• UNDER THE LIGHTS | Ollie Watkins header seals first-leg victory in Europa League
    Mar 13 2026

    Happy Friday and welcome back to the latest Under The Lights feature on the Holtecast! Join Cole and Andy as the lads reflect on an important first-leg win against Lille in the Europa League's Round of 16 and look ahead to Sunday's trip to Old Trafford.

    You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!

    WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?

    • Just how vital could Thursday's win in Lille prove to be for Aston Villa?
    • Ollie Watkins' performance, goal and role within Emery's system.
    • The return of Super John McGinn!
    • Which Villa should we expect to see against Manchester United on Sunday?

    STAY CONNECTED:

    Email: holtecast@gmail.com

    X: @HoltecastPod

    Threads: Holtecast

    Bluesky: @holtecastpod.bsky.social

    Cole Pettem: @TalkAstonVilla

    Andy Bates: @VillaLamp

    EPISODE NOTES:

    Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.

    Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.acorns.org.uk/get-involved/donate/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    24 mins
  • THE VILLA CATCH UP: Europa League ambitions and Villa's reality w/ French football expert, Jonathan Johnson!
    Mar 11 2026

    It's yet another important week for Aston Villa and with that in mind, Cole was joined by Simon O'Regan and French football expert, Jonathan Johnson, to discuss the club's recent form, European versus domestic ambitions and look ahead to Thursday's trip to Lille.

    You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!

    WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?

    • How should we expect Villa to approach European and domestic ambitions at this point in the season?
    • Given recent form, should we expect to see much rotation between Thursday and Sunday?
    • From Jonathan's point of view, are Villa's recent struggles beyond injuries to Tielemans, McGinn and Kamara?
    • What sort of Lille side are Villa coming up against this time around?

    STAY CONNECTED:

    Email: holtecast@gmail.com

    X: @HoltecastPod

    Threads: Holtecast

    Bluesky: @holtecastpod.bsky.social

    Cole Pettem: @TalkAstonVilla

    Simon O'Regan: @SiORegan

    GUEST: @Jon_LeGossip

    EPISODE NOTES:

    Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.

    Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.acorns.org.uk/get-involved/donate/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    42 mins
  • UNDER THE LIGHTS | Joao Pedro, Chelsea tear apart sluggish Aston Villa
    Mar 5 2026

    It's now just one win for Aston Villa in their last five fixtures at Villa Park and it seems as though a break in the schedule for Unai Emery's men may have arrived at the right time. Join Cole and Simon as they react to another frustrating result and try to see if there's light at the end of the claret and blue tunnel.

    You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!

    WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?

    • Should we be surprised by such a humiliating loss given recent performances?
    • Starting lineup chatter; where did it go wrong from the start?
    • Ollie Watkins' poor luck and struggling form continues.
    • Has a mini break for Villa come at the right time?
    • Where are confidence levels heading into Lille away next Thursday?

    STAY CONNECTED:

    Email: holtecast@gmail.com

    X: @HoltecastPod

    Threads: Holtecast

    Bluesky: @holtecastpod.bsky.social

    Cole Pettem: @TalkAstonVilla

    Simon O'Regan: @SiORegan

    EPISODE NOTES:

    Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.

    Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.acorns.org.uk/get-involved/donate/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    26 mins
  • WOLVES 2-0 ASTON VILLA: What's going wrong?!
    Mar 2 2026

    Friday's humiliating loss away at Wolverhampton Wanderers has only loudened the alarm bells around Aston Villa, so with that in mind, Cole and Andy talk through Friday's frustrating display, what's gone wrong with the football club and try to put some perspective on things ahead of Chelsea's visit to Villa Park on Wednesday.

    You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!

    WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?

    • Well, can we put that down as Villa's worst performance of the Unai Emery era?
    • Is their too much blind faith between Emery and certain sections of the squad?
    • Villa's midfield conundrum continues...
    • Does the eventual return of Youri Tielemans and John McGinn fix things or do the issues run deeper?
    • What should we expect to see from Villa under the lights at Villa Park on Wednesday?

    STAY CONNECTED:

    Email: holtecast@gmail.com

    X: @HoltecastPod

    Threads: Holtecast

    Bluesky: @holtecastpod.bsky.social

    Cole Pettem: @TalkAstonVilla

    Andy Bates: @VillaLamp

    EPISODE NOTES:

    Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.

    Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.acorns.org.uk/get-involved/donate/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    49 mins
  • Leeds salvage job, Abraham versus Watkins and a nervy trip to Wolverhampton
    Feb 24 2026

    With only 1 win in the last 4 Premier League fixtures at Villa Park, it feels as though there are more questions than answers surrounding Aston Villa these days. With that in mind, Join Seb, Simon and Cole as the lads return to discuss salvaging a late point against Leeds United, our current best Villa XI and Friday's trip to Wolverhampton.

    You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!

    WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?

    • How concerned should we be about Villa's recent run of form at Villa Park?
    • Have recent Villa starting XI's been too slow?
    • Ross Barkley's impact and best position.
    • Abraham versus Watkins or both strikers together, perhaps?
    • Expectations versus reality heading into Friday's trip to Molineux.

    STAY CONNECTED:

    Email: holtecast@gmail.com

    X: @HoltecastPod

    Threads: Holtecast

    Bluesky: @holtecastpod.bsky.social

    Cole Pettem: @TalkAstonVilla

    Simon O'Regan: @SiORegan

    Sebastian Bacon: @SebastianBacon8

    EPISODE NOTES:

    Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.

    Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.acorns.org.uk/get-involved/donate/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    37 mins
  • ASTON VILLA 1-3 NEWCASTLE UNITED: VAR-less mayhem and Bizot madness!
    Feb 16 2026

    Aston Villa's FA Cup ends in the 4th round this year and we're still trying to decide how we feel about it. Join Cole and Tom as they talk through a controversial evening at Villa Park and eagerly look ahead to Leeds United's trip to Villa Park on Saturday.

    You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!

    WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?

    • Are we annoyed, disappointed or not bothered about bowing out of the FA Cup (or somewhere in between)?
    • Tammy Abraham's off the mark! What does his performance tell us?
    • From comfortably managing the match to Bizot's madness...what should we make of it all?
    • Are Villa too loose on the ball?
    • The dangers of writing off the FA Cup.
    • What sort of reaction should we expect to see against Leeds on Saturday?

    STAY CONNECTED:

    Email: holtecast@gmail.com

    X: @HoltecastPod

    Threads: Holtecast

    Bluesky: @holtecastpod.bsky.social

    Cole Pettem: @TalkAstonVilla

    Tom Nightingale: @tdnightingale

    EPISODE NOTES:

    Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.

    Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.acorns.org.uk/get-involved/donate/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    49 mins
  • UNDER THE LIGHTS | Tyrone Mings' late deflected header ensures Aston Villa get back to winning ways
    Feb 12 2026

    Well, it certainly wasn't pretty, but a win's a win! Listen in as Cole and Tom return to discuss a vital win at Villa Park and look ahead to an intriguing FA Cup tie against Newcastle United at Villa Park on Saturday.

    You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!

    WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?

    • Securing all three points at Villa Park against Brighton is all that matters, isn't it?
    • Were Villa playing with a certain degree of caution?
    • The Onana/Luiz midfield partnership.
    • What can we make of Alysson's debut?
    • FA Cup expectations and Newcastle's priorities heading into Saturday.

    STAY CONNECTED:

    Email: holtecast@gmail.com

    X: @HoltecastPod

    Threads: Holtecast

    Bluesky: @holtecastpod.bsky.social

    Cole Pettem: @TalkAstonVilla

    Tom Nightingale: @tdnightingale

    EPISODE NOTES:

    Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.

    Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.acorns.org.uk/get-involved/donate/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    29 mins
  • BOURNEMOUTH 1-1 ASTON VILLA: Rogers delight, Digne fright!
    Feb 9 2026

    Happy Monday and welcome back to the latest edition of the Holtecast! In today's episode, join Cole, Simon and Seb as the lads talk through a 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth, Jadon Sancho's role within Unai Emery's system and look head to Brighton's trip to Villa Park on Wednesday.

    You can listen for FREE on Acast, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify - dig in!

    WHAT DO WE DISCUSS?

    • Well then, was it 1 point gained or 2 points dropped away at Bournemouth?
    • Has Sancho developed under Emery or is the jury still out?
    • Lucas Digne's defending or lack there of...
    • Have Villa coped relatively well through a tough recent spell?
    • Getting back to winning away against Brighton.

    STAY CONNECTED:

    Email: holtecast@gmail.com

    X: @HoltecastPod

    Threads: Holtecast

    Bluesky: @holtecastpod.bsky.social

    Cole Pettem: @TalkAstonVilla

    Simon O'Regan: @SiORegan

    Sebastian Bacon: @SebastianBacon8

    EPISODE NOTES:

    Thank you to our charity partner, Acorns Children’s Hopsice.

    Donate today to support a fantastic charity: https://www.acorns.org.uk/get-involved/donate/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins