Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on April 08, 2013, 07:01:06 PM
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Saturday 13th April 2013 3pm
2-0 home win
Westwood 33
Benteke 68
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Would have gone 3-1 Villa.
Just heard that Dowd is in charge 1-2 Fulham
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The fear is ebbing away. I hope we play well.
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2-0 home win
Benteke (2)
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Dowd? With Lowton on 9 yellows, what could possibly go wrong.
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Villa 2 Fulham 1
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Us 3 Them 1
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Actually I don't know which scuppers our chances of a win more, Dowd as ref or Leeg as thread starter.
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Villa 1 Fulham 0
Weimann 90
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Villa 0 Fulham 3 (Dowd 74 (pen), 86 (pen), 88 (pen))
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3-2 us.
Agbonlamannteke hat-trick, ruiz and that Bulgarian chap for them. A draw wouldn't be the end of the world, even though one will probably feel like it. Hopefully go into the last ten minutes with a two-goal lead, leave ourselves a little squeaky-bum breathing space.
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1-1 draw for me
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I'm going for the win. Not overly confident but think we have some momentum going into it. Fulham are already safe and their season is effectively over. Plus their troubles on the road are well-known. Lambert doesn't really change the winning team so it will be interesting to see whether Clark is reinstated (I assume he will be fit by the weekend) and whether Bowery keeps his place. I don't think anybody would begrudge him starting again. Although I'd be tempted to replace him with Sylla/Bannan and go back to 4-3-3 for this one.
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2-2, a lucky deflection/OG gives us the leveller in second half
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Play like we did most of Saturday and i think we can win well. fulhams away form is never great either. 2-0 villa! Benteke and gabby scoring
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2-1 win.
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4 2 villa benteke 2 Weimann 2,, we are staying up say we are staying up
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The last time we got the sort of praise from the press before this weekend was after Liverpool away. Please don't let history repeat itself.
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The last time we got the sort of praise from the press before this weekend was after Liverpool away. Please don't let history repeat itself.
Indeed. It's been like that all season. They raved about as after we won at Anfield.
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2-1. Berbatov to open the scoring, but Bennett and Benteke get us the three points
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oh, and Phil Dowd to pull a ham string just before the game as he reaches down to pick up a marsbar. The fat f@ck
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Dowd? Have we ever won with that prick as the ref? Even so, 2-1 Villa (Benteke 2)
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I cant see the road to survival being as simple as just picking up 3pts every week...Fulham are as good as safe on 39pts so I'll go for a draw as I was hoping for minimum 4pts from the Stoke and Fulham games. We're unlikely to walk away with anything from Old Trafford next time out so I'd be delighted to see a maximum 6pt return from these 2 games and should see us keep our head above water for when we play Sunderland.
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Actually I don't know which scuppers our chances of a win more, Dowd as ref or Leeg as thread starter.
Pre-match only as mentioned in the Stoke post-match thread. Do keep up.
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The last time we got the sort of praise from the press before this weekend was after Liverpool away. Please don't let history repeat itself.
We have followed every major high this season with a low. Swansea win was followed by thumping at Soton. We all know what followed the win at Pool. And even the QPR win was followed by meek surrender to Pool. Hopefully we'll break that habit this Saturday.
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Hardly ever straightforward when we play Fulham, even when we were good, so I think we may just nick it 1-0. Vital 3 points before what one suspects will be a dead rubber against Yanited. Though you never know, they are not actually that good this season and it is a damning indictment on the Premier League that they are 12 points clear
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3-1 Villa
For those who've been following my predicting accuracy, sorry.
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1-1
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We have followed every major high this season with a low. Swansea win was followed by thumping at Soton. We all know what followed the win at Pool. And even the QPR win was followed by meek surrender to Pool. Hopefully we'll break that habit this Saturday.
We have not followed every major high with a low however I do hope we don't mess up.
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I don't think this is going to be the stroll in the park that many think it will be.
We've got a patchy, at best, record against them. They are safe and there is absolutely no pressure on them whatsoever to pick up points, so they can afford to sit back and let us come at them and hit us on the break.
Despite our recent upturn in form, our record at villa park this season is poor to say the least. Add to all this that we're by no means safe yet and there is huge pressure on us not to lose, I think we'll probably go safety first and aim not to lose rather than go out to win.
Whether this is the right approach is arguable, but its the natural tendency to try and protect what little advantage you've got rather than risk it. I'd love to see a big crowd, great atmosphere and for Villa to have a real go. However, I think it will be tense and we'll just try and keep it tight and not get beaten. Going for a draw. Prove me wrong Villa.
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Us 2 (Foster, Dorigo) Them 1 (Best)
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I've always thought we have had a pretty good record against Fulham.
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Win this and we're in a very good position. We'd need just one more win from the remaining 5 and it'd be job done.
I think we'll be safe with a few games to spare to be honest. I think we should be winning this and Sunderland. If we have to win against Norwich and Wigan, we should be able to.
I think we'll be safe before Wigan to be honest. They probably will too.
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Although Chelsea were terrible i thought Sunderland were much improved under their new manager so that won't be a walkover, win against Fulham and it's almost time to breath easy, lose or draw and we are still teetering on the edge. No Bannon please.
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3-1 Benteke, Weimann and a celebrity strike by Dazza Bent
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3-0
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3-1 Benteke (2) Gabby, Berbatoffee for them
Let the good times roll!!
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3-2 Villa. Baker, Vlaar and Weimann.
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Bent hattrick please.
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This is one of our winnables, so I think we have to take the attitude that we must win it. It will give us the breathing space we've been craving and heap more pressure on those around us. Of course, we can't produce wonder strikes every week, so it'll be tough, but I think we should and can nick this one.
2-1.
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3-1 villa win and a huge step towards safety.
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This is our last game against a team with nothing left to play for so we need to take full advantage.
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I've always thought we have had a pretty good record against Fulham.
Perhaps, would be interesting to see. My probably warped perspective seems to remember lots of home draws where we all assumed we would win and games down there, particularly when they played at Loftus Road, when we never seemed to get a result against them. I think we did well overall at their place during MON's time mind you
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I don't think we've ever lost a premier league game at home to Fulham?
I really don't think this will be a stroll though, not least because we never keep a clean sheet and Fulham are normally decent at the back.
I think this might be 1-1. Not a bad outcome but with Man U up next likely to leave the Sunderland game as another6 pointer.
A win, coupled with (what are quite likely) defeats for our main rivals would be wonderful and give us a very minor bit of breathing space.
I'd keep the same back four. Probably nzogbia for Bowery. We have the pace to exploit senders and riise, while its a good note that sidwell is suspended. He's been playing well. Ironic really - he was appalling for us.
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Repeat of last season is my best guess!
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We've been nervous at the start of recent home games - or easily made to be nervous by match events. I hope there's a bit more confidence now
If we press them back and deny berbatov service, this is very winnable.
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2-1 in spite of Dowd.
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Confidence will be high, we'll make chances and need to convert more of them. I can see us scoring 3 and winning. We're a better more organized outfit now than the one that beat Liverpool earlier in the season.
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Repeat of last season is my best guess!
If I recall Fulham were dire in this corresponding fixture last year.
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I've not been overly confident about us winning a single league game all season but for some reason i do on Saturday.
Playing well, scoring goals, defensively showing gradual improvements It really is all coming together.
Together that is to have that huge crash back down to earth.
But no, i'm backing the boys.
3-1 again to the Villa.
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This is our last game against a team with nothing left to play for so we need to take full advantage.
I know what you're saying pete, but to me the fact they've nothing to play for doesn't mean they won't try, it just means there's no pressure on them, so they'll be less likely to make stupid mistakes, they'll probably sit back and wait for us to come at them. We'll be nervy about over-committing and I just can't see the game getting stretched and too many chances being created. I think maybe 1-1 if it plays out like that.
Really I'd prefer to see us have a bash and go for the win, but there's always the danger that instead of winning 3-1, or 3-2, we end up losing by the same score. We've just got to not lose this one and it would be a decent outcome for us.
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I was going to say Villa 2-1. With Dowd as ref then seriously, he will shaft us with stupid yellow cards and possibly a red thrown in for good luck.
Dowd is a disgrace as a ref. Bloody hell, i was looking forward to this game until his fucking name was mentioned.
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I was going to say Villa 2-1. With Dowd as ref then seriously, he will shaft us with stupid yellow cards and possibly a red thrown in for good luck.
Dowd is a disgrace as a ref. Bloody hell, i was looking forward to this game until his fucking name was mentioned.
It's up to us to put the goals away and not make him influence the game. I agree though Dan, he's bloody shocking.
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I was going to say Villa 2-1. With Dowd as ref then seriously, he will shaft us with stupid yellow cards and possibly a red thrown in for good luck.
Dowd is a disgrace as a ref. Bloody hell, i was looking forward to this game until his fucking name was mentioned.
It's up to us to put the goals away and not make him influence the game. I agree though Dan, he's bloody shocking.
Clamps, have we ever won a game with this buffoon reffing us ?
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We ought to win this but its making me very nervous that most people seem to be assuming that this is a nailed on home banker. I hope the players are not assuming they just have to turn up.
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I'm concerned - 74.2% going for the win. Whenever we've been this confident so far this season we've managed to then colosally fuck it up!
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Really I'd prefer to see us have a bash and go for the win
I don't think there's any other way Villa approach things nowadays is there?
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I'm concerned - 74.2% going for the win. Whenever we've been this confident so far this season we've managed to then colosally fuck it up!
The time to really start worrying is if Lawro goes for a Villa win.
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Villa win for me
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Repeat of last season is my best guess!
If I recall Fulham were dire in this corresponding fixture last year.
They were and they were pretty crap in the away game this season.
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Fulham win. 2-1. Berbatov penalty for the winner. Dowd with a little smirk on his face. Crowd in bits. Their keeper having a stormer.
Big Ben for us.
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Big weekend this. Again. The revival continues.
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Its going to be a good weekend , its in my claret and blue bones .
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Hope we carry on up the table and Dowd is not his usual arsehole self.
2-1 Villa
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Aston Villa 4 (Four) - 0 Fulham
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This is usually when we feck it up.
With Sunderland at Newcastle, Stoke playing Man Yoo, QPR away at Everton Reading home to Liverpool, Norwich away at Arsenal and Wigan away to Man City midweek, a Villa win could see us make real strides...maybe even jump above Norwich & Stoke.
Come on you Villa boys....comfortable 4-0 beating please, before we play Man Yoo under the curse of sky and the scrutiny of the nation.
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Aston Villa 4 (Four) - 0 Fulham
I'm liking this Tom. I'm liking this a lot.
Succinct, optimistic and you reiterated that we will score 4 (yes four) goals. Thoroughly pleasing post.
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I can just see us huffing and puffing and struggling to break Fulham down, even without them trying too hard and not being at all adventurous.
But, I still think we can still win.
1-0 Villa (that'll do)
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Could really do with winning this game, as it'd give us a bit of a free shot against Man Utd.
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I think we can sneak it, our home form does worry me, particurlarly scoring goals, I'm hoping we can do it
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As someone who likes betting on football, I very rarely back Fulham away from home. I also don't think they have a lot of goals in them. I think we will win and we may even get that elusive clean sheet.
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If I recall Fulham were dire in this corresponding fixture last year.
They were but we had to wait till injury time to see Weimann falling over and knocking it past the keeper, que mental celebrations
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2-1 Villa.
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3-1
Bent 1 ( 6 yard box header from corner poorly defended)
The Beast 2 ( Header / shot from keeper punch out )
Berbatov ( bicycle kick on edge of box )
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3-0 to Villa.
With the kids parading the NextGen cup, an all round feel good day at VP.
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I was going to say Villa 2-1. With Dowd as ref then seriously, he will shaft us with stupid yellow cards and possibly a red thrown in for good luck.
Dowd is a disgrace as a ref. Bloody hell, i was looking forward to this game until his fucking name was mentioned.
Same here. Surely refs have to pass fitness tests etc these days. If so, how does he consistently get away with being such a massive fat bastard?
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If I recall Fulham were dire in this corresponding fixture last year.
They were but we had to wait till injury time to see Weimann falling over and knocking it past the keeper, que mental celebrations
mine was ludicrous. I was up a step ladder hoovering dust off a picture rail when he scored. When Keane scored the winner against Wolves I was on the roof in the pissing rain adjusting the tv aerial.
So many great Villa moments associated with tedious DIY projects
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If I recall Fulham were dire in this corresponding fixture last year.
They were but we had to wait till injury time to see Weimann falling over and knocking it past the keeper, que mental celebrations
mine was ludicrous. I was up a step ladder hoovering dust off a picture rail when he scored. When Keane scored the winner against Wolves I was on the roof in the pissing rain adjusting the tv aerial.
So many great Villa moments associated with tedious DIY projects
On the roof Damon! Look what happened when Rod Hull did that.
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If I recall Fulham were dire in this corresponding fixture last year.
They were but we had to wait till injury time to see Weimann falling over and knocking it past the keeper, que mental celebrations
mine was ludicrous. I was up a step ladder hoovering dust off a picture rail when he scored. When Keane scored the winner against Wolves I was on the roof in the pissing rain adjusting the tv aerial.
So many great Villa moments associated with tedious DIY projects
Hopefully there are no sanitation issues to resolve on the last day at Wigan, else we will all be wallowing in the brown stuff:)
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If I recall Fulham were dire in this corresponding fixture last year.
They were but we had to wait till injury time to see Weimann falling over and knocking it past the keeper, que mental celebrations
mine was ludicrous. I was up a step ladder hoovering dust off a picture rail when he scored. When Keane scored the winner against Wolves I was on the roof in the pissing rain adjusting the tv aerial.
So many great Villa moments associated with tedious DIY projects
On the roof Damon! Look what happened when Rod Hull did that.
Goodness me Damon , get the wife on those jobs ;)
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My wife's terrified of heights. Also her arse won't fit through the Velux window.
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My wife's terrified of heights. Also her arse won't fit through the Velux window.
Er... I do hope she hasnt got access to your laptop!
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Tough game - I just hope for my sanity and that of everyone else we score 2-3 early on and knock the stuffing out of Fulham.
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Repeat of last season is my best guess!
If I recall Fulham were dire in this corresponding fixture last year.
They weren't great but I thought we played quite well that day and fully deserved the win. It was one of our better performances last season. The winner was one of the (few) great moments of last season. Was great to see Weimann get his first goal too!
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I think we have finally turned the corner and can feel a 3-0 victory in my bones.
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Stroll in the park now! 3-1.
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My wife's terrified of heights. Also her arse won't fit through the Velux window.
The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin
That's what I said.
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand
Or so I have read.
My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo.
I love to sink her with my pink torpedo.
Big bottom
Big bottom
Talk about bum cakes,
My gal's got 'em.
Big bottom,
Drive me out of my mind.
How can I leave this behind?
I saw her on monday, twas my lucky bun day
You know what I mean.
I love her each weekday, each velvety cheekday
You know what I mean.
My love gun's loaded and she's in my sights
Big game's waiting there inside her tights
Big bottom
Big bottom
Talk about mud flaps
My gal's got 'em.
Big bottom
Drive me out of my mind.
How can I leave this behind?
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Jazz odyssey! ... hope you enjoy our new direction... ...on the bass: Derek Smalls, he wrote this.
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Tough game - I just hope for my sanity and that of everyone else we score 2-3 early on ....
I always think this before kick-off. Then when we do get a couple of goals in front I develop a nervous tick.
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Wait, its Dowd? We are buggered.
Straight loss. We will be lucky to get away with one red.
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I think we will actually keep a clean sheet, the first in a long time.
2-0 Benteke and Gabby
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3-0 to Villa.
With the kids parading the NextGen cup, an all round feel good day at VP.
Anybody know if this is a definite? It'd be good if they could do it whilst the first XI are on the pitch, but with the current pre-kickoff fannying about, I suppose that's not possible
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3-0 to Villa.
With the kids parading the NextGen cup, an all round feel good day at VP.
Sincerely hope the babbies do get to parade the trophy.
I am taking a lad from our aikido club for his first ever visit to VP - after showing him around the ground it would be great if he could see the young Villans success.
Anybody know if this is a definite? It'd be good if they could do it whilst the first XI are on the pitch, but with the current pre-kickoff fannying about, I suppose that's not possible
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Paul Lambert reckons Brett Holman is determined to win his starting place back after giving the Aussie ace reassurances over his lack of opportunities.
Having made an impressive start to the campaign, Holman has found chances limited since the turn of the year because of the form of fellow attackers Gabby Agbonlahor, Charles N'Zogbia and Andreas Weimann.
The former AZ Alkmaar player also missed out on the defeat to Liverpool 10 days ago because of a hamstring injury.
But Lambert has reassured the 28-year-old that his lack of first team action is due to the form of his team-mates rather than anything he has done wrong.
Holman has appeared 26 this term, scoring superb long-range stunners against Queens Park Rangers in the league and Norwich in the Capital One Cup.
"I've spoken to him and I had a good chat with him," said the Villa boss.
"He is an experienced player and has done really fine since he's been here.
"You don't want people to sit and be happy when they are not in the side. You want them to be unhappy.
"He couldn't get in because Charles was playing extremely well.
"He wasn't fit for last week. He is fit now. He has trained this week so he is back in the fray."
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That's the right attitude to have from Lambert.
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No excuse to lose this one, playing an average side already safe with no incentive. I would be reading the riot act before they go out as to not letting their team and supporters down.
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This is exactly the type of game that I fear.....one that we should win against a team with nothing to play for......
Its just so important that we keep the momentum going and start to pull away from the drop zone
Every game is a cup final.....that is so true
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As we have seen Fulham when on their game can produce good football and good results from good play. Some of the play in the two recent derby matches v Spurs away (strong organised team perfromance) QPR at home (Outstanding first half) show the qualities Fulham have.
However they have also shown v QPR and previously against Sunderland a frailty (similar to villa) when play and pressure is upon them. The 2 goal lead thrown away at sunderland and the 3goal lead cut to a 1 goal narrow win @ home to QPR illustrates this. And of course we have Fulhams last match where they crumbled v Newcastle in 90+ min.
I think as we need the points more we will get a 4-2 win. Berbatov and Ruiz will be a danger so i think we'll concede (as ever) Though Rodallega if he plays often seems to score against us.
I fancy Bent (bowery out) to get a game with Benteke which would change shape though the rest of team to stay the same
Guzan
Lowton Baker Vlaar Bennet
Westwood Delph
Weimann Gabby
Bent Benteke
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Guzan
Lowton. Vlaar. Baker. Bennett
Sylla Delph Westwood
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
3-1 villa win.
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Guzan
Lowton. Vlaar. Baker. Bennett
Sylla Delph Westwood
Weimann. Benteke. Gabby
3-1 villa win.
The onus will be on us to go and attack on Saturday, so out of the team above I would maybe consider bringing N'Zogbia back in for Sylla and going with the 4-2-3-1 formation.
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Clean sheet but 0-0
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I'd play
------- Guzan -------
Lowton Vlaar Baker Bennett
-- Westwood Delph --
------- Holman -------
Weimann Benteke Gabby
CNZ is clearly the better player over Holman but I worry about his lack of work rate, starting the likes of Sylla or KEA alongside Westwood and Delph would be too defensive at home.
I think we'll draw 2-2.
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I'd play
------- Guzan -------
Lowton Vlaar Baker Bennett
-- Westwood Delph --
------- Holman -------
Weimann Benteke Gabby
CNZ is clearly the better player over Holman but I worry about his lack of work rate, starting the likes of Sylla or KEA alongside Westwood and Delph would be too defensive at home.
I think we'll draw 2-2.
I think starting Westwood and sylla would give Delph more licence to break forward and play to his attacking strengths and the three up front would mean it would be far from defensive, with the full backs getting forward too.
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Looking like decent crowd given how tricky it was to get 2 seats together. Nothing in the whole of the North Stand and pockets on the wings/back of Holte.
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Looking like decent crowd given how tricky it was to get 2 seats together. Nothing in the whole of the North Stand and pockets on the wings/back of Holte.
Get a good result, and I like to think you'll have similar problems for sunderland, even with it being on a Monday
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I'd play
------- Guzan -------
Lowton Vlaar Baker Bennett
-- Westwood Delph --
------- Holman -------
Weimann Benteke Gabby
CNZ is clearly the better player over Holman but I worry about his lack of work rate, starting the likes of Sylla or KEA alongside Westwood and Delph would be too defensive at home.
I think we'll draw 2-2.
I think starting Westwood and sylla would give Delph more licence to break forward and play to his attacking strengths and the three up front would mean it would be far from defensive, with the full backs getting forward too.
We may well see the midfield trio you mention, as Holman's been out of the picture for a while for one reason or another. I'm just not sure if Delph is one of those midfielders who is better breaking from deep, then again I've never really seen him in the advanced role.
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I think Delph looked very useful at Leeds in the advanced midfield role and scored a few goals- never been used in that way here though but I think he has that in his game .
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This team would win us the game 3-1
----------------Guzan--------------
-----------Vlaar----Baker-----------
Lowton-------------------Bennett--
----Sylla---Westwood---Delph-----
---Weimann------------Agbonlahor-
---------------Benteke--------------
Bent and N'Zogbia to come of the bench to seal us the win...
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This team would win us the game 3-1
----------------Guzan--------------
-----------Vlaar----Baker-----------
Lowton-------------------Bennett--
----Sylla---Westwood---Delph-----
---Weimann------------Agbonlahor-
---------------Benteke--------------
Bent and N'Zogbia to come of the bench to seal us the win...
Same team and same score i went for on last page- the game is there to be won and we will do so.
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I'd be happy enough with that team.
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I agree Holman is an interesting option. He'd have to stop giving the ball away so much though. I'd probably go with nzogbia still. He's a mixed bag I agree, but Fulham aren't normally too strong in central midfield and have sidwell out. He could cause damage in a roving role getting behind the likes of senderos and riise.
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This team would win us the game 3-1
----------------Guzan--------------
-----------Vlaar----Baker-----------
Lowton-------------------Bennett--
----Sylla---Westwood---Delph-----
---Weimann------------Agbonlahor-
---------------Benteke--------------
Bent and N'Zogbia to come of the bench to seal us the win...
Agree..100%
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This team would win us the game 3-1
----------------Guzan--------------
-----------Vlaar----Baker-----------
Lowton-------------------Bennett--
----Sylla---Westwood---Delph-----
---Weimann------------Agbonlahor-
---------------Benteke--------------
Bent and N'Zogbia to come of the bench to seal us the win...
Agree..100%
Ye i like the look of that team. Bent on for Wieman + Zoggy - Sylla should win it ........
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Wow great to see poisitvity again after all the gloomy stuff. Well I think a 2-1 scoreline. I imagine Bent and Beneteke up front. Bowery and Baker may drop out with Clark if fit also back in.
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Wow great to see poisitvity again after all the gloomy stuff. Well I think a 2-1 scoreline. I imagine Bent and Beneteke up front. Bowery and Baker may drop out with Clark if fit also back in.
Can't see Bent starting at all. I think Bowery will miss out but most likely for either Sylla or N'Zogbia. I wouldn't mind Clark coming in either. Harsh on Baker but Clark may be more adept at dealing with the movement of Berbatov.
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Fulham have only won 3 games away all season so a couple of early goals would set us up nicely for 3pts.
The fixtures for the next week are as follows:
Saturday:
Arsenal v Norwich
Aston Villa v Fulham
Everton v QPR
Reading v Liverpool
Southampton v West Ham
Sunday:
Newcastle v Sunderland
Stoke v Man Utd
Tuesday:
Arsenal v Everton
Wednesday:
Man City v Wigan
West Ham v Man Utd
Fulham v Chelsea
If we beat Fulham and all other results go our way then we could be level on 36pts with Norwich and 5pts clear of Sunderland and Wigan.
edit:
Craig Gardner is suspended this weekend so looking good for a Newcastle win on Sunday.
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We are in the best form we have been in since, I don't know when......Fulham are safe, have nothing to play for and are rubbish away from home.....yet the inherent pessimism I possess being a Villa fan won't let me believe that it will be 4 wins in 5 (anyone know the last time this happened?).
There is an interesting stat, which I may not be getting completely right, but if games had finished at half time all season, Fulham would be 5th and we would be 6th. This would suggest that if we can get our noses ahead before half time, there won't be much of a 2nd half fight back, but then again when do logic and Villa ever work out together??
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Fulham have only won 3 games away all season so a couple of early goals would set us up nicely for 3pts.
The fixtures for the next week are as follows:
Saturday:
Arsenal v Norwich
Aston Villa v Fulham
Everton v QPR
Reading v Liverpool
Southampton v West Ham
Sunday:
Newcastle v Sunderland
Stoke v Man Utd
Tuesday:
Arsenal v Everton
Wednesday:
Man City v Wigan
West Ham v Man Utd
Fulham v Chelsea
If we beat Fulham and all other results go our way then we could be level on 36pts with Norwich and 5pts clear of Sunderland and Wigan.
edit:
Craig Gardner is suspended this weekend so looking good for a Newcastle win on Sunday.
If we win and arsenal beat Norwich we will be above Norwich.
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This team would win us the game 3-1
----------------Guzan--------------
-----------Vlaar----Baker-----------
Lowton-------------------Bennett--
----Sylla---Westwood---Delph-----
---Weimann------------Agbonlahor-
---------------Benteke--------------
Bent and N'Zogbia to come of the bench to seal us the win...
Sylla isnt anywhere near good enough at the moment. But none of our options for the third midfielder slot are good enough. Ireland, Holman, Bannan, El Ahmadi. Mediocrity reigns supreme. Id bring Nzogbia back in, Bannan as second choice.
Baker has done marginally enough to keep his spot ahead of Clark.
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I've been pleased with sylla so far , neat and tidy and is coming along nicely.
Seems harsh to say he isn't anywhere near good enough and yet say you prefer nzog or bannan as i think both of those have been poor this season although nzog has shown glimpses of late.
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I would'nt say Sylla has'nt been good enough, he's been ok in the games he's played but he's going to find some games tougher than others. I thought the Liverpool game passed him for example. He'll be fine as long as we don't expect too much from him too soon.
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I would'nt say Sylla has'nt been good enough, he's been ok in the games he's played but he's going to find some games tougher than others. I thought the Liverpool game passed him for example. He'll be fine as long as we don't expect too much from him too soon.
Agreed clampy.
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Final day for the suspension cut offs this weekend so important that Lowton gets through this last game without getting booked as hes only one away at the moment.
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I would certainly give N'Zog the roving role on Saturday, lets really go for it and stuff em.
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I reckon 3-1 as well.
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I would'nt say Sylla has'nt been good enough, he's been ok in the games he's played but he's going to find some games tougher than others. I thought the Liverpool game passed him for example. He'll be fine as long as we don't expect too much from him too soon.
Completely agree.
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Final day for the suspension cut offs this weekend so important that Lowton gets through this last game without getting booked as hes only one away at the moment.
I disagree, this is another must-win game and so he can't go at it anything other than 100%. If that means getting a booking, then so be it.
Win this and we (probably) only need 3 (?) more points.
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Come on Villa, let's fcuk 'em
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Final day for the suspension cut offs this weekend so important that Lowton gets through this last game without getting booked as hes only one away at the moment.
I disagree, this is another must-win game and so he can't go at it anything other than 100%. If that means getting a booking, then so be it.
Win this and we (probably) only need 3 (?) more points.
I'm saying its important he doesn't get booked not that he should change his game in any way , if he gets booked it will be a shame as hes never missed a minute yet this season .
I have no doubt he will give it his all , but be aware of silly bookings ie kicking the ball away, time wasting , dissent, etc - we all know what a stickler dowd can be.
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Final day for the suspension cut offs this weekend so important that Lowton gets through this last game without getting booked as hes only one away at the moment.
I disagree, this is another must-win game and so he can't go at it anything other than 100%. If that means getting a booking, then so be it.
Win this and we (probably) only need 3 (?) more points.
I'm saying its important he doesn't get booked not that he should change his game in any way , if he gets booked it will be a shame as hes never missed a minute yet this season .
I have no doubt he will give it his all , but be aware of silly bookings ie kicking the ball away, time wasting , dissent, etc - we all know what a c*** dowd can be.
There - fixed it for you!
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Dejagah (sp?) is out for the season which is another bonus for us. I haven't seen alot of Fulham this season but I hear that he has been quite impressive for them.
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Dejagah (sp?) is out for the season which is another bonus for us. I haven't seen alot of Fulham this season but I hear that he has been quite impressive for them.
Dejagah is out, but according to Physioroom (http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php) Gabby's out as well with a hip/thigh injury. Anyone know anything about it?
Sidwell's also out for them (suspended)
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Dejagah (sp?) is out for the season which is another bonus for us. I haven't seen alot of Fulham this season but I hear that he has been quite impressive for them.
Dejagah is out, but according to Physioroom (http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php) Gabby's out as well with a hip/thigh injury. Anyone know anything about it?
Yep:
The leg bone's connected to the knee bone,
The knee bone's connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone's connected to the hip bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Bad news if Gabby is out, he has played a big part our recovery,
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N'Zogbia for Gabby if that's the case then.
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N'Zogbia for Gabby if that's the case then.
If Gabby is out, wouldn't be suprised if Bowery kept his place.
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I'm not sure gabby's definitely out. Lambert thought he'd be ok. Fantasy premier league has him with a 75% chance of playing.
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What's lawro predicted?
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What's lawro predicted?
that he'll be wearing a floral outfit with a pretty ribbon in his hair at the weekend
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What's lawro predicted?
He thinks we'll win 2-1. So no doubt we'll lose 5-0 now.
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Whatever the result, saturday will be a very proud day for me, 25 years after my first visit to Villa Park, I am bringing my daughter to her first match...my scouse in laws are trying to influence her to be "one of them" so saturday is the day when i introduce her to the finest team, the finest ground, and to the finest set of supporters in the land!!...I hope she likes it, and I hope she can be a lucky omen...and she loves the Christian Benteke song.
2-0 Villa, Benteke and Andi...
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4-0 to Villa.
Hat trick for Tekkers following a cheeky tap-in by Weimann. Might seem overly optimistic but still, Fulham has not much to play for and they are shit away. Besides, we've showed quite nice tendencies towards good play without managing to capitalize on this in the form of goals, so I think we're due being on the delivering end of a drubbing for once.
Of course, it might just be 4-1, knowing our defense (and Berbatov). In that case the goal will come two minutes to FT.
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So Fulham have a Riise, Riether and Ruiz. Trumps Tintin's Thomson and Thompson.
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So Fulham have a Riise, Riether and Ruiz. Trumps Tintin's Thomson and Thompson.
I 'see' your Riise, Riether and Ruiz and raise you a "Bennett, Bent and Benteke".
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Hope Gabby isn't out of the game, he's played well lately.
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2-0 Villa
Weimann (2)
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Lawro seems to think Millwall beat us at Villa Park.
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Whatever the result, saturday will be a very proud day for me, 25 years after my first visit to Villa Park, I am bringing my daughter to her first match...my scouse in laws are trying to influence her to be "one of them" so saturday is the day when i introduce her to the finest team, the finest ground, and to the finest set of supporters in the land!!...I hope she likes it, and I hope she can be a lucky omen...and she loves the Christian Benteke song.
2-0 Villa, Benteke and Andi...
Hope the 2 of you have a great day, been going to the Villa with my daughter now for 17 years. Best thing I ever did. Wait till you do your first "Away" match with her, that will mean as much as this Saturday will, if not more !! UTV
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Lawro seems to think Millwall beat us at Villa Park.
That's because he is a ******.
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Why does every one of Lawro's predictions about us contain a story about Liverpool and their shit finishing at Klanfield in the opening 20 minutes, before we smashed them all over the shop?
Bitter twat.
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Why does every one of Lawro's predictions about us contain a story about Liverpool and their shit finishing at Klanfield in the opening 20 minutes, before we smashed them all over the shop?
Bitter twat.
Lawro should be thankful they had their little half hour spell, else it would have ended up 6-1. The cock nose.
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Lowro appears to have some sort of anti Villa syndrome.
Is he a secret Nose ?
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I hope Bennett keeps his place, he looks like he's finally settling in and I think he'll be a good player. Also him playing left back gives us a much better attacking potential down the left.
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The lead up to this game remins me of the season (88-89?) when we beat Everton 2-1 (I think) when Tony Daley scored his bicycle kick that Doug had taught him at training. It was just after his 21st birthday. Anyway, I remember the optimism leading up to the following game being the same as this and we had Tottenham at home the very next game. Because of the Everton performance, and scoring a screamer of a goal, everyone went in thinking that we would beat tottenham.
And we did. 2-0.
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He's a secret something.
The guy is an arrogant tit, "I'm on the Beeb and I played for L-pool and won some trophies". His lack of reaserch is is terrible. I remember him doing a Spuds match just when Bale was getting better & noticed, he asked to commentator "which club did they buy him from?". He hardly says anything insightful. Why does the BBC employ him and other like Crooks / Savage....awful.
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Aston Villa 5 Fulham 1
Benteke (5) 8)
Baird (14) :(
Weimann (44) 8)
Benteke (59) 8)
Agbonlahor (66) 8)
Bowery (90) 8)
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I'd go with the same side as last week except i'd put Sylla in for Bowery. I'd leave Clark out even if he was fit, the rest will do him good.
My subs would be: Given Clark Bowery Bannan Bent N'Zogbia Lichaj
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Aston Villa 5 Fulham 1
Benteke (5) 8)
Baird (14) :(
Weimann (44) 8)
Benteke (59) 8)
Agbonlahor (66) 8)
Bowery (90) 8)
Get to the bookies everyone N'ZMAV has got a blinder !
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1-1.
I think everything is building up for the Sunderland home game to be the big decider. I expect them to draw with the Barcodes, keeping everything very tight down there.
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Aston Villa 5 Fulham 1
Benteke (5) 8)
Baird (14) :(
Weimann (44) 8)
Benteke (59) 8)
Agbonlahor (66) 8)
Bowery (90) 8)
Get to the bookies everyone N'ZMAV has got a blinder !
250/1.
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Why does every one of Lawro's predictions about us contain a story about Liverpool and their shit finishing at Klanfield in the opening 20 minutes, before we smashed them all over the shop?
Bitter twat.
Indeed.
Before the Liverpool game: "Villa won at Anfield in December after getting battered for the first 20 minutes and they did the same against QPR in their last game."
Before this game: "They have had some other good results this season, like winning at Anfield in December, but on that occasion they were good for an hour but were battered for 20 minutes or so when Liverpool should have scored."
Mentioned it twice in three fixtures. How utterly bizarre and bitter of the man.
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He's a secret something.
The guy is an arrogant tit, "I'm on the Beeb and I played for L-pool and won some trophies". His lack of reaserch is is terrible. I remember him doing a Spuds match just when Bale was getting better & noticed, he asked to commentator "which club did they buy him from?". He hardly says anything insightful. Why does the BBC employ him and other like Crooks / Savage....awful.
Not to mention Claridge and Rosenior on the Football League show! Don't know why they let Dixon go really. Thought he was pretty good.
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Dixon when he was there and Keown are the best of the BBC bunch. I don't mind Lineker and his blandness and bad jokes as I can accept that from a presenter, but the 'panel' are bland, arrogant and lazy in their research and facts. I don't know about Crooks as I have never managed to stay awake long enough to hear the end of his question.
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Aston Villa 5 Fulham 1
Benteke (5) 8)
Baird (14) :(
Weimann (44) 8)
Benteke (59) 8)
Agbonlahor (66) 8)
Bowery (90) 8)
Get to the bookies everyone N'ZMAV has got a blinder !
From the sun by the looks of things. At least the players are wearing shades.
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We really, really should win this. I like Fulham in general, there's very little to object to about them (their paranoid owner excepted), and they do have an obliging habit of losing to us at VP. A win here and we could start to pull away from the bottom of the table like Southampton have.
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Dixon when he was there and Keown are the best of the BBC bunch. I don't mind Lineker and his blandness and bad jokes as I can accept that from a presenter, but the 'panel' are bland, arrogant and lazy in their research and facts. I don't know about Crooks as I have never managed to stay awake long enough to hear the end of his question.
Agree with that and some of them are on very good money as well. As much as I liked him as a player, I thought Dion Dublin was awful when he was on MOTD recently. Dixon and Southgate on ITV, however, are good, as is Neville on SKY (obvious "United" bias aside).
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He's a secret something.
The guy is an arrogant tit, "I'm on the Beeb and I played for L-pool and won some trophies". His lack of reaserch is is terrible. I remember him doing a Spuds match just when Bale was getting better & noticed, he asked to commentator "which club did they buy him from?". He hardly says anything insightful. Why does the BBC employ him and other like Crooks / Savage....awful.
Agree.
I'm not keen on John Motson, but you can't knock the guys research. He has a snippet on every player on the pitch from previous clubs to shoe size.
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He's a secret something.
The guy is an arrogant tit, "I'm on the Beeb and I played for L-pool and won some trophies". His lack of reaserch is is terrible. I remember him doing a Spuds match just when Bale was getting better & noticed, he asked to commentator "which club did they buy him from?". He hardly says anything insightful. Why does the BBC employ him and other like Crooks / Savage....awful.
Agree.
I'm not keen on John Motson, but you can't knock the guys research. He has a snippet on every player on the pitch from previous clubs to shoe size.
I can't stand "Motty". Fucking clueless about football (he tipped Wolves to finish top half the season they went down), awful commentary and a really annoying voice.
Because he can research some useless facts, doesn't make him worthwhile.
Pat Nevin is the best summariser the Beeb have.
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I like Garth Crooks. There, I said it.
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He's a secret something.
The guy is an arrogant tit, "I'm on the Beeb and I played for L-pool and won some trophies". His lack of reaserch is is terrible. I remember him doing a Spuds match just when Bale was getting better & noticed, he asked to commentator "which club did they buy him from?". He hardly says anything insightful. Why does the BBC employ him and other like Crooks / Savage....awful.
Agree.
I'm not keen on John Motson, but you can't knock the guys research. He has a snippet on every player on the pitch from previous clubs to shoe size.
I can't stand "Motty". Fucking clueless about football (he tipped Wolves to finish top half the season they went down), awful commentary and a really annoying voice.
Because he can research some useless facts, doesn't make him worthwhile.
Pat Nevin is the best summariser the Beeb have.
Agree, but you have to laugh at some of his snippets, totally irrelevant to the game.
Along the lines of "That's a great tackle by Westwood. His wife bought a lovely red dress yesterday" ;D
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this is a very....
(http://www.lanelinebeagles.zoomshare.com/album/6%29%20%20Humerous%20Animal%20Pictures/images/8073858b32ce6c6eb8e0d26c21f2ab84_11691950220/image.jpg)
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this is a very....
(http://www.lanelinebeagles.zoomshare.com/album/6%29%20%20Humerous%20Animal%20Pictures/images/8073858b32ce6c6eb8e0d26c21f2ab84_11691950220/image.jpg)
Alex McLeish and Peter Grant convince Brett Holman that Villa will be a lot better in 2012/2013
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3-1
No way will we keep a clean sheet.
Benteke, Gabby & Weimann.
Berbatov (Pen)
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Fulham currently stand 6th in the form guide with recent wins over Spurs, Stoke and QPR. Those of you saying we should beat them just because they have nothing to play for just bear that in mind.
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Fulham currently stand 6th in the form guide with recent wins over Spurs, Stoke and QPR. Those of you saying we should beat them just because they have nothing to play for just bear that in mind.
Where are we?
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11th
can be viewed here, its quite good as you can hover the mouse over the "W,D,L" and it will show you the fixture..
http://www.premierleague.com/content/premierleague/en-gb/matchday/form-guide.html
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I voted draw earlier but I've changed my mind and I'm going for a narrow 2-1 win. DO that and we can really start to look above us rather than behind for the first time in what seems like ages.
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The last time I saw us win in the league was against Fulham last season!! Big crowd? Bought our tickets on Monday and Holte looked pretty full.
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Think we'll come a cropper here. Defence is still iffy and Fulham hve caused better sides than ours problems. The way this season has gone, I can't see us doing anything the easy way.
A routine home win to ease the pressure just isn't us. I still think we'll scramble enough points to be safe, mind. Would take a draw, but think we could see a 1-2 or 1-3 for Effin' Fullham.
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I'll say this for about the 8th game running... Surely we're due a clean sheet.
1-0 Villa
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Just snapped up some tickets on the family promotion for me, my mate and his kids. We've won every time they've come to the match, so I'll plump for 3-1 to us. Would like to see a goal from a midfielder alongside Gabby and Benteke hitting the net... step up, Westwood!
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2-1 Villa!
Weimann and Vlaar for us, couldn't care less for them!
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I'm bringing a young fella for his first ever VP match so you better bloody deliver Villa!
Tight, nervy, attack-minded match with one of my favourite players (Berbatov) having a great game yet ending on the losing side as we win 3-2
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He was outstanding at spurs. I would have loved it if we could have got him when he left united.
Really looking forward to watching this tonight. I predicted a draw initially, but I keep fluctuating between thinking it will be a draw or a Villa win. I think I'll stick with a draw so I don't feel let down if it happens.
I'll have to go easy on the ace so I manage to stay awake for it!
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Woke up feeling very nervous, it will be a tense affair but recent wins will have given the players the confidence to get the job done today, 3-1 Villa, c'mon you Lions.
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Funny feeling this will be the day we keep a clean sheet! 1-0 Benteke.
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Please Villa a comfortable win today.
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Have we had a single comfortable win in the league all season? Maybe Liverpool, but even then we were under the cosh at the start. Sunderland was comfortable-ish, but only a one goal margin.
Despite recent good form, we're still making it edge of the seat stuff. Would be great to get a standard 2-0 win wouldn't it?
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hope the performance/result is better than the shit weather
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Let's hope for 3 points then we can sit down tomorrow afternoon and watch Stoke and Sunderland battle it out in their respective games.
As for the other games, i hope i'm wrong but i can see QPR getting something at Everton.
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I'm thinking of going by a different route today. Would this be a bad omen (even if I'm wearing my lucky pants)?
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Have we had a single comfortable win in the league all season? Maybe Liverpool, but even then we were under the cosh at the start. Sunderland was comfortable-ish, but only a one goal margin.
Despite recent good form, we're still making it edge of the seat stuff. Would be great to get a standard 2-0 win wouldn't it?
Lawro will be threatening legal action for use of his words Matt.
It is going to be a horrible afternoon. So close to scrambling out, but I fear Fulham will be like the girl out the ring, reaching up to pull us back into the abyss.
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I'm thinking of going by a different route today. Would this be a bad omen (even if I'm wearing my lucky pants)?
Yes it would. I fully intend at 70 minutes if ahead to not watch any further as per the West Ham, QPR and Stoke games.
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Have we had a single comfortable win in the league all season? Maybe Liverpool, but even then we were under the cosh at the start. Sunderland was comfortable-ish, but only a one goal margin.
Despite recent good form, we're still making it edge of the seat stuff. Would be great to get a standard 2-0 win wouldn't it?
Swansea at home?
I'd also say West Ham was pretty comfortable, bar their lucky goal that made the last 10 minutes a bit nervy.
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Have we had a single comfortable win in the league all season? Maybe Liverpool, but even then we were under the cosh at the start. Sunderland was comfortable-ish, but only a one goal margin.
Despite recent good form, we're still making it edge of the seat stuff. Would be great to get a standard 2-0 win wouldn't it?
Swansea at home?
I'd also say West Ham was pretty comfortable, bar their lucky goal that made the last 10 minutes a bit nervy.
I think by definition that meant it wasn't comfortable. I would like a nice easy 3-0 win today please.
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hope the performance/result is better than the shit weather
Nothing wrong with the weather. 3-1 Villa.
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I have a funny feeling Villa might just stick it to Fulham today.
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Have we had a single comfortable win in the league all season? Maybe Liverpool, but even then we were under the cosh at the start. Sunderland was comfortable-ish, but only a one goal margin.
Despite recent good form, we're still making it edge of the seat stuff. Would be great to get a standard 2-0 win wouldn't it?
Swansea at home?
I'd also say West Ham was pretty comfortable, bar their lucky goal that made the last 10 minutes a bit nervy.
I think by definition that meant it wasn't comfortable. I would like a nice easy 3-0 win today please.
It was comfortable for thw majority of the game. We're not in a position to really dominate a side for 90 minutes.
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Wife woke me up asking that if she were to surprise me with tickets today which stand would I rather sit in. So that was a nice way to wake up. Now I'm badly hoping we get a good win so I can have a happy day.
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3-1
Fulham look woeful on the road, I think we'll go 2 up before conceding.
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I must say that I am worried with all the praise in the press this week. Recently we have performed much better when up against it and almost seen as no hopers. Today we haveto perform because all good work of past few weeks will be ruined if we dont. So we must approach this march in the same mindset as Reading, QPR and Stoke games.
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If Vlaar gets the better of Berbatov we win I think. We should have too much for them in midfield but Berbatov is a fantastic player who could beat us on his own. Duff is still more than capable of getting one of our full backs in early yellow card trouble.
We have far more to play for though and there is less debate on who should be starting as many are in good form. The third midfield position is the only one that no-one has nailed down.
Villa 3-2 with a nervy finish
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Wife woke me up asking that if she were to surprise me with tickets today which stand would I rather sit in. So that was a nice way to wake up. Now I'm badly hoping we get a good win so I can have a happy day.
Where did you buy one of those sorts of wives? Wow! Commentary game on R5 this afternoon again by the way
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'Lawro' mentioned Liverpool bossing the first twenty minutes on Football Focus.
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I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but yet again he's shown himself up to be a lazy, incompetent broadcaster.
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Fulham can look great but at times bloody awful.
Let's hope today they are awful and we put in a Stoke performance .
I still think we will win this .
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the missus has put the 3 year-old in his Villa kit.When we're both wearing it (i'm in my top) we never win.But I can't take a Villa shirt off. Sorry y'all. We're in trouble.
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3-1 Gabby and Benteke double
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I'm severely worried by Dimitar Wotsaname.
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How can Phil Dowd a fat overweight cheat still be in charge of Proffesional football games?
You just know he is going to be the talking point yet again tonight. I hope I am wrong and we stick it up Fulham today.
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Have we had a single comfortable win in the league all season? Maybe Liverpool, but even then we were under the cosh at the start. Sunderland was comfortable-ish, but only a one goal margin.
Despite recent good form, we're still making it edge of the seat stuff. Would be great to get a standard 2-0 win wouldn't it?
Swansea at home?
I'd also say West Ham was pretty comfortable, bar their lucky goal that made the last 10 minutes a bit nervy.
I think by definition that meant it wasn't comfortable. I would like a nice easy 3-0 win today please.
It was comfortable for thw majority of the game.
Hmm, in terms of West Ham not being overly-threatening maybe but we only took the lead after 75 minutes and were hardly bombarding their goal beforehand. It was more nervy than comfortable for me until the Zog's goal.
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The feel-good factor is seeping back into the squad. On paper you'd think we SHOULD win today but I have a horrible feeling it'll be a draw.
I hope I'm wrong. UTV.
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Gabby out so a Benteke Hat-trick
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I worry about the tendency for complacency to slip into our game, but I think we can do this. Wiemann to fill the gap left by Gabby, influentially if not positionally. Our concentration will be key today.