Aston Villa v Reading Pre-Match Thread

[Ron Manager]

If  Lambert does not have Darren Bent on from the kick off (or at the very least on the bench) it will speak volumes about his man management skills. If I was Bent I would be thinking this guy cant stand me fair enough I'll go somewhere else come Jan 1st.

Just think if Arry signs Bent and Beckham, unlikely I know but possible, Benty's goals could put us down come May

I have a feeling he will play from the start tommorow night.

[TonyD]

I think we might batter these tomorrow 4.0

[silhillvilla]

It could be a managerial masterstroke bringing Bent in from the cold for tomorrow
Of course it could backfire also, or he may be frozen out again

[rutski]

we have to treat these with respect as they will not come here and roll over and die. patience is needed and calm heads, including in the stands and i think we will win by a couple of goals.

[Shrek]

If  Lambert does not have Darren Bent on from the kick off (or at the very least on the bench) it will speak volumes about his man management skills. If I was Bent I would be thinking this guy cant stand me fair enough I'll go somewhere else come Jan 1st.

Just think if Arry signs Bent and Beckham, unlikely I know but possible, Benty's goals could put us down come May

I have a feeling he will play from the start tommorow night.

 I think it would show how good his man management is, no one was moaning when he was freezing out Warnock and Hutton, if he does the same with Bent (if that's how Lambert feels) then surely he will earn more respect from the squad in showing he treats everybody equally, big name/transfer or not.

[ez]

It will be nice to be favourites for a change. Reading are rubbish and we're less rubbish so we should win. A draw or defeat would be soul destroying.

[Matt C]

A nervy night but 1-0 Villa.

[SoccerHQ]

Reading always play 4-4-2 with two out and out wingers (McAnuff and Robson-Kanu).

We'll outnumber them in the middle so I'd bring in Ireland for this one.

I think the current front three will cause Reading's defence all sorts of problems so I'd stick with them.

Bent really should be on the bench though now he's fit just in case it's another Albion type game.

[Matt Collins]

Are reading quite a physical side? I think I read that. Might be a problem for us at set pieces. Pretty nervous about this one. I think it's hard to argue we shouldn't stick to the way we've been playing, but . . .

I could see the sense in reverting to the diamond, bringing bent in alongside benteke, and getting Ireland and Holman into midfield, which would look reasonably creative. That way we could keep bannan and westwood in there but also add extra energy and numbers, Holman and bannan could shuffle over to double up on their wingers, and we rest weimann and gabby who both put in a real shift running down the lines on Saturday. It also means when we get the ball in the box for benteke bent - who should be really motivated - is right in the danger zone.

I've convinced myself that might be the right approach. The diamond worked well against 442 merchants Newcastle because it gave us midfield supremacy. And lambert does like to change it around.

[Matt Collins]

Ps I can't see a tactical approach which involves albrighton or probably delph being the right one.

[tomd2103]

If I were Lambert I'd keep news on vlaar on the down low unless he's definitely fit.  Could affect readin tactics.

Can't see Vlaar being fit for this one and Kendrick suggests in tonight's Evening Mail that if that is the case, Lowton will play at CB and Lichaj will come in at RB.  He also wrote that Dunne had suffered a setback with his groin injury and was going to have to visit a specialist.   

[Karl Bridges]

I'm gobsmacked that for a game that most people agree is a must win that they are willing to make major changes in players and formation. PL seems to have found a formation that works for the players. It's caused problems for the big boys, why would we want to change it now? KEA out for Ireland, Lichaj in for Vlaar. That'll do thank you very much, let's not upset the balance.

[dekko]

I'm gobsmacked that for a game that most people agree is a must win that they are willing to make major changes in players and formation. PL seems to have found a formation that works for the players. It's caused problems for the big boys, why would we want to change it now? KEA out for Ireland, Lichaj in for Vlaar. That'll do thank you very much, let's not upset the balance.

This^^

All we needed on Saturday was a bit more creativity in getting the ball to our forwards, so swap out KEA for Ireland.  Vlaar out if injured, keep him on if not.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[ozzjim]

Agree totally Karl, making sweeping changes won't help. I would go Baker and Holman in for Vlaar and KEA and bring Bent onto the bench. Last half hour if a goal down the option to go long to Benteke and have Bent in the box might just scare a mistake or two.

[Lobsterboy]

3-1 win for Villa with Benteke, Weimann and Bent for us; McAnuff for them

I wouldn't tinker too much with the starting line up but if Bent is fit he has to be an option from the bench. Sell him if you want in January but picking an unproven Division 1 player like Bowery ahead of him is bordering on cutting your nose off to spite your face

Not felt this confident about us winning a league game for some time but think this is a real opportunity to build on the positive signs shown v Man U, Man Citeh and Arsenal