I'll go for a draw, with 2-2 more likely than 0-0.
I hate us playing newly promoted teams. I'd much rather have this fixture around December/January when they have taken a few thumpings.
El-Amadi, Bannan, Ireland and Holman playing the diamond with Bent and Wiemann upfront means movement, movement, movement. As long as we don't get suckered into playing their 'game'.
The real question is, who's going to play out wide? I'm hoping for Zog and Bannan.
The real question is, who's going to play out wide? I'm hoping for Zog and Bannan.
Still see Bannan as a more central player. Maybe if we continue with the wide players tucking in and fullbacks going beyond them.
The team I'd go with:
Given
Lowton Clark Vlaar Lichaj (or a new LB if we have one)
El Ahmadi Gardner
Zog Ireland Holman
Bent
The real question is, who's going to play out wide? I'm hoping for Zog and Bannan.
Still see Bannan as a more central player. Maybe if we continue with the wide players tucking in and fullbacks going beyond them.
The team I'd go with:
Given
Lowton Clark Vlaar Lichaj (or a new LB if we have one)
El Ahmadi Gardner
Zog Ireland Holman
Bent
Swap gardner for bannan and id agree !
The real question is, who's going to play out wide? I'm hoping for Zog and Bannan.
Still see Bannan as a more central player. Maybe if we continue with the wide players tucking in and fullbacks going beyond them.
The real question is, who's going to play out wide? I'm hoping for Zog and Bannan.
Still see Bannan as a more central player. Maybe if we continue with the wide players tucking in and fullbacks going beyond them.
So do I, but in the absence of Super Marc I'm struggling to figure out who's going to be opposite Zog.
The real question is, who's going to play out wide? I'm hoping for Zog and Bannan.
Still see Bannan as a more central player. Maybe if we continue with the wide players tucking in and fullbacks going beyond them.
So do I, but in the absence of Super Marc I'm struggling to figure out who's going to be opposite Zog.
I think we will come first in this and pick up another Gold.
Oops sorry, I think we will win 2-0 (Bent, Holman) and pick up 3 points.
Narrow defeat. A few new players, we're very shaky at the back. It'll take time.
I reckon the team will be:Given
Lowton - Vlaar - Clark - Lichaj
El Ahmadi - Bannan
Ireland - Holman
Bent - N'Zogbia
Same 11 as above, but i think the midfield will be more like
El Ahmadi
Holman Bannan
Ireland
Or will it be a 2 and a 2?
El Ahmadi Bannan
Holman Ireland
I just wonder if he may go a bit left field at full back and play Stephens or Delph there or even Baker.
Same 11 as above, but i think the midfield will be more like
El Ahmadi
Holman Bannan
Ireland
Or will it be a 2 and a 2?
El Ahmadi Bannan
Holman Ireland
I just wonder if he may go a bit left field at full back and play Stephens or Delph there or even Baker.
We looked very disjointed on Saturday, good in parts but awful in others. The defence looked disorganised and susceptible to crosses, not what you want against an Allardyce team.
I think it's going to take a few weeks perhaps months for this side to gel and so expect us to lose this one.
I'd take a draw to be honest. I think as is, we'll struggle away from home but be quite good at home. Benty nets most of his goals at Villa Park too. We're very light too because of injuries. We'll miss Gabby a lot. We might even miss Dunney. His experience might actually be valuable at this stage of the season as Vlaar beds in. Hopefully Clark ups his game, because he wasn't all that convincing pre-season.
We definitely need 2-3 more decent signings in this window. We're short on quantity and quality.
Where's Herd?
Narrow defeat. A few new players, we're very shaky at the back. It'll take time.
I reckon the team will be:Given
Lowton - Vlaar - Clark - Lichaj
El Ahmadi - Bannan
Ireland - Holman
Bent - N'Zogbia
Absent any new signings I agree, with the possible replacement of bannan with delph to add a bit more steel.
Yep. I think we'll miss his experience and his pace. Generally with Gabby his seasons start and/or finish strongly with a poor middle. I feel like he'd have hit the ground running with Lambert. I'm also not convinced on his replacements. As poor as Gabby was the last two seasons (bar an excellent aug-nov last year), I still see him offering plenty.I'd take a draw to be honest. I think as is, we'll struggle away from home but be quite good at home. Benty nets most of his goals at Villa Park too. We're very light too because of injuries. We'll miss Gabby a lot. We might even miss Dunney. His experience might actually be valuable at this stage of the season as Vlaar beds in. Hopefully Clark ups his game, because he wasn't all that convincing pre-season.
We definitely need 2-3 more decent signings in this window. We're short on quantity and quality.
Really?
Narrow defeat. A few new players, we're very shaky at the back. It'll take time.
I reckon the team will be:Given
Lowton - Vlaar - Clark - Lichaj
El Ahmadi - Bannan
Ireland - Holman
Bent - N'Zogbia
Absent any new signings I agree, with the possible replacement of bannan with delph to add a bit more steel.
Pretty sure it will be Delph that starts alongside KEA as he has played there pre-season and he's done well.
Does anyone know of any boozers around Solihull, b'ham that would show the match on Saturday?British Oak, Pershore Road, Stirchley.
I know rococco on broad st used to show a foreign stream of the villa!?
Narrow defeat. A few new players, we're very shaky at the back. It'll take time.
I reckon the team will be:Given
Lowton - Vlaar - Clark - Lichaj
El Ahmadi - Bannan
Ireland - Holman
Bent - N'Zogbia
Absent any new signings I agree, with the possible replacement of bannan with delph to add a bit more steel.
Pretty sure it will be Delph that starts alongside KEA as he has played there pre-season and he's done well.
Actually Bannan has played there far more than Delph and has even been captain on a couple of occasions. And played well.
Thanks!!Does anyone know of any boozers around Solihull, b'ham that would show the match on Saturday?British Oak, Pershore Road, Stirchley.
I know rococco on broad st used to show a foreign stream of the villa!?
First game in the States I think.
When was he captain?Bannan? He hasn't has he? Delph has wore the armband a couple of times pre-season.
When was he captain?Bannan? He hasn't has he? Delph has wore the armband a couple of times pre-season.
When was he captain?Bannan? He hasn't has he? Delph has wore the armband a couple of times pre-season.
No, Bannan was definitely captain on two occasions, against the Timbers and Peterborough.
When was he captain?Bannan? He hasn't has he? Delph has wore the armband a couple of times pre-season.
No, Bannan was definitely captain on two occasions, against the Timbers and Peterborough.
Delph started the game as captain v Peterbro' & Chicage Fire.
What exactly have West Ham done since squeezing into the PL through the back door that suddenly makes them as good some think they are? They are going to be excited about being in the PL and the atmosphere will be tough, but at the end of the day we're not playing Man City away first game. They are still West Ham with West Ham level players, and with the great James Collins at the back. If we play our game and get the ball to Bent in the 6yd box we'll win. We have better players and a better manager.
What exactly have West Ham done since squeezing into the PL through the back door that suddenly makes them as good some think they are? They are going to be excited about being in the PL and the atmosphere will be tough, but at the end of the day we're not playing Man City away first game. They are still West Ham with West Ham level players, and with the great James Collins at the back. If we play our game and get the ball to Bent in the 6yd box we'll win. We have better players and a better manager.
I think the reason is literally Clark at centre back and the way Andy Carroll destroyed us that day. I think people will be surprised at how well Clark will play at the back, and the effectiveness of keeping the ball away from a side who boof it, because more often than not (as anyone watching us for a few seasons will testify) the boof gives the ball away.
Apparently they are going to play Diarra against us.
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/sport/westham/westhamnews/9872391.Hammers_set_to_play_Diarra_against_Aston_Villa/
We might score more goals with Lambert's style of play but as Chris has pointed out we look like conceding far too easy from our defending as highlighted on Saturday's showing. Even with Dunne and Collins at their worst I doubt two of those goals we defended very poorly from would have been scored.
We might score more goals with Lambert's style of play but as Chris has pointed out we look like conceding far too easy from our defending as highlighted on Saturday's showing. Even with Dunne and Collins at their worst I doubt two of those goals we defended very poorly from would have been scored.
This is true, but won't this be more exciting, more likely to be fun? In the short term, we're as unlikely to win the league as we are to be relegated, so if we're just middling around why don't we just enjoy ourselves?
Thankfully neither of them play for us.We might score more goals with Lambert's style of play but as Chris has pointed out we look like conceding far too easy from our defending as highlighted on Saturday's showing. Even with Dunne and Collins at their worst I doubt two of those goals we defended very poorly from would have been scored.
This is true, but won't this be more exciting, more likely to be fun? In the short term, we're as unlikely to win the league as we are to be relegated, so if we're just middling around why don't we just enjoy ourselves?
I suppose you're right and it's early days but the lack of understanding between Vlarr and Clarke is a concern.
We might score more goals with Lambert's style of play but as Chris has pointed out we look like conceding far too easy from our defending as highlighted on Saturday's showing. Even with Dunne and Collins at their worst I doubt two of those goals we defended very poorly from would have been scored.
This is true, but won't this be more exciting, more likely to be fun? In the short term, we're as unlikely to win the league as we are to be relegated, so if we're just middling around why don't we just enjoy ourselves?
Indeed Monty. I said to mate yesterday, instead of last season and knowing the odds were it would be 0-0, 0-1, 1-0 or 1-1 like last season, it will be 3-2, 3-3, 2-3 and so on. We'll still be inconsistent but it will be a lot more fun to watch.
Monty, it wasn't tactical astuteness that was our undoing on Saturday but a basic inability to defend crosses and in the second half to keep the ball.
Indeed Monty. I said to mate yesterday, instead of last season and knowing the odds were it would be 0-0, 0-1, 1-0 or 1-1 like last season, it will be 3-2, 3-3, 2-3 and so on. We'll still be inconsistent but it will be a lot more fun to watch.
I agree. Jorge Valdano made the point: in a 20-team league, only one team can win, so, if everyone has played 'results' football without the results to match, what have they contributed? This is especially true if, like us, you're not in great danger of going down either, so if we middle around playing dull, 'results-oriented' football, than we've bored ourselves and everyone else for no reason. I vote for fun.
Brett Holman hopes his "go, go, go" approach puts the skids under opposition defenders this season, starting with West Ham on Saturday.
Holman is relishing pitting his wits against the finest stoppers the Barclays Premier League has to offer, beginning at Upton Park at the weekend.
Holman thinks his attacking instincts, which have been so prevalent in pre-season, will be positive for Villa this term as they look to go on the offensive.
He said: "The non-stop, go-go-go sort of approach has been a positive thing for me.
"I try to do that with short sharp bursts and sprinting and turning and that sort of stuff. Hopefully that can be a big part of my role in the Premier League.
"I've always tried to play in a direct, attacking way, especially with my old club. The way we played was very attacking minded.
"Obviously the main aim is to score goals and we've got some quality players who can play some really good attacking football.
"You have to learn how the players around you play, what type of runs they make and what type of balls they want.
"It has to be the right time of course, but I think when you get the ball, if it's on, then the forward option is the best option."
Holman has been happy with how his first pre-season at Villa has gone and he's thrilled to be in tip-top shape on the eve of the top-flight opener.
He added: "You have to work hard in pre-season and the main thing is to get your fitness virtually at the peak for the first game of the Barclays Premier League.
"So far so good, there's been no injuries for me which has been positive and I feel really fit.
"You always can do more or better in matches and in friendlies you also try things out and maybe things that you wouldn't do in games that count."
I'd play:
Given
Lowton - Vlaar - Clark - Lichaj
Bannan - El Ahmadi - Delph
Ireland - Holman
Bent
Holman playing the 2nd striker role, Ireland a free role to wander and find space.
Width from the full backs and encourage 1 of the central 3 to go out and support the ball on their side, to give an option so, if we are wide, we don't feel obligated to throw it in the box.
without graphics it's hard to describe how we should be playing but the concept is:Shhhhh they have spys on here.
Lowton breaks forward
Ireland and Bannan form a triangle with him to offer passes and keep the ball
Bent looks for space in the box
Holman comes into the box late
Defensively one of delph or el ahmadi steps into a right of centre defensive midfield role
The other one, or lichaj provides width on the left
so you should always have 4 players in defensive positions, with one midfielder in place to fill in at full back.
In theory you're concentrating on reducing the amount of running people do to get into position, and letting the energy be used more productively. The key is having everyone buy into it and have the situational awareness to do the right job (which you train them towards).
I'm a rugby boy at heart and you're effectively using similar concepts whereby the role is played by the nearest person, not the specific person, other than a few key roles where you'll have 1-2 players who do that job (for rugby think full back, scrum half and fly half, for football, one of the central defenders and the main striker).
without graphics it's hard to describe how we should be playing but the concept is:Shhhhh they have spys on here.
Lowton breaks forward
Ireland and Bannan form a triangle with him to offer passes and keep the ball
Bent looks for space in the box
Holman comes into the box late
Defensively one of delph or el ahmadi steps into a right of centre defensive midfield role
The other one, or lichaj provides width on the left
so you should always have 4 players in defensive positions, with one midfielder in place to fill in at full back.
In theory you're concentrating on reducing the amount of running people do to get into position, and letting the energy be used more productively. The key is having everyone buy into it and have the situational awareness to do the right job (which you train them towards).
I'm a rugby boy at heart and you're effectively using similar concepts whereby the role is played by the nearest person, not the specific person, other than a few key roles where you'll have 1-2 players who do that job (for rugby think full back, scrum half and fly half, for football, one of the central defenders and the main striker).
2-2.
Bent and N'zogbia.
Anyone else think it's inevitable James Collins will score for them from a corner?
2-2.
Bent and N'zogbia.
Anyone else think it's inevitable James Collins will score for them from a corner?
He won't be playing, he needs an operation on his groin
Lowton breaks forward
Ireland and Bannan form a triangle with him to offer passes and keep the ball
Bent looks for space in the box
Holman comes into the box late
Defensively one of delph or el ahmadi steps into a right of centre defensive midfield role
The other one, or lichaj provides width on the left
4-3 defeat. Defence worries me.
Greetings again Villains. The new football season seems to have snuck up on me with all the excitement with the Olympics.
Two things surprised me with West Ham this summer. Firstly, that we've actually signed a couple of decent looking players - Alou Diarra from Marseille who seems a decent player, Momo Diama from Wigan for nothing, and of course your very own favourite Welshman, the Ginger Pele aka James Collins, who has returned to his east London home. The other thing that surprised me is that we haven't signed any "big name" players, despite a seemingly protracted "saga" chasing a tall white long haired Geordie version of Carlton Cole.
Still, onwards and upwards, and what was a decent standard squad from last year has been supplemented by three decent additions. The loss of Green was a shame, but we've got an experienced replacement in Jussi and a young upcoming 'keeper in Stephen Henderson.
Our squad is probably still light another striker, our only options being the infuriating Cole, the enigmatic but often erratic winger/forward Vaz Te, the unproven in the top flight Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock (the latter of which seems to be unwanted by Allardyce) and the well past his best Piquionne. However we're solid through the middle, and the midfield is strong.
Allardyce of course won't be fooled into any silly footballing ethos type experiments, picking his players to play a system that both works to their strengths and plays on the percentages. It's not always the prettiest to watch but too much of the Premier League is based on not losing at all costs these days that merely staying up is akin to winning the league.
Still, when it worked for us last season particularly in April and May we did produce some great football, far better than the dross we managed under Zola who was supposedly an exponent of the beautiful game.
As for this weekend, well it's anyone's guess as far as I'm concerned. Our pre-season form has been erratic at best, and I've paid very little attention to football all summer. It took me a few moments over the weekend to remember who won the cup last season, and just now I struggled to remember Paul Lambert is now your gaffer.
I'll plump for the draw, even though I've ticked a home win on the poll.
Advert in the London Standard a couple of days ago advertising that there are still 2500 tickets left, which surprised me.
So we have Gabby, Dunne, Albrighton, Herd and possibly Lowton, Carruthers and Holman injured. We sure pissed off the injury Gods somehow these last couple of years.Lowtons fit for Saturday, what's happened to Holman?
Greetings again Villains. The new football season seems to have snuck up on me with all the excitement with the Olympics.
Two things surprised me with West Ham this summer. Firstly, that we've actually signed a couple of decent looking players - Alou Diarra from Marseille who seems a decent player, Momo Diama from Wigan for nothing, and of course your very own favourite Welshman, the Ginger Pele aka James Collins, who has returned to his east London home. The other thing that surprised me is that we haven't signed any "big name" players, despite a seemingly protracted "saga" chasing a tall white long haired Geordie version of Carlton Cole.
Still, onwards and upwards, and what was a decent standard squad from last year has been supplemented by three decent additions. The loss of Green was a shame, but we've got an experienced replacement in Jussi and a young upcoming 'keeper in Stephen Henderson.
Our squad is probably still light another striker, our only options being the infuriating Cole, the enigmatic but often erratic winger/forward Vaz Te, the unproven in the top flight Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock (the latter of which seems to be unwanted by Allardyce) and the well past his best Piquionne. However we're solid through the middle, and the midfield is strong.
Allardyce of course won't be fooled into any silly footballing ethos type experiments, picking his players to play a system that both works to their strengths and plays on the percentages. It's not always the prettiest to watch but too much of the Premier League is based on not losing at all costs these days that merely staying up is akin to winning the league.
Still, when it worked for us last season particularly in April and May we did produce some great football, far better than the dross we managed under Zola who was supposedly an exponent of the beautiful game.
As for this weekend, well it's anyone's guess as far as I'm concerned. Our pre-season form has been erratic at best, and I've paid very little attention to football all summer. It took me a few moments over the weekend to remember who won the cup last season, and just now I struggled to remember Paul Lambert is now your gaffer.
I'll plump for the draw, even though I've ticked a home win on the poll.
If Holman's out I'd put Delph in not Weiman.
We need to make another couple of signings.
We need to make another couple of signings.
Can't see it - Lerner is content to reduce the squad to the bare bones to save his dollars. I just don't see the point of his ownership of the club anymore - what does he get out of it? The playing stock has reduced massively in quality over the last two years.
Can't see it - Lerner is content to reduce the squad to the bare bones to save his dollars. I just don't see the point of his ownership of the club anymore - what does he get out of it
Can always bring Hutton back into squad to make up the numbers in this ever diminishing squad!!!
Fucking totally meaningless internationals 3 days before the big kick off !
What a load of wank.
Fucking totally meaningless internationals 3 days before the big kick off !
What a load of wank.
Fully agree. These friendly games do my head in.
Fucking totally meaningless internationals 3 days before the big kick off !
What a load of wank.
Fully agree. These friendly games do my head in.
The biggest problem I have with these games is the amount of top players who pick up 'niggles' in the last week of pre-season.
And so the season begins.
A precursor to what we can expect this season. A fair few goals, at both ends.
2-2 Bent, Holman
Welcome back Sendo. Didn't you also sign a french striker over the summer?Cheers. Hopefully it'll be good to be back. I've got to admit I enjoyed our jaunt in the lower echelons of English football. It was nice winning most weeks, we were probably on tele more often and it makes you realise just how annoying the Premier League is seeing proper football teams come to the Boleyn. Still, one season is enough.
I think you'll struggle in defence against pace if Collins and Tomkins are your first choice partnership this season.
Welcome back Sendo. Didn't you also sign a french striker over the summer?Cheers. Hopefully it'll be good to be back. I've got to admit I enjoyed our jaunt in the lower echelons of English football. It was nice winning most weeks, we were probably on tele more often and it makes you realise just how annoying the Premier League is seeing proper football teams come to the Boleyn. Still, one season is enough.
I think you'll struggle in defence against pace if Collins and Tomkins are your first choice partnership this season.
We've also signed Maiga who looks like a decent forward/winger, which fits into Allardyces preferred 4-3-3 system with two fast wide players. Quite excited by him, so he'll probably flop.
Collins isn't the fastest but he's big and solid and our defensive options are otherwise quite light. Tomkins aside, Reid probably isn't quite Premier League standard. What do you lot think of the big ginger Taff then, glad to be rid? Has he regressed since we let him go to you?
Welcome back Sendo. Didn't you also sign a french striker over the summer?Cheers. Hopefully it'll be good to be back. I've got to admit I enjoyed our jaunt in the lower echelons of English football. It was nice winning most weeks, we were probably on tele more often and it makes you realise just how annoying the Premier League is seeing proper football teams come to the Boleyn. Still, one season is enough.
I think you'll struggle in defence against pace if Collins and Tomkins are your first choice partnership this season.
We've also signed Maiga who looks like a decent forward/winger, which fits into Allardyces preferred 4-3-3 system with two fast wide players. Quite excited by him, so he'll probably flop.
Collins isn't the fastest but he's big and solid and our defensive options are otherwise quite light. Tomkins aside, Reid probably isn't quite Premier League standard. What do you lot think of the big ginger Taff then, glad to be rid? Has he regressed since we let him go to you?
Does anyone know of any boozers around Solihull, b'ham that would show the match on Saturday?British Oak, Pershore Road, Stirchley.
I know rococco on broad st used to show a foreign stream of the villa!?
Paul Lambert says Villa will have a near fully fit squad for the West Ham clash. Nathan Delfouneso (thigh strain) is rated as "touch and go" but Brett Holman is available despite picking up a knock on international duty in midweek. Chris Herd has also resumed training. Gabby Agbonlahor, Marc Albrighton and Richard Dunne remain the only long-term injuries.
Does anyone know of any boozers around Solihull, b'ham that would show the match on Saturday?British Oak, Pershore Road, Stirchley.
I know rococco on broad st used to show a foreign stream of the villa!?
Are you ok to wear colours in this pub?
Gonna pop up for sure as need to see Opening day
Does anyone know of any boozers around Solihull, b'ham that would show the match on Saturday?British Oak, Pershore Road, Stirchley.
I know rococco on broad st used to show a foreign stream of the villa!?
Are you ok to wear colours in this pub?
Gonna pop up for sure as need to see Opening day
Yes. No problems with colours.
Talking of watching it on foreign streams....heard a piece on R5 yesterday saying there's going to be another big crackdown on watching online via illicit streams. So before I ask 'has anyone got a decent link' tomorrow, does anyone use Villa Streams/is it any good/how much?
The Villa boss also confirmed that midfielder Brett Holman has recovered from the ankle injury he sustained while on international duty with Australia against Scotland during the week.
He added: “Brett Holman’s fine and I think that he was taken off as a precaution. Gabby Agbonlahor, Marc Albrighton and Richard Dunne are still out. Chris Herd trained yesterday and he is fine but Nathan Delfouneso is a doubt.”
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2012/08/17/lambert-eyeing-kenwyne-jones-and-jermain-defoe/#ixzz23ndw9KzLQuoteThe Villa boss also confirmed that midfielder Brett Holman has recovered from the ankle injury he sustained while on international duty with Australia against Scotland during the week.
He added: “Brett Holman’s fine and I think that he was taken off as a precaution. Gabby Agbonlahor, Marc Albrighton and Richard Dunne are still out. Chris Herd trained yesterday and he is fine but Nathan Delfouneso is a doubt.”
Talking of watching it on foreign streams....heard a piece on R5 yesterday saying there's going to be another big crackdown on watching online via illicit streams. So before I ask 'has anyone got a decent link' tomorrow, does anyone use Villa Streams/is it any good/how much?
£13 for 3 months. It's very good. Used it for a couple of years now.
Talking of watching it on foreign streams....heard a piece on R5 yesterday saying there's going to be another big crackdown on watching online via illicit streams. So before I ask 'has anyone got a decent link' tomorrow, does anyone use Villa Streams/is it any good/how much?
£13 for 3 months. It's very good. Used it for a couple of years now.
Cheers PTV, think I'll give it a go
Talking of watching it on foreign streams....heard a piece on R5 yesterday saying there's going to be another big crackdown on watching online via illicit streams. So before I ask 'has anyone got a decent link' tomorrow, does anyone use Villa Streams/is it any good/how much?
£13 for 3 months. It's very good. Used it for a couple of years now.
Cheers PTV, think I'll give it a go
I believe it's closed to new sign ups.
I signed up for 3 months at Villa Streams earlier today with no problems.
thinking about the game tomorrow and am I the only one who hates that fucking bubbles song ?
fucking dirge..
UTV
The Doc
thinking about the game tomorrow and am I the only one who hates that fucking bubbles song ?
fucking dirge..
UTV
The Doc
thinking about the game tomorrow and am I the only one who hates that fucking bubbles song ?
fucking dirge..
UTV
The Doc
Gets on my tits too. Last time I went there we were singing 'you can stick your fucking bubbles up your arse'. Don't think they were best pleased.
Why is it all the leagues are starting on the same weekend? I thought the leagues below the Premier League start a week before the Premier League season starts?
Brett Holman is fit to face West Ham.
Holman limped off the pitch for Australia after a strong tackle from Scotland's Gary Caldwell a minute before half-time in their friendly at Easter Road and was promptly substituted at the break.
But Paul Lambert revealed in his pre-match press conference that the midfield playmaker is fit to face the Hammers.
Chris Herd [thigh] will also be fit after returning to training while Nathan Delfouneso [thigh] is "touch and go".
However, long-term casualties Gabby Agbonlahor [knee], Marc Albrighton [foot] and Richard Dunne [groin] are all out.
He said: "Brett is fine. It was a precaution he came off.
"Gabby, Marc and Richard are still out but Brett is okay."
Lambert is expecting a really tough game on Saturday, admitting Upton Park will be a "cauldron" because of the West Ham's promotion.
But he says his side will be going there to win.
He added: "I've never been to Upton Park before! It will be a really tough game. They will be vibrant because they've been promoted, even though a lot of the lads have played in the Premier League before.
"We will be going into a cauldron and we have to stand up to it and not be frightened by it.
"It will be really, really hard but we will go there and try and win.
"I can't wait now. I'm glad the new season is upon us. That is for sure.
"It's been a long pre-season and I can't wait to get going. It's a huge club and we will do everything we can to try and do well.
"I can't fault the lads for their effort, they have been brilliant.
"When they get that ball moving, they are a really good side. Sometimes you make mistakes, everyone will, but their attitude has been great.
"We are going to go there and try and win, not to try and settle for a draw."
Yea that's probably why. Feels a bit strange with all the leagues starting on the same weekend.Why is it all the leagues are starting on the same weekend? I thought the leagues below the Premier League start a week before the Premier League season starts?
Olympics probably, none of the lower league London clubs could have played during it I guess?
The heat will be a factor tomorrow, supposed to be around 30c in London.
Off twitter,Good news!
@SFitzgerald1986: No Diarra No Nolan No MacDonald Maiga starting tomorrow has to be said if weren't favorites before we should be now.
I'm a lot more confident now I know those 3 are not playing.
Alright gents, sorry if I'm being a Dufus but I've heard of a paying website that streams villa games and am up for paying for reliability as I'm sick of trawling through rubbish stream sites for our away games and missing half of them. Does anyone know the name/website and secondly is it worth the money? Thanks in advance
I signed up for 3 months at Villa Streams earlier today with no problems.
It might be that as I subscribed before a while ago I am on a database? But it definately accepted me for 3 months.
How did you manage that, atomicjam? I just tried by clicking the "Not registered yet? Signup here" link on the site and got a "Sign Up's are closed" message. Any ideas?
We can do them. We know we can. New players New Boss New ideas New Day!!
We are 80-1 for Top 4 place with William Hill's. Take it before they decide we have a chance!
We can do them. We know we can. New players New Boss New ideas New Day!!
We are 80-1 for Top 4 place with William Hill's. Take it before they decide we have a chance!
Talking of watching it on foreign streams....heard a piece on R5 yesterday saying there's going to be another big crackdown on watching online via illicit streams. So before I ask 'has anyone got a decent link' tomorrow, does anyone use Villa Streams/is it any good/how much?
Theres no problem watching streams amigo. Plenty around for all games thats the web for you. Scare mongering by the beeb so we tune in to their coverage me thinks...
For any sky and espn matches this season Mypremium.tv
Wiziwig.tv has a list of streamed sports and then you click on link.
And football streaming.info has a list of matches
there is a section for uk and irish matches
West Ham United v Aston Villa FA Barclaycard Premiership can be watched on any of these
15.00
FREEVIEWSPORTS - Browser EN
COOLSPORTZ - Browser
VIP BOX - Browser
222A - Browser
MEDIA4FOOTBALL - Browser
FIRST ROW - Browser
And finally
Veetle streams matches (and you can check out movies)
http://veetle.com/index.php/listing/index/sports
I'm working all day and won't be home until 6. The question is, do I find out the scores when I get home? Or go into Match of the Day not knowing?
I think we should have a poll for where we will be on MOD tonight. Hopefully not last, it should be more entertaining than anything we saw last season.
I'll go for 3rd game....
Is it worth starting a streaming thread so the match thread wont get mashed?
Ok.Is it worth starting a streaming thread so the match thread wont get mashed?
Can we stop discussing streams please guys, there are many reasons why, as you can imagine.
Is it live on the telly anywhere?