Aston Villa v Stoke City Pre-Match Thread

[Brend'Watkins]

I was talking to an Albion fan last night who said his son went to the game with Stoke at the weekend.  He described it as the worst game he'd ever seen, his son is 23.

[russon]

hoofage the winner I fear, 0-2

[Mazrim]

I can actually imagine small children watching Stoke and crying.
In fact I can imagine grown men doing the same.

Watching Stoke "playing" football is like Michaelangelo glossing some skirting.
Such a tedious mind-numbing waste of a potentially beautiful medium.

[steffo]

In the past seasons we have had 'keepers who were not exactly known for coming off their line in the face of an flying bombardment, Sorrenson, Freidel and Given. Guzan helps his defence out no end as he is prepared to come off his line. Good will overcome the hoofers.

[Monty]

In the past seasons we have had 'keepers who were not exactly known for coming off their line in the face of an flying bombardment, Sorrenson, Freidel and Given. Guzan helps his defence out no end as he is prepared to come off his line. Good will overcome the hoofers.

That will help us, true. Even the best keepers make mistakes though, so no doubt Stoke will be hoping that the law of averages causes Brad to drop one at some stage.

[SoccerHQ]

I can't wait for that bit when they win about 3 throw ins in the space of 5 minutes (of play) and take about 10 minutes drying the ball with their special towell before launching the throw into the Villa 6 yard box.  That's always ace.

Delap doesn't feature much now, does he?  So do they still do this?

Shotton and Cameron their full backs have long throws but they're more the standard loppy ones so aren't as much of a threat.

In any case I'm much more confident with Guzan in goal than Given. He was tremendous at the Britannia last season coming for high balls.

[Pete3206]

"....and finally, on the this week's Match Of The Day, we've just got time for a brief look at events at Villa Park"

[Lobsterboy]

We're not very good at all and they are sodding awful; therefore it will be a 1-1 draw.

A long overdue goal at VP for Gabby for us and some 6 foot plus pleb for them

[Chipsticks]

1-1, similar to the Norwich game.

Weimann and Walters.

[eamonn]

"....and finally, on the this week's Match Of The Day, we've just got time for a brief look at events at Villa Park"

"Wearing a frown throughout procedings, along with the home supporters, was Simon Brotherton".

[timeoutbigbar]

It's one of those games we need to win, I just get the horrible feeling we'll end up with a point at best.

1-1.

[danlanza]

This will be the worst game of football ever played at Villa Park. 0-0

There are a few to choose from in that category.

[brontebilly]

We need to win but Stoke are on a good run at the moment particularly away from home. Nzonzi and Adam are much stronger than our midfield. Thankfully Stoke don't use midfield that much. Again Bent is made for this game up with Benteke. Sick of watching Gabby. I'd say Delph or Kea may get a start ahead of Bannan for this one. Maybe worth going with three at the back. Need Vlaar, Clark and Baker in the side so unless Baker is starting at left back we need to go with 3 at the back.

[Irish villain]

We need to win but Stoke are on a good run at the moment particularly away from home. Nzonzi and Adam are much stronger than our midfield. Thankfully Stoke don't use midfield that much. Again Bent is made for this game up with Benteke. Sick of watching Gabby. I'd say Delph or Kea may get a start ahead of Bannan for this one. Maybe worth going with three at the back. Need Vlaar, Clark and Baker in the side so unless Baker is starting at left back we need to go with 3 at the back.

We don't want to over-think the opposition though. If we try to play them at their own game we will lose. We need to focus on zipping it about and keeping it well away from them. If we can dominate the ball we could tire them out and limit their opportunities to gain territory as they might put it.

[UK Redsox]

Maybe worth going with three at the back. Need Vlaar, Clark and Baker in the side so unless Baker is starting at left back we need to go with 3 at the back.

Or go with Concrete and Baker in central defence with Clark and Herd as the holding midfielders, Bannan (or Ireland or KEA or Delph) in front them and then Gabby, Benteke and Holman/Weimann up front.