Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on December 03, 2012, 06:23:07 PM
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Saturday 8.12.12 3pm KO
1-0 Home win
Benteke 78
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2-1 to us and our meteoric rise continues
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2 - 1 to us.
Benteke 28, Gabby 90.
Crouch for them. You can guarantee it'll be him.
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It'll be shit.
0-0
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2-1 to us.
John Woodward with a brace, Mike Pejic with a late consolation for them.
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It'll be shit.
0-0
Sadly I have the same feeling.
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0-0 for me too unfortunately. And the graveyard slot on MOTD.
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An early goal is always required to stop this being the tedious sort of affair nearly every game againat Stoke is.
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It'll be really shit. 0-1 , Huth
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They've been on a good run.
Time to bring it to an end.
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Football must be the winner, not that dire anti football Pulis serves up via his inbreds.
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Just had a call for some overtime in Bradford Saturday morning, which will pay for me to get my arse back down quickly and go down the Villa.
Shite game, big win, 1-0 Villa and I'll lap it up.
Momentum with us, we'll bag two shock wins Spurs and Chelsea and we'll be looking well clear of the relegation spots by Christmas.
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This will be the worst game of football ever played. I mean, ever. Hoof, hooof, hoooooof! 0-2
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Tough game. Can't see it being anything other than tight and pretty dull. 1-0 either way is pretty likely. Interesting to see whether lambert overloads the centre backs again. Would make a big difference if Vlaar and one of our proper left backs is fit. Bannan's performances have faded a bit so perhaps Delph or KEA to come in?
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Would prefer to see Ireland play.
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we need to play the game we are trying to improve and not try and compete with them at the long ball. We need to keep the ball and not give away stupid free kicks, corners or throw ins in line with our 18 yd box or deeper. We know what they will come with so with discipline we can beat them.
Put me down for a 2-1 win - Benteke, and Bent with the winner off the bench.
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8-0 Villa
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1-1. Holman for us, Ryan Shotton's throw in to go straight in for them.
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We'll batter 'em 1-0.
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0-0 written all over it
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Ryan Shotton's throw in to go straight in for them.
Wouldn't that be given as a corner?
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It'll be shit.
0-0
it'll be shit
anyscore - anyscore
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1-1 Gabby.
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Oh god I hope we beat these, even more so than O'Neill's mob the other week.
2-0 Gabby and Benteke
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Ryan Shotton's throw in to go straight in for them.
Wouldn't that be given as a corner?
It would be a goal kick to the defending team!
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Of course.
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Bad feeling we'll lose this 1-2.
They're in form and are the modern day Leicester.
Really need Vlaar fit for this and I think I'd go with him alongside Baker, give Clark a rest as I think he'll struggle a lot in this game with how they play.
Would retain Herd for this as we need some physical presence in central midfield as they'll play three in the centre.
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It'll be really shit. 0-1 , Huth
Have faith mate, we will win 5-3 and every goal will be a blinder :o
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Baker should be kept in for his height will need that against their set pieces
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Baker should be kept in for his height will need that against their set pieces
Agree. Can we get some platform boots for Bannan .
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I would think about maybe Baker, Clark and Vlaar with Lowton and Bennett/ Stevens/ NZogbia at left wing back, with Clark stepping into midfield if required. That way we keep the height and have flexibility in formation.
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Oh and I have clicked on a win, but think it will be 1-1 Benteke. Late goal for them.
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I'm going 2-0 villa win, Benteke and Gabby to score with one of theirs finally getting sent off for kicking lumps out of our fluid passing team.
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I can't remember, have we ever beaten these feckers since they returned to the top flight?
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I can't remember, have we ever beaten these feckers since they returned to the top flight?
Didn't we win the game when Carew scored that cracker? That might be the only time. I can't honestly recall winning.
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Think we'll win this.
3-1.
Benteke
Gabby
Williams.
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Think we'll win this.
3-1.
Benteke
Gabby
Williams.
???
Bold choice. Hope you are right!
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Think we'll win this.
3-1.
Benteke
Gabby
Williams.
???
Bold choice. Hope you are right!
Thought I'd throw a curveball in there.
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Turgid jamboree of abject tedium. Narrow defeat.
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I can't remember, have we ever beaten these feckers since they returned to the top flight?
Didn't we win the game when Carew scored that cracker? That might be the only time. I can't honestly recall winning.
We should have done, but that was the infamous post-Moscow game.
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Ugly draw 1-1
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We beat them 1-0 at Villa Park a few years ago. 2009?
I was on the train arriving in North London (playing a gig) and remember shouting get the fuck in amongst a throng of Arsenal fans.
A repeat of that would be just dandy.
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I can't remember, have we ever beaten these feckers since they returned to the top flight?
We beat them 1-0 the year after the infamous 2-2. Stoke had a goal harshly disallowed.
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Think we'll win this.
3-1.
Benteke
Gabby
Williams.
???
Bold choice. Hope you are right!
Thought I'd throw a curveball in there.
More of a backdoor slider
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Isn't this match normally a draw? We've lost in the last minute at theirs twice and considered a last minute equaliser at home I think too. I do think we'll struggle to win this one the more I think about it. We never score more than once for a start.
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2 - 2. We'll score two early, well into the second half we will shit ourselves that we are ahead and let them score, setting it up beautifully for them to score from a corner in the second minute of extra time.
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Glenn Whelan will score and the world will come to an end.
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0-2
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Birmingham air traffic control to impose a no fly zone over B6 as Tiny Penis brings his brand of anti-football to Villa Park. I fcuking hate these - horrible manager playing horrible football for their horrible fans. 90 minutes of hoof, thud and blunder, endless fouls off the ball, holding defenders down at corners, blocking the goal keeper, and that stupid thing of touching the ball with a hand and sticking an arm in the air at every one of an endless parade of set pieces. Think we'll be bullied out of this one and lose 2-1
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A bore draw.
Stoke are fucking horrible. I heard some Stoke fan on 5Live a couple of weeks back saying how he hated Pulis and how his team play. He more than has a point.
I still believe it was Stoke coming back with two very late goals when we were 2-0 up after the Moscow game that buggered us up under MON. If we'd have held on to that, I really think we would've gone on to finish 4th. However, as it was, two silly mistakes and we ended up drawing instead.
In the words of Kevin Keegan: "...I will love it if we beat them. Love it!"
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Two teams famed for their silky skills
Total football
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This Stoke match is already shaping up to be one of my favourite matches against them as we haven't had any of their supporters coming on to H&V for a friendly chat. I welcome all supporters whenever they come on here but not Stoke. Never Stoke.
Watch out for them and don't under any circumstances engage them in conversation.
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I can't wait for that bit when they win about 3 throw ins in the space of 5 minutes (of play) and take about 10 minutes drying the ball with their special towell before launching the throw into the Villa 6 yard box. That's always ace.
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2 - 2. We'll score two early, well into the second half we will shit ourselves that we are ahead and let them score, setting it up beautifully for them to score from a corner in the second minute of extra time.
[Yogi Berra]It's like deja vu all over again[/Yogi Berra]
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Stoke to have less than 40% possession, pick up 7 yellow cards and score an ugly goal from a set piece in the last 10 minutes.
It is written >:(
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I'll hate them forever for that 2-2 at Villa Park.
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I can't wait for that bit when they win about 3 throw ins in the space of 5 minutes (of play) and take about 10 minutes drying the ball with their special towell before launching the throw into the Villa 6 yard box. That's always ace.
Delap doesn't feature much now, does he? So do they still do this?
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I can't wait for that bit when they win about 3 throw ins in the space of 5 minutes (of play) and take about 10 minutes drying the ball with their special towell before launching the throw into the Villa 6 yard box. That's always ace.
Delap doesn't feature much now, does he? So do they still do this?
Yeah, Delap isn't their only long throw merchant.
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I can't wait for that bit when they win about 3 throw ins in the space of 5 minutes (of play) and take about 10 minutes drying the ball with their special towell before launching the throw into the Villa 6 yard box. That's always ace.
Delap doesn't feature much now, does he? So do they still do this?
Rory Delap - The Human Slingshot
Yeah, Delap isn't their only long throw merchant.
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Their team of seasoned professionals all over 6 foot are on a good run.
Our team of brittle looking dwarf children are playing better in recent weeks.
Sadly it wont be enough and they will win comfortably 0-2.
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Over the years there was always an opponent who you hoped for an excuse to get out of going to watch....Wimbledon, Middlesborough, Bolton & now Stoke...its vile football but the entertainment is that it really winds up their fans to criticise Pulis and his rugby tactics...
Wouldnt want them relegated though, I love transfer deadline day on SSN, the camera crew are always there to welcome their huge new signing with a couple of dozen mutants, more shellsuits than Mike Ashleys warehouse-proper 1987!
2-0 to us
Benteke and Bent (from the bench) :-)
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No game in all my years of watching the Villa has ever left me as angry as that 2-2 at home to Stoke.
I have left B9 following a defeat and been less aggrieved.
That was the worst side I have ever, ever, seen at Villa Park. Without a hint of hyperbole, they were poorer football wise than Gravesend Northfleet.
How we conspired to throw that game away, I will never know.
Now the wankers are like a turd that wont flush.
They’ll never be relegated, as their McLiesh Plus style will always see them alright. But they’re an abomination. For the vast amounts of money they chuck about and the eye bleedingly poor quality they produce is awful.
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Us 9 - 1 Them
FA grant us the approval to have a temporary roof not higher than two Peter Crouch.
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It will be more Hattie Jacques than Anna Friel but I am going for 3 messy points.
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This is arguably the most physical side our team will have played this season and I think they will crush us. Probably by 2 clear goals.
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This is where we bury the ghost of Stoke at home under O'Neill. We'll win and we can finally move forward from the cloud we've been under.
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Just wondering, is there evidence that we perform particularly worse against physical teams? I mean, there aren't that many sides like that in the division, but I thought against West Ham we were alright, we just didn't create many openings and were undone by one crazy spell, Newcastle (who play good stuff but are quite 'hit-the-frontman') was perhaps our first decent display of the season, Sunderland we beat without being threatened (though that could have more to do with them being shite than physical) and Reading, whose one tactic was to be big in defence and hit us on the break, were eventually worn down (though we were under par, I think for our own reasons).
Admittedly, small sample, and we haven't faced a team quite like Stoke yet, but I think we've struggled more against good technical sides, like Fulham and Norwich. Of course, we're well capable of playing shite on our own behalf without the opposition pressuring us to do so, but I think we have as good or as bad a chance against a physical style as against any other.
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As said above, 3 messy points.
2-1 Villa
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It's difficult finding anybody who has a good word for Stoke the team, the manager, the style of play, all those non-entity towns that make up the place, the people, the road in etc.
The whole ensemble needs a revamp but in truth it might be better to just obliterate the place. Stoke, not middle enough to be the Midlands, not northerly enough to be the north. Just there, like an annoying ugly festering pimple that wont go away.
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It's difficult finding anybody who has a good word for Stoke the team, the manager, the style of play, all those non-entity towns that make up the place, the people, the road in etc.
The whole ensemble needs a revamp but in truth it might be better to just obliterate the place. Stoke, not middle enough to be the Midlands, not northerly enough to be the north. Just there, like an annoying ugly festering pimple that wont go away.
A sort of Coventry in the North?
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Oatcakes. There, something decent to come from Stoke.
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Oatcakes. There, something decent to come from Stoke.
You and yer belly !! Is that why you love Wigan so much ?
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It's difficult finding anybody who has a good word for Stoke the team, the manager, the style of play, all those non-entity towns that make up the place, the people, the road in etc.
The whole ensemble needs a revamp but in truth it might be better to just obliterate the place. Stoke, not middle enough to be the Midlands, not northerly enough to be the north. Just there, like an annoying ugly festering pimple that wont go away.
A sort of Coventry in the North?
But not quite in the north.
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It's difficult finding anybody who has a good word for Stoke the team, the manager, the style of play, all those non-entity towns that make up the place, the people, the road in etc.
The whole ensemble needs a revamp but in truth it might be better to just obliterate the place. Stoke, not middle enough to be the Midlands, not northerly enough to be the north. Just there, like an annoying ugly festering pimple that wont go away.
A sort of Coventry in the North?
But not quite in the north.
North of Walsall - does that qualify?
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This will be the worst game of football ever played at Villa Park. 0-0
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I was talking to an Albion fan last night who said his son went to the game with Stoke at the weekend. He described it as the worst game he'd ever seen, his son is 23.
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hoofage the winner I fear, 0-2
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I can actually imagine small children watching Stoke and crying.
In fact I can imagine grown men doing the same.
Watching Stoke "playing" football is like Michaelangelo glossing some skirting.
Such a tedious mind-numbing waste of a potentially beautiful medium.
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In the past seasons we have had 'keepers who were not exactly known for coming off their line in the face of an flying bombardment, Sorrenson, Freidel and Given. Guzan helps his defence out no end as he is prepared to come off his line. Good will overcome the hoofers.
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In the past seasons we have had 'keepers who were not exactly known for coming off their line in the face of an flying bombardment, Sorrenson, Freidel and Given. Guzan helps his defence out no end as he is prepared to come off his line. Good will overcome the hoofers.
That will help us, true. Even the best keepers make mistakes though, so no doubt Stoke will be hoping that the law of averages causes Brad to drop one at some stage.
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I can't wait for that bit when they win about 3 throw ins in the space of 5 minutes (of play) and take about 10 minutes drying the ball with their special towell before launching the throw into the Villa 6 yard box. That's always ace.
Delap doesn't feature much now, does he? So do they still do this?
Shotton and Cameron their full backs have long throws but they're more the standard loppy ones so aren't as much of a threat.
In any case I'm much more confident with Guzan in goal than Given. He was tremendous at the Britannia last season coming for high balls.
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"....and finally, on the this week's Match Of The Day, we've just got time for a brief look at events at Villa Park"
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We're not very good at all and they are sodding awful; therefore it will be a 1-1 draw.
A long overdue goal at VP for Gabby for us and some 6 foot plus pleb for them
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1-1, similar to the Norwich game.
Weimann and Walters.
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"....and finally, on the this week's Match Of The Day, we've just got time for a brief look at events at Villa Park"
"Wearing a frown throughout procedings, along with the home supporters, was Simon Brotherton".
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It's one of those games we need to win, I just get the horrible feeling we'll end up with a point at best.
1-1.
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This will be the worst game of football ever played at Villa Park. 0-0
There are a few to choose from in that category.
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We need to win but Stoke are on a good run at the moment particularly away from home. Nzonzi and Adam are much stronger than our midfield. Thankfully Stoke don't use midfield that much. Again Bent is made for this game up with Benteke. Sick of watching Gabby. I'd say Delph or Kea may get a start ahead of Bannan for this one. Maybe worth going with three at the back. Need Vlaar, Clark and Baker in the side so unless Baker is starting at left back we need to go with 3 at the back.
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We need to win but Stoke are on a good run at the moment particularly away from home. Nzonzi and Adam are much stronger than our midfield. Thankfully Stoke don't use midfield that much. Again Bent is made for this game up with Benteke. Sick of watching Gabby. I'd say Delph or Kea may get a start ahead of Bannan for this one. Maybe worth going with three at the back. Need Vlaar, Clark and Baker in the side so unless Baker is starting at left back we need to go with 3 at the back.
We don't want to over-think the opposition though. If we try to play them at their own game we will lose. We need to focus on zipping it about and keeping it well away from them. If we can dominate the ball we could tire them out and limit their opportunities to gain territory as they might put it.
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Maybe worth going with three at the back. Need Vlaar, Clark and Baker in the side so unless Baker is starting at left back we need to go with 3 at the back.
Or go with Concrete and Baker in central defence with Clark and Herd as the holding midfielders, Bannan (or Ireland or KEA or Delph) in front them and then Gabby, Benteke and Holman/Weimann up front.
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I would play 4-3-3
Guzan
Lowton
Vlaar
Clark
Baker
Bannan
Westwood
Herd
Holman
Benteke
Agbonlahor
Baker at LB to cope with Stokes high balls in the box, Herd to put som bite in midfield.
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Dire game in front of a largely silent crowd, 1-1 scoreline.
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We need to win but Stoke are on a good run at the moment particularly away from home. Nzonzi and Adam are much stronger than our midfield. Thankfully Stoke don't use midfield that much. Again Bent is made for this game up with Benteke. Sick of watching Gabby. I'd say Delph or Kea may get a start ahead of Bannan for this one. Maybe worth going with three at the back. Need Vlaar, Clark and Baker in the side so unless Baker is starting at left back we need to go with 3 at the back.
We don't want to over-think the opposition though. If we try to play them at their own game we will lose. We need to focus on zipping it about and keeping it well away from them. If we can dominate the ball we could tire them out and limit their opportunities to gain territory as they might put it.
Agreed. Nzonzi can get about the pitch but if the mobility-vacuum Adam is his only partner we can out-manoeuvre them in the midfield for sure. We must try and counter their threats, obviously, but to attack with longer balls and pvert physicality would be a huge error. We have to go three against two in midfield, try and stretch their wide midfielders and defenders with the full-backs and wing-forwards to create space in the centre and to utilise Gabby's pace on the break, because that might be where they're at their most vulnerable.
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Not got a great feeling about this one as I can see our young side getting getting firstly bullied by the physicality of Stoke and secondly caught out by their 'old pro' approach of drawing them into fouls to create their set piece chances.
I'd actually take a point as it would at least not totally destroy the momentum we've started to muster.
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My boss is a baggies season ticket holder and is generally quite level headed about football matters.
He told me on Monday that he will never, ever go to another baggies game when they are playing Stoke because of the sheer lack of football they tried to play on Saturday....mind you it was probably just sour grapes.
Anyway, we will burst their bloody bubble.
2-0 Villa
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You know what you're going to get with Stoke, but we can't all play like Barcelona can we? I don't mind them - they know how to play to their strengths and do so. Good for them.
As for the game, 2-1 Villa and a sigh of relief before a run of difficult games where we will beat Chelsea but struggle against the other lot.
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'Only Newcastle (76) play more long balls per game than Aston Villa (67) in the Premier League.'
http://www.football365.com/f365-features/8306960/Premier-League-Numbers-And-Stats... (http://www.football365.com/f365-features/8306960/Premier-League-Numbers-And-Stats...)
Not sure what the definition of a long ball is but this is slightly surprising
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You know what you're going to get with Stoke, but we can't all play like Barcelona can we? I don't mind them - they know how to play to their strengths and do so. Good for them.
I don't mind them, but their style wouldn't be anywhere near as successful if referees didn't give them preferential treatment. Just because you know they're going to be more physical, shouldn't mean you give them more license to back in, hold back, climb on, clatter etc., and refs definitely do give them that.
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I don't agree with the criticisms of the likes of Wenger when they get outmuscled and beaten by Stoke - he seems to moan that they're not trying to play the same (far more watchable) style of football that Arsenal do - and at which Arsenal would murder them 99 times out of 100.
It is Stoke's prerogative to play any way they like.
However, personally, I find it really horrible to watch. It's border-line not actually football, and more about gamesmanship, with all that fucking ball towelling.
I will defend their right to play it as much as they will themselves, I just detest having to watch it, and hope they get relegated with it at the earliest possible time.
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They...like us are a bunch of average footballers...unlike us they have a system that they are drilled in playing (which is good if you like watching that type of football)...however, the biggest mistake we can make is to pick our team to negate them, we have to pick our best team to get us on the front foot. Too many teams pay them too much respect and wait for them to bash them around.
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My best friend's great uncle is a baggies fan and he was at the Stoke game on Saturday. He has been going down since before the war. He said it was worse game of football he had ever seen. He has sent back his season ticket, binned his scarves and has not spoken of it since.
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The baggies are having one of their best seasons in living memory and he threw his season ticket/scarves away because of one game (which was largely due to the opposition)?
Owshty bowsh.
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1-1. Benteke scoring
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We are looking forward to the moment Barry Bannan nicks the ball of Peter Crouch by running between his legs...
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Got a feeling the Stoke defenders will handle Benteke fine
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Wasn't their win on Saturday their first away win this season ? They do tend to draw a lot this season. If we get an early goal i reckon we can break the voodoo,if not,will be a tense game like the Reading one. 1-0 us. UTV.
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Got a feeling the Stoke defenders will handle Benteke fine
I think he will be fine one on one. Not sure if they start going at him in two's and threes. I would say this is a game for making good use of space and pace. Don't let them get near the ball. When they do foul, make sure the ref knows.
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Will Dean Whitehead be playing ?
(http://ecohan110.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/easter-island1.jpg)
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I want Bent and Benteke up front
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Delap doesn't appear to be playing for them at present. Does this mean no flying bombs this weekend ?
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A 1-1 bore. Gabby to score
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Delap doesn't appear to be playing for them at present. Does this mean no flying bombs this weekend ?
Don't they have that bloke Shotton who throws it even further?
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Delap doesn't appear to be playing for them at present. Does this mean no flying bombs this weekend ?
Don't they have that bloke Shotton who throws it even further?
Oh I did not realise that. Yes he played at WBA. Surely they must be due a few suspensions ? 3 yellows at WBA - Huth, Shawcross & Adam
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There isn't a defender yet born who can physically match Benteke.
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Delap doesn't appear to be playing for them at present. Does this mean no flying bombs this weekend ?
Don't they have that bloke Shotton who throws it even further?
Oh I did not realise that. Yes he played at WBA. Surely they must be due a few suspensions ? 3 yellows at WBA - Huth, Shawcross & Adam
Charlie Adam is suspended ......
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0-0.
Cold weather & Stoke is a recipe for disaster.
Their defenders used to be all over Carew & often got ignored by the referee so you just know the exact same thing will happen with Benteke.
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Really think they are going to try and batter Benteke. Perfect time to play Bent, who would relish less attention. 1-0 Hollman .....
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My best friend's great uncle is a baggies fan and he was at the Stoke game on Saturday. He has been going down since before the war. He said it was worse game of football he had ever seen. He has sent back his season ticket, binned his scarves and has not spoken of it since.
That's gotta be horlicks surely?
Anyway Benteke is going to pwn Huth's muthafuckin' ass, have no fear.
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2-0 Benteke 56, 79, no f'kin problem, we'll play these off the park!!
UTV!
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El Classico ::)
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Is Vlaar back ? We could do with his muscle and Herd and Baker.
Think it will be more Queensbury Rules than Lancaster Gate.
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Is Vlaar back ? We could do with his muscle and Herd and Baker.
Think it will be more Queensbury Rules than Lancaster Gate.
Vlaar back would be good and i can see Benteke enjoying the shoulder barge battle with the Stoke defence. He will win every battle. 3-1 Villa, Benteke hatrick.
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Stoke's biggest strength is probably their two centre-halves so it should be an interesting battle for Benteke
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Is crouch injured ? Notice he didn't play last week or even make the bench
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Is crouch injured ? Notice he didn't play last week or even make the bench
He had this bizarre issue with his teeth, which sounded a bit nasty. He's apparently been fitted with a mouthguard, so may play this weekend.
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draw, it always is
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Last on match of the day, 1-0 to us, Benteke with the goal.
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Drab draw for me 1-1 but means a 4 game unbeaten run! ;D
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Any news from anywhere about Vlaar? Was he close to making it last week?
Haven't seen anything in the media, and his twitter account doesn't offer anything of note, apart from that he has a child called Xavi (though maybe I've miss-guessed what the ones in Dutch are about).
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Us 2 Them 0. And they'll be time wasting after 5 minutes by taking 10 minutes over each throw in. Wankers.
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Still say we are going to beat them 3-1, 3 goals for the TEKE.
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Hate this game. For the last few years this has been one of, if not the, worst football we see at VP all season. The sooner they disappear back in to the depths of the Leccy League the better.
Oh and a horrible 0-1 to top it off.
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Hate this game. For the last few years this has been one of, if not the, worst football we see at VP all season. The sooner they disappear back in to the depths of the Leccy League the better.
Oh and a horrible 0-1 to top it off.
Dan England, have some faith ffs.
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Qpr v villa was the only game not shown live on foxtel last weekend. I doubt very much villa v stoke will make the cut this weekend!
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1-1
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A much improved performance a 2-0 home win.
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Draw Either 0-0 or 1-1. We have only Benteke who looks likely to score. So unless Lambert pairs Bent with the big man (and thats a pipedream) Stoke will stick Huth and another giant on him and we will be pushed to score at all.
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I suspect this will turn out to be amongst the most boring matches we'll play this season.
0-0 death struggle.
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I predict a 1-1 draw. Crouch to score a header from a throw in. Then Clark to bundle home from a corner for us.
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Benteke gets out-muscled by the Stoke defence. Ref inexplicably awards Villa a penalty. Westwood grabs the ball off Bent, puts the penalty away.
Villa 1 - 0 Stoke.
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Looks like Vlaar and Stephens still out.
Out muscled 2-0.
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Will feel a lot more confident for this game if Vlaar is back and Lichaj isn't playing at right-back. Can't see it being 4-4 somehow.
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Pearls of wisdom from Lawro
Aston Villa keep ticking over - they are picking up points, like they did in last week's draw with QPR, but don't have the quality to score the goals they need to win games.
What they need are more people chipping in from other areas like Brett Holman did against Rangers.
There is nothing wrong with Villa's organisation or application but what they need is some inspiration.
They are up against a Stoke side who are on a good run - they don't score many goals, but they concede even fewer - and I can see this being a very tight encounter. I don't think anyone should expect a goal fest.
The difference between the two sides is that Stoke have kept hold of their better players, while Villa have sold theirs. You can see what effect that has had from where the two teams are in the table.
Match preview
Prediction: 1-1
The last paragraph is laughable.I wasn't aware Man City and Man U have been queueing up putting bids in for millions for the likes of Robert Huth
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I suspect this will turn out to be amongst the most boring matches we'll play this season.
0-0 death struggle.
My Dad feels the same way, which is why he has given me his ticket for tomorrow.
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I suspect this will turn out to be amongst the most boring matches we'll play this season.
0-0 death struggle.
My Dad feels the same way, which is why he has given me his ticket for tomorrow.
Villa must feel the same - got my ticket for £25 in some kind of weekend offer - good seat - upper Holte.
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Pearls of wisdom from Lawro
Aston Villa keep ticking over - they are picking up points, like they did in last week's draw with QPR, but don't have the quality to score the goals they need to win games.
What they need are more people chipping in from other areas like Brett Holman did against Rangers.
There is nothing wrong with Villa's organisation or application but what they need is some inspiration.
They are up against a Stoke side who are on a good run - they don't score many goals, but they concede even fewer - and I can see this being a very tight encounter. I don't think anyone should expect a goal fest.
The difference between the two sides is that Stoke have kept hold of their better players, while Villa have sold theirs. You can see what effect that has had from where the two teams are in the table.
Match preview
Prediction: 1-1
The last paragraph is laughable.I wasn't aware Man City and Man U have been queueing up putting bids in for millions for the likes of Robert Huth
He makes a lot of sense until that last bit.
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Apparently its going to be freezing cold tommorrow with a possibility of snow.
It doesnt help having a weather woman called Sara Blizzard passing on this info.
Wheres me thermals.
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well I've just bought tickets and I reckon I'll be digging out me parka for what will probably be coldest as well as the worst game of the year.
1-1 all over it
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A feast of free flowing football that belies their respective reputations sees Villa complete a 6-3 victory after twice being behind. Pulis says "I really enjoyed the game, it's the taking part that matters" as he does a little dance for the cameras.
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Pearls of wisdom from Lawro
Aston Villa keep ticking over - they are picking up points, like they did in last week's draw with QPR, but don't have the quality to score the goals they need to win games.
What they need are more people chipping in from other areas like Brett Holman did against Rangers.
There is nothing wrong with Villa's organisation or application but what they need is some inspiration.
They are up against a Stoke side who are on a good run - they don't score many goals, but they concede even fewer - and I can see this being a very tight encounter. I don't think anyone should expect a goal fest.
The difference between the two sides is that Stoke have kept hold of their better players, while Villa have sold theirs. You can see what effect that has had from where the two teams are in the table.
Match preview
Prediction: 1-1
The last paragraph is laughable.I wasn't aware Man City and Man U have been queueing up putting bids in for millions for the likes of Robert Huth
With a write-up like this I'm surprised he put a 1-1 score; why not 0-0, since neither side demonstrate much scoring prowess?
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A feast of free flowing football that belies their respective reputations sees Villa complete a 6-3 victory after twice being behind. Pulis says "I really enjoyed the game, it's the taking part that matters" as he does a little dance for the cameras.
With Pulis appearing pitchside in a top hat, monocle and tails. Paul Lambert's post-match interview being given with the clarity of voice and eloquence of Richard Burton in Cleopatra.
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Not expecting a thriller here... 0-0.
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1-1. We go ahead. they equalise. Nothing else happens.
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1-1. We go ahead. they equalise. Nothing else happens.
Other than 2 badly dressed managers shouting a lot.
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If we concede because of Jermaine Pennant cheating again I'll literally scream.
edit: Didn't realise he'd gone to Wolves. Thank fuck for that.
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I hate playing them! Would love a win but it's draw written all over it!
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Last on match of the day
I'd say definitely last on MotD:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20564749
MATCH PREVIEW
Hands up those of you who reckon your team is always on last on Match of the Day? It's a common, if misplaced, complaint.
I can assure you there is no sinister plot - 14 clubs have been featured last so far this season, and personal allegiances are put on hold when the running order is being thrashed out.
However, if one criteria does go a long way towards determining which game goes where, it's goals. Generally the fewer there are, the lower you are; what I'm trying to do here is prepare you Villa and Stoke fans for a late night!
I wonder how often we've been the "other" team of the matches involving the 13 other teams?
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Bit sickening that this is our pre Xmas home fixture
I can't imagine anything less christmassy than Stoke, we should put Fred West on the programme cover
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Scrappy 1-0 to the Villa. Sooner or later Stoke will go down never to return to top flight football. They're just this era's Wimbledon.
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Bound to be the most boring match played at villa park this season. Honestly can not remember a match against them i enjoyed.Another hard fought match with it ending 1-1
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Scrappy 1-0 to the Villa. Sooner or later Stoke will go down never to return to top flight football. They're just this era's Wimbledon.
To be fair, they have got some decent players in their squad, but I don't think they'll ever be able to kick on with Pulis as manager.
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I shall be avoiding this fixture by watching Halesowen take on Market Drayton Town and looking out for the result of the Tingle Creek from Sandown Park.
The only way to treat a match involving Stoke.
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Scrappy 1-0 to the Villa. Sooner or later Stoke will go down never to return to top flight football. They're just this era's Wimbledon.
But they don't have to be. Wimbledon had to compete with clubs on four times their income - Stoke are the equals of most and bigger than some.
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Bit sickening that this is our pre Xmas home fixture
I can't imagine anything less christmassy than Stoke, we should put Fred West on the programme cover
It certainly put a dampner on Boxing night last year.
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Bit sickening that this is our pre Xmas home fixture
I can't imagine anything less christmassy than Stoke, we should put Fred West on the programme cover
It certainly put a dampner on Boxing night last year.
It was a shite game, but we snuffed them by keeping ball for a change.
It was in our 'good spell'. Ha.
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Win today Villa please.
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Villa win and a savage blow to the forces of football darkness, with us chalking up some good football in the process.
I would love us to smash this strangling, turgid outfit into next week.
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who's the ref today? a lot will depend on whether we have one who pulls Stoke up for their many indiscretions or one who sees forearm smashes and wrestling as 'part and parcel of the game'
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Not really got the usual match day buzz - something about a home game with stoke that is very depressing. I think we all expect a scrappy dour game but lets hope we can sneak a 1-0 win.
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who's the ref today? a lot will depend on whether we have one who pulls Stoke up for their many indiscretions or one who sees forearm smashes and wrestling as 'part and parcel of the game'
Referee: R East;
Assistants: G Beswick, H Lennard;
Fourth official: C Foy.
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who's the ref today? a lot will depend on whether we have one who pulls Stoke up for their many indiscretions or one who sees forearm smashes and wrestling as 'part and parcel of the game'
Referee: R East;
Assistants: G Beswick, H Lennard;
Fourth official: C Foy.
According to this (http://www.worldfootball.net/schiedsrichter/eng-premier-league-2012-2013/1/) he's new to the prem this season. 3 matches, 4 yellows, 2 reds. Could be a help given Sturk tactics
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Pearls of wisdom from Lawro
Aston Villa keep ticking over - they are picking up points, like they did in last week's draw with QPR, but don't have the quality to score the goals they need to win games.
What they need are more people chipping in from other areas like Brett Holman did against Rangers.
There is nothing wrong with Villa's organisation or application but what they need is some inspiration.
They are up against a Stoke side who are on a good run - they don't score many goals, but they concede even fewer - and I can see this being a very tight encounter. I don't think anyone should expect a goal fest.
The difference between the two sides is that Stoke have kept hold of their better players, while Villa have sold theirs. You can see what effect that has had from where the two teams are in the table.
Match preview
Prediction: 1-1
The last paragraph is laughable.I wasn't aware Man City and Man U have been queueing up putting bids in for millions for the likes of Robert Huth
He makes a lot of sense until that last bit.
I know Lawro generally gets lambasted on here for his Villa predictions. But he is normally pretty much on the money with his comments, until the end where he always seems to have to have a final dig.
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Everything points to a dire, low scoring game, that we will get out muscled in. I therefore predict a comfortable Villa win.
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who's the ref today? a lot will depend on whether we have one who pulls Stoke up for their many indiscretions or one who sees forearm smashes and wrestling as 'part and parcel of the game'
We will just set the Beast Benteke on them and they will become quivering wrecks. Benteke will match any of their physical tactics, not so sure of our defence though unless Vlar is back to match fitness.
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Bit sickening that this is our pre Xmas home fixture
I can't imagine anything less christmassy than Stoke, we should put Fred West on the programme cover
I always travel up to the last home game before Christmas, and combine it with the family Christmas present/card run. Suffice to say, I think this year there may be some family members waiting until the New Year for their Cristmas presents.
Of course the plus side to that is that I can buy them in the sales when they are half price.
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Gutted Stuart Attwell got depromoted to the football league could of done with him this season 5 wins out of 5 he's refereed and haven't conceded in any of his games! scored 11 and given 2. penalties. GREAT REF!
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Lawro calls Villa a selling club version 3023063045.284a
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Wonder what he thinks of Arsenal then?
On second thoughts, nah.
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I'll be out when this starts, hoping to come back in to see us winning 3-0.
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If we can win today it would go down as our best result in a couple of years in my book.
Very tricky fixture this.
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2-1 Villa win, I just have the feeling we are going to out play Stoke today and Benteke will run riot.
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If we can win today it would go down as our best result in a couple of years in my book.
Very tricky fixture this.
A tricky fixture, yes. But I have difficulty in accepting a home win against Stoke is likely to qualify as one of our best results for years. (Unless we win about 6-0)
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3-1 the villa
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2-1 Villa win, I just have the feeling we are going to out play Stoke today and Benteke will run riot.
I'd love to see Benteke put Huth on his arse.
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I like this from 'the oatcake'
Most important is that we dont take it for granted. Villa are a well supported big club and are always capable of a crowd-generated rearguard action.
Fortunately, TP will not let that happen and I hope to be cruising back on the M6 with a win.
As an aside, it amazes me that no wealthly Russian/Middle Eastern/Far Eastern billionaire hasn't taken a look at Villa. Massive catchment area, huge support, solid history. Why waste your money on QPR?
Mostly decent reviews about us and the game to be fair.
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Time to head off to the game. Come on you Villa boys! UTV
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Twitter quote on the BBC website.
"Apparently Michael Owen may return from a hamstring injury today, something we've been saying once a fortnight since about 2003."
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In fact its generally respectful...
Close game this but Ireckon this
Benteke has not yet come up against the likes of Huth Shawcross and Begovic as yet so, a massive test for him
A great shame Charlie is suspended but even so, we'll never have a better chance at winning at ths famous old clubs home turf
I'm starting to like Stoke again. That may change around 5 o'clock.
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SSN says we are very small team up against giants and no one from the panel predicted a win for us...so fuck them.
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Massive game today. A win today could be the spark.
COME ON ME BABBIES!
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The SSN talked about how bad QPR were at the moment and still all the pundits had them to beat us. Shows how much there opinion is total crap 1-0 Westwood`s first goal ......
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was good to see the Stoke fans joining in with the 19th min applause for Stan
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Come on Villa..don't leave it til last 5mins..please!
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Do we pass any more? Stoke are rubbish but we can beat them with experience.