Welcome to the home of Claret & Blue - An Aston Villa Podcast. Hosted by Mat Kendrick and Ashley Preece of Birmingham Live. Here we'll be posting a new weekly podcast amongst other features and mini documentaries.
The Claret & Blue - An Aston Villa Podcast is a podcast that truly brings the best of game analysis and humorous banter to its listeners. As an expat living in the USA, I often miss the lively conversations and banter with my mates at the pub after a game. However, this podcast perfectly encapsulates that feeling, making me feel like I am part of a passionate community discussing all things Aston Villa.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the perfect balance between game analysis and humorous banter. The hosts have an incredible understanding of the game and provide insightful analysis that keeps you engaged throughout. They break down key moments, tactics, and player performances, delving deep into what makes Aston Villa such a fascinating team to watch. Additionally, their ability to inject humor into their discussions really sets them apart. It feels like you are listening to a group of friends having a casual conversation about football, which adds an enjoyable and relatable element to the show.
Furthermore, the hosts' dedication and investment in Aston Villa shine through in each episode. Their passion for the club is infectious, making it easy for listeners to share in their enthusiasm. They go above and beyond to engage with their audience on platforms like Twitter and YouTube, creating a sense of community amongst Villa fans from all around the world. The responsive nature of the hosts adds another layer of enjoyment as they actively interact with listeners' comments and thoughts.
However, no podcast is without its flaws. One potential drawback for some listeners might be that occasionally there could be too much focus on banter rather than diving deeper into certain topics or offering more detailed analysis. While this lighthearted approach is part of what makes The Claret & Blue so enjoyable, it may leave some fans desiring a bit more depth on occasion.
In conclusion, The Claret & Blue - An Aston Villa Podcast is a must-listen for any Villa fan craving insightful game analysis and lighthearted banter. The hosts' passion for the club, combined with their ability to strike a balance between analysis and humor, creates an enjoyable and engaging podcast experience. Whether you're in lockdown, an expat like myself, or simply looking to connect with fellow Villa fans, this podcast is the perfect choice. I commend the hard work of the hosts and appreciate the dedication they bring to each episode. Cheers from Texas and Up The Villa!

Aston Villa are far from full strength for the Super Cup vs PSG. Unai Emery admits "we won't be in our best moment." Still, a brilliant opportunity for those who play...

Dan Rolinson is joined by Neil Dunworth from the For The Love of Paul McGrath Podcast to answer your Aston Villa questions ahead of PSG in the Super Cup. Live show tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aston-villa-2627-season-preview-claret-blue-live-tickets-1996327141219

Dan Rolinson and John Townley were live for a transfer update as Aston Villa are monitoring Endrick's future at Real Madrid. Live show tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aston-villa-2627-season-preview-claret-blue-live-tickets-1996327141219

Dan Rolinson and John Townley meet in Redditch for a catch up after a few days break to bring you the roundup of every Aston Villa transfer situation.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley are live to discuss the fallout from the BG Pathum game including John McGinn's knee injury scare...

Dan Rolinson is joined by John Townley to report back on pre-season so far as the tour of the Far East kicks off, plus detail of Leon Bailey's move to Hull City potentially being off. Live show tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aston-villa-2627-season-preview-claret-blue-live-tickets-1996327141219

Dan Rolinson and John Townley went live on Thursday evening for an Aston Villa catch-up.

Dan Rolinson and Dan Bardell from the 1874 Podcast link up again for Wednesday Club, on this week's agenda: Nicolas Jackson links and Ollie Watkins' future, Leon Bailey off to Hull City and some pre-season thoughts.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley open up the mailbag this monday - the show where we answer your Aston Villa questions.

Austin MacPhee is leaving his role as Aston Villa's set-piece coach to join Chelsea. He said his goodbyes to the staff and players today. It's a big blow for Villa, who have held MacPhee's work in high regard throughout his five-year spell at the club.

Dan Rolinson is joined by Adam Wright, a Villa fan who lives with a stammer. Aston Villa's new midfield signing Joao Gomes, also lives with a stammer. Adam explains what it might be like for a new signing to join a dressing room, and how they communicate with their teammates.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley are back with another podcast as John reports back on the Walsall friendly and gives his verdict on Alejandro Garnacho.

Reports suggest Aston Villa are in 'advanced talks' with Chelsea over a loan move for Alejandro Garnacho... Dan Rolinson and Mat Kendrick share their thoughts.

It's finally time for a Mailbag Monday episode, that is until we get on-air breaking news like last week's Youri Tielemans bombshell. Let's hope the same doesn't happen again...

Dan Rolinson and Mat Kendrick discuss Morgan Rogers impending exit to Chelsea.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley are reunited again to talk transfers... there's lots going on!

John Townley and Mat Kendrick are back with another episode as John shares details of his hour-long interview with Aston Villa's President of Business Operations, Francesco Calvo.

John Townley and Mat Kendrick react to this morning's big breaking news, as Joao Gomes is set to join Aston Villa from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Dan Rolinson and Dan Bardell are back with another edition of Wednesday Club. On today's agenda, it's England vs Argentina in the World Cup Semi Final, 'hate-watching' Emi Martinez, more discussion on Youri Tielemans leaving and who replaces him, plus some transfer chat, of course.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley are back (again) to take a more analytical look at Youri Tielemans' move to Man United, plus discuss Lucas Digne potentially leaving for PSG.

Dan Rolinson, Mat Kendrick & John Townley open up the Claret & Blue Mailbag to answer your Aston Villa questions BUT get interrupted by the breaking Youri Tielemans news.

Dan Rolinson and John Towley react to breaking Manzambi transfer news with an emergency pod...

Dan Rolinson and John Townley take a whistle-stop tour to discuss the latest Aston Villa talking points before heading into a weekend of World Cup knockout football.

Joey D'Urso is the author of "More Than A Shirt" a 2025 book on how football kits and sponsorships help tell the story of football's connection with politics and power. Joined by football kit manufacturer Rob Warner (notably Italy's 2006 WC winning shirt) we take a look at Aston Villa kits throughout history.

Not the kind of Aston Villa news we were after.

Dan Rolinson is joined by a very tired Mat Kendrick and John Townley to discuss England's incredible victory against Mexico in the World Cup, plus we take your Aston Villa questions from the Mailbag.

Dan Rolinson and Mat Kendrick discuss Aston Villa's 6 players with their contracts expiring in 2027.

Dan Rolinson and Mat Kendrick meet for a stroll through Leasowes Park in Halesowen to catch up on World Cup action and Aston Villa news.

Dan Rolinson and Mat Kendrick went live to have a catch up about Aston Villa and answer any questions on Mailbag Monday.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley are back with another Mailbag Q&A to end a very sunny week in the UK. On today's agenda: Can you find the next Morgan Rogers from the Championship, what happens to Lamare Bogarde this season, and John's 'defence' of Emerson Royal.

Dan Rolinson and Dan Bardell and back with the newly titled Wednesday Club to talk about actual football for a change, this week, it's Aston Villa transfer links.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley are live to discuss your Aston Villa questions. On today's agenda, the weird Arsenal obsession with Morgan Rogers, John takes aim at the 'Big Six' and we have a look at Villa's pre-season plans.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley record their live reactions to discovering Aston Villa's 26/27 Premier League fixtures then analyse the patterns and talking points ahead of the new season.

Dan Rolinson and Mat Kendrick visit the Poddymoor Heath HQ to record a podcast (loosely) about Aston Villa...

Dan Rolinson and John Townley are opening up the Claret & Blue Mailbag to answer your Aston Villa questions.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley are back with a part two to the 'Keep, Sell, Loan' episode where we're now looking at the incomings, what can Unai Emery do to refresh this squad. Recorded before the Martinez to Juventus links.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley were live for a chat around Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Dan Rolinson and Dan Bardell link up once again for this week's edition of Tuesday Club. On the agenda: Dan's gym update, getting World Cup fever (or not), buy-back-clause-gate and the never ending transfer news cycle.

Join Dan Rolinson and Mat Kendrick for a LIVE edition of our weekly Mailbag Monday Q&A show.

Dan Rolinson and John Townley assess the immediate future of every single first-team player as we begin looking ahead to the 2026/27 season.

Dan Rolinson, Mat Kendrick and John Townley are back with the second - and final - part of their live event at Herbert's Yard, this time it's an audience Q&A from the Mailbag.

In the first part of our live event at the brilliant Herbert's Yard in Longbridge, Dan Rolinson was joined on stage by Mat Kendrick and John Townley for a post-Istanbul catch up, looking ahead to the Super Cup, the future under Emery and a transfer restructure where Morgan Rogers is perhaps key to Villa's summer.

Originally posted to YouTube in a longer feature, Dan Rolinson, Mat Kendrick and John Townley of the Claret & Blue podcast recount their memories of that famous night in Istanbul as they watched Aston Villa lift silverware for the first time in 30 years.

Dan Rolinson is joined by Mat Kendrick and John Townley LIVE for one final podcast in May to round off the 2025/26 season.

Dan Rolinson, Mat Kendrick and John Townley are back at Poddymoor Heath HQ to discuss Istanbul (obviously) and answer some of your questions from the Mailbag. Europa Winners special: http://www.reachshops.co.uk/villa Live show tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/aston-villa-europa-league-winners-party-live-podcast-tickets-1990412682915

Dan Rolinson is joined by Dan Bardell, Rob Warner and Ty Bracey - who all watched the Europa League Final in Birmingham, and then attended the parade together. The trio offer the podcast a flavour of what it was like to celebrate European glory from back home.

The final game of the season for Aston Villa, which absolutely nobody cares about. Up The European Champions!

Come and join us for a very special live edition of the podcast as Dan Rolinson, Mat Kendrick and John Townley celebrate Europa League glory.

Dan Rolinson, Mat Kendrick and John Townley meet in Istanbul Airport to reflect on Europa League glory. Huge thanks to FlixBus_UK for sending us out!FlixBus is a leading coach travel brand offering reliable, sustainable and affordable transport to over 100 UK destinations with hundreds of weekly services to and from Birmingham. As a global travel tech leader, travellers can choose from more than 3,000 locations in Europe, with tickets starting at just £4.49 https://x.com/flixbus_uk

After the celebrations began to slow down a little in the Tupras Stadium, Dan Rolinson and Mat Kendrick heard their names called by the future King of England for a post-Europa League chat. Huge thanks to FlixBus_UK for sending us out! FlixBus is a leading coach travel brand offering reliable, sustainable and affordable transport to over 100 UK destinations with hundreds of weekly services to and from Birmingham. As a global travel tech leader, travellers can choose from more than 3,000 locations in Europe, with tickets starting at just £4.49 - https://x.com/flixbus_uk