Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on December 26, 2020, 06:19:37 PM
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Games come thick and fast so may as well get this one up on the board. I'll boldly go for a 2-1 win
Watkins with both
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2-0.
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10 or 11- 0 to us.
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Shades of Christmas 89. 3-0 on Boxing Day followed by a victorious trip to Stamford Bridge.
2-1 Villa I hope.
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Well same blueprint. Attack them and they look very shaky.
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Great kickoff time for me - alarm set for 0615 already. They have looked awful against Arsenal, let's get Frank the sack.
Chelsea 0
Villa 1
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I’ve gone for a draw in this one. 2-2 I think
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Chelsea were pretty poor against Arse.
The archetypal ‘all fart and no shit’.
But, they won’t want to lose 2 on the bounce.
2-2
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2-0 to us and up the table we go.
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Chelsea were pretty poor against Arse.
The archetypal ‘all fart and no shit’.
But, they won’t want to lose 2 on the bounce.
I thought they just had.
2-2
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When was the last time we went into a match against Chelsea with the majority on here expecting us to win? We may not of course, but we will give them a bloody good game.
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It's going to be a bit tasty.
Not expecting to win, to be honest, but the way we're playing, anything is possible.
.
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If we turn up we’ll give them hell.
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All is not well at the Bridge. If we play the team not the reputation we will give them a game.
I fancy a draw.
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FTCPWDTKRF! 1-3.
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Chelsea nil please Villa
UTV
The Doc
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How do Chelsea usually react to defeat? I hope today didn't take too much out of our lot as I can't see Dean rotating, he trusts the current line-up too much. I think we'll be the better team in a draw.
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Another win. Chelsea looked toothless against the shittest Arsenal side for over 100 years.
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I'll be stunned if we win tbh. Just the way momentum works, they're due a win, we're on a great run. It's got to come to an end. But I think we'll beat MU.
So an L here but a W vs MU.
Either way, FTF.
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Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Hause, Targett,
Elmo, Luiz
Traore, Grealish, El Ghazi;
Watkins
You’d drop McGinn?
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They have lost 3 on the spin. Our form, particularly away, has been nothing short of brilliant. Why shouldn’t we be going there and not expecting to come home with the points ?
Chelsea 1 (Tammy)
Villa 2 (Traore, Ollie)
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I would forsake a result here to beat the red bastards afterwards.
Its hard to imagine from the 10 year shit journey we have been on to now cannot wait for games to come around.
I love this team
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It means a lot to me that we beat one of the these next two with the way the team's been playing. Prepare for back to back 3-0s, naturally.
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4-4. Wouldn’t be the first time.
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This time last year Chelsea dominated from start to finish and Willian ran the show. We're a different animal this time round. Still a very tough fixture and maybe it's my hangover talking but I really think we can get something. Our attacking strength is looking lethal. Them 1 us 2.
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I'll be interested to see how our side holds up with stamina. We look so fit at the moment. We looked like we could have played another game last night. Lets see how it transpires against Chelsea. I don't envision us being made to chase shadows. We seem quite efficient in how we press and close, and honestly, Chelsea aren't that good. If it comes down to a battle of gameplans I'd expect Dean to best Lampard. If it's down to quality, I'd still think we can more than match them. In theory this could be a good game, end to end, and if we remain as organised at the back as we've generally been, we've got a good chance.
It shows how much we've come but a year ago I'd have settled for keeping the scores down in the next two. Now, I'd be disappointed with anything less than 3 points from the next two. This really will show us how good the engines are on some of our players too. You'd say that at some juncture McGinn, Watkins, Grealish who seem indefatigable, will need a rest, surely. But that doesn't seem to be the case just yet. Gerrard used to play 50-60 games a season for the Kop, and I could see Grealish doing the same. He's a cyborg.
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1-1 Draw
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Scoring first is key.
It let's us counter attack which we are becoming VERY good at.
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Really looking forward to tomorrow.
But not as much as giving United a proper humping on Friday.
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Any reason why this couldn't have been played on Tuesday? Lampard was saying both clubs wanted to switch to Tuesday but was refused by TV for some reason.
Not sure why anyone is playing on Monday tbh without fans to consider.
Anyway despite how abysmal Chelsea were yesterday I still consider this a very tough game and would be more than delighted with a point, they completely swamped us down the flanks last season so we need to bunker like we did for Leicester and Wolves and see what we do on counter attack.
Would bring in Nakamaba for us but no idea who I'd take out which is a sign of how well we're doing. We need to squeeze Chelsea's midfield so they don't have time to quickly pass it out wide, I remember Reece James had freedome of right flank in the away game and set up majority of their chances that night.
3-2 defeat.
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A hat trick of 3-0 wins with a hat trick for Watkins
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Them 0-9 Us.
Konsa (5), Hause (3), Watkins (1) the goalscorers.
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Shades of Christmas 89. 3-0 on Boxing Day followed by a victorious trip to Stamford Bridge.
2-1 Villa I hope.
Remember it well, hammered Man U 3-0 at home Boxing Day, beat Arsenal 2-1 at home a few days later, then on New Year’s Day went down to Chelsea and humped them 3-0, Daley, platt and Ormondroyd from memory. I was only 15 and my older brother who is a chelsea fan, got me a ticket to the away end and drove, met me after and drove us home in a fowl mood, seem to remember Liverpool drawing away at forest later that day and it really seemed like the league title could be on.
For tomorrow, let’s not under estimate Chelsea, they are not playing great but have talent Throughout the team, but then so do we. I’d be happy with a draw, a win and I’d start to think something special might be on. A defeat would be gutted as always but not distraught.
For me the most interesting thing is the centre back partnership. Mings has made some gaffs this season but is still one of our leaders on the pitch. Hause has done really well but I do think that Burnley, wba and to a certain extent palace have played to his strengths a little bit by hitting high long balls into the box. Chelsea will play it on the floor, he’s not brilliant with the ball at his feet so hope he’s not exposed. Also Martinez likes to roll the ball out to Mings and Konsa, I’m less comfortable with the idea of hause playing this way.
However we’re on a roll, same team, 1-3 villa (Watkins 2, El Ghazi).
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There was a newspaper with headline Blue Murder at The Bridge. A picture of Platt arms stretched in celebration. That was such a good side.
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There was a newspaper with headline Blue Murder at The Bridge. A picture of Platt arms stretched in celebration. That was such a good side.
There was nearly Claret and Blue murder! No idea how but 3 of us got there at 10.30. Parked up and did our usual trick of going to the away end turnstiles then walking away to the first pub we came to. The Black Rose I think it was called. No one on the door and empty as you like. We settled around a pool table. a few beers in and the pub is filling up. It's not Villa. There are bouncers on the door and it's members only.
We had no colours on but with little pin badges and strong Brummie accents we soon got noticed. 2 lads approached and gave us warnings but we ignored them. I then went to the bar. I was surrounded and told to leave. Either we walk out or are thrown out. A tactical retreat was made at about 1pm. Gubbing them 3 nil was ace after that. Great days really... Found it easier to sit in the Snugs at the front of the Boleyn at West Ham without getting noticed!
Anyway. Another clean sheet and 3 points. Chelsea are fragile.
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FIFA 21 predicts a 2-1 defeat, I’m afraid. Ziyech puts them in front, Jack equalises with a brilliant solo goal after 79 minutes but in the 94th minute (despite only 2 minutes being added on) Giroud nods home the winner from a corner. Martinez saves a first half penalty.
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Is Ziyech likely to play? He only returned to training on Friday.
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Hope not he’s excellent.
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FIFA wouldn’t lie to me.
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There was a newspaper with headline Blue Murder at The Bridge. A picture of Platt arms stretched in celebration. That was such a good side.
Chelsea Power Show
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2-0 Villa - Watkins with both, the second of which hits the net with such force that it rips the goalposts clean out of the ground.
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From Sky...
Hakim Ziyech (hamstring) will still be missing and it remains to be seen if full-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James feature having both passed late tests to start against the Gunners as the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz push for recalls.
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We should be going into these next few games full of confidence and with no fear of any side in this league.
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4-4. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Barry did take the penalty.
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From Sky...
Hakim Ziyech (hamstring) will still be missing and it remains to be seen if full-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James feature having both passed late tests to start against the Gunners as the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz push for recalls.
They'll make changes for sure given how they played v Arsenal. Think Giroud starting is certainty and likes of Havertz and Jorginho aswell.
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At least Hause can match Giroud aerially
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I think we will get beat 2-1 in a good contest. We have not got the squad depth they have and the rapid sequence of games will take some energy from us I think here.
But regardless the transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary and I see the club pushing into the top 6 next season.
Exciting times at last!
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Feeling confident about this one, always was with our away record and how we've played against supposedly superior teams on paper. We're in better form and higher than them in the table so should have nothing to fear.
Given I've been nervous last few games that's probably torn it for us!
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Shades of Christmas 89. 3-0 on Boxing Day followed by a victorious trip to Stamford Bridge.
2-1 Villa I hope.
Remember it well, hammered Man U 3-0 at home Boxing Day, beat Arsenal 2-1 at home a few days later, then on New Year’s Day went down to Chelsea and humped them 3-0, Daley, platt and Ormondroyd from memory. I was only 15 and my older brother who is a chelsea fan, got me a ticket to the away end and drove, met me after and drove us home in a fowl mood, seem to remember Liverpool drawing away at forest later that day and it really seemed like the league title could be on.
For tomorrow, let’s not under estimate Chelsea, they are not playing great but have talent Throughout the team, but then so do we. I’d be happy with a draw, a win and I’d start to think something special might be on. A defeat would be gutted as always but not distraught.
For me the most interesting thing is the centre back partnership. Mings has made some gaffs this season but is still one of our leaders on the pitch. Hause has done really well but I do think that Burnley, wba and to a certain extent palace have played to his strengths a little bit by hitting high long balls into the box. Chelsea will play it on the floor, he’s not brilliant with the ball at his feet so hope he’s not exposed. Also Martinez likes to roll the ball out to Mings and Konsa, I’m less comfortable with the idea of hause playing this way.
However we’re on a roll, same team, 1-3 villa (Watkins 2, El Ghazi).
Fond memories of this one, went with the old man, we were brilliant and we all got locked in afterwards for our troubles.
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Another difference between the two sides today is that one of them won't be making changes because the manager was right royally peed off with the attitude last time out.
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Just reading that someone named Mark Lawrenson thinks we will get beat today ,don't think he ever says anything else about us ,what a knob !
1-1 for me Ollie's luck to change
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Just reading that someone named Mark Lawrenson thinks we will get beat today ,don't think he ever says anything else about us ,what a knob !
1-1 for me Ollie's luck to change
Some people get paid for doing nothing much badly. Lawro is one such person
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Big chance for us tonight. I think a win will really make people take note of us.
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biggest difference in this game from last season is confidence and belief
I went down last season courtesy of a fellow H&V poster and we never really believed we could get anything out of the game and the same for all the top end sides
this season that’s the best thing that’s happened we aren’t afraid we take the game to everyone with confidence
Yes having better players does make a massive difference but you still need to believe in yourselves and express that on the pitch which is exactly what we’ve been doing
it’s not going unnoticed
I was reading a twitter thread from a Man Utd site yesterday they asked the question ‘how many points out if the next 4 games’
it was heartwarming to see how many of them thought we would be the biggest test
things have changed down in B6 and changed for the better
no more so than we are all expecting a good performance today against a side people were tipping to challenge for the title
maybe we won’t get the result we want but it’s not a forgone conclusion like so many years before
1-3
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Just reading that someone named Mark Lawrenson thinks we will get beat today ,don't think he ever says anything else about us ,what a knob !
1-1 for me Ollie's luck to change
He backed us to beat palace but seemingly grudgingly, otherwise he virtually always backs us to lose or draw. Last time out he said ‘we’ve been up and down all season’. Really compared to who, Liverpool maybe, but otherwise our record stands up against anyone in the league to date. He really doesn’t like us, can’t think why, a certain 7-2 humiliation maybe!!
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He probably said we were very lucky and if we wouldn't have
Got our seven they would have come away with a 2 nil win!
He just gets on my tits
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Chelsea had a bit of a shocker on Saturday. Lampard laid into his players for lack of desire and effort. Unfortunately that could produce a reaction against us. So I am not expecting much but a point would be very good.
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Every so often BBC shows a comparison table based on Lawrenson's predicted results. We are usually well down on where we are, around bottom 5, and others like Leeds are well up, around top 6. He invariably predicts a defeat for us.
He seems to be one of the few people in the country who has failed to notice the radical improvements we've made over last season, and his predictions seem to be a reflection of that team, not this one. However he is not alone in falling for the Leeds hype. He's basically a gormless twat.
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Maybe Lampard isn’t all that, talks a good game but I just can’t help thinking there is a touch of “I am Frank Lampard and therefore I am a great manager”
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Oh an I've gone for a draw today - Fwank will rotate so they'll be a bit fresher and there might be a reaction to their bollocking after Arsenal.
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FIFA 21 predicts a 2-1 defeat, I’m afraid. Ziyech puts them in front, Jack equalises with a brilliant solo goal after 79 minutes but in the 94th minute (despite only 2 minutes being added on) Giroud nods home the winner from a corner. Martinez saves a first half penalty.
All sounds worryingly plausible. Particularly as Giroud always scores against us
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Maybe Lampard isn’t all that, talks a good game but I just can’t help thinking there is a touch of “I am Frank Lampard and therefore I am a great manager”
We might lose today, but I think there is some truth to this. I thought he completed bottled the play off final against us when at derby. They’d just put in a great performance at Leeds, he then went over cautious and decided to play without a recognised striker against us. I also think he was far too cautious in the cup final against arsenal earlier this year. He’s been handed a relative silver platter with no real evidence to suggest he’s got what it takes managerially. Think I’d rather have Smith and his experiences at scraping around at Walsall and Brentford.
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I remember when camp Lawro was on pointless celebrities - he had to name a country beginning with A. With a smug look on his face he said “Alaska”. Fool.
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We battered Palace with 10 men, so imagine what we'll do to Chelsea with 11. I feel sorry for them. 5-0 Villa.
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Maybe Lampard isn’t all that, talks a good game but I just can’t help thinking there is a touch of “I am Frank Lampard and therefore I am a great manager”
We might lose today, but I think there is some truth to this. I thought he completed bottled the play off final against us when at derby. They’d just put in a great performance at Leeds, he then went over cautious and decided to play without a recognised striker against us. I also think he was far too cautious in the cup final against arsenal earlier this year. He’s been handed a relative silver platter with no real evidence to suggest he’s got what it takes managerially. Think I’d rather have Smith and his experiences at scraping around at Walsall and Brentford.
I don't know how widespread amongst their supporters it might be, but I have in the past seen some less than complimentary opinions of his style. Bit too latter-day Mourinho. I must admit that when I've happened upon one of their games, "cavalier" isn't a descriptor that springs to mind. A bit like our tangerine-clad neighbours, they're not hampered by a lack of talent, and you feel they could easily play a more expansive game than they do.
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We'll lose 2-1, sadly. We never do well there.
Ollie for us, to go on a long scoring run...
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FIFA 21 predicts a 2-1 defeat, I’m afraid. Ziyech puts them in front, Jack equalises with a brilliant solo goal after 79 minutes but in the 94th minute (despite only 2 minutes being added on) Giroud nods home the winner from a corner. Martinez saves a first half penalty.
All sounds worryingly plausible. Particularly as Giroud always scores against us
Nah, Ziyech is out.
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I agree Footy - I don't think there's a better time to face Chelsea than now. They were in excellent form in October/November, but looked totally devoid of ideas v Arsenal two days ago.
With the quick turnaround between matches, there won't be a huge amount Lampard will be able to do to switch things up. On the other hand we're coming in incredibly confident. It might not mean we'll win, but form and the circumstances around both teams are certainly favourable towards us.
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We'll lose 2-1, sadly. We never do well there.
Ollie for us, to go on a long scoring run...
Our record at Stamford Bridge was actually quite decent for a few years about a decade back. MON had a couple of draws, Houllier got a 3-3 when we were in bottom 3 in 10/11 and then McLeish fluked a 3-1 on new year's eve 2011, rare game where Nzogbia and Ireland both actually played well and in the same game.
8-0 the next season ended all that and don't think we've claimed a point there since.
Was always a fixture though where we'd give them a good game compared to our annual surrenders every year in Manchester with the same sides so hopefully the same today.
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That NYE game was utterly joyful and the one stand out moment from McLeishs season.
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Traore and Konsa ought to be pretty fresh. We've only played 13 games so we ought to be free of fatigue generally.
I might consider Ramsey for McGinn, but that would be it.
Barkely and Trez might well need to come back in against Newton Heath, but I'm not a huge fan of 4 or 5 changes as it disrupts the flow. I'm sure the sub zero room, massages and what appears to be our natural extra fitness compared against most sides, should pull us through.
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Just read the Chelsea Message Board, the Shed. There is tonnes of praise for the villa, great to see.
Some think, stop Grealish and you stop villa.
They forgot about (a selection from) Watkins, Traore, McGinn, El Ghazi, Trez and Luiz. Our attacking full backs and goal scoring center halves.
Exciting times :)
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Chelsea, Man United, Spurs and Everton
I don't want to be too greedy, so out that lot I'm going for 10 points, starting with a win today by the odd goal, Ollie to score the winner.
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I think we should rest Grealish, McGinn and Cash today. We need to keep in mind more important must win fixtures coming up on 1 and 8 Jan.
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They're not a happy lot at the Bridge. Plenty calling for Fat Frank's head. It seems the ideal time to play them. That said I fear a 2-1 defeat. Tactically, today should suit our counter-attacking style as it did with Palace once we went down to 10 men. There's a lovely write up about us in the Atlantic but it focuses too much on our youthful fitness and ignores the skill and talent our lads have. We may be the hardest working team in the league but we're also a jot to watch and punish teams.
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We'll lose 2-1, sadly. We never do well there.
Ollie for us, to go on a long scoring run...
Our record at Stamford Bridge was actually quite decent for a few years about a decade back. MON had a couple of draws, Houllier got a 3-3 when we were in bottom 3 in 10/11 and then McLeish fluked a 3-1 on new year's eve 2011, rare game where Nzogbia and Ireland both actually played well and in the same game.
8-0 the next season ended all that and don't think we've claimed a point there since.
Was always a fixture though where we'd give them a good game compared to our annual surrenders every year in Manchester with the same sides so hopefully the same today.
Was at the 3-3 in the posh seats. Went nuts along with 3 or 4 other Villa fans a few seats in front of me when we got the injury time equaliser (Clark??). The tourists around us must have wondered waht was going on......
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You can definitely get at Chelsea as their defence isn’t the best , but they have some great attacking players all be it misfiring at the moment 2-2
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... it focuses too much on our youthful fitness and ignores the skill and talent our lads have. We may be the hardest working team in the league ...
You're right, and I'd say this is one of the biggest transformations since this time last year - the fitness and energy. Massive kudos to all concerned that we are getting this basic thing right.
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Bit of a bad feeling about this, can't put my finger on why...not terrible but struggling to see a win.
2-1
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Fear we may get our reality check this week like Leeds / Southampton. 3-6 points from the next 2 games would have me happily eating copious amounts of humble pie.
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as much as I don't like losing - this isn't a bad one to lose, certainly one people who don't watch us every week would expect us to lose. We might struggle with fitness for this one, I'd expect Smith to rotate a couple of players.
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No rotation, it is only three games in a week. We can rotate players against Liverpool as they Will likely play the kids. Given our away record we should be aiming to win the next two. Intae these twats.
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Think we’ll rest Cash & McGinn.
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I’ve had a bet on Watkins to score in the last 5 games.
Not tonight :)
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I don’t think we’ll have the legs to play another game in 48 hours & our backup players we have aren’t of a similar quality. Chelsea on the other hand can swap like for like.
Other than the obvious games, we’ve often given Chelsea a tough game at the Bridge. Keep it tight, hit them on the counter, take our chances & you never know. But head says a Chelsea win.
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If Man City's next couple of games are postponed that could decrease the chance of Lampard resting players today. Suspected he might have had one eye on the Man City vs Chelsea game but obviously he won't if it's called off.
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I’ve had a bet on Watkins to score in the last 5 games.
Not tonight :)
Like a man watching you fail on the fruit machine, I'm now going to jump on and cash in. I'll buy you pint the next time we can go down again if I win.
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He won’t be resting anyone I reckon.
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Think we’ll rest Cash & McGinn.
Nah. McGinn will get a rest next time he gets booked anyway.
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Chelsea are good enough to come back strongly after the kind of result they had against Arsenal. Don't know if Villa are at the stage that they can maintain the levels of the last couple of matches. Reckon Traore will be sharp so that's good. Am expecting to see a couple of suspensions come out of the next few fixtures which is not so good.
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This will be a tough game, but if we get our attacking game going we can cause them problems. I think Ollie is the type of forward who will cause Thiago Silva problems.
They have a lot going forward so we need to force them back.
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We battered Palace with 10 men, so imagine what we'll do to Chelsea with 11. I feel sorry for them. 5-0 Villa.
I would say that they don't know what's coming, but they most likely do. Only they have not the faintest idea of how to stop it. 5 sounds about right.
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A couple of days ago, Facebook reminded me of ‘a special memory’ in the way that it does.
It was the ‘After Eight’ meme.
It seems FB has the same anti-football algorithm designer as Twitter, which throws out a suggestion periodically that I might enjoy following SHA or Manchester (either).
I am in the Lastfootstamper camp re this result and will be hop8ng for a bonus hat trick from Ollie!