Aston Villa v Newcastle United Pre-Match Thread

[Holtenderinthesky]

It's a good job Cahill, Arteta, Fellaini, Saha etc were out last week otherwise we might not have won (Err...).  Nolan and Tiote (yes that one, the Messi of the north) are out so we should be ok.  Seriously though, it means bugger all who they have out if we don;t turn up ourselves.  We will though.  3-1.

[Newquay_AVFC]

4-2 win. Bent x 2 ,Gabby and Walker. Barton and og for them.

[Walmley_Villa]

Will be a very tasty atmosphere as the Geordies now hate us as much as the Mackems (check out their forums)...Praying for a comfortable win (3-0) but this team don't do comfortable. A very nailbiting 2-1 with Dunne scoring from a set-piece at the death (would be about time!). 

[VillaAlways]

Might be 4-4-2 again ?

http://http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2333419,00.html

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Might be 4-4-2 again ?

http://http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2333419,00.html

'New system'
Does make it sound like's it's now in place.

If it is, give Heskey a trot with Bent upfront.

[TaxDodger]

2-1. Bent 89, 90. Barton 45.

[Concrete John]

2-1. Bent 89, 90. Barton 45.

And heart failiure all round if it does go like that!

[Monty]

With no Carroll, 4-4-2 might not be so bad against Newcastle. They aren't a team to pass anyone to death, and their 4-5-1 beat us mainly because because their big, boofy direct balls hit their target without exception, and the loss of Carroll leaves them with nobody else to bully us quite the same way. My only concern is the usual one with 4-4-2, that I think we should go for this game and that system is such a false friend - you lose options in the midfield and are easier to counter against, so you give the ball away more AND concede more chances. Ah well.

[VillaAlways]

Lawro speaks

Aston Villa v Newcastle

This is a very important game for Villa, who I thought were decent in their draw at Everton last week. I am not a believer in saying that a team is 'too good to go down' but Gerard Houllier has so many matchwinners that I am convinced they will be fine.

Newcastle have been a bit up and down on the road, and I think teams think they can get at them. You have to think Villa will get at least a couple of goals here.

It was interesting to hear about Magpies midfielder Joey Barton claiming in midweek that he is the best midfielder in England. Good on him, and I don't mind things like that because he genuinely believes it - but, although he has had a really good season, I don't think he should be in the England team.

Prediction: 2-1

Take That have predicted us to lose 2-3.

[Quiet Lion]

I just have a bad feeling about this one. All my confidence is now gone where we are concerned.

If we lose this one, we are doomed.

0-1 Barton pen 90

[peter w]

5-3

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Going to be a hot one for Sunday, weather wise.

Up to 22!

[Clark W Griswold]

0-0 AET 4-5 on pens, Collins to miss.

[VillaAlways]

Going to be a hot one for Sunday, weather wise.

Up to 22!

Cue mass moob display from the Toon Army :O

[Chris Smith]

Going to be a hot one for Sunday, weather wise.

Up to 22!

In that case no way am I wearing a scarf, I'll just have to be the 11.5th man.