Norwich City vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[damon loves JT]

Everyone knows how to play us. Manchester United gave the perfect example: start really aggressively and score a couple while our defence is wobbly.

Whether we get a result depends on baker and Bennett not going all headless chicken.

Would love to think we'd win this one easily but I've been following the Villa too long for that. Would settle for a point.

[Dave Clark Five]

It is a tired old cliche but I am thinking one game at a time. However, sometimes you need to project things forward a bit. What if we lose and others win? What if that happens against Chelsea as well? This is what I would be telling the players. This game is like a semi final. Alternatively, treat it like it is the last game of the season. It really is do or die. We must not undo the good work of Monday night.

[Clampy]

It is a tired old cliche but I am thinking one game at a time. However, sometimes you need to project things forward a bit. We must not undo the good work of Monday night.

I know what you mean. I've been taking it one game at a time but before Sunderland i had it in my head that we'd draw against them and beat Norwich. It may end up being the other way round and 4 points out of 6 would'nt be a bad return but bloody hell, what an opportunity help ourselves if we win.

[Malandro]

I wonder how many others on here have spouses that are not interested in football.

My wife thought I was going to have a heart attack watching Sunderland, it must seem totally absurd.

And we go again...

[Colhint]

Everyone knows how to play us. Manchester United gave the perfect example: start really aggressively and score a couple while our defence is wobbly.

Whether we get a result depends on baker and Bennett not going all headless chicken.

Would love to think we'd win this one easily but I've been following the Villa too long for that. Would settle for a point.

good point, however not all teams have the quality to do what yanited do

[Brend'Watkins]

In the home fixture the Norwich winger (can't remember his name) gave Bennett a torrid time. He may have progressed a bit since then but he's by no means near the finished article.  If you want to get at Villa you target the weakest part of the defence in the same way that ManU did.  Of course, on the flip side if you want to target the weakest part of the Norwich defense you get the ball to Benteke, or Gabby or Weimann.  They can't double up on all of them.

[Lastfootstamper]

It is a tired old cliche but I am thinking one game at a time. However, sometimes you need to project things forward a bit. We must not undo the good work of Monday night.

I know what you mean. I've been taking it one game at a time but before Sunderland i had it in my head that we'd draw against them and beat Norwich. It may end up being the other way round and 4 points out of 6 would'nt be a bad return but bloody hell, what an opportunity help ourselves if we win.

It's a huge opportunity. A win puts us above them, and chalks off yet one more side in our seemingly endless mission to repair the GD damage done at chelski. Come the final mix, three points on Saturday could actually be worth four.

[PaulWinch again]

It would be brilliant to win, because at the very least we'd jump above at least one more team. It would go a long way towards securing our Premier League status.

[Lastfootstamper]

In the home fixture the Norwich winger (can't remember his name) gave Bennett a torrid time. He may have progressed a bit since then but he's by no means near the finished article.  If you want to get at Villa you target the weakest part of the defence in the same way that ManU did.  Of course, on the flip side if you want to target the weakest part of the Norwich defense you get the ball to Benteke, or Gabby or Weimann.  They can't double up on all of them.

One of the (many) things that impressed me on Monday was how we dealt with Johnson. Bennett stayed on his feet, jockeyed, held him up until the cavalry (Delph) arrived. I believe he got skinned just the once, and then still got back to recover. I too cannot recall the name of the norwichy bloke, but, should he be deemed of similar threat, I expect he shall receive similar treatment.

[curiousorange]

The test for Bennett is how he develops over the coming season. In virtually every game he's played the opposition have focussed on him as a weak point. Psychologically, a player who won't make it at this level would have been dealt a mortal blow after what he's had up against him this year.

[Phil from the upper holte]

My confidence is what's worrying me the most tbh.

Understandably, I think I can smell the faint whiff of over confidence.

I trust Lambert has the team's feet on the ground.

Lambert doesn't strike me as the kind of manager who will let them get overconfident.

I think he'll also want to get one over on his old club

[Phil from the upper holte]

Also they've had one win in 8, Villa all the way

[Clampy]

Also they've had one win in 8, Villa all the way

You going mate?

[andyh]

The test for Bennett is how he develops over the coming season. In virtually every game he's played the opposition have focussed on him as a weak point. Psychologically, a player who won't make it at this level would have been dealt a mortal blow after what he's had up against him this year.

I was not particularly a fan of Bennett, but I would say that he is the most improved Villa player in 2013 (along with Delph).
Fair play to him for not caving in and for growing into the position.
I hope he goes from strength to strength.

[PaulWinch again]

Bennett has a brilliant left foot, with confidence he could be a quality player for us. I think Lowton and him need a bit of work in the gym over the summer just to help their physicality.