Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on December 19, 2018, 01:52:13 PM
-
Ok ladies and gents - statement game coming up. Two disappointing draws on the bounce now we simply cannot afford anything less than a win or we will start falling behind the plays off let alone maintain any ambitions of the top two. Defence just has to be better and we need to take more chances. I don’t want to see Whelan anywhere near the starting line up.
-
No drama, 2-0 to the Villa, :)
-
No Grealish, no victory. Says my heart.
My head says we'll win 3-1.
Whelan is dreadful. Shouldn't be anywhere near our squad. I'm very surprised to see Smith selecting him, actually.
-
I'm not usually right on these things, but I get the feeling we are gonna turn in a good performance after a disappointing one, a couple of new faces in the team to freshen things up. I think Smith has already performed well against these earlier in the season and Brentford should have won up there.
-
Same line up as against Stoke then a draw at best.
-
Another draw in a cracking game - then the flat track bullying commences and we storm into the play-off positions next month!
-
I'll be up an Alp trying to find somewhere to watch on TV
Hopefully I'll find a bar that has BeIN
-
I'll be up an Alp* trying to find somewhere to watch on TV
Hopefully I'll find a bar that has BeIN
*Flicks through urban dictionary for what is meant by "up an alp"
-
I'm taking my Leeds-supporting brother-in-law, and wavering between Leeds & Villa 10 year old nephew to this. I'm hoping we can finish the job for the boy.
-
I object to the title of this thread.
Their name is Dirty Leeds.
-
It was 50 years ago Andy, but Don Revie has left now.
-
If Grealish plays I reckon we have enough to win this (Leeds have a few injured in defence).
If as seems he won't make the game think it will be another frustrating draw.
On balance 1-1.
Edit: Mentioned it last week but I'd like to see El Ghazi in number 10 position. Kodjia will certainly start so it's whether DS will stick with 3 in midfield or just go for it (we know what option SB would've gone for).
Leeds will certainly not be coming here to park the bus. They played loads of attacking midfielders behind main striker, Klich, Hernandez, Allioski and Samuel Saiz (although he seems to be going back to Spain in January). That should mean more space for our wide players if we can get the ball quickly enough to them this week.
-
I am pretty sure the first game between Villa and Leeds I went to was a midweek game at Villa Park shortly before we won the European cup and we lost 1-4. I also think Mark Walters made his Villa debut that night. The first time I went to Elland Road was in SGT's first season and we beat them 1-3 and I was there again in the January when we beat them in the FA Cup. But then I think they beat us at home around Easter and I seem to recall 'Super Baggie' Bob Taylor scored one or possibly two against us which at the time was a blow to our automatic promotion hopes.
-
On the topic of past Villa-Leeds games the epic 3-2 cup win in 2000 is easily in the top 5 live games I've seen.
A classic up tie, Carbone curling in a shot from near the corner flag for one of his three goals and Merson was simply majestic. Will always remember him waltzing past 3-4 defenders, heading the ball to Carbone and Duberry clashing heads which drew blood. Merse didn't even want to come off but didn't know where he was or even we scored.
We had a really good record against them around that time (they were challenging near the top of premier league in those days). Pretty sure we won twice at Elland Road and Southgate scored the winner on each occasion.
-
anyone remember Jim Combes letting one slip under his body against Leeds a million years ago
think it might have been the first game of the season but memory fades
-
No poll.
It's Dirty Leeds.
1-1.
-
On the topic of past Villa-Leeds games the epic 3-2 cup win in 2000 is easily in the top 5 live games I've seen.
A classic up tie, Carbone curling in a shot from near the corner flag for one of his three goals and Merson was simply majestic. Will always remember him waltzing past 3-4 defenders, heading the ball to Carbone and Duberry clashing heads which drew blood. Merse didn't even want to come off but didn't know where he was or even we scored.
We had a really good record against them around that time (they were challenging near the top of premier league in those days). Pretty sure we won twice at Elland Road and Southgate scored the winner on each occasion.
Remember those away games well. The first one was when we were about to sign JPA and the away game at Elland road was one of the coldest times I’ve been at the football. Was Baltic
-
We really need to win this and beat Leeds to get us back on track so I'm going to say 2-1 win for Villa.
-
No poll for this game?
-
Poll added.
-
I remember going up there and getting battered 4-1 in the League Cup QF, them singing 'lets all laugh at Villa' , being fucking frozen with a hacking cough and the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home.
-
anyone remember Jim Combes letting one slip under his body against Leeds a million years ago
think it might have been the first game of the season but memory fades
I think that may have been our opening game of Div 1 in 1976 at home at Villa Park, we lost 0-2 if I remember rightly. My Dad took me and a school mate to that game who was a Liverpool fan, we converted him over time and in 1982 we stood together as Villa fans on the Holte End watching us beat Anderlecht in the EC SF.
-
We need a win but it’s going to be a tough ask without Grealish. We need to a lot more creative than we were against Stoke and take our chances. A nervy 2-1 win.
-
I remember going up there and getting battered 4-1 in the League Cup QF, them singing 'lets all laugh at Villa' , being fucking frozen with a hacking cough and the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home.
Yep, I was at that. A miserable evening.
-
I remember going up there and getting battered 4-1 in the League Cup QF, them singing 'lets all laugh at Villa' , being fucking frozen with a hacking cough and the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home.
I think I was there. Was it during the Ormandroyd era? I seem to recall us wearing black shorts?
-
Sorry everyone about the poll. Ta Leeg
-
Villa 3 Dirty bastards 1
-
I'm working in Leeds and they are quite nervous. They have a few out. Key for me is that they will be all energy so we need to try and keep possession and tire them out.
A Leeds fan I know chatted to some of their players in the week and they all say how knackered they are but are enjoying playing. Bielsa has them training non-stop.
-
If we had Jack in I know we'd win.
I hope to scrape a win but hope BB is playing instead of Whelan
-
I remember going up there and getting battered 4-1 in the League Cup QF, them singing 'lets all laugh at Villa' , being fucking frozen with a hacking cough and the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home.
Yep, I was at that. A miserable evening.
We won the important League Cup meeting. 😊
-
I remember going up there and getting battered 4-1 in the League Cup QF, them singing 'lets all laugh at Villa' , being fucking frozen with a hacking cough and the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home.
Yep, I was at that. A miserable evening.
We won the important League Cup meeting. 😊
The delayed reaction after Savo's goal will live with me forever
My thought process went;
What
He's never
F*ck
Yes
Happy Days
-
I remember going up there and getting battered 4-1 in the League Cup QF, them singing 'lets all laugh at Villa' , being fucking frozen with a hacking cough and the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home.
Yep, I was at that. A miserable evening.
I too remember that well.
-
anyone remember Jim Combes letting one slip under his body against Leeds a million years ago
think it might have been the first game of the season but memory fades
I think that may have been our opening game of Div 1 in 1976 at home at Villa Park, we lost 0-2 if I remember rightly. My Dad took me and a school mate to that game who was a Liverpool fan, we converted him over time and in 1982 we stood together as Villa fans on the Holte End watching us beat Anderlecht in the EC SF.
August 1975; we lost 2-1 (Leighton Phillips scored for us) in front of 46k. It was our first 1st Division game since 1967, I think.
I was there - queued for ages to get into the ground.
-
anyone remember Jim Combes letting one slip under his body against Leeds a million years ago
think it might have been the first game of the season but memory fades
I think that may have been our opening game of Div 1 in 1976 at home at Villa Park, we lost 0-2 if I remember rightly. My Dad took me and a school mate to that game who was a Liverpool fan, we converted him over time and in 1982 we stood together as Villa fans on the Holte End watching us beat Anderlecht in the EC SF.
August 1975; we lost 2-1 (Leighton Phillips scored for us) in front of 46k. It was our first 1st Division game since 1967, I think.
I was there - queued for ages to get into the ground.
I thought the Jim Coombes match was the charity shield - played before the start of the season.
Jim is now a bigwig at Lancashire Cricket Club
-
anyone remember Jim Combes letting one slip under his body against Leeds a million years ago
think it might have been the first game of the season but memory fades
I think that may have been our opening game of Div 1 in 1976 at home at Villa Park, we lost 0-2 if I remember rightly. My Dad took me and a school mate to that game who was a Liverpool fan, we converted him over time and in 1982 we stood together as Villa fans on the Holte End watching us beat Anderlecht in the EC SF.
August 1975; we lost 2-1 (Leighton Phillips scored for us) in front of 46k. It was our first 1st Division game since 1967, I think.
I was there - queued for ages to get into the ground.
I thought the Jim Coombes match was the charity shield - played before the start of the season.
Jim is now a bigwig at Lancashire Cricket Club
He played professional football in the winter and professional cricket in the summer
those were the days
-
Feel confident on this one in part to Leeds defensive woes and injuries , and that Dean and Brentford had measure of Leeds this season and really should have won the match.
Tactically Brentford coped very well.
Also against WBA Leeds were overwhelmed now I'm not sure if villa will play a high tempo and intensity but when baggies did that and swarmed them they outgunned them fairly comfortable with continuous attacking football.
For those reasons and that Villa need the points I take a 3-1
-
I'd go with;
Nyland
Hutton
Chester
Axel
Elmo
BB
McGinn
Hourihane
Bolasie
Tammy
El Ghazi
Leeds are generally quite open, but parked the bus against Sheffield United. They've been picking up results despite a depleted squad, but have been spwany in nearly every game since being drummed by the Stripey Filth.
We've got to move the ball quicker and I hope we've worked on the press and full backs. Our pace out wide will cause them significant issues with the gaps they leave. Move the ball quickly and we'll drill them.
-
Is Grealish definitely out?
-
Is Grealish definitely out?
Alfi reckons he's been on holiday, hope he's right.
-
Win this and there's no doubts at all about our quality. I didn't fancy us against Stoke, but this one I am more confident about. I hope I'm right.
-
I remember going up there and getting battered 4-1 in the League Cup QF, them singing 'lets all laugh at Villa' , being fucking frozen with a hacking cough and the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home.
I think I was there. Was it during the Ormandroyd era? I seem to recall us wearing black shorts?
I was there too. Dr. Venglos season if I recall correctly.
Went back later in the season for the league game which was equally miserable but not as cold.
-
Kodjia has to start surely as he pretty much won us a point last time out.
Unless he's our new super sub under DS.
-
Hoping for a convincing victory but I fear that the Leeds attack might be too much for our fragile defence and dodgy keeper.
0-2.
-
I'd go with;
Nyland
Hutton
Chester
Axel
Elmo
BB
McGinn
Hourihane
Bolasie
Tammy
El Ghazi
Leeds are generally quite open, but parked the bus against Sheffield United. They've been picking up results despite a depleted squad, but have been spwany in nearly every game since being drummed by the Stripey Filth.
We've got to move the ball quicker and I hope we've worked on the press and full backs. Our pace out wide will cause them significant issues with the gaps they leave. Move the ball quickly and we'll drill them.
Yes, assuming Grealish is out and BB fit enough to start that would be my line up too.
-
Hopefully a cracking atmosphere, Leeds are usually pretty lively and our capacity crowd atmospheres can often be a subdued affair for some reason.
The 1996 final was great, we played them off the park. Twas rather lively off the pitch too as was the Carbone Cup game.
-
I remember going up there and getting battered 4-1 in the League Cup QF, them singing 'lets all laugh at Villa' , being fucking frozen with a hacking cough and the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home.
Yep, I was at that. A miserable evening.
We won the important League Cup meeting. 😊
The delayed reaction after Savo's goal will live with me forever
My thought process went;
What
He's never
F*ck
Yes
Happy Days
I was quite high up behind the goal and like many around me threw myself to the ground when Savo shaped to shoot!. Not really.
-
A win like this would be such a shot in the arm heading into Christmas. I'm going to be positive and go for a 2-1 Villa win, Tammy to score both. Leeds to have a play sent off! :P
-
team I’d go for vs Leeds is
Nyland, Elmo, Taylor, AT, Chester, BB, Hourihane, McGinn, El Ghazi, Tammy, Bolasie
Subs: Bunn, Kodjia, Hogan, Whelan, O’Hare, Bree, Jedinak
-
The Carbone game was a cracker. I remember all the Leeds fans looking like the Mitchell brothers.
-
BB in for Whelan 🙏🏻
-
I'd be surprised if he threw Bjarnsson straight back in after being out unless he's played some behind closed door games.
-
Whelan was not the problem against Stoke.
Hourihane was and needs replacing.
-
Whelan is the problem. When he plays the entire team drops deeper because he is a cumbersome, slow plodder who gets caught in possession too often.
-
Spot on Chicago
-
Whelan slows the play down, not his fault he gives 110% but not effective for us. As for Hourihane take way his worldies and not much left .
As for Sunday, we always have a difficult time aginst Leeds. Heart says 4-0, head says 0-0. Thats scoreline has to pop up sometime.
-
I think we won't be involved in a goalless draw the rest of this season.
Bjarnason back in and nobody has an off day, we'll be left wondering how many we'd have got if Jack would've played.
Can't see fewer than 5 goals in this. 3-2 us in the best Championship game all season.
-
I remember going up there and getting battered 4-1 in the League Cup QF, them singing 'lets all laugh at Villa' , being fucking frozen with a hacking cough and the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home.
Leeds has a bit of a reputation - but "the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home", was not their fault; perhaps.
-
anyone remember Jim Combes letting one slip under his body against Leeds a million years ago
think it might have been the first game of the season but memory fades
I think that may have been our opening game of Div 1 in 1976 at home at Villa Park, we lost 0-2 if I remember rightly. My Dad took me and a school mate to that game who was a Liverpool fan, we converted him over time and in 1982 we stood together as Villa fans on the Holte End watching us beat Anderlecht in the EC SF.
Opening game 75/76 season - lost 1-2 (Phillips) - Jim only played in 5 more games before leaving
Or it could have been 72/73 FLCup Oct 1- 1 draw in home leg (Rioch) - lost 2-0 away
-
I remember going up there and getting battered 4-1 in the League Cup QF, them singing 'lets all laugh at Villa' , being fucking frozen with a hacking cough and the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home.
Leeds has a bit of a reputation - but "the first Gulf War breaking out on the way home", was not their fault; perhaps.
Leeds would have invaded Kuwait more.
-
I think we all know that we have intentions of going up, especially via the top 2, this really is one of those ‘must win’ games.
We need to win a big game where Jack doesn’t play, to give the team that belief that we don’t rely on him to much (even though we do).
Nervy finish in 2-1 home victory.
-
I've just been on the ticket site which shows game as SOLD OUT, but I still searched every section of the stadium plan and magically saw 3 seats available in the Lower Witton Lane, must have been a cancellation so I've had one of them ! The other half has paid for it as a Xmas treat (she's a stripey), she giving me a lift to the station too and I cant wait !
-
whoever plays in place of Grealish, Barney, Hourahaine, Lansbury, Whelan etc it will be a big downscale in class and creativity
pity we haven’t got any other players who have a bit of creativity about them, there’s not much between the rest of them in my view, apart from super john of course
-
Would love to see Bucky O'Hare get a chance.
-
Think bjarnason will play ahead of whelan. Wouldn't be surprised to see hourihane playing the deep role
I doubt ohare will even be on the bench tbh. Adomah, hogan, Kodjia /el ghazi, whelan, bree, jedinak likely to be I reckon
-
anyone remember Jim Combes letting one slip under his body against Leeds a million years ago
think it might have been the first game of the season but memory fades
I think that may have been our opening game of Div 1 in 1976 at home at Villa Park, we lost 0-2 if I remember rightly. My Dad took me and a school mate to that game who was a Liverpool fan, we converted him over time and in 1982 we stood together as Villa fans on the Holte End watching us beat Anderlecht in the EC SF.
Opening game 75/76 season - lost 1-2 (Phillips) - Jim only played in 5 more games before leaving
Or it could have been 72/73 FLCup Oct 1- 1 draw in home leg (Rioch) - lost 2-0 away
In the league cup game I seem to recall Jack Charlton scored their goal, with a scuffed or deflected low shot from about 25 yards. In the opening game of the season in 75/76 Cumbes made a terrible mess of trying to pick up a simple back pass, gifting them a 2-1 win.
-
I'm hoping for a Wolves/Bristol City type display tomorrow but I suspect yet another draw . Play offs at best imo and next year is the key - so many players leaving through contracts running out and loan expiry. It's going to be a radically different side in C&B come August.
-
We've really got to beat Leeds tomorrow, or the table isn't going to look very clever at all.
-
I would disagree. But win we shall. A statement of further intent.
People were saying we'd be bottom 6 or closer there too after this run, but we'll be within striking distance of the top 6.
Two tricky away games and then a run, with surgery to the weak spots, to build up a head of steam.
Derby, Norwich, Stripey Filth, Sheffield United, Boro...all to come to Villa Park.
Do you want to bet against us?
-
Draw. Good enough to score but dicey at the back.
-
whoever plays in place of Grealish, Barney, Hourahaine, Lansbury, Whelan etc it will be a big downscale in class and creativity
pity we haven’t got any other players who have a bit of creativity about them, there’s not much between the rest of them in my view, apart from super john of course
We need to bid for Jarrod Bowen from Hull as an alternative - Elphick plus cash...
-
Do you want to be against us?
You're doing Saunders wrong!
-
Hopefully a cracking atmosphere, Leeds are usually pretty lively and our capacity crowd atmospheres can often be a subdued affair for some reason.
The 1996 final was great, we played them off the park. Twas rather lively off the pitch too as was the Carbone Cup game.
Whatever I think of some of their prehistoric fans, some of the best atmospheres we've had at Villa Park these past few years are against Leeds.
There are some pretty big clubs down in this division now, but matches against them have been the only ones that felt like top flight fixtures. Hopefully the early kick off tomorrow doesn't put the kybosh on that.
-
If we're not up for this, on the pitch and on the terraces, we may as well give up. 2-0 Villa.
-
We've really got to beat Leeds tomorrow, or the table isn't going to look very clever at all.
Will be 8th and 4 points off top 6 with a draw. Unless Norwich have a 1 win in 6 type run we won't get top 2 even if we win 7-8 in a row (as we found last season with Cardiff) so I'd park top 2 thoughts and just focus on concentrating on getting in the top 6.
Given where we were when DS took over that's all we could realistically ask for.
-
Do you want to be against us?
You're doing Saunders wrong!
Fuck off S8! I'll edit and blame this twatty phone.
-
Is Tuanzebe out?
-
Someone told me he has broken a bone in his foot.
As big as our squad is, we have some critical positions with limited cover and both of them are fucked with Jack and Axel out.
-
We could really do with winning this game.
-
Woke up this morning feeling fine
Got Aston Villa on my mind
Dean Smith’s playing the way that the Villa should,
Oh yeah
Something tells me I’m in to something good!
-
Who will play instead of Tuanzebe?
Please don't let it be...
(https://i.ibb.co/SngKRQC/Dns1-Rv-W0-AETIz4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SngKRQC)
-
No ifs no buts we must win this. Fuch Leeds.
-
I haven't seen any credible source on the tuanzebe injury
Even less than the one about grealish being out for two months
-
Nothing in the media about Tuanzebe. Dean didn't mention any problem on Friday in the press conference?
-
We're properly knackered if Tuanzebe is out. As Matt says though, haven't seen anything concrete anywhere.
-
Come on Villa boys, let's do these today and get the much needed 3 points! UTV!
-
Lee where are you going to be today?
-
Right, off to pick my Leeds supporting mate up. Are you sticking around after the game Brian?
-
Watching the villa stone sober is going to be an experience- off the ale permanently after last night
-
Really pissed off with Sky over the game moved to today. Not only is it very inconvenient for a lot of fans, but we get one day less up to Swansea on Boxing Day for recovery in an already crowded fixture list. Fucking Sky!!!
-
I'm sure there was a rumour that Axel was out of the Blues game last month with an injury, and he still played?
-
If we win this today, it will be the last of the set of fixtures that we were supposed to really struggle in, leading up to Christmas. Win, and we are bang back in the race for promotion, albeit, in my view, through the play off's. Lots riding on this and it's all rather exciting.
-
Today doesn't deserve this weather.
-
I can see it being another 2-2 again. Abraham with both ours.
-
Not feeling confident as our best performances under Smith have been away from home. Given the players that might be out, I think we might end up on the wrong end of a Forest-esque slugfest this time, 2-4 or something like that.
-
If tuanzebe is out I really think jedinak would be a mistake given he and Chester have no pace
Would probably play bree there. But wouldn't feel very confident about it
-
Bree would be much better than Jedi but Bamford always seems to score against us and Roofe is a good player who always looks like he can score or make a goal. However, with Swansea blowing it at Hull, even a draw would get us back to 8th and within striking distance of the top six
-
I'm not confident this morning - I fear we are demonstrating the "OJ Simpson" effect I.e a very poor defence
1-3
Prove me wrong Villa
-
Watching the villa stone sober is going to be an experience- off the ale permanently after last night
Why, wor'appened?
Here lads, is the weather in Brum as bad as it was against Sturk last week?
By the way, it's 18 years to the day since this:
What a fucking breakaway insurance goal by Boateng - the touch on the pass by Merse! Had completely forgotten that. Thought Kachloul had scored in that game for some reason. :o
-
Watching the villa stone sober is going to be an experience- off the ale permanently after last night
Why, wor'appened?
Here lads, is the weather in Brum as bad as it was against Sturk last week?
By the way, it's 18 years to the day since this:
What a fucking breakaway insurance goal by Boateng - the touch on the pass by Merse! Had completely forgotten that. Thought Kachloul had scored in that game for some reason. :o
That was the next season. We were a bogey team for Leeds in those times. Season 99-00 we beat them home and away (Southgate also scored that season at Elland road) and knocked them out of FA cup in one of my favourite ever games.