Swansea City v Aston Villa Match Thread

[citizenDJ]

And Michu is a definite starter just to add to the good news oozing from every Villa related pore these days...

We just have to hope he's short of top performance, because he looks capable of ripping through our team quite easily when he's on song.

In fact, Swansea generally look quite assured, with plenty of movement and no shortage of passing ability. I doubt we'll come out of this one too well.

[rjp]

I can't lose hope before a ball's been kicked but I'm not overflowing with confidence either.  If we can avoid conceding early hopefully they'll grow into the game like they did at Anfield.  I'm expecting Swansea to come out all guns blazing and *hoping* we catch them with a sucker punch on the counter followed by one of the most nervous afternoons in recent memory.

[citizenDJ]

                   Guzan

          Lowton Herd Clark

Bennett                         Stevens

           Westwood Delph

Albrighton                  Weimann

                 Benteke

Nope, any way I try it on, that team looks pretty damn poor.

I think that's unfortunately how we will line up, and the result will be similar to the last three games.

I sincerely hope he goes flat 4 at the back and uses Bennett as a left MF; it'd be good to see us with a genuine left-footer on the left wing.

I think that's probably what I would do if I were the manager today.

Edit: The flat back four option, I mean.

[andyh]

As bad as the team appears, this now comes down to the manager and his ability to organise them, keep them disciplined and try and motivate them.
They need to fight and battle, not give up and show some fucking pride.
They are still representing Aston Villa, and they bloody well better remember that !!

C'Mon Villa!!

[Risso]

Buckle up everyone. Could be a long afternoon. That or we'll miraculously snap out of our funk and win this leaving us all massively bewildered.

My predictions are usually crap, so I'm going to say Delph and Albrighton will have a stinker, and that we'll lose 3-0.  They should therefore, both score in a 2-0 win.  I just hope PWS has got his Admiral's Pie in the oven....

[richard moore]

Getting to ten minutes without conceding will be quite an achievement in itself I think....this is what it has come to. Against Swansea as well. Just imagine that team away to Man Utd or even an off key Man City, I seriously think you might be looking at double figures

[PeterWithesShin]

We'll get at least a point today. Probably all 3. Come on you Cubs!

[UK Redsox]

Who's on the bench?

[CJ]

                   Guzan

          Lowton Herd Clark

Bennett                         Stevens

           Westwood Delph

Albrighton                  Weimann

                 Benteke

Nope, any way I try it on, that team looks pretty damn poor.

Can't see Bennett playing on the right - think he'll play Stevens at LB with Bennett in front of him and Albrighton in front of Lowton, Delph and Westwood in centre mid, and Weimann behind Benteke.  Guess we'll find out in 15 minutes!

[hilts_coolerking]

A small crumb of consolation is that Wigan and Soton are at home to Man U and Arsenal respectively.  And Reading are away at Spurs.

So if we can somehow wangle a point today it may see us move up a bit.

[PeterWithesShin]

Buckle up everyone. Could be a long afternoon. That or we'll miraculously snap out of our funk and win this leaving us all massively bewildered.

My predictions are usually crap, so I'm going to say Delph and Albrighton will have a stinker, and that we'll lose 3-0.  They should therefore, both score in a 2-0 win.  I just hope PWS has got his Admiral's Pie in the oven....

The magic pie is no more after Chelsea.

[citizenDJ]

I'm starting to feel like getting to ten minutes before kick-off without conceding is an achievement at the moment!

[PeterWithesShin]

Who's on the bench?

subs: Given, Ireland, Holman, Bowery, Bannan, Lichaj.

And although not announced supposedly Carruthers is as well.

[PaulWinch again]

I think we're going to get an absolute pasting but hopefully we won't.

[villadelph]

A small crumb of consolation is that Wigan and Soton are at home to Man U and Arsenal respectively.  And Reading are away at Spurs.

So if we can somehow wangle a point today it may see us move up a bit.

Absolutely right. Can't see any of them getting anything out of their respective matches so hopefully we can pull away with something/anything from this game.

Please score first.