Holtecast - An Aston Villa Podcast

The entire Holtecast team sat down to reflect on the season that was for Aston Villa — the frustrating days of the Steven Gerrard era, the arrival of Unai Emery, Villa’s journey to the UEFA Europa Conference League, and everything in between. You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?With the 2022/2023 season now fully behind us, how are the lads feeling about the season as a whole and will this be a deemed a season to remember?From the lows of Steven Gerrard’s reign to the highs of Unai Emery’s journey to UEFA Europa Conference League football; what was the turning point/moment of the season that turned things around at the football club?Which player(s) would the lads consider to be a surprise performer this season?On the other side, which player(s) needs to step up heading into next season?It wouldn’t be an episode of the Holtecast without discussing the brilliance of Lord Unai Emery; what have the lads made of the job that the Villa boss has done so far?On a scale from 1 to 10, how would the lads rate this season?What would be considered a successful season next season?Let’s get a little ahead of ourselves, make ourselves look foolish, and predict Aston Villa’s path through the Europa Conference League...how far will they go?All of this and so much more! Enjoy the podcast and Up The Villa!STAY CONNECTED:Email: holtecast@gmail.comTwitter: @7500ToHolteCole Pettem: @TalkAstonVillaSebastian Bacon: @SebastianBacon8Danny Raza: @RazaJournoTom Nightingale: @tdnightingaleSimon O’Regan: @SiOReganEPISODE NOTES:Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/villa

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s happened...Aston Villa have qualified for Europe! With that in mind and a few extra days to recover from the post-match festivities, our Cole, Seb, and Simon got together to chat about Sunday’s win over Brighton, the brilliance of Unai Emery’s Villa, and bask in the glory of what has been an amazing season. You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?Well then, how do you even begin to describe what happened at Villa Park on Sunday?!How important was the Villa Park atmosphere prior to and during the match?What did the lads make of Aston Villa’s mentality during the match?STARBOY RAMSEY! How brilliant was the young Villan on Sunday and is there really a limit at this point as to what he could accomplish in his career?What more can we really say about Douglas Luiz? He’s mint!Unai Emery’s European dream! He’s taking us on one heck of a journey, isn’t he?!All of this and so much more! Enjoy the podcast and Up The Villa!STAY CONNECTED:Email: holtecast@gmail.comTwitter: @7500ToHolteCole Pettem: @TalkAstonVillaSebastian Bacon: @SebastianBacon8Simon O’Regan: @SiOReganEPISODE NOTES:Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/villa

It’s nearly here! One more cup final for Unai Emery’s men, which will determine Aston Villa’s Europa Conference League fate. Keeping that in mind, our Sebastian Bacon was joined by Premier League and EFL reporter, Charlie Haffenden, to chat about Brighton’s stellar season and look ahead to Sunday’s curtain closer at Villa Park. You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?What does seeing Brighton in Europe mean to Charlie?How impressive has Roberto De Zerbi been since becoming Brighton & Hove Albion boss back in late Septemer?Has Charlie been impressed with the early transfer business completed by Brighton (i.e., James Milner and Joao Pedro)?What heights can this Brighton side reach going forward?If it’s at all possible, what one word would Charlie use to summarize Brighton’s season?What are Charlie’s hopes for Brighton in regards to next season?A big game on Saturday for the mighty Villa! How are the lads feeling ahead of Sunday’s clash at Villa Park?Brighton have already secured Europa League football for next season, so they might as well take it easy on us come Sunday, right?All of this and so much more! Enjoy the podcast and Up The Villa!GUEST - Twitter: @JournoHaffSTAY CONNECTED:Email: holtecast@gmail.comTwitter: @7500ToHolteEPISODE NOTES:Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/villa

With a valuable point away at Anfield, Aston Villa’s European dreams will be determined on the final day of the 2022/2023 Premier League season. Listen in as Cole, Simon, and Seb reflect on Saturday’s performance against Liverpool and try not to get too nervous about the season finale against Brighton. You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?Aside from Ollie Watkins’ penalty miss, was the first half performance against Liverpool one of the best shifts put in by Unai Emery’s men this season?Should Ollie Watkins be the number one penalty taker going forward or should it fall to the likes of Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, or potentially a new recruit heading into next season?What did the lads make of Lucas Digne, Matty Cash, and Boubacar Kamara coming into the starting lineup? Were those changes justified given their performances?Fabinho’s fouls, Klopp’s comments, and loads of added time; the lads go on a little bit of a rant session and justifiably so!How are Cole, Simon, and Seb feeling about of Sunday’s match against Brighton?Well then, do the lads think Aston Villa will be playing in the Europa Conference League next season?All of this and so much more! Enjoy the podcast and Up The Villa!STAY CONNECTED:Email: holtecast@gmail.comTwitter: @7500ToHolteCole Pettem: @TalkAstonVillaSebastian Bacon: @SebastianBacon8Simon O’Regan: @SiOReganEPISODE NOTES:Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/villa

Our Sebastian Bacon was joined by Ben From The Anfield Talk to chat about Liverpool’s season thus far, their late bid for a top four finish, and look ahead to Saturday’s match at Anfield. You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?What has Ben made of Liverpool’s season thus far?With Liverpool unbeaten in 9 matches, winning their last 7 of those results, how much confidence is flowing through Jurgen Klopp’s side at the moment?Liverpool will be saying goodbye following the conclusion of the current Premier League campaign to the likes of James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita; how does Ben feel about these departures?Does Ben think Jurgen Klopp’s touchline ban could have an impact on this Liverpool side on Saturday?Could this match potentially be won in midfield?Well then, who’s feeling more confident ahead of Saturday’s clash at Anfield?All of this and so much more! Enjoy the podcast and Up The Villa!GUEST - Twitter: @TheAnfieldTalkSTAY CONNECTED:Email: holtecast@gmail.comTwitter: @7500ToHolteEPISODE NOTES:Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/villa

Aston Villa’s first win against Spurs at Villa Park since January 1st, 2008 and it keeps Unai Emery’s men within reaching distance of securing European football for next season. Cole, Seb, and Simon reflect on Saturday’s win and where this result leaves Villa as the Premier League season nears its conclusion. You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?How are the lads feeling after Aston Villa’s sixth consecutive home win? Turning into Fortress Villa Park or what? Crazy strides forward at home!Brighton are in control, but it certainly isn’t over from a Villa perspective; are we all feeling confident heading into the final two games of the season?For the millionth time, let’s discuss how mint John McGinn is, shall we?How beautiful was Douglas Luiz’s free-kick? Wow!Do we think Son Heung-min is still running offside as you’re reading this?Buckle up! It’s going to be a thrilling end to the season!All of this and so much more! Enjoy the podcast and Up The Villa!STAY CONNECTED:Email: holtecast@gmail.comTwitter: @7500ToHolteCole Pettem: @TalkAstonVillaSebastian Bacon: @SebastianBacon8Simon O’Regan: @SiOReganEPISODE NOTES:Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/villa

Cole and Simon return after a few extra days of recovery following last weekend’s loss to Wolves as the lads look ahead to Spurs on Saturday and what the rest of the season has in store for the mighty Villa. You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?With the loss to Wolves now clearly in the rearview mirror, how are the lads feeling ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s trip to Villa Park on Saturday?Given Spurs’ tumultuous season, is it fair to say that Saturday’s visitors have plenty of more pressure ahead of the weekend when compared to what remains of the season from an Aston Villa perspective?It’s pretty amazing that Villa have something positive to play for so late in the season, isn’t it?With a top 10 finish nearly confirmed, where do the lads reckon Unai Emery’s men will finish in the Premier League table come the end of the season?The lads reflect on the batch of Twitter polls that they ran prior to the podcast; will Seb finally be stuffed in a bin outside of Villa Park by Simon come the end of the season?!All of this and so much more! Enjoy the podcast and Up The Villa!STAY CONNECTED:Email: holtecast@gmail.comTwitter: @7500ToHolteCole Pettem: @TalkAstonVillaSimon O’Regan: @SiOReganEPISODE NOTES:Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/villa

PLEASE READ: Our very own Sebastian Bacon will be taking part in The Content Clasico charity football match at Molineux Stadium on June 2nd, with all proceeds going to the mental health charity, Mind. If you fancy supporting a fantastic cause, feel free to click on the link below and donate today!DONATE TODAYOur Sebastian Bacon was joined by Dan from Wolves Fancast to discuss the upcoming charity football match at Molineux Stadium on June 2nd and look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League clash. You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?With our very own Sebastian Bacon taking part in the upcoming charity football match at Molineux Stadium on June 2nd, the lads look ahead to the match (hopefully Seb will do the Holtecast/7500 to Holte team proud...or else!).How would Dan describe Wolves’ home form versus their away form this season?Surely Wolves are safe with 37 points and only 4 games left this season, right?How big of an impact has Julen Lopetegui made since taking over as Wolverhampton Wanderers boss?What sort of Wolves side does Dan think will show up against Aston Villa on Saturday?What has Dan made of Unai Emery’s body of work as Aston Villa boss?Right then, who’s feeling more confident ahead of Saturday?All of this and so much more! Enjoy the podcast and Up The Villa!GUEST - Twitter: @wolvesfancastSTAY CONNECTED:Email: holtecast@gmail.comTwitter: @7500ToHolteEPISODE NOTES:Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/villa

Our Cole and Seb sat down to reflect on a frustrating day at the office for Unai Emery’s men as Aston Villa lose their first match in 11 games at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford. You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?Well, after a run of 10 matches unbeaten, Aston Villa were bound to lose again at some point, so we can’t be too disheartened, right?Villa fail to score for the first time in the Premier League with Unai Emery as the gaffer; had the opportunities on Sunday to do so, but was it a case of luck not being on our side or a lack of quality on the day?Are Unai Emery’s men running out of gas as the season nears its end?Is it fair to also say that the injury list and the lack of quality squad depth is a major factor in the last few performances (yes, we drew against Brentford and beat Fulham, but they weren’t the most energetic/pleasing performances, so go easy on me here)?A top 8 finish is a great accomplishment for the Villa given where we were when Unai Emery took over, but is the hunt for 5th place still a real possibility?Wolves on Saturday! Are the lads confident that Villa will get back to winning ways?All of this and so much more! Enjoy the podcast and Up The Villa!STAY CONNECTED:Email: holtecast@gmail.comTwitter: @7500ToHolteCole Pettem: @TalkAstonVillaSebastian Bacon: @SebastianBacon8EPISODE NOTES:Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/villa