Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: UK Redsox on October 19, 2017, 08:28:24 PM

Title: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: UK Redsox on October 19, 2017, 08:28:24 PM
Mr Shin has bailed on the thread starting, so it’s back to me for this week.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Comrade Blitz on October 19, 2017, 08:37:36 PM
2-1
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Richard E on October 19, 2017, 08:38:31 PM
2-1. Kodjia bursts into form.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Bad English on October 19, 2017, 08:40:16 PM
I'm not sure anybody is bothered who starts the threads. It's a bit like religion. You won't be smitten if you don't go to church.

2-1 Villa.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: four fornicholl on October 19, 2017, 08:52:22 PM
I'm not suspicious but can somebody vote away win please. :)
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: four fornicholl on October 19, 2017, 08:56:35 PM
I'm not suspicious but can somebody vote away win please. :)
Erm supersticious.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: four fornicholl on October 19, 2017, 08:57:41 PM
I'm not suspicious but can somebody vote away win please. :)
Erm supersticious.
I mean superstitious. Nailed it.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: VancouverLion on October 19, 2017, 09:16:28 PM
Three attempts from four fournicholl to spell superstitious, got to be a 3-0 win. Kodjia hat trick!  ;)
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Damo70 on October 19, 2017, 09:42:42 PM
Having looked at the table they are a few places higher than I thought. 2-1 to The Villa.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: QuintonVilla on October 19, 2017, 09:59:17 PM
1-1 bore draw
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Lambert and Payne on October 19, 2017, 10:23:45 PM
We really do have to win this. Take us into next week with a bit of confidence
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: andyh on October 19, 2017, 10:44:12 PM
It’s gonna be pissing down with up to 50mph winds on Saturday.
It could be quite entertaining.

4-4
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: JUAN PABLO on October 19, 2017, 11:17:44 PM
2 - 0
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: sickbeggar on October 20, 2017, 02:12:12 AM
Dunno why but this fixture stinks of us turning up and expecting to win. 1-1
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Deano's Mullet on October 20, 2017, 04:55:02 AM
I'll be there for this one. A draw at the very least but they are very good at keeping possession if a bit leaky at the back. 3-1 Villa and a bit of optimism.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: KRS on October 20, 2017, 06:22:07 AM
Dunno why but this fixture stinks of us turning up and expecting to win. 1-1
I don't think any of us expect anything under Bruce...it's more hope than expectation that we can put in a performance, and a result is just a bonus.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: sid1964 on October 20, 2017, 06:32:50 AM
I am going for a 1-1 - if I remember rightly at their place last season, the right back for Fulham was fantastic, so we will need to stop him.

Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: CT on October 20, 2017, 08:18:38 AM
Not often I get a home game on my birthday, so because of that I'll go for stonking 5-0 home win.

(in reality -  1-1)
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Dr Butler on October 20, 2017, 08:24:09 AM
sadly may not make this as I have a serious groin strain(sustained whilst getting out of the shower) and my co-sufferer is struggling with bad man flu...

any type of win please Villa

UTV
The Doc
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: MONCABA on October 20, 2017, 08:40:43 AM
3-0 and we go again on a little run.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Duncan Shaw on October 20, 2017, 08:44:45 AM
I am going for a 1-1 - if I remember rightly at their place last season, the right back for Fulham was fantastic, so we will need to stop him.


What the dirty diving bastard that got Kodj sent off?  We beat these at VP, even when we are shit, its the law!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on October 20, 2017, 08:58:49 AM
If we can win this, I'll start to take our promotion chances seriously. I don't think we will, though.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Matt Collins on October 20, 2017, 09:15:12 AM
1-1

Suspect we'll play 442 again and will struggle to see enough of the ball
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: darren woolley on October 20, 2017, 09:26:23 AM
2-1 Villa.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Lambert and Payne on October 20, 2017, 09:46:14 AM
If we can win this, I'll start to take our promotion chances seriously. I don't think we will, though.

If we win the next 3 I'll be more convinced of automatic promotion, tomorrow is a game we should be winning with some degree of comfort.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Hookeysmith on October 20, 2017, 09:46:51 AM
They will pass us to death and SB will have no answer to it until he makes the same uninspiring changes - both ineffective strikers off within  minutes of each other and a loan striker (Hogan) brought on with no service
Its all too predictable

0-0

And a chorus of boos as we all get worried going into the dog  shit game
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Chris Smith on October 20, 2017, 09:52:21 AM
If we can win this, I'll start to take our promotion chances seriously. I don't think we will, though.

If we win the next 3 I'll be more convinced of automatic promotion, tomorrow is a game we should be winning with some degree of comfort.

They are a point behind us and have won their last 2 away games, so while I still expect us to win I don’t think there is any reason to suggest it should be comfortable.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Legion on October 20, 2017, 09:58:43 AM
0-2
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: exigo on October 20, 2017, 11:13:56 AM
Hoying it down with rain. Gale force winds.
It's got 0-0 written all over it, especially as I'm coming up from London for it.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on October 20, 2017, 11:36:45 AM
The Fulham manager made an interesting comments after their game with Preston last weekend. He said they were the best team on the ball in the league and Preston are the best off the ball.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 20, 2017, 12:11:15 PM
The Fulham manager made an interesting comments after their game with Preston last weekend. He said they were the best team on the ball in the league and Preston are the best off the ball.

I saw that too. As we're shit on the ball I guess we'll just have to press them. Trouble is, we haven't come close to doing it effectively since our first ever game under Bruce.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: ironmaidenmania on October 20, 2017, 12:21:39 PM
Regulation 2-1 win with nervous last 10 minutes!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: olaftab on October 20, 2017, 12:21:52 PM
The Fulham manager made an interesting comments after their game with Preston last weekend. He said they were the best team on the ball in the league and Preston are the best off the ball.
Well tomorrow they have a challenge as they will come up against a team that is neither of those things. Let's see how they cope.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: wittonwarrior on October 20, 2017, 12:27:37 PM
Another team that play at pace like wolves think we will struggle so going for a draw if we win nice surprise
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Brend'Watkins on October 20, 2017, 12:30:51 PM
We need to get back on track and win and win well.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Lambert and Payne on October 20, 2017, 12:37:56 PM
If we can win this, I'll start to take our promotion chances seriously. I don't think we will, though.

If we win the next 3 I'll be more convinced of automatic promotion, tomorrow is a game we should be winning with some degree of comfort.

They are a point behind us and have won their last 2 away games, so while I still expect us to win I don’t think there is any reason to suggest it should be comfortable.

At home in gale force winds where passing the ball around isn't as easy as they'd like. Our home form is good, its away games that let us down.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on October 20, 2017, 01:29:19 PM
The Fulham manager made an interesting comments after their game with Preston last weekend. He said they were the best team on the ball in the league and Preston are the best off the ball.
Well tomorrow they have a challenge as they will come up against a team that is neither of those things. Let's see how they cope.
We are the best at sitting deep and watching decent teams do what they want, let’s see how they cope with that eh ;)
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Diablo on October 20, 2017, 03:53:54 PM
0-3 capitulation - drop to 11th position in the League
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Des Little on October 20, 2017, 04:01:25 PM
I'm away this weekend, so if someone can arrange for a nice 3-0 home win I'd be grateful.  Grealish to come on as sub at 1-0, score one and create the other. Cheers
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: cheltenhamlion on October 20, 2017, 05:32:14 PM
I think a home win in a tight game.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Fasth56 on October 20, 2017, 06:28:40 PM
Bruce recently lauded the team on running 1 KM per man more than they used to during a game. It seems to have been missed by him that if you keep the ball you don't have to chase it.  The players will have run more tomorrow than any game so far this season.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Chris Smith on October 20, 2017, 06:56:53 PM
Bruce recently lauded the team on running 1 KM per man more than they used to during a game. It seems to have been missed by him that if you keep the ball you don't have to chase it.  The players will have run more tomorrow than any game so far this season.

It explains why we don’t consistently concede late goals or finish the game unable to get out of our own half. The minimum we should expect of a team is for them to be as fit as they can be.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Ads on October 20, 2017, 07:17:20 PM
The Fulham manager made an interesting comments after their game with Preston last weekend. He said they were the best team on the ball in the league and Preston are the best off the ball.

It's the kind of bollocks you come out with when you ought to have been four down at half time.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Richard on October 20, 2017, 07:26:43 PM
Having 6 players still out doesn't help in terms of freshening up the team. Expect a few to be back in contention next Sunday.

2 1 win tomorrow.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Gareth on October 20, 2017, 09:59:13 PM
Going for a 2-2

Wonder if Bruce will use the Wolves defeat to give Davis a rest and get Onomah into the side?

             Johnstone
Elmo Chester Terry Hutton
              Whelan
Snodgrass Hourihane Onomah Adomah
                 Kodjia
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Steve67 on October 20, 2017, 10:24:03 PM
If we are serious about promotion, this is the sort of game we have to win without in our mind.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: TonyD on October 20, 2017, 11:04:51 PM
Bore draw. 
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Louzie0 on October 21, 2017, 01:24:51 AM
Storm Brian will disrupt Fulham.

I mean, if we can't win tomorrow with something called Storm Brian happening and obviously on our side then really we don't deserve it.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on October 21, 2017, 02:12:36 AM
The dam breaks and Steve Bruce's hyper attacking lions are unleashed on an unsuspecting Fulham who are mauled 4-0. Feel good vibes all around.

I hope...
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: manic-road on October 21, 2017, 07:56:51 AM
0-1 Fulham have plenty of pace and they will probably hit us on the break. If we play anything like last week the natives will be restless.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Deano's Mullet on October 21, 2017, 08:08:22 AM
Leaving in the next hour. If this fixture is anything like last year there will be quite a few Fulham on the Euston to New Street but  they were great. Friendliest fans I've spoke to this year were Brentford.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: four fornicholl on October 21, 2017, 08:36:25 AM
One of our own plays for them now, Jordan Graham. I've got a feeling.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 21, 2017, 08:37:04 AM
Need to win this and Bruce needs to look at the make up of the side. There needs to be a lot more energy in the midfield.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: mrfuse on October 21, 2017, 08:56:35 AM
They like to keep the ball, We like to let them keep the ball, away win.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on October 21, 2017, 09:13:07 AM
I'd throw Onomah in for this one and give Davis a breather and bring him on if we need to. They'd had a similar start to us so i'll go for a draw.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: TheMalandro on October 21, 2017, 09:15:32 AM
I'd throw Onomah in for this one and give Davis a breather and bring him on if we need to. They'd had a similar start to us so i'll go for a draw.

Agree.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 21, 2017, 09:16:18 AM
Why would he need a breather? We haven't played in a week. We should play our strongest side. In particular, we need someone to hold the ball up if forecasts of gale force winds are accurate. It might be difficult to get the ball down and play to feet (which would suit us, I suppose).
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Chris Smith on October 21, 2017, 09:23:57 AM
Why would he need a breather? We haven't played in a week. We should play our strongest side. In particular, we need someone to hold the ball up if forecasts of gale force winds are accurate. It might be difficult to get the ball down and play to feet (which would suit us, I suppose).

The argument would be that he’s a kid, this is his first sustained run of adult football and he has looked less effective in his last couple of games. Without knowing how he is in training I don’t think we can properly judge but I could understand it if he was rested.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on October 21, 2017, 09:35:40 AM
Why would he need a breather? We haven't played in a week. We should play our strongest side. In particular, we need someone to hold the ball up if forecasts of gale force winds are accurate. It might be difficult to get the ball down and play to feet (which would suit us, I suppose).

Like Chris said, he's only a kid and every now and again you have to pull them out and give them a breather and besides, hasn't he been with the England U20's as well?. Also, people on here are telling us we need to keep the ball better and not go chasing it so an extra body in the middle would help I think. It would have last week.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: exigo on October 21, 2017, 09:42:54 AM
Leaving in the next hour. If this fixture is anything like last year there will be quite a few Fulham on the Euston to New Street but  they were great. Friendliest fans I've spoke to this year were Brentford.

Me too on the 11.03 out of Euston. I fully expect that if one of the Fulham Ultras pull out a knife, it will be to slice up some brie on their cheese board.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Villa Lew on October 21, 2017, 09:51:48 AM
1-0 Alan Hutton gets winner!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 21, 2017, 09:56:22 AM
Why would he need a breather? We haven't played in a week. We should play our strongest side. In particular, we need someone to hold the ball up if forecasts of gale force winds are accurate. It might be difficult to get the ball down and play to feet (which would suit us, I suppose).

Like Chris said, he's only a kid and every now and again you have to pull them out and give them a breather and besides, hasn't he been with the England U20's as well?. Also, people on here are telling us we need to keep the ball better and not go chasing it so an extra body in the middle would help I think. It would have last week.

Rest him when we have a midweek game or get him to withdraw from playing any pointless matches for England under-20s. Don't rest our most inform striker ahead of, arguably, our two biggest games of the season.

Madness.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Lastfootstamper on October 21, 2017, 10:00:16 AM
Leaving in the next hour. If this fixture is anything like last year there will be quite a few Fulham on the Euston to New Street but  they were great. Friendliest fans I've spoke to this year were Brentford.

Me too on the 11.03 out of Euston. I fully expect that if one of the Fulham Ultras pull out a knife, it will be to slice up some brie on their cheese board.

I know of someone that won't go to Craven Cottage because "you have to walk through the Fulham fans to get in".

I dunno, maybe he's scared of clouds and squirrels too.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on October 21, 2017, 10:10:42 AM
Why would he need a breather? We haven't played in a week. We should play our strongest side. In particular, we need someone to hold the ball up if forecasts of gale force winds are accurate. It might be difficult to get the ball down and play to feet (which would suit us, I suppose).

Like Chris said, he's only a kid and every now and again you have to pull them out and give them a breather and besides, hasn't he been with the England U20's as well?. Also, people on here are telling us we need to keep the ball better and not go chasing it so an extra body in the middle would help I think. It would have last week.

Rest him when we have a midweek game or get him to withdraw from playing any pointless matches for England under-20s. Don't rest our most inform striker ahead of, arguably, our two biggest games of the season.

Madness.

You can't withdraw a player who was once playing for Biggleswade Town from playing for his country, that would be ridiculous and a bit unfair.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Risso on October 21, 2017, 10:17:05 AM
Why would he need a breather? We haven't played in a week. We should play our strongest side. In particular, we need someone to hold the ball up if forecasts of gale force winds are accurate. It might be difficult to get the ball down and play to feet (which would suit us, I suppose).

Like Chris said, he's only a kid and every now and again you have to pull them out and give them a breather and besides, hasn't he been with the England U20's as well?. Also, people on here are telling us we need to keep the ball better and not go chasing it so an extra body in the middle would help I think. It would have last week.

Rest him when we have a midweek game or get him to withdraw from playing any pointless matches for England under-20s. Don't rest our most inform striker ahead of, arguably, our two biggest games of the season.

Madness.

You can't withdraw a player who was once playing for Biggleswade Town from playing for his country, that would be ridiculous and a bit unfair.

You just can’t because they have to play if picked unless they’re injured.  The fact that he once played for Biggleswade is completely irrelevant.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: WarszaVillan on October 21, 2017, 10:21:06 AM
Resting may be the wrong word, but it may well be the case he needs taken out for a bit and come off the bench for a couple of games. It happens to all young players and he hasn't looked great the last game or two. It's a choice managers and coaches have to take.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on October 21, 2017, 10:24:06 AM
Why would he need a breather? We haven't played in a week. We should play our strongest side. In particular, we need someone to hold the ball up if forecasts of gale force winds are accurate. It might be difficult to get the ball down and play to feet (which would suit us, I suppose).

Like Chris said, he's only a kid and every now and again you have to pull them out and give them a breather and besides, hasn't he been with the England U20's as well?. Also, people on here are telling us we need to keep the ball better and not go chasing it so an extra body in the middle would help I think. It would have last week.

Rest him when we have a midweek game or get him to withdraw from playing any pointless matches for England under-20s. Don't rest our most inform striker ahead of, arguably, our two biggest games of the season.

Madness.

You can't withdraw a player who was once playing for Biggleswade Town from playing for his country, that would be ridiculous and a bit unfair.

You just can’t because they have to play if picked unless they’re injured.  The fact that he once played for Biggleswade is completely irrelevant.

What I kind of meant by that was it was probably his dream to play League football again when he was there never mind turning out for England. Like you said, we can't do it anyway.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on October 21, 2017, 10:25:16 AM
Resting may be the wrong word, but it may well be the case he needs taken out for a bit and come off the bench for a couple of games. It happens to all young players and he hasn't looked great the last game or two. It's a choice managers and coaches have to take.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Whenever it does happen, it'll take a bit of pressure off him and hopefully do him good in the long run.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Matt Collins on October 21, 2017, 10:29:23 AM
Resting may be the wrong word, but it may well be the case he needs taken out for a bit and come off the bench for a couple of games. It happens to all young players and he hasn't looked great the last game or two. It's a choice managers and coaches have to take.

He hadnt played for two weeks before the Wolves game. He was still clearly not right. Only the coaching staff can gauge if he's sharp enough
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 21, 2017, 10:34:19 AM
Why would he need a breather? We haven't played in a week. We should play our strongest side. In particular, we need someone to hold the ball up if forecasts of gale force winds are accurate. It might be difficult to get the ball down and play to feet (which would suit us, I suppose).

Like Chris said, he's only a kid and every now and again you have to pull them out and give them a breather and besides, hasn't he been with the England U20's as well?. Also, people on here are telling us we need to keep the ball better and not go chasing it so an extra body in the middle would help I think. It would have last week.

Rest him when we have a midweek game or get him to withdraw from playing any pointless matches for England under-20s. Don't rest our most inform striker ahead of, arguably, our two biggest games of the season.

Madness.

You can't withdraw a player who was once playing for Biggleswade Town from playing for his country, that would be ridiculous and a bit unfair.

He wasn't playing for his country, he was playing a pointless match for an under-20 team. But that's irrelevant anyway. We have eight days till the next game. No need to rest him whatsoever.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: auntiesledd on October 21, 2017, 11:22:37 AM
It could be that Davis's last couple of performances will see him on the bench this afternoon. However, given the lack of service & support he's been given by his team mates of late, I think it'd be a bit of a slap in the face for the lad. I appreciate that a fully fit & firing Kod is a sure-fire starter, but he's been a shadow of the guy we saw before his injury; and his obvious frustration and lack of effort last Saturday hardly justifies his guaranteed starting place at present IMO. That said, Bruce is nothing less than consistent and predictable with his selection & (ahem) tactics, so I'm hardly expecting him to pick a side that looks to attack a Fulham team - that he will doubtless seek to nullify from the off.

I'm expecting a draw today, but I live in hope of being pleasantly surprised. UTV
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: jimmygreen on October 21, 2017, 11:35:04 AM
1-1 late equaliser for them.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on October 21, 2017, 11:50:31 AM
Why would he need a breather? We haven't played in a week. We should play our strongest side. In particular, we need someone to hold the ball up if forecasts of gale force winds are accurate. It might be difficult to get the ball down and play to feet (which would suit us, I suppose).

Like Chris said, he's only a kid and every now and again you have to pull them out and give them a breather and besides, hasn't he been with the England U20's as well?. Also, people on here are telling us we need to keep the ball better and not go chasing it so an extra body in the middle would help I think. It would have last week.

Rest him when we have a midweek game or get him to withdraw from playing any pointless matches for England under-20s. Don't rest our most inform striker ahead of, arguably, our two biggest games of the season.

Madness.

You can't withdraw a player who was once playing for Biggleswade Town from playing for his country, that would be ridiculous and a bit unfair.

He wasn't playing for his country, he was playing a pointless match for an under-20 team. But that's irrelevant anyway. We have eight days till the next game. No need to rest him whatsoever.

He was still playing for an England side though, pointless or not.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: wombat on October 21, 2017, 11:52:33 AM
Leaving in the next hour. If this fixture is anything like last year there will be quite a few Fulham on the Euston to New Street but  they were great. Friendliest fans I've spoke to this year were Brentford.

Me too on the 11.03 out of Euston. I fully expect that if one of the Fulham Ultras pull out a knife, it will be to slice up some brie on their cheese board.

I know of someone that won't go to Craven Cottage because "you have to walk through the Fulham fans to get in".

I dunno, maybe he's scared of clouds and squirrels too.

That's odd, last time I went to Fulham I walked through a very pleasant park..... although there were squirrels (the devious bastards!)

I've got visions of a group of fulham fans sat round a table on the train, resplendent in some red trousers. One uncorks a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2009 whilst the other plugs the raclette machine into the mobile phone charger. They then sit back and regale tales of the Keegan years and how one of them was the driving force behind the removal of the Jacko statue by having some 'very stern words indeed' with somebody or other who shares the same inheritance tax avoidance accountant. Allegedly ;)

As for the score, well I hope we win, but more than anything I hope it's a jolly good game of football played in good spirits.

Sorry the drugs are wearing off now.

3-1 Villa. They like to keep the ball, kick the $hit out of them but for gods sake somebody tell Hutton to at least try and be cunning about it!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 21, 2017, 12:28:11 PM
Of all the away trips, Fulham is probably the least intimidating imaginable. Not that that's a bad thing. Fulham fans seem okay to me, as do most people that hate Chelsea.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: tomd2103 on October 21, 2017, 12:39:10 PM
It could be that Davis's last couple of performances will see him on the bench this afternoon. However, given the lack of service & support he's been given by his team mates of late, I think it'd be a bit of a slap in the face for the lad. I appreciate that a fully fit & firing Kod is a sure-fire starter, but he's been a shadow of the guy we saw before his injury; and his obvious frustration and lack of effort last Saturday hardly justifies his guaranteed starting place at present IMO. That said, Bruce is nothing less than consistent and predictable with his selection & (ahem) tactics, so I'm hardly expecting him to pick a side that looks to attack a Fulham team - that he will doubtless seek to nullify from the off.

I'm expecting a draw today, but I live in hope of being pleasantly surprised. UTV

Davis is pretty key though, as we don't have another player who can play as a target man. 
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: auntiesledd on October 21, 2017, 02:02:47 PM
It could be that Davis's last couple of performances will see him on the bench this afternoon. However, given the lack of service & support he's been given by his team mates of late, I think it'd be a bit of a slap in the face for the lad. I appreciate that a fully fit & firing Kod is a sure-fire starter, but he's been a shadow of the guy we saw before his injury; and his obvious frustration and lack of effort last Saturday hardly justifies his guaranteed starting place at present IMO. That said, Bruce is nothing less than consistent and predictable with his selection & (ahem) tactics, so I'm hardly expecting him to pick a side that looks to attack a Fulham team - that he will doubtless seek to nullify from the off.

I'm expecting a draw today, but I live in hope of being pleasantly surprised. UTV

Davis is pretty key though, as we don't have another player who can play as a target man. 

I agree Tom, but what we might think & what Bruce will do will probably be completely different. He's nothing if not decidedly predictable...
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: saunders_heroes on October 21, 2017, 02:03:54 PM
Surprised he’s dropped Davis.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on October 21, 2017, 02:25:53 PM
Surprised he’s dropped Davis.
Last weeks performance was not down to Davis, if any one should be dropped Kodija.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Fulham - Pre Match Thread
Post by: Gregorys Boy on October 21, 2017, 02:52:35 PM
1-1 but hope for more.  Will go for Hogan to score off the bench to save our blushes :P
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