Posts written by frankfromengland

These excellent photos demonstrate what an amazing weekend you all provided for your English friends, Chris, Rob, Jonathan and me. This was one of the best, if not the best, of the many reunions you have organised over many years; Rob and I first visited you in 2011.

On Friday afternoon, Rob and Chris were royally entertained by Stefano, as the pictures show. A little later, new boy Jonathan and I were welcomed at the airport by Marcello, who drove us to our magnificent accommodation, his family's beautiful villa at Brenta D'abbà. We felt truly privileged to be allowed to stay here. At this point I must mention an aspect of our stay which was less spectacular than the parties and the celebrations: the driving. How many kilometres did Stefano, Marcello and Riccardo Z cover as they ferried us from venue to venue?

Friday evening was spent first at a favourite Anglo-Italian bar in Padova, Il Gufo, where, as I recall, the song "On the Bish" was first heard 12 years ago. From there we progressed to Jacopo's elegant and historic family home, where we were treated to copious amounts of food and drink generously provided by Jacopo and his brother and an army of helpers. It was a most memorable evening in a unique setting.

Saturday morning began with a private visit to Marcello's sister's beautifully restored farmhouse and the fascinating Corte Benedettina di Correzzola, before our Italian friends arrived from far and wide at Marcello's villa. It was a great pleasure on both Friday and Saturday to meet old friends from past years, some of whom had travelled long distances: Andrea, Maxi, Charlie, Michele, Silvano, Riccardo Z and the Robertos. And it was good also to see the next generation of Latin Lions, Luca and Gabriele. The lunch at a long table in the entrance hall of Marcello's villa was a sumptuous feast, prepared and served by Martina and her team of willing helpers. Once more, Silvano had produced a lovely composite picture as a souvenir, recalling past reunions and Villa memories.

After most had departed, our indefatigable drivers Riccardo and Marcello introduced us to Chioggia, where we enjoyed the bustle of an Italian Saturday evening in balmy autumn weather: a relaxing ending to a memorable visit.

Huge thanks are due to the tireless Stefano for all the planning and to our hosts Jacopo and Marcello. We value enormously the hospitality, generosity and friendship of all the Latin Lions, which goes far beyond our shared love of Aston Villa.

Your English friends are greatly looking forward to the weekend.
Are we wearing claret and blue on Saturday?
UTV!

Great pictures of Jonathan and Nicki!

Foto splendide ma anche la lettura del reportage di Max fa venire la pelle d'oca.
Nella foto di gruppo il signore con la sciarpa al collo è Frank Pattinson? La sciarpa è bellissima con il vecchio stemma ma che c'è scritto? Official club?


It's the scarf and crest of our German supporters' club, the German Villans, of which I'm a member

Happy Latin Lions Andrea, Riccardo, Maxi and Silvia at the Barton's Arms before the match

Great pictures, Stefano! It was a real pleasure to see you all again (even without alcohol!)

Latin Lions Riccardo and Andrea enjoy their Full English Breakfast and meeting Chris Grey at the Barton's Arms

Excellent, Maxi!

I look forward to a beer (or two) with the Latin Lions in England or Italy!

Grazie amici! Non vedo l'ora di rivedervi

As you say, Tommy, there are different sorts of matchday experience. What we like about the Barton's, apart from the beautiful interior, is that we can book a table for lunch, enjoy the Thai cuisine and the Oakham Ales and chat for a couple of hours before the game. There are usually 12 or more of us at lunch. At the far end of the table are Stefano, Andrea and the Latin Lions, together with the Shakespeare Lions and the Knowle & Dorridge Lions.

My Villa-supporting cousin Roy was a silversmith in the Jewellery Quarter

The Old Contemptibles is a fine pub. It depends what you're looking for. The best range of beers is at the Wellington, round the corner from Cathedral Square and near the Premier Inn in Waterloo Street, where the Latin Lions often stay:



But the Old Joint Stock is absolutely stunning. The beers aren't as interesting as at the Wellington but they have a very good pie menu, which our Italian friends enjoy. It's best to reserve a table, either in the Gallery or in the Club Room.
However, if you're looking for a pub which combines history, a beautiful interior, first-class beers and an excellent cuisine (and is only 20 minutes' walk from Villa Park), there's only one choice - but I'm sure that Stefano will describe it in detail in later posts.

In Cathedral Square is the magnificent Old Joint Stock. Built in 1862 as a library, it later became the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank, which amalgamated with Lloyds Bank. At the end of the last century it was acquired by Fuller's Brewery and brilliantly converted into a pub, restaurant and theatre

Great pictures of the 7Stern brewery and beer garden in Vienna.
For me too this was an unforgettable day and a meeting with Stefano and Silvano for which I'm eternally grateful. It was the beginning of a wonderful relationship with the Latin Lions, during which I've had the pleasure of participating in your fantastic reunions in Italy and the privilege of joining your groups at a variety of stadiums and pubs in England, most notably, of course, Villa Park and the Barton's Arms.