Aston Villa v Newton Heath Pre-Match Thread

[damon loves JT]

I think I hate this game more than the noses game. It is overloaded with significance.

[KevinGage]

The last few years have bucked the trend insofar as we've actually faced Man U with pretty much a full strength squad. There was a period previously that whenever we faced them we always seemed to be missing a few key players through injury or suspension.

Last Dec it was they who had a decimated squad even, with Carrick and Evans(?) at CB.

With the amount of first teamers we have out it should be a straightforward win for them. But whenever Rooney didn't play last year they looked very ordinary. He's been poor this season but is still one of the few world class players they now have. Him out and Valencia out and they look mortal.

They've been lucky this season, drawing games or winning when they've been outplayed. And they've been outplayed or matched by some very ordinary sides, Sunderland, Wolves et.c.

Had they lost mid week I'd opt for a Man U win or a draw - as they rarely lose two in a row. But seeing as they're still somehow unbeaten I'll go for a Villa win. 1-0, a penalty or ugly deflection. Their record has to go at some point -and it might as well be to us.

One thing though, Dunne and Collins won't be able to fumble their way through this one. Any half arsed attempts at defending as we've seen in a few games and it could get ugly. I'd go as far as to say I'd prefer to see Dunne sit this one out. But if he plays he needs to be on the money.

[dave.woodhall]

It might be sacriligeous but I'm not overly fussed about this result. Logic says we'll lose, but it'll also be a learning curve for Gerard's Juniors.

[KevinGage]

Were we to win though it could give give real credence to the notion that Gerard's juniors will save us a packet in the transfer market.

Bannan looking good versus a Fulham side giving him time to play is one thing. But if he looks like he belongs against a side like Man U and some of the other young guns turn in really convincing performances and we win we may see some of the pessimism around the club lift. For a bit.

[dave.woodhall]

Were we to win though it could give give real credence to the notion that Gerard's juniors will save us a packet in the transfer market.

Bannan looking good versus a Fulham side giving him time to play is one thing. But if he looks like he belongs against a side like Man U and some of the other young guns turn in really convincing performances and we win we may see some of the pessimism around the club lift. For a bit.

You'd need to shoot the internet to lift the supposed pessimism. A win would be great, but losing shouldn't be the end of the world.

[PaulWinch again]

I think they may surprise us, personally I think they underestimated Blackpool the other night. I'm hoping they'll be well up for this game, and Manure are not that good.

[Fuse]

Madness I know but I think we are going to win tomorrow and I haven't felt that since we last beat them.

[Rotterdam]

A 1-1 draw. 

[TonyD]

This is a tough one.  I can see us scoring a couple but also letting in a couple.   I will go for the same as I predicted for Blackpool - 3.2 to the Villa with Fonz the 1st goal scorer.

[Matt C]

Law of averages says we have to beat them at Villa Park eventually.

2-1 United.

[Matt Collins]

Is Gabby likely to be ready to start? Ireland's a doubt, so I guess the lineup is otherwise predictable

[eamonn]

Hope our lads aren't fucked after playing high-octane stuff til the very end the other night. Very nervous about our inexperienced midfield and the defence which suddenly looks shaky. We did keep Chelsea scoreless recently though and played pretty well, Coker's energy and combativeness will be a big miss tomorrow though.

Narrow defeat, unfortunately.

[curiousorange]

2-0 United. No idea why, but I think it'll be a much-of-a-muchness game that swings on a slightly contentious decision, and then United add another one in the last ten minutes to put some media gloss on it.

[Matt Collins]

Think we may need to play Downing more narrow to combat their midfield, with Ash reverting to a wing position. That would mean 3 left footers in centre midfield (funny how odd that sounds whereas 3 right footers wouldn't be considered unusual at all)

Unless Ireland makes a recovery, I can't see too many options. Surely not Hogg?

[hawkeye]

remember the FA Cup game at Old Trafford and Osbourne had a vey good game