Stoke City v Aston Villa Match Thread

[Brian Taylor]

Looks like we are beginning to get used to not having him. Still be surprised if he goes in Jan! Short and sweet eh?

[Matt Collins]

I can't see where bent would go. He isn't top 4 standard and I don't know who else could afford him.

I think this was an ideal opportunity to stick with the same formation as last week, get hold of the ball a bit and play around their straight lines with mobility and good passing. I think gabby can do the hold up play bit. I really find it embarrassing when heskey plays in midfield.

Anyway, enough grumbling, let's hope we can do it.

[PaulWinch again]

Ah good another bit of patronising commentary on the BBC live football thing -

- 'But is my express purpose this evening to bring you information on all things Stoke v Aston Villa, the late live TV game, eighth against twelfth, clearly Boxing Day's big clash.'

That's twice on the BBC today this game has been completely belittled.

[SoccerHQ]

First half.

2nd half we barely kept the ball.

I was quite happy Crouch is ill/injured/getting burgled....until I realised Jones scored in both games last season.

And they have Pennant and Delap to throw on for the late onslaught.

Think this will be a behind the sofa watch.

[Chris Smith]

It was for 60 minutes last season. We were excellent, fluid and looked dangerous. I'll be surprised if we match that with this side, but here's hoping . . .

No, but I'd be surprised we matched it with Stephen Ireland. I really don't think it's a game for him or Bannan from the start. Clearly it would be better if Bent was fit but as he's not I think Heskey is the right option for this game.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Heskey, great!! Saying that we ain't got much option have we?

[Matt Collins]

Let's hope you're right!

[taylorsworkrate]

FFS Heskey?

Seems like our experiment of passing the ball is over then.

[Tom_Mc9?]

That's twice on the BBC today this game has been completely belittled.

Not sure why anybody is offended by it. It will be shit.

[citizenDJ]

I think I'm inclined to agree with Chris on this one, I think playing Heskey does make some sense tonight. I'm quite interested to see how the defense does with Carlos at Right Back, too.

So, a pretty reasonable team selection all things considered, but it's a bit of a shame we have Stoke after last weeks performance! Against a less, er , physical side I hope we'd have tried the same again.

[taylorsworkrate]

That's twice on the BBC today this game has been completely belittled.

Not sure why anybody is offended by it. It will be shit.

Yep, absolutely amazed its on the tele. I can't imagine many neutrals being excited by it.

[manic-road]

We are going to need Heskey against Stoke, unfortunately i think he will be needed in more defensive areas against the long and high balls pumped in.

[SO Villa]

So we're going to settle for heading the ball out of our own box for 90 minutes?

[taylorsworkrate]

Why do we always seem to pander to the opposition?

Whats wrong with trying to impose ourselves on the game?

[Phil from the upper holte]

I'm a villa fan and I'm not excited