Aston Villa v MartinO'Neill'sSunderland Pre-Match Thread

[Cuz]

Which manager will get booed the most?

A very edgy VP with a 1-1 score line. The Sunderland equaliser by Gardner at 90 + 3

McLeish

[Matt Collins]

I do fear the worst for this one. I just hope we can be set up with some sort of recognisable formation, shape and tactics. Centre midfield could easily be overrun. It says a lot that Ireland is the man we need to step up, he hasn't been, and yet he's not far off player of the year just by virtue of looking to actually pass the ball to people in the same colour shirt.

Not sure of the injury situation, but I think I'd go:

Given - Hutton, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock - CNZ, Herd, Ireland, Gabby - Heskey, Weimann

subs: Guzan, Clark, Baker, Bannan, Gardner, Carruthers, Delfouneso

[curiousorange]

Sunderland, with O'Neill maintaining a smug, 'this was all about my team today, not me' attitude in the MOTD interview.

[Nirog72]

0-0 as we fail to attack and therefore nullify their counter attacking style. McLeish hailed as the greatest tactician since Napolean.

[Ads]

This thread reminds me of the pre Fulham match thread where we were apparently going to get smashed. These are even worse.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I do fear the worst for this one. I just hope we can be set up with some sort of recognisable formation, shape and tactics. Centre midfield could easily be overrun. It says a lot that Ireland is the man we need to step up, he hasn't been, and yet he's not far off player of the year just by virtue of looking to actually pass the ball to people in the same colour shirt.

Not sure of the injury situation, but I think I'd go:

Given - Hutton, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock - CNZ, Herd, Ireland, Gabby - Heskey, Weimann

subs: Guzan, Clark, Baker, Bannan, Gardner, Carruthers, Delfouneso

Hate to say it, but on current form Gabby doesn't deserve his place.
I keep waiting for him to turn it on and fly past defenders...and he simply isn't doing it. I think Heskey and Weimann might work though.
(fingers crossed/praying to various Gods/chanting stuff and lighting candles!)

[SoccerHQ]

Sunderland could nick this but I think it will be 1-1, this is after all MON at Villa Park.

Cuellar and N'zogbia have to start for me. Hopefully Clark or Herd are fit as we need someone to close mark Sessesgnon.

[preston28]

1-1 for me.

[Villanation]

For me the anti has just been notched up on this game big time, we can't hang on waiting for the Bolton game and putting all our eggs in that basket and possibly lose, the next chance has to be Sunderland, this game has just become the biggest game of this season and probably for many seasons.

Its now a huge must win!!!!.

[Pete3206]

I think Sunderland will nick it, sending this place into meltdown. Then, we'll beat Bolton.

[pauliewalnuts]

Tell you what, if Sunderland beat us, this place will go into meltdown on two seperate fronts - our relegation prospects AND the return of the pubically headed one.

[tarzansbrother]

I would play Heskey and Weimann upfront with Nzogbia and Carruthers wide. Making Gabby captain was a terrible decision as his form has been woeful. 2-2 with Sunderland coming back from 2-0 down.

[Dr.Feelgood]

I said to my mate we should sit behind the dugout in the trinity and boo them both, if they outclass us I really fear the worst

You needn't worry, Phil : if you know anyone who knows the lads behind the dugout, - it'll not be pretty down there.

[TaxDodger]

3-0. Collins 86, Gardner 90, Agbonlahor 90.

[Dr.Feelgood]

Tell you what, if Sunderland beat us, this place will go into meltdown on two seperate fronts - our relegation prospects AND the return of the pubically headed one.

you're not wrong there, fella...