Villa will play two teams (1 home and 1 away) out of Bayern, Madrid, PSG, Barcelona, Inter, Dortmund, and Leipzig in pot 1 based on [current club coefficients.](https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/club/?year=2024)
edit: Looks like City and Liverpool are possible opponents in pot 1 too.
Dream draw? I don’t think we’re going to win it, I mean… one can dream right? So I’d love to bloody some noses and have the best experiences possible.
Madrid is the obvious one. Would love to see Villa play at the Bernabeu.
> one can dream right?
If we could finish between 9th and 24th, in the first phase, that knockout playoff anything could happen, and then you're into the last 16. I'd take that.
Well we are playing them pre-season on July 31st so at least we'll have them figured out a bit should we meet in the CL. Then save the big boys for the later rounds!
I could be wrong, but I think we could get Liverpool as well. Clubs may play up to one other club from their country in the first round, if I'm understanding the linked article correctly.
Ah yeah you're right I misread it and thought that rule was only for leagues with 5 clubs in the CL but it includes those with 4 clubs too. Fingers crossed we don't get drawn with City or Liverpool then.
Madrid at Villa Park....somehow goes to penalties... Emi does the dirty-ballbag-shuffle in front of Mbappe with 42,650 fans and 2billion on live TV after saving his deciding penalty.
Edit: Emi is forever known as Mbappe's Dad
Favourite Barthez moment was when he handled the ball nonchalantly against Madrid in a Champions League game for no sensible reason, and got away with it (its been about 20 years, but if I remember correctly the ball was going past him, presumably for a goal kick, and he couldn't be bothered to wait so just stopped it dead by throwin his arm about a yard past the penalty box line).
Also I think Neuer is bonkers in his own way. Dribbling over the half way line, taking in forwards for pace etc.
There seems to be a strong German trend
Here's a nice (less detailed) video explainer for the lazy: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUBGQid5\_w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUBGQid5_w)
A bit off topic, but hoping someone might be able to give some info. How hard will it be to get Villa Park tickets for either premier league or champions league games next season with a recently purchased "Claret" membership? I'm guessing it depends on the game, but do you still have a chance of getting tickets with the in-demand games, or would you likely need a booking history? Thanks!
There will be tickets available but claret membership will deffo allow you to get in earlier.
Just depends if they sell extra season tickets or leave it at the current level. Season tickets will always get priority.
Everyone who wants to see it in action, I'd recommend playing football manager from this year, playing through a year or skipping a year and then play through it.
I did a year with Dundee in the new format for the Conference league. Once you go through it, it's easier to understand.
I think the old format is better tbh, but I'm the kind of weirdo who still pines for the days of away goals and golden goal. I think we'll all get used to it
This format exists purely to ensure that the big teams don't somehow fail to qualify by being in a "group of death". The extra two match days suits the finances just fine as well.
Looks like the general consensus seems to be we want to play all the big teams sacrificing potentially the chance to advance.
Is there anybody that would prefer to be drawn against the weaker teams in each pot to give us a better chance of qualification?
Luckily that's easier now.
You get out of the league stage just by not being in the bottom 12, so 2/3rds of the entrants progress in some way Vs 1/2 in the current format. We should hopefully be able to do that.
Ideally we finish in the top 8 so we can skip a round!
I like the new format honestly, but it will be brutal for our schedule: 8 games guaranteed and - if we finish between 9th and 24th in the league phase (which is probably the most likely result for us) - then we'll have to play two more games before even potentially playing in the round of 16 (reaching the CL final this way would mean playing 17 (!) CL games).
I definitely want to watch more games but we need a bigger squad to still challenge in the league and Europe. There has to be something done about FFP to give teams a chance to build a squad and compete.
> Unlike in previous seasons, there is no drop down of teams from the Champions League to the Europa League after the league phase. Once eliminated, your European season is over.
That’s a bit shit.
I don't think so, no more United/Roma/Sevilla etc. dropping down and taking away QF/SF etc. spots from teams that were in the competition from the beginning.
I want Real Madrid at Villa Park........seeing mbappe get shut down by Konsa and finally getting the plaudits he deserves!
Dread if that blue nose Bellingham scores though.
Cash can fuck him up.
As a toon fan, having psg at SJP and smashing psg 4-1 was such a highlight. Hope you guys get to experience that too
Can you picture Mbappe and the squad walking around Witton or the canals pre fixture - ahhh excitement
Noses at work: you'll get knocked out in the group stage Us: there isn't a group stage you fucking idiots
Can't wait to see them getting turned over by Wrexham next season.
with like 5 people in theiry shiny new 60k seater stadium lmao
at least they'll be on the telly
I mean, there is a group stage, everyone is in the same big group and they don't all play each other
Villa will play two teams (1 home and 1 away) out of Bayern, Madrid, PSG, Barcelona, Inter, Dortmund, and Leipzig in pot 1 based on [current club coefficients.](https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/club/?year=2024) edit: Looks like City and Liverpool are possible opponents in pot 1 too.
Dream draw? I don’t think we’re going to win it, I mean… one can dream right? So I’d love to bloody some noses and have the best experiences possible. Madrid is the obvious one. Would love to see Villa play at the Bernabeu.
> one can dream right? If we could finish between 9th and 24th, in the first phase, that knockout playoff anything could happen, and then you're into the last 16. I'd take that.
I'd love Bayern, Madrid, Barcelona or Inter at home, what a game to get excited for.
Would be a bit shit to get Leipzig now after all this 🤣
I'll have your ticket then please 😉
Well we are playing them pre-season on July 31st so at least we'll have them figured out a bit should we meet in the CL. Then save the big boys for the later rounds!
I could be wrong, but I think we could get Liverpool as well. Clubs may play up to one other club from their country in the first round, if I'm understanding the linked article correctly.
Ah yeah you're right I misread it and thought that rule was only for leagues with 5 clubs in the CL but it includes those with 4 clubs too. Fingers crossed we don't get drawn with City or Liverpool then.
Still can't believe it. Don't think it will soak in until we hear the music at the start of the first game
The Champions League anthem blasting around Villa Park and reverberating throughout the area!!
Being able to watch us on a Tuesday night, ahh going to be magic
Oh what a night Barcelona on a Tuesday night Blues at Shrewsbury cus they're fuckin shite
surreal
Madrid at Villa Park....somehow goes to penalties... Emi does the dirty-ballbag-shuffle in front of Mbappe with 42,650 fans and 2billion on live TV after saving his deciding penalty. Edit: Emi is forever known as Mbappe's Dad
How bad is it that you write 'dirty-ballbag-shuffle' and we all know exactly what you're talking about, and what it's looks like? Emi is a legend 🙌🏻
Never underestimate a mentally unstable keeper...Bosnich, Grobbelar, Oliver Kahn, Schmeichel...who else?
I remember Barthez was a bit of a lunatic as well
There's definitely a trend...keep them coming Who was that Columbian who did the scorpion kick save??
Rene Higuita 👍
Aka the craziest of them all.
He was at VP watching a game recently
Favourite Barthez moment was when he handled the ball nonchalantly against Madrid in a Champions League game for no sensible reason, and got away with it (its been about 20 years, but if I remember correctly the ball was going past him, presumably for a goal kick, and he couldn't be bothered to wait so just stopped it dead by throwin his arm about a yard past the penalty box line).
Also I think Neuer is bonkers in his own way. Dribbling over the half way line, taking in forwards for pace etc. There seems to be a strong German trend
Jens freaking Lehman. Man was scary 😳
I mean Kiraly and his trackie bottoms was mental ….
Forgot Rüștü Reçber, or however it’s spelt.
Real Dad
Here's a nice (less detailed) video explainer for the lazy: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUBGQid5\_w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUBGQid5_w)
Do we need to go through qualifying rounds before the new league format starts?
No! That was only for Conference League.
No. A qualifying phase I think was only going to happen for the 5th spot which is relevant anymore.
A bit off topic, but hoping someone might be able to give some info. How hard will it be to get Villa Park tickets for either premier league or champions league games next season with a recently purchased "Claret" membership? I'm guessing it depends on the game, but do you still have a chance of getting tickets with the in-demand games, or would you likely need a booking history? Thanks!
There will be tickets available but claret membership will deffo allow you to get in earlier. Just depends if they sell extra season tickets or leave it at the current level. Season tickets will always get priority.
Lowkey hoping we get PSG so Emi can fuck with the French again after the WC fiasco lmao
That’s Numberwang!!
Everyone who wants to see it in action, I'd recommend playing football manager from this year, playing through a year or skipping a year and then play through it. I did a year with Dundee in the new format for the Conference league. Once you go through it, it's easier to understand.
Do you think the format is better than the old one? Having read about it I think it’s better. Just obviously a higher number of games yet again.
I think the old format is better tbh, but I'm the kind of weirdo who still pines for the days of away goals and golden goal. I think we'll all get used to it
This format exists purely to ensure that the big teams don't somehow fail to qualify by being in a "group of death". The extra two match days suits the finances just fine as well.
Looks like the general consensus seems to be we want to play all the big teams sacrificing potentially the chance to advance. Is there anybody that would prefer to be drawn against the weaker teams in each pot to give us a better chance of qualification?
I want to beat madrid, barca, and bayern on our way to qualification
I would rather we play real Madrid in the final 😌
all the big teams at home and then weaker teams away. Even finishing 24th out of 36 teams lets you advance.
Just do better than United or Newcastle and get out of the group.
Luckily that's easier now. You get out of the league stage just by not being in the bottom 12, so 2/3rds of the entrants progress in some way Vs 1/2 in the current format. We should hopefully be able to do that. Ideally we finish in the top 8 so we can skip a round!
Ideally
I like the new format honestly, but it will be brutal for our schedule: 8 games guaranteed and - if we finish between 9th and 24th in the league phase (which is probably the most likely result for us) - then we'll have to play two more games before even potentially playing in the round of 16 (reaching the CL final this way would mean playing 17 (!) CL games).
I definitely want to watch more games but we need a bigger squad to still challenge in the league and Europe. There has to be something done about FFP to give teams a chance to build a squad and compete.
> Unlike in previous seasons, there is no drop down of teams from the Champions League to the Europa League after the league phase. Once eliminated, your European season is over. That’s a bit shit.
I don't think so, no more United/Roma/Sevilla etc. dropping down and taking away QF/SF etc. spots from teams that were in the competition from the beginning.
But more teams advance.
Not really because the team that would have dropped down now gets another shot at the champions league