Aston Villa v Fulham Pre-Match Thread

[manic-road]

I think we will actually keep a clean sheet, the first in a long time.

2-0 Benteke and Gabby

[Lastfootstamper]

3-0 to Villa.

With the kids parading the NextGen cup, an all round feel good day at VP.

Anybody know if this is a definite? It'd be good if they could do it whilst the first XI are on the pitch, but with the current pre-kickoff fannying about, I suppose that's not possible

[Witton Warrior]

3-0 to Villa.

With the kids parading the NextGen cup, an all round feel good day at VP.

Sincerely hope the babbies do get to parade the trophy.

I am taking a lad from our aikido club for his first ever visit to VP - after showing him around the ground it would be great if he could see the young Villans success.

Anybody know if this is a definite? It'd be good if they could do it whilst the first XI are on the pitch, but with the current pre-kickoff fannying about, I suppose that's not possible

[eastie]

Paul Lambert reckons Brett Holman is determined to win his starting place back after giving the Aussie ace reassurances over his lack of opportunities.

Having made an impressive start to the campaign, Holman has found chances limited since the turn of the year because of the form of fellow attackers Gabby Agbonlahor, Charles N'Zogbia and Andreas Weimann.

The former AZ Alkmaar player also missed out on the defeat to Liverpool 10 days ago because of a hamstring injury.

But Lambert has reassured the 28-year-old that his lack of first team action is due to the form of his team-mates rather than anything he has done wrong.

Holman has appeared 26 this term, scoring superb long-range stunners against Queens Park Rangers in the league and Norwich in the Capital One Cup.

"I've spoken to him and I had a good chat with him," said the Villa boss.

"He is an experienced player and has done really fine since he's been here.

"You don't want people to sit and be happy when they are not in the side. You want them to be unhappy.

"He couldn't get in because Charles was playing extremely well.

"He wasn't fit for last week. He is fit now. He has trained this week so he is back in the fray."

[PaulWinch again]

That's the right attitude to have from Lambert.

[ROBBO]

No excuse to lose this one, playing an average side already safe with no incentive. I would be reading the riot act before they go out as to not letting their team and supporters down.

[arnie66]

This is exactly the type of game that I fear.....one that we should win against a team with nothing to play for......

Its just so important that we keep the momentum going and start to pull away from the drop zone

Every game is a cup final.....that is so true

[villa kicks]

As we have seen Fulham when on their game can produce good football and good results from good play. Some of the play in the two recent derby matches v Spurs away (strong organised team perfromance) QPR at home (Outstanding first half) show the qualities Fulham have.
However they have also shown v QPR and previously against Sunderland a frailty (similar to villa) when play and pressure is upon them. The 2 goal lead thrown away at sunderland and the 3goal lead cut to a 1 goal narrow win @ home to QPR illustrates this. And of course we have Fulhams last match where they crumbled v Newcastle in 90+ min.
I think as we need the points more we will get a 4-2 win. Berbatov and Ruiz will be a danger so i think we'll concede (as ever) Though Rodallega if he plays often seems to score against us.
I fancy Bent (bowery out) to get a game with Benteke which would change shape though the rest of team to stay the same

Guzan
Lowton Baker Vlaar Bennet
Westwood Delph
Weimann Gabby
Bent Benteke

[eastie]

           Guzan

Lowton.  Vlaar. Baker.  Bennett

         Sylla  Delph Westwood

   Weimann. Benteke.  Gabby

3-1 villa win.

[tomd2103]

           Guzan

Lowton.  Vlaar. Baker.  Bennett

         Sylla  Delph Westwood

   Weimann. Benteke.  Gabby

3-1 villa win.

The onus will be on us to go and attack on Saturday, so out of the team above I would maybe consider bringing N'Zogbia back in for Sylla and going with the 4-2-3-1 formation. 

[johnboy]

Clean sheet but 0-0

[AVH87]

I'd play

------- Guzan -------

Lowton Vlaar Baker Bennett

-- Westwood Delph --

------- Holman -------

Weimann Benteke Gabby


CNZ is clearly the better player over Holman but I worry about his lack of work rate, starting the likes of Sylla or KEA alongside Westwood and Delph would be too defensive at home.

I think we'll draw 2-2.

[eastie]

I'd play

------- Guzan -------

Lowton Vlaar Baker Bennett

-- Westwood Delph --

------- Holman -------

Weimann Benteke Gabby


CNZ is clearly the better player over Holman but I worry about his lack of work rate, starting the likes of Sylla or KEA alongside Westwood and Delph would be too defensive at home.

I think we'll draw 2-2.

I think starting Westwood and sylla would give Delph more licence to break forward and play to his attacking strengths and the three up front would mean it would be far from defensive, with the full backs getting forward too.

[Nastylee]

Looking like decent crowd given how tricky it was to get 2 seats together. Nothing in the whole of the North Stand and pockets on the wings/back of Holte.

[Lastfootstamper]

Looking like decent crowd given how tricky it was to get 2 seats together. Nothing in the whole of the North Stand and pockets on the wings/back of Holte.

Get a good result, and I like to think you'll have similar problems for sunderland, even with it being on a Monday