Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: olaftab on February 16, 2025, 10:32:24 PM
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When: Wednesday 19 February KO 7.30PM
If we want to return to Europe next season we are fast getting in the realm of “must win” games. After picking up 3 points from last 12 this surely is a must win game.
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0-2
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1-1. If we start brightly and get an early goal, we might just get something more.
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3-3.
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6-3
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I think we will score. I think the baddies will score more.
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2-1 win
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Centre midfield is decimated. No Bouba, no good.
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No Bouba? That’s not good.
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It's going to be 4-1, I just don't know to whom.
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I have had a feeling from the day the fixture was moved that we will win. They have hit a rather flat patch and for all the frustration of Sat, better finishing would've seen a comfortable victory, although that is the sentence that looks like summing up our season. Kamara missing is massive but we need to absorb setbacks like this if we are to make europe again. We would take 4 points from these two games, we just have to do it in an unorthodox way....
And thank the lord for a decent evening KO time where we can get home at a fairly reasonable hour.
1-0
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Can't imagine we won't keep a clean sheet here.
3-2 Villa, with us having 79 chances to score those 3.
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Their 'flat patch' is WWWDW.
There will be space. We have the front players. Will we have enough at the back and in the centre of midfield though.
I'm nervous.
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Ref will give every 50/50 decision to them - can only see them winning 1-2 (last minute penalty)
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With Kamara in midfield I'd be more confident, but I've gone for a win. We will certainly have more space to attack than we did on Saturday.
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If we play like we have of late we’ve got no chance. We need to take it up quite significantly to have a chance to get anything from this.
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I have a feeling of trepidation about this. I'm really disappointed because I had a feeling before Saturday that we would the three home league games on the spin, and it would really kick start our 2nd half "run" to top 5. Saturday has me feeling so flat about it I think we'll do well to get anything out of the next two now, and the league season will just peter out. I fear it will be that much of a sliding doors moment.
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I think it’ll be a tight game. They’ll get a late penalty and win.
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Any of our unavailable crew from Saturday likely to be back even in the squad?
High scoring game is likely but I think we should embrace that. Bench might be very weak unless some are back from injury. Bogarde into midfield might be an option for some extra legs and have Tielemans ready to make an impact off the bench with Ramsey.
Martinez
Garcia, Disasi, Mings, Digne
Bogarde, McGinn
Rogers
Asensio, Watkins, Rashford
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I fully expect us to win this after tossing away points against shite like Wolves and Ipswich.
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Marco and Marcos both have to start for me , Id even start Malen and freshen the whole lot up.
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Kamara plays and we win. Anything else and we are in trouble. Where the fuck is Onana by the way?
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Martinez
Garcia Disasi Mings Digne
McGinn Tiliemans
Malen Asensio Ramsay
Watkins
I think this will be a cracker and our boys will be up for it
2-1
Need a strong ref
Is Unclke Fester banned for this one as he was there for Wolves?
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Even a draw would be a really good result but with every game that ticks by we are getting into must win territory as mentioned above and unfortunately I think by far the most likely result is a loss! F*ck it 2-1 to the Villa with a Malen goal in there somewhere
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Marco and Marcos both have to start for me , Id even start Malen and freshen the whole lot up.
Sounds like you've got an M&Ms addiction.
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2-6
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The loss of Kamara is a big blow .
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Marco and Marcos both have to start for me , Id even start Malen and freshen the whole lot up.
Sounds like you've got an M&Ms addiction.
He didn't mention starting Maatsen so there's still hope for him.
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2-2 I’m thinking. They’ve hit a rocky patch and we seem to be in one permanently. Just got a feeling we’ll score a couple.
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I have had a feeling from the day the fixture was moved that we will win. They have hit a rather flat patch and for all the frustration of Sat, better finishing would've seen a comfortable victory, although that is the sentence that looks like summing up our season. Kamara missing is massive but we need to absorb setbacks like this if we are to make europe again. We would take 4 points from these two games, we just have to do it in an unorthodox way....
And thank the lord for a decent evening KO time where we can get home at a fairly reasonable hour.
1-0
I'm convinced we'll win, only to annoy me further about the points dropped in the last two games.
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I think they'll win comfortably
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I hate them so much. Please win boys.
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1-3.
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Marco and Marcos both have to start for me , Id even start Malen and freshen the whole lot up.
Sounds like you've got an M&Ms addiction.
peanut ones yes
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What happened to this touchline ban for Slot , has that been brushed conveniently under the rug
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What happened to this touchline ban for Slot , has that been brushed conveniently under the rug
Because it’s his 2nd one this season I think it goes to another panel. So it will only be served after the hearing.
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What happened to this touchline ban for Slot , has that been brushed conveniently under the rug
Think they're waiting till Liverpool's tricky away games against us and Citeh are out of the way. A two match ban for the home games to Newcastle and Soton would be more convenient.
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Rashford and Asensio to start this game. We need to go at them from the off. Sit back and it won’t end well.
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Martinez
Asensio
McGinn
Tielemans
Bailey
Malen
Ramsey
Rogers
Rashy
Jimoh
Watkins
No point picking defenders, they'll only get injured.
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Is Unclke Fester banned for this one as he was there for Wolves?
I doubt it as it needs FA investigation for disciplinary.
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How convenient
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Deep down think we’ll lose, but feck it, treat it like one of them there European games…yee haw!!
2-1 us…somehow
Martinez
Garcia
Disasi
Mings
Digne
Mcginn
Tielemans
Rashford
Watkins
Rogers
Ramsey
Watkins, Rogers to score
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Crowd need to get behind the team for this one. I've taken a sabbatical from Villa Park since Xmas and watched games on the TV. My god is Villa Park quiet...
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Crowd need to get behind the team for this one. I've taken a sabbatical from Villa Park since Xmas and watched games on the TV. My god is Villa Park quiet...
Its been a bit weird this season, there are a few games when its be so loud, Bayern obviously, it felt like the foundations were rocking, but also West Ham in the cup had its moments. But it does also feel like the Holte is struggling to get going. Maybe its apathy in our sixth season back up, maybe after the highs of the last two league seasons, this season ls league form is a bit flat and rubs off
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Rashford and Asensio to start this game. We need to go at them from the off. Sit back and it won’t end well.
completely agree . I would have rested Rogers against Ipswich for the Liverpool game , but Asensio and Rashford ( Rashy to his friends on here ) are big game players so start them .
But I think he will start Rogers and bench Asensio again , but I think you need to rest Rogers sometimes , now we have the squad full of attackers .
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Crowd need to get behind the team for this one. I've taken a sabbatical from Villa Park since Xmas and watched games on the TV. My god is Villa Park quiet...
Night games are far better . The Saturday games I've been to have been flat as a pancake
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Still annoyed that If we was playing p lop 16 th march , Kamara , Barkley , Konsa , Cash and probably Pau all back . Onana probably still in mars
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Without an out and out defensive midfielder available. I'd put Bogarde in.
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Martinez
Asensio
McGinn
Tielemans
Bailey
Malen
Ramsey
Rogers
Rashy
Jimoh
Watkins
No point picking defenders, they'll only get injured.
Start Onana instead of Martinez and I think you have the perfect team.
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I am sure the crowd will be up for it.
The team need to match their desire.
Against spurs we went for it and scored in the first minit, we should have buried them.
Against Ipswich we faffed about at the back and after a Kamara fuck up almost conceded in the first 5 mins.
Its clear to me, play on the back foot we will get whipped.
Play as we did against Bayen , we have a chance.
Player availability pretty key
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Yep cant see anything but a loss here with this rubbish defence
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How convenient
The rules that have been in place for ages are "convenient". I seem to remember when the Everton-Pool match was called off in December you stated the same thing. I don't think it did turn out to be "convenient" for them.
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Yep cant see anything but a loss here with this rubbish defence
Was more confident with Kamara in the team, not now though.
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From the few games I’ve seen them this season they haven’t been that great.
But always win.
Love it if we could turn them over.
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My observation is that the flat atmosphere has a lot to do with our playing style. It’s difficult to be “up for it” just after you’ve woken up from the sideways/backwards slow play between Martinez and his private game with our defenders of keep ball. It’s quite noticeable that the crowd are in full voice for about 5 minutes but then have that sucked out of them from our general play.
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--------- Martinez------------
Garcia Mings Disasi Digne
--- Tielemans- McGinn-----
Rogers -------------- Rashford
----------- Ascensio----------
----------- Watkins ----------
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Crowd need to get behind the team for this one. I've taken a sabbatical from Villa Park since Xmas and watched games on the TV. My god is Villa Park quiet...
I was wondering where you'd got to DV. Will be good to see you back when you're ready.
It hasn't helped the atmosphere that almost every home game during the winter months has been marked by awful weather, particularly the Sat 3pm's where we seem to have got soaked at every one since August. I'll bet it rains on Weds as well.
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The atmosphere against Ipswich was really poor. Only got going a bit in the second half.
It is nothing in comparison to Emery's first season. A bit of belief and excitement has gone.
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I'm going to be really optimistic and say we will beat them 2-1 I've just got a feeling.
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I am sure the crowd will be up for it.
The team need to match their desire.
Against spurs we went for it and scored in the first minit, we should have buried them.
Against Ipswich we faffed about at the back and after a Kamara fuck up almost conceded in the first 5 mins.
Its clear to me, play on the back foot we will get whipped.
Play as we did against Bayen , we have a chance.
Player availability pretty key
We were on the back foot for much of the Bayern game, weren't we?
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The 3pm Saturday games are mostly against stocking filler sides like Ipswich. Difficult to whip up and maintain an intense atmosphere. The night games are usually chosen for TV because they are key match ups so carry their own intensity. P lop on a Wednesday night should be easy enough to maintain a raucous atmosphere, especially if we can get in front and use our new strikeforce to pen them in.
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The 3pm Saturday games are mostly against stocking filler sides like Ipswich. Difficult to whip up and maintain an intense atmosphere. The night games are usually chosen for TV because they are key match ups so carry their own intensity. P lop on a Wednesday night should be easy enough to maintain a raucous atmosphere, especially if we can get in front and use our new strikeforce to pen them in.
It was not like this only a while ago despite the opposition.
The crowd are more pensive than eager or excited.
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Gakpo won't be playing, which is some good news, if Salah could get a knock in training, which puts him out as well, that would also be good.
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Rashford plays from the start. Their fans hate him, he'll wind them up and he will just run at their defence. I fancy a win here with a real attack minded performance. They'll go at us and we'll give it back.
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Gakpo won't be playing, which is some good news, if Salah could get a knock in training, which puts him out as well, that would also be good.
Liverpool's attacking options are such that I'm not sure an injury to Gakpo is al that big of a deal. With Rashsford and Asensio being added, I'd say we have the most options outside of Liverpool in that regard. I think it'll be a cracking game tomorrow actually. Really looking forward to it.
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If villa trust Rashford with a start theres the massive chink in liverpools armour known as Trent. Massive overloads coming down this flank can bring us plenty of joy. Remember their 2-2 draw with prem strugglers man utd when Darlot bombed on at every opportunity? An early card for their pro fouler and big lump at the back Kanoute would help out a lot too. He's all arms and legs never seems in control, can't even call it dark arts just smashes opponants with impunity! Elbows, body checks, anything goes. They're not going to fancy it coming here we've got a big chance, however we have to beat 11 men the ref and var team too. We deffo need another big scalp at Villa Park.
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I’m worried they’re going to funeral us.
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I’m worried they’re going to funeral us.
Yep. We always do this 'we're actually suited to playing the better teams' narrative when we've fucked up against a bottom feeder. The chances are the better team will win well, and that ain't us.
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Come on, show some balls and steel toecap boots for the kinks if nothing else.
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Unai Emery: “Cash is close to being with us, Konsa is close to being with us. Until tomorrow I am not going to decide whether they are with us or not.”
Be very handy to have Konsa back for Chelsea.
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If Tielemans and McGinn start and play like they did on Saturday they’ll just run through us.
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I fancy us tomorrow. Bout time we found our shooting boots and a few went flying in the top corner.
3-2 to The Villa.
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Unai Emery: “Cash is close to being with us, Konsa is close to being with us. Until tomorrow I am not going to decide whether they are with us or not.”
Be very handy to have Konsa back for Chelsea.
I would imagine konsa will not be risked tomorrow and saved for saturday as diasi wont be able to play
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Well...yes. As is implied in my post.
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Seven us 2 them.
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5-1 us.All goals in the first half.Not televised.
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The revolution begins and ends with you.
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Well...yes. As is implied in my post.
Dave, it wasn't implied: you made a very clear statement.
Just saying.
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The revolution begins and ends with you.
Eamonn, I struggle to call your posts a 'public' service because they only seem relevant to me, but they always send me on a journey called Songs I Love But Have Forgotten To Listen To, and I'm eternally grateful.
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Just tried to watch Unai's presser but that bloody scrolling background was giving me a headache and I had to stop. Thank goodness for the kind souls on here posting his thoughts.
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Well...yes. As is implied in my post.
Dave, it wasn't implied: you made a very clear statement.
Just saying.
This is just getting petty and silly now.
I mean i could be equally as petty and say the post never said diasi was not eligible for saturdays game as i suggested. Where was that very clear in the post ?
Just saying
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Well...yes. As is implied in my post.
Dave, it wasn't implied: you made a very clear statement.
Just saying.
This is just getting petty and silly now.
I mean i could be equally as petty and say the post never said diasi was not eligible for saturdays game as i suggested. Where was that very clear in the post ?
Just saying
Who is Diasi?
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Well...yes. As is implied in my post.
Dave, it wasn't implied: you made a very clear statement.
Just saying.
This is just getting petty and silly now.
I mean i could be equally as petty and say the post never said diasi was not eligible for saturdays game as i suggested. Where was that very clear in the post ?
Just saying
Who is Diasi?
Looks neat upon the seat of a bicycle made for 2
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Well...yes. As is implied in my post.
Dave, it wasn't implied: you made a very clear statement.
Just saying.
This is just getting petty and silly now.
I mean i could be equally as petty and say the post never said diasi was not eligible for saturdays game as i suggested. Where was that very clear in the post ?
Just saying
Who is Diasi?
Looks neat upon the seat of a bicycle made for 2
“Dave, my mind is going…I can feel it…”
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5-1 us.All goals in the first half.Not televised.
one of my fave night s , as the Liverpool coach passed us on the M6 before the game , tonight we saw Clemence and always remember my dad saying he is going to have a back ache picking the ball out of the net . Great memories .. There was a weird Arsenal game that season too when we only saw one half and hammered them.
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Always worth a post
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We really need something to spark our season into life - its looking increasingly likely were going to finish midtable, maybe with one or two other great cup nights. Its been a season of moments - both good and bad.
But, while theres hope, Ill keep dreaming - maybe tomorrow is a day that triggers us to go on that run we all been expecting / hoping for this season. I thought 6-7 point from these three home games in a row would ignite us - and I guess maybe well have to do it the hard way.
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This is it!!, we have to go and win this, we need to hit the ground running right from the start, the first second, therefore Rashford and Asensio are first on the team sheet for me, we need all defenders fully clued up, knowing exactly where they should be and what they should be doing in all circumstances, corners, set pieces and dealing with Salah, I'm going for a win because after Ipswich we have no other option.
3-1 Villa.
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Well...yes. As is implied in my post.
Dave, it wasn't implied: you made a very clear statement.
Just saying.
This is just getting petty and silly now.
I mean i could be equally as petty and say the post never said diasi was not eligible for saturdays game as i suggested. Where was that very clear in the post ?
Just saying
Who is Diasi?
Isn't that something you have done in hospital?
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do what we did to spurzz from the first minute we can do it , that slow shite from the back no chance.
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Always worth a post
Graeme Souness blaming the length of grass after the game was one of the best bits of TV ever.
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Always worth a post
What we need to do tomorrow is score seven, seven, seven, seven, seven. I love watching this.
C'mon Villa.
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Just been looking and there's loads of tickets left, which is a shame!
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Just been looking and there's loads of tickets left, which is a shame!
No surprise when this was parachuted in as the 3rd game in a run of 4 in a row at home.
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If Tielemans and McGinn start and play like they did on Saturday they’ll just run through us.
I wouldn't be against Bogarde being given a go in there. Onana, Barkley, Kamara all out so options are limited really.
I get the clamour to get Rashford and Asensio into the team but the reality is we would be better balanced out of possession with McGinn and Ramsey on the sides. So maybe try Rashford on left but bring Bogarde into the middle and shift McGinn right up against Robertson. That would be a good battle.
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Referee changed to Craig Pawson today, very late.
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I long to see a repeat of the Covid 7-2 game in the flesh. This would totally vanquish the demons from growing up in an 80s playground in the Midlands.
Smash them Villa, and watch the wheels fall off. Hopefully, not to the benefit of the Tarquins of North London.
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I wonder what minute they will get their game changing decision.
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I wonder what minute they will get their game changing decision.
Any time between 1 and 99?
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Just tried to watch Unai's presser but that bloody scrolling background was giving me a headache and I had to stop. Thank goodness for the kind souls on here posting his thoughts.
Man City started using that and i thought it will not be long before everyone does
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Both Cash and the elusive Onana seen in the training pictures on web site ;)
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Would anyone want a ticket in the Lower Holte for tonight? I’m a ST holder and can’t go, so have put it up for resale but it’s probably unlikely to be sold this late on at the ridiculous prices they’re asking. If anyone is interested I will try and contact the club to get an e-ticket to e-mail over rather than it go to waste. Drop me a PM if so.
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Beeb
Head to head
Aston Villa have not won any of their last eight league games against Liverpool, since a 7-2 home victory in October 2020 (D3, L5).
The Reds have scored an average of three goals on their last four visits to Villa in all competitions.
The last seven Premier League meetings between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park have produced a total of 33 goals at an average of 4.7 per game.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have lost one of their last seven Premier League matches, winning two and drawing four.
Villa's only home league defeat this season was to Arsenal back in August - since then, they have gone 12 games unbeaten at Villa Park (W6, D6).
They have kept just three clean sheets in 25 league matches this season.
Unai Emery has won just one of his 12 meetings with Liverpool in all competitions (D4, L7). That victory came in the 2016 Europa League final when his Sevilla side beat the Reds 3-1.
Villa have lost a player to injury in the first half of their last five matches in all competitions, and have used 10 different centre-back pairings this season.
Ollie Watkins scored five goals in his first five league appearances against Liverpool but has failed to find the net in the subsequent four.
Marcus Rashford scored five goals in eight home Premier League appearances against Liverpool for Manchester United.
Liverpool
Liverpool are unbeaten in 21 league games since losing to Nottingham Forest in mid-September (W15, D6).
The Reds are the only unbeaten away team in English league football this season (W9, D4).
They are the third team to have a seven-point lead at this stage of a Premier League season after Manchester United in 1993-94 and Chelsea in 2014-15, both of whom went on to lift the title.
Liverpool are the seventh team to have 60 points after 25 games; of the previous six, three went on to win the league.
They have kept a division-high 10 clean sheets in the top flight in 2024-25, with six of those coming away from home.
Arne Slot's team have scored in their last 21 matches, and in each of their last 15 away from home.
Mohamed Salah has been involved in 23 away goals (14 goals and nine assists) in this season's top flight, a record for in a single Premier League season.
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So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
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Do you want to bet against us?
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Already have.
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I don't think they will beat us..we're so bad they'll beat us twice!
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1-3
Kamara is a massive blow. Think they will dominate midfield easily.
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So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
Do you want to bet against us?
I have to bring to attention VAR official here in pre match as have in referee thread
well just to enlighten Alex Chilowicz an american musician who plays the saxophone and is the official who is in charge on tonight’s VAR
Liverpool have the Liverpool Football Club International Academy which is in new jersey. Chilowicz is from New Jersey.
make of that what you will.
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I'm nervous. Can't make the game tonight unfortunately, but nervous nonetheless. I'll be on the edge of my sofa. Probably holding on.
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I have to bring to attention VAR official here in pre match as have in referee thread
well just to enlighten Alex Chilowicz an american musician who plays the saxophone and is the official who is in charge on tonight’s VAR
Liverpool have the Liverpool Football Club International Academy which is in new jersey. Chilowicz is from New Jersey.
make of that what you will.
And we had a manager with a face like a potato, Jersey, and we have a Royal, Jersey Royals. Well what does it mean? Nothing. Unless they are Patatas Bravas. And we do have to be brave tonight.
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with the info regards the american VAR official it may sway my view as had vote a win now it could be 2-2
I think 2-1 win
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I have to bring to attention VAR official here in pre match as have in referee thread
well just to enlighten Alex Chilowicz an american musician who plays the saxophone and is the official who is in charge on tonight’s VAR
Liverpool have the Liverpool Football Club International Academy which is in new jersey. Chilowicz is from New Jersey.
make of that what you will.
Trenton is the capital of New Jersey, That means Alexander-Arnold is likely to play well and score against us tonight.
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Pauliewalnuts is from New Jersey, too, so hopefully that evens things up.
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The players will all be wearing new jerseys tonight. Make of that what you will.
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we have a player called Rogers, we will get Rogered senseless by the officials tonight make ..........
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Hard to see us getting anything in this .
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GkK3b69W0AAho_i?format=jpg&name=small)
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Thats a veey string attacking team
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1-1. Put £10 on the win tonight (profit £21) and £5 on the draw saver (profit £4.50)
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Thats a veey string attacking team
Like a bunch of kittens.
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Onana on TNT right now
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Seems a bright, down to earth guy