Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur Pre-Match Thread

[Dave Summers]

I understand that there is a lot of snow, I  also understand that at the moment the roads are awful and I finally understand that there is some more snow on the way.  However, why is this seemingly certain to be called off?.

The pitch will be fine, the stands will be fine, it's just a case of working together, like Man City did last night to clear the necessary walkways, pavements, entrances etc.   If that is done, then like most of the Heineken Cup Rugby matches at the weekend, this should go ahead surely?.

People can then make their own minds up as to whether or not they want to travel to the game or watch it on TV.   I have travelled into Birmingham City Centre for work all of this week and nobody has shut the city centre down for safety concerns?.

I look forward to the Boxing Day game almost more than any other in the season.  It's a great atmosphere, well as much as it can be in the Upper Trinity and if, after working all this week and looking forward to the game, it's then called off, I will be gutted.

Presuming it's on, I go for a 1-1 draw.

UTV

[JJ-AV]

1-1

They score early after we better 'em, we spend the game ontop and equalise around 72 minute mark.

[WikiVilla]

Cant see Villa making a massive effort to get the game on or Houllier wanting it on.

[SoccerHQ]

Trouble is we'll then have two away games at Man. City and Chelsea and that's two defeats imo so I'd prefer to try to get another point on the board to take into those games really.

[Chris Smith]

I understand that there is a lot of snow, I  also understand that at the moment the roads are awful and I finally understand that there is some more snow on the way.  However, why is this seemingly certain to be called off?.

The pitch will be fine, the stands will be fine, it's just a case of working together, like Man City did last night to clear the necessary walkways, pavements, entrances etc.   If that is done, then like most of the Heineken Cup Rugby matches at the weekend, this should go ahead surely?.

People can then make their own minds up as to whether or not they want to travel to the game or watch it on TV.   

There's no public transport so the roads and car parks will be more over worked. There are 3000 who need to travel from London. They haven't had the same amount od snow in the nort west. It's played late so the pitch has more chance of freezing. Rugby isn't played with the ball on the ground so isn't a valid comparison. Who do you suggest gives up their Christmas to clear the surrounding area, are you willing to volunteer?

[nico2708]

has anybody been near villa park since our last home game on december 11th, who can report what the roads and pavements are like around there at the moment???

[SoccerHQ]

The walkways are o.k but not sure they'll cope with 40k.

[Legion]

I went there today. It was fine for the amount of traffic etc there but would be a nightmare when 40,000+ are around and about.

[UsualSuspect]

has anybody been near villa park since our last home game on december 11th, who can report what the roads and pavements are like around there at the moment???

I drove past yesterday going to Tesco's and it was fine, would only be a problem if we get another heavy fall of snow and judging by the met offices website they aint got a fucking clue...

[Dave P]

1-1

They score early after we better 'em, we spend the game ontop and equalise around 72 minute mark.

I agree with the score but I think this statement is more correct for Spurs fans.

Albrighton 14

Defoe 72

[JJ-AV]

We've our players back. Assou-Ekotto by his own admission doesn't give a fuck, he won't like the cold and Albrighton will tear him apart. Downing will have Hutton inside out and Ashley will have donkey Dawson spinning.

Not being clinical enough will cost us the three points, again. But we'll get something and a positive performance to accompany it.

[Dave Summers]

I understand that there is a lot of snow, I  also understand that at the moment the roads are awful and I finally understand that there is some more snow on the way.  However, why is this seemingly certain to be called off?.

The pitch will be fine, the stands will be fine, it's just a case of working together, like Man City did last night to clear the necessary walkways, pavements, entrances etc.   If that is done, then like most of the Heineken Cup Rugby matches at the weekend, this should go ahead surely?.

People can then make their own minds up as to whether or not they want to travel to the game or watch it on TV.   

There's no public transport so the roads and car parks will be more over worked. There are 3000 who need to travel from London. They haven't had the same amount od snow in the nort west. It's played late so the pitch has more chance of freezing. Rugby isn't played with the ball on the ground so isn't a valid comparison. Who do you suggest gives up their Christmas to clear the surrounding area, are you willing to volunteer?

Chris, I didn't say it was going to be easy to get the game on, far from it.  But I personally don't think we should just give up.

Using the cross city rail line on a daily basis, I would suggest that not having the trains on is a bonus , bit flippant there, sorry.    As I said above, I would like to think that Villa will make the effort to get the game on and then people can make their own minds up about whether they want to travel or not.   I would guess that there will be many who have had tickets bought them for Christmas and if they are young, may not be able to attend the re-arranged date, if it's a school night?.

Not sure what the link is to not having the same amount of snow in the North West.  They had enough on Saturday to have the Liverpool and Wigan games called off, but Blackburn and City made the effort and got their games on.

In terms of the Rugby, I honestly don't agree with you.  The ball spends plenty of time on the ground, as do the players, more than Footballers.  I think that's a perfectly valid comparison.

I have no idea who would clear the surrounding areas Chris but if the forecast is correct (laugh) and we don't get any snow after tomorrow, then presuming the roads are gritted and paths cleared BEFORE Christmas, then no one should have to give up time over the holidays?.

I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree on this matter and just wait and see what happens.   It's damn cold out there, so maybe you are right and the game should be called off nice and early to allow everyone to plan their Boxing Days.

[Chris Smith]

Dave, my own circumstances are probably influencing my thinking on this in that it would suit me if it was called off. If it isn't I'll be there and will make the most of it but if I didn't have to travel on Boxing Day I wouldn't be the worst thing that ever happened.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I went there today.

That's it then, game off.

[andyaston]

Its a boxing day game at home shoved back to 5.30 for the Sky TV cameras for the third time on the trot so, I couldn't give a toss if its called off. It would be nice to see a home game on the 26th december kicking off in daylight, I hope every game Sky has shoved back over the festive period gets called off serve them right tossers.