FOREST AWAY: Aston Villa, Saturday 24th February – Fan Guide

At the end of last year, we hit five years since what is probably the best game of football I’ve ever seen. For sure, it was the most bonkers. Without me telling you where it was or who it was against, considering this is the Villa away guide, I suspect you know already which game I’m referring to.

A memory I always have when I cast my mind back is the frustration of a friend straight after the game that we had thrown away a two-goal lead. On the night I found it difficult to mind too much, because it was clear we had maybe just witnessed something we may never see again. We’ve had a few occasions of conceding five goals away down the years, but this was most probably a new experience for us all (the 1990 5-4 against Coventry is one that came close).

What helps the narrative from a Forest perspective is that for a short while it looked like we had well and truly thrown it away having led on three separate occasions. The dismissal of Toby Figueiredo was followed by two quick Villa goals that inexplicably put us 5-4 down, but Lewis Grabban sent the away end wild with a somewhat unexpected leveller. The pandemonium and the ecstasy remains, for me, somewhere close to those moments that followed a few years later against the likes of Bristol City, Sheffield United, Huddersfield and Arsenal.

Against those sides, the celebrations have shown to have been part of a bigger quest. Whereas Grabban’s late equaliser was part of a continuous tale of seasons regularly ending in disappointment or failure. The need for more important goals continues again at Villa in 2024, a very stern test given their fine season so far. The victory over West Ham last weekend has eased some of the pressure around this one but it remains imperative, especially with the threat of a points deduction, still hanging dauntingly over our heads that we find ways to collect points. We are quickly approaching the time of the season where doing just that is really all that matters and anything we can collect at Villa Park will be gratefully received, I’m sure.

It probably won’t end 5-5 but any crucial late goals will surely be celebrated just as much this time around. Let us hope there is delirium in Villa Park away end once again.

 

TRAVEL

RAIL: Unfortunately, trains are a bit of a mess on Saturday. There appears to be a reduced service and very few direct trains to Birmingham from Nottingham, with later services either changing at Derby or a bus replacement operating for the final leg of the journey. Earlier services seem to be less impacted with trains reducing to just one an hour after 9am.

Assuming that nobody wants to get a bus, these appear to be the best options from Nottingham although with this already looking like a reduced service they are likely to be extra busy:

08:12 – Arrive Birmingham New Street 09:24 (Change at Leicester)

08:41 – Arrive Birmingham New Street 09:55 (Direct)

09:07 – Arrive Birmingham New Street 10:24 (Direct)

10:17 – Arrive Birmingham New Street 11:51 (Change at Derby)

11:07 – Arrive Birmingham New Street 12:49 (Change at Derby)

From Birmingham New Street you will need to get a train to Witton which takes around 10 minutes. The station is very close to Villa Park but the trains closer to kick-off do get extremely busy.

On the way home, services continue to be disrupted and most services include a bus leg of some sort. There are certain services which just require a change at Derby such as the 19:03 but, as before, these are likely to be extra busy. If remaining behind in Birmingham for a little while after the game, just be mindful of the disruption although there is a scheduled 22:03 with no bus replacement which does offer a late route home.

ROAD: Compared to some of the distances we’ve been racking up of late, this is just about as close as an away game we’ll get, along with Sheffield United. Use either the A38 or M42/M6 to get you to the M6 Junction 6 roundabout (better known as Spaghetti Junction) and then use the turn off into Erdington.

A few minutes’ drive from here is George Road (B23 7RZ). This road, and the roads off it, are perfect for parking and the roughly 20-minute walk to Villa Park. Turn your car round and face the way you came and after the match you’ll have a smooth ride back to the M6 junction. Another positive of this spot is that just across the road is a decent chippy.

 

PUBS

The Witton Arms pub is just across the road from Witton Station and has traditionally been the main place for away fans around the ground. However, this has apparently now become a home only pub.

As mentioned in the Q&A below, the Yew Tree is a little further away (you pass it on the way down from the suggested parking spot) and we have drunk in here before, but it seems to have now got a little tighter on letting away fans in. If you are not in colours, you might have a chance.

There now doesn’t appear to be a designated away pub around the ground so you may be best drinking further afield unless you want to take a chance on pubs nearer the ground.

For those who might be taking kids and therefore might be looking for something a little different to a pub, then last year we found ourselves at the Family Fun Zone inside the Villa Academy building very close to Villa Park. There are various football activities inside, even free training sessions run by coaches. Even though our kids were dressed in Forest gear, they were made to feel very welcome and it’s a great alternative to the usual pre-match. For those who might need it, there is also a bar inside.

And finally – if there is any chance of sun, take some sunglasses or a hat if you are in the lower tier of the away end, otherwise the glare can be be a real pain.

 

Q&A with Villa fan Ellis

It’s shaping up to be an exciting end to the season for Villa. Are you going to finish in the top 4 do you think?

Top four was always going to be a difficult task to achieve and it seems it’s only going to get tougher. We’ve faced long term injuries to Mings, Buendia and Kamara, all of which would have played a big part this season.

Other smaller injuries have ruled out Konsa, Torres, Tielemans, Ramsey and many others throughout our season which also hasn’t helped. Add to that our very slight dip in form and our European run and it’ll be tough.

Having said that I have faith that we can push and really do something special this season with Champions League qualification.

 

Many Forest fans have naturally continued to follow the fortunes of Matty Cash. How important has he been for you?

Matty Cash is a weird one simply because he doesn’t really suit our system. Many fans have criticised his apparent constant need to kill the ball whilst going forward which ends up slowing us down.

Personally, I think he’s a good option to have albeit not a first-choice option considering how good Konsa has been in that right back position this season.

I saw recently some news about Villa Park eventually getting an expansion. What’s the latest on this?

Villa Park has been quite a controversial topic amongst Villa fans recently. New President of Football Operations Chris Heck put a halt on the much-needed plans to renovate the North Stand earlier this season. Since then, there’s been a debate among Villa fans on whether upgrading the stadium is enough or we should build a new one.

For me, it always has to be Villa Park but there’s many upgrades needed particularly in terms of transport.

 

VAR is a subject that continues to dominate the post match agenda. If you haven’t seen Forest have now appointed Mark Clattenburg as an advisor. What do you make of VAR and how has it impacted Villa so far?

I don’t think you can find one Villa fan who has something positive to say about VAR.

I don’t want to sound too much like a victim here, but it’s so obvious the purpose of it is to protect the Sky six. Just in the last game alone, we were robbed of a perfectly good goal and denied a stone wall penalty. It’s not the technology that’s not working, it’s the people running it and they are nowhere near at the level of the top flight of English football.

 

For those coming in the car, do you have any parking suggestions that might help?

Honestly, getting to and from Villa Park is an absolute nightmare and an issue that needs addressing should we upgrade Villa Park. My best advice would be, if you can, park relatively far away and walk it into the ground. If not expect parking tickets and long queues of traffic.

And what about away pubs? Will Forest be welcomed in most pubs around Villa Park?

The main two away pubs are on the same road and are only a brief walk away from the stadium. Located on Witton Lane, the Witton Arms usually accepts Away fans whilst the Yew Tree, a little further away, also will accept travelling fans!

 

Finally – let’s have your predictions:

What’s your score prediction for this one?

 It was said after the Man United loss that the next three games are must win. We won against Fulham, and I think that’ll give us the momentum to beat you on Saturday. It’s vital we restore our home form so I’m going with a 3-0 win for Villa.

Where will Villa finish?

Like I said, I have to be optimistic and give us the best chance of qualifying for the Champions League. I’m going to back us for a fourth-place finish.

Where will Forest finish?

I think you’ll be more than comfortable in terms of surviving another season. I think you’ll finish around the 15th/14th mark.

 

Thanks to Ellis for his insight.

See those of you travelling at Villa Park.

Up the Reds.

Matt