Aston Villa v Bradford City Pre-Match Thread

[Concrete John]

Away goals don't count?

They only count at the end of extra time.  So 2-0 takes it to that and if there's no more goals we would then go through without the need for penalties.

[pauliewalnuts]

How much snow is there in Brum?

We had shit loads down here, finally stopped snowing at midnight, and looking out this morning, none of it seems to have gone - even the snow on the trees is still intact.

I also wonder if snow oop north will be a factor, given 6,000 people coming down for the game.

[bratfud_lad]

It will be a tricky game for both sides but things have changed for you. Whereas before you had little to lose, now you can sniff Wembley. Do you stick or twist? Can you rely on us missing so many chances again? From our point of view we have no option other than to go for it but your manager has a choice to make. First goal wins it I reckon.

We are a lot like Villa in one respect, fans are split on prioities. Arsenal was our cup final, then Villa home was our cup final, now Villa away is our cup final. The money is great and has helped enormously but if we do get knocked out tomorrow night, then it's back to priority for us. I will NEVER say I want to see City lose, but I've had my fun out of this competition already. What I really want is to get out of league 2 & establish ourselves as a championship side again.   

[Simon Ward]

Please, please, please 3-0 without the need for ET!

[pauliewalnuts]

It's the over confidence of so many villains that will cost you. Going into the ground so full of confidence expecting a walk over (as you did 2 weeks ago) is going to cost you.

That's not what cost us two weeks ago.

What cost us then was our ongoing failure to defend properly this season. On another day, we'd have been out of sight by half time, had our strikers not decided to hit all their shots at your goalkeeper.

It's also not over confidence to say we should expect to beat a fourth division side over two legs. 3-1 from the first leg is nothing like impossible to turn over.

We might be struggling in the Premier League, but we are still significantly better on our day than Bradford are.

[Clampy]

I think Bratfud is right unfortunatley, i can see them scoring at some point. Either that or they'll get some kind of assistance from our favourite ref.

[bratfud_lad]

Please, please, please 3-0 without the need for ET!

From what you have seen so far this season, how confident are you of keeping a clean sheet?

[The Laughing Policeman]

Lucky the tie is in B'ham: here in North Yorks it's chucking it down with snow. VP's groundstaff should ensure that the game is played (although with our injuries a strategic postponement wouldn't be a bad thing).

Well I wouldn't give up yet on the possibility of a postponement. I've got about a foot of snow on my garden in Selly Oak and its just started snowing again. I'm sure they can get the pitch ready but its the surrounding area and car parks that'll be the big H&S problems.
[/quote]
Out of interest, who actually pays for the extra effort put in to keep the roads and pavements free of snow and ice around the ground? Is it the club or the council?

[Mazrim]

We don't want to take you to extra time mate, we want to beat you like Mrs Boycott in 90 minutes.
I understand why you think you can score. I'd fancy scoring against us too. However, our Captain, best defender and leader on the pitch is back and whilst its not impossible we can play as badly again, is it likely?

You have an advantage for sure but its a lot more fragile than you think it is by the sounds of it.
Villa Park can be a morgue or a cauldron. If we get early momentum and the crowd get going you'll rarely hear or feel anything like it.

[Simon Ward]

Please, please, please 3-0 without the need for ET!

From what you have seen so far this season, how confident are you of keeping a clean sheet?

It must happen eventually!

[Chris Smith]

How much snow is there in Brum?

We had shit loads down here, finally stopped snowing at midnight, and looking out this morning, none of it seems to have gone - even the snow on the trees is still intact.

I also wonder if snow oop north will be a factor, given 6,000 people coming down for the game.

Loads and it's coming down again now. That said, people I've spoken to this morning only had slight delays getting to work. Main roads and local trains are ok.

[Pete3206]

5-0 and damn their impudence.

Even the bookies say we're favorites to qualify, so you can't really call it impudence can you?

It's the over confidence of so many villains that will cost you. Going into the ground so full of confidence expecting a walk over (as you did 2 weeks ago) is going to cost you.

Mate, this is the internet. Stop taking it all so seriously. If Villa don't perform, then you'll have deserved to go through and fair play to you. I just have the feeling that you've had your night of glory and we're going to turn you over.

[bratfud_lad]

It's also not over confidence to say we should expect to beat a fourth division side over two legs. 3-1 from the first leg is nothing like impossible to turn over.

We might be struggling in the Premier League, but we are still significantly better on our day than Bradford are.

Totally agree

No one from Bradford expected to beat Villa over 2 legs. We hoped to take a draw to the 2nd leg & maybe drag the tie to penalties. Having already turned over 3 premier league sides this season though, things have changed

[Dave Clark Five]

Lucky the tie is in B'ham: here in North Yorks it's chucking it down with snow. VP's groundstaff should ensure that the game is played (although with our injuries a strategic postponement wouldn't be a bad thing).

Well I wouldn't give up yet on the possibility of a postponement. I've got about a foot of snow on my garden in Selly Oak and its just started snowing again. I'm sure they can get the pitch ready but its the surrounding area and car parks that'll be the big H&S problems.

Out of interest, who actually pays for the extra effort put in to keep the roads and pavements free of snow and ice around the ground? Is it the club or the council?

[/quote]

As I put in the WBA thread, they had cleared no pavements or roads whatsoever from the Hawthorns Station, where a great number of people were coming from, to the ground. The only snow clearing had taken place inside the ground or on the ramp from the road up into the away section of the Smethwick End. I can't vouch for the Halfords Lane side of the ground. What they had done was not in the spirit of what they said would be done in my view.

This doesn't answer your question, of course, but it does prove that nobody made any effort to clear the roads and pavements on that occasion.

[Concrete John]

I think Bratfud is right unfortunatley, i can see them scoring at some point. Either that or they'll get some kind of assistance from our favourite ref.

Having Vlaar back gives us more stability at the back and we should have got a clean sheet against Sothampton, but for a poor penalty decision.

I think it depends on how Bradford play it as I think their natural mentality will be to be cautious and not commit many men forward.  Presuming we play a back 4, I'd then like to see Clark step out of defence a bit and add to the midfield.

It'll certainly be an interesting game tactically!