Aston Villa v Everton Pre-Match Thread

[villadelph]

can't see us losing to the tossees now. their going to be down on their luck and flat out exhausted. we need to score early and often, and put them away. We're at home McLeish attack, attack, attack. Guzan will be up for it going up against fellow American, and friend Tim Howard. Let's get it, 3-1 villa.

                    Guzan

Hutton   Collins    Dunne   Warnock

Albrighton     Petrov      N'Zogbia

          Gabby       Ireland

                   Bent

[Shrek]

If Bent doesn't start we will win.

Amazing how you'll take Ireland who, over the vast majority of games for Villa, has generally been a lazy fucker who's contribution amounts to very little, over Bent.

A couple of ok games and you have him over Bent, who has contributed more through scoring goals.

Just in case you weren't sure, scoring goals is the idea of football. You have to score more than the other team if you want to win. It's not about a player having 3 or 4 good games in 2 seasons.

It's amazing how you think the sun shines out of Bents arse based on last seasons form, yet you dismiss Ireland on last seasons form???

Ireland has looked quality, hungry and committed in the last few weeks the complete opposite to Bent.

So based on recent form and not last season, yes, I pick Ireland over Bent.

Ow and Ireland has as many goals as Bent since Bent came back from injury.

Ireland's form last season? What was that like, then? Do you mean when he was throwing strops and refusing to move house here, or when he was out clubbing and being ill at Newcastle?

And Ireland's got as many goals as Bent since Bent came back from injury? All of a few weeks ago. One swallow does not make a spring, especially not in the case of Ireland.

Paulie, you know exactly what I mean, I was responding to criticism of Ireland.

Shall I change my mind so I fall in line with everybody else?

[Clampy]

If Bent doesn't start we will win.

Amazing how you'll take Ireland who, over the vast majority of games for Villa, has generally been a lazy fucker who's contribution amounts to very little, over Bent.

A couple of ok games and you have him over Bent, who has contributed more through scoring goals.

Just in case you weren't sure, scoring goals is the idea of football. You have to score more than the other team if you want to win. It's not about a player having 3 or 4 good games in 2 seasons.

It's amazing how you think the sun shines out of Bents arse based on last seasons form, yet you dismiss Ireland on last seasons form???

Ireland has looked quality, hungry and committed in the last few weeks the complete opposite to Bent.

So based on recent form and not last season, yes, I pick Ireland over Bent.

Ow and Ireland has as many goals as Bent since Bent came back from injury.

Ireland's form last season? What was that like, then? Do you mean when he was throwing strops and refusing to move house here, or when he was out clubbing and being ill at Newcastle?

And Ireland's got as many goals as Bent since Bent came back from injury? All of a few weeks ago. One swallow does not make a spring, especially not in the case of Ireland.

 
Shall I change my mind so I fall in line with everybody else?

No of course not, but you could try and go a whole day without slagging off Bent.

[TimTheVillain]

Bent = Needs service

Ireland = Needs to feel wanted

I've re-thought this :

2-1 Villa

[Shrek]

Right... So I should just change my opinion on Bent for just one day Clampy?

I have my views on Bent, which will change when he starts showing Abit more effort and commitment to the team. I also accept its not solely down to him, the team and Manager are also responsible.

[Virgil Caine]

I predict that Everton will play conservatively as against Spurs and play with a disciplined two rows of four (as per Swansea) McLeavemealone needs to go to a Plan B as Plan A evidently does not work whilst playing at home.
                                     Given or Guzan
                                   
                                Dunne Collins Cueller

                     Herd  N Zogbia Petrov Ireland Clarke
                               
                                     Gabby Bent

I know playing three at the back is risky but we need to be more imaginative at home and push the fullbacks up- just a thought.

[Simon Ward]

I suppose the big question is will Keane get a game?

[Simon Ward]

Villa win 1-0 btw

[Shrek]

I predict that Everton will play conservatively as against Spurs and play with a disciplined two rows of four (as per Swansea) McLeavemealone needs to go to a Plan B as Plan A evidently does not work whilst playing at home.
                                     Given or Guzan
                                   
                                Dunne Collins Cueller

                     Herd  N Zogbia Petrov Ireland Clarke
                               
                                     Gabby Bent

I know playing three at the back is risky but we need to be more imaginative at home and push the fullbacks up- just a thought.

Wouldn't it be really refreshing if he tried something like this? Although I suppose it would depend on the performance.

I'd go for it though.

[Summers]

Keane to score the winner.

[levico]

On the basis that IMO AM is incapable of really stirring the players into anything like a good, winning performance at home, I think this will be another home defeat - 5th on the trot and 6 out of 7.

Once we get into a relegation battle, AM has the track record to take us down - it's his strength.

[achilles]

A dour game by two very unimpressive sides vying for mid-table obsurity - a draw!

[garyshawsknee]

A dour game by two very unimpressive sides vying for mid-table obsurity - a draw!

Or another way of putting it,two bald men fighting over a comb.

[Ryu]

While not against the idea of a wing back type formation per se, I think my left foot's team lacks natural width and pace on the left.  You could swap clarke and the zog, as he started of as a left back if I'm not mistaken.

Not convinced the players we have would suit it though, and at home I think many fans would see it as much, much too defensive. 

[Virgil Caine]

Respect your view Ryu but I can't see how playing a three man defence and two up front with at least 3 attack minded midfielders could be any way described as defensive. As to ' pace' on the left we kid ourselves that we have that, Gabby apart. The Zog is a clever player but not gifted with an extraordinary turn of speed. The last time we had pace on the left was when Ash was here.

I just hope we can be a tad more imaginative and entertaining whilst getting three points when playing at Villa Park because at the moment my season ticket is being considered as very poor value for money.