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

[Le Lapin]

Another loss, pressure is on us. We don't have the players that can deal with the pressure of being the home side. MON's Sunderland will have something that we don't possess...a game plan.
It's time for a few players to step up the mark, Gabby and Ireland namely, they are senior players now and should lead by example.

[David_Nab]

Carruthers should start ,looks fearless and we need that right now.Garnder for instance looks a little lost out there at moment has had alot expected of him and it shows.

[Mister E]

I'm afraid that we will get mullered - we're looking bereft of confidence and guile; MO'NS will be pumped full of confidence and have the energy and teamship to put us to the sword.
We desperately need Clark and / or Herd in CMF to provide some grit. I agree that Carruthers should be given a start in support of one upfront; in a 4-3-2-1 formation.

[Risso]

It probably should be a draw, but if you had to back one manager to inspire his players for this one particular game, it'd be O'Neill.  He's probably threatened his players with having an acid bath if they lose this one, whereas McLeish will be telling them to not be TOO afraid about playing the Mighty Legions from the Stadium of Holy Light, and to try to keep it tight for 80 minutes, after which time he'll bring on Heskey to guarantee the draw. 

[robbo1874]

2-1 villa

[ian c.]

1-0 to us.  Allback (80)

[Risso]

1-0 to us.  Allback (80)

Ha ha!  I was actually wondering this morning what he's up to these days.

[ian c.]

1-0 to us.  Allback (80)

Ha ha!  I was actually wondering this morning what he's up to these days.

According to Wikipedia he is assistant coach of the Swedish national team.

[James]

1-0 to us.  Allback (80)

Allback! Isn't that a tactical instruction shouted from our bench after about .... thirty seconds of play?

[Des Little]

We need to make sure that the atmos is as passionate/hostile as it ever has been and help the players get the 3 points we need.  The team needs us on Saturday more than it has in twenty years IMO. 

[Lobsterboy]

I've gone for a 1-1 draw, N'Zogbia to open the scoring and that horrible bastard Gardner to equalise with a long range effort ten minutes from the end

The only way I can see us winning is with Heskey and Weimann up top in a 4-4-2 but given McLeish has just given Gabby the captaincy there is next to no chance of this happening

Sad to say it but relying on other results this weekend to keep us out of the shit

[N'ZMAV]

Keep Larsson quiet and we'll win this one.

[nick harper]

Keep Larsson quiet and we'll win this one.

Indeed, don't give away stupid free kicks and corners. That's their strength and our weakness.

Will take a draw right now - but he does need to bring back one or two experienced players including Cuellar, N'Zobgbia and Warnock if fit - and move Lichaj to right back.

I'd also play Heskey on Saturday if only help us to hold the ball up front. Gabby is woeful at the moment.

[N'ZMAV]

4-4-2 with Weimann and Heskey up top? N'Zogbia and another (Albrighton, Bannan or Agbonlahor) wide.
Gardner and Ireland in middle of the park? Maybe a little lightweight, but Ireland has shown he can pull his weight lately.
Baker and Collins at centre back. Cuellar in at right back. Clark left back. let's try and be as solid as possible.

[Simon Ward]

A win will do for me. Thanks!