West Ham United vs. Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread

[WikiVilla]

I'm not sure we know how to set up for a draw, so we may aswell attack them
I'd start with Heskey & Bent up top and bring Gabby on after 60 mins for heskey

[WikiVilla]

West Ham v Aston Villa

Aston Villa got over the line last Sunday by beating Newcastle but their performance was only OK at best.

You have to think they can improve and build on that but, in contrast, West Ham got a thumping at Bolton and look like they are just starting to dip again after a good run.

I don't think there will be much between these sides and I am pretty sure Villa boss Gerard Houllier would settle for a point at Upton Park. Out of the two clubs, you worry a lot more about West Ham's survival prospects than you do about Villa's.

Prediction: 1-1

[avfcpg]

Speaking to a few west ham fans, with their run-in, they see this game as must win or they're down
Atmosphere should be very tense

Yes they have Chelsea and Citeh next I think so lose this and they are right in it...tense nervy 1-1

[Irreverent ad]

After Downings comments in reply to Alvin Martin's, I am feeling confident.

3-1 to Villa

[peter w]

After Downings comments in reply to Alvin Martin's, I am feeling confident.

3-1 to Villa

Which were?

[garyshawsknee]

One of my nasty feelings about this one

2-1 or 2-0 to them, just think they will want it more than us and they will have targeted this match as very winnable...

I was mightily concerned last week about how many of our players really wanted it against Newcastle given how pivotal the game was

Petrov definitely, Gabby and Collins maybe but not really any of the rest....

Think much the same. realistically they have to win their 3 home games to stay up. lose this and they've only really got a possible 6 points from home. Their away games are nasty with chelsea and Citeh and wigan away won't be easy. 38 points ain't enough imo. a draw ain't much cop either.  we on the other hand would class a draw as a good result, but i think they'll want it more

That's why i'd start NRC. He's gonna get a lot of stick,but i think he'd thrive on it,and he won't wanna lose back at West Ham.

[achilles]

Don't know whether I am hoping for a draw or expect to get a draw, whichever I would be happy with that as we have the better players and they have the better team!

[villa for life]

I think it's going to be really important not to let our heads drop if we happen to find ourselves trailing by a goal or two. Any team right down at the bottom finds it very hard to close out the final ten minutes or so, just like we did last week against Newcastle. Let's hope we don't fall behind but if we do, we just have to throw caution to the wind and keep on piling on the pressure and then just wait for the panic to set in and for mistakes to happen.

[WikiVilla]

A win or draw is important in the sense that we can then take some confidence/momentum into the Stoke game
Defeat would mean another Newcastle type encounter against Stoke, with the added pressure of knowing Stoke are half decent

[Rudy Can't Fail]

You didn't see the one at Villa Park then?

You haven't really thought that one through, have you Peter?

So you didn't say...

From the WHU games I've seen this season, they certainly put the effort in and aren't actually that bad a team.

...then?

I wish the whole season was based on one game and that game being the first of the season. We'd probably be 20 points clear at the top of the league. The point being, West Ham have been battling all season, despite the circus that they've suffered off field with the Porn Dwarfs, the distraction of the Olympic stadium, the threat of the sack hanging over Grant for most of it, injuries to key players, losing a cup semi-final, they've never stopped fighting whilst being in the bottom three for most of the time.

Their recent form shows they're not as bad as some would imagine. Look at their last six games; a brilliant fightback after being 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at the Baggies, a 3-1 home win against Liverpool followed by a 3-0 home win against Stoke, then a goalless draw away at Spurs and going 2-0 up at home to Man Utd before losing 2-4. Admittedly they got hit last week away at Bolton but the thing I've admired about them this season is that despite everything going wrong for them, they've never stopped fighting and trying to play their game. Grant deserves a lot of credit for keeping them with still a chance of staying up this season.

One thing about tomorrow is guaranteed, it's going to be a very tough game. I just hope the lads are prepared for it.

[Irreverent ad]

After Downings comments in reply to Alvin Martin's, I am feeling confident.

3-1 to Villa

Which were?

Downing has responded defiantly to criticism by radio pundit Martin that Villa might not have the character for a relegation scrap.

“He is not in our changing room, he doesn’t know anything,” he added.

“If he thinks we’ve got no team spirt, we could have easily faltered against Newcastle.

“I think that is the biggest thing here. We stuck together. We have a great set of lads.

“Team spirit is a big thing at every football club and fighting and tackling and making blocks and filling in for each other.

‘‘That is all part of being a team and even the bench was buzzing in the changing room after the last game.

“If it wasn’t there, we’d be in trouble.

Downing, who scored in Villa’s comprehensive opening day 3-0 win over the Hammers, added: “It’s easy for Alvin Martin to talk.

“Who did he play for? West Ham? I think he should look at West Ham.

“I’d tell you if the team spirit wasn’t there. It’s probably the biggest thing we’ve got, team spirit.”

From Birmingham Mail

[Deano's Mullet]

Draw or win and i reckon we're safe. Lose and the pressure is back on.

2-2 draw.

[tom jennings IV]

COME ON YOU VILLA BOYS!

[gervilla]

Another Saturday spent in front of the laptop with a knot in my stomach for 90 minutes plus.
3 points here should almost put the relegation issue to bed.
2-1 to us.
Bent & Downing.
Fingers crossed.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Looks like Scott Parker will miss this one.

That's a massive boost for us, he carries them.