Swansea City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Steve R]

This has the feel of the first Stoke game to me. I have no idea who plays for Swansea, couldn't name a single player. If we were to line up the two team sheets one for one, it would probably appear to be no contest.

I am just hoping that the customary promotees early season buoyancy ended last week when ManU beat them.

It's a bit much that we are playing Swansea and I am clutching at straws without any identifiable reason for doing so.

[godzvilla]

 I,m in Singapore for this game , went to Clarke Quay last night and saw plenty of places showing the Premier  League  . Can any Villa Fans in Singapore tell me if there,s a regular place they go to to watch the mighty Villa ?, thankyou...............Godzvilla!

[Matt Collins]

I don't "expect us to win". But I do expect some conviction on and off the ball. I'd definitely want to put more ball players in the side, but it's a bit hard to know whether Bannan is in the right condition.

I think I'd go 4-3-3, with Petrov, Herd and Bannan / Delph, and with N'Zogbia, Bent and Gabby up top. I'd start Jenas but I don't think he's considered fit?

I don't really know why, but I have a  feeling Delph is likely to come back into some form. He was really good at the start of the season, then his form went completely downhill

[Simba]

Orange dot, perhaps?

Oh yes, of course. Orange Dot please. No wonder we have been struggling, without the mystical O.D.

Stick it up here Legion, we need it.

[Neil Hawkes]

We'd better friggin' win, as I'll be down the pub bantering with a clutch of Man utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle & Arsenal supporters.
If not I may just walk across the road into the Mediterranean and keep on walking!

[citizenDJ]

Swansea are far from a great team, but they do pass the ball around quickly and smartly, which is exactly why I am worried about this one. Dunne, Collins, Heskey.....a fair few of our players simplybcan't cope with that.

Normally, you'd expect a decent team to counter that by keeping the ball and using it smartly themselves, but unfortunately I don't think we can manage that, either. Certainly not with mental team selections like that we saw last Monday!

Pick the right team, and I reckon we can get the points. Play for a draw, we'll lose.

I'd go;

                   Given

Hutton, Cuellar, Clark, Warnock,

                  Petrov
             Herd.    Bannan

Albrighton.               Agbonlahor

                   Bent

[Matt Collins]

Can't see us dropping BOTH centre backs, I doubt we'll drop either. Do want to see clark at centre back at some point.

[citizenDJ]

I know, Matt, it's not likely at all. I can even see why we possibly shouldn't.

But that's the team I'd pick. I'm pretty fed up of Dunne and Collins, and I still have some resentment over their shenanigans from last season!

I really must move on!

[Matt Collins]

I think dunne has been good this year, Collins more inconsistent.

Cuellar has to be the technically least proficient spaniard playing today. I think people go way overboard about his qualities personally. But could bd worth a go too.

[gervilla]

AM said weeks ago he would drop the guilty parties if we continues to concede goals from corners.
This didn't happen so I wouldn't be surprised if he continues with Dunne & Collins as the central halves.
Collins needs dropping though, he was a shambles on Monday night.
I would be happy with either Carlos or Clarke in for Collins, I won't hold my breath though.

[taylorsworkrate]

I think dunne has been good this year, Collins more inconsistent.

Cuellar has to be the technically least proficient spaniard playing today. I think people go way overboard about his qualities personally. But could bd worth a go too.

But can you think of one glaring mistake Cuellar's made, or one bad game he's had?

I'd go Dunne and Cuellar.

[JJ-AV]

Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer are gonna twist our defence inside out. Danny Graham is a very decent centre forward, just can't finish.

We'll lose.

2-1. Petrov again for us.

I'd like to see us go:

Given
Cuellar - Dunne - Collins - Warnock
Clark
N'Zogbia - Petrov - Jenas - Gabby
Bent

[VillaAlways]

AM said weeks ago he would drop the guilty parties if we continues to concede goals from corners.
This didn't happen so I wouldn't be surprised if he continues with Dunne & Collins as the central halves.
Collins needs dropping though, he was a shambles on Monday night.
I would be happy with either Carlos or Clarke in for Collins, I won't hold my breath though.

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2529311,00.html
Sigh........

[Legion]

[CJ]

I read on a Swansea message board somewhere yesterday that they hope Collins is playing - saying he's as bad for Villa as he is for Wales. Hopefully we'll see Clark in for Collins but I just can't see McLeish dropping him