Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur Pre-Match Thread

[Clampy]

I'd keep the same side personally. They need to be given the chance to put yesterday's result behind them.

Lichaj is not a left back, he was ok as cover but now bennettis fit he should take over, bannan and Holman looked tired and poor and Delph and nzogbia would add some fresh legs.

I just think it would be wrong to make too many changes after that defeat as bad as it was. They've done well over the past few weeks, they deserve another chance to go again.

[CJ]

Hope we go 4-5-1 in this to stifle Bale & Lennon.  Chelsea showed they could leave their wingers forward and get loads of space when Lichaj and Lowton went upfield. Hopefully Vlaar will be back. Still sadly fancy Spurs to edge it

[Ads]

I agree, 433/451 is the way we need to go. If Vlaar is fit I would go with;

Guzan, Bennett, Vlaar, Clarke, Lowton, KEA sitting, I am torn over whether Westwood or Bannan should start, Ireland, then Charlie and Holman off Benteke.

[eastie]

I'd keep the same side personally. They need to be given the chance to put yesterday's result behind them.

Lichaj is not a left back, he was ok as cover but now bennettis fit he should take over, bannan and Holman looked tired and poor and Delph and nzogbia would add some fresh legs.

I just think it would be wrong to make too many changes after that defeat as bad as it was. They've done well over the past few weeks, they deserve another chance to go again.

I just feel there are games coming thick and fast and lambert needs to freshen things up, we have 6  games in 16 days and bannan and Holman look really tired, rest them and maybe they will be refreshed for Wigan.

[Clampy]

I'd leave Bennett out until the Wigan game. He's been out for too long to be thrown in just yet. I'd put N'Zogbia back on the bench but other than that, i'd go with the same eleven.

[danlanza]

More noise inside the stadium than an AC/DC concert, fans jumping up and down "Lamberts claret and blue army" style, hatrick from Benteke and a 4-2 win for Villa. Optimistic about the result i know but we have to get behind the lads and scare the shite out of Spurs. Pride will play a masive part and i think the battering we took against Chelski has slightly annoyed Benteke and all the rest of the team. Benteke annoyed, no thank you and he will rip Spurs a new arsehole.

[CJ]

We should also flood the away section with helium to speed up their dreadful slow dirge of a chant

[Ads]

We should just flood the away end.

[richard moore]

More noise inside the stadium than an AC/DC concert, fans jumping up and down "Lamberts claret and blue army" style, hatrick from Benteke and a 4-2 win for Villa. Optimistic about the result i know but we have to get behind the lads and scare the shite out of Spurs. Pride will play a masive part and i think the battering we took against Chelski has slightly annoyed Benteke and all the rest of the team. Benteke annoyed, no thank you and he will rip Spurs a new arsehole.

Let's hope so my friend, your optimism is a great antidote, keep it up! Thank you

[Rigadon]

We should also flood the away section with helium to speed up their dreadful slow dirge of a chant

Urgh.  Agreed, that chant is the most annoying one in a long list of annoying chants.

[eastie]

Why are we so poor at home against the so called big teams, our record against utd, arsenal, spurs, Liverpool at home over the years is truly shocking , I think over the last 15 years we have won something like 6 or 7 out of 60 home games against them.

[silhillvilla]

Bennett in for Lichaj please, and I'd like to see NZogbia on the bench (if fit ?).

[Irish villain]

I'd take a 0-0 or any draw. A point to steady the ship and give us a platform to beat Wigan in the six pointer.

I said about two months ago that 19 points going into January was a basis to stay up. I stand by that. 22 or more would be great.

[andyh]

Why are some clamouring for Bennett ?
I haven't seen anything from him to suggest he is any better than a right back playing a left back.

[eastie]

Why are some clamouring for Bennett ?
I haven't seen anything from him to suggest he is any better than a right back playing a left back.

Natural left footer and I trust lambert to have bought a good one in him- he hasn't really has a run of games when fully match fit yet, but lichaj is not natural in that position and an able deputy at best.