Key Players
00:01:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
the performance? And do you feel like, I know we talked a lot about it in the um crossover episode with the Manchester City um team from the GSPN, but did it do you feel like the match lives up to your expectations and predictions?
00:01:23
Craig Birtwistle
I think it's a past that, to be perfectly honest, that we spoke about how we would need those big time players to have big time moments in the game. And we were pleasantly surprised. So I know we'll get into it more in in a little bit, but the likes of Tillamans, Rogers, um, Duran, again, obviously just put in absolute fantastic performances that really torman city apart, to be perfectly honest.
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, very, very pleased. I think everyone stepped up um this match. And I think my prediction was, did I say like a, what did I say?
00:02:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did I say two all or three two or something like that? I think I said two all.
00:02:03
Craig Birtwistle
so
00:02:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So very glad that I'm wrong. If, you know, in that sense, if I'm ever wrong again, like that in the future, I won't be mad. um But I thought it was really exciting. We saw some action on both ends ah in terms of shots on goal and saves and in that sort of the like. um How did you feel about our attacking this match um and on the offense?
Aston Villa's Attacking and Defensive Strategies
00:02:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
and its
00:02:29
Craig Birtwistle
attacking was exceptionally good. I feel that we dominated the midfield. Tealumans and Rodgers, as I mentioned, stood out immensely. Tealumans really bust that midfield.
00:02:41
Craig Birtwistle
He was all over the place. His turns on the half turn and finding first, Freddy passes, especially the one that led to Duran's goal, was exceptional.
00:02:53
Craig Birtwistle
like It was all the way through the spine of the team, like for example our first goal, um it came from Martinez playing the ball directly down the middle, two Teelamans who turned his man very well, a great fretted ball then through to Rodgers who unselfishably then slotted Durano for an easy finish, you know what I mean? So it was really, really good attacking play that I felt we had to be on our A game even against the Man City team that is obviously struggling, but their back three could not handle with our players running at them.
00:03:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. i I'm really pleased attacking-wise. I thought we were very dangerous. I felt like we the score could have been higher for us in terms of goal scored. Credit to Ortega for making you know a few great saves there.
00:03:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and yeah just we'll we'll get into the gold in a little bit but just really pleased that Morgan Rogers decided to go far post on the gold that he scored rather than the near post um when that was saved or or out but yeah i just feel like it's it's really good to see that attacking side to Villa i think obviously in the last Not recent matches, but over the course of the season, we've kind of been on the back foot sometimes.
The 'Clean Sheet Curse' and Defensive Analysis
00:04:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I've struggled in terms of a quick counter-attack, whereas I felt like we were very dangerous in terms of the counter-attack with Citi.
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, ah sorry?
00:04:21
Craig Birtwistle
Totally agree. I totally agree. And before we get on to the finals, we have to mention that save from Paul Torres, his header at the corner. Ortega basically must have said prior to this game, I know Martin, as you did a world-class save last week, hold my beer. Here's my attempt, because that right there was another world-class save and probably one of the saves of the season to deny us that early goal.
00:04:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. um And of course, you know, discussing attacking, we have to talk about defensive, defensively and the defensive mind, um which we've talked about a lot on this podcast. But how do you feel that we managed city defensively?
00:05:04
Craig Birtwistle
um I think Maddy Cash, when he went out for dinner after the game, I think he went into his pocket, he pulled out his keys, his wallet and Jack Grealish, so he was completely He put it completely put all our doubts to rest. He really did Madikash. He had such a great game. I know he struggled against Forrest, and we've all been through that and talked about that in depth. But he was great at this game. With the exception of our goal that we conceded, Lucadine was excellent yet again. And I can't speak high enough of having Konza in that centre mid. that center made i'm sure he Everyone on the team ticks better.
00:05:44
Craig Birtwistle
Everyone watching the game feels more comfortable when he's in that position and Paul Torres, again, an exceptionally good playing out the ball, playing out the back centre back. So I couldn't be more pleased with the way we defended. I was just very frustrated and you saw that on the group chat that we have, that we couldn't keep that clean sheet.
In-Depth Analysis of Villa's Goals
00:06:04
Craig Birtwistle
um But at the end of the day, the three points is what we need and that's what we got.
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I think it was solid from the defensive line to the offensive line. um Like you said, Manny Kass just had Grealish in his back pocket and just to witness the head loss in the match, I think was just icing to the cake. um But i yeah, I feel like we Although they had more possession at times, I felt like we shut them down because they couldn't really do much um with it. And certainly nothing that Martinez couldn't handle. um But yeah, well well we can break down the goals just after this short message courtesy of Zencaster.
00:07:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Global Sports Podcast Network are fans of Zencaster in the same way I think villains are fans of John Duran. So with that, let's get into the goal breakdown. um We saw a lot of close calls heading up into this, but in the 16th minute, John Duran finds the back of the net on a fast break. What went right for Villa?
00:07:59
Craig Birtwistle
What went wrong for City more than anything was it was a case of City set up in like a 3-2-4-1 and Villa did a slight tweak to theirs. It wasn't really a traditional 4-4-2. It was more like a 4-2-3-1 with Rodgers drifting more out to the left and then coming on the inside. And what that ended up happening was when Tealemans checked to the ball to get the ball from Martinez.
00:08:25
Craig Birtwistle
Basically, we bypassed their initial press of Grealish, Gundawan, Foden, and Bernardo Silva, and it left just Kovacic and Lewis in that middle, who was isolated then against Wunz-Tiliman's turn and played that ball in. Rodgers made that run centrally, and it basically opened up that whole midfield. So it really was, I think, this was exactly the plan that Emery wanted, where he was going to boss that midfield. And basically, as I say, if you bypass that initial Man City press when they're committing so many players forward, as in recent recent weeks, he's been so tempted to play those two number 10s in Gundawan and Foden, that Emery knew he wasn't going to change it up. And he's like, I'm going to isolate it. I'm going to
00:09:20
Craig Birtwistle
have Onana, Tealumans, Kamara, Rodgers, McGinney even when drifting got in, just bossed that midfield and it worked and we got into those areas with allowing Cash and Dean to operate the whip in the final third then. It really tore that midfield apart and it it showed in a number of opportunities, not just the first goal.
Team Chemistry and Player Comparisons
00:09:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. I think Yuri Tillamans, I wouldn't say he's he's underrated, but maybe sometimes he's overlooked. I think um his presence, yeah, underappreciated.
00:09:52
Craig Birtwistle
under a priest.
00:09:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
like For him, I thought we saw more of an attacking role from him from him this match, which he doesn't always get to do depending on you know who was available to be alongside him in the midfield. But I think for him, it was just an outstanding performance as well.
00:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
in terms of his delivery. We already know he's essentially a box to box midfielder, but I think his role in this match was so pivotal in terms of that fast counter attack and relieving that pressure to get forward. um So I feel like that first goal, you know, that doesn't happen if he's not on the pitch.
00:10:30
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah, his vision is his first class. And it seems like we've got a bunch of players now that have extremely good chemistry together where they know exactly where to be. You can say that's chemistry. You can say that's work on the training ground. um But like basically their understanding of each other now is really getting up there. And I feel if we can build on this.
00:10:52
Craig Birtwistle
performance. I'm not even going to mention the fact that it's a result but the build on the performance we could have a really good game at Newcastle and this could really extend us well into 2025.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it wouldn't be, you know, I'll say this as of late, it wouldn't be a true Villa victory without Morgan Rogers getting some sort of, um, accolade or on the score sheet. And he did cushion the lead in the 65 minute with a left footed strike to the far post. What were your thoughts on this goal?
00:11:25
Craig Birtwistle
I love the work rate from Morgan Rogers to begin because if you rewind that goal and see where it starts, it starts with Rogers picking up the ball. and the top of his defensive third. He spins his first man, he runs at it and goes between three players before before playing the ball out wide to John McGinn. John McGinn cuts on the inside, finds Rogers again and what's the biggest thing that we've critiqued Morgan Rogers with? It's the final end product, right? And that was as cool, calm and collective of a finish that
00:12:00
Craig Birtwistle
Dran would have been happy finishing that ball who we know has got just an immaculate eye for goal so big credit to Morgan Rodgers and I really hope this continues and he can become that real strong number 10 that I believe he can be because and This is gonna sound real big, but I can see another Duke Bellingham in this guy. I think he's got that potential I really do
00:12:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I mean, I completely agree. I think just the progression that we've seen while he's been at Villa has just been and unreal. I mean, for him in such a short amount of time, essentially, you know, it's not even been a full season yet that he's been with us, but his impact um straight away. And we saw that with the call up to the senior um national team for England. I just think he's on the right path. And, you know, as long as he keeps his head on straight and keeps working, who knows, you know, there's no limit to where he can go.
Season Performance and Champions League Prospects
00:12:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And something stuck out to me earlier that you mentioned, I believe it was the first goal, kind of the unselfishness.
00:12:57
Craig Birtwistle
So.
00:13:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's something that we saw in this match in a number of situations, um you know, maybe in desperate times a few weeks ago, a few months ago, John Regan tries to hit that ball and it goes right, deflected by the city back line. I think in terms of that, his decision to play Morgan Rogers was the right one. And I think, you know, I like seeing that, you know, players, they could go for the shot on goal. Maybe it's not the cleanest um pathway that they have or
00:13:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
the best option but you do you know when people just want to score so bad they don't necessarily make the best decisions but they're just trying to so i really like that we're not forcing it that we're being patient and selfless in that sense we'll we'll play it to someone one else to finish yeah
00:13:54
Craig Birtwistle
Couldn't agree more.
00:13:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And of course, we do have to talk about the goal that was conceded. um I won't lie. I will say once we, they added, I think it was five minutes extra time. In my head, I'm going, oh, three points. We got the win. Surely a clean sheet. I sat back. Boy, was I wrong. Phil Foden gets one back in the third minute of added time. Craig, do we have a clean sheet curse?
00:14:27
Craig Birtwistle
It really does feel like that because when you look back at that goal as well, there's a number of things that go wrong and it's one of those that usually we would so have this podcast and we would talk about it and we'd say you play against a team against Manchester City, you make one mistake and they punish you for it.
00:14:48
Craig Birtwistle
They aren't even at that level at the moment and we still make a mistake and they still punish us for it. But like, Luca Dean falls over the ball. we had a number of chances to clear it, a number of opportunities to press the ball. And if you're Emi Martinez, you've got to be getting more annoyed at this, the fact that that shot's even got away from him. So I hope that Emi's pulled the those players aside that should have pressed the ball, should have basically denied that opportunity for it to come into the box. You can't you can't blame Luca Dean for falling over the ball. That's just one of these things that happened.
00:15:21
Craig Birtwistle
But um I wouldn't go as far to say it' to curse, but I do think it's definitely something we have to address.
00:15:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely. um i you know when When we conceded, i couldn't I couldn't even really be mad. like I think other matches i'd I'd get mad, but this one is just like, is he trying to breakdance on the ball?
00:15:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like what's going on? I don't know. Just very bizarre. um Yeah.
00:15:43
Craig Birtwistle
I got mad. I got mad.
00:15:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's I was like, what is happening? Just in shambles. um But I think obviously we're at that part of the season where goal differential is going to play a role. And we see that right now with where we sit on the table, um where in points we're tied with Bournemouth, but they are ahead with six goals um in goal differential, which is a bit disappointing because I think we trace back. There's a few results where a clean sheet maybe we would be sitting in fifth right now
00:16:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
rather than six
00:16:19
Craig Birtwistle
Here's the thing though, they they say that like where you are at Christmas is where about you're going to finish, right?
00:16:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
to
00:16:26
Craig Birtwistle
So realistically, we want to get fourth or fifth. I imagine England's going to get a current efficiency this year, so I think fifth will get your Champions League. So we're even points with that.
00:16:37
Craig Birtwistle
So for the fact that we've been very critical of Villa in recent weeks and we have gone through as a blip,
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
a clean sheet, maybe we would be sitting in fifth right now, rather than sixth.
00:16:45
Craig Birtwistle
we're still in with a good shout of getting that and like if this performance gives us the confidence to plug on as i say if we can get a win against new castle that'll be huge it really will with new castle kind of breathing down our necks as well only two points behind us and And I'm going to upset a lot of our GSPN ah friends, let's call them that, of Forrest and Bournemouth. But I do think their season will catch them up. They haven't been in this sort of picture for long. So I do think they'll have a blip in
Upcoming Fixtures and Influence of Villa Park
00:17:18
Craig Birtwistle
time. So the fact that I'm confident we can get above those, I do think Liverpool and Chelsea, for example, kind of look way out of our league at the moment. So I think it will be a title challenge.
00:17:30
Craig Birtwistle
between the two of those and I do expect Liverpool to hold on to what they've got. and I wouldn't be surprised to see Arsenal catch them up as well because they're going through a bad spot right now but realistically they're only six points behind Liverpool and we don't know what Liverpool is going to be like once they go through a poor run of form. We've only seen Arnie Slott enjoy good performance so I do think Villa's got a very good chance of qualifying for the Champions League but it's going to be an interesting end to the season.
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Most definitely. And you know who knows what and what's up Emery's sleeve, um recalling Louis Berry.
00:18:08
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah, that's an interesting one.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just letting him wreak a bit of havoc on ah Birmingham City before he calls him back, which is the part that I loved.
00:18:15
Craig Birtwistle
There you go.
00:18:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right. Well, I guess we'll hold off on the clean sheet curse for now. But if this trend continues, then I'm going to have to coin it a curse.
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
um We'll take a short break now to hear this message from the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:19:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it has been a big December for Villa so far. We've seen two league losses, three league wins, and a championly Champions League win. um We kind of just spoke about this, but let's dive into it a bit further. With two fixtures to go for this month, Newcastle on the 26th and Brighton on the 30th, how do you think things are shaping up for Villa?
00:19:37
Craig Birtwistle
It's an interesting one because those are two teams that I wouldn't say fear playing, but Brighton have had a good start to the season. Newcastle have kind of hit a miss. So it depends sort of what team comes, but it's a very good opportunity. ah if If by the end of December, we get another four points out of those two fixtures, I'd be very happy. Obviously I'd want to go for the six um and it's definitely doable. So I'd be very excited if we would get those six six points out of those two games.
Return to Form and Key Performances
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep, I agree. I think, um, is it the new castles on the road and Brighton's at home? I believe so.
00:20:14
Craig Birtwistle
yeah and is yeah
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think of those two new castles, probably the uphill battle. Um, I think what we've seen is just how important Villa Park has been in terms of the supporters playing a role, um, and really just giving that energy to the team.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and then being able to feed off that energy. So I think obviously that what they say is the biggest game's the next one, which I can't, that's saying just really does it for me.
00:20:41
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah, it is. Yeah.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um yeah, think I think with Eyes Turned to new Newcastle, and if we can just get that done, I think, you know, having
00:20:46
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah.
00:20:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
more league wins than the losses would be an ideal December, you know given with what's already done. um But I think, yeah, in terms of what we just touched on, in terms of how things are shaping up for Villa, um I definitely feel like the performances have improved um since we went through that winless streak.
00:21:01
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah.
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So I'm really excited to see where they go from there.
00:21:17
Craig Birtwistle
And that's one of the things that I want to echo as well, that I mentioned that I think I mentioned it on the forest crossover that I'm very happy with the way Unai handled that. So for example, we have the opportunity now after the loss, we had the, sorry, after that, that period of time.
00:21:38
Craig Birtwistle
we we We struggled for a certain amount of period, but Unai got us out of it. He found out a solution. That's kind of the the thing that City fans are saying about Guardiola at the moment. He's not finding an adjustment. And I think we've came out of it better for it. The performance we just showed against Man City shows were capable of replicating the form that we had last season. And I'm very excited going into this Newcastle game that we've been able to do that.
00:22:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I love filtering off of that. I love that we've seen different players being able to get the job done. I love that we're seeing, you know, Duran get it getting his chance to start in him, proving himself, you know, that he is not just the super sub that you know we've called him for the last while, but the fact that you know he can start the games, make an impact early on, and and just continue that performance. um So just really pleased with that as well.
00:22:34
Craig Birtwistle
hundred percent I think it's now a case that Watkins will be nervous because I think Duran has now laid his claim that he's the bona fide starter now.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I think that's that's a bit of like a healthy push. It's always good to have a bit of healthy competition. I think obviously for the squad, it's good to see that you're in a situation where if you're getting the job done, then there's no sort of favoritism or there's nothing owed to people. It's really just, here's the rewards when you do what you need to do and you can perform and and those sorts of things as well. So I think overall morale, that's positive.
Man of the Match Debate
00:23:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And with that, but I think you know he's been doing great and we've seen a lot of strong performances from the squad. But bouncing back to the city game, do you feel someone particularly stood out enough to be donned the man of the match?
00:23:29
Craig Birtwistle
i can I can't really put my, I can't separate Tealemans and Rogers in my mind because I know Rogers stood out as in was very impactful for everything the average fan would see. But like when you look data detailed into the performance, I don't think that victory happens without the the work rate and the vision that Tealemans put into that game.
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is there any-
00:23:55
Craig Birtwistle
So for me, it's those two that really stand out. But I could highlight enough of ah more players as well. We could highlight Duran, who obviously has basically become the Duran podcast at times.
00:24:07
Craig Birtwistle
We've spoken about it so much, and which i rightfully so. Let's be perfectly honest. And a really big shout out to Maddy Cash as well, because Maddy Cash was phenomenal. And really put a lot of people quiet after the criticism he got in the Forest game.
00:24:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
know
00:24:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's one thing about Maddie Cash and a lot of people, us including, no like we we talk about some of the struggles with Maddie Cash and obviously you know we praise him when he does well, but there's one thing about Maddie Cash that I think stands out to me in terms of our squad is he truly just loves to be a villain.
00:24:34
Craig Birtwistle
What? What?
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
He loves to be a villa. He loves that club.
00:24:47
Craig Birtwistle
What?
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And that's one thing I think that kind of sticks out to me as a fan.
00:24:48
Craig Birtwistle
What?
00:24:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
like I love to see players that you know are so invested in the club. that's It's their home. um And I think, yeah, I just just wanted to give them a shout out for that.
Jack Grealish's Social Media Impact
00:25:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this choice of Instagram photo after the match was great as well.
00:25:04
Craig Birtwistle
and totally
00:25:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Strategic in a sense.
00:25:10
Craig Birtwistle
Yeah. yeah
00:25:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And with the social media, we'd have to address the um the photo. the controversial photo of our dear old friend, Jack Grealish, holding up three fingers.
00:25:26
Craig Birtwistle
yeah
00:25:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Craig, what are your thoughts on that?
00:25:27
Craig Birtwistle
Well, my first thought for Jack is who counts to three with those three fingers?
00:25:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:25:34
Craig Birtwistle
i I really don't get it. I really don't. That's ah that's my first thought. But secondly, um he did get a lot of abuse through the game, which um I will highlight. I strongly disagree with. um I feel that, let's let's go through the the actual criticism of the fans first before I get to that, um is the fact that we We were in the championship. He stuck by us when he could have left for Spurs. He helped us get back up there. we He had his beautiful moment where he got punched by a Birmingham City fan and then won the day and he said it was the best day of his life. And I truly believe he meant that. He he then signed a new contract and he put in the contract that ah release cause of 100 million.
00:26:22
Craig Birtwistle
And at the end of the day, what he's saying to that is, I don't necessarily want to leave, but if I do leave, I want to leave Villa in the best hands possible. And the way I look at it as well, he did leave the club only for the best team in the world. He left to go and win trophies because at the time Villa couldn't provide that. And that was rightfully so. He left and he won himself a treble. He's experiencing a a tough time right now. And there's so many Villa fans that have basically took that love of him. And just because he left turned it into pure hatred, which I don't think is fair.
00:27:00
Craig Birtwistle
because he came through our academy, a strong villa boy at strength and then he's been abused for basically 90 minutes and his stress levels must already be through the roof. It's absolutely crazy. So he's responded by saying three Premier League titles I think was the initial message.
00:27:20
Craig Birtwistle
with that free. Am I a little disappointed that he put that message out there? Yes, but I can also understand it. I do feel that like we have to understand these players are human. And I think any single one of us, if we were abused by 40,000 people for 90 minutes, we might have a say about that as well. Do you know what I mean? Do you have any other take on that, Nyla?
00:27:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think you know in the heat of the moment, you know when you're getting booed for 90 minutes, it will be tough. And I probably think him throwing up the three fingers in response to that was just kind of and mo obviously head loss, but you know you can only say
Should Jack Grealish Return to Villa?
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
so much. So I think that was just kind of in response to all the booing and abuse that he probably had during that match.
00:28:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only thing I will say is that I was a bit disappointed that him and his dear old friend, John McGinn, like he just kind of was throwing him around like that.
00:28:16
Craig Birtwistle
that's it
00:28:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you're not friends on on match day, I get it, but jeez.
00:28:21
Craig Birtwistle
It's a surprise though, isn't it? The way he went into that one tackle in particular was extremely strong. um Like, and I get it, you're annoyed, but like, usually you don't kick lumps at your mate.
00:28:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:28:32
Craig Birtwistle
You know what I mean? But there you go. A question for you though, Nyla. If January transfer window, if Emery wants to buy in, do you accept him back?
00:28:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that's tough because honestly... I don't really see him adding, like, I feel like were we're pretty set with who we have. Um, in terms of a ball carrier, like to me, Morgan Rogers is it. Um, but yeah, I don't, I don't really know what he can bring that we don't really have covered now and in terms of how we play. So it's a bit tough. It's a bit tough. what What are your thoughts?
00:29:15
Craig Birtwistle
I you know it makes my day that the fact that as a villa fan now we could actually literally say we don't need him that's crazy to me the fact that when he left we thought it was the end of the world and that's why villa fans have been booing like that extremely because we thought this was it our best player of
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:38
Craig Birtwistle
Best player out of IU of Academy since I've been alive. Simple as that, right? um ah Has gone and everything. film But now we have this Morgan Rogers. Morgan Rogers, who Manchester City sold for one and a half million. For we picked up for only eight million plus add-ons from Middlesbrough.
00:29:56
Craig Birtwistle
And now literally, I don't think we would sell him for that 100 million that we got from jack for Jack. So I do agree with you. I find it hard to see where Jack come in, but they sometimes my heart rules my head.
00:30:08
Craig Birtwistle
And the fact is, Jack is my my son's favorite player still. He cried his eyes out when he left, but he still want wants him to do well and everything like that.
00:30:19
Craig Birtwistle
That's the sort of spirit I wanted from our Villa fans.
00:30:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:30:22
Craig Birtwistle
ah f and if he came back I would welcome him back with open arms and plus Unai's got my full support now that if he if he said he wanted to bring in Joe Bloggs from down the street I think he'll make him a superstar I really do so it's a case of what Unai wants Unai gets as far as I am for the villa and he's got my full support and if Jack walked through the door I'd be very happy to have his name on the back of my kids shirts yet again
00:30:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. i Yeah, I agree. i I love Jack. I think, you know, off the pitch, he's a character for one if he watched any of his interviews, but um I just think honestly genuine, genuine guy. um And we can see that with all of the community outreach work, or anytime, you know, he's
00:31:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
um in you know in the public doing that kind of stuff i know um he's done a lot of things with uh different kids with different disabilities and conditions and stuff like that which i think is great but oof what are you gonna do when you've got you know hundreds of thousands of football fans um who are passionate towards the club and someone's just left and someone's left that club so oh
00:31:34
Craig Birtwistle
Honestly, I think if he comes back, he gets a couple of goals. It all goes away. Everyone forgives him. and The way I always said it is like, you've gone away, you won your little treble.
00:31:45
Craig Birtwistle
Now come back to where it matters.
00:31:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come back home.
00:31:48
Craig Birtwistle
Come back home because at the end of the day, it yeah we all saw the videos of like Jack with two drinks in each hand, celebrating with the Premier League trophy and the Champions League and everything.
00:32:01
Craig Birtwistle
But honestly, if you do a picture, side and side picture of him holding the player final trophy and the Champions League, the smile is bigger when he was at the Villa because it means more. Like
Podcast Conclusion and Contact Information
00:32:14
Craig Birtwistle
you can hear, I know we see speak the name of he who doesn't exist in Steven Gerrard.
00:32:20
Craig Birtwistle
but you look at what it meant to him to work win for his boyhood club, i mean it does make a massive difference. So if he was to come back to Villa, get us an FA Cup, get us a League Cup, something along those lines, maybe even Europa League like or something like that, we're certainly not ready for Champions League glory or anything like that yet.
00:32:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, hold on. We've not been doing too much.
00:32:42
Craig Birtwistle
We're still in it.
00:32:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:32:43
Craig Birtwistle
lady That's true. That's true. Always dream, right? so um But like that's what I mean. If he came back and actually won a trophy for us, I think he would deep down say it meant to him as much, or if not more, than winning with have a team that's destined to win all the time in a Manchester city.
00:33:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. I think obviously I think that's why everything seemed to get to him so much in that match. You go to any away match and the the fans are having a go at you, it's fine. But when it's at a place where there's history of history with or, you know, the approval or, you know, the fans mean something to you, then that's when it's really going to cut deep. And I think that's exactly what we saw.
00:33:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, we'll leave it with that. That is all for today's episode of the Daily Villa podcast. Thank you so much for Craig for joining me. Do you have any final thoughts to add?
00:33:39
Craig Birtwistle
I think this will be our last ah podcast before the Christmas period. So happy holidays to all our listeners. Merry Christmas if that's what you're celebrating. and Thank you very much for your ongoing support with this podcast. It is much appreciated. we We love talking about Villa on a daily basis and now we're actually doing it.
00:34:02
Craig Birtwistle
in front of everyone as opposed to just in the pub with our friends. So it's ah it's greatly appreciated and I wish you all the best for 2025.
00:34:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Couldn't have said it better myself. um As always, you can leave us a message or send us a chat on our social media that's listed in the podcast description. This has been a global sports podcast production. Thank you for listening and up the villa.
00:34:28
Craig Birtwistle
up the bell