Fulham v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[richard moore]

I'm optimistically going for a Villa win.  Me and the boy going in the Neutral end.  Any idea if colours are frowned upon in there?
Back again in a fortnight for the Everton game with my daughter, who unfortunatley takes after her Mum!

Was in there last year.Colours absolutely fine.Was surrounded by mainly Villa fans and Americans

Yes, absolutely fine - the away end and neutral end are one and the same thing anyway and merge into each other. Going to Fulham is more like mixing with a rugby crowd than a football one. You'll do well to see anyone who doesn't look like a tourist or a Villa fan as you amble through the gardens towards the ground

[tomd2103]

I'd like to see

Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Bennett
Holman KEA Delph Agbonlahor
Bent Benteke

Subs, Given, Lichaj, Albrighton, Bannan, Westwood, N'Zogbia, Weimann

Missing out, Bowery, Baker, Herd

I'll go 1-1, Bent

Pretty much the team I would go for, though I would swap Delph and Gabby for Bannan and Ireland (if fit).  When he's featured this season, Bannan has drifted into some decent areas out wide and delivered some good balls into the box.  I think we need that service if Bent and Benteke are to play up front. 

[Tuscans]

Stephen Ireland, Joe Bennett and Karim El Ahmadi are all set to be fit for Fulham.

Ireland broke a bone in his wrist against Southampton and was absent for the games against Manchester City, West Brom and Tottenham.

But the midfield ace should be given the go-ahead to travel to the Craven Cottage and play with a support on his arm, with the final decision due later this afternoon.

Bennett badly gashed his leg and required stitches in the final stages of the White Hart Lane match but he's back for Fulham after recovering.

El Ahmadi was withdrawn for Morocco on international duty but Paul Lambert revealed that was just as a precaution after the central star suffered from cramp.

Lambert said he will also assess the freshness of Brad Guzan, Brett Holman and Christian Benteke, after the star trio played for USA, Australia and Belgium this week.

He said: "I will see how the lads are. Some can be more tired than others.

"Christian played two games and scored two for the national team. He's just a young lad too - 21.

"I watched Belgium against Scotland. He was excellent in a top Belgium side.

"Brett played well too for Australia. There are one or two selection things to look at."

Lambert will also give a late fitness test to Ciaran Clark on the eve of the Fulham game.

Clark has a "slight knock" and Lambert will be eager the star defender recovers in time for Saturday.

He added: "I think the way Ciaran has been playing, he's doing really well.

"He's another young guy. He has been excellent this season. His partnership with Ron Vlaar has been great.

"Ciaran, for someone so young, has been doing great."

[danlanza]

3-1 Villa. We need points this month because i cannot see us getting any next month.

[silhillvilla]

Our midfield still looks incredibly powder puff.

[not3bad]

It's our finishing that worries me more.

[PeterWithesShin]

Paul Lambert faced reporters in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Fulham.

Please find below the collected best bits from his preview with the media.

Match sure you watch the full television briefing with Lambert on AVTV.

Q] Will your players be wearing 'Kick it Out' t-shirts at Fulham?

A] Absolutely, yes. I don't see any issue with that at all. The lads will go and do it. Contrary to some reports saying they weren't going to do it, that is totally misinformed and I'm not happy with that. But the lads won't have a problem with it. As far as I'm concerned, the lads will back it, and quite rightly so.

Q] What are your views?

A] There is no place for racism, none whatsoever but in any walk of life. It's disgusting really that it keeps going on. You keep hearing the same argument that FIFA and UEFA need to do something. You've got to do something now. There is no point in talking about it. It is a real valid point that you should bring your players off. It can affect individuals. It is wrong and disgusting really.

Q] What are your views on Christian Benteke scoring for Belgium against Scotland?

A] He's dropped! I saw his goals against Serbia and Scotland. Christian is playing in a right top Belgium side and more than holding his own. For someone who is only 21 and the way he is performing and what he will do for this club will be terrific. I thought that when we signed him, this kid can be a right top player.

Q] What are your views on Fulham?

A] They are a good side and I thought that last season. They've added really well as well. Even at home they are a tough side to beat. We should've got something at Tottenham and if Christian scores with his header it's a different game. But we played well there and will go with a lot of confidence to Fulham to try and win.

Q] Do you like Craven Cottage?

A] It's a good atmosphere. I went there last year and there is always a good atmosphere there.

Q] What are your views on the new complex for England at St George's Park?

A] It's a great venue. I don't think you will see the fruition of it for a decade or so but at least it's a start. In the long term, it will be a great thing. It's probably overdue, you would say now, but it's here now so you may as well look forward to it.

Q] What are your views on Christian Benteke and Darren Bent?

A] I don't think you can compare them. They are two totally different players. Christian is a big, strong lad who gets hold of the ball for you. Darren is different. He can get in behind. Christian is a goalscorer too as his record with Genk and Belgium suggests. They are two totally different players. Darren is a scorer, absolutely. Everyone knows when you put the ball in the box, he can finish. That's why Darren has had the career he's had.

Q] How can you keep Darren Bent happy?

A] I have never had a problem. I have a laugh and joke with him in the week like I do with every other player. There's never been a problem. I understand players get frustrated when they are left out, I understand that. I'd be more worried if they weren't frustrated at being left out. I don't have a problem.He's not come knocking on my door. I was having a joke with him the other day.

Q] There have been rumours you haven't been on speaking terms with him?

A] No. I don't worry because I know it's not true.

Q] How good can Christian Benteke be?

A] I think he can be huge, anything he wants to be. As his career progresses I think he can be a top, top striker. He is a handful and he's only 21! He'll make mistakes. I said that when I signed him because he doesn't know everything about the game. But as time goes on and experience improves, he will be an absolute handful during his career. He's come in and done great.

Q] Is he the biggest transfer you've ever paid?

A] Yes. And it still makes me uneasy.

[Ads]

Bent to open the scoring and Benteke to look like Drogba in his pomp as we smash these yoghurt knitting wet wipes into the middle of next week.

[Ryu]

I've voted for the draw which I think is achievable here and would be a good result.  Norwich at home next week is where not picking up 3 points would be very disappointing.

They're a decent side who wont lose too many at home this season but apart from Berbatov there isn't another creative individual who would really scare you.

Hopefully a performance like against Newcastle where we don't give them any time on the ball, press them high and hopefully pinch a goal.

[peter w]

Our last away win 21st Jan 2012 ? Surely were due a win
1-2 Villa Bent, Benteke

and 9 months later my son was born. I kid you not...

[silhillvilla]

Lawro has gone for a 2-1 home win so there is hope!

[curiousorange]

Don't forget, me and seanthevillain need you to pick a Villa XI at http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/aston-villa before tomorrow's game. We'll be cast out onto the cold streets if we don't get more people doing it.

[1874]

Hard to predict the team as always but I think it'll be: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett, KEA, Delph, Holman, N'Zogbia, Benteke, Bent. (4-2-2-2)

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

If we can take a team to Man City and get a win against a team worth £180m. We have the ability and mental strength required to achieve results. Lambert has now got to have this team in battle mode. With Benteke scoring two in two international games and Bent with a point to prove i think we can get something today. 1-2 Villa Bent- Holman. Come on Villa .......

[danlanza]

Bent to open the scoring and Benteke to look like Drogba in his pomp as we smash these yoghurt knitting wet wipes into the middle of next week.

Yoghurt knitting wet wipes. I like that, very much.