MNVillan

At the risk of stating the obvious... He was class today.

Fair enough, good post. You are much more level-headed than I am It was certainly a reality check for me. In my head I knew this final score was a possibility, and even a probability. But my emotions get the best of me, and I thought we would hang around better than we actually did in the 2nd half.

Today was certainly a reality check. - Some of the things we got away with last season hurt us today. Jack’s turnover before the 2nd goal and Mings losing his mark on a cross early in the match spring to mind. The Prem is obviously a step up from the C’Ship, and there will be a learning curve for the boys. Let’s hope it’s not too steep. - It’s damn near impossible to prepare for Spurs away on opening day by playing Shrewsbury, Walsall, etc in preseason. Outside of Leipzig, the preseason competition was weak and I think that hurt us a tad today. - I’m pleased with the first half. The 2nd was a disappointment for me, in terms of the style and not necessarily the result. Although to be fair, there isn’t much else you can do except defend when last season’s Champions League finalists decide to barrel forward. - Wesley disappointed today. Hopefully it’s just due to an adjustment period and not because he lacks the class necessary in the Prem. Wish we would’ve signed another striker instead of going all-in with Wesley, but no point moaning about that now. - Despite the result, it was an absolute joy to turn on NBC in the States and see them talking about Villa again. Been too long. Still very excited for the season, UTV!

This. The current badge is gorgeous in monochrome.

How so?

Apologies if this has already been addressed, but what type of side did Leipzig put out today? Did they play most of their starting XI like we seem to have done?

Was thinking the same

That’s interesting, works fine for me. At any rate, I’m able to see a short sleeved black GK shirt on The AVFC Shop website Edit: says on the website it’s available for preorder upon an August 17th release. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I’m in the US? That’d be my only guess

https://m.shop.avfc.co.uk/stores/astonvilla/mobile/en/product/aston-villa-home-goalkeeper-shirt-2019-20/267086?categories=football-kits%2Cgoalkeeper-kit This might be what you’re looking for

That was a ******* awesome experience. My wife wasn’t able to attend on account of starting chemotherapy the day before the match, so I told her once she’s healthy we’re heading to England to see the boys at Villa Park!

I’m just giving you a hard time

Ouch.

Sounds like the away kit will be launched on Wednesday. Those organizing the Minnesota Villa fan festivities are holding a meetup on Wednesday morning at a local pub (Brit’s Pub in Minneapolis, for those curious), and mentioned on Facebook that the away kit release will be part of the morning. Going to launch the away kit video live at the bar at 10 AM local time while it simultaneously launches in the UK, which if my math is correct means 4 PM in Birmingham.

Who else will be at Brit’s Pub on Wednesday?

Agreed. Looks like someone put the shirt through the wash and then tossed it on a hanger for far too long. Funky shoulders were the result. Here’s hoping that’s the case, and the quality isn’t actually that poor.

I agree that the shorts don’t seem to match with the kit. Having black Kappa logos running down the side of the legs seems oddly out of place when the rest of the kit is claret/blue/white. The grainy photo that appeared earlier seems legit, confirmed by multiple people here, and that didn’t seem to have the obnoxious Kappa logos down the side

I wouldn’t be surprised if Villa was the most popular English club in America outside of the top 6. Maybe it’s my bias, but I’ve noticed more Villa gear while walking around than Newcastle/Everton, and certainly Wolves. The exception may be Leicester during their Cinderella season, but that fad seems to have passed. I even saw “Up The Villa” carved into a Washington DC public toilet once

Noticed that as well

Any idea if the 3rd kit will be released with the home/away strips? Last year I think we had to wait an extra month or so to get a peek at Luke’s 3rd kit

The pictures make the badge look cheaply screen printed on. Same with the earlier picture of Jack in the black track top. Hopefully this isn’t an indication of what we’re actually getting.

Believe they’ve been putting out four away kits the last few seasons to promote Calcio Storico. The white/red/blue/green color schemes represent the 4 historic districts of Florence. Personally I think it’s a nice nod to the city, although this year’s designs are about as bland as a football shirt can be.

Perhaps the late 80s-esque split stripe pattern on the white one? Seems like it was commented on earlier in this thread as well

Figured now is the perfect time to join since Villa is coming to my home state. Excited to see my first Villa match and meet other local Villa fans. Sounds like the pregame festivities will be at Brits Pub, and the wife and I will be in section 109! Hoping to see Grealish make a brief appearance, perhaps someone more experienced in football than me can explain what the squad normally looks like for friendlies? Less than a month to go, UTV

Minnesota, USA Villan since 2013 here. Long time lurker, figured it would be a good time to create an account now that Villa is coming to play MN United in July