Aston Villa v SHA: Pre-match Thread

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So we're 7 days away from the Noses. Chester and McGinn potentially injured, although I'd expect both to start.

The hordes from Mordor will board their fleet of coaches to be safely bussed into Aston, while banging on the windows shouting Zulu.

Monk's lot don't like the football too much, as 30% possession appears to be the summit of their ability. Dour, regimented 442 sat deep with long diagonals to Jutkiewicz and Adams for flick ons.

Meanwhile the good guys will be playing football from.a different century.

There's been a progression throughout Smith's short time here for chance creation. Full backs are further forward, the ball is moving quicker, Grealish is further up and we're looking pretty decent.

First goal is always key and it won't come easy against the bus parkers from B9.

I really do fancy us though, as defensively they've looked dire the past two games. They've conceded 6 and we've scored 5, conceding none.

My team;

Nyland

Hutton
Chester
Tuanzebe
Elmo

Hourihane
McGinn

Adomah
Grealish
Kodjia

Tammy

I would actually start BB and Bolasie if fit, but I suspect they wont be.

If we're going up, we must be keeping up our good home form and beating these.

Villa win.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

FTF in the strongest possible terms.

[Brassneck]

Same team as above for me - Although I wouldn't bring either BB or Bolasie in at this point given the performances of Hourihane, Albert and Kodjia during the last 2 games.

[manic-road]

Win, don't care how just win.

[Pete3206]

I'm optimistic after the Derby performance, but this will be a very hard game and I'd be ecstatic to pinch it by the odd goal. I think it will be a 1-1 draw.

[Lastfootstamper]

Even despite our fall of recent years, it's still been quite a substantial while since they gave us a game at home. I really can't see that changing this coming week. If Bruce was still here, perhaps it might be different. But Smith, nah, no fucking chance.

Comfortable win for us. 4-1, something like that.

[SoccerHQ]

2-2.

They have goals in them this year. Also good away form lately, wins at Leeds and Stoke and drawn with Sheffield United in last six weeks.

Their big weakness is Lee Camp though so probably will come down to who of him and Nyland is protected better from the back 4s dealing with crosses.

Hopefully the clean sheet at Derby will have done ours the world of good.

[Legion]

2-0.

[shirley_villan]

Always too nervous to make a rational prediction. 2-2.

[SoccerHQ]

Even despite our fall of recent years, it's still been quite a substantial while since they gave us a game at home. I really can't see that changing this coming week. If Bruce was still here, perhaps it might be different. But Smith, nah, no fucking chance.

Comfortable win for us. 4-1, something like that.

Would be surprised. Think the 5-1 and 2-0 last year are only times in last 10 years we've beaten them by more than a goal. All the others are usually narrow 1-0 wins or just a boring draw at the Sty.

I would've expected a resounding win more last year considering the joke they were under Wurzel Cotterill (they actually lost 5-0 at Brentford a week after we beat them).

Wouldn't say no to it of course but expecting a tighter game.

[Damo70]

We are level on points with them and have a one goal difference advantage on them having scored four more than them but conceded three more than them. They have two goalscorers in Jutkiewicz (nine) and Adams (eight) so keeping them quiet would go a long way to helping us win. I think they have over achieved so far this season and are a mid table side at best. I think home advantage, new manager bounce and the fact that man for man we are better than them and have more experience in our side means we will win. Since both clubs have been in the Championship they don't seem to have raised their game against us like they did in the years when Bruce was in charge of them. I'm going 2-1.

[Smirker]

4-0.

FTF.

[Smirker]

Grealish will score a hat trick btw.

[ChicagoLion]

Can’t wait for the first of the unwashed to turn up on here.

[QuintonVilla]

4-0.

We've spent millions though of course so should be expected to beat them and they won't see a Viler up town all day, despite a 42,000 sell out.