Stoke City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[mr-villa]

it's a tight pitch so we need some pace in the centre of midfield to run at their back 4.

All pitches in the Premier League are the same size this season!!

[pendinevilla]

it's a tight pitch so we need some pace in the centre of midfield to run at their back 4.

All pitches in the Premier League are the same size this season!!

Is that true? I would be very surprised if so.

[robbo1874]

Gotta win this..QPR have a home shoo-in with Wigan. We've got to get away from the 'zone'.
Benteke has the ability and can do it for us!

I'd more have this one down as a draw Brian- which would be good for us especially if we can beat stoke

[manic-road]

I think we might manage to keep a clean sheet, unfortunately i think they will as well.

0-0

[CJ]

it's a tight pitch so we need some pace in the centre of midfield to run at their back 4.

All pitches in the Premier League are the same size this season!!

Is that true? I would be very surprised if so.

That surprised me too, but I had noticed that the 10-yard marker from the corner flag didn't look as close to the goal area as it used to when watching Stoke on MOTD. So being a bit of a sad bastard with time on my hands I did a bit of googling and found Rule 21 on page 140  of the Premier League Handbook which states that "Unless otherwise permitted by the Board, in League Matches the length of the pitch shall be 105 metres and its breadth 68 metres". No wonder Delap pissed off to Barnsley.

[eamonn]

We were surprisingly comfirtable against Stoke at home, and that was right in the middle of our 'can't head a corner for love nor money' stage.

It was Dec 8th, a few weeks before cornalties became more fashionable down the Villa than flares when Mr Woodhall was a young lad.

[neo_Villan]

I think we might manage to keep a clean sheet, unfortunately i think they will as well.

0-0

Wouldn't be too bad a result. Best to get a clean-sheet sooner rather than later.

[avfcpg]

it's a tight pitch so we need some pace in the centre of midfield to run at their back 4.

All pitches in the Premier League are the same size this season!!

Is that true? I would be very surprised if so.

That surprised me too, but I had noticed that the 10-yard marker from the corner flag didn't look as close to the goal area as it used to when watching Stoke on MOTD. So being a bit of a sad bastard with time on my hands I did a bit of googling and found Rule 21 on page 140  of the Premier League Handbook which states that "Unless otherwise permitted by the Board, in League Matches the length of the pitch shall be 105 metres and its breadth 68 metres". No wonder Delap pissed off to Barnsley.

Yep new rule for 2012 in line with UEFA...all pitches to be the same size....

[Uknowthescore]

Time to go for it
                           Guzan
Lowton.          Clark.         V.aar.    Bennett

           Delph.          Westwood


    Nzogbia.                           Gabby

            Bent.        Benteke


4 2 2 2

[silhillvilla]

I think this is a nailed on 1-0.
Not sure who to though 

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Time to go for it
                           Guzan
Lowton.          Clark.         V.aar.    Bennett

           Delph.          Westwood


    Nzogbia.                           Gabby

            Bent.        Benteke


4 2 2 2

Baker made a school boy error last week but is still our best defender. I agree with giving Bent a run in the last half hour as he will not be match fit .....

[tomd2103]

Gotta win this..QPR have a home shoo-in with Wigan. We've got to get away from the 'zone'.
Benteke has the ability and can do it for us!

Wigan seem to have a knack for winning quite comfortably away at their fellow strugglers this season.  They've beaten us and Reading 3-0 away from home, and Southampton 2-0.

[eastie]

0-2 villa win

                Guzan

Lowton.   Vlaar.    Baker. Bennett

      Westwood. Delph.  Sylla

Weimann.   Benteke.    Gabby

[Malandro]

I think we might manage to keep a clean sheet

Section him

[eastie]

Brad Guzan insists the players will all "fight for the shirt" as they get set for the huge clash with Stoke on Saturday.

Guzan says the "competitive spirit" in the side will stand them in good stead for the Potteries encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

He's backed Villa's brave lions to stand up to the physical threat posed by Tony Pulis's men - and cause their own problems.

Villa are looking to bounce back from the defeat to Liverpool and begin a positive set of results in the final seven games of the campaign.

He said: "Every game is physical. The more that we can get into team's faces and make it difficult for them to play, the better it is for us.

"It's high tempo. It's high energy. We want to make it difficult for them.

"Stoke are a big team. We'll have to go there, be confident and make sure we win those battles.

"It won't be easy but we'll definitely be ready for it.

"It's a man's game and you have to be a man about it, win balls in the air, whatever it may be.

"We have to be ready to compete, that's what the Premier League is all about.

"It's about fighting and showing that competitive spirit.

"There's a competitive spirit we have in the dressing room where we fight for each other. And fight for the shirt."