Aston Villa v Manchester United Pre-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

Celtic have had bigger crowds for the last decade or so, Rangers used to get more most of the time. Quite amusing when you check back quite how poorly both have been supported at times over the years.

As for if we played them, it would be close if we were to play them in say the UEFA cup as it's a one off England v Scotland type game. As they've shown in the past, they raise their game against English sides. However if their squad played for Fulham i'd fancy us to get a result most of the time.

[Billy Walker]

Anyone else getting as annoyed as I am with being treated like a joke by the media and ManU fans during the run up to this game?

I understand we are favourites to lose and given the squads thats right, but jesus how about a little fucking respect?

Well celtics team cost £6.5m and they beat barcalonas  multi millionaires so there is always a chance , may be unlikely but I expect to give them a game and if luck goes our way lets hope we get a result.

Well, dare I say it, we are better than Celtic and Barcelona are better than Man Utd. 

We are not better than Celtic.

Okay.  Give me some reasons why we are not better than Celtic. 

Chipsticks, would you be saying that if they'd not beaten Barcelona mid-week?  Eastie gave the example that the whole Celtic team cost six million quid - that wouldn't even buy a Benteke! (I'm being a bit mischievous,of course, as  money shelled out on players does not necessarily equate to being a good team.) 

EDIT I've just seen what you wrote after your post Chipsticks. 

[silhillvilla]

Man Utd are not a great side currently, but they have some great players most notably Van Persie. If we have a go at them they can be beaten.

I'd argue they're as strong as ever. They are top of the league and they're playing average football.

[eastie]

Man Utd are not a great side currently, but they have some great players most notably Van Persie. If we have a go at them they can be beaten.

I'd argue they're as strong as ever. They are top of the league and they're playing average football.

Not as strong defensively as they used to be , their keeper is prone to mistakes as are their defence. Their side of 94 with cantona, Hughes, Keane , schmeichel , giggs, kanchelskis, etc was better than now in my opinion and we all know what happened at Wembley in 94.

[PaulWinch again]

Man Utd are not a great side currently, but they have some great players most notably Van Persie. If we have a go at them they can be beaten.

I'd argue they're as strong as ever. They are top of the league and they're playing average football.

I'd rather that than them being top of the league and playing amazing football.

[tomd2103]

Anyone else getting as annoyed as I am with being treated like a joke by the media and ManU fans during the run up to this game?

I understand we are favourites to lose and given the squads thats right, but jesus how about a little fucking respect?

Not especially.  It might be because we have struggled over the past two seasons, but I am alone in not really being bothered about games against the so called "big four"?  I suppose if we were pushing to get into the toip four, then these games would have a lot more importance, but I just don't feel there is a buzz about them anymore. 

It might just be a reflection of where we are at the moment that I am looking forward to the Reading game much more than our next three fixtures.   

Oh, and we are much better than Celtic!!

[paulcomben]

Rookie players, a new defence, tons of injuries, one above relegation - up against the UK's leading team of highly talented, multi millionaire, medal holding, cocky players and staff. We have no chance at all. So. Why do I have this sneaky feeling that Villa may somehow not be utterly humiliated and demoralised in this perennial Sky Sports 5.30 fixture?

[silhillvilla]

Man Utd are not a great side currently, but they have some great players most notably Van Persie. If we have a go at them they can be beaten.

I'd argue they're as strong as ever. They are top of the league and they're playing average football.

Not as strong defensively as they used to be , their keeper is prone to mistakes as are their defence. Their side of 94 with cantona, Hughes, Keane , schmeichel , giggs, kanchelskis, etc was better than now in my opinion and we all know what happened at Wembley in 94.

Agree their defence is quite mediocre but attacking wise they are as good as ever

[Shrek]

Anyone else getting as annoyed as I am with being treated like a joke by the media and ManU fans during the run up to this game?

I understand we are favourites to lose and given the squads thats right, but jesus how about a little fucking respect?

Well celtics team cost £6.5m and they beat barcalonas  multi millionaires so there is always a chance , may be unlikely but I expect to give them a game and if luck goes our way lets hope we get a result.

Well, dare I say it, we are better than Celtic and Barcelona are better than Man Utd. 

We are not better than Celtic.

Okay.  Give me some reasons why we are not better than Celtic. 

Chipsticks, would you be saying that if they'd not beaten Barcelona mid-week?  Eastie gave the example that the whole Celtic team cost six million quid - that wouldn't even buy a Benteke! (I'm being a bit mischievous,of course, as  money shelled out on players does not necessarily equate to being a good team.) 

EDIT I've just seen what you wrote after your post Chipsticks. 

Thing is, is Benteke better than Hooper, is Guzan better than Forster, is Commons better than Bannan, is Ledley better than KEA?

It would be a pretty even game, us v Celtic, unfortunately.

[Chipsticks]

Okay...so maybe we're better than Celtic. I didn't meant to start a riot!

[SoccerHQ]

Celtic have one of the most detestable managers in the league so that's one we've gone up on them....apart from in Norfolk.

[WarszaVillan]

Good article about Celtic's scouting network:

&sns=fb

They've been doing what we're trying to do at the moment, but by spending less money. They can offer Champions League, we off EPL. THey're definitely ahead of us at the moment, they've spent very well and built a good team, we're just beginning to do this. Celtic not only beat Barcelona but lost the game at the Nou Camp with a last second goal. I think that says it all. But hey don't worry, 'our day will come'.

[tomd2103]

Good article about Celtic's scouting network:

&sns=fb

They've been doing what we're trying to do at the moment, but by spending less money. They can offer Champions League, we off EPL. THey're definitely ahead of us at the moment, they've spent very well and built a good team, we're just beginning to do this. Celtic not only beat Barcelona but lost the game at the Nou Camp with a last second goal. I think that says it all. But hey don't worry, 'our day will come'.

Built a good team?  They are a Championship level team at best. 

[Lambert and Payne]

Are the green and "gold" bandwagon scarves still about?

[Billy Walker]

Anyone else getting as annoyed as I am with being treated like a joke by the media and ManU fans during the run up to this game?

I understand we are favourites to lose and given the squads thats right, but jesus how about a little fucking respect?

Not especially.  It might be because we have struggled over the past two seasons, but I am alone in not really being bothered about games against the so called "big four"?  I suppose if we were pushing to get into the toip four, then these games would have a lot more importance, but I just don't feel there is a buzz about them anymore. 

It might just be a reflection of where we are at the moment that I am looking forward to the Reading game much more than our next three fixtures.   

Oh, and we are much better than Celtic!!

I know what you mean.  I just want the three points, I couldn't care less who we are playing. In terms of tomorrow's match, I'm just embarrassed that we've allowed another club to get away with such a record against us these past fifteen years and I want that run to come to an end a.s.a.p.  I think Spurs had a similar run against us in the sixties but these types of things always grind to a halt eventually and the form and luck evens itself out.