Aston Villa v Manchester United Pre-Match Thread

[Legion]

Us 1 Them 2. No doubt their 2 goals will come after we batter them for 85 minutes. First match of the season i'll miss so at least I won't have to put up with their fans.

And Legion, don't forget to save me an issue of H&V please. 

Will do. Post or collect?

[PeterWithesShin]

Us 1 Them 2. No doubt their 2 goals will come after we batter them for 85 minutes. First match of the season i'll miss so at least I won't have to put up with their fans.

And Legion, don't forget to save me an issue of H&V please. 

Will do. Post or collect?

I'll pm you Leeg.

[damon loves JT]

My predictions have all been so accurate that I am going to go for a routine 0-3 win for a Newton Heath side which fails to break sweat. Villa to end the game with nine men after a stellar performance by the match officials.

[silhillvilla]

1-1. Yes I've been drinking.

[TonyD]

Not a clue.   Just hope we keep the ball like we did against them a couple of years ago.   For about 20 mins we played them off the park.

[lovejoy]

Just spoken to Dowd and he's been told 0-3.

[silhillvilla]

Please tell me Dowd isn't ref

[villajk]

No he's not.  Kevin Friend for us.

No game for Clattenburg.

[Lizz]

1-1.

[avfcpg]

Villa 5 - 0 Man Yoo
Total rout, could've been 10. Lilly Savage says "I still think they are poor and will go down".

Or a battling 1-1 draw...

[Witton Warrior]

If we get a point from this I will be very happy (and amazed) so a draw!

[Matt Collins]

Can't see much but a utd win. Hope we give them a game though.

Could really do with Bennett or lichaj bring fit, or even herd or baker. Wouldn't fancy Stevens against valencia

I think the 4231 looks the best bet, so the only other choices for me are kea or bannan; and Holman or weimann. I think I'd see how they looked in training. If picking tomorrow I think I'd go Holman and bannan. We could switch to a diamond that way. Kea has looked of the pace in more intense games; bannan can look out of place against very physical sides but utd aren't necessarily that.

[silhillvilla]

If fit, I think he'll draft DB9 in for this game.

[Chipsticks]

With herd, baker, Bennett injured and lichaj suspended we are struggling at left back- Delph has played there as cover so I guess he is the option- Stevens looks well short of being ready to me.

              Guzan

Lowton.    Vlaar.  Clark.   Delph

             Kea.   Westwood

      Bannan.    Ireland.    Gabby

                Benteke

1-1 draw.

Seems logical with the Left Back crisis. Fortunately, Herd and Baker will undergo fitness tests and may be fit for Saturday with a bit of luck.

[Matt Collins]

Can herd play left back? Or would we be talking about Clark or Lowton there?

Baker is an obvious choice but seems to struggle against exactly the sort of Valencia player, getting sucked inside too much and allowing space to cross. Definitely a big concern.