Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on January 29, 2019, 08:16:49 PM

Title: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Legion on January 29, 2019, 08:16:49 PM
Reading vs Aston Villa (A)

Madejski Stadium

Saturday 2.2.19 3pm KO

Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Legion on January 29, 2019, 08:17:02 PM
2-2
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 29, 2019, 08:18:34 PM
We’ll batter this lot 5-4
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Villa in Denmark on January 29, 2019, 08:32:58 PM
The traditional Desmond.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: aj2k77 on January 29, 2019, 08:34:25 PM
The birthplace of Don't look back in anger revisited.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: wittonwarrior on January 29, 2019, 08:37:47 PM
No easy games for us at the moment the way we are playing.  1-1 draw well we can't keep a clean sheet and we don't play well in half empty stadiums
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: villa `cross the mersey on January 29, 2019, 09:53:56 PM
All of the new signings made this week to score - hence 0-0
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Steve67 on January 29, 2019, 09:56:38 PM
All of the new signings made this week to score - hence 0-0

A clean sheet?  You need to have word with yourself my friend.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on January 29, 2019, 10:01:14 PM
Hopefully Reading deflated and knackered after losing two points late-on against Bolton tonight.

Really need three more points here to get our arses in gear for a play-off place.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Three Spires Villa on January 29, 2019, 10:05:38 PM
A win, nothing else acceptable
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Ads on January 29, 2019, 10:07:09 PM
Tough to guess the team as we'll likely have 2 or 3 more available.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: SirSteveUK on January 29, 2019, 10:29:38 PM
Well, whoever scores the first goal, it will be the 100th goal scored in our matches this season.

Let's hope it's us.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: AV82EC on January 29, 2019, 10:31:42 PM
3-0, I’m feeling optomistic.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Matt Collins on January 29, 2019, 10:49:56 PM
Oliveira is bound to score

2-1 villa
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: villa `cross the mersey on January 30, 2019, 09:08:09 AM
All of the new signings made this week to score - hence 0-0

A clean sheet?  You need to have word with yourself my friend.
But surely the defence is now as "safe as Hauses"
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Damo70 on January 30, 2019, 09:39:13 AM
Reading 0 Villa 2.  Which if I remember right was the scoreline on the only occasion I went to Elm Park back in 1988. I think McInally and Birch got the goals.

I double checked and I got the score and one of the goalscorers right but it was Thompson not McInally who scored.

Reading are one of the weaker teams in the Championship so even though they are the home side we should win.



Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: mallo on January 30, 2019, 11:02:09 AM
1-2 I live in hope. But we concede in the first 10 minutes.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Ads on January 30, 2019, 11:17:38 AM
They're 3rd bottom. We were much better Saturday. Must win and we will win.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Brend'Watkins on January 30, 2019, 11:22:11 AM
We can't keep a clean sheet.  So them 1, us, something more than 1.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Des Little on January 30, 2019, 11:26:09 AM
Away win.  We march on
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: brontebilly on January 30, 2019, 12:11:05 PM
Fixture that impressed MON sufficiently to buy Sidwell and Shorey wasn't it? Was there that depressingly cold day
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Dr Butler on January 30, 2019, 12:17:07 PM
it is my late Dad's birthday so we must win and I shall be there to witness it....a moral boosting 3 nil

Abraham X 2
McGinn


UTV
The Doc
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Dave P on January 30, 2019, 12:27:38 PM
We will get another nervy win.  2-1 I'm saying.

We will then 'click' against Sheff Utd next week and the run will be in full swing.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: exigo on January 30, 2019, 12:35:18 PM
A miserable ground, miles from civilisation, that I pledged never to go to again after last time.
I've got my ticket, and I'm still not wholly sure why.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Allan C on January 30, 2019, 04:08:27 PM
2-0 to Villa  I’m sure
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Comrade Blitz on January 30, 2019, 04:29:58 PM
FTF
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: levico on January 30, 2019, 09:38:38 PM
Another game we should/could win.

2-2
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: paul richard on January 31, 2019, 05:52:02 AM
4-2 win. We'll be 2-0 down at HT, but we'll steamroller them in the 2nd half.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: manic-road on January 31, 2019, 06:29:23 AM
1-3 Tammy x2 and Chester
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: sid1964 on January 31, 2019, 06:59:13 AM
Will the game be on, if we get the snow as forecast? - if it goes ahead then 0-2 win and we are on the march to the play offs!
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: darren woolley on January 31, 2019, 11:21:53 AM
Got to be a Villa win 2-1 to the lads.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on January 31, 2019, 01:27:30 PM
See you at Paddington, Darren
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: darren woolley on January 31, 2019, 01:41:25 PM
See you at Paddington, Darren

See you there.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: appyarryampton on January 31, 2019, 06:52:30 PM
Fancy a win now Champions League standard Bacuna has left them.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: CT on January 31, 2019, 07:26:09 PM
I would imagine their midfield has just got substantially better now Bacuna has left.

We need to keep the momentum going - 2-1 to us.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Ads on January 31, 2019, 08:44:26 PM
Team could be;

Kalinic

Taylor
Mings
Elphick
Hutton

Fer

Hourihane
McGinn

El Ghazi
Tammy
Kodjia
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Steve67 on January 31, 2019, 08:59:39 PM
Who are you making skipper Ads?
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Ads on January 31, 2019, 09:01:04 PM
McGinn.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: KRS on January 31, 2019, 10:14:42 PM
Will the game be on, if we get the snow as forecast? - if it goes ahead then 0-2 win and we are on the march to the play offs!
Started snowing down here about 8:45pm...not heavy but big flakes and looks like it’s sticking. Only about a mile or so away from the ground so will provide updates tomorrow.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 31, 2019, 11:47:01 PM
Kalinic

ALANUTTON!
Elphick
Mings the Merciless
Taylor

Fer Carroll
McGinn
Hot Lips

El Ghazi
Abraham
Kodjia
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Steve67 on February 01, 2019, 06:35:02 AM
That midfield! So lightweight. I’d welcome Jedinak back right now.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Matt Collins on February 01, 2019, 07:14:02 AM
Think it will be the same 11, hopefully in the same 4231, as against Ipswich

Maybe mings for Chester if he looks ready to step straight in
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2019, 07:46:27 AM
I think Mings will definitely start for Chester. It would surprise me if he had surgery. It was like he was playing in treacle the past few weeks.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Matt Collins on February 01, 2019, 08:23:19 AM
I'm sure that's the plan

Just don't know if it will be immediate
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2019, 08:43:37 AM
Smith says he's match fit. Chester has been visibly deteriorating.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: SheffieldVillain on February 01, 2019, 09:10:19 AM
             Kalinic
Hutton - Elphick - Hause - Mings
             Carroll
      Hourihane  McGinn
Albert                        Kodija
             Tammy

Subs: Steer, Elmo, Jedinak, Bjarnesson, El Ghazi, Green (if fit), Davis

Feet up with a cuppa: Chester
Gardening or shopping with the missus: Whelan

2-1 Villa. Tammy and Kodija, Dave Kitson netting a late one for them.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Risso on February 01, 2019, 09:12:20 AM
             Kalinic
Hutton - Elphick - Hause - Mings
             Carroll
      Hourihane  McGinn
Albert                        Kodija
             Tammy

Subs: Steer, Elmo, Jedinak, Bjarnesson, El Ghazi, Green (if fit), Davis

Feet up with a cuppa: Chester
Gardening or shopping with the missus: Whelan

2-1 Villa. Tammy and Kodija, Dave Kitson netting a late one for them.

I pray to god it isn't that team, or I can see another Wigan disaster on the cards.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: footyskillz on February 01, 2019, 09:44:45 AM
Must win match for a push to get promoted and a big chance to beat lowly reading team .

I think Abraham can score again perhaps a 3-1 victory .

It's a real chance to make gains this weekend on teams Leeds v Norwich, West Brom v Middlesbrough

6th place Derby play tonight away at Preston hoping for dropping of points

So please villa win!
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: footyskillz on February 01, 2019, 10:14:16 AM
                         Kalinic
       Hutton  Elphick  Mings Taylor
                 
      McGinn Hourihane Bjarnasson
                         
        El Ghazi    Abraham.  Adomah

Subs: Steer, Elmo, Carroll, Whelan , Hause, Kodjia, Davis .

I think I come to Jedinak on his thread but I think he may be some one we see little of again even on bench
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: andyh on February 01, 2019, 10:15:20 AM
Must win if we want to mount a charge.
Are we allowed to say ‘must win’ ?
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: sonyhill on February 01, 2019, 11:03:39 AM
Definitely a must win game now.  Can't see us keeping a clean sheet.  So hopefully a 1-2 win!
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: TonyD on February 01, 2019, 11:24:31 AM
Will the game be on, if we get the snow as forecast? - if it goes ahead then 0-2 win and we are on the march to the play offs!
Started snowing down here about 8:45pm...not heavy but big flakes and looks like it’s sticking. Only about a mile or so away from the ground so will provide updates tomorrow.
Any updates?
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: sickbeggar on February 01, 2019, 11:27:37 AM
think we'll win this. The pressure is off to an extent and hopefully the new guys will freshen things up. 1-2
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on February 01, 2019, 11:50:46 AM
Anyone on here from Reading way? How’s the weather looking?
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: sirlordbaltimore on February 01, 2019, 12:13:42 PM


                        Kalinic
       Hutton  Elphick  Mings Taylor
                 
         McGinn Hourihane Carroll
                         
        El Ghazi  Abraham Kodjia
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: berneboy on February 01, 2019, 01:50:17 PM
My bones are speaking to me ....

Yes, it's a Villa victory. 1-3.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Jon Crofts on February 01, 2019, 02:13:40 PM
Anyone on here from Reading way? How’s the weather looking?
(https://i.ibb.co/TcH31zF/2-F69660-C-FF37-492-C-A6-FB-3-C34-EFB3-C3-EA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TcH31zF)

(https://i.ibb.co/gWJ2VHD/7-E61-E8-E0-1-D98-48-F4-83-A1-C4-B14-C43129-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gWJ2VHD)

6-8 inches and it’s still pissing it down at 2:15.
I’m on the edge of Greenham Common 10 miles from Reading. Trains are running PAD to Reading but heavily delayed due to services cancelled coming up from west country. Good luck, wouldn't surprise me if it gets postponed for safety reasons.

Update - apparently Reading is relatively clear, some snow on the ground but main routes are clear, game will go ahead as temps not expected to fall below freezing.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: footyskillz on February 01, 2019, 02:52:01 PM
Having heard Nélson Oliveira is training and may play tomorrow I can see him cause problems and score .

I always rated him very good player and striker.

I expect him to get a goal hopefully a consolation

McGinn should be scoring tomorrow if he's still shooting all the time and of course Abraham to get 2
So 3-1
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: postal on February 01, 2019, 03:08:04 PM
After last week's near "lets balls it up" again, goal attempts needs to turn into goals (radical...)
It wont be easy, but hopefully more comfortable than last week.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 01, 2019, 03:59:30 PM
Anyone on here from Reading way? How’s the weather looking?

I'm a bit further away than Jon C but whenever I've ever travelled from home in West London to meetings in Reading (29 miles) the weather has always been identical. There's no snow on the ground here. Some pathetic attempts at snowfall but it's too scared to hang around. A poor effort from the weather mob, which came with a bit of a rep but like so many others has been seen off by its own fear of our top boys, who didn't even have to leave their artisan cheese class.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: adrenachrome on February 01, 2019, 04:33:00 PM
The A34 in Berkshire from the BBC News.

(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2019/2/1/2740282a-04fb-4175-a819-9ecaa64dff61.jpg)
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: adrenachrome on February 01, 2019, 04:34:40 PM
Met Office Forecast (https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcpk99j0x#?date=2019-02-01)
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 01, 2019, 04:40:02 PM
But I have ANECDOTAL evidence.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 01, 2019, 04:56:50 PM
Assuming it goes ahead, this will be my first time at the Madejski. Is there anything...to do? I presume there are no pubs near the ground, so it's a case of the city centre until 2.30 if you're of a thirsty disposition?
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Risso on February 01, 2019, 05:02:37 PM
Be interesting to see the squad for tomorrow and which of the new signings makes it in, this was last week's:


(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dx15kf8W0AA0reG.jpg:large)

Obviously O'Hare has gone, so that's one spot free, and I think Davis will find himself surplus again.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Jon Crofts on February 01, 2019, 05:43:23 PM
Assuming it goes ahead, this will be my first time at the Madejski. Is there anything...to do? I presume there are no pubs near the ground, so it's a case of the city centre until 2.30 if you're of a thirsty disposition?

Pub at the station is OK The Three Guineas, other pubs are available in Reading town centre, walk dead ahead from station exit and head left takes you to a few pubs, most are shite. There’s nothing out at the ground apart from Costco, B&Q and a few fast food joints. Bus can take 20 -30 minutes to get to stadium depending on shopper traffic.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Risso on February 01, 2019, 05:47:19 PM
Sounds like a fantastic match day experience!
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 01, 2019, 05:50:06 PM
Easily one of the worst away trips around.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 01, 2019, 06:01:01 PM
Assuming it goes ahead, this will be my first time at the Madejski. Is there anything...to do? I presume there are no pubs near the ground, so it's a case of the city centre until 2.30 if you're of a thirsty disposition?

Pub at the station is OK The Three Guineas, other pubs are available in Reading town centre, walk dead ahead from station exit and head left takes you to a few pubs, most are shite. There’s nothing out at the ground apart from Costco, B&Q and a few fast food joints. Bus can take 20 -30 minutes to get to stadium depending on shopper traffic.

Thanks Jon. I've been to the pub next to the station before. It's remarkably unapocalyptic given the genre.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 01, 2019, 06:12:52 PM
The game is on

https://twitter.com/rfcsupport/status/1091377871598305280?s=12
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: KRS on February 01, 2019, 06:20:16 PM
There’s only about an inch of snow down here and the main roads are clear. It hasn’t started snowing again today but it is forecast to this evening.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: LowerNorthStand on February 01, 2019, 07:49:08 PM
Sounds like a fantastic match day experience!

Maybe its better they now have these Reading "Ultras" everyone keeps talking about :-X
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: KRS on February 01, 2019, 07:59:29 PM
Roads are all clear and it’s light drizzly rain now. Footpaths will be slushy at worst as long as there’s no more snow tonight.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Steve67 on February 01, 2019, 09:02:55 PM
I live in the general area. Thankfully, further out and Reading is one of those places that used to be nice, great shopping etc but is now a vile place.  Take the points, do not fail. Very little margin for error now.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: KRS on February 01, 2019, 09:58:21 PM
Yep Reading is a shithole for sure. Been staying down here on Kennet Island (apartment is very nice) for work over the last year, and can’t wait to move back home next week.

Anyways, still no sign of any more snow so shouldn’t be any issues with the game being on. Reading are shite, we’re better and we need 3pts...let it be so.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: DB on February 01, 2019, 10:43:59 PM
Yep Reading is a shithole for sure. Been staying down here on Kennet Island (apartment is very nice) for work over the last year, and can’t wait to move back home next week.

Anyways, still no sign of any more snow so shouldn’t be any issues with the game being on. Reading are shite, we’re better and we need 3pts...let it be so.

I live not too far away and wouldn't say Reading is a shit hole. Like most big towns it has it's good points and bad....the footy ground being bad, a flat-pack stadium in a business park on the edge of town. The Grey Friar just down the hill from the Station is good ale pub.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 01, 2019, 10:54:10 PM
Yep Reading is a shithole for sure. Been staying down here on Kennet Island (apartment is very nice) for work over the last year, and can’t wait to move back home next week.

Anyways, still no sign of any more snow so shouldn’t be any issues with the game being on. Reading are shite, we’re better and we need 3pts...let it be so.

I live not too far away and wouldn't say Reading is a shit hole. Like most big towns it has it's good points and bad....the footy ground being bad, a flat-pack stadium in a business park on the edge of town. The Grey Friar just down the hill from the Station is good ale pub.

I think its reputation suffers because it's so close to London, and because it has all those blue chip companies based there. I will get there by train tomorrow and will arrive in the city (it is a city, tight?) centre in less than an hour after I close my front door. The first time I went there for work I expected it to have basically the same atmosphere as a London suburb like, say, Watford or Uxbridge and places like that do. But it's very much a small provincial city (or big provincial town!) so it feels weird that all those global firms have their British HQs there.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: brontebilly on February 01, 2019, 11:13:18 PM
interesting selection for Smith, by his comments its likely Mings will come in for Chester.

Lottery for who the two full backs will be but I sincerely hope Taylor isnt one

--------------Kalinic
Elmo, Elphick, Mings, Hutton/Hause
---------------Carroll
Adamoah, McGinn, Hourihane, El Ghazi
--------------Abraham

Chester, Jedinak, Green and Lansbury all out injured?
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: adrenachrome on February 01, 2019, 11:18:36 PM
Yep Reading is a shithole for sure. Been staying down here on Kennet Island (apartment is very nice) for work over the last year, and can’t wait to move back home next week.

Anyways, still no sign of any more snow so shouldn’t be any issues with the game being on. Reading are shite, we’re better and we need 3pts...let it be so.

I live not too far away and wouldn't say Reading is a shit hole. Like most big towns it has it's good points and bad....the footy ground being bad, a flat-pack stadium in a business park on the edge of town. The Grey Friar just down the hill from the Station is good ale pub.

I think its reputation suffers because it's so close to London, and because it has all those blue chip companies based there. I will get there by train tomorrow and will arrive in the city (it is a city, tight?) centre in less than an hour after I close my front door. The first time I went there for work I expected it to have basically the same atmosphere as a London suburb like, say, Watford or Uxbridge and places like that do. But it's very much a small provincial city (or big provincial town!) so it feels weird that all those global firms have their British HQs there.

I used to be dragooned to attend the MicroSludge Facility there. They had some kind of hawk to attack the pigeons and it would often crash into the window in a misdirected swoop.

Earlier in my "career", I was dispatched to Basingstoke (IBM) and Milton Keynes(Unisys) on a regular basis. Ghastly doesn't begin to describe mental anguish inflicted.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: KRS on February 01, 2019, 11:42:01 PM
Yep Reading is a shithole for sure. Been staying down here on Kennet Island (apartment is very nice) for work over the last year, and can’t wait to move back home next week.

Anyways, still no sign of any more snow so shouldn’t be any issues with the game being on. Reading are shite, we’re better and we need 3pts...let it be so.

I live not too far away and wouldn't say Reading is a shit hole. Like most big towns it has it's good points and bad....the footy ground being bad, a flat-pack stadium in a business park on the edge of town. The Grey Friar just down the hill from the Station is good ale pub.
The town centre high street and river area around the Oracle is pleasant enough, but the road network is extremely poor with badly designed junctions, one way systems, bus lane traps and is poorly lit. I’m not a fan of the place...but the most important thing is a good performance and 3pts tomorrow.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Matt Collins on February 02, 2019, 07:30:43 AM
I really dislike reading town centre. I think it's ugly and boring

Back to the game, and surely it will be 4231 again, with the same midfield three as last time. First time in ages our midfield has worked. I know it was only Ipswich but I think we look more solid with two in there. Mcginn looked good as a ten and you don't end up with either whelan or hourihane as an attacking mid which they're not very good at

Mings will surely start and maybe hause for taylor too
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Chris Smith on February 02, 2019, 08:20:43 AM
Yep Reading is a shithole for sure. Been staying down here on Kennet Island (apartment is very nice) for work over the last year, and can’t wait to move back home next week.

Anyways, still no sign of any more snow so shouldn’t be any issues with the game being on. Reading are shite, we’re better and we need 3pts...let it be so.

I live not too far away and wouldn't say Reading is a shit hole. Like most big towns it has it's good points and bad....the footy ground being bad, a flat-pack stadium in a business park on the edge of town. The Grey Friar just down the hill from the Station is good ale pub.

I think its reputation suffers because it's so close to London, and because it has all those blue chip companies based there. I will get there by train tomorrow and will arrive in the city (it is a city, tight?) centre in less than an hour after I close my front door. The first time I went there for work I expected it to have basically the same atmosphere as a London suburb like, say, Watford or Uxbridge and places like that do. But it's very much a small provincial city (or big provincial town!) so it feels weird that all those global firms have their British HQs there.

I used to be dragooned to attend the MicroSludge Facility there. They had some kind of hawk to attack the pigeons and it would often crash into the window in a misdirected swoop.

Earlier in my "career", I was dispatched to Basingstoke (IBM) and Milton Keynes(Unisys) on a regular basis. Ghastly doesn't begin to describe mental anguish inflicted.


I spent a bit of time at the Unisys offices at Fox Milne in Milton Keynes for meetings and training courses in the mid 90s. I do remember we used to walk to a pub in Milton Keynes village with a thatched roof that had Morris dancers outside the one time we were there. Seemed a world away from the ring roads and blandness of the rest of the place.

I’m expecting a good performance today, new signings even if they don’t all start immediately put pressure on others to earn their places.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on February 02, 2019, 09:16:33 AM
Like a few have said, let's hope the new faces help freshen things up a bit but hopefully we can take last weeks result into today and start another run. I'll go 1-3. Abraham, Adomah and Hourihane.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Richard E on February 02, 2019, 09:21:13 AM
FIFA predicts yet another Desmond.We battle back with a Kodjia brace after conceding twice in the first half from appallingly defended corners. Reading’s second goal is especially bad.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 02, 2019, 09:47:08 AM
Reading is a dump and has the biggest private housing estate in Europe which is , also swinger central.
So it’s a car keys in the middle, Cant fail to score and  lots of fumbling around.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Damo70 on February 02, 2019, 10:04:31 AM
The family of one of my ex fiances lived in Hungerford. Going to Reading was classed as a big night out. When you live in Hungerford a trip to Reading is like someone in one of those American towns with a population of fifty people that The A - Team liberate visiting New York.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: DB on February 02, 2019, 10:13:44 AM
Yep Reading is a shithole for sure. Been staying down here on Kennet Island (apartment is very nice) for work over the last year, and can’t wait to move back home next week.

Anyways, still no sign of any more snow so shouldn’t be any issues with the game being on. Reading are shite, we’re better and we need 3pts...let it be so.

I live not too far away and wouldn't say Reading is a shit hole. Like most big towns it has it's good points and bad....the footy ground being bad, a flat-pack stadium in a business park on the edge of town. The Grey Friar just down the hill from the Station is good ale pub.
The town centre high street and river area around the Oracle is pleasant enough, but the road network is extremely poor with badly designed junctions, one way systems, bus lane traps and is poorly lit. I’m not a fan of the place...but the most important thing is a good performance and 3pts tomorrow.

Amen to that
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Abbeyfealeavfc on February 02, 2019, 10:29:04 AM
Come on Villa boys 3 points today please! Lets make today the 2nd in a long winning sequence of wins to stamp our authority on this league! UTV
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 02, 2019, 10:39:20 AM
The family of one of my ex fiances lived in Hungerford. Going to Reading was classed as a big night out. When you live in Hungerford a trip to Reading is like someone in one of those American towns with a population of fifty people that The A - Team liberate visiting New York.

How many ex-fiances have you got, you old dog?!
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Damo70 on February 02, 2019, 10:43:29 AM
The family of one of my ex fiances lived in Hungerford. Going to Reading was classed as a big night out. When you live in Hungerford a trip to Reading is like someone in one of those American towns with a population of fifty people that The A - Team liberate visiting New York.

How many ex-fiances have you got, you old dog?!

Three. Number one cheated on me, number two was batshit crazy and number three I knocked on the head as I got fed up travelling to Essex every weekend. It was fourth time lucky as I have been married to fiance number four for twenty years. Mainly do to the fact I was fed up of spending too much money on engagement rings!
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on February 02, 2019, 10:44:59 AM
The family of one of my ex fiances lived in Hungerford. Going to Reading was classed as a big night out. When you live in Hungerford a trip to Reading is like someone in one of those American towns with a population of fifty people that The A - Team liberate visiting New York.

How many ex-fiances have you got, you old dog?!

Three. Number one cheated on me, number two was batshit crazy and number three I knocked on the head as I got fed up travelling to Essex every weekend. It was fourth time lucky as I have been married to fiance number four for twenty years. Mainly do to the fact I was fed up of spending too much money on engagement rings!

You can get engagement rings from Poundland now you know.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: PeterWithe on February 02, 2019, 10:54:49 AM
Don’t they give the ring back when the engagement finishes?
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on February 02, 2019, 11:15:33 AM
I got engaged yesterday, currently in Antwerp paying for the damage.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 02, 2019, 11:19:01 AM
Congratulations!
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: SteveN on February 02, 2019, 11:34:49 AM
A good omen, we beat Leeds 2-1 in Danny Baker's sausage sandwich game.  So...2-1 to us with a late winner.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: auntiesledd on February 02, 2019, 12:48:16 PM
We're gonna hammer somebody soon, so I'll go for a bore draw.

1-1
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: KevinGage on February 02, 2019, 12:52:57 PM
The type of game we really need to be winning if we want to make any sort of late surge for promotion.

2-2 or 3-2 to them.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: brontebilly on February 02, 2019, 01:00:43 PM
Simply have to win. 3-2 villa
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 02, 2019, 01:02:02 PM
The family of one of my ex fiances lived in Hungerford. Going to Reading was classed as a big night out. When you live in Hungerford a trip to Reading is like someone in one of those American towns with a population of fifty people that The A - Team liberate visiting New York.

How many ex-fiances have you got, you old dog?!

Three. Number one cheated on me, number two was batshit crazy and number three I knocked on the head as I got fed up travelling to Essex every weekend. It was fourth time lucky as I have been married to fiance number four for twenty years. Mainly do to the fact I was fed up of spending too much money on engagement rings!
You let them keep the rings? surely you just by one  and recycle.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: UK Redsox on February 02, 2019, 01:19:17 PM
I got engaged yesterday, currently in Antwerp paying for the damage.

Are you taking a Showgirl for your bride ? ;)
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 02, 2019, 01:24:49 PM
I got engaged yesterday, currently in Antwerp paying for the damage.

Are you taking a Showgirl for your bride ? ;)

I've no doubt that this is something that comes up regularly on in some dusty corner of this site, but for me that's a startling, welcome blast from the past.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on February 02, 2019, 01:29:03 PM
Ha...not quite, she was a little ballerina as a child but then fell for Billy Corgan and Liam Gallagher and started wearing Doc Martens.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on February 02, 2019, 02:03:04 PM
Mings makes his debut in place of Chester and Carrol is on the Bench.
Title: Re: Reading vs Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Stu on February 02, 2019, 02:28:11 PM
Ha...not quite, she was a little ballerina as a child but then fell for Billy Corgan and Liam Gallagher and started wearing Doc Martens.

Billy Corgan has turned out to be a bit of a nutter: Mates with Alex Jones (https://uproxx.com/viral/billy-corgan-social-justice-alex-jones/)
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