Small Heath Alliance v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Irish villain]

I think we'll win, 2-1. Come on Ged, become a hero!

[Mazrim]

Its a perfect opportunity for our defence to have a switched on 95 minutes.
No silly mistakes, no daft fouls in dangerous areas, no penalties, just a professional job please.

Then we can quite conceivably take all the points. Christ knows we need to.

[Matt C]

Freidel
Walker
Clark
Dunne
Collins
Petrov
Reo-Coker
Downing
Albrighton
Carew
Gabby

Marshall
Warnock
Cuellar
Bannan
Pires
Delfoneso
Gardner

[Tony]

We simply can't rollover, to be fair, we didn't in the league cup game but we let too many late goals in, I will be hurt if we lose of course, but if we rollover I will be furious.

[Mazrim]

What if we sit up and beg?

[Villa'Zawg]

I voted draw, but to be honest I don't care!

This is a completely unimportant game at this stage of the season. It should be a win, but the fact that they are from down the road means it's a sideshow we could do without, as the fact that it's a derby levels the playing field.

If we win we are far from safe, if we lose we are far from down.

The important games start in February.

I've been trying to write a reasoned response to this post for about 15 mins but it keeps petering out into something akin to an aggressive growl.

I'll just say I disagree with every single part of your post. The idea that we..... Shit. There it goes again.....

[Tony]

What if we sit up and beg?

If it gets a result, tickle the belly!

[brontebilly]

Have a good feeling about the game for some reason. Think Scott Dann is a huge loss for them and could be crucial. If Reo Coker and Petrov can break even with Gardner and Ferguson, we will win. I'm going for 2-0 - Petrov and Carew in a comfortable ish win.

[Ian.]

Its a perfect opportunity for our defence to have a switched on 95 minutes.
No silly mistakes, no daft fouls in dangerous areas, no penalties, just a professional job please.

Then we can quite conceivably take all the points. Christ knows we need to.

Spot on, they really need to start concentrating. I have never ever known so many late goals in either half a one season before. It has gone far beyond a joke.

[mrfuse]

Im just worried that their players will want it more than ours, will players like Reo Coker, Carew, Petrov, Pires be Bothered?

Heskey and Ash will be a big miss even as frustrating as they can be lets hope Gabby plays his usual part against the scum and Albrighton tears them apart!

[richard moore]

I voted draw, but to be honest I don't care!

This is a completely unimportant game at this stage of the season. It should be a win, but the fact that they are from down the road means it's a sideshow we could do without, as the fact that it's a derby levels the playing field.

If we win we are far from safe, if we lose we are far from down.

The important games start in February.

I've been trying to write a reasoned response to this post for about 15 mins but it keeps petering out into something akin to an aggressive growl.

I'll just say I disagree with every single part of your post. The idea that we..... Shit. There it goes again.....

I agree VD (!), what an utterly remarkable post from dean. In some ways, I can rarely think of a more important derby match than this one....

[adam#1]

Quotes from centre half we're chasing's agent:

January 16, 2011
EMIR SPAHIC is stalling on a move to Aston Villa.

Bosnia's captain fears Gerard Houllier will be sacked if Birmingham win the Midlands derby and the deal will crash.

The Montpellier centre-half's agent, Bekim Dino Pasalic, said: "Houllier wants Spahic at Villa. But after he lost against Sunderland, his job is not secure any more.

"If his team wins the derby, he will stay as Villa manager and be given a free hand to buy anyone he wants. If he loses, he will be sacked and the Spahic transfer will be off.

"I know the Montpellier president said Spahic can't leave. But I spoke to him and he was realistic.

"If Villa's offer is good enough, he will let Spahic go to England. Now we are waiting for the Birmingham result to see what to do next."

So, it's down to the players - if they don't turn up with a fighting performance they clearly don't want houllier....

[ozzjim]

Sounds like an agent that knows bugger all about what is going on but is making assumptions. He won't be sacked if we lose, after just getting in the midfielder he wants to add stability without giving it a few games with him in the side.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I'm almost certain Houllier will not be sacked, Win lose or draw

[gervilla]

I'm almost certain Houllier will not be sacked, Win lose or draw

Same here. He is being  supported in the transfer window, that would be pointless if hes gonna be sacked.