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Poems tagged ‘Aston Villa’

Evening Kick-Offs

Ray Miller

Thursday, August 13th, 2020

My father never watched me play football
so at night I contrived to be both
myself on the pitch and him in the stand –
an early exponent of simulation.

From up on The Holte the game unfolds
in flooded light; in the wings silhouetted
masses, punctuated by cigarette flashes.

As I seize upon a loose ball, he’d notice
that possession accrued by chance and not endeavour.
I’m the creative playmaker behind the strikers:
tackling is for the lesser gifted
water-carriers and workers.

Stifling the echoes of yesterday’s quarrels
I play a quick one-two with an accomplice.
I’m equally accomplished with either foot,
the upshot of solitary childhood pursuits
that ruined the lawn in our back garden.
Through the defence I slalom
with feints and drops of the shoulder;
I’m nearing the penalty area
with only the last man to beat.

Then the holes appear around my feet,
dark and deep as graves. I put on the brakes,
afraid what they contain, the ball rolls tamely
into the keeper’s arms.

He used to say I was lacking
in perseverance and focus;
but I replayed this fixture
every night for five years.

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Valiant Villa seen off late

Emdad Rahman

Saturday, November 2nd, 2019

Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool

Trezeguet did the trick
From McGinn’s free-kick
The Reds all over the shop

Robbo and Mane each a header
It was cruel on the Villa
We’ve a six point lead at the top

02 11 19

number7
© emdad rahman

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Graham Taylor – 1944-2017

Emdad Rahman

Thursday, January 12th, 2017

Lincoln City where it begins
The youngest coach’s rise from shadows
Took Watford and Villa to the brink
And England to the Swedish Euros

What a fairytale with the Hornets
FA Cup Final and second in the First
Hornets surged from the Fourth Division
Some things are better unrehearsed

Gave Barnes, Shearer, Crouch debuts
Served as chairman of the Board
England unbeaten in the first 12 games
Is still set a national record

Whether it’s Villa Park or Molineux
Sincil Bank or Blundell Park, Grimsby
Only One Graham Taylor shouts loud
All rise Villa Park and Wembley

number7
© Emdad Rahman

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Source: https://footballpoets.org/news/poem-tags/aston-villa/