Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[mikeb1982]

Blackburn 37 Us 1. McLeish gets given a new 5 year contract.

You think we'll score?

[Merv]

Team picks itself, for me:

Given

Hutton Cuellar Collins Warnock

           Herd   Petrov

Albrighton Ireland N'Zogbia

                Agbonlahor

Subs: Guzan, Lichaj, Baker, Bannan, Gardner, Heskey, Weimann

Keane's a big miss for us, but oddly, I think it helps the balance of the side. This side, anyway. That midfield, with Ireland dropping into a three, should get plenty of the ball and MA and CNZ stay mainly forward to support Gabby.

[Vanilla]

It did seem at one point this season that our away form was our saving grace., now even that's gone belly up. I don't want to predict the score, just to say we have to win, and play as such for the full 90 odd mins.

However, I just have a feeling that Heskey is going feature somewhere in the starting line up.

[dave.woodhall]

It did seem at one point this season that our away form was our saving grace., now even that's gone belly up.

We've lost one in seven.   

[levico]

I suspect that our performance will be very similar to the one at Wigan - AM doesn't know any better. The difference is that Blackburn are not quite so inept going foward and are likely to sneak a couple of goals.

In the approach to every game I am now expecting less and less from the Villa. If we survive this season it'll be by the narrowest of margins.

[silhillvilla]

Yep with the likes of Hoillett, Yakubu and that Scandinavian lad (name escapes me), Blackburn are full of goals, which means we will probably have to score at least 1 goal

[Louzie0]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2625849,00.html


Gabby's got the right idea.  This is why I like him so much. 

[PeterWithesShin]

I love Gabby, but do the players really believe this? A good point away to the bottom club? The surface stopped us playing football? The VP turf must be crap as well then.

He added: "We found it difficult with the pitch. The conditions of the turf weren't very good for us to play our game.

"But we battled through and managed to pick up a good point.

"I think teams who come and play on this pitch will struggle. We know we could have done better but with the conditions we found it hard to play our football game.

[Louzie0]

I love Gabby, but do the players really believe this? A good point away to the bottom club? The surface stopped us playing football? The VP turf must be crap as well then.

He added: "We found it difficult with the pitch. The conditions of the turf weren't very good for us to play our game.

"But we battled through and managed to pick up a good point.

"I think teams who come and play on this pitch will struggle. We know we could have done better but with the conditions we found it hard to play our football game.

It was more the happiness at being chosen as captain and the determination to get something out of the Blackburn game that appealed to me, but don't Wigan have to share their ground?  I'm sure I read somewhere today or yesterday in the press that Darren Bent's injury could be attributed to the dodgy surface.  I haven't seen it for a bit, but I don't think VP is as bad!

Just thought how I felt when our IT and company laptops were not up to the basics and how frustrating it was.  I'm not a footballer but if I couldn't play properly on a professional basis because of a crappy surface in the PL I think I would be irritated.

[Legion]

The rugby league team plays there.

[PeterWithesShin]

It more a comment on us rarely playing football regardless of the pitch

[preston28]

I've gone for a Rovers win - they're actually hard to beat at Ewood and hitting some form. Our injuries and tactics will play into their hands and we will lose 2-0.

[Louzie0]

Sorry PWS - think I have added rather than waiting!

[Legion]

We have tactics?

[preston28]

Allegedly!