Married to Claret and Blue - an Aston Villa Podcast

Husband and wife team Rupert and Verna climb from their sick beds to discuss the comeback against Everton and then the trip to Bern.

They discuss the Duran's screamer for nearly 14 minutes of the pod.

They marvel at the control of the first 17 minutes and the the whole of the second half. How can an attacking team be so exciting and yet the defence be soooooo bad? Rupert's over his love affair with Pau and Verna is sick of Konsa's whining and bitching. When is Mings back? Rodgers another marvelous game.

Off to the Wankdorf and a very impressive return to Europe's premier competition and debut in the new champions League format. Villa could and should have scored 5 or 6. Strange 2 disallowed goals. Is their a better sight than Ramsey and Rodgers running at defences? Wait until Bailey also returns. Duran superb again and Watkins unlucky

Husband and wife team Verna and Rupert discuss the successful victory and another 3 points. Villa sit in a solid 7th before the International break:

• Game review

• The free kick

• Tielemans and Ramsey

• Players scores

• Emery's subs work again

In other news - we were right Watkins is carrying an injury, club in full Duran PR effort, the toilet fiasco at Villa park, price gouging for CL tickets and did Joao Felix actually ask for a black Nando's card?

Husband and wife team Verna and Rupert discuss their emotions after the frustrating loss to Arsenal - V proud whereas R very annoyed at the missed chances.  If you lose after playing well can you find some satisfaction in the performance? Or is it even worse because you blow a big chance and must you capitalise when you play well?

Lots of positives:

- Superman Rogers: opponents just bounce off him

- Uri Tielemans, how many times did his wriggle out of tights spaces?

- All the midfield 

- Our defence strong 

- Unai's plan worked perfectly 

- 18 years old RB

- Even the ref had a good game 

All the players scored - lost of 10s and one player with a 2 (guess who)

Finally is Olly Watkins a bit of odd ball?  And should he be playing?

The 24/25 premiership return of husband and wife team Rupert and Verna on Europe's leading podcast by a married couple about Aston Villa.  This week they celebrate the brilliant start to the season by Villa after a deserved away win at West Ham.

They discuss how Unai and the boys in 90 minutes dispel the concerns over:

- pre season losses and poor performances (emery clearly doesn't care)

- Luiz and Diaby will be missed. Uh no they wont 

- Team weaker squad better, uh apparently not starting team excellent 

- Slow start expected and wont see the best until after the window closes. Goal after 4 minutes

- Archer better than Duran, dont think so 

A superb Villa performance, right up there with Arsenal away. The fans can semi relax now knowing we are very good again (nothing like a rest, long term injuries returnees and others fit)

All Players ranked out of 10 and lots of 10s and 9s 

V talks Duran and Cash  

Exciting and impressive start 

Husband and wife team Verna and Rupert discuss the incredible feeling of achieving CL qualification. What it means to them individually, how's it's so significant in the modern day of ownerships by Oligarchs, Private Equity funds and State owned premiership clubs.

They discuss what it means for the Club and its finances 

How it keeps the majority of the team in tact 

Attracting better Talent 

The Liverpool and Crystal Palace games 

The rumour mill 

Husband and wife Team Rupert and Verna discuss the limp and insipid exit from the Europa Conference League semi Final. Well done Olympiacos but boy did Villa fail. Here's why?

Fitness, Injuries, Form, Lack of Defence, Experience in Europe, Emery tactics, Predictably, Rotation, the Royal Doulton figure Diaby and Away form in Europe

We love this club and this season is remarkable - Emery and the players have raised our expectations very high.

But its still ok to call out our mistakes 

Husband and wife team Rupert and Verna discuss the strange Villa Performance against Chelsea. The highs, lows, very lows and then a mini high! Rodgers the only star performer. A lucky first half lead and then full on domination by Chelsea in the second half. VaR definitely a Villian. And now we have Olympiacos and Brighton to come - another incredibly important and exciting week to come. 

Verna worried by depleted squad and more injuries, should we focus on 4th? Rupert annoying Verna at games 

Husband and wife team Verna and Rupert talk about their adventures in Northern France and the incredible scenes they witnessed and the pride the feel in this group of courageous young men.

They discuss the tired players - the 49 games and the time off given to Lille

The cojones of the whole team, but particularly the 5 penalty heroes 

They give the finger to the French media, the Lille Fans and the Lille President for their abuse of Martinez 

Martinez stands out proud as Ole said in Argentina - "...like Qatar he beat them, shut then up and then he danced"

And they save a special mention for the worst referee in Europe 

Wife is away so Rupert try solo to explain Villa's incredible away win of the season against the Gunners. No more written words just enjoy his stunned enthusiasm 

Husband and wife team Rupert and Verna discuss a very entertaining Euro conference Quarter final against an excellent Lille team. Some super stars - Martinez 10, Watkins 9 with Mcginn and Bailey always threatening and 8s.

The dynamic and exciting forwards who seem to always score are mirrored by increasingly incompetent defence- another woeful performance from Diego Carlos, Konsa picked on by Lille and Pau inaccurate and unsolid.

Say it quietly Douggie Luiz also been tired and out of sorts for over a month.

Briefly touch on the Brentford 9 minutes of hell.

UTV and another massive week to come away at both Arsenal/Lille and some much needed co-effcient comebacks needed to help race for 5th