Manchester City v Aston Villa Match Thread

[pedro25]

L Young is back in full training, surely Walker could have played one more match.  Gabby and Fonz are not wide men so the full backs may get even less protection.  Petrov, Bannan and Bradley is ok but Viera, Toure and Barry is clearly too strong on paper.  Still you never know.  Maybe frustrate them for an hour then sling on Young, Albrighton and Downing to win it.

[eastie]

I agree mac but I fear we are in the minority.

[lovejoy]

OK team selection seems a little strange and I can understand the criticism.
But in Gerrard we trust,its going to be ok.
I will quote this to you all in 2 hours time when we have won.

I hope.

We've trusted him so far and we're 5 points off relegation.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Kick Ballotelli and wind him up, get him sent off.

[lovejoy]

Remind me there's still only 3 subs allowed yes?

[CJ]

any links?

It's live on ITV

Not much good to littlevillan in Boston, USA.

Ooops! Didn't know his location

[KevinGage]

Rest you can all make a case for.

Midfield *shouldn't* necessarily get too overrun, decent balance to it on paper.  Playing three up top (even if two have to drop back) could be viewed as a bold move.

Herd is a concern though.  Nowt against the lad, but Lichaj being torn a new one there in the league would -I'd have thought- been as good an argument as any to guard against the folly of playing an inexperienced player there.

Gone from thinking we might have a half decent chance in this one to hoping we don't concede early and fold again.

[olaftab]

They just announced the team here at eastlamds can't believe this. houlier I hope you get a result here

[Mac]

"Martin O'Neill sticks with the same players all the time, they're all knackered and all know that they're guaranteed a start, booooo!"

"Gerard has rotated his squad to keep them fresh and encourage competition for places, booooo!"

You think this is simple rotation?

[nico2708]

he must know that we don't win in march anyway, and thought fuck it

[Mac]

The issue for me are the fullbacks and 3 central strikers.

Not the quality of the team, it just doesn't look to have a balance

[eastie]

8 changes- I wonder what ash makes of that as a statement of the clubs ambition to win trophies?

[PaulWinch again]

Oh dear.

[Richard C]

Fuck it

[BedsVillain]

Oh Dear!