Aston Villa Review

There’s been an awful lot to enjoy about this season but there have been some distinctly whiffy spells too.Aston Villa are on a dodgy run in the Premier League, losing their last two at home and now dropping points after scoring the first goal at AFC Bournemouth.With the Champions League buffer shrinking, Unai Emery needs to sharpen his magic wand and start jabbing people in the eye with it.This week, we talk about the draw with Bournemouth as well as the upcoming fixtures against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League and Newcastle United in the FA Cup.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss Villa’s midfield woes and the form of striker Ollie Watkins. Come and join the fun!If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

Remember goals? Goals were great, weren’t they?Aston Villa scored one of them on Sunday but it was ruled out by the goal-hating dorks at Stockley Park. In the end, Brentford were good value for a 1-0 win at Villa Park and Villa were left to lick their wounds.It’s been a chastening few weeks for Unai Emery and his Villa team and they must respond if they’re to get their Champions League quest back on track.This week, we talk about Villa’s Brentford defeat and the preceding win over Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss VAR. Seriously. It’s most of the episode. Enjoy!If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

There’s only one podcast where you’ll find a comparison between Rugby Town’s epic 2022/23 title bottle job and an Arsenal team that almost certainly won’t do the same thing, but hey, it’s all good fun anyway.Aston Villa are now four points behind the Gunners thanks to their first away win against Newcastle United in absolutely ages, and we’d all have taken that at the start of the season.With six wins in seven Europa League matches, Villa are in tidy shape in Europe as well. No complaints from us, this week. What on earth would we say?!This week, we talk about the wins over Fenerbahçe and Newcastle, the upcoming fixtures against Red Bull Salzburg and Brentford, Villa’s injuries and what’s left of the transfer window.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss tactical fouling. As dog lovers, we felt it was our duty to do so. Our doody? Grow up.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

What goes up, must come down. Is that just the unavoidable truth of physical gravity or a directive from the football powers that be? Well, that depends on your outlook.Aston Villa have suddenly found themselves in a frustrating spot. Depleted by a handful of injuries to players in the same position and the expedited loanish-sale of their only back-up striker, Villa fell at home for the first time in twelve games.They were beaten 1-0 in the Premier League by Everton, who visited Villa Park with some personnel absences of their own. There are no excuses here, just a performance that wasn’t nearly good enough to win the match.This week, we talk about the Everton defeat and Villa’s transfer window woes, as well as the latest addition to the injury problems that have now decimated Unai Emery’s midfield.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss Villa’s upcoming matches in the Europa League and Premier League. It might be worth reminding yourself, as we do in this episode, that Villa are third in both tables.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

The FA Cup quest goes on.Aston Villa repeated their Premier League win at Tottenham Hotspur by beating them by the same scoreline and with the same scorers in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.They took it well.This week, we talk about the FA Cup win and the draw that hadn’t happened but now has, and the strengths and weaknesses in Villa’s recent performances.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss Villa’s reported transfer targets including the one that hasn’t joined and the one that might.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

This is starting to get silly.Aston Villa came from behind to beat Chelsea and claim a club record-equalling eleventh consecutive win in all competitions and stay three points from the top of the Premier League.Ollie Watkins scored twice and everybody’s happy.This week, we talk about the Chelsea win, Villa’s quest for Champions League football and their competition priorities in 2026.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss whether Unai Emery is the best manager. That’s it. No qualifiers. The best manager.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

What’s a little bit better than nine but not quite as good as eleven?Aston Villa never beat Manchester United to win their tenth match in a row in all competitions and seventh in the Premier League, leaving them third in the table at Christmas.Yes, you read that correctly.This week, we talk about Villa overcoming the United hoodoo and Morgan Rogers being incredible, and dismiss talk of a title chase because what we really want is to get back into the Champions League.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss whether Manchester United were the better team. (They weren’t.)If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

After an unscheduled week off, we’re back to hail the best football team in England.Aston Villa have won six Premier League matches in a row for the first time since the Premier League became the Premier League. It’s been a quite incredible turnaround.Villa have beaten Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal, Basel and West Ham United since our last (published) episode, so there’s plenty to catch up on.This week, we talk about those four matches and various threads within, including Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss the xG furore because, well, it’s funny.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

Back-to-back wins for the Villa. What fun!Aston Villa beat Young Boys in the Europa League and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League to claw their way up two tables in four days. You have to say it’s lovely stuff.And sure, these weren’t pretty wins. But they don’t have to be, do they?This week, we talk about substance, style and sustainability as we review Young Boys and Wolves before previewing Villa’s upcoming matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal.Chris Nee and Steven Green also talk about red cards, refereeing and Villa’s visit to the mighty Coventry Sphinx this Wednesday.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

After an unscheduled week off, we’re back to look at the latest from Villa Park.Aston Villa defeated Leeds United in the first game back in the Premier League after the international break and Morgan Rogers was the hero of the hour.His two excellent goals secured a 2-1 win for Villa after they went behind at Elland Road and took Villa into a busy week on a high.This week, we talk about the game against Leeds and the upcoming matches against Young Boys in the Europa League and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.Chris Nee and Steven Green also talk the John McGinn documentary with a level of disagreement that might surprise you.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

And breathe.Aston Villa move into the November international break having spent the last week beating Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League and AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made up for his mistake against Liverpool with a pair of terrific performances and compatriot Emi Buendía established himself once and for all as a starter under Unai Emery.This week, we talk about the games against Maccabi Tel Aviv and AFC Bournemouth, analysing six goals without reply and a couple of genuinely special saves.Chris Nee and Steven Green also talk about Ollie Watkins and Harvey Elliott, one of whom might not come up much more on our podcast in the future. We’ll leave you to figure out which one.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

After four consecutive Premier League wins, it was a bumpy return to Earth.Aston Villa lost 2-0 at Liverpool on Saturday and our focus in this episode is their problems at both ends of the field.Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made the catastrophic error that put Villa on the back foot on Merseyside and Ollie Watkins is evidently struggling to get his season rolling. We discuss them both in this week’s show.This week, we talk about the game against Liverpool and Villa’s upcoming Europa League match and the visit of AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.Chris Nee and Steven Green also talk about growing up on the terraces of Dean Court and about Coventry City for some reason. We’re pretty old. I think we get overtired towards the end of these. Sorry.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

We don’t do normal weeks, do we?Aston Villa went off to Deventer to play Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League and deserved less than the nothing they got from a dreadful performance, then came home and shut down Erling Haaland to beat Manchester City.That’s four Premier League wins in a row with Liverpool to come next. After wins over Tottenham Hotspur and City, it’s another big test of Villa’s recovery.This week, we pick the bones out of two matches that could hardly have been more different and sing the praises of Matty Cash and Amadou Onana for being bloody brilliant.Chris Nee and Steven Green also preview Saturday’s trip to Anfield and the blockbuster Birmingham Senior Cup first round tie against the mighty Coventry Sphinx.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

Well, what a week it’s been.Aston Villa were made the world’s most famous football club by the nation’s senior politicians. UEFA’s failure to take a stand on the participation of Israeli clubs in European competitions this season but Villa and Birmingham have been slandered to a ridiculous degree.Our football club and our city are not antisemitic. Keir Starmer has a lot to answer for and he’s not the only one.This week, we have to address the Maccabi Tel Aviv situation, unfortunately, so we do. There are some swears in this episode – sorry about that, but maybe don’t listen to it on the school run.Chris Nee and Steven Green discuss all that garbage as well as Sunday’s Premier League win against Tottenham Hotspur, the upcoming fixtures against Go Ahead Eagles and Manchester City, and where the HELL we’ve been.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

Two more games down. One goal scored. None in the Premier League. Two points from a possible 12 and out of the League Cup.Aston Villa are in a bit of bother, but is all lost or will Unai Emery’s minor adjustments find a way to have a major impact?They’d better, because the Europa League is about to start and the games are coming thick and fast. Time’s a-wastin’, boys.This week, we look at Villa’s draw with Everton and the League Cup exit on penalties against Brentford, who will inevitably be Villa’s opponents in the FA Cup third round.Chris Nee and Steven Green discuss the upcoming fixture against Sunderland and how Emery is turning knobs and dials to get Villa moving.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

It’s been a tough start to the season and Unai Emery won’t have expected to reach the international break without a goal.Aston Villa have picked up one point from their first three games and had their preparations for the most recent one, a defeat against Crystal Palace, derailed by their own goalkeeper.Given Villa’s now established difficulty in dealing with the Eagles, they could really have done without it.This week, we look at that unacceptable situation as well as Villa’s subsequent dealings in the transfer market.Chris Nee and Steven Green discuss Victor Lindelöf, Jadon Sancho, Harvey Elliott and more in our latest episode.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

After playing badly on day one, playing even worse on day two wasn’t really on our agenda. Shows what we know.Aston Villa were dreadful against Brentford, losing 1-0 and showing absolutely none of the positive traits that have dragged them into Europe three seasons in a row.With the transfer window coming to a close, it’s painfully obvious that Villa still have work to do.This week, we look at the Brentford defeat and preview the upcoming Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace.Chris Nee and Steven Green also transfer options and the imminent redevelopment of the North Stand at Villa Park.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

As starts to a new season go, this one sure was a beginning or something.Aston Villa kicked off the new Premier League campaign with the tamest of 0-0 draws against Newcastle United, a game so devoid of incident that even a red card for Ezri Konsa managed to be boring.Villa were not good, but a point’s a point and we’ll be laughing up the other sleeve in May if it makes the difference. Onwards and upwards.This week, we look back at the draw with Newcastle and preview Saturday’s visit to the Nick Grey Gtech Community Stadium by Nick Grey to take on Brentford, who have been identified by the bookies as a solid bet for relegation.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss the departure of Leon Bailey, Villa’s brand spanking new third kit, and why we think Keith Andrews played for Birmingham City.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

The new Premier League season is here. Quick! Enjoy it before VAR starts doing yellow cards!Aston Villa kick off the new league campaign against Newcastle United, with whom they share a pretty tricky summer transfer window experience in 2025 but whose fate in the market they have, so far, managed to avoid.Villa have brought in Evann Guessand since last we spoke and Marco Asensio seems like a distinct possibility too. Sadly, Jacob Ramsey looks destined to leave – to Newcastle – because that’s how it works now.This week, we look ahead to Saturday’s game against Newcastle, to the first few games of the season, and to the overall sense of readiness or otherwise around the club as kick-off approaches.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss Villa’s friendly against Marseille and Tyrone Mings being a titan. It’s fun! You should listen.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

How do we quantify a good season?Aston Villa have four cracks at success in 2025/26, participating in the Premier League, Europa League and a pair of domestic cup competitions with which they have a rich but sadly lapsed history.With qualification for the Champions League surely the ultimate goal, how far must Villa go in order to look back on the season as a win?This week, we look at four individual markers of success and weigh up the combinations that would leave Villa supporters with smiles on their faces at the end of May.Chris Nee and Steven Green also discuss some of the players available on free transfers and, er, the Tom Brady thing.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

The transfer window is gradually cranking into action and it’s just as well, because pre-season friendlies are already here.Aston Villa have signed two players, sent a bunch on loan and played a friendly, so it’s fair to say things are starting to pick up in terms of transfer news and Unai Emery’s preparations for 2025/26.But where do Villa still need to strengthen and are there players they should look at who are already in the Premier League?This week’s AVR is a fantasy draft. Chris Nee and Steven Green have chosen five gettable(ish) players each from Premier League rivals who could realistically(ish) be brought in to bolster Emery’s playing staff.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

Just how good is the current squad and which players, if any, would make it into the best eleven of our lifetimes?Aston Villa have had some unbelievable players in the last 40 years. Some have won a trophy, others have taken the club into the Champions League, but how do today’s players stack up against yesterday’s legends?We can never really know. But thinking about it is as good a way as any for two Villa supporters to pass an hour in early July, so that’s exactly what we’ve done.Does Ollie Watkins make the cut as Villa’s top Premier League goalscorer? Do today’s top-class midfielders have the edge over the warriors who wowed us in the nineties? Have we ever had a genuinely excellent right-back?Chris Nee and Steven Green discuss all that and more in the new episode of AVR.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

Saturday again ole ole for the Aston Villa Review podcast. That’s not the plan during the season but we’re freewheelin’ because it’s the summer summer time.Aston Villa are approaching PSR D-Day and that’s the main focus of the club and supporters at the moment but we’ve been watching Liverpool’s transfer activity and considering what it means for us.We mean that indirectly, of course, although a little cast into the transfer river for a nibble off Harvey Elliott would be just fine by us.This week, we’re talking about the players who play off Villa’s striker. Wide forwards? Outside tens? Wingers? Whatever they are, we have some different styles and some exceptional talent, but perhaps not as much depth as we think.And guess what! It all comes down to Matty Cash.Chris Nee and Steven Green discuss all that and more in the new episode of AVR.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

Another week, another Aston Villa Review podcast, another round of ifs and buts as we try to shake off the ghosts of 2024-25.Aston Villa have been linked with a whole bunch of potential transfer targets already this summer, while possible departures are on the cards too.Emiliano Martínez is chief among those, it appears, but we don’t know until we know and we won’t know until he goes. Or something.The one piece of definite news we do have from this week is that the Premier League fixtures have been released and Villa would do well to start like they mean business because December and May are not going to get them out of jail.Chris Nee and Steven Green discuss all that and more in the new episode of AVR.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

The first ever Aston Villa Review podcast Q&A episode (we think?) is here.Aston Villa seldom have a quiet week even in the summer, so the questions sent in by our listeners cover a range of topics that mesh the old and the new into a seamless tapestry of claret and blue.Nobody asked about the new adidas Samba shoes because they’ve only been released today but we asked ourselves about it anyway.There are questions about Jack Grealish, Aston Villa Women and players we’ve loved and lost. Thanks for taking part. We love you for it.Chris Nee and Steven Green discuss all that and more in the new episode of AVR.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

The football season feels like it’s been over forever but the all-new Aston Villa Review podcast is just getting started.Aston Villa announced yesterday that Tyrone Mings has extended his contract to 2027 but no news has yet emerged about a statue.The club has also welcomed Francesco Calvo, the new President of Business Operations after the departure of Chris Heck, and it’s that side of things that we cover in this episode.In this week’s AVR we look at the commercial imperative of football clubs that want success, the emotional cost of placing the burden on supporters, and where (and whether) a balance can be adequately struck.There’s praise for Mings as well as comparisons between Villa and Walthamstow – yes, really – and a little bit of introspection about not going to matches anymore.Chris Nee and Steven Green discuss all that and more in the second episode as AVR Rides Again!If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

Hello. How’ve you been since our last episode in, er, 2017?Aston Villa have changed in the last eight years – not beyond recognition, but certainly an awful lot. We’ve had a season to enjoy in the Champions League and a solid run to the FA Cup semi-final, neither of which featured much in the Aston Villa Review of old.We had our fair share of disappointments to deal with, though, so it’s only right that we start our second life with another one.In this week’s episode we look back at Villa’s defeat against Manchester United and the 2024/25 season as a whole.What does it all mean? What are the implications? Is it legal to lock two players in a room for three months to practice backpasses?Chris Nee and Steven Green return to ask all those questions and more.If you enjoy our podcast, the best ways to express that are:* Subscribe to the podcast and, if you can, pick up a paid subscription to Aston Villa Review for just £4 per month* Tell every Villa supporter you’ve ever metYou can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and wherever else you download your podcasts by searching for Aston Villa Review. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe

Welcome back to Aston Villa Review. It’s been a while.Our free weekly podcast will return in the coming days.Meanwhile, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to this Substack, where the deal is very simple: for £4 per month, you’ll get a lot more than £4 of content.Trust me. I need your support. Get full access to Aston Villa Review at www.astonvillareview.com/subscribe