Stoke City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[JUAN PABLO]

Bannan seems to go to ground for every tackle too...which often means that the ball runs loose (or to an opponent) when he's on his arse.  Or am I being unduly harsh on the little chap?

seemed to happen before liverpool got the pen

[ciggiesnbeer]

The only routine I've seen us slip into this season is suicidal defending and ultra nervous finishes to games. Sorry, but until we learn to defend I can't see us winning games like this without a very big slice of luck. Hope I'm proved wrong.

Bit like the games against Reading and QPR Jimbo, oh we won those

Bu bu but Arry told us we were lucky to win against QPR! You saying the geezer lied???

Jimbo. The facts back you up of course but I just think our young defenders are actually improving game to game. I also think Stoke struggle to score at the best of times, (amazingly for a Villa team), we dont have that problem this season, we are always likely to score.

Honestly I have no concerns about the Stoke game, I am very confident. Of course I could look like a fool tomorrow but that comes hand in hand with being a Villa fan 

[*shellac*]

We never win when the H&V match thread is cautiously optimistic.

Just saying.

You're right.

3-1 to them then.

[Jimbo]

The only routine I've seen us slip into this season is suicidal defending and ultra nervous finishes to games. Sorry, but until we learn to defend I can't see us winning games like this without a very big slice of luck. Hope I'm proved wrong.

Bit like the games against Reading and QPR Jimbo, oh we won those

Bu bu but Arry told us we were lucky to win against QPR! You saying the geezer lied???

Jimbo. The facts back you up of course but I just think our young defenders are actually improving game to game. I also think Stoke struggle to score at the best of times, (amazingly for a Villa team), we dont have that problem this season, we are always likely to score.

Honestly I have no concerns about the Stoke game, I am very confident. Of course I could look like a fool tomorrow but that comes hand in hand with being a Villa fan 

We were able to beat the worst two teams in the division, and that's great. Imagine if we hadn't? Neither were 'routine wins', however. I really hope you're right, but when the same things keep happening over and over again, you can't help but worry whether we're actually learning anything.

[villadelph]

I just hope Lambert puts out a physically strong side. I'd like to see a Westwood, Delph, Sylla triangle with Gabby out on the right.. and maybe even Holman to get stuck in. We have to score, our focus has to be on getting goals. We can beat stoke. WE CAN BEAT STOKE.

[Lastfootstamper]

I just hope Lambert puts out a physically strong side. I'd like to see a Westwood, Delph, Sylla triangle with Gabby out on the right.. and maybe even Holman to get stuck in. We have to score, our focus has to be on getting goals. We can beat stoke. WE CAN BEAT STOKE.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

[Lastfootstamper]

-----------Guzan
Lowton-Vlaar-Baker-Bennett
------Westwood-Delph
----Weimann-Sylla-Gabby
-----------Benteke

2-0 Villa

I'd be very surprised if that's not our starting XI. Shape-wise, switch Delph and Sylla round.

[VancouverLion]

Think Delph for Bannan is the way we'll go, we'll need the extra bite in midfield for these lot.
F'kin hate Stuuuurk and everything about them, shite direct football, Delilah bullshit, but above all else in 2010 for our honeymoon I convinced my Canadian wife we should tour England (she'd never been before) we ended up almost brawling with some sturk lads in a boozer in Newquay when we lost 2-1 at the Britannia they scored in the last min if I remember right, she's called me a Hooligan ever since!!
Anyway them 1 us 3 Benteke, Gabby, N'zogbia

[Lastfootstamper]

Think Delph for Bannan is the way we'll go, we'll need the extra bite in midfield for these lot.
F'kin hate Stuuuurk and everything about them, shite direct football, Delilah bullshit, but above all else in 2010 for our honeymoon I convinced my Canadian wife we should tour England (she'd never been before) we ended up almost brawling with some sturk lads in a boozer in Newquay when we lost 2-1 at the Britannia they scored in the last min if I remember right, she's called me a Hooligan ever since!!
Anyway them 1 us 3 Benteke, Gabby, N'zogbia

Villa fan from Canada in rumble with Stoke fans in Cornwall. I know you're now tarred for life, but....marvellous!!!

Assuming nobody got actually punched, of course.

[enigma]

We'll have to score more than one to win as I can't see us keeping a clean sheet. They'll probably score from a set piece or a last minute Owen goal.

I reckon 1-1.

[Ads]

Lets fucking drill these anti-football wankers.

[eastie]

See I'm not sure trying to get 'big' players into the team and adapting to Stoke's style is the way to play, we need to impose our game on them. They're a poor side and we should try and attack them not try and compromise our style.

Totally agree pwa.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

When was the last time we won at Stoke ?

[PeterWithesShin]

When was the last time we won at Stoke ?

1984/1985 in the league by my reckoning. Which could well be wrong. Although I think we've only played 6 league games there since then.

[Marlon From Bearwood]

When was the last time we won at Stoke ?

1984. I only know this as Matt Kendrick tweeted it. Careless Whisper was No. 1 in case you were wondering.