Aston Villa v Fulham Pre-Match Thread

[Matt Collins]

We've been nervous at the start of recent home games - or easily made to be nervous by match events. I hope there's a bit more confidence now

If we press them back and deny berbatov service, this is very winnable.

[CJ]

2-1 in spite of Dowd.

[Brend'Watkins]

Confidence will be high, we'll make chances and need to convert more of them.  I can see us scoring 3 and winning.  We're a better more organized outfit now than the one that beat Liverpool earlier in the season. 

[Villafirst]

Repeat of last season is my best guess!

If I recall Fulham were dire in this corresponding fixture last year.

[OzVilla]

I've not been overly confident about us winning a single league game all season but for some reason i do on Saturday. 

Playing well, scoring goals, defensively showing gradual improvements It really is all coming together.

Together that is to have that huge crash back down to earth.

But no, i'm backing the boys. 

3-1 again to the Villa.

[robbo1874]

This is our last game against a team with nothing left to play for so we need to take full advantage.

I know what you're saying pete, but to me the fact they've nothing to play for doesn't mean they won't try, it just means there's no pressure on them, so they'll be less likely to make stupid mistakes, they'll probably sit back and wait for us to come at them. We'll be nervy about over-committing and I just can't see the game getting stretched and too many chances being created. I think maybe 1-1 if it plays out like that.

Really I'd prefer to see us have a bash and go for the win, but there's always the danger that instead of winning 3-1, or 3-2, we end up losing by the same score. We've just got to not lose this one and it would be a decent outcome for us.

[danlanza]

I was going to say Villa 2-1. With Dowd as ref then seriously, he will shaft us with stupid yellow cards and possibly a red thrown in for good luck.
Dowd is a disgrace as a ref. Bloody hell, i was looking forward to this game until his fucking name was mentioned.

[Clampy]

I was going to say Villa 2-1. With Dowd as ref then seriously, he will shaft us with stupid yellow cards and possibly a red thrown in for good luck.
Dowd is a disgrace as a ref. Bloody hell, i was looking forward to this game until his fucking name was mentioned.

It's up to us to put the goals away and not make him influence the game. I agree though Dan, he's  bloody shocking.

[danlanza]

I was going to say Villa 2-1. With Dowd as ref then seriously, he will shaft us with stupid yellow cards and possibly a red thrown in for good luck.
Dowd is a disgrace as a ref. Bloody hell, i was looking forward to this game until his fucking name was mentioned.

It's up to us to put the goals away and not make him influence the game. I agree though Dan, he's  bloody shocking.

Clamps, have we ever won a game with this buffoon reffing us ?

[Richard E]

We ought to win this but its making me very nervous that most people seem to be assuming that this is a nailed on home banker. I hope the players are not assuming they just have to turn up.

[Concrete John]

I'm concerned - 74.2% going for the win.  Whenever we've been this confident so far this season we've managed to then colosally fuck it up!

[not3bad]

Really I'd prefer to see us have a bash and go for the win

I don't think there's any other way Villa approach things nowadays is there?

[not3bad]

I'm concerned - 74.2% going for the win.  Whenever we've been this confident so far this season we've managed to then colosally fuck it up!

The time to really start worrying is if Lawro goes for a Villa win.

[rob_bridge]

Villa win for me

[David_Nab]

Repeat of last season is my best guess!

If I recall Fulham were dire in this corresponding fixture last year.

They were and they were pretty crap in the away game this season.