Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers Pre-Match Thread

[brontebilly]

I hope GH realises this is a must win & doesn't start NRC & Petrov together.

Let's freshen it up. Ashley Young isn't playing well IMO & Gabby would be a better option coming from the bench.

Friedel
 Walker Dunne Collins Baker
   Delph Bannan Bradley
Albrighton                            Downing
Bent

Couldn't go with Delph and Bannan. One or the other. I'd agree with giving Clark a break and giving Baker a chance. I'd also play Young ahead of Albrighton. We need points and also to get his value up before the summer unfortunately.

I expect Petrov to come back in next to Bradley. Young up his hole, Gabby wasted on wing. If Houllier picks the side I expect him to we will struggle to win. Squeaky bum time

[WikiVilla]

Delph Bannan Bradley in the middle would be suicide

Very limited PL experience there, tomorrow will be an ugly physical scrap and we'll need experienced heads like NRC & Stan in the engine room

[pedro25]

We've tried NRC and petrov together and very rarely has it been effective, hence we're struggling at the bottom of the league, Delph, Bannan and Bradley would offer something different, maybe just 2 of the would be risky but playing a 3 in there me`ns they should be able to cope at home v a poorish side.

[CheeriOneill]

NRC & Stan in the engine room

Not too sure Petrov and Engine Room go in same sentence.

I would go Albrighton - Bradley - NRC - Downing

Ged will not.

[Chris Smith]

We've tried NRC and petrov together and very rarely has it been effective, hence we're struggling at the bottom of the league, Delph, Bannan and Bradley would offer something different, maybe just 2 of the would be risky but playing a 3 in there me`ns they should be able to cope at home v a poorish side.

It's a must win game and not one to be making experiments, there's about 10 PL games between them in that lot and they've never played together before.

[Dave Cooper please]

I'm going, and I haven't seen us lose for three seasons (not that I go that often of course).

No worries, and it's your round Joe.

[Merv]

I'd go with this:

Friedel

Walker Dunne Collins Baker

          NRC Bradley Bannan

Albrighton   Bent     Young

Bench: Marshall, Clark, L Young (if fit), Downing, Petrov, Agbonlahor, Delph

[WikiVilla]

Don't get this Bradley starting thing, he's totally unproven at PL Level :

Friedel

Walker Dunne Collins Clark

 Downing   NRC Petrov (c) Agbonlahor

  Bent     Young

[Merv]

Everyone's totally unproven at PL level at some stage of their career.

I'll explain my thinking. We've got Bradley for the next two and a half months before we need to make a decision on signing him permanently. A home tie v Blackburn is not a bad place to give him a start, especially with NRC alongside him and Bannan in there too. He'll hardly be ruthlessly exposed to the best midfield in the country in that situation.

That's also why I'd put Baker in for this one - he looked comfortable v the same opposition in the cup, and I'd take the chance to rest Clark (as well as having him on the bench as CB cover as we now have no other covering CBs with Cuellar injured, Davies sold, Lowry on loan and the versatile Lichaj on loan).

I'd start Albrighton as I think Givet is vulnerable to pace and a direct winger. I think he'd find Downing easier to handle.

[TimTheVillain]

3-2 Villa

We won't not concede, it's what we do, but I think we'll score on more than them....

[Simon Ward]

No Collins apparently tomorrow, but should be back for Wednesday

[TheSandman]

Cuellar is still knacked isn't he?

Guess that means two left footers at CB.

[Le Lapin]

The pressure is on, at home, a 1-1 draw, they score in the first minute and we equalise midway through the second half. Downing.

[Karl Bridges]

Samba & Hoillet both doubtful for them.

[VillaAlways]

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