West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Risso]

I would take a draw every day of the week. 

That's McLeish's approach every day of the week as well!

[villajk]

By Dan Harrison

Richard Dunne has declared himself ready to help Villa win their battle for survival after recovering from a broken collarbone.

Dunne is in line for a return to the action in Saturday's crunch West Midlands derby showdown against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

The Irish defender insists he is ready for the rough and tumble of a relegation scrap after working hard to get back to fitness.

His last appearance for Villa came in the 1-0 defeat against former club Manchester City in February.

"I'm back in training, I'm easing my way back in and joining in with the lads," he said. "I'm available for Saturday, we'll see what happens.

"It's been hard watching because we're all mates and you can see that the performances haven't been poor but the results haven't gone for us.

"You have to be out there trying to help people, so it is frustrating.

"I've made myself available because I want to go and help and be part of helping the squad stay up.

"Everyone should be excited and very determined to go out and win tackles, win header and win everything.

"We've got to walk off the pitch on Saturday knowing we've done our jobs and hopefully got three points from it."

Dunne has embarked on a mini pre-season to ensure he is back for the vital run-in.

He has put thoughts of Ireland's Euro 2012 campaign to one side for now with Villa's battle for top-flight safety his top priority.

"I'm not going to be a million per cent fit because I've not played for a while," he added.

"I've done a mini pre-season over the last few weeks and my shoulder is stronger than ever.

"I could go and play in a friendly for Ireland and pull my hamstring a day before the tournament, so there is no point me thinking 'I can't do this, I can't do that because I might get injured'.

"I'm back, I'm fit and I'm ready to go."

Snap up your seat for Villa's final home game against Tottenham - click here.

[Meanwood Villa]

Based on absolutely nothing, in fact based on overwhelming evidence to the contrary, I think this weekend's going to go well for us, with us winning and all our rivals losing/dropping points. Everything is going to be alright. Up the Villa. McLeish out.

[avfcpg]

I want to say we'll win, because football's weird like that. But I just can't see it at all with our form, confidence, injuries......manager.

Hope Ireland is back. Maybe him and Nzog can provide a few minutes of quality that will count (4 times would be handy)

[Steve R]

SSN reporting that Collins, Ireland and Heskey all in doubt for the game.

Baggies likely to have Scharner fit. He always plays well against us.  I'd definitely have Cuellar at RB.

[VillaAlways]

I want to say we'll win, because football's weird like that. But I just can't see it at all with our form, confidence, injuries......manager.

Hope Ireland is back. Maybe him and Nzog can provide a few minutes of quality that will count (4 times would be handy)

Nzog knows all about relegation battles,he performed brilliantly for Wigan towards the end of the season.

[Rick_avfc]

I want to say we'll win, because football's weird like that. But I just can't see it at all with our form, confidence, injuries......manager.

Hope Ireland is back. Maybe him and Nzog can provide a few minutes of quality that will count (4 times would be handy)

Nzog knows all about relegation battles,he performed brilliantly for Wigan towards the end of the season.

Shame the plonk has not reprodcued that form for us!

[danlanza]

Well good old Nzog!Waits all season until we are in the shite and then realises he was employed to play football.Funny that!

[Mazrim]

If Collins is out I'd go with Lichaj at right back, Baker left back, Dunne and Cuellar in the centre.


                               Given

Lichaj           Cuellar         Dunne        Baker
                 
               Herd        Clark       Warnock

               Agbonlahor          N'Zogbia
                            Weimann


With everybody fit:

                                  Given

Lichaj             Collins            Dunne           Warnock
                 
                 Herd          Ireland         Clark

         Agbonlahor       Weimann         N'Zogbia             


....maybe.

[JUAN PABLO]

some *mate* just posted this on my status

Is looking forward to putting another nail in the Seals coffin, Agent McCleish; your work is nearly done.

[robbo1874]

We'll beat them (just) I think and they'll be forced to wind their necks in a bit.

I've been getting gloating texts at 3 am this week from a baggie mate in the uk.
Looking forward to reciprocating on Sunday when I'm tucking into a hearty lunch and he's halfway through an unpleasant d & d comedown!

Ever the optimist.

[VillaAlways]

Lawro has us to lose which is good as he rarely gets our predictions right :-

It is always nice to deal your rivals a severe blow so West Brom will be delighted if they can beat Aston Villa and add to their disastrous run of form, which has seen Alex McLeish's men win only one of their last 13 league games.

The Baggies have done it before against Midlands opposition, when they thrashed Wolves 5-1 in February, in what was Mick McCarthy's last game in charge at Molineux.

West Brom had a great win against Liverpool last weekend, although they did seriously ride their luck at Anfield. Roy Hodgson admitted that and you know when your manager says that, you have been seriously battered.

So they come into this game on a high, whereas Villa just cannot buy a goal right now. McLeish had to bring Emile Heskey back into his starting XI against Bolton and the last time he scored was on 20 August.

There is no doubt Villa's players are playing for McLeish but they cannot win games because they cannot score. Once they lost Darren Bent, you always knew they were going to be in trouble.

Villa play well in patches - for example, they started well against Bolton - but it looks to me as if they are waiting for something to happen. It is - they are sinking fast.

Prediction: 2-0

[Mazrim]

Cheers Lawro, you unimaginative bellend. I'm feeling more hopeful now.

[James]

Cheers Lawro, you unimaginative bellend. I'm feeling more hopeful now.

Judging by the poll up there ^^^, there are plenty on here who agree with him! Very sad, but wholly understandable.

[moetvillain]

I see Dunne says he is not going to be a million percent fit.  I would take a tenthousandth of that.