Aston Villa v Everton Pre-Match Thread

[MarkM]

2-1 Bent 31, Clark 83. Baines 42 freekick from a Warnock foul.
Keane to come on with 5 mins to go and hit the crossbar with his first touch 

Before getting injured and us having to pay his wages for the rest of his loan spell

[TheSandman]

4-0 to us.

Bent will get all four in a victory as unexpectedly comprehensive as it will be welcome.

[Legion]

Am I alone in thinking that taking Keane on loan is a big mistake?

[TheSandman]

No.

[PeterWithesShin]

Am I alone in thinking that taking Keane on loan is a big mistake?

Nope, i'm not a fan of the move.

[Legion]

Is it worth starting a thread for discussion?

[villan1975]

Am I alone in thinking that taking Keane on loan is a big mistake?

Hell no.

[PeterWithesShin]

Is it worth starting a thread for discussion?

Not sure, it's been talked about a lot in the transfer thread. It's where I voiced my opinion.
As it looks like it is happening i'm guessing he deserves a thread of his own?

[Legion]

I'll brave the backlash.

[supertom]

I've always been a Robbie Keane fan, but he's past his sell by date. Those 2 month loans are pointless. He won't fit in our side either. We need to start using Bent more and getting the best out of our marquee player. Formwise he's been average this season.
If we do drop him for a few games then I'm more than happy for Gabby to take up the mantle. I'd also like to see more of our kids from the bench.

We don't need Keane. Irelands now starting to play well and if we need a linkman between midfield and attack, he can be it. As could BB, or even Charles.

Keane's also got no pace any more, so I don't think he could play wide anymore as he did on occasion for Spurs.

[l_mckay]

A boring 1-1 draw i think

[Matt Collins]

Seems most likely to be a fairly uninspiring draw, with a run of generally easier games to follow. Definitely a winnable game if we play at our better levels though. Jagielka and Arteta (permanently) are big misses for them.

I think the back 6 outfield players are pretty settled, and it's then a question of which 4 from 5. Gabby has to play for me, and Ireland gives us something noone else can (save Bannan, who is behind him in the pecking order).

On recent form, I'd say a strong case for MA and CNZ either side as up at Chelsea, but dropping Bent is a brave move, and would generate unhelpful atmosphere (though it may be the right choice tactically)

I don't much fancy Bent up top in a 433 again though. So I reckon we could play Ireland plus one winger, and Gabby and Bent up top. Again, plenty of doubts about that, but I don't think any of the options is without a lot of uncertainty. I'd probs opt for CNZ as the winger, on the left, but that's harsh on Alby.

I like Mazrim's team; it's how Barca have started playing, but I think it might be a little tactically sophisticated for us, to say the least

[Greg N'Ash]

can't call this one at all really. two clubs who lost key players in the summer and weren't allowed to replace them and have been all over the place performance wise as a consequence

2-2

[The Laughing Policeman]

After Scholes on Sun, and that French bloke last night. I wouldn't be at all surprised on Sat to see Peter Withe come off the bench and shin the winner for us.

[Duncan Shaw]

I'm with the Zogman, for some reason an unexpected bollocking good home win feeling is in my water, so I'll go for a 4-1, as I can't see us keeping a clean sheet, with Bent, Zog and Ireland amongst the goals.