Aston Villa v Manchester City Pre-Match Thread

[Clampy]

I'm not sure why but I feel strangely relaxed so far about tonight, I haven't been able to say that too many times recently.

Maybe it's because you're not expecting too much from the game and anything other than a defeat would be a bonus. I'm relaxed about it to. I'll be needing a few drinks on Friday night before the Reading game though.

[JUAN PABLO]

Low teams will have always have a good result and sometimes shock win against a top 4 team . Reading do it , Wigan a few times , QPR etc etc .

 Its about time we pulled one off.    I can feel a 1-0 .

[john e]

to be honest we need to win tonight if we are to make a late push for a top 6 finish

i'm going for a valuable point with a 2-2 draw

[Meanwood Villa]

I've just booked tomorrow off so looking forward to a couple more drinks at the pub tonight. Just hope Villa don't ruin the night too much.

[Tom_Mc9?]

In a moment of frivolity I predicted a Villa win. Now it's come to the big matchday I think we're going to lose 3-1.

[frank]

I'm setting off for Birmingham shortly. It's a lovely, sunny spring day down here in Sussex:  new life, new hope. 2-1 Villa

[Rudy Can't Fail]

We just need to go all out attack and give it a right go, this is pretty much a free shot and it's an opportunity for bonus points.

That's been Lambert's tactics all season - gung-ho. It hasn't really been working that well, has it?

[supertom]

I'm surprised so many have voted for a Villa win. Optimistic, but then again we need a bit of that right now.

[supertom]

We just need to go all out attack and give it a right go, this is pretty much a free shot and it's an opportunity for bonus points.

That's been Lambert's tactics all season - gung-ho. It hasn't really been working that well, has it?

I'm not sure he's been that gung-ho. I'm not sure "Lambert" and "tactics" works in the same sentence without the words "doesn't have a clue about."
We've been so poor in attack. At times I'm not sure we've actually been direct and adventurous enough. Too much pondering on the ball in the middle of the pitch.
I'd like to see us using the pace of Gabby and Zoggy to break against teams better. And CB for that matter. The amount of times someone's been in a position to get a ball in and there's normally at best, 1 other person in the box.

So yet, I further vote a switch to being more gung-ho. The defence is totally fucked. I think it's easier to sort our attack so I'd concentrate on that and try and outscore teams. I felt we attacked West Ham quite effectively. We got at them and we won the game. If we really turn it on, there's no reason why we couldn't put a few past Reading and QPR.
IF.
Lambert doesn't have it in him to sort the backline, nor does he have the players. Sadly.
Attack, attack, attack!!! It is after all, the best form of defence. Isn't it?

[levico]

We score first but end up losing heavily.

Lambert says he's proud of his boys but we pick ourselves up and we go........ Yada yada etc.

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

3-1 to the Villa.

Game Set and fucking Match.

I'm off to Ladbrokes.

[JUAN PABLO]

Bent out for 3 games

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/9906797/Darren-Bent-to-miss-Aston-Villas-next-three-matches-with-foot-injury-as-side-prepare-to-take-on-Manchester-City.html

[Jon Crofts]

A loss but not a heavy one, 1-2, 0-1 maybe.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Bad news regarding Bent. That article just reminded me that Stephen Ireland is a Villa player. I'd really forgotten all about him.

[andyh]

Vlaar struggling.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-v-manchester-city-1717038

For a hard looking bastard, he's a right fucking big girls blouse.