Stoke City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[usav]

Not expecting much from this.....probably too early for Gerard To influence anything.

[eamonn]

Intrigued as to what team Houllier will play. I hope Albrighton doesn't fall out of favour due to his inexperience. And if the choice is between Heskey and Carew, can we read much into the fact that he bought one and sold (swapped) the other? Bloody hope not...

Anyway, we'll do well to get a result here. They haven't started well but their new signings will give them a boost and it's a tough place to go as we've found on our two recent visits.

1-1.

[VillaZogmariner]

I think KMac (if he is kept on) will have more of a bearing on the line up than Houllier for this game as it probably comes a bit too soon for him to want to change anything drastically yet.

--------------------Friedel----------------------
---Young---Dunne---Collins---Warnock---
---Albrighton----Petrov-------Downing----
-------------Ireland----Young----------------
-------------------Gabby-----------------------

[PaulTheVillan]

I think we'll win.

Never been to Stoke before, looking forward to it.

I don't know who is fit and who isn't.

I hope he starts Albrighton.

.......................Friedel
Young.....Cuellar...........Dunne......Warnock
.......................NRC
..............Petrov........Ireland
Albrighton.................................Young
.....................Agbonlahor

[PaulTheVillan]

If Ireland is injured I wonder if invisible Sid will get a game?

[VillaAlways]

I dreamt we drew 1-1 last night.I regularly dream about the match prior it to being played which can make things 10x's as depressing because we always normally win in the dream.I'm hoping this isn't just me

[Lambert and Payne]

I gotta good feeling bout this, players have to impress on monday and its gunna work in our favour, everyones got a point to prove now. Fresh start for lots of players too. 2-0 to the Villa. Gabby and Ashley to grab the goals
UTV

P.S anyone been before tell me what its like? lol

[CheeriOneill]

I would have said draw 0-0 or 1-1

As its on TV have that losing feeling 1-0 or 2-1

On the bright side its like a home game for me!

[serbentoflight]

1 - 0  The Fonz (on for Heskey) 79th Min.

[Fingers]

Was gonna go for us to nick it but now Le Gaffer isn't there - horrible 1-1 draw.

[cdward]

Not expecting much from this.....probably too early for Gerard To influence anything.

Especially as he wont be picking the team and wont even be there.
Has GHoul even met the players yet?

[VillaAlways]

No.Middle of next week by all accounts

[whydelilah]

Stokie (in peace).

What’s the general feeling with Houllier’s appointment? Good, bad, indifferent?

What are your expectations for the game?

As for us, I think you’ll see Gudjohnsen and Pennant start on the bench, Kenwyne Jones will no doubt make his home debut and Wilson will also probably make his first appearance. I expect our team to be: -

Sorensen
Huth Shawcross Faye Collins
Walters Wilson Whitehead Etherington
KJ Fuller

Bench:
Gudjohnsen
Tuncay
Pennant
Delap
Whelan
Higginbotham
Begovic

I fancy us for a draw. We need to get off the mark.

WD

[Olneythelonely]

The majority of us are happy with the appointment.

I think we'll get a point and I'll be pretty happy with that too.

What I'm hoping our team will be;

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


L Young--------------Cuellar/Collins--------Dunne-------------------Warnock


Albrighton------------Petrov------------------Reo-Coker--------------A Young


-------------------------------------Ireland-------------------------------------------


-----------------------------------Agbonlahor----------------------------------------

[JJ-AV]

2-1 Stoke.

Although Stoke are an obviously phsyical side I want us to line up with Ireland and Stan in the middle. They hardly play through midfield so it shouldn't bother us too much.

I'd drop Warnock, move Luke to LB and bring Cuellar in for the additional height though.

Friedel
Cuellar - Collins - Dunne - Young
Albrighton - Petrov - Ireland - Young
Gabby - Carew

Would be my team.