I'd play Gabby. He loves derbies.
Mods, a poll and a sticky if you please.*nods*
We're going to shit 'em. 3-0 to us.I would love this Des.
2-0. Benteke with both. Lambert will still be slated afterwards.
Are we two down yet?Any day now!
Not looking forward to this at all - you will beat us.
We are absolutely terrible at the moment.
There is no width, there is no pace within the side, we are pedestrian and we are built primarily to stop the opposition rather than take the game to our opponents.
Not looking forward to this at all - you will beat us.
We are absolutely terrible at the moment.
There is no width, there is no pace within the side, we are pedestrian and we are built primarily to stop the opposition rather than take the game to our opponents.
Which of the two teams are you referring to here?
But that 3rd paragraph sounds remarkably us!Not looking forward to this at all - you will beat us.
We are absolutely terrible at the moment.
There is no width, there is no pace within the side, we are pedestrian and we are built primarily to stop the opposition rather than take the game to our opponents.
Which of the two teams are you referring to here?
The clues in his username.
But that 3rd paragraph sounds remarkably us!Not looking forward to this at all - you will beat us.
We are absolutely terrible at the moment.
There is no width, there is no pace within the side, we are pedestrian and we are built primarily to stop the opposition rather than take the game to our opponents.
Which of the two teams are you referring to here?
The clues in his username.
UTV!
.
There is no width, there is no pace within the side, we are pedestrian and we are built primarily to stop the opposition rather than take the game to our opponents.
1-1 - we are favourites to win, which means we won't.
Really, that does surprise me.
Looking forward to what should be a good game. Dont think missing Westwood weakens us all that much especially in a feisty derby game such as this one. I expect Cleverley will be fit but think this would be the ideal game for Bacuna in any case. Richardson ought be well up for the game against his former club if he gets the nod too. Gabby should be able to get plenty of joy from Andre Wisdom and Benteke looks very dangerous at the moment. At the other side, Anichebe made a mug of Clark a couple of seasons back at Goodison but wont be able to man handle Okore as handy. Sessegnon has played well against us before but they are struggling for goals. With Gardner and Mulumbu in midfield, they will have plenty of bite but wont create all that much.
Think we will have too much with Benteke back, 2-1 Villa.
-----------------Guzan
Hutton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho
--------------Sanchez-----------
--------Bacuna, Cleverley/Richardson
Weimann--------------------------Gabby
------------------Benteke-------------
*Runs to bookies with £100*
Irvine seems determined to pick a team not to lose rather than to win a game. He’s stressed that he’s not a cautious head coach and claims he approaches every game with a positive attitude.
Okore and Clark should both keep their places.
Okore and Clark should both keep their places.Agree
Okore and Clark should both keep their places.Agree
Hold the back page: Lambert has just said that Delph, Vlaar and Cleverley are all in contention to be fit for this one!!
Hold the back page: Lambert has just said that Delph, Vlaar and Cleverley are all in contention to be fit for this one!!
Delph? Where did you hear this?
I got you!But that 3rd paragraph sounds remarkably us!Not looking forward to this at all - you will beat us.
We are absolutely terrible at the moment.
There is no width, there is no pace within the side, we are pedestrian and we are built primarily to stop the opposition rather than take the game to our opponents.
Which of the two teams are you referring to here?
The clues in his username.
UTV!
That was my attempt at a bit of yhumour. Failed, obviously.
I took childish pleasure in wearing a Villa jacket while in Halesowen today.
I'll be surprised if Delph starts but he said he feels great himself so if he is it's very good news.With Westwood out I'd drop Delph straight back into the side.
...and 10% ...Yeltz?I took childish pleasure in wearing a Villa jacket while in Halesowen today.
Villa town anyway.
Well not really, but it's likely 40% Albion, 40% Villa, 10% glory hunter.
Surprised Delph is fit so soon.He's too good to be left on the bench.
I'd put him straight back in too.
...and 10% ...Yeltz?I took childish pleasure in wearing a Villa jacket while in Halesowen today.
Villa town anyway.
Well not really, but it's likely 40% Albion, 40% Villa, 10% glory hunter.
Surprised Delph is fit so soon.He's too good to be left on the bench.
I'd put him straight back in too.
Delph, Cleverley and Sanchez could be our best midfield 3.We found what looks a promising combo in Clark and Okore by default.
Wasn't it the Albion away game last year where we were 2 down and completely hopeless and then we brought Delph, Gabby and Weimann on and it completely changed the game?Surprised Delph is fit so soon.He's too good to be left on the bench.
I'd put him straight back in too.
Wasn't it the Albion away game last year where we were 2 down and completely hopeless and then we brought Delph, Gabby and Weimann on and it completely changed the game?Surprised Delph is fit so soon.He's too good to be left on the bench.
I'd put him straight back in too.
Yep, they all came on just before the final half hour.
Wasn't it the Albion away game last year where we were 2 down and completely hopeless and then we brought Delph, Gabby and Weimann on and it completely changed the game?Surprised Delph is fit so soon.He's too good to be left on the bench.
I'd put him straight back in too.
Yep, they all came on just before the final half hour.
I don't often enjoy draws, but I enjoyed that one. I loved Lambert taking off his jacket as he did a triple substitution.
Surprised Delph is fit so soon.
I'd put him straight back in too.
Wasn't it the Albion away game last year where we were 2 down and completely hopeless and then we brought Delph, Gabby and Weimann on and it completely changed the game?Surprised Delph is fit so soon.He's too good to be left on the bench.
I'd put him straight back in too.
Yep, they all came on just before the final half hour.
I don't often enjoy draws, but I enjoyed that one. I loved Lambert taking off his jacket as he did a triple substitution.
Trouble was it wasn't "tactics" as they were all relatively unfit and only had 30 minutes in them. Brave not to do the easy thing and start them I suppose as lambert was getting dogs abuse fir the starting line up
The Olbiun I know said they were scared to death as they knew they would come on and change the game - the Villa fans doubled the volume and the rest is history...
Surprised Delph is fit so soon.
I'd put him straight back in too.
Delph has been training for two weeks (a period of non contact) so his fitness levels will be high. Feel like this would be a great game for grealish. He has the confidence and energy to really cause problems to a team who will be nervous and worried about Benteke-Delph-Gabby already ........
That's pretty accurate. A mix of the two follow Halesowen Town. I know a fair few Wolves too.I took childish pleasure in wearing a Villa jacket while in Halesowen today.
Villa town anyway.
Well not really, but it's likely 40% Albion, 40% Villa, 10% glory hunter.
We should beat these, anything less than a win is unacceptable in my eyes. They're a really poor side. I expect Benteke to continue his good form, couple of goals would be nice!Now that it looks like we'll have a decent midfield to choose from I agree. Would have accepted the draw based on the injuries.
We should beat these, anything less than a win is unacceptable in my eyes. They're a really poor side. I expect Benteke to continue his good form, couple of goals would be nice!Now that it looks like we'll have a decent midfield to choose from I agree. Would have accepted the draw based on the injuries.
Like Leicester last week, they are there for the taking
We should beat these, anything less than a win is unacceptable in my eyes. They're a really poor side. I expect Benteke to continue his good form, couple of goals would be nice!Now that it looks like we'll have a decent midfield to choose from I agree. Would have accepted the draw based on the injuries.
Like Leicester last week, they are there for the taking
Whilst I agree we should beat them, it's not always as easy as it should be, especially local derbies. It wouldn't shock me if it ended in a draw.
Oh please God, not N'Zogbia.
I think it sends the wrong message if we drop Okore or Clark, but I do think Vlaar will start tomorrow with Okore dropped, although for me it would be Clark if either were to be left out.
Hope I'm wrong, as both should keep their place.
We should beat these, anything less than a win is unacceptable in my eyes. They're a really poor side. I expect Benteke to continue his good form, couple of goals would be nice!Now that it looks like we'll have a decent midfield to choose from I agree. Would have accepted the draw based on the injuries.
Like Leicester last week, they are there for the taking
Whilst I agree we should beat them, it's not always as easy as it should be, especially local derbies. It wouldn't shock me if it ended in a draw.
I think Vlaar will be on the bench tomorrow, but I also expect Clark to sacrificed in the near future when he gets back to proper fitness (cue joke here about never being fully fit). At the end of the day he's the club captain. Now, if he does regain fitness I think it also pushes him closer to the exit seeing as the transfer window will open soon so it might be a moot point anyway about whether or not he starts for us again.
Ron Vlaar is not guaranteed his starting place back despite being Aston Villa captain due to form of Ciaran Clark and Jores OkoreBy LAURIE WHITWELL FOR MAILONLINE
- Ron Vlaar could return from injury against West Bromwich Albion
- Aston Villa captain has not played since the draw at West Ham United
- But he is not guaranteed to return straight into the starting line-up
- Ciaran Clark and Jores Okore are impressing and could retain places
Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar is not guaranteed his starting place back even when fully fit because of the form of stand-ins Ciaran Clark and Jores Okore.
Manager Paul Lambert insists the Holland defender has a ‘fight’ ahead to earn selection given Villa have not lost since the deputy centre backs stepped up.
Clark, 25, and Okore, 22, have started the last four Premier League games due to calf injuries to Vlaar and Philippe Senderos, as well as Nathan Baker’s knee problem.
Draws with Southampton and Burnley were followed by wins over Crystal Palace and Leicester City.
Vlaar, whose last game was the draw at West Ham United, is back in training and in contention for Saturday’s game against West Bromwich Albion - but he is by no means a certainty once he is 100 per cent fit.
‘You earn the right then you’re in the team,’ said Lambert. ‘Your job is to stay in it. Those two lads have been playing really well now.
‘I’m sure Ron, Philippe and Nathan will know that there’s a really big fight on for them to get in the side. You need that competition for people to play on top of their game.
‘Ciaran and Jores have been absolutely excellent for us and have struck up a good understanding. They’re in form and there’s a good little partnership developing there.
‘In the four games they’ve played together they’ve been outstanding, the two of them. Sometimes you just stumble on things and it works.
‘To be fair to Jores, he had 14 months out before he played Southampton and that’s a long, long time out of football.
‘To come in and perform the way he has - his standards have been exceptionally high. And Ciaran seems to be thriving on the responsibility, helping him through it.’
Lambert will set two personal records if Villa win at The Hawthorns. Villa have not gone six games unbeaten under his stewardship, nor won three games on the run.
I think Vlaar will be on the bench tomorrow, but I also expect Clark to sacrificed in the near future when he gets back to proper fitness (cue joke here about never being fully fit). At the end of the day he's the club captain. Now, if he does regain fitness I think it also pushes him closer to the exit seeing as the transfer window will open soon so it might be a moot point anyway about whether or not he starts for us again.
Reading today's Evening Mail, the general feeling is that Clark and Okore will keep their places. It will be a test for Clark, as he's struggled against physical players like Anichebe in the past. I've been a critic of him, but I must say I've been really pleased for him over the past few weeks.
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...
Oh I do like to be beside the sea.......
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...
Oh I do like to be beside the sea.......
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...
Oh I do like to be beside the sea.......
Oh I do like to walk along the prom, prom, prom..
......crap music because all brass bands are crap... and Zulus, and Zulus...
......crap music because all brass bands are crapSays the man who posts Ohio State University marching band clips in Off Topic....... ;)
They will all be foaming at the mouth in the Smethwick End at us as they usually are, bless em', in their 1980s Lee jeans with their black shoes, stripey Olbyion tops stretched tight over their overweight guts, cheap baseball caps and a mouth with more gaps in it than teeth. They'll keep singing "sheet on da Veela!" inbetween a dreary hymn about being laid down in a field. Bumpkins.
I hope we get off to a flyer and really smash these sad twats.
Brilliant post.
Team news
Captain Chris Brunt will again miss out for West Brom in their derby clash against Aston Villa.
The midfielder has failed to recover from a hamstring injury he suffered in last week's 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat to West Ham.
Jonas Olsson is out following an operation on his Achilles but Saido Berahino is set for a recall after being dropped to the bench for the goalless draw at Hull and Claudio Yacob is available following a ban.
Aston Villa pair Ron Vlaar and Fabian Delph could be in contention to return to action in Saturday's local derby at West Brom.
Captain Vlaar has been out since early November with a calf injury while England rookie Delph dislocated his shoulder in October but both have returned to training and may make surprise returns.
Tom Cleverley (bruised foot) is a doubt and fellow midfielder Ashley Westwood will miss around a month with a knee injury. Forward Andi Weimann returns from suspension but defenders Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker remain out, as does midfielder Joe Cole.
Provisional squads (from)
West Brom: Foster, Myhill, Pocognoli, Gamboa, Dawson, Lescott, McAuley, Yacob, Davidson, Wisdom, Baird, Varela, Gardner, Morrison, O'Neil, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Blanco, Sessegnon, Samaras, Ideye, Berahino, Anichebe.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Given, Hutton, Lowton, Okore, Clark, Vlaar, Herd, Cissokho, Delph, Richardson, Sanchez, N'Zogbia, Cleverley, Grealish, Bacuna, Agbonlahor, Weimann, Benteke, Robinson.
They will all be foaming at the mouth in the Smethwick End at us as they usually are, bless em', in their 1980s Lee jeans with their black shoes, stripey Olbyion tops stretched tight over their overweight guts, cheap baseball caps and a mouth with more gaps in it than teeth. They'll keep singing "sheet on da Veela!" inbetween a dreary hymn about being laid down in a field. Bumpkins.
I hope we get off to a flyer and really smash these sad twats.
......crap music because all brass bands are crapSays the man who posts Ohio State University marching band clips in Off Topic....... ;)
......crap music because all brass bands are crapSays the man who posts Ohio State University marching band clips in Off Topic....... ;)
I'm sure that Ive said that the music produced by such bans wasn't up to much. However the marching is spectacular at times
I thought we were playing Blackpool after Christmas!Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...
Oh I do like to be beside the sea.......
Oh I do like to walk along the prom, prom, prom..
Where the brass band plays...
......crap music because all brass bands are crapSays the man who posts Ohio State University marching band clips in Off Topic....... ;)
I'm sure that Ive said that the music produced by such bans wasn't up to much. However the marching is spectacular at times
Don't believe a word he says. I had to listen to the Ohio Marching Band's greatest hits CD for the journey to and from Burnley!
TorygraphQuote
Team news
Captain Chris Brunt will again miss out for West Brom in their derby clash against Aston Villa.
The midfielder has failed to recover from a hamstring injury he suffered in last week's 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat to West Ham.
Jonas Olsson is out following an operation on his Achilles but Saido Berahino is set for a recall after being dropped to the bench for the goalless draw at Hull and Claudio Yacob is available following a ban.
Aston Villa pair Ron Vlaar and Fabian Delph could be in contention to return to action in Saturday's local derby at West Brom.
Captain Vlaar has been out since early November with a calf injury while England rookie Delph dislocated his shoulder in October but both have returned to training and may make surprise returns.
Tom Cleverley (bruised foot) is a doubt and fellow midfielder Ashley Westwood will miss around a month with a knee injury. Forward Andi Weimann returns from suspension but defenders Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker remain out, as does midfielder Joe Cole.
Provisional squads (from)
West Brom: Foster, Myhill, Pocognoli, Gamboa, Dawson, Lescott, McAuley, Yacob, Davidson, Wisdom, Baird, Varela, Gardner, Morrison, O'Neil, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Blanco, Sessegnon, Samaras, Ideye, Berahino, Anichebe.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Given, Hutton, Lowton, Okore, Clark, Vlaar, Herd, Cissokho, Delph, Richardson, Sanchez, N'Zogbia, Cleverley, Grealish, Bacuna, Agbonlahor, Weimann, Benteke, Robinson.
MATCH STATS
Villa's tally of 11 points in away matches is bettered only by the current Premier League top two: Chelsea and Manchester City.
Villa have scored the highest percentage of first half goals in the Premier League this season (80%).
West Brom have conceded the highest percentage of first half goals in the top flight this season (60%).
Villa are attempting to win three league matches in a row for the first time since April 2010.
Villa won 4-3 in the most recent meeting to end a run of four successive draws between the sides. Christian Benteke's second-half penalty won the game at Villa Park in January after the sides had shared six goals in the first half.
West Brom's only home win against Villa in the last 12 attempts in all competitions was by 2-1 in the Premier League in April 2011 (W1, D5, L6).
The last three games at The Hawthorns have been drawn.
There has not been more than a one-goal margin between the sides in the 16 Premier League meetings so far.
Albion have lost their last three matches at The Hawthorns.
Alan Irvine's side have netted 57% of their goals from set pieces, which is the highest proportion in the top flight.
TRAVEL ADVICE
Fans travelling to the derby match this weekend are advised that London Midland train services will be extremely busy both before and after the game.
This is due to the thousands of extra people travelling into Birmingham on the Snow Hill lines for the Christmas Market and to do their festive shopping.
Supporters are advised to allow extra time to get to The Hawthorns and not rely on the very last trains to ensure they don't miss kick-off.
After the match, crowd control measures will be put in place at The Hawthorns station.
London Midland has worked closely with British Transport Police, West Midlands Police and Midland Metro to co-ordinate the arrangements to ensure everyone's safety.
Fans are advised that this will differ to the usual post-match arrangements.
As a safety measure, home and away fans will be segregated at the station's two entrances before being led down to platform level when trains arrive.
Trains are expected to be busier than usual when they arrive at The Hawthorns, which means it will take longer to get everyone on board a train and away from the ground.
To avoid overcrowding and ensure passenger safety, London Midland will monitor the number of people on board its trains prior to their arrival at The Hawthorns.
Fans will then be led down to platform level based on the capacity available on each train that arrives.
After the game, six trains per hour will depart The Hawthorns in each direction towards Stourbridge and Birmingham.
Departure times are as follows:
Towards Birmingham - 16.37 16.49 16.55 17.07 17.19 17.26 17.37 17.49 17.56 18.07 18.19 18.37 18.49 19.07
Towards Stourbridge - 16.39 16.49 16.59 17.09 17.20 17.29 17.40 17.50 18.00 18.19 18.29 18.39 18.59
Fans may also wish to travel via Midland Metro.
Services run every eight minutes in each direction towards Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
--------Guzman -----------
Cafu Okore. Clark. Cissoko
----- Sanchez. Delphino
Wiseman. Cleverly.
-------Adbongalor ------ inthejungle ---
Am I missing something?The song.
What does "inthejungle" mean?
Sorry yes , just the new song. Good song but pretty unsingable from the terraces unless you're a trained choirboy !Am I missing something?The song.
What does "inthejungle" mean?
The Benteke song.
We've had this from the Astle family.
Nine minutes into Saturday’s game a large banner will be unveiled in the Birmingham Road End reading ‘Justice for Jeff’ which starts a minute’s applause - nine being the famous shirt number he wore. The two big screens at The Hawthorns will also display a picture of Jeff with the words ‘If in doubt, sit them out’ which refers to the dangers of concussion in sport.
Villa fans are more than welcome to join in with the applause if they choose to; for which we would be extremely grateful for; but if not we would like to give them the opportunity to make them aware of our campaign if they haven’t seen it via the local or national media already.
We are aware of several former Villa players who died of some form of dementia including Stan Lynn, Peter Aldis, Pat Saward, Johnny Dixon and Bill Myerscough and have been contacted by several of their families.
Hopefully the football family can put rivalry aside for 1 minute at 3.09pm.
The Justice for Jeff banner will be at every West Bromwich Albion home and away game for the rest of this season. Hopefully, by then, the promised research by the FA & PFA into the links between heading footballs and brain damage will be in its early stages and, just as importantly, the research into former players and instances of dementia will have commenced.
We would also like to respectfully ask that if you are aware of any former players who may have died of, or are sadly living with Alzheimer's or any other Degenerative Brain Disease please contact us by emailing dawnastle@justiceforjeff.co.uk - this information is vitally important to forthcoming research.
You can keep up-to-date and learn more about our campaign by visiting our website justiceforjeff.co.uk or through our Facebook (facebook.com/justiceforjeffastle) and Twitter (@astle1968 #justiceforjeff) pages.
With a song sheet!Sorry yes , just the new song. Good song but pretty unsingable from the terraces unless you're a trained choirboy !Am I missing something?The song.
What does "inthejungle" mean?
The Benteke song.
If Gabby and Benteke play well, we win.
I'm sure the Villa fans will treat this with the respect it deserves and happily join in.
ps: I will be applauding on 9 minutes.
I don't remember the Albion fans disrespecting the 19th minute applause. The only ones I remember were the ignorant brummies reds?
Can somebody explain what the point of this campaign/applause is? I get that it's for Justice for Jeff but what are they hoping to come of Justice for Jeff?
I don't remember the Albion fans disrespecting the 19th minute applause. The only ones I remember were the ignorant brummies reds?
I don't remember the Albion fans disrespecting the 19th minute applause. The only ones I remember were the ignorant brummies reds?In the 2-2 at smethwick season before last they were booing during the 19th minute . Absolute wankers .
When Alan Hutton's strike hit the back of the net last weekend, a ray of sunlight burst through the dark clouds hovering ominously over Villa Park (metaphorcially, at least...). It was the first goal in front of the Holte End since April, and as the match-winner, catapulted Villa into 11th.
More significantly, Villa showed tentative signs of developing into a decent passing unit. The key battle this weekend, therefore, will be against themselves. Do they have the courage to try to dominate possession at The Hawthorns?
With 65% possession and 477 passes against Leicester, Villa's fluidity and overall attacking intent was as comforting as it was remarkable for their fans. After a mixed start to the season, the introduction of Tom Cleverley's movement and incisive play was a significant improvement from Villa's usually direct style. The former Manchester United man worked well alongside Ashley Westwood's calm distribution from the base of midfield.
However, the real difference for Villa was the return of centre-back Jores Okore who, after a 14-month layoff, made his fifth league appearance for the club. His composure in possession (87.7% pass accuracy), set the standard for the team's ball retention.
This weekend's opponents West Brom are dispossessed 13.9 times per match (the second-highest average in division), and bemoan a 78% pass-completion rate. If Villa show more courage than they have done previously, they could easily dominate the game.
Of the last 10 goals West Brom have conceded, meanwhile, 7 have been from high crosses. Villa may be tempted to launch the ball to Christian Benteke, but if they show belief in their own ability they will find a much better strategy for winning this match.
Can somebody explain what the point of this campaign/applause is? I get that it's for Justice for Jeff but what are they hoping to come of Justice for Jeff?
I think they are trying to raise awareness of the possible causal linkage of heading a football and brain damage.
Not sure how much they are taking into account the modern day football in comparison to the old leather ball.
Its not like the current and proven link between American Football concussion and helmet use.
Like you I am a bit unclear on what the objective is unless they are going to start suing the game like lots of ex NFL players are now doing over here.