Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on December 29, 2012, 08:35:31 PM
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Tuesday 1.1.13 KO 3pm
Shock 0-2 away win.
Weimann 16
Bannan 33
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Draw
1-1.
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Sadly Swansea are on form and I see michu having a party - 4-0 home win.
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I have gone for a draw. I think Lambert will have hopefully learnt something about 3 at the back and lightweight midfields.
Hopefully Vlaar is back. Westwood to start, Herd to get a slot by him. Yes he is no good, but at least he can press and get a tackle in. Take your pick of the rest of a useless midfield. Holman to press, Bannan maybe to link the midfield and attack.
Andi and Benteke up top.
Its going to be very tough.
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I can see us getting a pasting here 4-0 at least.
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Head says defeat but my heart says win, so I have gone for a draw.
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Them 4 Us 8
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4-1 defeat and in the bottom 3.
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Another morale-sapping defeat.
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I agree with those saying we might lose by quite a few. However, play the right team - surely four at the back now, more width and - for fuck's sake - no Ireland or Lichaj.
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I can foresee a record low possession stat, being turned inside out and losing by 3
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Will probably be heavily criticised for this but I'd bring given back in goal and take Guzan out of the firing line for this game after conceding 15 goals in 3 games .
No reflection on Guzan but sometimes a change of goalie can have a positive effect.
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Lambert actually has a good record against Swansea and that was unquestionably our most comfortable league win of the season.
Way things are though, 2-0 loss and in the bottom 3 as I think Southampton will draw with Arsenal.
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Its got to the point where I actually wouldnt mind losing, so long as its only by 1 or 2
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5-0 defeat, hatrick for Michu
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Pick a number between 2 and 6 for them. With us not scoring, naturally.
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3-0 Swansea.
Just can't see us scoring or coming back after an absolutely dreadful week!
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3-0 to Swansea, might even be more if they play particularly well.
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I think we'll turn up, play really well and earn a hard-earned point despite our previous shite performances. Similarly to the Newcastle game earlier in the season.
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if he plays that ridiculous formation again then god knows. 2-0.
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We will be lucky to get nil
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Revert back to a 4-2-3-1 formation and hope a few of the injured players are back. For all the plaudits about Swansea, they are still only a mid-table side.
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4-0 loss, unfortunately the rot will continue!
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4/5/6 -0. All are possible.
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Might as well pull me pants down and take the beating now, probably be to hungover to care on the day
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9-9
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Luke Moore hat trick
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5-0 defeat, hatrick for Michu
Michu is injured
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5-0 defeat, hatrick for Michu
Michu is injured
He might well declare himself fit if he as any sense. Got a bad feeling Luke Moore will kickus when we're down. 3 - 1.
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6-0 to us. Believe.
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We score (yes it has been a while but I'm sure at some point it will happen again) first we have a chance , they take the lead and we start chasing the game they are going to eat us alive.
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These regular games with fuck-all turn-around times are killing us.
Instead of playing every couple of days what we need is a fortnight's worth of a winter break for us to recoup and the injured players to come back.
It's so shit being in God-awful form at the busiest time of the year.
Anyone who thinks we'll get 'owt from this is brave or deluded.
0-2 to Swansea which I'd consider not a bad result at the moment...Fookin' shambles the whole thing.
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3-1 Villa.
Michu out, and they're due a Villa-esque no-show.
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2-0 Swansea if were lucky. We are awful
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''Michu could be fit for Tuesday's home game against Aston Villa, according to manager Michael Laudrup''
More great news for us.
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The 1st can't come soon enough. We're in dire need of solid players. The sort we can rely upon to do the business. Buying said players is another matter though, because we have money to contend with, and trying to attract them here.
Can only see a Swansea win here sadly. A lot of the luck we had defensively in our little unbeaten run has run out in horrific fashion. We looked utterly disastrous at the moment. If we don't do something soon, we'll go down.
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I don't think we will win this one but it wouldn't surprise me if we got something out of it. We played Swansea pretty well the first time around. But we're in such bad shape, I really hope we can at least score a goal and not ship out another 3+ clean sheet.
We need to score first.
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I cant see past yet another loss.
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Scoring a goal and not getting thrashed would be a start.
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A comprehensive defeat . I could weep.
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A comprehensive defeat . I could weep.
yes, and we're scared of a team like Swansea FFS!
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Played off the park.
4 -0 Swansea
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Its amazing what a week can do.
If this thread had popped up 7 days ago, then posts predicting we will lose to a mid-table side 3, 4, 5 or 6 nil would have been deleted as spam. Now everybody is not so sure.
A faint glimmer gives me hope for a point. If there are to be goals, then we absolutely must score first.
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Further signs of improvement and the green shoots of recovery.
This defeat will be only 2-0.
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I'd settle for a point now just to steady the ship. In fact i'd have took a point against Wigan. I'd put Westwood back in and possibly KEA just to give our back four a bit of protection because they're a good side.
I can't believe we've sold out for this on New Years Day. Our fans really are superb.
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7-0
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5-0 swansea
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Swansea 1 Aston Villa 1
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I'd settle for a point now just to steady the ship. In fact i'd have took a point against Wigan. I'd put Westwood back in and possibly KEA just to give our back four a bit of protection because they're a good side.
I can't believe we've sold out for this on New Years Day. Our fans really are superb.
Nor me as I only live 20 mins away and can't get 2 bloody tickets but fair play to those who travel through thick and thin
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I'd settle for a point now just to steady the ship. In fact i'd have took a point against Wigan. I'd put Westwood back in and possibly KEA just to give our back four a bit of protection because they're a good side.
I can't believe we've sold out for this on New Years Day. Our fans really are superb.
Nor me as I only live 20 mins away and can't get 2 bloody tickets but fair play to those who travel through thick and thin
That's bad luck. I'll give them a cheer for you providing my heads not hurting too much.
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Us = 0 - Them = As many as they can be bothered to score.
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I looked forward to the spurs game as I thought there would be a positive reaction and performance , I then carried that belief over to Wigan but having seen such dire displays I can only look at the Swansea game with dread and fear a four goal hammering - I'm not even confident of beating a resurgent Ipswich anymore.
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3-1 defeat for us (if we're lucky)
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Perfect game for us, Lambert has got Swansea's number, he did the double with Norwich and we beat the, 2-0 at Villa Park.
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2-1 to them.
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Tuesday 1.1.13 KO 3pm
Shock 0-2 away win.
Weimann 16
Bannan 33
Weimann was limping at the end of the game yesterday - holding his hamstring.
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The state we are in I just can't see us getting anything from this game.
If Lambert sees some sense and changes the formation we might get a draw but I can't see it as nothing is wrong after losing the last 3 games 15-0 (in Lambert's eyes), therefore I expect a 3-0 drubbing!
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It's come to a pretty pass when we feel a 2-0 defeat could be progress
Car crash football coming to a stadium near you
Swansea win unless Lambert does something extraordinary
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I think we'll lose, we really need the likes of Vlaar back.
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Sorry, can't see anything but a heavy defeat. Although we beat them at our place, they were all over us until we scored. 5-1.
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Tuesday 1.1.13 KO 3pm
Shock 0-2 away win.
Weimann 16
Bannan 33
Weimann was limping at the end of the game yesterday - holding his hamstring.
I was surprised he played bearing in mind there was talk of him being out for a few weeks. He did'nt look fit either.
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A very heavy defeat and... well, the backlash will gather pace.
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3 nil away win, never in doubt.
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If we take another hammering he will lose any good will he has left.
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I would go with the following team;
Bennett and Herd at full back, Lowton and Clarke at centre half.
Westwood and KEA sitting, Bannan in a more advanced link role, with Holman and Albrighton pressing off Benteke. If Weiman is fit, I would pick him instead of Albrighton.
Hopefully by the time we play West Ham, we can field six other players of better quality; Vlaar and another, KEA and Bannan out for two better options, with Gabby and Bent back.
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I'm not making any predictions.
I just hope we, somehow, keep a clean sheet.
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Score the first goal and then keep it tight for five minutes and the confidence will return.
Lambert needs to get the selection and system right.
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Score the first goal and then keep it tight for five minutes and the confidence will return.
Lambert needs to get the selection and system right.
... but we all know he won't, that is the problem!
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I'd go.......
Guzan
Herd Clark Lowton Lichaj
KEA Westwood
Albrighton Bannan
Ireland
Benteke
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What has Ireland done to warrant a starting place? As far as I can gather he did one decent pass in an 8-0 defeat and that's about it. I hope somebody employs Mark Hughes soon because he's surely the only idiot that would consider signing him.
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Team News for the Swansea Game:-
Guzan, Dunne, Cahill, Ridgewell, K Walker, Milner, Barry, Petrov, Routledge, A Young, Benteke
Bench: Collins, Friedel, Maloney, Cuella, Abonlahor
Then I woke up........!
Lerner - what have you done?
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I'd go.......
Guzan
Herd Clark Lowton Lichaj
KEA Westwood
Albrighton Bannan
Ireland
Benteke
Not for me, you have 3 of the back 4 playing out of position there plus kea , albrighton and Ireland who are all unworthy of a place - we would get thrashed.
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Guzan
Lichaj. Lowton. Clark. Bennett
Herd. Westwood
Carruthers. Weimann. Bannan
Benteke
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Swansea will tear us a new one. 4-0 defeat.
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We will win.
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3-0 Villa Benteke hat trick
Keep the faith
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Suggested line-up:
| | | | Guzan | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Lichaj | | Lowton | | Clark | | Bennett | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Holman | | Westwood | | Herd | | Bannan | | Delph |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | Benteke | | | | |
Result: 0-0.
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What has Ireland done to warrant a starting place?
Fair Point. I still think that his best position would be behind the main front man and Weimann might not be fit anyway. Besides having another player on the pitch who can keep hold of the ball and pass it against a good Swansea side might not be a bad thing.
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If the roles were reversed you could guarantee Swansea turning up at Villa Park and beating us 1-0.
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We're going to do a goal this week. I can smell it in the air.
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3-1 defeat.
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Can't see us scoring but can't see us keeping a clean sheet either so unfortunately can only see one outcome. Swansea 2 0.
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What has Ireland done to warrant a starting place?
Fair Point. I still think that his best position would be behind the main front man and Weimann might not be fit anyway. Besides having another player on the pitch who can keep hold of the ball and pass it against a good Swansea side might not be a bad thing.
Ireland's best position is 75 miles away from the pitch. He's an oxygen thief.
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7-0
Actual LOL. Thank you
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I can't see us scoring either... at least 2-0 defeat - could be worse however and be another cricket score....
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Something to nil defeat. Hard to see where the next goal, let alone point, is coming from......deflated.
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Maybe its watching a couple of good sides play, but minute by minute the belief is creeping back into me.
4231, Lambert taking them through the pressing and organosational side of matters today, Swansea not as motivated thinking we're forever the soft touch, Lambert to have their number, us to grab an early goal and win the fucking thing.
Meanwhile, Southampton and Wigan lose, breathing space appears, we do Ipswich and Bradford, Vlaar and a new centre half in for Southampton. Gabby back, while Westwood has a menace to partner him.
Southampton get soddomised. We sail to Wembley and then smash in a late winner against the Stripey Filth. Kit Stealers equally dispatched.
Confidence back, the big lads back/bought in.
Yes, minute by minute, the belief creeps back.
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Maybe its watching a couple of good sides play, but minute by minute the belief is creeping back into me.
4231, Lambert taking them through the pressing and organosational side of matters today, Swansea not as motivated thinking we're forever the soft touch, Lambert to have their number, us to grab an early goal and win the fucking thing.
Meanwhile, Southampton and Wigan lose, breathing space appears, we do Ipswich and Bradford, Vlaar and a new centre half in for Southampton. Gabby back, while Westwood has a menace to partner him.
Southampton get soddomised. We sail to Wembley and then smash in a late winner against the Stripey Filth. Kit Stealers equally dispatched.
Confidence back, the big lads back/bought in.
Yes, minute by minute, the belief creeps back.
Glad to see you back to your old self. When even you are predicting relegation, I get the feeling the ravens have left the tower.
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Gloominess does not suit me and if I am anything then I am a believer.
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Given instead of Guzan ...... we need experience and from what I see Guzan is quiet. I am not blaming Guzan for recent performances but maybe Shay would be more helpful to those infront of him
As for the score ....I think about the only certain thing is we will not score !
And as for some of these injuries its about time some of them played through the pain barrier ...... its easy twitting from home the support !
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Pick a number between 2 and 6 for them. With us not scoring, naturally.
I just laughed out loud then, despite myself.
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I'm not making any predictions.
I just hope we, somehow, keep a clean sheet.
An act of God? Lightning? Bricking up the goal? All worth a go in my book.
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Team News for the Swansea Game:-
Guzan, Dunne, Cahill, Ridgewell, K Walker, Milner, Barry, Petrov, Routledge, A Young, Benteke
Bench: Collins, Friedel, Maloney, Cuella, Abonlahor
Then I woke up........!
Lerner - what have you done?
You dreamt about Ridgewell?
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3-0 win, David Villa hattrick.
Lescott and Capoue make debuts.
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We have to score first, I think first step of our rehabilitation is a closely fought loss, maybe a 3-2 though I hope for better.
Another pasting and I dread to think what the reaction will be.
I don't think Lambert will survive an infinite number of beatings.
I hope like Ads that things will start to pick up, we're looking into the abyss and it's scary, let's move away from it.
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More pain I'm afraid.
We will shore things up slightly but I can't see anything other than 2-0 to them.
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1-1 draw for me.
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2-0 to Villa Benteke, Wieman
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Anything is possible, providing we pick the right players / formation.
Benteke will cause them problems.
A 2-1 win, against all the odds.
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Unless we have more options available than the ones we had to choose from yesterday then it will be another defeat.
I'll go 2-0 Swansea
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Team News for the Swansea Game:-
Guzan, Dunne, Cahill, Ridgewell, K Walker, Milner, Barry, Petrov, Routledge, A Young, Benteke
Bench: Collins, Friedel, Maloney, Cuella, Abonlahor
Then I woke up........!
Lerner - what have you done?
You dreamt about Ridgewell?
the bigger concern is that he's having a dream and that's best line up he could come up with.
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Another 3-0 drubbing. The beatings will continue until morale improves.
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Lamberts stubbornness will result in another debacle. When will this ever end? Every dreadful defeat seems to make the next defeat more likely. It's a vicious circle that needs to be broken somehow.
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The beatings will continue until morale improves.
You sound like my old PE teacher
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Have relations that live not far away so am going to game. I think for possibly the first time ever i am dreading going as i can stand having the piss ripped out of me but when the opposition fans start to pity you it gets all too much.
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Can't see anything other than a 3-1 defeat,prove me wrong please villa!
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If none are back from injuries then 3-1 to them
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By the time we wake up,on the 2nd of January, we will be three points better off. C'mon you Lions. UTV.
Still cannot believe that 87 people believe we are going to loose this game and 17 think we will win. Fucking come on H&V, for fucksake. We are Villa and we will stay up and be fine. In five years we will wonder what the fucking fuss was about. Top four and 3-4 cup wins under our belt.( Optimist). UTV.
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Always hopeful - at least a draw!
But we need to get in their faces, not think what a super footballing team Swansea are and let's see how many chances they need before they start thier scoring spree.
We've conceded goals in the first 3 minutes of the last 3 games.
If it's still 0-0 after 4 minutes that's progress! ;-)
UTV!
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By the time we wake up,on the 2nd of January, we will be three points better off. C'mon you Lions. UTV.
Still cannot believe that 87 people believe we are going to loose this game and 17 think we will win. Fucking come on H&V, for fucksake. We are Villa and we will stay up and be fine. In five years we will wonder what the fucking fuss was about. Top four and 3-4 cup wins under our belt.( Optimist). UTV.
I wish Danlanza was doing the dressing-room motivational chat before the match.
That's the spirit, sir! UTV!
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think we'll win for some reason
not sure if this has been said before anywhere ever - but football is a funny old game
I do however reserve the right to proclaim drink addled madness if we get hammered again though
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No more Feckin wing back rubbish
4-5-1
No sleeping defending set pieces
Try and score a damn goal, only 16 without reply
Make Ireland pay the bridge toll
Lichaj and Holman benched
Guzan
Lowton, Clark, Herd (if no proper CHs around), Bennett.
Delph, Westwood.
Albrighton, Bannan, Weimman.
Benteke
Carruthers to be first change if we need attacking options
1-2; Moore; Lowton, Benteke
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No more Feckin wing back rubbish
4-5-1
No sleeping defending set pieces
Try and score a damn goal, only 16 without reply
Make Ireland pay the bridge toll
Lichaj and Holman benched
Guzan
Lowton, Clark, Herd (if no proper CHs around), Bennett.
Delph, Westwood.
Albrighton, Bannan, Weimman.
Benteke
Carruthers to be first change if we need attacking options
1-2; Moore; Lowton, Benteke
think we need 442
Guzan
Lichaj Lowton Clark Bennett
Albrighton Westwood Bannan Holman
Weimann Benteke
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Looking forward to going this game got a feeling we will stop the rot. 2-1 villa with Benteke getting both. Were due a win. Teams around us have hard games aswell.
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0-23.That takes care of the goal difference.
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Team News for the Swansea Game:-
Guzan, Dunne, Cahill, Ridgewell, K Walker, Milner, Barry, Petrov, Routledge, A Young, Benteke
Bench: Collins, Friedel, Maloney, Cuella, Abonlahor
Then I woke up........!
Lerner - what have you done?
You dreamt about Ridgewell?
the bigger concern is that he's having a dream and that's best line up he could come up with.
which reminds me . routeledge plays for them which means he will score
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1-2 us. Benteke, Clarke. Happy new year!!
UTV!
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Them 3 - 1 Us
Odette and two wee swans for them. Von Rothbart for us.
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I'm clinging on to the hope that Lambert has a good record v Swansea, through playing a real pressing game on their defence.
I normally predict a side though I can't face it this time, the mediocrity of our options at the moment is depressing! When on earth is Vlaar going to be back? It should make such a huge difference.
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Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph will return after suspension for Tuesday's Barclays Premier League encounter with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.
But Villa's lengthy injury list shows little sign of improving as they look to recover from three heavy defeats in which they have conceded 15 goals against Chelsea, Tottenham and Wigan.
Striker Darren Bent (hamstring) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (thigh), winger Charles N'Zogbia (knee) and defenders Ron Vlaar (calf), Nathan Baker (hamstring) and long-term casualty Richard Dunne (knee) remain sidelined.
Provisional squad: Guzan, Given, Lowton, Herd, Clark, Lichaj, Stevens, Bennett,Warnock, Ireland, Westwood, El Ahmadi, Bannan, Delph, Albrighton, Holman, Benteke, Bowery, Weimann, Burke, Johnson, Williams, Carruthers.
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3-0 home win. We look shot at the moment.
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Swansea 0 - 3 Aston Villa.
We will not lose this match.
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Swansea 0 - 3 Aston Villa.
We will not lose this match.
Can I have some of what you're smoking? ;D
I wish I could feel that positive.
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I see nothing to give me much hope in this game but villa have been so difficult to predict this season - some great highs and depressing lows and its time the roller coaster hit the heights again- I'm hoping the new year will bring a change in luck.
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Taking my (15yr old) son to his first away game and on the official coach. When I bought the tickets we were starting to look like we'd worked out how to play as a team and expected a win or a draw at the least.
Wind on a few weeks and the majority are predicting a loss and yet somehow I think we'll scrape a result.
We need to get more solid so for me 4-4-2 is the best way then dig in for the first 10-15 mins. If we concede early its a killer but if they can get some confidence and move the ball around (which swansea usually let you do) then we could have a chance.
UTV
PS - Do they allow drink on the coach, might need some on the way back.....
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Taking my (15yr old) son to his first away game and on the official coach. When I bought the tickets we were starting to look like we'd worked out how to play as a team and expected a win or a draw at the least.
Wind on a few weeks and the majority are predicting a loss and yet somehow I think we'll scrape a result.
We need to get more solid so for me 4-4-2 is the best way then dig in for the first 10-15 mins. If we concede early its a killer but if they can get some confidence and move the ball around (which swansea usually let you do) then we could have a chance.
UTV
PS - Do they allow drink on the coach, might need some on the way back.....
The answer to your last question is no. Well, not on official anyway.
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Well at least with Delph back someone might actually make a tackle in midfield ..even if it is mistimed
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Would take an ugly point here, steady the ship. Just can't see anything but another mauling though.
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Law of Averages say we are due a win. 1-0 in appalling conditions Er... Albrighton!
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Can't see us getting anything pout of this game. 0-3.
We'll win against Ipswich Saturday, put an unbeaten run together & get our season on track and get our confidence back too.
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Swansea 0 - 3 Aston Villa.
We will not lose this match.
I think I saw quotes like that before the Wigan game
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Just have a feeling we will stop the rot with a hard earned score draw which should be enough to keep us out of the bottom 3 with other strugglers having tough fixtures.
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Taking the missus to her first away for this. She's never seen us concede a goal
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A goal against early on and I fear we'll lose.
Clean sheet at half time, and I fear we'll lose, our second half performances have been dire.
A goal for early on and we'll have a chance.
Two goals and no response from Swansea we could win, but I'm not sure we can achieve that happy state, we just don't create enough chances the way we're playing unless Lambert changes the team format to stifle Swansea controlling midfield and get the ball forward more quickly.
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Taking the missus to her first away for this. She's never seen us concede a goal
A new experience for her then? ;-)
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let's get to half time at 0-0 and we could see a different side.
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let's get to half time at 0-0 and we could see a different side.
How many goals have we conceded in the second half the last three games??
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let's get to half time at 0-0 and we could see a different side.
How many goals have we conceded in the second half the last three games??
Yes, it worked really well against Spurs.
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More BBC villa season stats:
'Paul Lambert's side have conceded seven goals to opposition defenders in the Premier League this season - only Wigan (eight) have fared worse.
The Villans have attempted just four shots on target in their last three Premier League game'
I'm going for a sneaky draw in this one
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let's get to half time at 0-0 and we could see a different side.
How many goals have we conceded in the second half the last three games??
Yes, it worked really well against Spurs.
Swansea aren't exactly Spurs though. a first half clean sheet might be just what we need.
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let's get to half time at 0-0 and we could see a different side.
How many goals have we conceded in the second half the last three games??
Yes, it worked really well against Spurs.
Swansea aren't exactly Spurs though. a first half clean sheet might be just what we need.
Only I fear, if we can score ourselves and our stats don't bode well.
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let's get to half time at 0-0 and we could see a different side.
How many goals have we conceded in the second half the last three games??
Yes, it worked really well against Spurs.
Swansea aren't exactly Spurs though. a first half clean sheet might be just what we need.
Wigan were the one team who were on a run even worse than us, and they buried us. I don't think 0-0 at half time would be that big a deal. It'd be surely better to score a goal for a start.
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Swansea 0 Ten man Villa 0.
It won't be enough to remove the cloud or move us far up the table but I'd take it now. Swansea have won 3, drawn 5 and lost 2 at home. Can't decide who will get sent off for us but it's been on the cards for weeks. Delph or Herd is my bet, though don't be surprised if it's Clark.
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The problem is that we seem unable to pose any kind of attacking threath without leaving our midfield wide open.
I'd argue that 0-0 at half time would be a starting point. Then we could, in the second half, take a little more risk, but not deploy the risky gung-ho approach that burned us in the Spurs game.
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Law of Averages say we are due a win. 1-0 in appalling conditions Er... Albrighton!
you never know Ron , stranger things have happened . It would not suprise me
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let's get to half time at 0-0 and we could see a different side.
How many goals have we conceded in the second half the last three games??
Yes, it worked really well against Spurs.
Swansea aren't exactly Spurs though. a first half clean sheet might be just what we need.
true but they are not exactly Wigan neither
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Should get cracking odds on a Villa win tomorrow , around 4/1 I'd have thought
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Should get cracking odds on a Villa win tomorrow , around 4/1 I'd have thought
5/1 @Ladbrokes.
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If Swansea completely fail to turn up and we are on top of our game, then i reckon about 4-0 to Swansea....
;-)
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Keep Ireland and Delph out then we have a chance. I would give Marco a chance from the off. I wouldnt be supprised if we win or get tonked.
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Paddy Power odds are;
Swansea 8/13
Draw 3/1
Villa 9/2
The bookies aren't confident of us keeping the score down;
Swansea 3-0 11/1 and 4-0 22/1
Us on the other hand are;
1-0 14/1 and 2-0 30/1
It's about time Herd banged one in from a corner. Choose herd as first goalscorer and Villa win 2-1 at 225/1
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Seeing how Wigan passed us off the park, and they're not as good as Swansea at that sort of thing, I'm afraid we'll get spanked again, to be honest.
A draw would be great, though. I hope Lambert manages to come up with something to stop the rot, whatever it takes, frankly.
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Let's try and stand firm, close them down and grind something out. A draw would be a great step forward.
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I can't look.
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We need to go back to containing containing containing and then hitting teams on the break. Every time we try and take a game to anyone we get absolutely pasted.
As for this game, I don't have a clue.
Fuck it, Villa win.
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TEAM NEWS
Swansea forward Michu will undergo a late fitness test on his ankle injury.
Angel Rangel is also a doubt with a calf problem, but Chico Flores, Michel Vorm and Leon Britton could all return. Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph returns from suspension, but the club's injury list is a lengthy one.
Strikers Darren Bent (hamstring) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (thigh), winger Charles N'Zogbia (knee) and defenders Ron Vlaar (calf) and Nathan Baker (hamstring) remain sidelined.
MATCH PREVIEW
After Villa's recent run of results, Paul Lambert must be wishing for a week off in order to work hard on the training ground and give some of his injured players a bit more time to recover. But at this time of year, unless the weather intervenes, there is no such thing as a week off, with fixtures following each other in quick succession. This match could be a dress rehearsal for the League Cup final in February, as next week Swansea face Chelsea and Aston Villa play Bradford in the first legs of their semi-finals.
All thoughts of a Wembley meeting are irrelevant at the moment, as Swansea look to build on their excellent Christmas haul of four points from two away fixtures, while Villa have to start the new year in style.
The other day I picked up an old newspaper whilst waiting for an appointment and started reading the football section. Villa's match report described their play as impressive, cohesive, and moving in the right direction. The paper was from 17 December, and it was a match report on their 3-1 victory at Liverpool, just a fortnight ago.
That was one of only half a dozen Premier League triumphs in the calendar year of 2012 for Villa, which includes a 2-0 victory over Swansea back in September.
With Michu out injured at Fulham on Saturday, Danny Graham took the opportunity to remind Michael Laudrup what he can do. The Swans start 2013 in an excellent position, and look to be a decent bet for a top-10 finish come May.
At the moment, Villa fans must be desperately worried about their side's prospects of finishing outside the bottom three.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
This is only the fourth top-flight fixture in Wales between these clubs. Swansea went unbeaten in the previous three (W2, D1), with Villa's last away victory coming 31 years ago in the old Third Division.
Aston Villa have won 15 of their 20 previous meetings against Swansea, who have managed four victories.
Swansea
Swansea are the only Premier League side to have won every game so far in which they opened the scoring, which they have done seven times.
They are unbeaten in their last three matches played on New Year's Day.
The Swans have only won one of their last five home matches but have held Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United to draws during that run.
Wayne Routledge played eight times for Aston Villa in 2008, although his only two Premier League appearances were as a substitute.
Aston Villa
They have lost three successive league games, conceding 15 goals and failing to score. The record number of goals conceded over three Premier League games is 18, by Wigan (May-August 2010).
Villa ended 2012 with a club record-equalling 18 league defeats in a calendar year.
However, Villa have won their last three league matches on New Year's Day (2003, 2005 and 2008).
Paul Lambert's side have conceded seven goals to opposition defenders in the Premier League this season - only Wigan (8) have fared worse.
The Villans have attempted just four shots on target in their last three Premier League games.
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Christ, cheers Lee. 12-0.
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Guzan
Lowton Herd Clark Lichaj
Albrighton Delph Westwood Bennet
Benteke Weimann
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I may change my 3-0 win prediction.
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Sorry, Stevens left back, not Lichaj.
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Villa win. Ipswich-Villa win. Southampton- Villa win. Stop bloody panicking. ::)
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Sorry, Stevens left back, not Lichaj.
Any starting 11 that includes Delph, Albrighton and Lichaj are gonna get tonked.
Bennet & Stevens don't fill me full of confidence either.
God help us.
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Sorry, Stevens left back, not Lichaj.
Any starting 11 that includes Delph, Albrighton and Lichaj are gonna get tonked.
Bennet & Stevens don't fill me full of confidence either.
God help us.
Indeed, it's a bit frightening looking at that line up isn't it.
Delph is not the player we hoped for, Albrighton is completely shot. Bennet in midfield is an "interesting" choice. I'm pinning my hopes on Weimann and Benteke having a Liverpool performance and us scoring more than them.
It's all we've got, it's frightening but true.
Help us Randy.
Please.
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If we play 4 4 2 we might get something,
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Can we sneek some extra players on the pitch without the officials noticing?
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We could, but looking at the possible sneakers it won't make much difference.
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Worked last night and on again tonight Hope that I sleep through til 5 and wake up to a nice surprise
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I reckon a return to the diamond for this one:
Guzan - Lowton herd Clark Bennett - Holman Westwood delph - Ireland - weimann Benteke
Lots of problems with that side, but not sure there's a better one available
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Hoping michu fails his late fitness test.
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Cant really see us getting anything 2-0 defeat , which sadly would be an improvement on the last 3.
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hope the ref got a new abacus from Santa
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Who is the Ref ? Please not Dowd
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Don't think it matters who the ref is
Isn't this where we came into 2012.......Swansea at home, euphoric after the miracle at Stamford Bridge a couple of days earlier.
Oh for a f*ckin away win tomorrow
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please win, Villa.
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Don't think it matters who the ref is
Isn't this where we came into 2012.......Swansea at home, euphoric after the miracle at Stamford Bridge a couple of days earlier.
Oh for a f*ckin away win tomorrow
Today !
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Today's a day for big performances all over the pitch. Any kind of result today can be the turning point for us, however another dicking would be unbearable. Our boys need to stand firm and fight, especially if we concede first.
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Who is the Ref ? Please not Dowd
Mark Halsey I believe.
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Oh fuck off.
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Just hope Lambert has given them confidence after last few games. No players back from injury..?
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I reckon a return to the diamond for this one:
Guzan - Lowton herd Clark Bennett - Holman Westwood delph - Ireland - weimann Benteke
Lots of problems with that side, but not sure there's a better one available
Take out Ireland, put Holman in that spot and Bannan back in the 3 and you're pretty close. I think I'd switch Lowton and Herd around as well.
The key is I don't want to see Ireland in a villa shirt ever again, the last couple of games we've needed a senior player to take hold of the game and be a positive influence to build up the youngsters, if anything Ireland has hidden more than any of the kids. h'e s a coward and a waste of air, needs to be replaced with a genuine creative option who will score and create regularly.
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A shaky 2 -1 win for us I reckon.
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Shocking to think that if the Albion won this lunchtime they will be 18 points ahead of us and double our points tally having spent only a fraction of the money we've spent on this squad.
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Fifty years a Villa fan and I never thought the Baggies would be a benchmark. If any consolation - it won't last.
But you are right. Well done to them, I wish WE were/can be, the club to prove that you don't need sheik money to compete.
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Who is the Ref ? Please not Dowd
Mark Halsey I believe.
2 fatter bastards you will not see.
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Taking the missus to her first away for this. She's never seen us concede a goal
A new experience for her then? ;-)
If her luck holds, my brother's getting the sack from now on
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Seriously, the only ref other than Down I truly dread the name of is Halsey. Never, ever, ever given us a decision. The pair of them are not fit to referee.
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Off to the boozer to watch it. See you all in the post match thread. UTV 8)
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First double of the season please
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I had a weird dream last night. I can remember some of it.
I hardly ever play football in dreams any more (and if I do I'm barely competent) but last night I played for Villa against Swansea in some mickey mouse playing field somewhere.
It was quite frustrating as it was dark, the lighting was very dim and the ball was black. However, after being fouled all through the game I managed to dance through their defence and slot home the winner.
I woke up looking forward to reading a report of my performance before reality hit me.
I'm pretty sure this is an omen of absolutely nothing at all but just in case its 1-0 to Villa, there you go.
Anyway, happy new year.
We'll come through these shitty times at some point and we'll be alright. Probably.
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At least the Baggies stil love us. singing away about us before conceding the second to Fulham. I thought wolves were their near rivals but suppose its the Premiership where they find their nearest rivals.
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A shaky 2 -1 win for us I reckon.
I rock!
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A shaky 2 -1 win for us I reckon.
I rock!
No you don't.