Aston Villa v Stoke City Pre-Match Thread

[Rudy Can't Fail]

A much improved performance a 2-0 home win.

[Ron Manager]

Draw Either 0-0 or 1-1. We have only Benteke who looks likely to score. So unless Lambert pairs Bent with the big man (and thats a pipedream) Stoke will stick Huth and another giant on him and we will be pushed to score at all.

[pauliewalnuts]

I suspect this will turn out to be amongst the most boring matches we'll play this season.

0-0 death struggle.

[N'ZMAV]

I predict a 1-1 draw. Crouch to score a header from a throw in. Then Clark to bundle home from a corner for us.

[maidstonevillain]

Benteke gets out-muscled by the Stoke defence. Ref inexplicably awards Villa a penalty. Westwood grabs the ball off Bent, puts the penalty away. 

Villa 1 - 0 Stoke. 

[Oscar Arce]

Looks like Vlaar and Stephens still out.
Out muscled 2-0.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Will feel a lot more confident for this game if Vlaar is back and Lichaj isn't playing at right-back. Can't see it being 4-4 somehow.

[VillaAlways]

Pearls of wisdom from Lawro

Aston Villa keep ticking over - they are picking up points, like they did in last week's draw with QPR, but don't have the quality to score the goals they need to win games.

What they need are more people chipping in from other areas like Brett Holman did against Rangers.

There is nothing wrong with Villa's organisation or application but what they need is some inspiration.

They are up against a Stoke side who are on a good run - they don't score many goals, but they concede even fewer - and I can see this being a very tight encounter. I don't think anyone should expect a goal fest.

The difference between the two sides is that Stoke have kept hold of their better players, while Villa have sold theirs. You can see what effect that has had from where the two teams are in the table.

Match preview

Prediction: 1-1

The last paragraph is laughable.I wasn't aware Man City and Man U have been queueing up putting bids in for millions for the likes of Robert Huth

[glasses]

I suspect this will turn out to be amongst the most boring matches we'll play this season.

0-0 death struggle.

My Dad feels the same way, which is why he has given me his ticket for tomorrow.

[McGraths Dry Cleaning]

I suspect this will turn out to be amongst the most boring matches we'll play this season.

0-0 death struggle.

My Dad feels the same way, which is why he has given me his ticket for tomorrow.

Villa must feel the same - got my ticket for £25 in some kind of weekend offer - good seat - upper Holte.

[dave.woodhall]

Pearls of wisdom from Lawro

Aston Villa keep ticking over - they are picking up points, like they did in last week's draw with QPR, but don't have the quality to score the goals they need to win games.

What they need are more people chipping in from other areas like Brett Holman did against Rangers.

There is nothing wrong with Villa's organisation or application but what they need is some inspiration.

They are up against a Stoke side who are on a good run - they don't score many goals, but they concede even fewer - and I can see this being a very tight encounter. I don't think anyone should expect a goal fest.

The difference between the two sides is that Stoke have kept hold of their better players, while Villa have sold theirs. You can see what effect that has had from where the two teams are in the table.

Match preview

Prediction: 1-1

The last paragraph is laughable.I wasn't aware Man City and Man U have been queueing up putting bids in for millions for the likes of Robert Huth

He makes a lot of sense until that last bit.

[Ron Manager]

Apparently its going to be freezing cold tommorrow with a possibility of snow.

It doesnt help having a weather woman called Sara Blizzard passing on this info.

Wheres me thermals.

[Holte End Stylist]

well I've just bought tickets and I reckon I'll be digging out me parka for what will probably be coldest as well as the worst game of the year.

1-1 all over it

[Chris Smith]

A feast of free flowing football that belies their respective reputations sees Villa complete a 6-3 victory after twice being behind. Pulis says "I really enjoyed the game, it's the taking part that matters" as he does a little dance for the cameras.
   

[Mister E]

Pearls of wisdom from Lawro

Aston Villa keep ticking over - they are picking up points, like they did in last week's draw with QPR, but don't have the quality to score the goals they need to win games.

What they need are more people chipping in from other areas like Brett Holman did against Rangers.

There is nothing wrong with Villa's organisation or application but what they need is some inspiration.

They are up against a Stoke side who are on a good run - they don't score many goals, but they concede even fewer - and I can see this being a very tight encounter. I don't think anyone should expect a goal fest.

The difference between the two sides is that Stoke have kept hold of their better players, while Villa have sold theirs. You can see what effect that has had from where the two teams are in the table.

Match preview

Prediction: 1-1

The last paragraph is laughable.I wasn't aware Man City and Man U have been queueing up putting bids in for millions for the likes of Robert Huth

With a write-up like this I'm surprised he put a 1-1 score; why not 0-0, since neither side demonstrate much scoring prowess?