Unai Emery delivered an early Christmas present for Aston Villa fans on Saturday, with a 2-1 win at Villa Park against a struggling Manchester City side. Listen in as Cole and Simon reflect on Saturday's victory, Jhon Durán's most complete performance in a Villa shirt and assess the true value of Emery's side. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? A nearly complete performance for Aston Villa on Saturday; was that Villa's best performance o...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 522
From Champions League highs to lowly Premier League moments, it's been a mixed week for Aston Villa Football Club. Join Cole and Simon as the lads discuss the European/domestic balancing act that Villa continue to struggle with and try to figure out exactly why Emery's men continue to struggle defensively. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? Nearly a perfect week, but it wasn't meant to be! What did the lads make of the week that was for ...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 521
The claret and blue machine is beginning to chug along nicely again ahead of yet another important week for the football club. With that in mind, Cole and Simon return after a brief spell on the sidelines to discuss the ebbs and flows of Villa's recent results, the Watkins/Duran 1-2 punch and the importance of Boubacar Kamara and Lucas Digne. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? Two wins in a row and Villa are back in the top 6! Funny old ...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 520
Aston Villa are well and truly in a bit of a rough patch at the moment, with a self-inflicted loss to Brugge in the Champions League and a hard-fought loss to Liverpool in the Premier League. Join Cole and the returning Tom Nightingale as the lads try to put some perspective on Villa's recent form, look at the bigger picture, and try to decide which mythical claret and blue creature would win in a fight (yes, this was a debate). You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - d...
Nov 11, 2024•51 min•Ep. 519
In what will likely be the worst week of the season thus far from an Aston Villa perspective, Cole and Simon return to discuss Villa's dip in form as of late, squad rotation question marks, and look ahead to away trips to Brugge and Liverpool. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? 2 losses and 1 draw in the last three matches; what's gone wrong lately? Can squad rotation actually be a blessing and a curse? Aston Villa's winger conundrum. Sh...
Nov 04, 2024•48 min•Ep. 518
It was yet another busy week for the mighty Aston Villa as Unai Emery's men improved to a 3-0 record in the Champions League and dropped two points against Bournemouth in the Premier League following a last second equalizer by the visitors. Listen in as Cole and Simon discuss Villa's balancing act between midweek and weekend fixtures, a worrying shift in mentality in the final moments of the Bournemouth match, and look ahead to another jam-packed week of Aston Villa goodness. You can listen for ...
Oct 28, 2024•37 min•Ep. 517
Another dreaded international break has ended and the mighty Aston Villa are back in business following a 3-1 win on the road against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Join Cole, Simon, and Seb as they discuss a healthy Villa squad, Youri Tielemans quietly churning out impressive performances, and look ahead to Tuesday's match against Bologna in the Champions League. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? It certainly wasn't an easy win on Saturday,...
Oct 21, 2024•56 min•Ep. 516
It's certainly been an interesting week for Aston Villa! Listen in as Cole and Tom return to discuss an emotional victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Sunday's sleepy draw against Manchester United, and reflect on strong start to the season for Unai Emery's men. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? A real contrast in quality between the Bayern Munich win and Manchester United draw, but how do the lads feel about the week tha...
Oct 07, 2024•42 min•Ep. 515
Well, Aston Villa certainily never do anything the easy way and Sunday's draw away at Ipswich Town was no different! Join Cole and Tom as they discuss Sunday's events at Portman Road, continuous defensive concerns, and look ahead to a massive clash against Bayern Munich at Villa Park on Wednesday. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? Sloppy and defensive play mixed in with some moments of brilliance from Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers; wh...
Sep 30, 2024•45 min•Ep. 514
Yet again, Aston Villa turn things around at Villa Park, with a 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. Tune in as Cole, Tom, and Simon discuss Villa's impressive "Never say die!" mentality, Ross Barkley's impact, and the flexibility within the squad. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? A first half to forget and a second half to savor! What did the lads make of events at Villa Park on Saturday? Is it safe to say that, in th...
Sep 23, 2024•45 min•Ep. 513
After the first international break of the 2024/2025 season, Aston Villa returned to action with a thrilling 3-2 come from behind win over Sean Dyche's Everton. Listen in as Cole and Tom return to discuss Villa's defensive frailities, Jhon Durán's goal for the ages, and look ahead to Tuesday's visit to the Wankdorf in the Champions League. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? 15 minutes of defensive naivety lead to plenty of work to be don...
Sep 16, 2024•51 min•Ep. 512
It's two consecutive wins on the road to start the season for Aston Villa and heading into the first international break of the season, there's plenty to be positive about! Join Cole, Simon, and Seb as the lads discuss a promising start to the season for Unai Emery's men, Villa's upcoming Champions League journey and look back at the summer transfer window that was. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? Okay then, how are the lads feeling a...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 511
Fail to take your chances and eventually, you'll get punished! Aston Villa found that out the hard way against Arsenal on Saturday, however, there are still plenty of things to take encouragement from when it comes to Unai Emery's men. Join Cole and Tom as the lads reflect on a rusty Ollie Watkins, the incredible Morgan Rogers, and all things Aston Villa. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? Right, how are the lads feels about the first lo...
Aug 26, 2024•40 min•Ep. 510
Aston Villa claim their first win away at West Ham since April 16th, 2011 and now look to make it three wins in a row against Arsenal on Saturday, With that in mind, listen in as Cole, Simon, Tom, and Seb reflect on a positive start to the season for Unai Emery's men. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? Well then, it only took a bit of chaos for Aston Villa to win away at West Ham again; what did the lads make of the result? Apparently pr...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 509
With Aston Villa returning to Premier League action on Saturday, it's time to look ahead to the new campaign with excitement and optimism. As a result, Aston Villa writer for The Athletic, Jacob Tanswell, joined Cole and Tom to discuss Villa's busy pre-season, transfer business, and what we could expect from Unai Emery's men this season. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? What did Jacob make of Aston Villa's escapades in the USA and pre-...
Aug 13, 2024•29 min•Ep. 508
Aston Villa's pre-season journey is underway and with that in mind, Cole, Simon, and Tom return to discuss the football club's latest transfer business, Morgan Rogers' bright future, and an absolutely epic home kit launch. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? What can be made of Jaden Philogene's return to Aston Villa and where does he fit into Unai Emery's puzzle? Is selling Moussa Diaby the right call? Could Amadou Onana be the missing l...
Jul 24, 2024•59 min•Ep. 507
It's been a busy summer for Aston Villa and as a result, Cole and Simon return to reflect on the PSR juggling act, the comings and goings in the locker room, and the recent ticket price structure that has been put in place at the football club. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? What have the lads made of Aston Villa's summer thus far? Can we finally stop talking about PSR for the foreseeable future...please? How big of a loss is Douglas...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 506
July 1st has proven to be a busy day for Aston Villa Football Club, with three new additions walking into Bodymoor Heath. With that in mind, Cole was joined by Ollie from The WALT (We Are Luton Town) Podcast to discuss what Villa fans can expect from Ross Barkley in what will be his second spell at Villa Park. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? From a Luton Town perspective, what does Ollie make of Ross Barkley's move to Aston Villa? Mor...
Jul 01, 2024•30 min•Ep. 505
The transfer carousel has started to spin and as a result, Aston Villa have confirmed the departure of Tim Iroegbunam to Everton and the signing of Lewis Dobbin from The Toffees. As a result, Cole was joined by Mike Richards from The Unholy Trinity Podcast to discuss what Villa fans can expect from Dobbin and how he could fit into Unai Emery's plans. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? What type of player is Lewis Dobbin? Would Mike say t...
Jun 24, 2024•19 min•Ep. 504
With the transfer chatter surrounding Douglas Luiz's potential move to Juventus only heating up, our Cole was joined by Youtuber and Juventus FC host/presenter, Giuseppe Bognanni, to discuss the Brazilian's pending move to Italy and what Aston Villa fans could expect from the likes of Samuel Iling-Junior and Weston McKennie. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? What does Giuseppe make of the pending deal that would send Douglas Luiz to Juv...
Jun 14, 2024•33 min•Ep. 503
BBC Radio WM host, Daz Hale, joined Cole and Simon to discuss what it's like to cover a variety of West Midlands football clubs on the radio, some of his favourite moments hosting the Football Phone-In, and the season that was for Aston Villa. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? From the perspective of a radio presenter, what's a typical day like for Daz while on the job? How does Daz find covering a variety of West Midlands clubs compare...
Jun 10, 2024•36 min•Ep. 502
Aston Villa writer for The Athletic, Jacob Tanswell, stopped by to chat with Cole, Simon, and Tom about covering the Villa during an incredibly special season, what Unai Emery is like in-person from his point of view, and what lies ahead for the football club, with the summer transfer window opening on June 14th. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? What has Jacob made of the transition from covering Southampton to also covering Aston Vill...
Jun 03, 2024•42 min•Ep. 501
As Aston Villa's summer business begins to take focus, Cole, Simon, and Seb assess the futures of first team players under Unai Emery in what is expected to be a summer that focuses on increasing squad numbers and the overall quality of the team. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? Are there any first team regulars that could be made available this summer? Where does Matty Cash's long-term Aston Villa future lie? Could Ben Chrisene stick ...
May 29, 2024•57 min•Ep. 500
With Aston Villa's 2023/2024 campaign now in the rearview mirror, the entire Holtecast team sat down to reflect on the season that was for Unai Emery's men — what was the moment that made us believe that Villa would finish in the top 4 of the Premier League? Who are our surprise performer(s) of the season? And everything in-between. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? How are the lads feeling about the season as a whole and is it fair to ...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 499
It's happened! Aston Villa have officially qualified for the Champions League following Tottenham Hotspurs' 2-0 loss to Manchester City on Tuesday evening. Tune in as Cole and Simon bask in the glory of the football club's incredible accomplishment and the pure ecstasy that this season has sparked. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? The wait is over! How are the lads feeling now that Aston Villa have secured 4th/Champions League football...
May 15, 2024•54 min•Ep. 498
Two frustrating and fatigue-led losses in the matter of a week for Aston Villa see's Unai Emery's men crawling towards the finish line when it comes to Champions League qualification and hoping for a miracle in Greece on Thursday. Listen in as Cole, Tom, and Seb return to reflect on the week that was for the Villa, the growing injury list, and look ahead to what remains of the current campaign. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? A tough ...
May 06, 2024•58 min•Ep. 497
A valuable point gained or two lost? That'll be the question many Aston Villa fans are trying to answer following Saturday's 2-2 draw at Villa Park against Chelsea. Tune in as our very own Tom and Simon discuss Saturday's draw, the growing injury crisis at the football club, and try to put this fantastic season into perspective given the growing expectations within the fan base. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? Well, was it 2 points lo...
Apr 29, 2024•58 min•Ep. 496
Aston Villa take yet another step towards Champions League qualification with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth at Villa Park on Sunday. Listen in as Cole, Simon, and Seb return to reflect on what's been a brilliant 8 days for Unai Emery's side (including Simon's trip to Lille!), Ollie Watkins' dominance, and look ahead to Chelsea on Saturday. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? 3 wins in 8 days see's Aston Villa through to a European semi-final...
Apr 22, 2024•59 min•Ep. 495
It certainly wasn't a performance that will be spoken about for years to come, but Aston Villa squeek through to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League in dramatic fashion, beating LOSC Lille 4-3 on penalties. Tune in as Cole and For The Love of Paul McGrath Podcast's, Neil Dunworth, bask in the glory of Emi Martinez's brilliant shithousery, attempt to put emotions from a crazy evening into proper sentences, and look ahead to Bournemouth on Sunday. You can listen for FREE on Acast , App...
Apr 19, 2024•37 min•Ep. 494
Aston Villa made it a clean sweep in North London for the 2023/2024 Premier League season, with a 2-0 away win against Arsenal on Sunday. Listen in as Cole and Seb reflect on a successful week for Unai Emery's men in Europe/domestically, the brilliance of Youri Tielemans, and look ahead to the trip to Lille on Thursday. You can listen for FREE on Acast , Apple Podcasts , and Spotify - dig in! WHAT DO WE DISCUSS? A complete performance from Aston Villa against Arsenal on Sunday, but was it the mo...
Apr 15, 2024•44 min•Ep. 493
