Up at 5.45, got 6.50 (465238) to Vic, with some concern that I''d get the 7.43 at Euston, as Thameslink trains weren''t running due to electrical problems at Blackfriars, meaning all fast trains to Vic, were now calling at all intermediate stations. I needn''t have worried as I made it with 10 mins to spare. So 390157 whisked me up to Birmingham New St, arr 9.08 to a refurbished station and shopping area called Grand Central. They''ve also extended the tram up to New St, which was where I headed for a ride on the 9.15 to Wolverhampton(£5). Trip uninteresting as any country areas were in cuttings and dense foliage gave little to see. I did a swift turn around at the St Georges terminal, (it should continue to town centre and station soon). Alighted at Snow Hill and strolled through to St Martin''s church near Moor St station. This is in my book, and it''s main interest is a Burne-Jones window and 14C monuments to the De Bermingham family. The church is surrounded my modern buildings and looks out of place, but that''s where it''s always been! Caribbean steel band music drifted in from outside, as I went down to the refectory for tea and a horrible cheese toastie. Mike had texted me to say they were in the Briar Rose in Bennett Hill. (I found out when I got to the pub, that it was named after a Burne-Jones Pre Raphaelite painting). Had a couple of pints of Sam Adams, chat and a laugh, then caught the 13.57 to Witton, only 5 mins walk from Villa Park. Lovely atmospheric ground and despite their poor start, the fans still come in numbers. Steve Bruce is now their manager, with a draw and win so far and they''re unbeaten at home, we, unbeaten away. So a draw would be nice and it was looking that way until 80 mins when a defensive mess gifted Kodjia a good volleyed goal. We''d played the possession game, often playing back to the keeper. Sometimes they pressed us and we''d play triangles round the attacker to keep the ball rather than hoofing it upfield. So a poor backpass to Button, which he didn''t control well under pressure, and a couple of passes later they''ve scored. So Frustrating! I shot off at the whistle as only one timetabled train would get to New St for the 17.50. With the crowds I was worried I may not get on the train. But they were well organised, holding us on the ramp up to the platform, letting us on when the train had arrived, and as it turned out it was a football special non stop to New St. Bid farewell to Mike, Adam and Dixie who were getting a later train, boarded 221142 a Voyager rather than the Pendolino I came up on, and back at EUS by 19.17, and home at 20.10