Aston Villa v Everton Pre-Match Thread

[Lobsterboy]

I think we'll win 2-0, Bent and N'Zogbia with the goals.

Keane's arrival should give the players a bit of a boost and confident of a good performance and a win

[JD]

3-1 to Villa. Petrov, Bent and Keane to score. Probably Cahill for Everton.   

[PaulTheVillan]

Oh god.

Cahill in the air? Us from Corners?

0-9.

Treble hat trick

[Concrete John]

Lawro's prediction:-

Both these clubs are very much mid-table material in the Premier League and look like staying there - they seem to be drifting in no-man's land at the moment.

Villa have signed Robbie Keane on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, which will give them another option up front, but they have definitely become a selling club.

On that note, there have been plenty of rumours that Darren Bent will be leaving Villa this month but I cannot see where he is going to go, especially if you think that they paid Sunderland more than £18m for him this time last year and will probably want their money back.

Everton are treading water too, and they are really fortunate that they have such a top manager in David Moyes. If he wakes up one morning and decides he is sick of banging his head against a brick wall every day, they are in big trouble.

I saw Moyes being interviewed after Wednesday's defeat by Tottenham and felt his frustration. I got the feeling he is wondering where he goes from here.

I am a big fan of his and he has done an outstanding job but every time people talk about Everton, it is all about how they cannot compete financially.

Bringing in Darron Gibson from Manchester United for £2m would be a decent buy at that price, because they need to replace Mikel Arteta, but all Moyes can do at the moment is shop around for bargains like that.

As for the game, it will be tight. Moyes will gee his players up after the Spurs match, while with Villa you are never quite sure what you are going to get. They were poor in their last home league game against Swansea but comfortable in their FA Cup win over Bristol Rovers.

Because they have home advantage I think they might just sneak this one, although I think Everton might end up a couple of places above Villa come May, if only because I think that even on a bad day they remain very competitive.

Prediction: 2-1

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16526597.stm

Not a huge amount to argue with there.

[Brend'Watkins]

'but they have definitely become a selling club'

Young and Downing makes us definitely a selling club does it? Young with one year left on his contract who wasn't signing a new one and Downing for £20 million.  In the latter's case we're more a robbing club.

[dave.woodhall]

"there have been plenty of rumours that Darren Bent will be leaving Villa this month"

That's because he's started most of them.

[Concrete John]

OK, maybe there was a bit to argue about there.......

[Matt C]

Useless fact for the day: Gabby has scored more goals against Everton than any other PL club (6).

[pauliewalnuts]

Does Lawrenson ever give a match prediction for us which doesn't involve labelling us a "selling club"?

The BBC's sport coverage has recently been looking more and more tired and half arsed. Lawrenson, Hansen and Lineker sat in their nice M&S shirts, spouting the same shite year after year.

[PaulWinch again]

Is Keane eligible?

[VillaAlways]

Is Keane eligible?

Yes,he's recieved clearance and is available

[PaulWinch again]

Thanks.

[Villanation]

Useless fact for the day: Gabby has scored more goals against Everton than any other PL club (6).

How can that be useless, it fantastic.

C'mon you Gabby freaking masterful all powerful best attacking player this side of the Klundyck....Agbonlahgod, Aston Villa supremo.......

he's so going to eat some toffees...yum yum.

[PaulWinch again]

I'll be curious to see how we set up tomorrow. I'd imagine Mcleish will be looking to fit Keane in.

[luke25]

I'd like us to go for Keane, Bent and Gabby up front with a midfield 3 of Petrov, Ireland and Clark, have N'zog and Marc on the bench to change it if we need width.