Aston Villa v Norwich City Pre-Match Thread

[silhillvilla]

Whatever way you try and rotate our midfield the common denominator is its inferior PL quality.

[supertom]

Whatever way you try and rotate our midfield the common denominator is its inferior PL quality.

Unfortunately yes.

[PaulTheVillan]

Any news on Baker?

I thought he was our best player v Fulham.

[Risso]

Whatever way you try and rotate our midfield the common denominator is its inferior PL quality.

Unfortunately yes.

It is a fact, unfortunately. 

[Irish villain]

Any news on Baker?

I thought he was our best player v Fulham.

He was really good. I like Clark, but I think it would be better to have Vlaar partnered by a meat and potatoes style defender rather than a ball-playing defenderwho is quite similar to him.

[Legion]

Meat and potatoes? Where's Richard Dunne when you need him?

[Irish villain]

Meat and potatoes? Where's Richard Dunne when you need him?

We will have to make do for now...

[pedro25]

Whatever way you try and rotate our midfield the common denominator is its inferior PL quality.

Unfortunately yes.

It is a fact, unfortunately. 

Disagree,  Holman, Ireland, KEA, N'Zogbia imo is good PL quality, N'Zog and Ireland have proved that already in their careers, although they have been erratic and disappointing so far for Villa, whilst Holman and KEA are proven internationals and i don't think look at all out of place in the PL.  Bannan, Albrighton, Delph, Herd and Gardner have shown varying levels of promise but I'm not convinced any of them will become top players.  Westwood is an unknown quantity at this level, but the latter 6 are good enough to be squad members for a mid ranked PL team imo.  Like many clubs outside the top 6 we have good prospects making up the squad numbers rather than further good quality PL players, albeit most of these guys are c. 23 now and no longer kids really.  I'm disappointed that so far Lambert has been unable to get any more out of our genuine quality players than the previous manager did, the likes of N'Zogbia, Gabby, Ireland and Bent.  Given that we have Johnson, Clark if needed and Carruthers also and Warnock who can play midfield, Petrov and Makoun still on the books as well we can't complain numbers wise but maybe when the latter 3 officially go we may see an experienced bod or 2 brought in to help out and provide further competition.

[danlanza]

3-1 Villa and a deep breath will be taken along side a "Thank feck for that" type comment.

[Gareth]

451 for me

               Guzan
Lowton, Vlaar, Baker (Clark), Bennett
          Delph, Holman
    Gabby, Ireland, NZogbia
                Bent

KEA still seems to spend half the game losing the ball so would use Holmans energy in the centre with Delph who I think has been improving.
Ireland & NZogbia I'd hope he'd start for Norwich, Swindon & Sunderland - they are alledgedly the stardust players who can create chances for our front man/men so giving them 3 games in a week against similar or weaker opponents is their opportunity to prove they are half-decent and care....

[CT]

I don't care if we're chuffin' awful on Saturday - just want 3 points!

[Matt Collins]

Whatever way you try and rotate our midfield the common denominator is its inferior PL quality.

Unfortunately yes.

It is a fact, unfortunately.

No, it's an opinion. It may well be true. But I think there is genuine quality in Ireland and n'zogbia. The others are ok or unproven and the former two are maddening. One proper ball winning but decent on the ball centre misfielder would make a huge difference.

[1874]

Time for guess the team: Guzan, Lichaj, Lowton, Vlaar, Bennett, KEA, Holman, Ireland, Bannan, Weimann, Benteke

[JUAN PABLO]

5-2


BENT 3                 SMITH 2
NOGBIA
BENTEKE

[silhillvilla]

I think Bannan and Albrighton will be back in the team. No idea why, just the way Lambert seems to randomly select. I also suspect he'll leave out Benteke again.