Watched the under 21's beat Spain 3-1 last night. Very good performance although I don't think the squad is as talented as it was a couple of years back when they won the world cup with Palmer & co. Play Holland in the semi finals now.

Most annoying thing is seeing how good Livramento is and how everyone is raving about him being future England full-back for years to come. Another f**k up by our club and expect Lewis to be another one.

Was good hearing Joey Cole and when they showed a clip of him and Ash playing for England years ago and great bit of skill from Joey set up goal for Ash. Joe Cole at his peak was such a talent.

25 minutes ago, Nibs said:

Watched the under 21's beat Spain 3-1 last night. Very good performance although I don't think the squad is as talented as it was a couple of years back when they won the world cup with Palmer & co. Play Holland in the semi finals now.

Most annoying thing is seeing how good Livramento is and how everyone is raving about him being future England full-back for years to come. Another f**k up by our club and expect Lewis to be another one.

Was good hearing Joey Cole and when they showed a clip of him and Ash playing for England years ago and great bit of skill from Joey set up goal for Ash. Joe Cole at his peak was such a talent.

I noticed that Maatsen was selected for the Dutch team in their win against Portugal U-21, so presumably he'll now have to try deal with Livramento's overlaps in the SF ! Hato, who we have been linked with, was the Dutch left centre back. Good win for the Dutch seeing as they played with 10 men for 70 minutes.

Quenda, who joins us in 25/26 was in the losing Portugal team.

5 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

I noticed that Maatsen was selected for the Dutch team in their win against Portugal U-21, so presumably he'll now have to try deal with Livramento's overlaps in the SF ! Hato, who we have been linked with, was the Dutch left centre back. Good win for the Dutch seeing as they played with 10 men for 70 minutes.

Quenda, who joins us in 25/26 was in the losing Portugal team.

I'm not really following the U-21s, but I was surprised to see Ian Maatsen in the Netherlands squad. At least that's something after his underwhelming season at Villa (or was it just me being unimpressed?).

5 minutes ago, Valerie said:

I'm not really following the U-21s, but I was surprised to see Ian Maatsen in the Netherlands squad. At least that's something after his underwhelming season at Villa (or was it just me being unimpressed?).

So was I, seeing as how he is 23 years old and playing in an U-21 tournament !

I guess you are allowed over-age players for some reason ?

I've always thought he was too small and too poor defensively to make a left back position at a good club his own. Certainly Villa seemed to prefer to stick with Lucas Digne for most of last season, albeit Maatsen did play 1892 minutes across all competitions, which is still a pretty decent amount of minutes (vs 3,345 minutes for Digne).

Digne is 31 now, so as long as Emery rates Maatsen then Ian could well be the favoured starting left back ahead of Digne sooner or later.

29 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

So was I, seeing as how he is 23 years old and playing in an U-21 tournament !

I guess you are allowed over-age players for some reason ?

I've always thought he was too small and too poor defensively to make a left back position at a good club his own. Certainly Villa seemed to prefer to stick with Lucas Digne for most of last season, albeit Maatsen did play 1892 minutes across all competitions, which is still a pretty decent amount of minutes (vs 3,345 minutes for Digne).

Digne is 31 now, so as long as Emery rates Maatsen then Ian could well be the favoured starting left back ahead of Digne sooner or later.

BBC Sport

Euro U21s 2025: Why can 23-year-olds play in the tournament?

BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team looks at why 23-year-olds can play at the European Under-21 Championship - and looks at the 26-year-old who once led his country to the title.

On 22/06/2025 at 13:13, Nibs said:

Watched the under 21's beat Spain 3-1 last night. Very good performance although I don't think the squad is as talented as it was a couple of years back when they won the world cup with Palmer & co. Play Holland in the semi finals now.

Most annoying thing is seeing how good Livramento is and how everyone is raving about him being future England full-back for years to come. Another f**k up by our club and expect Lewis to be another one.

Was good hearing Joey Cole and when they showed a clip of him and Ash playing for England years ago and great bit of skill from Joey set up goal for Ash. Joe Cole at his peak was such a talent.

Facts, bud. He was offered a new contract, he declined. At the time, 4 years ago, he was third in line behind Azpi and Reece James and saw no prospect of senior football. Sold to Southampton with a sell-on clause which paid dividends when Newcastle bought him.

Beat Holland so Germany in the Final.

Won 3-2 with a last minute goal.

If Tuchel doesn't work out for England, then I think they will quickly turn to Carsley.

Edited June 28Jun 28 by Scott Harris

On 29/06/2025 at 00:48, Scott Harris said:

Won 3-2 with a last minute goal.

If Tuchel doesn't work out for England, then I think they will quickly turn to Carsley.

Tuchel is contracted till the WC. Which, on the evidence thus far, he is unlikely to win. Exit Tuchel. No doubting Carsley's coaching abilities but he struggled last time with the off-field demands. He's a fella who prefers a low public profile. I think that will be the issue.