Aston Villa v Southampton Pre-Match Thread

[tomd2103]

Thinking about it, I would consider putting Herd back as CB. At least he can deal with set-pieces.

Think I'd put him as holding midfield unless Westwood would be fit. Probably play Holman aswell, he was poor against Wigan but I really don't want to see Delph-Bannan combo again!

Worry with Herd is he's the sort who'll give a few free kicks away on the edge of box through rash challenges which we don't really need with Lambert and Ramierz in opposition.

Lallana is injured I believe for them which helps as he's an excellent player imo.

which ever way you look at it, its impossible to come up with a defence/midfield formation that you could have any confidence in. This is because our players are not good enough, it is that simple.

Yep.  The phrase "rearranging deck chairs on The Titanic" springs to mind. 

[Dave Cooper please]

lose and we are down.

No we're not.

[JUAN PABLO]

1-3   Channon hatrick

[neo_Villan]

Thinking about it, I would consider putting Herd back as CB. At least he can deal with set-pieces.

Think I'd put him as holding midfield unless Westwood would be fit. Probably play Holman aswell, he was poor against Wigan but I really don't want to see Delph-Bannan combo again!

Have to agree. It is just that I don't want to see a Clark/Baker combo either! I wouldn't actually mind seeing an Aussie Herd/Holman combo in centre midfield though. I think Holman was effective in that deeper role earlier in the season against Newcastle and Swansea. They would definately both offer  the defence much more protection, even if both aren't very good on the ball (not that it matters since we play hoofball most of the time anyway).

[neo_Villan]

Good grief! Just read Lawro's predictions and he thinks we'll win 2-1!! That's it then, the small hope we will get something from the game is now officially gone.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Good grief! Just read Lawro's predictions and he thinks we'll win 2-1!! That's it then, the small hope we will get something from the game is now officially gone.

Final nail in the coffin, the first was when Savage changed his mind and said we would stay up. I swear the sky darkened when I read that.

[brontebilly]

Hard to know what team to pick. Westwood and Vlaar certainly back in if fit. I think Lowton badly needs to be taken out of the side for a couple of games. I'd consider bringing a fired up Alan Hutton in. He played half decent for Forest against Leeds over Xmas. Left back its a bit of a house of horrors. Stevens maybe ahead of the rest. Looks like we only have Clark and Baker for centre half and their confidence looks shot to pieces.

Midfield such a shower of nothing players really. Nzogbia behind Bent (if fit) and Weimann. Benteke in reserve. Bannan, Herd and Delph as midfield trio if Westwood isn't there. Probably need 2 of them not to stray more than 10 yards from the centre halves at any one time.

[Matt Collins]

I think lallana and fonte the centre half are out, which is helpful. I hope Hooiveld plays, he's terrible.

It's almost a case that our defence and midfield are so bad that we should go for it, but that sort of tactic seems to be the case anyway and leaves us repeatedly exposed.

I would be about five times more confident if Westwood and Vlaar were back, but I assume neither are?

[eastie]

I think lallana and fonte the centre half are out, which is helpful. I hope Hooiveld plays, he's terrible.

It's almost a case that our defence and midfield are so bad that we should go for it, but that sort of tactic seems to be the case anyway and leaves us repeatedly exposed.

I would be about five times more confident if Westwood and Vlaar were back, but I assume neither are?

Not sure about Westwood but I think Vlaar will definitely be out , although I wouldn't be that confident with him in as he played in the 4-1 beating at st Mary's - I think I've rarely looked forward to as game less than this one , hard to find much to be positive about right now and I expect Saints to come here looking for a win and getting just that.

[Richard E]

WM this morning were suggesting Westwood would be back after being cup tied in mid-week.

[eastie]

WM this morning were suggesting Westwood would be back after being cup tied in mid-week.

A bit of good news then , with Westwood 1-3 without Westwood 0-3.

[Ads]

We will probably win this one now, two nil, in the most non-descript and uneventful game of the season.

[UK Redsox]

We will probably win this one now, two nil, in the most non-descript and uneventful game of the season.

How can any win be "non-descript" at the moment ?

A victory tomorrow could be grounds for a tickertape parade.

[PaulWinch again]

I really hope Westwood is back, our only genuinely assured and good midfielder.

[N'ZMAV]

We will probably win this one now, two nil, in the most non-descript and uneventful game of the season.

that'll do me.