Aston Villa v QPR Pre-Match Thread

[Marlon From Bearwood]

Although a part timer this season, for the first time in my life, my son and I are coming up to the game today.
from deepest Dorset. Very nervous. Up the Villa.

Nice one lets hope you have a great day.

[Chipsticks]

Although a part timer this season, for the first time in my life, my son and I are coming up to the game today.
from deepest Dorset. Very nervous. Up the Villa.

Good on ya!

[Ron Manager]

Its raining consistently at the moment so conditions will not be easy for heavy centre halves like Samba. By that I mean having to turn quickly and retain his balance without slipping. I have a feeling Weimann is going to be crucial today, at least I hope so. I also hope Bent is fit enough to be on the bench and come on if needed.

Even if we lose (perish the thought) its not the end for us but it will be a major setback from which we will do well to recover.

Villa 2-0 .

[eastie]

Its raining consistently at the moment so conditions will not be easy for heavy centre halves like Samba. By that I mean having to turn quickly and retain his balance without slipping. I have a feeling Weimann is going to be crucial today, at least I hope so. I also hope Bent is fit enough to be on the bench and come on if needed.

Even if we lose (perish the thought) its not the end for us but it will be a major setback from which we will do well to recover.

Villa 2-0 .

Bent is still out  injured.

Huge game ahead , lets hope at 5 pm the post match thread is rocking for the right reasons

[eastie]

By James Nursey

Christian Benteke has been tipped to land the knockout blow in his heavyweight battle with Christopher Samba.

Aston Villa's 6ft 3in Belgium striker bagged his 16th goal of the season in their win at Reading in LAST weekend's six-pointer.

Benteke has been one of the signings of the season since joining from Genk for £8million last summer.

On Saturday, in a classic relegation struggle, Benteke will be up against QPR's giant centre-back Samba after his January move.

Harry Redknapp paid Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala £12.5m for 6ft 4in Samba, who is picking up a £100,000-a-week.

But Benteke's manager, Paul Lambert, reckons Samba will be hard-pushed to come out on top at Villa Park.

Lambert said: "They are two big lads going head to head together. But Benteke is playing exceptional football for us. He is full of confidence, which is great.

"Saturday will be a physical battle, but I haven't seen too many beat Christian up throughout this season.

"The main thing for us is to win the game and if Christian can contribute to that, great."

Villa's victory at Reading made it seven points from their last five matches.

Their two defeats in that spell were both by a single goal and to two Champions League candidates - Arsenal and Manchester City.

Villa's American chairman Lerner has scaled back his investment of both money and time at the club.

But Lambert reckons both Lerner and the fans are pleased with Villa's recent displays after a torrid festive period that saw an 8-0 humiliation at Chelsea and heavy home losses to Spurs (4-0) and fellow strugglers Wigan (3-0).

The Scot revealed Lerner did fly over this week to show his backing: "I have a good relationship with the chairman and the chief executive and they see what everyone else is seeing.

"Ever since the turn of the year the improvement has been vast. It is growing together which everybody wants to do.

"We are trying to build something to be a right good side. I spoke to the chairman on Thursday when he was over and he has been very good with me."

Saturday's game is huge, but Lambert is confident his Brummies won't choke as they chase back-to-back league wins for the first time since May 2011.

Lambert added: "The good thing from my point of view is I can see the lads are playing really well with a lot of confidence to win.

"We only know one way to play: To go and try to win. The crowd see what is happening and they are right with it. That adrenaline from the crowd can spur us on and not frighten them.

[adrenachrome]

Saturday's game is huge, but Lambert is confident his Brummies won't choke as they chase back-to-back league wins for the first time since May 2011.

His Brummies? Nursey needs to change whatever he's been putting in his crack pipe.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

My Son says we'll win 6-1.

I'll administer a good beating if we don''t.

[damon loves JT]

Saturday's game is huge, but Lambert is confident his Brummies won't choke as they chase back-to-back league wins for the first time since May 2011.

His Brummies? Nursey needs to change whatever he's been putting in his crack pipe.

Warfarin? Pelleted chicken manure?

[danlanza]

We will win, no problems. 3-1

[Damo70]

2-1 for me. 67 games without back to back victories means we are well overdue. Having said that, I had a nightmare last night that we went two down in the first two minutes!

[Steve kirk]

The whole of the media want QPR to beat us so it would be so sweet if we win today, heart says Villa win but head says a draw, c'mon you Lions.

[SW9-VILLA]

Heading off to VP soon. Not felt this tense about a game in a while. I fancy us to nick it 2-1. Can't see QPR not scoring tho.

[john e]

Cannot remember the last time Villa won easily with no problems, and today won't be any different
2-2 draw

[cheltenhamlion]

On my way to the pub now after a morning in the office. Time for a few nerve settling pints!

I still think we will win mind. Lots of goals, a nail biting affair but a win.

[Chipsticks]

Waiting for my mate to come and pick me up. Always bloody late.