Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on November 04, 2013, 06:16:34 PM
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Saturday 9.11.13 KO 3pm.
Nervy 1-0 home win.
Benteke 56
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Villa 2-1 Benteke with both.
Them, i don't care. We will win.
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Need to win this.
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Villa 0
Cardiff 1 - Whittingham (Pen)
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0-0
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Sadly , I see this being a much tougher game than some envisage - 1-1 draw.
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1-0 either way.
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1-1. Benteke penalty.
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3-0 Villa
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I fancied this as a fairly uninspiring 1-0 win for some time. Bit similar to reading and west ham games from last season.
We really need gabby fit for this one and of course Delph. Really don't want to see 532 again.
Think I'd go
Guzan - Lowton vlaar Clark baker / Bennett - bacuna Westwood Delph Tonev - gabby - benteke
We need a plan for hassling medel, which could see KEA come into midfield. And we need to be really strong at set pieces. But would be nice to see Tonev begin to show he can contribute
Can't see many goals in this one and do think it could go either way.
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Comfortable 2-0 win to Villa, its gotta happen sooner or later.
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We really need to win this one. Not because we'll be relegated or anything if we don't but the season has gone stale and there's a two week break after this (longer as the WBA game isn't until the Monday) so it would be good to go into long gap with a win. Looking at who some of the other teams are playing above us there's a very good chance a win will put us back in the top 10.
I expect Cardiff to stay up, they've been pretty solid defensively but don't seem to create much from open play as we've seen them score a few corners this season so good test for our back 4 in this game.
Would be lovely to think this is a game where we'll get a nice routine 2 or 3-0 win but think we'll scrap out a 2-1 win, Benteke it's fair to say is due a goal. Someone random like Delph with our other goal.
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We really need to win this. And we will. 5-1.
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I always click "Aston Villa Win" on the pre-match poll out of pride in the Lion, but on the basis that we rarely do I've gone for a draw instead.
It might work.
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There's always...
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/HVLegion/Villa/ORANGEDOT.gif) (http://s167.photobucket.com/user/HVLegion/media/Villa/ORANGEDOT.gif.html)
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There's always...
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/HVLegion/Villa/ORANGEDOT.gif) (http://s167.photobucket.com/user/HVLegion/media/Villa/ORANGEDOT.gif.html)
All hail orange dot.
I'm going to be putting a very hefty amount of money on a Villa win now.
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A brilliantly invigorating defensive performance that has the home support on the edge of their seats. 0-0 to the Villa with Bellamy ordered from the pitch for talking too loudly and waking everybody up.
Or maybe 2-0 Benteke 81 and 84.
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Nerdy home win
1-0
Guzan (pen) 94
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Nerdy home win
1-0
Guzan (pen) 94
Dr Sheldon Cooper to score I think...
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There's always...
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/HVLegion/Villa/ORANGEDOT.gif) (http://s167.photobucket.com/user/HVLegion/media/Villa/ORANGEDOT.gif.html)
All hail orange dot.
I'm going to be putting a very hefty amount of money on a Villa win now.
Not being funny, but, it is about time the Orange Dot made a come back. Well done. Victory is ours.
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Cannot see Benteke going three games without scoring. PL got to use different tactics at home, Delph and gabby back will give us the kick start we so need at Home. 2-0 Benteke Vlaar ......
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3-1 in a convincing win. Benteke to score twice asvwell as a long range one from Delph. Whitingham will probably score a free-kick.
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4-0
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2-2 draw
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2-1 Win Benteke scoring both our goals.
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Benteke hattrick. Pressure valve seen ejected over Villa Park into the early evening Birmingham sky.
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2-2
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I was looking forward to getting the tough opening games out of the way,
Perhaps a little negative, but they all look hard at the moment.
Despite this Villa win on Sat.
Andi hat trick
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2-1 Villa. I wish I could say 3-0. It would be lovely to sit back, relax and enjoy the last ten minutes of a PL game at Villa Park. Instead, it will be nervy as usual and the referee will manage to come up with anything between four and seven minutes of added time.
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Could not agree more with the comment above, prepare for a nervy 98 minutes gents. I know I'm preaching to the choir here but let's just get behind the boys from the off, even when we miss-place a few passes/go back to Guzan a couple of times in the first 15 minutes (and don't score until the 16th minute).
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I think we will do something unusual; score first and score early.
From what I have seen, Cardiff appear quite limited going forward and a threat mainly from set pieces. I think we'll have enough.
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3-1
Benteke (2), Helenius
Whittingham for them
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I'd like to see a couple of youngsters come in. Our young sides play football and play with some flair, so I'd like to see some of them bringing that to the first team. Too young is not an excuse we can use anymore.
Johnson and Robinson certainly deserve a chance to shine. If anything these lads could settle quicker than some of the foreign youngsters we've signed. Also regarding Johnson, he's someone who can pass the ball and he seems to score from midfield at his level. He may be able to bring some goals from midfield with him.
I do think we need some fresh impetus in the side ride now. We're so dour. It may be good to see Tonev back who was direct and confident against Everton. If his delivery gets more consistent he'll be a decent player.
Helenius time too maybe? Weimann is struggling at the moment. It might be time to sacrifice workrate for a touch of guile.
It's going to be tight and probably feck ugly to watch but I think we'll get a moment of Benteke magic to nick the game.
1-0
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Is it too early to call this a "must win game"?
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Is it too early to call this a "must win game"?
It is if I am to keep faith with Lambert.
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I'd like to see a couple of youngsters come in. Our young sides play football and play with some flair, so I'd like to see some of them bringing that to the first team.
I agree. There should be a place on the bench for at least one of them. I know Johnson was on Saturday but that was mainly down to injuries. Bowery manages to get on the bench and when you've got two other strikers as subs already in Kozak and Helanuis, it seems a bit of a waste.
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I'd like to see a couple of youngsters come in. Our young sides play football and play with some flair, so I'd like to see some of them bringing that to the first team.
I agree. There should be a place on the bench for at least one of them. I know Johnson was on Saturday but that was mainly down to injuries. Bowery manages to get on the bench and when you've got two other strikers as subs already in Kozak and Helanuis, it seems a bit of a waste.
Honestly the Bowery thing confuses the hell out of me. A plodder at Chesterfield to come here and he's still getting in the matchday 18 and occasionally playing. The lad works hard but he's clearly not good enough.
We have one of the best academies around. If our goal is to produce younger, inexpensive Villa sides for the forseeable future then surely bringing our own youngster into the senior side more regularly should be a given. We've brought in young lads from the lower leagues, like Westy, Lowton and Bennett, and they have their qualities (some more than others) but surely our academy is producing players as good, if not better than those. Certainly we've got 4-5 attackers coming through who have a hell of a lot more potential than Bowery seems to.
At this current time too, Helenius seems to be struggling to settle, so his place may be better taken by a young and hungry player like Robinson etc.
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According to Physioroom (http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php) Gabby and Delph will be back but Andi will be out (I think he needs resting anyway). We're looking more solid at the back and I think Gabby and Benteke will worry their defence, although Mackay has got them well organised at the back having been a decent defender himself. Bellamy can be a threat (on and off the pitch!), Whittingham takes a decent set piece and Caulker gets on the end of a few, but Medel annoys me intensely - he seemed to spend most of the Swansea game trying to get players booked by rolling round feigning serious injury after every tackle and waving imaginary cards (personally I think referees should oblige anyone waving an imaginary card by booking them). I'm going for 3-1 to us - Gabby, CB and Vlaar for us, Caulker for them, and their silly chairman doing a wedgie on himself as he untucks his Mighty Bluebirds red shirt from his pants.
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Completely agree Supertom. I'd have a mixture of Johnson, Robinson,Graham and Burke on the bench every game.
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Think this has 1-1 written all over it. Benteke for us
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3-1. Benteke, Bacuna and Weimann for us.
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There's always...
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/HVLegion/Villa/ORANGEDOT.gif) (http://s167.photobucket.com/user/HVLegion/media/Villa/ORANGEDOT.gif.html)
Genius move. Villa 4 Cardiff 1
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I expect the Villa to refocillate my spirits with a comprehensive 3-1 medium-rare spanking.
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Let's just get over the line one goal to the good. 1-0. Benteke.
EDIT: Or a Bacuna free kick.
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Guzan
Lowton. Clark. Vlaar. Baker
Westwood. Sylla
Bacuna. Delph. Tonev
Benteke
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a win, it's simply got to be.
2-1
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Guzan
Lowton. Clark. Vlaar. Baker
Westwood. Sylla
Bacuna. Delph. Tonev
Benteke
I like your style
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Guzan
Lowton. Clark. Vlaar. Baker
Westwood. Sylla
Bacuna. Delph. Tonev
Benteke
I like your style
This. Although if at all possible I'd avoid having Baker at left back. Honestly I'm not sure why Clark isn't preferred over Baker in that position. He's quicker (or less slow might be more apt) and better on the ball. When is Tony Moon back?
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Not heard anything regarding moon or Bennett but if either are available than obviously I wouldn't put baker in .
Would use gabby as an impact sub if needed.
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Guzan
Lowton. Clark. Vlaar. Baker
Westwood. Sylla
Bacuna. Delph. Tonev
Benteke
They'll flippin murder us with that much space down our left
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We are talkng about Cardiff not barcelona - instead of worrying what they might do to is , how about thinking what we can do to them.
Tonev and bacuna can provide some width as well as cover for the full backs if needed , but I would like to see bacuna Delph and tonev all getting forward to support benteke .
Gabby and andi have one goal between them this season , neither provide natural width and the 433 had flopped at home too often - lets shake it up and give Cardiff something to worry about.
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We are talkng about Cardiff not barcelona - instead of worrying what they might do to is , how about thinking what we can do to them.
It was more a joke at the way your formation slanted!
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We are talkng about Cardiff not barcelona - instead of worrying what they might do to is , how about thinking what we can do to them.
It was more a joke at the way your formation slanted!
You old rascal ;)
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With Eastie's formation (but not Baker) : 3.1
With probable formation: 1.0
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We'll definitely need the Orange Dot now - the game has been jinxed by the thread becoming un-stickied
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I think we will do something unusual; score first and score early.
From what I have seen, Cardiff appear quite limited going forward and a threat mainly from set pieces. I think we'll have enough.
They remind me of the year Stoke came up, very difficult to beat at home but very limited away (mind you we didn't beat Stoke that season). Their last away game was 0-0 at Norwich but Norwich battered them all game.
They beat City by scoring from two corners and also Swansea so good test four our back 4/5 to see how far we've come on from last season in that regard.
Gabby really needs to be fit for this one, concern for me is Lambert would just go for Kozak which would be horrible to watch us booting it up for Cardiff's CBs to head away for 90 minutes. Would rather see Tonev get another go or even Helenius.
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Whittingham was presumably score so we'll need two to win.
2-1 Villa.
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I hate to be pessimistic but I can see us losing this. I'd love to be utterly wrong.
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Put the stickie back on the thread ffs.
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Put the stickie back on the thread ffs.
Errr... I re-stickied it hours ago after another Mod accidently unstickied it.
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1-1 draw on Saturday I think.
Really hope we can get a win, however it comes, as the home fans deserve something to cheer.
Including the cup we've lost 5 out of 6 home games against Prem opposition this season.
For the above reason I think we'll be nervous, cautious and they are organised and difficult to break down.
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1-1 draw on Saturday I think.
Really hope we can get a win, however it comes, as the home fans deserve something to cheer.
Including the cup we've lost 5 out of 6 home games against Prem opposition this season.
For the above reason I think we'll be nervous, cautious and they are organised and difficult to break down.
for this reason alone, we need to get behind the team and not jump on their backs at every little mistake.
Villa Park should ROAR like the lions on the pitch, not start cat calling if a pass goes astray
its no wonder the players get nervous etc
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!!!!! UTV VTID
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1-1 draw on Saturday I think.
Really hope we can get a win, however it comes, as the home fans deserve something to cheer.
Including the cup we've lost 5 out of 6 home games against Prem opposition this season.
For the above reason I think we'll be nervous, cautious and they are organised and difficult to break down.
for this reason alone, we need to get behind the team and not jump on their backs at every little mistake.
Villa Park should ROAR like the lions on the pitch, not start cat calling if a pass goes astray
its no wonder the players get nervous etc
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!!!!! UTV VTID
Players are well paid , it's down to them to do the job they are paid for and the fans will get behind them - you can't blame fans for getting restless when they see players on huge wages not performing - the fans do but behind the team - its time for the team to deliver a performance worthy of the support .
If people see a negative style of football and little to get excited about they are hardly going to roar like lions - the everton game showed if we play high tempo positive football the fans will respond.
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1-1 draw on Saturday I think.
Really hope we can get a win, however it comes, as the home fans deserve something to cheer.
Including the cup we've lost 5 out of 6 home games against Prem opposition this season.
For the above reason I think we'll be nervous, cautious and they are organised and difficult to break down.
for this reason alone, we need to get behind the team and not jump on their backs at every little mistake.
Villa Park should ROAR like the lions on the pitch, not start cat calling if a pass goes astray
its no wonder the players get nervous etc
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!!!!! UTV VTID
Players are well paid , it's down to them to do the job they are paid for and the fans will get behind them - you can't blame fans for getting restless when they see players on huge wages not performing - the fans do but behind the team - its time for the team to deliver a performance worthy of the support .
If people see a negative style of football and little to get excited about they are hardly going to roar like lions - the everton game showed if we play high tempo positive football the fans will respond.
Players might be well paid but they're also human - encouragement and a positive atmosphere helps them.
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1-1 draw on Saturday I think.
Really hope we can get a win, however it comes, as the home fans deserve something to cheer.
Including the cup we've lost 5 out of 6 home games against Prem opposition this season.
For the above reason I think we'll be nervous, cautious and they are organised and difficult to break down.
for this reason alone, we need to get behind the team and not jump on their backs at every little mistake.
Villa Park should ROAR like the lions on the pitch, not start cat calling if a pass goes astray
its no wonder the players get nervous etc
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!!!!! UTV VTID
Players are well paid , it's down to them to do the job they are paid for and the fans will get behind them - you can't blame fans for getting restless when they see players on huge wages not performing - the fans do but behind the team - its time for the team to deliver a performance worthy of the support .
If people see a negative style of football and little to get excited about they are hardly going to roar like lions - the everton game showed if we play high tempo positive football the fans will respond.
Players might be well paid but they're also human - encouragement and a positive atmosphere helps them.
They get plenty of both - it's certainly not the fans to blame for performances at home .
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We go again.....
Guzan
Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett
Herd, Westwood, Delph
Tonev, Benteke, Gabby
Not averse to Lowton staying in the side as he is one of our best creative players but not sure we can afford to have both him and Bennett in the side at the same time.
No to Kea and Sylla in the side. Not sure why Chris Herd hasnt got a chance yet this season.
We need to match these physically, if we dont they could kick lumps out of us in midfield.
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need to win
1-1
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Is Herd alive?
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We go again.....
Guzan
Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett
Herd, Westwood, Delph
Tonev, Benteke, Gabby
Not averse to Lowton staying in the side as he is one of our best creative players but not sure we can afford to have both him and Bennett in the side at the same time.
No to Kea and Sylla in the side. Not sure why Chris Herd hasnt got a chance yet this season.
We need to match these physically, if we dont they could kick lumps out of us in midfield.
Recipe for defeat that side bronte - even you would be calling for your own head after that teams display ;)
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Guzan in goal, Clarke and Vlaar at centre half with Lowton and Bacuna at full back.
Sylla and Westwood sitting deep, with Delph more advanced. I would then play Tonev and Helenius off Benteke.
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I very much agree with Eastie's posts earlier.
The fans have been incredibly patient last season and this. There may be the odd moan and groan but generally the atmosphere at Villa Park is very supportive, which is amazing really, considering the shite that has been served up.
I hate using the word 'deserve' but I think the home fans really do deserve performances and results have been lacking for nearly 4 bloody years.
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I very much agree with Eastie's posts earlier.
The fans have been incredibly patient last season and this. There may be the odd moan and groan but generally the atmosphere at Villa Park is very supportive, which is amazing really, considering the shite that has been served up.
I hate using the word 'deserve' but I think the home fans really do deserve performances and results have been lacking for nearly 4 bloody years.
The atmosphere maybe supportive, but it's not as if there's lots of cheering and chanting going on? Other than after equalising and going ahead against Man City, I can't think of any match this season where the crowd has been anything but dull. Now, you may argue that this is reflected by what we see on the pitch, but I think it works both ways. If the crowd were to sing and cheer throughout, I think you'd see an improvement in results. However, I know it's swings and roundabouts, and equally you could argue the team should inspire the fans to sing, but clearly that hasn't happened for a good length of time, so why not try the fans cheering and chanting throughout the game instead, what have we got to lose. I accept there is support for PL in the crowd, but the atmosphere over the last few seasons has been nothing short of dire. Always makes me laugh when the few fans at the back start singing about shit support.
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1-1. Benteke to score the first and Cardiff to score from a set piece at some point in the last 10 minutes.
Fundamentally Cardiff are crap. MacKay knows they're not the best team in the world so he's made them pretty solid with everyone behind the ball putting in a shift. If they set up like that at Villa Park we're going to struggle massively to break them down because....we never can!
Getting slightly cheesed off with our one way of playing probably since MON took over and I don't see any chance of it changing soon. But I do hope Lambert isn't as stubborn as MON and can see our flaws and tries to rectify them in the January window or at least the summer.
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This thread keeps on unstickying itself.
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Guzan
Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Clark
Bacuna, Sylla, Delph, Tonev
Helenius
Benteke
That would be my team, unless some of our injured players recover. Can see us winning 4-1 for some reason. We're crap at home but it is only Cardiff, an early goal for us and it'll be comfortable IMO.
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We go again.....
Guzan
Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett
Herd, Westwood, Delph
Tonev, Benteke, Gabby
Not averse to Lowton staying in the side as he is one of our best creative players but not sure we can afford to have both him and Bennett in the side at the same time.
No to Kea and Sylla in the side. Not sure why Chris Herd hasnt got a chance yet this season.
We need to match these physically, if we dont they could kick lumps out of us in midfield.
I read that Gabby is out.
As far as I know Herd and Bennett are some way from fitness as well.
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Really hope Gabby is fit. Think its time for Benteke to turn up. 3-0 Benteke 2 Delph 1 PS Make sure we give Ben Turner (Cardiff defender) some serious stick, he is a mate of a mate and is a serious "Nose" ........
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Guzan in goal, Clarke and Vlaar at centre half with Lowton and Bacuna at full back.
Sylla and Westwood sitting deep, with Delph more advanced. I would then play Tonev and Helenius off Benteke.
Here is a H&V first - I agree with Ads !!!!
That looks a lively set up but I daresay not one that Lambert is considering.
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Lambert went bold against Everton and it should've paid off in the first half.
He's the last manager I'd call defensive.
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This thread keeps on unstickying itself.
I think the same Mod must have stubby or sticky fingers so I've rerestickied it.
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The problem with stickied threads is that there isn't a confirmation dialogue window when you click it, it just happens straightaway
So if you are using a phone, for example, it is really easy to accidentally press that by mistake when you're actually trying to use the breadcrumb links at the bottom.
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PS it wasn't me. It was some other fat fingered freak.
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PS it wasn't me. It was some other fat fingered freak.
Is that a cryptic clue with the w missing from the middle ;)
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I read that Gabby is out.
As far as I know Herd and Bennett are some way from fitness as well.
Herd was on the bench at West Ham
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Helenius will surely get a start this week.
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Helenius will surely get a start this week.
You'd like to think so. Though I fear Lambert will go with the team that finished the game at West Ham.
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I agree, Benteke up with or slightly off Kozak is more likely i would have thought.
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Gabby ,Luna ,Bennent ,Weimann all out Delph should be back
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Mat Kendrick: Gabby Agbonlahor, Andi Weimann, Antonio Luna and Joe Bennett are all out but Fabian Delph should return.
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That might be a slight blessing in disguise as it forces a rethink on formation.
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Brummagem-speak is actually Welsh in translation, so they say. Cardeef Mite? The Welsh used to bring their silver and gold to Birmingham for smelting because of the Black Country coal. You can thank them for the Jewellery Quarter, cheap holidays and welcome in Towyn, Aberdovey and Saudersfoot. Long memories and loyalties the De Brums.
Brothers in arms the Welsh! I love that Dai Llama bloke.
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That might be a slight blessing in disguise as it forces a rethink on formation.
Not sure about that. If Lambert resorted to 3-5-2 just because our two LBs were injured then it is hard to expect any different with Gabby and Weimann out also.
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Brummagem-speak is actually Welsh in translation, so they say. Cardeef Mite? The Welsh used to bring their silver and gold to Birmingham for smelting because of the Black Country coal. You can thank them for the Jewellery Quarter, cheap holidays and welcome in Towyn, Aberdovey and Saudersfoot.
Not to mention water.
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Mat Kendrick: Gabby Agbonlahor, Andi Weimann, Antonio Luna and Joe Bennett are all out but Fabian Delph should return.
Oh. That does not bode well. At least Delph is hopefully available.
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Against Cardiff City. At home. We should be capable of putting fixtures like this to bed.
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Against Cardiff City. At home. We should be capable of putting fixtures like this to bed.
The problem with this is the word 'home'.
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I'd like to see a bit of fresh impetus really. Get Tonev back in, he deserves a crack again. Lets also see what Helenius can do. He's been compared to Ibrahimavich (and granted I do realise we used to have the Togolese Zidane) and if he's even a fifth of the player Ibra is he could prove useful. He might offer a little guile we've been lacking.
A couple of youngens like Robinson and Johnson on the bench would be good too.
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If none of our injured or ill players are fit again I predict a really dire game!
Kozak and benteke upfront and no real width or creativity in midfield only means one thing. LAUNCH IT!
It'd be a risk and I'm not sure lambert would do it but I'd be tempted to play
Guzan - Lowton vlaar Clark baker - Westwood Delph / sylla - bacuna helenius Tonev - benteke
But having the attacking three all made up of new signings who've not really done anything (not in that position at least for bacuna) would be a risk. I think more likely we'd see three in the middle at the expense of helenius. Or kozak with benteke and a narrow four. Or 532
To be honest, despite it 'only' being Cardiff at home, none of the configurations I can come up with fill me with great confidence about our ability to score more than one goal. And while it's very dull, that kind of puts the premium on keeping a clean sheet. So stability in the defence and midfield would be crucial
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We go again.....
Guzan
Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett
Herd, Westwood, Delph
Tonev, Benteke, Gabby
Not averse to Lowton staying in the side as he is one of our best creative players but not sure we can afford to have both him and Bennett in the side at the same time.
No to Kea and Sylla in the side. Not sure why Chris Herd hasnt got a chance yet this season.
We need to match these physically, if we dont they could kick lumps out of us in midfield.
Herd hasn't had a chance because he's not good enough.
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Actually, if Delph is back I predict he might go
Guzan - Lowton vlaar Clark baker - bacuna Westwood Delph - Tonev - benteke kozak
I don't like the diamond, especially without an attacking full back on one side, but I prefer it to 532. Tonev would have to provide width on both sides, especially the left.
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Have a sneaky feeling we might see that rarest of beasts tomorrow, a home clean sheet. Not sure with the absentees we have tons of goals in us but on the other hand Benteke has to tear someone a new one soon.
2-0 Villa.
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It'll be interesting to see his team because Cardiff played 5 across the middle last week. I didn't watch it so i'm not sure how the formation actually panned out in the end. If Gabby and Weimann are out, it'll at least give us a chance to see how Benteke and Kozak do together.
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Bloody hell we're short of attacking options there, we can't afford to play 5 at the back against Cardiff. Delph being back is a relief though.
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Bloody hell we're short of attacking options there, we can't afford to play 5 at the back against Cardiff. Delph being back is a relief though.
Don't worry pwa, this will do the job-
Guzan
Lowton Clark. Vlaar. Baker
Sylla. Westwood
Bacuna. Delph. Tonev
Benteke
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The Guardian clearly know the best place to get the lowdown on sensible Villa related opinions:
Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend (http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/nov/08/premier-league-10-things-weekend)
3) Will Aston Villa jump-start their season … again?
Cautious optimism seems to be the prevailing mood among Aston Villa fans contributing to the pertinent thread on the Heroes & Villains website in the buildup to what seems, on paper at least, a fairly underwhelming football experience. An admittedly less than forensic trawl through the comments suggests many Villa fans are expecting a nervy 90 minutes and with their team having failed to score in four Premier League excursions it's not difficult to see why. While few if any Villa fans appear overly worried by the possible threat of relegation, there appears a genuine concern that unless their side can cobble a decent run of results together, a season that started so full of promise with an away win at Arsenal will end with a whimper before Fairytale of New York resumes its position as festive radio playlist staple.
For all Paul Lambert's eminently sensible talk about how his talented young side is a work in progress, but one whose "fundamental principles are already clear", even before the goals dried up Villa under his stewardship seemed to resemble a car with some infuriating and unidentifiable clunking noise emanating from under the bonnet to spoil an otherwise pleasant driving experience. With an international break looming, another performance as laboured as that analogy will leave Villa fans with plenty of time to quietly seethe ahead of their next match, a potentially explosive derby against local rivals West Brom. BG
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Aston Villa's back-up strikeforce Libor Kozak and Nicklas Helenius have been challenged to help Christian Benteke end the claret and blues’ goal drought this weekend.
With Gabby Agbonlahor and Andi Weimann out injured either Kozak or Helenius will be called upon to help share the scoring burden with Benteke against Cardiff.
Villa have gone 375 minutes of action without finding the net, their last goal coming courtesy of Weimann’s late September winner against Manchester City.
Lambert admits it is unfair to expect Benteke to get the goals every week and accepts the five-goal leading scorer’s team-mates need to contribute more.
Kozak has made three starts and three substitute appearances in the Premier league, while Helenius has been restricted to three brief cameos from the bench.
But Lambert insists both towering strikers have improved since joining Villa and are capable of causing problems to top-flight defences, given the opportunities.
Benteke has scored four of Villa’s nine league goals, with Kozak, Weimann, Karim El Ahmadi, Leandro Bacuna and Antonio Luna also on target so far this season.
“If you lose any player, whether they’re key players or not, you don’t want anybody injured,” said Lambert.
Aston Villa v Cardiff City: Mat Kendrick's bumper big match preview
“But that’s football. If that happens you have to overcome it. There’s no point saying ‘if only’ or ‘what if’. It’s a chance for somebody else to come in and do it.
“You’ve got to step up to the plate. Football is great because the wheel always turns and you always get an opportunity to try and get in. When the opportunity’s there you have to take it. It’s up to the individual to go and do it.”
Asked if they could cause problems to opposition defences, Lambert replied: “Yes”, but warned that the Czech and the Dane need time to adapt to the Premier League.
“I’ve no doubt whatsoever – I don’t have a problem with them doing that,” he said.
“I think you’ve got to respect that it’s tough being a foreign guy going into a new place. Some people can hit the ground running. Some people can take a few months - somebody might take a year.
“You’ve just got to hope that they adapt as quickly as they can. But it can vary if you’re a foreigner. They’ve definitely got a lot better since they’ve come into the building.”
LIVE: Aston Villa v Cardiff City - join Mat Kendrick for a live rolling match report
Lambert is confident Benteke, who last scored in the September 14 home defeat to Newcastle, will be back on target soon after equalling his longest Villa spell without a goal – four games.
But the Villa boss admits the claret and blues need to weigh in with goals from across the team, insisting ‘You win together, you lose together’.
“I think people have got to remember Christian’s still a young guy and he’s still learning,” added Lambert.
“He’s only just come back from the Norwich game. It’s not fair to him. Gabby had a great chance against Everton, Andi’s had a good chance as well. You can’t just label Christian.
“I’d be more worried if he wasn’t getting chances. The thing is he’s getting chances and I’ve got no worries whatsoever about him not scoring. I never label one player as your main target to score goals, everybody’s got to help. It’s a team game and we’re in it together. You win together, you lose together.”
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I would start with this side.
Guzan
Lowton Clark. Vlaar. Baker
Sylla. Westwood
Bacuna. Delph. Robinson
Benteke
Callum Robinson got a hat trick on Monday night - surely the right message would be to reward him with a starting place tomorrow.
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I would start with this side.
Guzan
Lowton Clark. Vlaar. Baker
Sylla. Westwood
Bacuna. Delph. Robinson
Benteke
Callum Robinson got a hat trick on Monday night - surely the right message would be to reward him with a starting place tomorrow.
Tonev rather than robbo for me - but might give the lad a run in the last 30 mins if needed.
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Robinson deserves a place on the bench.
I'm imagine Tonev and Kozak will start.
This will not be a pretty game to watch at all but winning ugly is fine by me.
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Hoping for win think it will be a draw unfortunately
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Mat Kendrick: Gabby Agbonlahor, Andi Weimann, Antonio Luna and Joe Bennett are all out but Fabian Delph should return.
Oh. That does not bode well. At least Delph is hopefully available.
shows how poor the squad is . I actually think Gabby and Weiman have been poor and need to be dropped but the summer signings mostly are not good enough
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weimann has been poor for the last 6 months or so.
not convinced by helenius at all. incredibly slow and immobile. looks like he won a move to the premier league in a raffle.
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Mat Kendrick: Gabby Agbonlahor, Andi Weimann, Antonio Luna and Joe Bennett are all out but Fabian Delph should return.
Oh. That does not bode well. At least Delph is hopefully available.
shows how poor the squad is . I actually think Gabby and Weiman have been poor and need to be dropped but the summer signings mostly are not good enough
I don't see how you can make those sort of statements at this stage. Tonev has started one hom game and one away game, doesn't speak a lick on English, is a young bloke playing in a very competitive league; its not easy and he looked pretty promising to me against Everton when he was putting Benteke clean through on goal.
Helenius hasn't started a game, Okore looked excellent, as does Bacuna. Luna has been so, so, while Kozak has struggled by having every ball played to him being launched.
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Chaps, the world is watching ;) http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/nov/08/premier-league-10-things-weekend (http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/nov/08/premier-league-10-things-weekend)
Note point 3. And 3 points on saturday. 2-0 Tekkers to find his magic touch.
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We just need to bury a few gremlins tomorrow and smash these welsh bastards 3 or 4-0
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Any idea who the ref is?
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Any idea who the ref is?
Martin Atkinson
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Mat Kendrick: Gabby Agbonlahor, Andi Weimann, Antonio Luna and Joe Bennett are all out but Fabian Delph should return.
Oh. That does not bode well. At least Delph is hopefully available.
shows how poor the squad is . I actually think Gabby and Weiman have been poor and need to be dropped but the summer signings mostly are not good enough
I don't see how you can make those sort of statements at this stage. Tonev has started one hom game and one away game, doesn't speak a lick on English, is a young bloke playing in a very competitive league; its not easy and he looked pretty promising to me against Everton when he was putting Benteke clean through on goal.
Helenius hasn't started a game, Okore looked excellent, as does Bacuna. Luna has been so, so, while Kozak has struggled by having every ball played to him being launched.
Mat Kendrick: Gabby Agbonlahor, Andi Weimann, Antonio Luna and Joe Bennett are all out but Fabian Delph should return.
Oh. That does not bode well. At least Delph is hopefully available.
shows how poor the squad is . I actually think Gabby and Weiman have been poor and need to be dropped but the summer signings mostly are not good enough
I don't see how you can make those sort of statements at this stage. Tonev has started one hom game and one away game, doesn't speak a lick on English, is a young bloke playing in a very competitive league; its not easy and he looked pretty promising to me against Everton when he was putting Benteke clean through on goal.
Helenius hasn't started a game, Okore looked excellent, as does Bacuna. Luna has been so, so, while Kozak has struggled by having every ball played to him being launched.
I think we needed players to come straight in . Okore would have been the only one for me to have played and I do like Bacuna . But they are very similar to what we have , players we are waiting to reach If any , potential .
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fcuk double quote sorry ;P
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Mat Kendrick: Gabby Agbonlahor, Andi Weimann, Antonio Luna and Joe Bennett are all out but Fabian Delph should return.
Oh. That does not bode well. At least Delph is hopefully available.
shows how poor the squad is . I actually think Gabby and Weiman have been poor and need to be dropped but the summer signings mostly are not good enough
Yeah I was thinking this today. Gabby was good for the first month but has tailed off and Andi has been cack all season yet I would feel much more confident of a win tomorrow if both were in the starting 11 as we're facing a weaker defence than the last few weeks.
Tonev in fairness has looked lively in the last two home games so certainly would get a start I'd imagine. I'd also throw Helenius in as he's a bit different to our other strikers and if we start Kozak then tbh Cardiff defence will take heading away high balls all afternoon.
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I hesitate to ask but what has happened to Bennett?
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I hesitate to ask but what has happened to Bennett?
Out with a back injury.......
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Makes it tricky as I don't really like Clark or Baker playing at left-back and would rather we played Lowton and Bacuna at Full/Wing-Back.
On the other hand, I'd quite like Bacuna to play in attacking midfield or on the wing...
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Not going tomorrow but my eldest son David is, he goes to about 6/7 league games a season and the poor bugger has not seen a win since the Scottish managers first home game against Blackburn (over two years ago) I am praying Villa will make him and the rest of us happy, 2-0 Villa please please please.
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Hate to say it but i fear it will be another match at home under this manager where we fail to win .A hard earned 1-1 draw
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2-0 to the lions, Delph ( bout time he fookin scored) & wait for it a thunder bolt from tonev via a massive deflection on its way to the corner flag as usual!!!!!
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Need to win. Think we will. 2-0.
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I wonder how many minutes will be on the clock before we lose a defender through injury
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Even before I set off tomorrow I know that the highlight of the day will be the after match balti !!!
Hoping for a decent win but just looking at our squad leaves me underwhelmed. Odds on that Whittingham will have a stormer.
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Not going tomorrow but my eldest son David is, he goes to about 6/7 league games a season and the poor bugger has not seen a win since the Scottish managers first home game against Blackburn (over two years ago) I am praying Villa will make him and the rest of us happy, 2-0 Villa please please please.
I had a season ticket last year and this. I've missed a handful of games in that time but realised this week I haven't seen us win a league game since Reading which must be nearly 12 months ago. Could do with some cheer tomorrow.
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Not going tomorrow but my eldest son David is, he goes to about 6/7 league games a season and the poor bugger has not seen a win since the Scottish managers first home game against Blackburn (over two years ago) I am praying Villa will make him and the rest of us happy, 2-0 Villa please please please.
That happened to me! one win later though as I saw us beat Wigan a few weeks later.
Then I missed us beating Norwich and Fulham. So the next time I saw us win at home was
West Ham the following season! and I'd been to something like 8/9 games in between.
Including that Bolton game.
I basically didn't see us win a home game in 2012. (Fulham, Reading and Swansea.)
This year though I've seen us win five times! Ipswich, West Ham, QPR, Sunderland, and Man city.
I'll be a little sad when 2013 ends. ;)
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I'm selling outside the Trinity Road gates tomorrow. Please feel free to come along and say hello. Even if you don't need to buy the fanzine as I'll have a Movember collection tin and would really appreciate ANY small change you might have in the region of 1p, 2p and/or even 5p!
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I'll be on the zebra-crossing in-between the Church and the park after the game aswell.
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I'll be on the zebra-crossing in-between the Church and the park after the game aswell.
....... Just as they reopen the road to traffic!!
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Before, mate. Afterwards I'm down the side-streets.
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My bizarre and frankly deluded confidence continues. Easy Villa win.
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I've just got this weird sense that Bowery is going to score today.
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I've just got this weird sense that Bowery is going to score today.
His girlfriend's bought a new nightie!
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I've just got this weird sense that Bowery is going to score today.
Thats weird. Ive been thinking that as well. Wouldnt be at all surprised if he doesnt start up front with Benteke.
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I've just got this weird sense that Bowery is going to score today.
Thats weird. Ive been thinking that as well. Wouldnt be at all surprised if he doesnt start up front with Benteke.
Can't see that at all- from lamberts quotes it could be Kozak who gets the nod alongside the big man.
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I'd really like to see Helenius involved, I'd like to see what he can do.
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I'd really like to see Helenius involved, I'd like to see what he can do.
Maybe , one things for sure its never easy to guess lamberts starting line up.
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A nice and easy 2-0 win for the Villa.
Please.
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I'd really like to see Helenius involved, I'd like to see what he can do.
Maybe , one things for sure its never easy to guess lamberts starting line up.
A difference between him and MON that I can never tell if I love or not.
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Can we please just have a "no frills" bog standard 3-0 home win. Which includes an early goal and a couple of moments to remember !!! Kojak Benteke Delph ......
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I've just got this weird sense that Bowery is going to score today.
OK, which Wetherspoon have you started the day in?
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Can they just put a few balls across for Benteke to nod in?..Not a lot to ask!
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An early goal and a performance similar to what blew the mackems away will be nice today - don't really want a tedious scrappy bore .
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@MatKendrick: Lambert on Robinson: "Every time I've seen the kid play he's getting better. Without making him feel like Maradona he's doing all right."
@MatKendrick: Callum Robinson is pushing for first team action, according to Paul Lambert #avfc
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Oh dear, Johnnie Vaughan is funny on his show on Talk Shite on a Saturday morning. Best thing on that station by a mile. Anyone who loves evocative chat about football, well worth a listen. He might be a Chavski fan but he is certainly old school and very amusing...
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@MatKendrick: Lambert on Robinson: "Every time I've seen the kid play he's getting better. Without making him feel like Maradona he's doing all right."
@MatKendrick: Callum Robinson is pushing for first team action, according to Paul Lambert #avfc
Interesting, today could be an opportunity.
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Oh dear, Johnnie Vaughan is funny on his show on Talk Shite on a Saturday morning. Best thing on that station by a mile. Anyone who loves evocative chat about football, well worth a listen. He might be a Chavski fan but he is certainly old school and very amusing...
Carlton Palmer on at the moment in the bath - very funny. Did we ever sign him?!?
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Guzan
Lowton. Clark. Vlaar. Baker
Westwood. Sylla
Bacuna. Delph. Tonev
Benteke
That team looks pissed Eastie...
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Guzan
Lowton. Clark. Vlaar. Baker
Westwood. Sylla
Bacuna. Delph. Tonev
Benteke
That team looks pissed Eastie...
That's your slant on it :)
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Really hoping Delph can pass his late fitness test.
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Really hoping Delph can pass his late fitness test.
I think he was definately fit , he hasn't been injured just ill last week .
I think he's close to suspension too - so important that he is available at the Albion as we need him there - no silly bookings today please fab.
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Guzan
Lowton. Clark. Vlaar. Baker
Westwood. Sylla
Bacuna. Delph. Tonev
Benteke
That team looks pissed Eastie...
That's your slant on it :)
Could probably do with some more cover on the left.
The sun is out, I'm feeling increasingly confident.
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Going to be difficult....I'm increasingly thinking 1-1 which isn't great to go into a 16 day break.
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3-1 Villa, no worries.
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Just woke up after working a night shift, have a real bad feeling about this one today. I hope they can prove me wrong.
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Think this will be 1-0 in either direction. Just hope it's us.
I'd take a scrappy win given the injuries, no doubt
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Depends which villa turns up today - often we are chalk and cheese from one half to another .
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My liver, kidneys and head are saying NO !!!
But of to the pub i go to watch the game, again.
C'mon Villa.
Have a good match thread. Taraabit. UTV.
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Off to the Spor Bar and a Bira or Uch? A-Stone Vee-Laah?? Love the locals..come on da Villa in any language..
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4-1 Benteke 11, 29, 61 Kozak 82 Bellamy for them 55
We're due a good win, UTV!!!!