Aston Villa v Burnley Pre-Match Thread

[The Situation]

A nice win here with lots of confidence going into Sunday with hopefully another win over blose.

Warnock's just suspended for this game I take it after he got his 5th booking on Saturday?

[KevinGage]

Close game 1-0 or 2-1.

Providing we get through and don't pick up any injuries that's all that matters.

A bit of shooting practice might not go amiss for Ivanhoe though, who knows he might be saving his best for this comp. I think he's won it about 4 times already (twice with Leicester, twice with Liverpool) and looked like Dalian Atkinson (the good version) when he came on v Blackburn.

[Toronto Villa]

More disaster I suspect. This season is nosediving - Blues will be the next disaster - what does Houllier understand about this local derby?

wow. Stay away from sharp objects and nooses would be my advice.

[pauliewalnuts]

A routine win.

I'm starting to think we're going to Wembley again this season. Looking at the teams already out of the CC, and some of the draws in this round, we've got a good chance, I reckon.

Looking forward to this match. I love night matches.

[pauliewalnuts]

More disaster I suspect. This season is nosediving - Blues will be the next disaster - what does Houllier understand about this local derby?

From the minute O'Neill left, this season was always going to be a difficult one.

The new manager has had us for, what, four or five league matches. It seems a little bit early to get suicidal about the way the season is going.

[dave.woodhall]

More disaster I suspect. This season is nosediving - Blues will be the next disaster - what does Houllier understand about this local derby?

Yes, that one match losing streak really is awful.  Houllier and derbies. Has he any experience of them?

[JD]

I think it will be a comfortable 3-1 win for this one. We need to play a strong team.

[brontebilly]

this draw has opened up nicely for us. Burnley were spanked 4-0 at home by Reading at the weekend with Leon Cort sent off. Presume he will be suspended for this one. They have tidy ball players in midfield like Elliot and Eagles but we should have enough for them. Id like to see Clark get a shot left back, Elliot will be a good test for him. We need to try alternatives there. Id give Carew a start, last season he tended to have field days against the lower league teams, himself and Delfouneso combined well at Palace I recall so maybe this game can get him going again.

----------------Friedel-----------------
Beye, Dunne/Collins, Cuellar, Clark
---------Sidwell, Reo Coker----------
Albrighton---------------------Bannan
---------Carew-----Delfouneso

Pretty strong bench to come on if needed but I think the above will do the job.

[*shellac*]

A 4-3 win.

Four goals (Ash, Ivanhoe, Stew, OG) ahead in the 49th min.

Guzan caught napping thrice in the 60th, 70th & 80th min.

We managed to survive their onslaught by parking their coach in our penalty area.

[JUAN PABLO]

I would rest Heskey.  I would liek to see the Fonz get a run.. About time Carew started to earn his wages..

1-0   Bannan

[mshurst]

I think some of you people put faaaar too much effort and thought into the scoreline.

IIRC, we won 5-2 at home against them last season ... I'm going to for something very similar on the scoreline.

I'd like to see a fairly strong team though ... as it's my first visit to Villa Park this season I'd like to see some of our best. That and plenty of goals. It would sure make the cold, dark October night a lot better if I was jumping up and down at regular intervals.

[Lambert and Payne]

What kind of team do we think he'll play? Full strength, missing a few key players, or a youth team?

[cheltenhamlion]

A mix of regulars and squad players starting and a win by two clear goals.

[Shrek]

Good thing is Blues play Tuesday, meaning we will know how strong their team was. Which might determine how strong Houllier goes.

[VillaZogmariner]

I'd go for -

---------------------Guzan---------------------
---Lichaj---Cuellar-----Clark---Warnock---
---Albrighton--NRC---Sidwell---Bannan---
---------------Ireland--------------------------
-------------------------Carew-----------------

3-0 home win

Carew 32
Ireland 56
Bannan 78