Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur Pre-Match Thread

[Irish villain]

I can see us frustrating them and grinding out a draw to see us safe.

Last night I had an odd but vivid dream that I was in the Kop at Anfield as we drew 1-1 with Liverpool. I'm taking it as a sign we'll draw this game 1-1!

[TaxDodger]

1-0. Heskey 90. Melee.

[Mark H]

I hovered over the draw button and then moved to a Spurs win - I think they will be too strong too good and want it more than we do , So I will go with my old faithfull of 2-1 , leaving us desperate for others to help and reduce the pain of the result we will need on the final day

[Rick_avfc]

We shall lose 0-2 Bale and Defoe for them.

[mikeb1982]

We've both got a lot to play for and they're a better team, 0-2

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I've been very positive with my forecasts for most of the season but I can't see us getting anything on Sunday. Spurs need the points to finish 4th, Redknapp will no doubt give the Hodgson doubters more ammunition, it really could turn very ugly. It really wouldn't surprise me if we got well and truly stuffed.

0-0 really will seem like a victory.

[Villafirst]

A nervy 1-0 home win. If a rubbish QPR can turn them over at Loftus Road, then we shouldn't be afraid - but that's it, McLeish is a master at sending out his team in a negative, defensive frame of mind which crushes their confidence.

[Le Lapin]

I can't see us getting anything from this. They are better than us and are going for Europe and Arry and his bagpuss jowls one will have them fired up for this. Our guys just want this season to end and are petrified of being the player whose fcukup costs us the game. Spurs win by two goals.
It will be the last home game in a Villa shirt for a few of the lads....will Heskey be one of them?

[Mazrim]

I have a feeling we'll nick it 2-1.
All good sense suggests not but still, I have a hunch we'll play better than expected and Spurs might take us too lightly or get too comfortable in the large amount of possession they're bound to have.

Probable team:

Given
Hutton
Collins
Dunne
Lichaj
Herd
Clark
Warnock
Ireland
N'Zogbia
Agbonlahor

[Risso]

I can't see us winning this.   Spurs will have too much possession and will be busting a gut to cement 4th.  Quality will win out, and we'll lose 2-0.  McLeish to stay at Bodymoor claiming that Peter Grant's car was blocking him in, but not to read too much into that.

[Toronto Villa]

1-1. We won't win again this season. The lads just don't know how. We'll limp over the finish line with a draw at Norwich.

[Jimbo]

Are people talking about us winning this game? We couldn't not-lose to Bolton at home. We won't not-lose to Tottenham at home either.

[Risso]

More wisdom from McLeish:

"McLeish he explored the possibility of calling on Bent for Villa's Barclays Premier League survival push.

But, although the 28-year-old striker is progressing well with his recovery from ankle surgery, it was decided not to risk him for the games against Tottenham or Norwich.

"I said 'are you ready to go on the bench at the weekend or something," said the Villa boss.

"He said: 'No, not quite, but I'm making good progress, so boss it might be too soon'.

"I don't believe there is a chance of him playing again for Villa this season.

"The doc thinks he's got a chance for the Euros though, so if he's talking he's talking about four or five weeks.

"He's running and he's working individually with the physios.

"I'm not sure if he's at the level of striking a ball yet, but he can't be far away from that now.

"The physios will still be working on him to get him back to his peak fitness again.

"We have to make sure he gets back good and proper."


He doesn't help himself does he?  Asks his star striker if he's ready to go on the bench, and doesn't know that he's not actually up to kicking a ball?!

[Eigentor]

He doesn't help himself does he?  Asks his star striker if he's ready to go on the bench, and doesn't know that he's not actually up to kicking a ball?!

Bent has rarely been kicking a ball when he has been playing this season, so I'm not sure if McLeish regards that as a requirement for playing.

[Mazrim]

His media contributions are becoming more and more bizarre.