Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers Pre-Match Thread

[Mister E]

I think it is a defining game ... gives us the opportunity to develop an image of being stronger at home (with 3 wins on the trot) , which we've struggled with in the last couple of seasons.
That'll be the kiss of death then!

[TheSandman]

0-1

Elmander

[placeforparks]

cahill has had his appeal turned down, so will be suspended.

jussi is also suspended.

i think owen coyle is a very good, young manager, but we should be too strong on saturday.

2-0 villa.

[Deano's Mullet]

3-1 Villa if only because Legion is back doing the Pre-Match thread and we seem to lose when someone else does it.

Albrighton, Agbonlahor 2  and Cahill for them.

[JUAN PABLO]

Ireland has to start.   I would bring him in for Albrighton.  And put AY back on the wing...  Let Albrighton run at them for the last 25 minutes...    Play Ireland in an attacking role in a 5 man midfield with Gabby up front...  3-0 Villa

[luke25]

1-1 Gabby and Davies

[JJ-AV]

3-1 Villa

Gabby, Ashley and Downing

[Nirog72]

0-3 Elmander, Davies, Knight

[littlevillain]

very dangerous game this one, coyle has them believing in their selves and they'll fancy
coming to us at this stage. Another physical team that can cause us problems.
Should be a villa win but anything else will be seen as disastrous around these parts.

[Matt Collins]

@I think we'll win this and win it well. I'd play the same starting xi.

[Des Little]

A drab, uninspiring draw 0-0

Highlight being a pre-match live-by-satellite message by Gerard Houllier wishing us all the best for Xmas and 2011

[realdelia]

Hope you purists aren't upset by any diving this time ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnfGtkp4qdE

[SoccerHQ]

2-2.

Coyle will come up with something better than Megson has produced in the last few seasons at VP which isn't hard. He's a 4-4-2 man so I'd imagine it will be an open game which should suit us.

I expect Gabby to get some joy against a CB partnership of Zat Knight and Andy O'Brien but equally I'm concerned that after Monday Dunney and Collins will be feeling vulnerable and with martin Petrov whipping in the crosses for Davies, not confident of a clean sheet.

[west sussex villan]

anyone taking bets on whether houllier will be there or not?

[eamonn]

A drab, uninspiring draw 0-0

Highlight being a pre-match live-by-satellite message by Gerard Houllier wishing us all the best for Xmas and 2011

Love it.