Birmingham City vs Aston Villa pre match thread

[Des Little]

Away win. Think of a number.

[Richard E]

We get 2100.

Nah, we might score 5 or 6 but I doubt we'll stick four figures past them even with their defence.

[Ads]

We get 2100.

Nah, we might score 5 or 6 but I doubt we'll stick four figures past them even with their defence.

Aye aye Gregnash is here.

Negative nelly.

[SoccerHQ]

0-0. I genuinly can't remember us playing well there in my years as a football fan.

Yep even when we were regularly winning there under MON it was only ever by a single goal and in the last 5 minutes. Was our last win there by 2 goals in the 80s?

This will be tight. I hope we have enough for a 2-1 win but wouldn't be surprised if it's another draw. SHA are poor but they are decent at home, it's their hopeless away form that has them where they are in the league.

They do have plenty of pace upfront so can see our defence getting caught out at some stage so it's vital SB actually tells the team to attack in a big game for once.

[Damo70]

To be fair, I think we have always been decent value for our single goal wins. Both in the games under MON and the two legs on our way to winning the cup in 1993/1994. Also last season at Villa Park was a deserved win. The last time I remember beating them by more than one goal at the sty was the first leg of the cup in 1988. Gage and Andy Gray MkII both scored decent goals that night if I remember right.

[ChicagoLion]

Could never see a bloody thing when I visited that shit hole, just got caught up in the atmosphere.
So no idea if we played well or not.

[Matt Collins]

I think I'd play Davis ahead of Kodjia for this one, but I'd be surprised if Bruce does

Otherwise unchanged

[Nev]

I suspect a draw, however bad Small Heath are they will raise their game after being harangued by drooling idiots for weeks, reminding them about the club's raison d'etre.

1-1

[Bad English]

1-3 to the Villa. Terry. Kodjia. Davis. No idea who plays for them.

[manic-road]

0-1 Albert

[cdbearsfan]

I think I'd play Davis ahead of Kodjia for this one, but I'd be surprised if Bruce does

Otherwise unchanged

Too defensive. Our wins at Barnsley and Burton were both achieved playing two up front. If we don't play to attack away from home, we don't win.

[Clampy]

I'd stick with the team that started on Saturday. Like someone else has already said, they're not that bad at home and anyway the three forwards plus Onomah and Hourihane breaking into the box should be enough of a goal threat.

[villabear]

I'd like to think he'll play two up top but I think he might err on the side of caution and go with just Kodjia.  As cdbullyweefan says we're far better when being attack minded.

0-2 Goals from Snodgrass and a cardboard cutout of Gabby.

[tomd2103]

I think I'd play Davis ahead of Kodjia for this one, but I'd be surprised if Bruce does

Otherwise unchanged

As I said in an earlier post, I would as well.  Kodjia got roughed up there last year and to be honest looked like he didn't really fancy the physical battle.  I would look to shore up the midfield in the early stages and would start with three in there as well.

[cdbearsfan]

When was the last time we won an away match playing 4-5-1? I think it worked on Saturday as Fulham, being the away side, were happy to allow us possession. When we are away from home playing one up front just sees us become too negative. Get two up front and get at the bastards.


Davis, if fit, deserves to play, while not playing Kodjia would give them a boost.