Aston Villa v West Ham United Pre-Match Thread

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Have we ever lost five league home games in a row?

1962/63 when we lost 11 in a row, 5 at home and 6 away.

[russon]

lose this and we are in deep deep do do with Arsenal & Man City to come. Win it and we've the lift of being out the bottom 3. Draw = meh.

[Mister E]

I suppose lambo will go with 4 2 3 1 again with Nzog in a 'free' role. I prefer some proper width. Though if we show the fight then can get result. Will there be goals? Most probably! I think 3-2 Villa.

The lowest away goal-scorers against a team that rarely score at home?

Yeah, you're probably right; a goal-fest!

[silhillvilla]

0-0 will be my bet on the way to the ground

[villa kicks]

Fabian Delph could be back in but I think be similar side to Everton. I also dubious to how many goals will feature in this match if we play a 4-2-3-1. I think Lambert should change his tactics for this one. That said the fighting spirit and some attacking flair inept defending by both teams could see a 2-1. Though give me a 1-0 like vs Reading please!!

Benteke will be point of reference up front. And can bully the CD Tomkins who I don't rate. Reid is a competent defender and will be a big danger at set pieces as will Tomkins, Nolan, and Carroll.

So Lambert expected to go with 2 midfield sitters West Wood and El Ahmadi who combat Noble and Diame. Nolan will be a danger as will Joe Cole/Jarvis and Carrol when they hit it long. The job of these two will to MOVE around and press and condense space.

Our reliance wil be N'zogbia to create and Weimann and Agbonlahors  attacking prowess (poetic licence please this my team!) to support Benteke. Its important the inter changing of those 3 behind Benteke and to offer goal threat by getting in box when ball is played in.

UP THE VILLA
2-1

[eastie]

If delph is fit either he or sylla should play alongside westwood - no Kea please!

[eastie]

I hope the Manager and team are fully aware of the importance of this game. We are running out of easy to beat sides and have been struggling to win all season. Nobody else is going to improve our situation by losing, unless we win ourselves.

There are no easy to beat sides in this league dc5.

[danlanza]

Worried about the threat from corners and set pieces with the height Westham have. Big game for our defence. Lets just hope we don't give them the chance to threaten us to much in the area's where we know we are weakest.
 Big game again. 3-1 Villa, or just 3 points will do, just a win please.

[Steve kirk]

Don't ask me why but have a good feeling about this game, Villa 3 Hammers 1, the fightback starts today, Come on you Lions.

[Ron Manager]

Don't ask me why but have a good feeling about this game, Villa 3 Hammers 1, the fightback starts today, Come on you Lions.

Its essential Baker is brought in to mark Andy Carroll. Neither Vlarr or Clark are capable of taking Carroll on in the air.

A lot rests on Delph playing up to his capabilities as he has done for the last few games.

The rain will be consistent today so there could be quite a few mistakes by both sides.

Villa 2-1

[Dave Clark Five]

I hope the Manager and team are fully aware of the importance of this game. We are running out of easy to beat sides and have been struggling to win all season. Nobody else is going to improve our situation by losing, unless we win ourselves.

There are no easy to beat sides in this league dc5.

Tell that to the top 10 teams.

[PeterWithe]

Baker at left back please. I've gone for 3-3 with Weimann and Nolan among the scorers.

[cheltenhamlion]

On the train to town. I have no feelings about the game at all.

I was right up for pre Bradford. I didn't want to leave the house for Newcastle.

Today? Just a whole lot of numbness.

[James]

I hope the Manager and team are fully aware of the importance of this game. We are running out of easy to beat sides and have been struggling to win all season. Nobody else is going to improve our situation by losing, unless we win ourselves.

There are no easy to beat sides in this league dc5.

I can think of at least one ... guess who?

This game could be the turning point, psychologically, for us if we can get a win. Yesterday's results pretty much went our way, win and our fate is in our own hands for the last twelve games. MUST WIN!

Cue horrible fuck up, but ... come ON Villa!!!!!!!

[mr-villa]

May not get to the game now, travelling down from Sheffield and have just watched the BBC weather forecast for Sunday and it seems lots of snow is forecast.  Any chance the game may be postponed due to snow?

Not anymore it isn't. The BBC forecast has changed about six times today.

45 mins away from departure and we have wet snow falling in Sheffield but thankfully no problems with getting down.  Yesterday's results will hopefully prove an additional motivation to the lads to pull out a performance and take 3 points.  Expecting a turgid game but won't care if we get the much needed win.