Aston Villa v Swansea Pre-Match Thread

[Mazrim]

Here's the peerless mysticism of  Mark "Ooh I could crush a grape" Lawrenson.
He who sits slouched on the MOTD sofa after his diddins, the bottom shirt button on his out of the packet BHS shirt undone, spewing predictable horseshit for a few grand.



Aston Villa got a fantastic 3-1 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and that will give them a lot of confidence. Alex McLeish got his team playing some great counter-attacking football, but they will need something a bit different to break down Swansea.

I think McLeish wants his side to be solid defensively and play on the break and having players like Charles N'Zogbia and Darren Bent, who came on against Chelsea, back in the team helps them do that effectively.

Villa are a mid-table side, but would I be surprised if someone came in to try to buy Bent in January? No, probably not. They have become a selling club.


As for Swansea, they played really well in their 1-1 draw against Tottenham after going 1-0 down, and it was only a matter of time until they scored an equaliser.

That was a really impressive performance from the Welsh side - especially if you consider that Spurs had just gone to Norwich and won easily - but, as we know, Swansea are just not the same force on the road.

Prediction: 2-0

[The Left Side]

I don't care as long as we win!!

[eamonn]

Why did Swansea rest a lot of their first-teamers for the Spurs game? Did they think they had a better chance of getting a result at us than at home to Spudz?

[VillaSpen]

Why did Swansea rest a lot of their first-teamers for the Spurs game? Did they think they had a better chance of getting a result at us than at home to Spudz?

I would imagine that was the exact reasoning. I wouldn't take it personally, though. We've been pretty poor for the majority of the season and I don't think it's meant as an insult.

Having said that, I hope we make Rogers rue not going for it against Spurs after his weakened side got a point. I don't have too many concerns about them offensively and I'm sure our confidence will be good after Chelsea (in particular N'Zogbia and Ireland should be very pleased to have a very strong performance each under their belts).

2-0 Villa.

[The Laughing Policeman]

Another 3-1 to us. That'll teach 'em to chant boring boring Villa.

[Matt Collins]

I would definately start with the same 11 if Petrov isnt fit then bring in Herd and take it from there.

I think Herd and Clark is too defensive (even if Herd is fit). Gardner or Bannan for me.

[Legion]

From Auntie:

TEAM NEWS

Aston Villa will assess captain Stiliyan Petrov, who limped off in Saturday's 3-1 win away to Chelsea.

Darren Bent may start after scoring on his return from injury as a substitute at Stamford Bridge, while the fit-again Emile Heskey may be on the bench.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers is likely to freshen up his side, with Danny Graham and Leon Britton set to start.

On-loan defender Steven Caulker will return, having been ineligible to face parent club Tottenham on Saturday.

MATCH PREVIEW

These two clubs begin a new calendar year leaving behind very different emotions from the last one. While Swansea try to build on what Brendan Rodgers has described as an "iconic" 12 months, Aston Villa's aim has to be some stability and consistency. For Villa, 2011 was certainly a rollercoaster year that saw messrs Houllier, McAllister and McLeish all in charge of the team, a flirtation with relegation and a club record outlay of £24m on Darren Bent.

That kind of spending won't be repeated this January but the challenge is for them to show the resilience and determination that was so clearly evident in their victory at Chelsea on a more regular basis.

That result will have been a timely reminder of what they can achieve. The enigmatic Stephen Ireland played a key role against the Blues - if Villa can get the Irishman performing anywhere near the level he reached at Manchester City under Mark Hughes, it will feel like a new signing, and a talented one too.

Villa have lost four of their last five home games but a match against the side with the worst away record in the league gives Alex McLeish's team an opportunity to start a better run of results. Villa's home form was always the foundation of the top-six finishes achieved under Martin O'Neill.

When Swansea were beating Reading in the Championship to begin 2011, who would have thought that 12 months on they would have 20 points on the board at the halfway stage in the Premier League, having just drawn with Tottenham? It's been a remarkable journey that is still gathering pace and Brendan Rogers' team have won many admirers as well as points with their brand of football. Their defensive foundation has been impressive too, with eight clean sheets on the board.

The one area that will be a concern that could yet jeopardise the fairytale is their away form. They are the only team yet to win away in the top flight, having managed just three points and six goals on their travels, and that is adding extra pressure to their performances at the Liberty Stadium. Three points at Villa Park would be their perfect start to the new year.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
• This is only the 19th meeting between the sides. Aston Villa have won 14, Swansea three and there has only been one draw - which was 0-0 earlier this season.
• Aston Villa won their two previous encounters with Swansea in the top flight at Villa Park; 3-0 in the 1981-82 season and 2-0 in the 1982-83 campaign.

Aston Villa
• Villa had failed to score in five out of seven Premier League matches before netting three against Chelsea.
• They have lost their last three matches at home - to Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
• In fact, they have lost four out of their last five league games at Villa Park and won only three out of nine at home this season.
• They have scored 11 and conceded 11 at home.

Swansea
• The Swans are the only team in the top flight without an away win.
• They have scored just six goals in their nine matches away from the Liberty Stadium.

[midnite]

For the first time this season i'm actually looking forward to going down to villa park. Let's hope for another 3 points on the board. I'm also looking forward to s good atmosphere down at VP too

[villasjf]

Same here midnight suddenly there is light at the end of the tunnell and a renewed optimism.

[JUAN PABLO]

Why did Swansea rest a lot of their first-teamers for the Spurs game? Did they think they had a better chance of getting a result at us than at home to Spudz?

I bet they are regretting it now after we hammered chelski 3-1  . They would have be better giving it a go at home to spurzz and resting against us .

anyway , No Heskey please . Ireland a must to start .     I would like to see Gardner giving a go .   We still have some bloody good players here , as long as they are played in the right positions .     

Im going for 2-0 .        Ireland and Bent

[Clampy]

It might be a game where the fans have to be patient. We might find it hard to break them down at first, they'll make it hard for us knowing we've just come off the back of a good result and their point against Spuds won't have done them any harm either.

I'll go 2-1. Bent and Zoggy. A late nervy consolation for them.

[cheltenhamlion]

Two nil to us.

[PeterWithesShin]

Sods law, for the first time in ages i've been looking forward to the game so the cold i've had for a few days decides to really kick in and I feel like death warmed up. So unless the various medicines kick in fast i'll be missing my first home game of the season.  Bah humbug.

[eamonn]

I'll go 2-1. Bent and Zoggy. A late nervy consolation for them.

Will you let Luke Moore have it?

[Jimbo]

Because I know Villa, I'm refusing to get carried away with our apparent reversal of fortune. A frustrating draw is on the cards today. 2-2, Gabby and Gardner.