Manchester United take on Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, so I took the opportunity to catch up with Stuart from AVillaFan.com. He’s been a season ticket holder at Villa Park for 24 years.
As you can expect, Stuart is excited about the new era under Unai Emery. I’m not an admirer of how his teams play football but it’s effective and he is one of the most recognised names in modern management. The appointment was a huge statement from Villa.
I was also keen to ask about Steven Gerrard… who didn’t do much to impress Stuart or other Villa fans before getting sent his marching orders. No sympathy from these corners!
Anyhow, I hope you enjoy our chat to preview Thursday night’s game.
Dale: Unai Emery got the dream start with a win over United in the league. Are you happy with the appointment?
Stuart: “Very happy with the appointment. I don’t feel Villa have had a manager of this calibre during my life time. Martin O’Neill came close and we always felt we could beat anyone during his days but tactically Emery is very good. Dean Smith was very good for us at the right time. We needed someone to unite the club again and he did just that.
“Since his appointment I have watched many videos and read many articles about how he does things. Obviously with every appointment, there comes a risk but I am of the belief that we need to back him all the way now. We will have ups and downs but hopefully, long term, we will finally start to stabilise ourselves back where we belong (in my eyes), in the top half of the Premier League.”
Dale: Villa sacked Steven Gerrard before appointing Emery. Tell us, as a fan, how bad it got before the axe was thrown?
Stuart: “I was always sceptical with Gerrard’s appointment. I always believed he won the league in Scotland when Celtic were in self destruct mode with Neil Lennon.
“Having said that, as with all managers, we backed him. The problem was, Gerrard spoke a very good game but had his favourites and was way to Stubborn tactically. He asked for his own transfer window and pre-season but even with our game against you in Australia, it was clear that we hadn’t changed.
“Some Villa fans would have had him gone earlier than he did go but I believe his relationship with Christian Purslow gave him more time. The only sad thing is, it feels like another potentially dead rubber season.”
Dale: Where does the Carabao Cup come in your list of priorities this season?
Stuart: “Villa should have enough to not worry about relegation (famous last words) so winning a cup is high up on the agenda.
“We haven’t won a trophy since 1996 (I was too young to realise how lucky we were) so from my point of view, I’d love to see Emi Martinez lifting a trophy at Wembley again.
“I often thing, fans at the so called bigger clubs take it for granted. I will never forget when Arsenal beat us with ease in the final a few years back and they had more fans outside Wembley than Villa, while their side was lifting the trophy.”
Dale: How has Ashley Young played since returning to Villa Park?
Stuart: “Ashley has settled back in like he was never away. It’s never easy to see a player leave but he left to win things and he did that with yourselves and Inter so no real hard feelings on that front.
“We are very happy to have him back and many would like to see him stick around once his playing days are over.
“Villa have (in my eyes) always been a pushover side. With Ashley back around, we have that ‘s**thouse’ mentality back at the club which all clubs need in my opinion.”
Dale: Finally, do you think Villa can upset United for the second time in five days?
Stuart: “I hope we can but we are not foolish enough to think it will be a walk in the park. You have a good manager and also going through transition. Emery got it spot on tactically the weekend. It will be interesting to see what happens when both lock horns again at Old Trafford.
“There are more than 7,000 Villa fans travelling up so they will certainly have the backing!”
