Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[gervilla]

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

What he said.

[N'ZMAV]

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..?!?

pretty much, yes.

[curiousorange]

I don't think Blackburn are a terribly good team but they are capable of lobbing a spanner in the works when we're trying to get a positive run going. I can't see us losing but now they've had this little confidence boost of the takeover I expect this to be more difficult than it ought to be.

[Toronto Villa]

I don't see the takeover meaning anything at all to be honest. For whatever reason, we do well against this lot, and despite the late collapse last weekend, we will have taken a lot of positives from that display. This team is only going to get better, and with the addition of Pires providing some creativity from the bench I can see us edging this one 2-0. Goals from Gabby and Ash.

[Matt Collins]

Where are these stories about Ireland being out in Manchester?

[eamonn]

Where are these stories about Ireland being out in Manchester?

Newspapers reported Ash Young witnessed a scuffle in a bar last weekend there while drinking with Stevo and Emule.

[ozzjim]

I hope the extra days rest means Dunne, Albrighton and Collins are fit to start, as they are essential if we want a result there.

[Jimbo]

A Villa win, 0:1, Wee Barry getting his reward.

[Blackcountry Villa]

Are tickets available on the day tomorrow and if so how many are left?

[hipkiss92]

Really looking forward to see how we play tomorrow, hopefully the performance and not the result of the United game will act as a launch pad for the next few games.
Also quite interested to see how/if Pires will play.

[nicardinho]

The referee will be Michael Oliver (Northumberland), who has stolen Stuart Attwell's crown as the youngest Premier League referee.

It his his first Villa game this season, and he is also yet to referee Blackburn. It won't be the first Sky has seen of him, following WBA v Blackpool and Reading v Norwich last week - 3 reds have been shown in those two games, with 2 being rescinded afterwards.

The assistants are McDonough (yellow flag) and Halliday (chequered) with Chris Foy as 4th man.

[levico]

I suspect it will be the same old scenario. At KO we will find out that yet another first teamer is injured. Pires will play but out of position and clearly unfit, we will score early on (involving youngsters) and they will equalise in the last 5 mins.

Might as well get used to it until at least January.

[Rigadon]

I suspect it will be the same old scenario. At KO we will find out that yet another first teamer is injured. Pires will play but out of position and clearly unfit, we will score early on (involving youngsters) and they will equalise in the last 5 mins.

Might as well get used to it until at least January.

Mr Optimism 2010

I agree that it does seem our script at the moment.

[manic-road]

1-2

Gabby and A Young

[villajk]

Given our injuries, I'm going for a draw, 1-1.