Aston Villa v Southampton Pre-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd have Zog in, he may be a bit headless at times but the last couple of games he's looked more dangerous than anyone else.

[Concrete John]

For tomorrow I'd go:

                 Guzan
Lowton  Baker  Clark   Bennett
              Westwood
          Bannan  Holman
Gabby                        Weimann
                Benteke

If Vlaar is fit and available he should play. I'm not sure I trust Holman as a centre mid.

Holman would be pushing forward ahead of Westwood and Bannan, which I'd be OK with.  Vlaar depends on fitness, but best case scenario is we get an hour out of him before the lack of match fitness shows.  I'd also take Bennet out of the firing line and play Lichaj or Stephens at LB.

[eastie]

@thegoalzone: Asked Villa boss Paul Lambert if he had been tempted to bring back Warnock or Hutton and he said no

[Toronto Villa]

Much as we need him back, after so long out I wouldn't want to risk bringing Vlaar back too soon.

Agree. We don't want any Martin Laursen like coming back too soon situations where he ends up doing more harm than good. That said, if he truly is ready it is a big boost. Apparently Dunne isn't far off too.

[Clampy]

For tomorrow I'd go:

                 Guzan
Lowton  Baker  Clark   Bennett
              Westwood
          Bannan  Holman
Gabby                        Weimann
                Benteke

Not a bad looking line up although i'd leave Bennett out personally. He's probably still shell shocked from the other night.

[eastie]

@MatKendrick: Marc Albrighton could be out for up to two months after scans showed the #avfc winger broke a bone in his foot #metatarsal misery

[eastie]

                Guzan

Lowton.    Vlaar.   Baker.    Stevens

             Westwood.    Clark

     Bannan.    Weimann.     Nzogbia

                  Benteke

[PeterWithesShin]

Ron Vlaar, Ashley Westwood and Brett Holman have handed Villa a triple boost ahead of the clash against Southampton.

But Darren Bent, Marc Albrighton and Chris Herd are definitely ruled out of Saturday's game.

Goalkeeper Shay Given is also a doubt with a hamstring injury.

Vlaar has resumed training from a long-standing calf problem, although the Saints encounter may come too soon for the Dutch defender.

Westwood is back in contention after hurting his ankle ligaments at Swansea on New Year's Day, while Holman has recovered from the virus which kept him out of the cup ties against Ipswich and Bradford.

The knee injury Bent sustained in a collision with Bradford keeper Matt Duke is not as bad as first feared but the striker is expected to be out for around 10 days.

Albrighton has a metatarsal injury while Herd also has a foot problem.

There is positive news, though, on Richard Dunne who could resume training next week.

"Darren isn't as bad as first feared but he is going to be out for Saturday," said manager Paul Lambert.

"It is his knee from the collision with the goalkeeper. It is not as severe - maybe 10 days. It's his medial ligament.

"Shay is struggling with a hamstring as well.

"Ron trained a little bit yesterday so hopefully he will have no adverse reaction and he might join in this morning. That is a plus.

"I don't know if he'll be in from the beginning as he hasn't done enough until yesterday but he is round about.

"Chris Herd is going to be out for a few weeks with his foot and Marc Albrighton is out so there are one or two injuries still there.

"Richard might training in the middle of next week - we'll see how he does."

[PaulWinch again]

@MatKendrick: Marc Albrighton could be out for up to two months after scans showed the #avfc winger broke a bone in his foot #metatarsal misery

Whilst I don't wish injury on anyone, and hope he recovers soon. He's no great loss.

[stanadon]

great to see vlaar back, should start him and we might get a scorign draw

[Boz]

4-1 Villa.

I'd like to think we'll score four but I doubt it.

[Brend'Watkins]

Hearing Vlaar and Westwood are available has cleared the knott in my stomach.

[UK Redsox]

Hearing Vlaar and Westwood are available has cleared the knott in my stomach.

Serves you right for eating a wicket-keeper

[Jarpie]

Anyone else thinking that Lambo is downplaying Vlaar's avaibility to surprise Southampton?

[MoetVillan]

Is Herd available?  get him back in the midfield alongside Westwood, and lets get some points