Written by Damian Saturday, 05 December 2009 11:00
Well, that group England got was quite nice wasn't it? The thing is, England don't have a problem, generally, with getting through the group stage and I'm already quite annoyed with the way some of the press are covering this, but while I'll enjoy South Africa and the tournament, it's not Aston Villa and we have a match today, so it's much more important.
We play Hull today and they haven't won away from home all season. They've actually only picked up two points from a possible twenty-one, so we really should put this team to the wall today as they are not going to be confident.
I'm actually looking forward to today because we should win but also because O'Neill is going to start with Webcam, Milner and Downing and to do that, he has to change things around; I just hope he does it right. My fear is, he's going to try and accommodate players, rather than do what is best for the development of the players, the club and the football.
Don't get me wrong, we really should win this match, even if we were reduced to ten men after five minutes, I'd still be confident, so it will be really difficult for O'Neill to 'get it wrong', but rather than accommodate Heskey, I am a big fan of him playing a variation of 4-5-1 or to be very specific; 4-2-3-1. Get the best out of them.
But, like I said, he won't get it wrong today, but the point is, it shouldn't be chopped and changed all the time. O'Neill should pick a formation and have absolutely everyone throughout the entire club adopt it and everyone should learn how to play it. One day, O'Neill will start with Webcam, Milner and Downing sitting behind Gabby with Delph and maybe Petrov sitting in front of Colins and Dunne with Young and Warnock either side of them and he'll stick with it.
But, I'm waffling. The match today kicks off at 3pm. You can watch it here and we will be adding team news here and updating our Twitter page.
It will be quite exciting because mathematically we could go third, although it would mean us scoring quite a few goals, which we have already had this season so we know isn't going to happen again, but chances are good that we can go fourth.
Liverpool travel to Blackburn and Arsenal have stoke so we need two teams to do us a favour but everything is possible. For now, I'm off for breakfast, a shower and then a day listening to the radio before the football at 3. Updates as we get them.
Team News
Friedel, Young, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Webcam, Milner, Petrov, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor.
Subs: Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Delph, Beye, Clark, Guzan, Carew.
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rocky marciano
said:
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... hull have picked up some form lately so it probably won`t be a straightforward 5-0 but we should tonk em. 3-0,gabby,dunne and petrov at the right end  |
Nick
said:
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... I'm hoping it'll be a good game as its the first of my half-season ticket. Last years game was pretty dull, we didn't really try and only won 1-0, so hopefully Downing will start and give us the creativity to get a high scoring game. I wouldn't put it past Hull to score though. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...HT Sweden said: It's time for a tonking, and Hull fits the bill |
paul
said:
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... Please, Please , Please DO NOT bet on England to win the World Cup. Brazil and Spain are LIGHT YEARS ahead of us. we are 6/1 whilst Brazil are 11/2 and Spain 9/2. Take you pick out of Brazil or Spain and get your money on them,or both. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Given our propensity to be crap against rubbish teams coupled with the fact that everytime we've predicted a caning (Bolton apart) we haven't even got the win, I'm not predicting anything big. A very solid pair of feet on the ground for me, hence I'm going for a 1-0 to us and anything else will be a bonus. I won't mention what I'm hoping for  |
Steve Badger
said:
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...Please, Please , Please DO NOT bet on England to win the World Cup. Very negative, but sadly very true. Spain for me. |
GWADS
said:
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... here in oz.. we can have a choice of 5 live games at any time. 6 are kicking off at 3pm (uk time) and guess which ISN'T being made available  it always seems its villa who misses out! ARGH! anyway.. can anyone link me to a live steam for the match?? |
Damian
said:
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... england are a long way off some of the other teams .. but you never know ... i fancy they should get to eh quarter finals - with a bit of luck, but after that we will need a bit of luck too |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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... England to win the World Cup - no reason why not. Villa to thrash Hull 5 - 0 Courtesy of Emile 'the-hat-trick' Heskey |
Eoin Doyle
said:
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... I really hope MON starts with Ash, Milner and Downing today, it's a real exciting prospect, we should be beating these boys comfortably, but it never turns out like that. We can't let Bullard run the game either, cos I fear he will if we're not careful. And for McGrath's sake lads, play some football! As for the World Cup, being Irish I didn't even watch the draw. Couldn't care less, but it will hit hard next summer. England got a decent group though, and if it contains a few of the Villa boys I'll be backing them all the way. |
heskeyshead
said:
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... team news downing drops to the bench, sidwell replaces him carew drops to the bench with heskey replacing him. downing is not 100% match fit and came through 90 mins on tuesday. still unfit |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...Genital Grinder said: Yes indeed, it's like we've all started to believe in the MON master-plan. I sure hope he does actually have one. Imagine ? The Villa playing good football ? It doesn't bare thinking about |
PaulMcGrathsGoneAWOL
said:
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... Can anyone tell me how VIllaStreams is better than other free streaming services, myP2P for instance? |
Damian
said:
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... PaulMcGrathsGoneAWOL basically, you are pulling from a dedicated server with limited number of people pulling it whereas the free ones have thousands of people pulling also - the size that it is sent out (pixels wise) means you can full screen it |
nath888
said:
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... heskeyshead I hope you are right about carew and downing as I've just taken them out of my fantasy team and replaced carew with heskey and downing with benayoun (f knows how you soell it!)!! |
Avillafan
said:
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... COACH TRAVEL FOR BLACKBURN AWAY PRICES FROM £14 - £20 For more info: http://www.avillafan.com/forum...st&p=37998 I have permission from damo for this advert. |
Joe Cormell
said:
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... Freidal L.Young-------Collins-------Dunne--------Warnock A.young-------------Petrov---------------Downing Milner Carew----------------Agbonalhor My team predication against hull today |
Adey Stuttard
said:
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... I'm dreading a tight game with a 1-0 squeeze to Villa, however just a clean sheet would be the first objective, when was the last one.......!! If we come out on fire then I can see it being all over by half time, 3-0 to Villa, don;t care who scores, although Milner is in my fantasy teams! |
tubbydunne
said:
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... Play this ---------------Fridel----------------- Young---Ceullar----Dunne-------Warnock Young---Milner-----Petrov-----Downing ----------Heskey--Gabby-------------- and we will win 2-0 If Sidwell or Coker start quality will be reduced and we will struggle and maybe just get a draw. The above line out doesn't give much cover to the back four, but that shouldn't bother us at home versus Hull |
doubledown9
said:
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... Morning all Southgate and Yorke on Footie Focus, rooting for the Villa in the League Cup. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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... heskeyshead; what are you saying ? It doesn't make sense How is he not fit if he played the whole game midweek ? MON isn't the Fat Spanish Waiter you know. |
Deano-avfc
said:
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... We will batter Hull today 3 or 4 nil. I cant see them scoring and once we get a goal a few more will follow. I can see Milner and Ashley getting a goal today along with Carew and Gabby. I'd like to see Carew starting,I prefer him over Emile, Its funny though how people change their views, one minute he's the most hated person at VP (behind Sidders) next he's starting everyones Team on here. I'd love Fabian to get a run out, not the last 20 mins either, if were 2.0 up at half time take Milner off and bring him on for a good 35-40 mins. UTV Anyone know any cheap accommodation at Wembley by the way? |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Tubby, The above line out doesn't give much cover to the back four, but that shouldn't bother us at home versus Hull That's the bit I don't get. It strikes me you'd have to pull one of the front men against anyone half decent, if you want to accomodate Ash, Jim and Stu, as that midfield looks lightweight, imo. Exchange Heskey for a Gerrard in the middle and it would look pretty useful though. But in our case, I'd go with Coker  |
RobL
said:
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... Hi guys, i'm another suffering australian looking for a free stream of the game, any hints? How we are the game not televised is beyond me. Any help greatly appreciated. UTV |
King VOGRA
said:
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... should beat Hull.....should beat Hull.....should beat Hull....... But these are the home games we falter on |
tubbydunne
said:
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... I know what your saying Badger and we did concede two goals against Portsmouth with that midfield and that's the danger but it also gives us our best chance of scoring and I think we can take the risk against the likes of Hull at home with this line up and get results. Id be worried against the better teams and long term Reo Coker is not the answer this is one position i'd love to see sorted has Eissein got a younger brother, i wish. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... It's not looking brilliant for links. This one is being suggested; http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch1.html But you might want to keep your eyes on this, in case anymore pop up; http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast....art=sports |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Could we see another Bolton type result/performance today? No reason why not in my mind, Hull are a poor team although it should be noted they're on quite a good run of form at the moment. Jimmy Bullard has almost single handedly overturned how they play ball, so we'll need to watch out for him. I fancy Heskey to start today, bit of a shame for Carew but he's far too inconsistent at the moment. Having said that, he was a monster against Bolton so I don't see why he couldn't repeat that performance today. Would also love to see Downing and Young on the wings, with Milner partnering Petrov in the middle. Has to be 4-4-2 today, anything else would be far too negative against a weak Hull side. |
BaltimorePete
said:
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... Downing will not start.MON has said he's not fully fit. Hopefully Heskey to play and some of the young lads are on the bench |
Villa4Life11
said:
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... Jimmy Bullard just won the Premier League Player of the Month for November. And if anyone thinks that Hull won't be coming into this game confident, you're crazy. Hull havent lost in over a month and this could be a tough match. With that said...VILLA 3-1 HULL |
Sean
said:
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... If you can get more than 20 mins viewing time from thst Iraqgoals link I'll walk around college with a blues jersey on monday... Honestly I will |
Damian
said:
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... Friedel, Young, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Webcam, Milner, Petrov, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor. Subs: Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Delph, Beye, Clark, Guzan, Carew. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Cracking looking team, fantastic to see Warnock back as well. Anyone know when Collins will be back? |
Edward Riordan
said:
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... It worked against pompey altho they were quite poor but I'm 100% sure it will work again today and I feel another big score coming our way. 4-0 Milner, Webcam and Downing all to score again UTV |
jc_villa
said:
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... cant wait for the match. Really want to see how Milner, Young and Downing swap positions. Did they keep swapping for the Portsmouth game? |
Alex Glynn
said:
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... Saw the team and bought a VillaStreams pass thing for a day. Glad downings playing and I'd love Delph to get a go today! Can't believe I'm syaing this but thank god heskey's starting not carew! ps. new to all this: villastreams is showing how i met your mother at the moment, is that right? |
doubledown9
said:
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... I'm on Villa Streams using a Mac and seem to only be able to get Audio, any ideas? |
jc_villa
said:
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... no the quality is usually pretty decent. They say on the villa streams site that they're trying to fix it. |
Eoin Doyle
said:
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... hmmmmmm no links at all yet. Iraq goals is showing the Wigan game now. Fox Soccer had all games on viewers choice except the Villa one. Wtf? |
Steve Badger
said:
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... 3 & 4 church. It's tits up. Looked encrypted to me and I'll doubt we'll get it today |
jerry
said:
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... Thanks badge. Iraqgoals is showing the blues and ,ironically, the feed is good. bollox! |
Doug4ever
said:
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... Got sound but no picture on http://p2p4u.net/watch-live-sports.php?id=9427&link=1 |
heskeyshead
said:
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... villastreams is a con. its just the same links as iraqgoals, atdhe. just on a private server so not as many leechers. |
John Flynn
said:
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... The Team loooks good, but i would have Delph in and Heskey out.. snd play 4-5-1.! |
fastbackace
said:
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... so i payed for the villa streem but it says it cant be reached... is everyone else's working fine??> |
fastbackace
said:
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... anyone got any links?? audio? vid?? im 4000 miles away from england... its hard to get villa on tv... lol |
heskeyshead
said:
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... i think that could be it for bullard. mentally hard for someone to come back again. 16 months out, then 4 months out. |
doubledown9
said:
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... Villa Streams is a joke, first time I use it and its down. No Villa streams and I cant get any of the other games either. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Great were winning but I feel sorry for Bullard, good guy, hope that isn't it for him... |
Werner Olsen
said:
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...Anyone getting villa streams to work??? £1.50 well spent smilies/sad.gifdid the same  |
Tim Hillman
said:
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... What a joke, Oh well my £1.50 seems a bit petty after it looks like Bullards footy career is over! |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Villa Streams is usually very reliable, I've not had it go down completely like this before. Anyone saying stay away has either never used it properly or doesn't know how to use it. |
Deano-avfc
said:
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... Villastreams? it has the liverpool and united games on but no villa. £1.50 well spent by all. Sort it out Damian. We should all get the next game for free. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Audio link via the Villa link on this page - http://www.atdhe.net/ at the moment |
Damian
said:
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... This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it :8000/stream.nsv' rel='nofollow'>http://user: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it :8000/stream.nsv use that link above with vlc or something. open a network stream |
Damian
said:
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... deano - it is nothing to do with me - but if you want, i'll never tell you anything about aston villa related services on the web again? |
Deano-avfc
said:
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... We all know Villastreams is your site you arrogant git, dont bother blocking me I wont be back, you are a to55er |
Damian
said:
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... young hits i long .. keeper ocmes out to head the ball out. gabby takes quick throw in .. keeper is running back into goal. james milner lobs it over the keeper long ball football maybe works? |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Damnian, where do you set the buffering options in VLC? The picture is jumpy as hell. |
Damian
said:
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... vivavilla at the bottom. you have the option for advanced options; increase the cahce |
Damian
said:
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... Deano-avfc funny lad .. it isn't my site and i have absolutely nothing to do with it. you can decide to believe that or not - you clearly don't |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...Badger said: Ha ha ha ha ha We've found his best position ! |
allblacks
said:
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... Yeah... £1.50 to watch pool and blackburn. Not sure why its called villa links lol. Someones laughing all the way to the bank |
Damian
said:
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... for those listening .. heskey is dropping back in midfield - basically when defending, he is getting involved very deep. doing a lot of work. he wont be able to keep it up but its a good work ethic milner and young are swapping about a bit |
Damian
said:
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... allblacks do you have winamp or vlc? if you do - watch the game on the link provided above - it is working fine for me - just not with the player |
heskeyshead
said:
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... like i said earlier, someone is just leeching the existing links and its through a private paid for server so it doesnt lag. never pay for a service like this. you could afford sky if you paid £1.50 a game. |
jerry
said:
Damian
said:
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... downing is now operating on the right. he just got a fairly decent cross in there that deflected out to young who just hit over |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... irish_villain, I'm trying the tvants link but it just says please wait while buffering and never does anything? am I missing something?? |
Brian Kavanagh
said:
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... i closed it and re opened it through the tv ants program and its working now Dan |
ollie_villa
said:
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... how do you get this link working This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it :8000/stream.nsv' rel='nofollow'>http://user: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it :8000/stream.nsv i have VLC. but no idea on anything else. |
Damian
said:
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... half time. thank steve sidwell for the 2nd goal and he isn't even on the pitch we have been pretty decent but we are playing against a team that look awful, really bad |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Irish_Villain, sorry for being think but where do you put the link in the tvants prog, I know what you mean I think but can see anywhere to paste the link I get from Myp2p, cheers. |
Brian Kavanagh
said:
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... when you close the video window, the program should pop up and then just find euro soccer 4 on the list and double click |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Ash has had 6 or 7 crosses and hasn't beat the first man. Comment on 1152 gold. |
Paul Theiss
said:
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... In defense of Ash, he put Heskey through with a great ball, but Heskey flubed the finish. |
sanantoniovillan
said:
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... the link on villastreams works if you paid for it. just download winamp and plug in the url. there are instructions on the site. now i got a great stream |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Deano, Put your dummy back in mate. It isn't Damian's site. If you send them a mail, I have no doubt they'll give you the next game. No one is showing the stream mate, you can't blame anybody for that. And it normally very good. I'd suggest you owe Damian an apology, which I'm sure he'll accept, as we all know how frustrating it is. Villastreams? it has the liverpool and united games on but no villa. |
fastbackace
said:
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... ok, guide me through this, i clicked the link, up came a page blank, saying to open using something. i clicked winmp o however u spell it. now its downloading... next idea? |
heskeyshead
said:
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... we will see our teams determination and quality second half. geovanni will come on and hull will come at us more. they have nothing to lose from that first half. will villa retreat and hold onto the 2-0 lead? id like to see another early goal with sustained pressure and then give delph a run out - swap him for downing and get milner back on the left. carew for heskey at 70 mins. |
sanantoniovillan
said:
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... fastbackace http://www.villastreams.com/winamp.php go to that link it explains everything for you |
Super Villain
said:
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... I'm interested tp know peoples opinions on this one. There is a lot of talk on here about if MON is the right man for the job so if we win the Carling cup will he then be??? |
sanantoniovillan
said:
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... fastbrake make ure you download everuthing on that page after u plug in the url...pres play and it should start to buffer and when its buffered to 100% the video just comes up...thats what it did for me...and then i full screened it |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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... Think I'll just watch Match of the Day and catch the highlights on the OS - it's less stressful. |
Eoin Doyle
said:
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... On the Tv Ants black screen, if you right click and go to Properties and copy the location, you can play it through VLC or another player. It works a bit better than TVants for me, but still stopping a bit. |
Damian
said:
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... I mean no disrespect to Hull, but this game is over. THey are offering very little going forward, despite having most of it so far this half ... |
Michael
said:
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... we shoudl puch on and get 3, 4 or 5 - we have enough attacking quality on the pitch - maybe time for carew? |
fastbackace
said:
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... thanks guys... but i give up. ive downloaded everything. and did the password username for links, tried them... i give up. but espn gamecast says we have 50% possession...is this true?? in the first half it said we had 60% hope we dont half tott second half coming back at us. |
Damian
said:
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... if you want my advice. to stop jumping etc. get smplayer from here: http://www.mplayerhq.hu/design7/dload.html it is the top one and the one they recommend |
Damian
said:
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... Carew coming on for Heskey. You watch now - Carew will score - perfect impact player! |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...vivavilla said: keep posting - I'm following the match from your posts |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Pancho, try this if you can, its commentry and hasn't faltered the whole second half http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hullcityafc |
fastbackace
said:
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... everyone watching the game post more... lol give me an image... should i be happy at the villa team i see...? |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Why thankyou Pancho  Incidentally, I'd been calling for Carew to take the penalties for a while now, so I'm delighted he converted that. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Luke Young and Warnock have both been superb today, their tackling has been top notch. |
Alex Glynn
said:
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... We're doing some lovely passing at the back there. That's something to continue. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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... Are we on a run ? We can see the whites of the Liverpool eyes But the other dripping fangs of City and Spurs are circling too there will be some heavy blood-letting will we be top dog ? |
fastbackace
said:
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... couldnt see the game, so i cant have anything to really say besides we finally got that elusive 3rd goal. maybe now we'll get that mindset to finish teams lower than us. roll on to arsenal! |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Villa biker, I had to go and listen on the radio mate. According to Pat Heard, it was another game of two halves. Good first, not so good second. Sounded like Hull were dogshit. Well, 3 goals, 3 points and a win. That'll do for me. Oh Jimmy MOM |
Chris Harper
said:
 |
... Nice post John. Its good to hear everyone's stories so I thought I would chip in with my penny's worth. I was 6 years old playing in the street when my mate 2 years older said he was a Villa fan. That was the beginning for me. It was a painful beginning however, as his older brother, 4 years older than me and a Man U fan, chased me around the street, caught me, then ordered me to say 'I support Man U' whilst clamping my head at the temples with his big knuckles. I stayed strong and had to tell a white lie, until he let me go at least! Long live Aston Villa! |
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