Our pre-season tour of Sweden in 2005.

Thanks to Ryan Air's wonderfully convenient flight times, the tour began at 1:15am on 21 July '05, when we boarded a coach from Coventry to Stansted Airport. Our flight arrived at Gothenburg City Airport about midday. We left the terminal only to realise we were in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately, the only other Villa fans who had made their way to Sweden were on the same flight. Realising we were somewhat struggling with organisation, we jumped at the chance of a couple of spare seats on their coach to Gallstad for the opening game.

We celebrated a spanking 14-0 victory which included six goals from Luke Moore with a penalty shoot-out on the pitch before heading back to Gothenburg. We quickly learnt that all the hostels were full so we contemplated sleeping rough in the train station. We tried one last hotel where, after some discussion, they offered us a room (with no bed!) for about £50. Feeling drained after the previous sleepless night, we reluctantly accepted the room and split the cost between ourselves and a couple of others who were in the same boat.

The rest of the trip was less eventful. Notable moments include: two football matches, a lot of sightseeing, and a night on the tiles with six young Swedish blondes (yes, really!).