My Old Man Said - An Aston Villa Podcast
My Old Man Said is a smart and humorous look at Aston Villa and the football world beyond.This Podcast has been created and uploaded by My Old Man Said and is a part of the talkSPORT Fan Network. The views in this Podcast are not necessarily the views of talkSPORT.Support the show on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/momsFollow @myoldmansaid on social media channels.#AVFC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Unai Emery Attempts Final Boss Mission After Player Reboot Miracles
After a wild week that swung from European frustration to domestic delight, Aston Villa head to Anfield to face Liverpool in what feels like the “final boss” test, after beating Spurs and Manchester City in recent weeks.
In this episode, we look at Villa’s evolving mentality under Unai Emery, the re-engineering of Matty Cash into a right-back goal machine, and whether Villa’s defence can stand up to Liverpool’s bruised but dangerous attack.
There’s also discussion on Arne Slot’s wobble, Liverpool’s long-ball problem, and how the likes of Gravenberch and...
No Fear Football: How Unai Emery Outsmarted Pep Guardiola
Villa Park witnessed another Unai Emery masterclass as Aston Villa produced a performance of tactical brilliance to beat Manchester City for the third consecutive time at Villa Park.
In this week’s My Old Man Said, David Michael, Chris Budd and Phil Shaw break down how Villa controlled the champions, ghosted Haaland, and played out from the back with Harlem Globetrotter-level confidence.
From Matty Cash’s grass-cutting finish to Pau Torres’ ice-cold passing, the trio dissect how Emery’s control culture has flipped Villa fortunes this season - and what comes next with Liverpool...
Villa Half-Arsed in Holland, Fired-Up for City
After five straight wins, Aston Villa’s European dream hit turbulence in Deventer - as Go Ahead Eagles clipped the Villans’ wings.
In this Something for the Weekend edition of My Old Man Said, David Michael and Chris Budd dissect how Villa managed to make a mess of a winnable tie and what it tells us ahead of Manchester City’s visit to Villa Park.
From the strange lethargy in Holland to Emery’s squad rotation gamble, we pick apart what went wrong, who’s to blame, and how Villa can bounce back with a statem...
Emery’s Harlem Globetrotters: BuendĂa’s Redemption to Mr Plan B
After a fifth straight win, the My Old Man Said crew bask in the glory of Villa’s gritty away triumph at Spurs - or as one listener put it, “Stoke City in a spaceship.”
We dissect the new blue-collar Spurs, BuendĂa’s resurrection arc, and Emery’s latest tactical masterclass - while also diving headfirst into the off-pitch chaos that’s gripped Villa Park: from the political circus around the Maccabi Tel Aviv away fan ban to the weekly merch drops that seem to matter more than the football.
Also in this packed s...
Emery’s Reset and Villa’s Best European Away Days
From Warsaw to Rotterdam, and every airport bar in between - Aston Villa’s European adventures have reignited something special among the fanbase. Unai Emery is currently enjoying his eighteenth consecutive season in European competition, but is he likely to continue the run at Villa?
In this episode of the My Old Man Said podcast , David Michael and Chris Budd, are joined by the returning Max Stokes of Villa on Tour to look back at Villa’s start to the season so far, and reflect on Villa's best European trips of the past three seasons.
Being Unai Emery: Guillem Balagué on Villa’s Spanish Revolution
When journalist and author Guillem Balagué arrived in England in 1991, there were only 13 foreign players in the Premier League. Three decades later, Spanish minds are shaping its future — and none more intriguingly than Unai Emery at Aston Villa.
In this face-to-face interview recorded inside the changing rooms of Biggleswade United, the ninth-tier club where Balagué is chairman, My Old Man Said takes the conversation far beyond the touchline. From Emery’s obsession with control and structure to the Spanish influence redefining English football, Balagué opens up about a year spent shadowing Villa’s manager for his new book The Ris...
Villa Back on Track: Rotterdam Highs and Burnley Business
After a winning week that took Aston Villa from the chaos of Rotterdam to the comfort of Villa Park, My Old Man Said returns to make sense of it all.
From the surreal experience of being herded behind Perspex to watch Villa play Feyenoord to the sight of Napalm Death on the flight home, the European trip had everything - but most importantly, it reminded fans what Unai Emery’s Villa can be when fully switched on.
Back on home soil, Burnley offered the perfect chance to consolidate that rhythm. Wit...
Villa Crisis Over? Watkins Strikes and Buendia Breaks Record
Aston Villa finally got their first league win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Villa Park - but is this the turning point or just a temporary lift?
In this week’s My Old Man Said podcast, we break down a game that went from frustration to relief. From Watkins snapping his seven-hour league goal drought, to Buendia’s record-breaking six-minute cameo of a goal and assist.
We also ask the big questions: has Pau Torres unlocked Villa’s true identity for Emery? Are new arrivals like Elliott and Sancho...
Watkins Wastefulness, Europa League Reality & Why Villa Can’t Afford to Slip vs Fulham
Aston Villa might have beaten Bologna in Europe, but the cracks are still showing. In this Something for the Weekend edition of the My Old Man Said podcast, we break down the limp Europa League performance, the flat atmosphere at Villa Park, and why ticket prices are killing the buzz.
We dive into Unai Emery’s squad choices, the ongoing questions around recruitment, and whether Ollie Watkins can really be trusted to deliver when it matters most. With Fulham next at Villa Park, history says this should be three points - but for the first time und...
Lazy Villa Create Identity Crisis for Emery
Two games unbeaten, but it hardly feels like a run worth celebrating. Against ten-man Sunderland, Aston Villa had over an hour to assert themselves and still contrived to look second best. Unai Emery called it “lazy” - and for once, the word fits.
From powder-puff defending that gifted the Black Cats an equaliser, to attacking play that never once forced their keeper into panic, Villa’s performance was a rancid watch. Possession stats may look healthy, but the reality was lethargic movement, predictable patterns, and wasted opportunities.
This week’s My Old Man Said Podc...
Villa Reality Check: Meltdowns & Black Cats
The weekend brings a trip to the Stadium of Light and with it, plenty for Villa fans to chew over.
In this Something for the Weekend edition of the My Old Man Said podcast, we tackle the mini-meltdown around Aston Villa’s start to the season and ask whether patience is already in short supply.
From the Carabao Cup exit to questions over Emery’s squad strategy, we get into why the noise around “Emery Out” is nonsense, and why context matters when judging the bigger picture.
We also look ahead to S...
Deadlock at the Dock: Villa Reset or Flatline
In this latest post-match show, the My Old Man Said team reflect on the 0-0 draw at Everton and the growing sense that Villa’s early-season struggles are less about bad luck - and more about a tactical identity crisis.
We also catch up with the latest Villa news, including the League Cup defeat against Brentford and beers at Villa Park while watching a match.
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Sancho, Martinez & a Right-Side Reckoning: Villa’s Litmus Test?
As the dust settles on the international break, Villa are back in action - but are they back in business? This episode of Something for the Weekend dives deep into an important clash at Everton’s new home, with plenty to prove and plenty to fix.
With the Grealish narrative dominating the headlines, Villa fans will be more interested in what new loanees Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliot can bring to the party.
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A Look at Approved Villa Park North Stand Plans and Europa League Draw
With Birmingham Council recently approving plans for the latest North Stand redevelopment at Villa Park, we take a look at the documentation and discuss the details. Also, we look back at Aston Villa's Europa League draw.
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The Big Aston Villa Summer Transfer Verdict
After a chaotic start to the season and a quiet transfer window (until the very last day), have Villa done enough to keep pace with their ambitions?
In this episode, we go deep on:
Villa’s Sluggish Start: Predictability, PSR Excuses & Expensive Benchwarmers
The new Premier League season promised a fresh push for Champions League places, but two games in and Villa are yet to score. In the latest episode of the My Old Man Said podcast, we dive into the concerning signs already emerging.
Villa’s limp 1-0 defeat at Brentford felt all too familiar — predictability in attack, questionable tactical tweaks, and a severe lack of aggression or width. Despite boasting over 75% possession, Emery’s side struggled to break down a Brentford team who’ve promoted their set piece coach as manager and had key players stripped out over the...
Clean Sheets & Cutbacks: Villa Continue Unbeaten Home Record but Have Concerns
Aston Villa kicked off their season with a goalless draw against Newcastle, but behind the clean sheet lies a more intriguing story - one of financial recalibration, tactical caution, and squad transition.
In this episode, we dive into the key takeaways from the Villa Park stalemate, including:
Mings Unites Football as Villa Find Their Pulse Before Newcastle Showdown
As Aston Villa gear up for the 2025/26 Premier League opener against Newcastle, the latest My Old Man Said podcast dives into everything that’s gone down in a spicy pre-season finale.
From the emergence of summer signing Guessand and the Buendia conundrum, to the practical madness of DNA sprays and rule tweaks that’ll reshape the season—David, Phil, and Chris dissect it all. The trio also touch on Mings’ unlikely moment of unity against Marseille, the club’s clever (if forced) moves in the French market, and what Villa’s average attendance says about their historical sta...
Villa’s Crazy Train Rolls On – But Are They on Track?
The My Old Man Said crew dissect Villa’s pre-season US tour and ask some uncomfortable questions: Have we seen this defensive script before? Is BuendĂa fading into the background? And just how worried should we be about what’s brewing down the road at St. Andrew’s (or whatever you call it nowadays)?
Plus, lots, lots, more.
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Villa’s Soul for Sale? UEFA Limits, Ozzy Tributes & Will Fans do Anything About Pricing?
From the emotional tributes to Birmingham's own Ozzy Osbourne to the pressing concerns over rising ticket prices, this episode unpacks the complex dynamics shaping Aston Villa's current quiet summer. The arrival of goalkeeper Bizot is a plus, while Kamara's new contract, after a period of uncertainty, is a big step in the right direction.
Key highlights:
Tune in to this...
Emery’s Budget Balancing Act – Can Villa Still Level Up Despite UEFA Restraints?
As Aston Villa got wrapped over the knuckles by UEFA, after a gamble on high wages led to mixed success. All eyes are on how Unai Emery can take this team to the next level, while working within the financial restrictions that the club now face. We look at the avenues available to Villa in terms of players to be offloaded to ease the financial handbrake, UEFA's punishment, while catching up on the latest happenings at the club.
Outside of Villa, we look back at the Black Sabbath and Oasis concerts and delve into the latest...
Emery’s Next Move – Squad Evolution & the Silverware Question
In this deep-dive episode of the My Old Man Said podcast, David Michael is joined by Chris Budd and Phil Shaw to assess what’s next for Aston Villa as they gear up for a new season. With questions from listeners providing the spark, the hosts cover everything from summer transfer rumblings to squad ambitions and potential silverware.
There’s a humorous detour through Dua Lipa’s setlists, dark arts nostalgia, and Emery's chances of landing success. Plus, updates on Real Oviedo’s La Liga return and the off-season’s biggest conspiracy theories.
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You Asked, We Answered - Villa Park Identity and How do Villa get to the Next Level?
It's time for long awaited Mad Few (remember Steve Bruce's quote?) question and answers session. From Villa Park Identity and the next steps for the club, to recent goings on's - we answer My Old Man Said listener questions.
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Goals, Goodbyes & Transfer Clues - What Villa Must Fix This Summer
The dust has barely settled on another rollercoaster Villa season, but the My Old Man Said podcast crew aren’t retreating to their deck chairs just yet.
In this first Post-Season Main Show, David, Chris, and Phil take stock of what truly defined Villa's 2024/25 campaign - from the heartache of Old Trafford to Europa League qualification… and the goals that didn’t come. If you're wondering what went wrong, what might happen next, and who’s already being mentioned for the summer transfer window, this one’s for you.
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Spineless at the Theatre of Nightmares – Villa’s Big Stage Flop & What Comes Next
Another Old Trafford nightmare. Another high-stakes moment squandered.
In this brutally honest My Old Man Said Podcast reaction episode, David, Chris and Phil try to make sense of Aston Villa’s limp final-day showing against Manchester United. With Champions League hopes dashed and only themselves to blame, it’s time for a hard look at mentality, Emery’s tactical control obsession, and what the future holds — because this summer could now define the next few years of the club.
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Old Trafford or Bust – Villa’s Final Push for the Champions League
This is it. Villa’s season-defining finale. One last game at the 'Theatre of Nightmares' stands between Unai Emery’s side and Champions League football.
In this Something For The Weekend episode of the My Old Man Said Podcast, David and Chris look ahead to the trip to Old Trafford, where the stakes couldn’t be higher. Can Villa take care of business in a stadium that’s haunted them for decades? And will Forest do their part against Chelsea?
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Villa’s Final Test – One Game from the Champions League Dream
After an 18-game unbeaten home run and a tactical dismantling of Spurs, Aston Villa now stand 90 minutes from Champions League qualification. All eyes turn to Old Trafford - Villa's Theatre of Nightmares - for one last push to seal Unai Emery’s finest season at the club yet.
In this episode of the My Old Man Said Podcast, David, Chris and Phil dissect Villa’s calm and confident win over Spurs, reflect on the late-season form surge, and preview what promises to be a high-stakes final day at Manchester United.
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Villa Park Finale – Spurs Showdown and Fight for Europe
The stakes are clear. Two games to go. Villa don't hold their destiny in their hands, but their hopes start with finishing the job against Tottenham - a team they owe after recent hidings.
In this Something for the Weekend episode of the My Old Man Said Podcast, David and Chris discuss the setup for a potentially weakened Spurs side, what Emery’s line-up might look like without Tielemans and Rashford, and the broader context of what’s becoming a high-stakes Champions League shootout.
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Still in the Race – Villa’s Bournemouth Breakthrough & Champions League Countdown
Aston Villa’s narrow win over Bournemouth may not have been a classic, but it could prove crucial in the race for Champions League qualification. In this episode of the My Old Man Said Podcast, David, Chris and Phil reflect on a hard-fought three points and unpack what it all means for Villa’s top-four hopes — with just two games to go.
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Cherry Pressure – Bournemouth Clash, Ticket Leaks & North Stand Redesign Insights
It’s crunch time for Villa. Ahead of a potentially defining clash against Bournemouth, My Old Man Said's David and Chris break down why this is a must-win game to keep Champions League hopes alive - and why anything less than three points would make the remaining fixtures irrelevant.
In this week’s Something for the Weekend, the MOMS duo also dive into:
Three Wins from Glory - But Can Wasteful Villa Finish the Job?
Aston Villa got the job done against Fulham, but not without reigniting some familiar frustrations - missed chances, wasteful set pieces, and Ollie Watkins finding himself top of a list no striker wants to lead.
In this episode of the My Old Man Said Podcast, David, Phil and Armen break down the Fulham win, the implications of Villa’s final three matches, and what’s at stake. From tactical gripes to ticket pricing creep, it’s a wide-ranging episode with a Champions League-shaped cloud hanging over everything.
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SFTW: Fulham or Bust – Villa’s Final Push for Top 5
Aston Villa’s season comes down to this. After a nightmare week that saw them crash out of the FA Cup and fall further behind in the race for the Champions League, Unai Emery’s men return to Villa Park knowing that anything but a win over Fulham could end it all.
In this episode of the My Old Man Said Podcast, David and Chris assess what went wrong at Wembley, what needs to change immediately, and how Villa can salvage their Champions League dream - starting with a must-win game against Fulham.
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From Wembley Wreck to Must-Win Mission – Villa’s Champions League Dream Hangs in the Balance
After one of the most deflating days in recent Villa memory at Wembley, Aston Villa have no time to sulk. With four Premier League games remaining, Unai Emery’s side must now win them all — starting with Fulham — if they want to avoid seeing their Champions League ambitions collapse.
In this episode of the My Old Man Said Podcast, David and Chris dig deep into the wreckage of the Palace FA Cup semi-final disaster, question the tactical and emotional letdown from all areas of the club, and take confidence from the Arsenal vs PSG Champions League semi-fi...
SFTW: Villa's North Stand and Wembley Reality
In the latest Something for the Weekend, we tackle the three main Aston Villa topics of the week. First of all, we look at the North Stand renovation at Villa Park, and then on the pitch, the loss at Manchester City and Villa's upcoming trip to Wembley.
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Villa's Champions League Hopes Hang in the Balance
After the clashes with Newcastle and Manchester City, Aston Villa's end of season destiny remains uncertain.
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Villa Park's Greatest Night… That Wasn’t - PSG, Pride & What Comes Next
What a night. What a performance. What a heartbreak.
Aston Villa are out of the Champions League, but after one of the most electric nights Villa Park has ever seen, Unai Emery’s side walk away with heads held high — and a new standard set.
David and Chris unpack the full fallout of a wild, unforgettable night under the lights as Villa fought back from the brink against Paris Saint-Germain, only to fall agonisingly short.
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Villa Are In the Fight – Champions League Push & a Defining Week Ahead
Aston Villa have done what few expected — four league wins on the bounce and back in the thick of the Champions League chase. After a composed win over Southampton and with huge clashes against PSG and Newcastle looming, this could be the most pivotal week in modern Villa history.
In this episode of the My Old Man Said Podcast, we reflect on the significance of the Southampton win, Emery’s selection strategy, and why Newcastle at Villa Park might just be the playoff for a Champions League spot.
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Nothing to Lose – Villa’s Do-or-Die Night Against PSG
With Villa Park set for a blockbuster European night, Aston Villa stare down the biggest challenge of their season: overturning a first-leg defeat to one of Europe’s most relentless teams, Paris Saint-Germain.
In this episode of the My Old Man Said Podcast, David and Chris go full throttle into what Villa must do — tactically, mentally, and emotionally — to pull off a famous comeback.
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From Doubters to Believers – Can Villa Stun PSG and Keep the Champions League Dream Alive?
It's time for Aston Villa's biggest game on the European stage for 42 years, as they begin their two-legged Champions League quarter-final clash against PSG in Paris. Unai Emery's men are certainly underdogs, but do they carry an element of surprise? Namely, they don't even know themselves how good they could potentially be.
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Villa’s Forest Win Fuels Champions League Gatecrash & PSG Preparation
After three back-to-back Premier League wins, Aston Villa fans can start looking at the league table again without wincing. A place in the Champions League next season isn't off the table anymore and the Europa League looks a potential back-up plan. While Villa will be challenged keeping the season going across three tournaments, they have a fully fit squad and a reset in their attitude. A strong finish from here on in and who knows what is possible!
We look back at the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest and look ahead to PSG.
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