Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: samlightle on March 09, 2015, 12:24:36 PM
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Hi everyone,
I hope you're well and congratulations on beating West Brom to get to Wembley!
My name's Sam Lightle and I'm just getting in touch regarding a preview article I'm writing about Aston Villa for Sportsbyte ahead of their clash with Sunderland on Saturday.
Our site mainly focuses on Sunderland news so it's always good to get the views of opposing teams. I've listed the questions below if you wouldn't mind answering them for me.
1. Unbeaten in your last two games - are you confident of continuing that against Sunderland this weekend and why?
2. You haven't won on the road in your last six matches - do you feel Villa have turned a corner since Sherwood has taken over?
3. With Wembley coming up for you - do you feel the side might be side tracked by that ahead of this huge match against Sunderland and why?
It would be great to hear back from you.
Cheers,
Sam Lightle
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1 No draw for we try not to win 3 on the spin
2 Difficult will only be able to tell with 3 games to go
3 No I don't think So we're way to close to the drop zone
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Hi everyone,
I hope you're well and congratulations on beating West Brom to get to Wembley!
My name's Sam Lightle and I'm just getting in touch regarding a preview article I'm writing about Aston Villa for Sportsbyte ahead of their clash with Sunderland on Saturday.
Our site mainly focuses on Sunderland news so it's always good to get the views of opposing teams. I've listed the questions below if you wouldn't mind answering them for me.
1. Unbeaten in your last two games - are you confident of continuing that against Sunderland this weekend and why?
2. You haven't won on the road in your last six matches - do you feel Villa have turned a corner since Sherwood has taken over?
3. With Wembley coming up for you - do you feel the side might be side tracked by that ahead of this huge match against Sunderland and why?
It would be great to hear back from you.
Cheers,
Sam Lightle
1. We will go into the game on a high, but one of our main problems over the past few seasons has been failure to build on good results. If we can build on the past week and continue with a positive approach then we can get a result.
2. I guess it is to early tell just yet whether a corner has been turned. What is promising though is that there seems to have been a noticeable improvement in performance in every game since Sherwood has been at the club.
3. The FA Cup has been a release this season from the quite frankly awful weekly grind of the league. We have a run of really important games between now and the semi-final, so I'm sure everyone will be fully focused on those.
Hope that helps!
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Hi everyone,
I hope you're well and congratulations on beating West Brom to get to Wembley!
My name's Sam Lightle and I'm just getting in touch regarding a preview article I'm writing about Aston Villa for Sportsbyte ahead of their clash with Sunderland on Saturday.
Our site mainly focuses on Sunderland news so it's always good to get the views of opposing teams. I've listed the questions below if you wouldn't mind answering them for me.
1. Unbeaten in your last two games - are you confident of continuing that against Sunderland this weekend and why?
We do have a pretty good record against your lot, but I'm definitely not confident of the win. I'll say 1-1.
2. You haven't won on the road in your last six matches - do you feel Villa have turned a corner since Sherwood has taken over?
Hopefully so, players seem to be playing with a lot more confidence and we're actually scoring goals.
3. With Wembley coming up for you - do you feel the side might be side tracked by that ahead of this huge match against Sunderland and why?
Maybe not so much this match, but when we're coming up to the Semi-Final I think we may take our minds off the league a bit, although our fixtures in April mean that we'll probably lose them all anyway.
It would be great to hear back from you.
Cheers,
Sam Lightle
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Hi everyone,
I hope you're well and congratulations on beating West Brom to get to Wembley!
My name's Sam Lightle and I'm just getting in touch regarding a preview article I'm writing about Aston Villa for Sportsbyte ahead of their clash with Sunderland on Saturday.
Our site mainly focuses on Sunderland news so it's always good to get the views of opposing teams. I've listed the questions below if you wouldn't mind answering them for me.
1. Unbeaten in your last two games - are you confident of continuing that against Sunderland this weekend and why?
2. You haven't won on the road in your last six matches - do you feel Villa have turned a corner since Sherwood has taken over?
3. With Wembley coming up for you - do you feel the side might be side tracked by that ahead of this huge match against Sunderland and why?
It would be great to hear back from you.
Cheers,
Sam Lightle
1) Yes. Sunderland are not great and our peckers are up.
2) Possibly. Saturday will tell us a lot in all honesty. There is life back in the club at least.
3) No - there are at most 12 matches left in the season. Don't buy that side tracked stuff. The players should be even more motivated - we were without 4-5 regulars on Saturday - Brad, Vlaar, Hutton, Benteke and Cissoko.
If we lose SF and finish 13th it's because we deserve to finish 13th. If we win the FA Cup and finish bottom it's because we deserve to finish bottom.
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Hi Sam - nice to hear from a Black Cat - two of my best mates are Sunnerlan fans and my respect and liking for your lot goes back to a certain match at VP in the dark days of the 70's when we were promoted in front of 66k - your lads were tremendous that day - noisy but no aggro even though we invaded the pitch as usual ;-)
1. Unbeaten in your last two games - are you confident of continuing that against Sunderland this weekend and why?
Never confident as it is years since we won three on the bounce. WE look like we can score now so I expect at least a draw
2. You haven't won on the road in your last six matches - do you feel Villa have turned a corner since Sherwood has taken over?
The style has certainly changed - we go for it now - the second goal on Saturday would never have happened 6 weeks ago
3. With Wembley coming up for you - do you feel the side might be side tracked by that ahead of this huge match against Sunderland and why?
No I don't. They may be shocked by feeling so positive and may miss the groaning and booing but I think they realise they can actually play now!
All the best Black Cats
Witton Warrior
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I was also in the 66k at Villa Park in the 70s. A great day even though I only saw the pitch twice (being only six)
1. Unbeaten in your last two games - are you confident of continuing that against Sunderland this weekend and why?
Never confident...but less fearful of a humiliating drubbing (believe it or not, this is progress)
2. You haven't won on the road in your last six matches - do you feel Villa have turned a corner since Sherwood has taken over?
Change in belief, but too early to say we have turned a corner. Caution and fear were the watch words lately at Villa Park. Now Sherwood has clearly said, "I don't mind if you cock it up, just give it a go". It was obvious that was what he said at halftime on Saturday against West Brom.
3. With Wembley coming up for you - do you feel the side might be side tracked by that ahead of this huge match against Sunderland and why?
We need the feel good factor of the cup. I think it will help us.
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1. More hopeful than confident. Both teams are struggling but from our perspective, we hope the last couple of games will have given us some much needed confidence and momentum. We need to try and win the next 2 games (Sunderland away, Swansea home) because in April we have to go to Man Utd, Man City and Spurs.
2. We should have beaten Newcastle at their place. They created one chance all game and it was the first time in a good while where we created quite a few. It probably came a little too soon. If it had followed the Albion games, we may well have won that. Hopefully we'll win this one but I'm wary of Defoe.
3. Not a chance. There's a good while before the Semi-final and we're buoyed by what we hope is a turnaround in our fortunes.
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I'm married to a mackem so this is basically a very local derby in my house (both kids are Villa though despite the efforts of the in-laws).
1. Tough one to call, 2 good confidence boosting wins at home is always nice but no idea if we can translate that to away form. If we can I think we'll have too much up front for you and our defence has been good for most of the season so I think you'll struggle for chances.
2. It's too soon to tell but what Sherwood has done is start getting our midfield into games as an attacking threat with Delph prominent in both wins last week and now that we're getting the ball into our forwards quicker Gabby and Benteke are looking much more involved. If we can keep that up and Clark and Okore stay fit and in form we've got more than enough in the squad to be safe.
3. I don't think so, the players seem to be genuinely enjoying playing right now so it's just keeping them focusing on each game as it comes which seems to be the whole attitude of the club right now.
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1- This is undoubtedly a game that Villa need to target for a win. It's absolutely essential we win this because Sunderland are in a bit of a mess right now. From our point of view we've got to win this. Of course Sunderland will feel the same too. I fancy us to win it though. We're in a run of form, confidence is high and our attacking players have suddenly woken up.
2- It seems that way. I didn't think we were too bad against Newcastle before their goal. Sherwood has pretty quickly drilled into this side some attacking intent. We've given West Brom a couple of sound beatings. Particularly the first game we could have been 3-4 up at half time. Paul Lambert sent out his sides to take up space on the pitch and nothing more. No ambition. No competitiveness. Just a sigh. Sherwood certainly has a winning mentality that seems infectious. He won't stand for what Lambert (for far too long) deemed acceptable.
3- No I don't think so. For a start Sherwood has shown he's not afraid to chop and change. Players will want to make damn sure they earn a place in the Wembley game. Likewise survival is essential.
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Hi Sam - nice to hear from a Black Cat - two of my best mates are Sunnerlan fans and my respect and liking for your lot goes back to a certain match at VP in the dark days of the 70's when we were promoted in front of 66k - your lads were tremendous that day - noisy but no aggro even though we invaded the pitch as usual ;-)
I was there; even got a piece of turf.
Pretty sure (without checking though) that the crowed was 58k.
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1. I think we will play out a 1-1 draw
2. Too early to say
3. Really don't want to do a Wigan.
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Well we have a good record at Sunderland, in fact better than at VP against them I think.
This is one of our crucial games not just to pull ourselves further out of danger but also to try and drag Sunderland into it. Think we should get the win, but Sunderland will be desparate for a performance too.
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Is hutton back ?
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Is hutton back ?
2 gane ban I think for 10 bookings
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1. It'll be a 1-1 draw about which I'll moan until I remember I'd have paid for that result a few weeks ago!
2. Not turned a corner fully but certainly happy to be going round the bend about the club again.
3.No, I think the players know that the manager hasn't settled on his first picks yet so will be focussed on claiming their own places and avoiding relegation.
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Trying to decide what CD's to load in the car for the 8 hour round trip.
Boy , October, war, Joshua tree.
Perhaps some Coldplay.
Anyone want a lift
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Trying to decide what CD's to load in the car for the 8 hour round trip.
Boy , October, war, Joshua tree.
Don't let Chris see this. ;)
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Trying to decide what CD's to load in the car for the 8 hour round trip.
Boy , October, war, Joshua tree.
Well, it's a pretty decent way of ensuring the Villa performance isn't the most depressing part of the day, I'll give you that.
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Sunderland seem determined to get relegated.
I don't know what is happening there, I always assumed Ellis Short was quite a switched-on owner, but he seems to make some poor appointments.
When they appointed Di Canio, was there genuinely a single person in the entire world who didn't think that would end fairly quickly, and in tears?
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I think the FA cup will have players raising their game so they are in the team at Wembley. But Tim is doing that anyway. No way is it a negative distraction though.
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Hi everyone,
I hope you're well and congratulations on beating West Brom to get to Wembley!
My name's Sam Lightle and I'm just getting in touch regarding a preview article I'm writing about Aston Villa for Sportsbyte ahead of their clash with Sunderland on Saturday.
Our site mainly focuses on Sunderland news so it's always good to get the views of opposing teams. I've listed the questions below if you wouldn't mind answering them for me.
1. Unbeaten in your last two games - are you confident of continuing that against Sunderland this weekend and why?
2. You haven't won on the road in your last six matches - do you feel Villa have turned a corner since Sherwood has taken over?
3. With Wembley coming up for you - do you feel the side might be side tracked by that ahead of this huge match against Sunderland and why?
It would be great to hear back from you.
Cheers,
Sam Lightle
Villa have had a great week and I've been out tonight so these answers will be somewhat skewed from reality but;
1. Yes. Because we've no confidence for most of the season so two games with a 4-1 aggregate win means I'n delirious.
2. The Villa you're seeing is not the sleepwalking to relegation Villa we were under Lambert. We really could still go but at least we look like we want it now.
3. No. We want this. "e want the 3 points because we know what a defeat means. We're coming for you and will go for it. If we lose it will be a reality check I don't want for at least a month.
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1- This is undoubtedly a game that Villa need to target for a win. It's absolutely essential we win this because Sunderland are in a bit of a mess right now. From our point of view we've got to win this. Of course Sunderland will feel the same too. I fancy us to win it though. We're in a run of form, confidence is high and our attacking players have suddenly woken up.
2- It seems that way. I didn't think we were too bad against Newcastle before their goal. Sherwood has pretty quickly drilled into this side some attacking intent. We've given West Brom a couple of sound beatings. Particularly the first game we could have been 3-4 up at half time. Paul Lambert sent out his sides to take up space on the pitch and nothing more. No ambition. No competitiveness. Just a sigh. Sherwood certainly has a winning mentality that seems infectious. He won't stand for what Lambert (for far too long) deemed acceptable.
3- No I don't think so. For a start Sherwood has shown he's not afraid to chop and change. Players will want to make damn sure they earn a place in the Wembley game. Likewise survival is essential.
At least there now seems to be genuine competition for places in the starting XI. If Kozak and Senderos can get back to full fitness in the next couple of weeks, then they will add extra competition.
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Hi Sam
I hope you're well and congratulations on beating West Brom to get to Wembley! Thanks
1. Unbeaten in your last two games - are you confident of continuing that against Sunderland this weekend and why?
No not at al, it will be a tough match and I think a draw.
2. You haven't won on the road in your last six matches - do you feel Villa have turned a corner since Sherwood has taken over?
It could not have been any worse before, if Lambert was still in charge we would almot certainly would have lost. The difference is that we now have hope.
3. With Wembley coming up for you - do you feel the side might be side tracked by that ahead of this huge match against Sunderland and why?
No I don't think this will be the case, more likely we have expended a lot of energy this week
It would be great to hear back from you.
Back to being OK with Mackams since you got rid of Judas
Cheers,
Sam Lightle
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Is any sort of tribute being planned for before the game on Saturday for the people who tragically lost their lives in the carnage at Villa Park last Saturday night?
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1. Unbeaten in your last two games - are you confident of continuing that against Sunderland this weekend and why?
Yes confidence is growing and I believe Sherwood will have them pumped up. We suddenly look like scoring
2. You haven't won on the road in your last six matches - do you feel Villa have turned a corner since Sherwood has taken over?
We are mistakingly described as a counter attacking team, we haven't been for a while now, I believe we'll try and play on the front foot. I think with Sunderland low on confidence we can get something even if it's a point
3. With Wembley coming up for you - do you feel the side might be side tracked by that ahead of this huge match against Sunderland and why?
No, Sherwood has said there is no point in getting relegated and winning the cup, he'll tell them to forget it and look to the league game ahead
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1. Unbeaten in your last two games - are you confident of continuing that against Sunderland this weekend and why?
Yes I'm confident of avoiding defeat, although I feel a draw is the most likely outcome.
2. You haven't won on the road in your last six matches - do you feel Villa have turned a corner since Sherwood has taken over?
Too early to say turned a corner as we've won one league game in months and are in the thick of a relegation battle which we need to win.
3. With Wembley coming up for you - do you feel the side might be side tracked by that ahead of this huge match against Sunderland and why?
Not ahead of this game, no. I'll be slightly worried about league games close to the Semi-Final date though.
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Is Johnson in charge of the Mascots?
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Is this the pre match thread