Mephisto 2525

[stultus]

Good Day All. I've finished the above, but cannot understand the reasoning behind two clues.
9d - Forward forgetting foul in Aston Villa ground - that's often put before play. (answer avant-propos)
24ac - Military post once again advanced. (answer thana)
Can anyone explain them please?

[pbeach]

Forward = prop
Anag Aston (ground) +AV perhaps

[pbeach]

Thana = Military post + "More than a"?

[Rollo]

24a Than is on old word meaning then = again + a (for advanced)

[Sarrie]

Hi. It is an anag of Aston Villa (ie ground) less Ill plus prop I think.

[pbeach]

That makes sense - Prop (forward) + ground (anag) of Aston Villa - foul ill - nice.

[stultus]

pbeach, Rollo and Sarrie - many thanks. I never saw "ground" as being a hint to an anagram. Got stuck into thinking what's Villa Park got to do with it!