Aston Villa v Everton Pre-Match Thread

[Clampy]

I'd have left Guzan in for tomorrow as well and let Given rest for another week until the Wolves game.

[Dave Clark Five]

I am ready for an assault on my eyes of drudgery and tedium. But I have got a free coffee voucher... so it ain't all bad

This will be a cracker.

Reason I say that is because you have 2 sides both desperate to win, 2 managers both desperate to get the bragging rights on this, both teams fighting for superiority of there respective positions in the Premiership, should be a real good battle.

You should apply to the club's marketing department. I'm finding it very difficult to get motivated for this. Perhaps the suspense will build during the annoyingly long train journey from Aber.

The bloke who sits next to me comes from Aber. You should travel together, unless you are the same person.

[PeterWithesShin]

Bit disappointed in Brad being dropped. I'm a firm believer in keeping the shirt if you're playing well.

[Karl Bridges]

Haven't read through the whole thread so not sure if anyone's mentioned their injury list. No Jagielka, Distin, Coleman, Hibbert, Osman or Rodwell. Only Heitinga & Baines as recognised defenders. 

[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.

But narrow! Unless you're going to ask keane to play wide-ish right? I'd play one of the wingers over keane, probably CNZ as I think he's looked quite good of late. Just not sure of the right formation to play.

I agree about it being a bit narrow, my thinking behind playing the 3 is that they all have different natural instincts, Gabbys is to run the channels (giving us a bit of width), Keanes is to drop back a few yards and Bents is to attack the 6 yard area, I think they'd compliment each other well and when Petrov, Ireland or Clark have the ball we should actually have some movement off the ball for the first time in ages.

[Greg N'Ash]

thats a serious kick in the teeth to Brad IMO. He's done well and though i think Given's better it seems AM has his untouchables

[Toronto Villa]

thats a serious kick in the teeth to Brad IMO. He's done well and though i think Given's better it seems AM has his untouchables

You are so melodramatic Greg. Given isn't an untouchable. He's the club's first choice goalkeeper and he didn't lose his place because of form. He got hurt and now he's fit he's first choice again. Yes it is hard on Guzan but that's what happens when you're a back up goalkeeper.

[eamonn]

When was the last time Everton beat us in the league? I can't honestly remember. We're neck and neck with them generally but it's been wins for us and draws for the last few years (the FA Cup defeat at Goodison aside).

[Goldie.7]

If i were having a bet i'd be putting my money on 1-1, Since i'm not i think they'll sneak it 1-2 they're due a win here and pretty much in general.

[VillaSpen]

I'm actually pretty confident despite our poor recent home results. I can't see there being many goals but I think we can pinch it.

My only worry is that Tim Cahill is without a goal in more than a year. His ridiculous 'corner flag/sparring' celebration is one of the very worst sights in modern football and I'm praying we're not subjected to it.

[Matt Collins]

I think we're in a good position to win this one, given Everton's injury list and form. I think the biggest threat is actually the crowd and the general air of apathy and disquiet.

The team will be told to start up tempo and get the ball around and play. This could work well, but there are risks that we leave ourselves open to an early Everton goal as a result. I really hope the fans stay with the team.

Their central defence should be there to be got at, and I doubt  they'll risk Drenthe from the start due to his lack of defensive responsibilty, which is good as he could really get at Warnock.

[Dave Clark Five]

I think we're in a good position to win this one, given Everton's injury list and form. I think the biggest threat is actually the crowd and the general air of apathy and disquiet.

This is very true. We need an atmosphere like the Arsenal game. We don't need any early blunders like against Swansea. That soon kills the crowd off.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

I predict a goal fest.
On form Albrighton and Charlie Zog putting in dangerous crosses.
Ireland and Keane with killer passes to the front men.

5-0 to Villa, with Bent getting a hat trick as he receives service and chances he hadnt seen previously at Villa. 

[stubbsyandy]

I think we're in a good position to win this one, given Everton's injury list and form. I think the biggest threat is actually the crowd and the general air of apathy and disquiet.

This is very true. We need an atmosphere like the Arsenal game. We don't need any early blunders like against Swansea. That soon kills the crowd off.

I think you are right, the early blunders against Swansea were a real downer, especially as we were all so optimistic before the game.
Lets get right behind the team and see if we can turn our home form around!

[Risso]

I think we're in a good position to win this one, given Everton's injury list and form. I think the biggest threat is actually the crowd and the general air of apathy and disquiet.

This is very true. We need an atmosphere like the Arsenal game. We don't need any early blunders like against Swansea. That soon kills the crowd off.

I think you are right, the early blunders against Swansea were a real downer, especially as we were all so optimistic before the game.
Lets get right behind the team and see if we can turn our home form around!

It's a chicken and egg situation, but I think the crowd respond more to how the players are playing than the other way round.  The atmosphere was good at Arsenal because the players played well.  It was flat at Swansea because they were hopeless.