Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Dribbler]

I see that their takeover has just been completed, so with their new owners probably there for their first home game it's going to be a tough one, as their team will have something to prove.

We've had some great games against them in the last couple of seasons and most of them have been quite open, expansive and good to watch, if not a little nail bitting. I think we're missing that bit of toughness we need in midfield, so our passing will have to be up to scratch, and i'm still worried at our tendency to conceed goals from aerial situations, especially late on. The defence need to sort that out if we are going to pick up a few more points than we have been.

3 - 2 to the Villa, Pires to score the winner with a curling shot from the edge of the box.

[Matt Collins]

Collins an injury doubt now. Would be a big loss for this one. Clark at the back and the two midgets in midfield and I'd be a little worried

[N'ZMAV]

James Collins emerges as doubt ahead of Blackburn clash. http://bit.ly/9CrALM

[JUAN PABLO]

FFS.. the media go on about chelsea and spurs injuries, we have two teams out injured  ;-(

[N'ZMAV]

Who the fuck are we going to play at the back?

[JJ-AV]

Friedel
Lichaj - Young - Clark - Wanrnock
Albrighton - Hogg - Bannan - Downing
Ashley - Gabby

Is that where we are now?

[j66acd]

Think I would be happy with a draw, considering all of the injuries. Back at work on Monday after a week off so if we lose I feel a sicky coming on.

1-1

[eamonn]

Friedel
Lichaj - Young - Clark - Wanrnock
Albrighton - Hogg - Bannan - Downing
Ashley - Gabby

Is that where we are now?

Christ, how piss-weak is that?

[Mister E]

How about start Pires?

Young is a good player, but he winds me up so much with his diving and being ball greedy and wasteful.

And you're expecting Pires not to dive?! Have you not seen him play before?

[N'ZMAV]

Fucking hell: Have we got 11 fit players?

from www.bbc.co.uk/football

Aston Villa
Doubtful: Agbonlahor (groin), Clark and Collins (both calf), Dunne (knee), Ireland (flu)

Injured: Beye & Weimann (both ankle), Carew & Cuellar (both calf), Delph, Heskey, Petrov & Reo-Coker (all knee), Sidwell (Achilles)

[PaulWinch again]

ridiculous, these injuries.

[Matt Collins]

I think gabby, Marc and dunne are ok. So I expect Clark to come in for Hogg, or for Collins if not fit. Otherwise unchanged. Whether Collins is fit will be crucial for both defence and midfield.

[Top Cat]

Think I would be happy with a draw, considering all of the injuries. Back at work on Monday after a week off so if we lose I feel a sicky coming on.

1-1

Is it wise to admit that??! If you're not at work on Monday I'm open to bribes to keep quiet! 

[Marlon From Bearwood]

So have I got this right...

Ireland missed last Satuday's game with Flu, was then spotted out on the tiles in Manchester last Saturday night, and is now doubtful for Sunday with Flu..?!?

[luke25]

I've only just realised this is sunday at 1.30, who's fucking stupid idea was that? Nobody wants to watch Blackburn on tv at the best of times, especially not a sunday dinner time, I thought one of the plus points about going out of Europe early was that we'd get more saturday 3pm kick offs, what a stupid, stupid day and time to kick off