Pre-match thread - Newcastle United v Aston Villa

[eamonn]

This will finish in a draw, most likely 1-1.

Which at least would be an improvement on our last visit there when Oba-Oba tore us a new one.

[eamonn]

To quote one of the greatest ever comments made on H&V:

"Funeral the toon"

God bless Saranyu, he took over SeattleVillan's mantle with aplomb.

[TonyD]

If we have decent full strength squad then we will win - and easily, passing it about and making good use of the wings.

If EH plays then well...............

UTV.

[The Situation]

Was Carew 'rested' on Thursday so he'd have more time to recover from his injury so he could play on Sunday? Our chances will rise even higer if Carew plays, the opposite will happen if Heskey plays.

[pelty]

A bit concerned about this one, to be honest. The home-opener of their return to Premiere League football means they will come out firing. Still, these are the games we need to win if we are really to push on.

[frank]

Was Carew 'rested' on Thursday so he'd have more time to recover from his injury so he could play on Sunday? Our chances will rise even higer if Carew plays, the opposite will happen if Heskey plays.

I really can't see Heskey playing, even as a sub, after his performance in Vienna last night. I hope we stick to 4-4-1-1, perhaps with Carew starting and Gabby coming on if needed.

[frank]

From the NUFC Forum:

that albrighton kid scares me though

On the evidence of the last two games I think Albrighton is going to scare a lot of defenders. His opposing full back last night picked up a yellow card and I can see defenders panicking and giving away free kicks. If they double-mark him, it'll leave more space for Ashley in the middle.

[Pants]

0-2
Downing and Ireland

I think Albrighton looked a bit weary last night and think he might need a rest to prevent burnout.

Really!? 20 years old and on the verge of burnout after 2 games?

[LeeB]

Barcodes 1 Villa 3.

[Pete3206]

I'm tempting fate here, but I've just looked at their squad. They'll do well to get out of the bottom 6 this season.

[Mazrim]

2- 1 to Villa.

-----------------------Friedel

Young-------Dunne---------Clark-------Warnock

---------------Petrov-------Reo Coker

Downing------------Ireland--------------Young

-----------------------Carew

Guzan, Beye, Davies, Bannan, Albrighton, Heskey, Delfouneso

[Matt C]

If we were playing them in a month's time I'd be confident but first game back in the big time makes it difficult. We'll nick a draw.

[davevillan]

It will be hard, but like with west ham last week, if we play well we should win!
I dont know why they are upset about us taking the piss when they went down. To me the biggest piss take that day, was how gutless their team were in the 2nd half when they knew they had to score to stand any chance of staying up. Rarely can a team in that situation have surrended in the manner they did.

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

..........................Freidel.........................
Young....Dunne.......Clark......Warnock...
.............Reo-Coker....Petrov..................
Albrighton.......Young......Downing.........
.....................Carew..............................

Ireland to come on in the 2nd half if need be

[Karl Bridges]

Was Carew 'rested' on Thursday so he'd have more time to recover from his injury so he could play on Sunday? Our chances will rise even higer if Carew plays, the opposite will happen if Heskey plays.

According to K-Mac he has a niggle that needs to be managed. I think he missed Thursday to be ready for this one.