West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[UK Redsox]

Mr Sox, I'm about to text you to let you know the game should be on.

Text me anyway, so that I have your number

[PaulWinch again]

Right well Villa I think we'll lose, but please please pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease win.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

As Danny Baker just said, fingers crossed its called off.

[PeterWithesShin]

Mr Sox, I'm about to text you to let you know the game should be on.

Text me anyway, so that I have your number

Good job I double checked the text i'm about to send, predictive text chose 'perverted' instead of 'requested', which could have been awkward!

[PaulWinch again]

As Danny Baker just said, fingers crossed its called off.

I can't be doing with that defeatist attitude, we should be seeing this as an opportunity to start a recovery. They're in bad form as well.

[JUAN PABLO]

I have just looked at the other fixtures for today.
Because I am all consumed with Villa, I haven't looked at anyone else for a while.
Blimey, there are some big games today. I don't know how I want those games to end up, best for us.
Newcastle v reading and wigan v sunderland.

I guess the main thing is that we bloody win.

draws keep everyone in the mire but I would imagine Slumberland being ok so a wigan defeat would be fine.

3 points for us would be such a boost and could save our season.

[PaulWinch again]

I have just looked at the other fixtures for today.
Because I am all consumed with Villa, I haven't looked at anyone else for a while.
Blimey, there are some big games today. I don't know how I want those games to end up, best for us.
Newcastle v reading and wigan v sunderland.

I guess the main thing is that we bloody win.

draws keep everyone in the mire but I would imagine Slumberland being ok so a wigan defeat would be fine.

3 points for us would be such a boost and could save our season.

Indeed, we really really need to win today but I've been saying that for weeks if not the last couple of seasons and we rarely do.

[PeterWithesShin]

Paul Lambert believes courage is the most precious commodity in a derby - and he's backed his players to show it in abundance tonight

Lambert sends his players into an early evening encounter with West Brom insisting that they have what it takes to emerge victorious.

The boss admits Villa have not clocked up the best results of late but, importantly, he says he's seen "no negativity" in training, with the lads buzzing ahead of the Albion encounter.

He said: "You don't need lifting for the game.

"Form also goes out of the window because you don't know what's going to happen. It's a good game.

"It's important for both teams. It's important for the fans. It's vital.

"We have been beaten in a couple of games and West Brom the same.

"You need a lot of courage on and off the ball. You have to handle the atmosphere and the crowd. You have to have players who can step up to the plate.

"You also have a better chance of winning with 11 players on the pitch, that's for sure. You can't get drawn into over-aggression. You have to play your own game.

"I see the lads in training. I don't see any negativity at all. The way they train, they are very, very good. It's about transferring that into matches.

"I have never once come in and thought we're miles off it."

Lambert says his players are looking forward to experiencing the red-hot atmosphere at The Hawthorns - and he's relishing pitting his wits against former St Mirren pal Steve Clarke.

He continued: "Steve's done really well there. They're on a bit of a run that's not great for them either. They started the season incredibly well.

"They're a good side with some really good players and experienced lads and it will be a great atmosphere there. You don't need to be lifted by it. We have to go to try to win."

Lambert, of course, will be boosted by the return of skipper Ron Vlaar.

Vlaar is looking forward to coming back for the Baggies bash.

He's eager to help the team to three points - and the "prestige" that comes with winning a derby.

He said: "They are a very good team. They are very solid. Physically, they are very good.

"We should have scored in the first half in the game at Villa Park to get that first goal but we didn't.

"After half-time they scored but it was good that Benty scored. We deserved that goal.

"I really look forward to this latest game. It's a derby which is always nice. We need points, that's obvious.

"It's always more passion in a derby, also for the fans because it's two clubs from the same city.

"It's also prestige. You want to win that game, like every game, but it's just a bit more important for the fans and also for us to win this game.

"We can feed off the atmosphere. That's my feeling always. But we have to be focused. What happens in the crowd, we have to try to get the benefit of it. But we have to focus."

MATCH INFO

West Brom v Villa
Barclays Premier League
Saturday January 19 - KO 5.30pm
Referee: Lee Probert

TICKETS

Sold Out

[TonyD]

We should never fear the yam yams.

[PaulWinch again]

We need to show courage, which we haven't done a lot of but we also need to show quality which we've shown virtually none of lately.

[Karlos96]

I can't see us getting anything in this 3-0 to them.

[PaulWinch again]

If they hammer us given the form they're in as well then Lambert should be sacked today. I haven't been in support of getting rid, but eventually there has to be a line.

[andyh]

"Form also goes out of the window because you don't know what's going to happen. It's a good game.

"It's important for both teams. It's important for the fans. It's vital.

"We have been beaten in a couple of games and West Brom the same.


A couple of games !!!!
Oh dear, I hope we are not suffering a case of denial here.

[PeterWithesShin]

I know it sounds obvious, but for those going make sure you wrap up. Temperatures here aren't expected to go above -1 all day.

[Des Little]

It's all about taking our chances. If we get a sniff we have to score otherwise they'll pick us off.