Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion Pre-Match Thread

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

An absoloute must win. 2-0 Downing Bannan .....

[eamonn]

Anyone know why this isn't on at noon as usually is the case?
WMP sick of having to dole-out so much overtime after all these extra midland derbies this season?

[VillaZogmariner]

Aston Villa 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

Agbonlahor 23
Ireland 78

Shorey 87

I'd play -

-------------------Friedel------------------------
---Young---Cuellar---Collins---Warnock---
---------------Hogg-----Herd------------------
---Albrighton------Young-------Downing---
-------------------Agbonlahor------------------

Guzan
Dunne
Lichaj
Pires
Ireland
Delfouenso
Ballboy

[Matt C]

Forgot about Shorey, there's one guaranteed goal against!

[willywombat]

Another Victory 2 (Downing, Gabby)
Well Beaten Again 0

Fair play, that's clever that is

[nick harper]

Heskey, Bannan and Cuellar all fit for Saturday. Reo-Coker back in full training - a little light at the end of the tunnel.

Think Heskey will come straight back in a 4-4-2 with Gabby - and he may even risk Reo-Coker.

Friedel
Young, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock
Young, Bannan, Reo-Coker (or Hogg), Downing
Heskey, Agbonlahor

[Merv]

Hmmm, you never know with Reo-Coker.... after all, Albrighton's return didn't look on the cards at all - just heard he had started training - and suddenly he's starting against Liverpool. Original prognosis on NRC was 3-4 weeks and it must be that since the Fulham game....

Midfield remains our major problem. No sooner does someone regain fitness (Bannan) then someone drops out again (Clark).

Come on Nigel!

[ozzjim]

If he is fit enough to be in full training I would start Reo Coker and Bannan. I would then play Ash off Gabby, with Albrighton and Downing wide and Heskey to come on with half hour to go for something a bit different to throw at them. Back 4... which is the bigger ill, Warnock or Dunne. I would be tempted to play Luke Young left back, Cuellar right and Collins with Dunne centrally. Warnock just invites pressure onto us all the time and that bloke down the right for the ALbion will love it against him. Looks rubbish when he plays but seems to always do the full back a couple of times at least.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I'd rather not rush NRC back, despite the shit we're in, we did that with Albrighton against Liverpool and he was clearly unfit.

[ozzjim]

I think Reo Coker is a different beast though Smokin Kipper, he will play through any rustiness and his leadership is vital where Dunne has lacked. Also if Reo Coker does play, you can legitimately drop Dunne as he is not captain for the day - which I am sure is half the reason he is in the side at the moment.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

By all accounts, Bannan and Heskey are fit to play.
Sidwell has started training and Petrov is 2 weeks from full training.

[Concrete John]

Difficult one to call as I've not seen too much of WBA so far this season.  They have better form but we have home advantage and with our injuries I'd say that man for man there ain't much between the sides.

If Cuellar and NRC are fit and playing I'd fancy our chances depite everything.

Sitting on the fence with a draw for now!

[fredm]

Delph has got bags of potential. Incredibly exciting player,  if he can get over his injury I have every confidence he'll be a regular in our midfield by the end of the season.

Bannan and Delph playing together in our midfield (potentially with A.N. Other; at least for a bit) is mouthwatering.

Appreciate this is an aside, but I think too many people are putting too much faith in the impact Delph is going to have this season.

I agree that he looks an exciting player and I think/hope he will become a great player for us, but for gawds sake he is coming back off major knee surgery, has been out for a number of months (not weeks) and is still a novice in premiership terms.  If he gets 5 - 6 games in this season then I think he will have done very well.

[brontebilly]

If Reo Coker is even 50% fit he must play. Bannan and Hogg will be totally overrun. I'm not overly gone on which of Dunne or Collins has to be dropped. Dunne possibly as he needs the biggest kick up the arse but arguably Collins is in worse form. Warnock no way cant have him. Some genuine grit is required but I feel if WBA get the first goal that Villa Park will be a nasty place come Saturday, If we lose the game I think GH reign is over. Huge pressure really and as such its no place for our younger players.

Friedel
Beye, Collins, Cuellar, L Young
Young, Ireland, Reo Coker, Downing
Heskey, Gabby

Bannan, Albrighton, Fonz to come on when the game opens up. Heskey will only last an hour but for his experience alone I would start him.

Houllier will play

Friedel
L Young, Dunne, Cuellar, Warnock
Albrighton, Hogg, Bannan, Downing
Young
Heskey

[Merv]

brontebilly:

I actually like your first team, even though Beye worries me it might well be worth dropping Warnock. And I prefer Ashley Young wide, and I think we'd get the best out of Ireland in a more traditional CM role with a player like NRC alongside him.

But I also agree: think Houllier will go with the second team, perhaps switching Gabby and Heskey over.