Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on December 31, 2011, 06:09:15 PM
-
4-0 home win.
Agnonlahor 12
Ireland 16
N'Zogbia 33
Bent 43
Guzan
Warnock
Collins
Dunne
Cuellar
Petrov
Ireland
N'Zogbia
Clark
Albrighton/Bent
Agbonlahor
Marshall
Albrighton/Bent
Bannan
Gardner
Weimann
Hutton
Delfouneso
-
It would be just like us to ruin today be screwing up at home to Swansea. However, i'm going for ...
Villa 3 - 1 Swansea
Gabby 8
Sinclair 31
Zog 56
Clark 66
-
2-0 and relatively comfortable. We need to push forward early on and get in front. A goal for Charlie would be nice, but it really doesn't matter does it?
-
2-1 Gabby and Petrov.
-
2-0 N'zogbia double
-
2-2.
We should win but be typical to follow a tremendous win with a disappointing result. I remember last season we got a great 3-3 at Chelsea and followed that with a garbage loss at home to Sunderland.
-
3-1 to the Villa. Should be a cracking game anyway, we're coming out of our shells and Swansea are a decent footballing side who aren't afraid to have a go at teams away from home.
-
1-1 draw, and all a bit of an anti-climax. They are a decent side and played well today, but also rested some people for the Villa game, so could be a bit fresher.
-
Indeed, tiredness is something that worries me especially with Collins and Stan carrying knocks. I also think it would be typical bloody Villa to follow up a tremendous performance with a bit of a damp squib.
I still expect us to win but maybe a narrow 1-0.
-
I imagine Collins and Petrov may be tired or feeling the strain. Hutton could come in for Collins. Less sure about who could replace Petrov. Think it would be a mistake to push Ireland deeper.
Bannan could come in, and it might be his sort of game, but we would be weaker defensively. I wouldn't risk Delph, so it could be a game for Gardner, but I suspect we may give Petrov 60 minutes.
-
1-1 frustrating home draw.
-
2-2
-
2-2.
We should win but be typical to follow a tremendous win with a disappointing result. I remember last season we got a great 3-3 at Chelsea and followed that with a garbage loss at home to Sunderland.
That was a really frustrating evening. I can't believe it's been a year, I remember being utterly dejected with that and not at all convinced we'd stay up.
-
3-1 win.
I'd give Gabby a rest for this one.
-
I fancy us to keep a clean sheet against Swansea. They, however, are quite solid at the back so I can't see us having the champagne scoreline we'd all love. That's why I predict a hard fought 2-0 home win with the scoreline being slightly flattering to us as we get a second on the break in the dying minutes.
Alex McLeish's Claret and Blue Army!!!
-
I'd be surprised if Petrov played after Saturday's injury. It would be nice to see Gardner get his full debut, I don't know whether Herd is approaching fitness.
Maybe Cuellar will move across to replace Collins with Hutton coming in. Agbonlagor would probably benefit from a day off too, to be replaced by Bent.
It's a good time for McLeish to add astute squad rotation to his expanding list of managerial skills.
-
Think we will win this fairly comfortably. With an ounce more ambition we would have won the away game and now with a huge lift in confidence we shouldn't be stopped.
Definitely need to play the better footballers in this one. I'd go with Hutton and Delph at full backs. Gardner for Petrov in midfield. Bent up front. Two of Nzogbia, Albrighton or Gabby out wide.
Would be great to put wins back to back. Won't get many better chances.
-
I'd like to see Gardner given a go. This really is a game we should be winning. I also want Bent to start.
-
With Petrov and Collins carrying knocks, I think I would go:
Guzan
Hutton
Cuellar
Dunne
Warnock
Clark
Gardner
Ireland
NZogbia
Albrighton
Bent
With Gabby on the bench. Resting people and rotating is ideal, and Gardner could be a revelation.
-
I'd go Clark-Bannan-Ireland.
Bannan's better as part of a central two than being more advanced.
I'd sent Delph on loan to Bolton.
-
3-0
Stephen Ireland hat trick.
-
Already going myself, but fancied a look on the select-a-seat thing to see how we were doing in selling seats for this one, and for the first time in months I was put in a queue, due to high demand.
Looks like the Chelsea result's gonna give the attendance a kick up the backside.
2-0 to the Villa, Bent and Albrighton to score, with Ireland getting an assist in somewhere.
-
2-0 home win. Bent and Clark scoring
-
A 1-1 draw, Bent to score.
-
With Petrov and Collins carrying knocks, I think I would go:
Guzan
Hutton
Cuellar
Dunne
Warnock
Clark
Gardner
Ireland
NZogbia
Albrighton
Bent
With Gabby on the bench. Resting people and rotating is ideal, and Gardner could be a revelation.
I'd also go with that, for the same reasons. I'd fancy Gardner to get on the scoresheet too.
-
1-1.
I'd love to see the same side play, but having put in a massive shift against Chelsea and Arsenal last week, the sensible thing would be to make changes. Bannan and possibly Delph to come in I reckon, Stan won't last the distance.
-
A solid performance and a 2-1 win
Tartan army!!!
-
Really hope Hutton does not come back in. Cuellar has contributed to a clean sheet and a win. And looks much more reliable than Hutton. Gabby and Bent up front with Ireland behind them. Think Gardner will start or come on later for Petrov ......
-
With Petrov and Collins carrying knocks, I think I would go:
Guzan
Hutton
Cuellar
Dunne
Warnock
Clark
Gardner
Ireland
NZogbia
Albrighton
Bent
With Gabby on the bench. Resting people and rotating is ideal, and Gardner could be a revelation.
Exactly what I was going to post.
Swansea rested a number of players against Spirs and will be fresh. We need to do the same and keep the confidence flowing throughout the whole squad.
-
1-1
Swansea are a good side.
-
So far, you have all ignored the most dreaded words in the English language. 'The fit again Emile Heskey is available'....
-
So far, you have all ignored the most dreaded words in the English language. 'The fit again Emile Heskey is available'....
No. Please, no.
-
Has to be a certain 3 pointer for Villa.
Providing Saturday was no fluke, lets face it there has been some weird results this weekend, Swansea are now 10 since they won a game.
Think we will win easy.
-
An open letter to Mr. McLeish:
Dear Alex,
Please do not pick Ivanhoe to start tomorrow. We're doing quite well without him.
Best wishes,
Lee
-
1-0 Villa win I reckon with Bent scoring.
-
2-0 CNZ, Bent.
Big Ecks Claret & Blue Army! ;D
-
An open letter to Mr. McLeish:
Dear Alex,
Please do not pick Ivanhoe to start tomorrow. We're doing quite well without him.
Best wishes,
Lee
If he reverts to playing Heskey in midfield - which is effectively playing with ten men - then he's certifiably insane.
I don't think he's insane, so hopefully we won't see that happen.
-
2-0 Ireland; Bent
-
I like Heskey and have often defended him on here. However, if after the last few games AM brings him back then he deserves every bit of grief he will get.
-
I like Heskey and have often defended him on here. However, if after the last few games AM brings him back then he deserves every bit of grief he will get.
Exactly how I feel.
-
I like Heskey and have often defended him on here. However, if after the last few games AM brings him back then he deserves every bit of grief he will get.
Exactly how I feel.
Yep I agree.
-
I'd be pretty stunned if heskey came in. I'm not sure bent will start.
Would definitely keep the 4231. I think I would bring bent back, just can't decide who I'd leave out. Albrighton is the obvious choice but his game should in theory be tailor made for bent. Gabby has been too good, so that leaves CNZ but he seemed to link very well with Ireland.
Hmmm . . .
Guzan - Hutton cuellar dunne warnock - Petrov Clark - CNZ Ireland gabby - bent
Marshall Collins Gardner bannan albrighton heskey delfouneso
-
I'd leave the defence alone, 1 goal conceded in the last two games (which was a pen) and it's looking more solid than it has been for a while so there's no need to change it.
-
I think Bent will start.
Think I'd take Albrighton out for this one and move Gabby back out wide.
-
I think Bent will start.
Think I'd take Albrighton out for this one and move Gabby back out wide.
Either that or keep things as is. The team that started against Chelsea deserve to keep their places. Bent isn't 100% so might be pushing it to start him. I want to see what Albrighton does back at Villa Park and a wider pitch, but like you he'd be the one to sacrifice to bring back Bent.
-
Think Petrov may struggle to be fit, I agree with soccerhq and would give Albrighton a seat on the bench and Gabby out wide.
-
Think we will win this one going for 2-1 but dont think it will be an easy ride and we may need a bit of patience, if were struggling to break them down we need to stick with the lads to the end, but I do think we will get the job done.
-
Think we need to go 4-5-1 as heard Redknapp saying how they outpassed the Spuds.
-
1-1. Bent 89. Moore 15.
-
Swansea are a tough team, I expect it to be close. I reckon a draw but if we score first we will win.
-
I would definately start with the same 11 if Petrov isnt fit then bring in Herd and take it from there.
-
Is Herd fit? Would like Gardner to get a chance if Petrov is not fit.
-
If Petrov unfit it will be a blow but if so bring in Gardener. Give him a chance.
-
Gardner should definitely be the option.
-
It's all very well getting a marquee result at Chelsea now we have to consolidate by beating Swansea. Anything other than a win will be disapppointing.
They are very good defensively so the best I can hope for is a 1-0 win.
-
Gabby took Abit of a battering at Chelsea and Marc ran himself ragged, so I'd rest the pair.
We have to freshen things up or a fresh Swansea team will be all over us.
-
Why will Swansea be any fresher than us?
-
They rested half their team against Sperms.
-
The crowd will energise the players as we did against the Arse. If they try to out-football us, we will slaughter them.
-
Any money on Luke Moore or Wayne Routledge scoring.
-
Here's the peerless mysticism of Mark "Ooh I could crush a grape" Lawrenson.
He who sits slouched on the MOTD sofa after his diddins, the bottom shirt button on his out of the packet BHS shirt undone, spewing predictable horseshit for a few grand.
(http://www.bsad.org/cartoons/lawro.jpg)
Aston Villa got a fantastic 3-1 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and that will give them a lot of confidence. Alex McLeish got his team playing some great counter-attacking football, but they will need something a bit different to break down Swansea.
I think McLeish wants his side to be solid defensively and play on the break and having players like Charles N'Zogbia and Darren Bent, who came on against Chelsea, back in the team helps them do that effectively.
Villa are a mid-table side, but would I be surprised if someone came in to try to buy Bent in January? No, probably not. They have become a selling club.
(http://www.airsoftireland.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/wanker.gif)
As for Swansea, they played really well in their 1-1 draw against Tottenham after going 1-0 down, and it was only a matter of time until they scored an equaliser.
That was a really impressive performance from the Welsh side - especially if you consider that Spurs had just gone to Norwich and won easily - but, as we know, Swansea are just not the same force on the road.
Prediction: 2-0
-
I don't care as long as we win!!
-
Why did Swansea rest a lot of their first-teamers for the Spurs game? Did they think they had a better chance of getting a result at us than at home to Spudz?
-
Why did Swansea rest a lot of their first-teamers for the Spurs game? Did they think they had a better chance of getting a result at us than at home to Spudz?
I would imagine that was the exact reasoning. I wouldn't take it personally, though. We've been pretty poor for the majority of the season and I don't think it's meant as an insult.
Having said that, I hope we make Rogers rue not going for it against Spurs after his weakened side got a point. I don't have too many concerns about them offensively and I'm sure our confidence will be good after Chelsea (in particular N'Zogbia and Ireland should be very pleased to have a very strong performance each under their belts).
2-0 Villa.
-
Another 3-1 to us. That'll teach 'em to chant boring boring Villa.
-
I would definately start with the same 11 if Petrov isnt fit then bring in Herd and take it from there.
I think Herd and Clark is too defensive (even if Herd is fit). Gardner or Bannan for me.
-
From Auntie (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16331446.stm):
TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa will assess captain Stiliyan Petrov, who limped off in Saturday's 3-1 win away to Chelsea.
Darren Bent may start after scoring on his return from injury as a substitute at Stamford Bridge, while the fit-again Emile Heskey may be on the bench.
Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers is likely to freshen up his side, with Danny Graham and Leon Britton set to start.
On-loan defender Steven Caulker will return, having been ineligible to face parent club Tottenham on Saturday.
MATCH PREVIEW
These two clubs begin a new calendar year leaving behind very different emotions from the last one. While Swansea try to build on what Brendan Rodgers has described as an "iconic" 12 months, Aston Villa's aim has to be some stability and consistency. For Villa, 2011 was certainly a rollercoaster year that saw messrs Houllier, McAllister and McLeish all in charge of the team, a flirtation with relegation and a club record outlay of £24m on Darren Bent.
That kind of spending won't be repeated this January but the challenge is for them to show the resilience and determination that was so clearly evident in their victory at Chelsea on a more regular basis.
That result will have been a timely reminder of what they can achieve. The enigmatic Stephen Ireland played a key role against the Blues - if Villa can get the Irishman performing anywhere near the level he reached at Manchester City under Mark Hughes, it will feel like a new signing, and a talented one too.
Villa have lost four of their last five home games but a match against the side with the worst away record in the league gives Alex McLeish's team an opportunity to start a better run of results. Villa's home form was always the foundation of the top-six finishes achieved under Martin O'Neill.
When Swansea were beating Reading in the Championship to begin 2011, who would have thought that 12 months on they would have 20 points on the board at the halfway stage in the Premier League, having just drawn with Tottenham? It's been a remarkable journey that is still gathering pace and Brendan Rogers' team have won many admirers as well as points with their brand of football. Their defensive foundation has been impressive too, with eight clean sheets on the board.
The one area that will be a concern that could yet jeopardise the fairytale is their away form. They are the only team yet to win away in the top flight, having managed just three points and six goals on their travels, and that is adding extra pressure to their performances at the Liberty Stadium. Three points at Villa Park would be their perfect start to the new year.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• This is only the 19th meeting between the sides. Aston Villa have won 14, Swansea three and there has only been one draw - which was 0-0 earlier this season.
• Aston Villa won their two previous encounters with Swansea in the top flight at Villa Park; 3-0 in the 1981-82 season and 2-0 in the 1982-83 campaign.
Aston Villa
• Villa had failed to score in five out of seven Premier League matches before netting three against Chelsea.
• They have lost their last three matches at home - to Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
• In fact, they have lost four out of their last five league games at Villa Park and won only three out of nine at home this season.
• They have scored 11 and conceded 11 at home.
Swansea
• The Swans are the only team in the top flight without an away win.
• They have scored just six goals in their nine matches away from the Liberty Stadium.
-
For the first time this season i'm actually looking forward to going down to villa park. Let's hope for another 3 points on the board. I'm also looking forward to s good atmosphere down at VP too
-
Same here midnight suddenly there is light at the end of the tunnell and a renewed optimism.
-
Why did Swansea rest a lot of their first-teamers for the Spurs game? Did they think they had a better chance of getting a result at us than at home to Spudz?
I bet they are regretting it now after we hammered chelski 3-1 . They would have be better giving it a go at home to spurzz and resting against us .
anyway , No Heskey please . Ireland a must to start . I would like to see Gardner giving a go . We still have some bloody good players here , as long as they are played in the right positions .
Im going for 2-0 . Ireland and Bent
-
It might be a game where the fans have to be patient. We might find it hard to break them down at first, they'll make it hard for us knowing we've just come off the back of a good result and their point against Spuds won't have done them any harm either.
I'll go 2-1. Bent and Zoggy. A late nervy consolation for them.
-
Two nil to us.
-
Sods law, for the first time in ages i've been looking forward to the game so the cold i've had for a few days decides to really kick in and I feel like death warmed up. So unless the various medicines kick in fast i'll be missing my first home game of the season. Bah humbug.
-
I'll go 2-1. Bent and Zoggy. A late nervy consolation for them.
Will you let Luke Moore have it?
-
Because I know Villa, I'm refusing to get carried away with our apparent reversal of fortune. A frustrating draw is on the cards today. 2-2, Gabby and Gardner.
-
Sods law, for the first time in ages i've been looking forward to the game so the cold i've had for a few days decides to really kick in and I feel like death warmed up. So unless the various medicines kick in fast i'll be missing my first home game of the season. Bah humbug.
Dose yourself up- the fresh air will do you good!
-
At Wolves train station, Chelsea fans everywhere, oh im smug.
-
Why did Swansea rest a lot of their first-teamers for the Spurs game? Did they think they had a better chance of getting a result at us than at home to Spudz?
I bet they are regretting it now after we hammered chelski 3-1 . They would have be better giving it a go at home to spurzz and resting against us .
anyway , No Heskey please . Ireland a must to start . I would like to see Gardner giving a go . We still have some bloody good players here , as long as they are played in the right positions .
Im going for 2-0 . Ireland and Bent
Swansea did give it a real good go at home to Spurs, could've won the game in the second half as they created enough chances.
-
Sods law, for the first time in ages i've been looking forward to the game so the cold i've had for a few days decides to really kick in and I feel like death warmed up. So unless the various medicines kick in fast i'll be missing my first home game of the season. Bah humbug.
Dose yourself up- the fresh air will do you good!
Having just had a conversation with the big white telephone I definitely think it's game off for me :'(
Come on you Villa boys.
-
Sods law, for the first time in ages i've been looking forward to the game so the cold i've had for a few days decides to really kick in and I feel like death warmed up. So unless the various medicines kick in fast i'll be missing my first home game of the season. Bah humbug.
Dose yourself up- the fresh air will do you good!
Oh I do hope you didn't heed my advise and you stayed in the warm.
-
Sods law, for the first time in ages i've been looking forward to the game so the cold i've had for a few days decides to really kick in and I feel like death warmed up. So unless the various medicines kick in fast i'll be missing my first home game of the season. Bah humbug.
Dose yourself up- the fresh air will do you good!
Oh I do hope you didn't heed my advise and you stayed in the warm.
I did indeed take a sickie. Spent most of the game on the sofa thanking McGrath for making me feel so ill that I missed the game!