The Athletic's Gregg Evans joins host Dan Bardell to dissect the way Dean Smith's playing style changed over the course of their maiden year back in the big time... Plus, how the hiatus might have actually benefitted players like Samatta, McGinn & El Ghazi.

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This week, Dan Bardell and The Athletic's Gregg Evans are joined by the former Villa CB Tommy Elphick, to reflect on his rollercoaster three years with the club... And Tommy certainly doesn't hold back when discussing the size of the job facing him on his arrival in 2016, Steve Bruce, Jack Grealish, John Terry & Derby Days!

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Former Villa defender Curtis Davies joins Dan Bardell & Gregg Evans, for what is at times a brutally honest assessment of his time with the club... Curtis opens up about playing for Martin O'Neill, being called up by Fabio Capello, being in Laursen's shadow and plenty more besides!

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This week, Dan Bardell and The Athletic's Gregg Evans, welcome DJ (and ST holder) Nathan Dawe to the show!... Nathan talks about his new single, 'Flowers' and how it feels to hear his music playing out around Villa Park. Plus, how he fell in love with the club and his set at BOXPARK Wembley with Ian Taylor before the League Cup Final! The guys also discuss whether the No. 9 shirt is cursed and Gregg's interview with Juan Pablo Angel.

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The Athletic can keep you connected to Aston Villa and the best writing with Gregg Evans.  Sign up now for a 90 DAY FREE TRIAL to see for yourself. Just go to www.theathletic.com/Villapod 

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Aston Villa legend Ian Taylor gives Dan Bardell & The Athletic's Gregg Evans an open and candid verdict on a selection of players loved and loathed by the Villa Park faithful. Ian reveals why he never had England boss Gareth Southgate down as a manager, the player he feels should have had more England recognition, a hilarious story involving David Ginola and the unlikely duo he went he joined on a beano to Miami.

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In this bonus podcast we bring you an exclusive interview with Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane

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1. The Academy Disappoints - 00:01

2. Jack and the Domino Effect - 27:30

3. What I miss about the football - 36:00

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For more great Aston Villa content make sure you subscribe to The Athletic. You can get a 40% discount right now by going to theathletic.com and using the promo code 'villa pod'. It will cost you less than £3 a month

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Was one manager to blame for a career cut short by injury? How difficult was it to say goodbye to the Holte End? Was it a mistake to let a young Gary Cahill leave the club? Dan Bardell and The Athletic's Gregg Evans are joined by the former Aston Villa captain Martin Laursen for an exclusive interview into the euphoric highs and painful lows of his time at Villa Park.

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