Newport County v Aston Villa XI Mini-Thread

[Legion]

Sunday 28.7.13 3pm KO

0-0.

[PeterWithesShin]

7-7

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

They'll definitely get one, at least.
We will score more than them.

[Tuscans]

Tough one for me this 

[dave.woodhall]

It's the reserves.

[Legion]

Hence the XI.

[supertom]

The ressy's will show the first team how to keep a clean sheet. 3-0

[dekko]

Someone in another thread asked if the Bomb Squad would be making an appearance, and I slightly rudely dismissed the idea, not knowing it was just a Villa XI.

I assume this match will be used mainly to give the kids a run-out, right?  Not much point sending unwanted players unless they're just making up numbers?

[darren woolley]

4-0 Win for us.

[UK Redsox]

Someone in another thread asked if the Bomb Squad would be making an appearance, and I slightly rudely dismissed the idea, not knowing it was just a Villa XI.

I assume this match will be used mainly to give the kids a run-out, right?  Not much point sending unwanted players unless they're just making up numbers?

That was me asking about "The Bomb Squad".

Is anyone else going, or is it just me ?

[VillaAlways]

I think Newport are going to be disappointed

Newport County fans will be hoping to get a glimpse of Belgian star Christian Benteke tomorrow.

So keen were County to silence whispers that Aston Villa would be sending a 'kids' side' to Rodney Parade (3pm) they took the unusual step of posting a statement on the club's official website on Monday.

The statement read: "Further to concerns raised by Exiles fans directly to the Club about the kind of side that Aston Villa would be fielding in the friendly at Rodney Parade on Sunday, we have contacted Villa for clarification.

"Whilst you can never be certain in Pre-season due to changes of plans, schedules, fitness and the progress of players, what sort of side any team will field, Villa have confirmed that the squad they bring will contain a presence of Premiership experience."

And Exiles fans might be rewarded with an appearance from the biggest fish in the Villa pool, centre-forward Benteke who scored 19 goals in 34 appearances last season after his £7m move from Belgian club Genk.

Benteke's goals kept Villa in the Premier League and made him a wanted man this summer with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly ready to spend over £20m on his signature.

That speculation led to the 22-year-old handing in a transfer request, but that was withdrawn after talks with manager Paul Lambert and the Belgian eventually signed a new four-year Villa contract.

Benteke made his first appearance of the summer in Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Conference club Luton, but County's unbeaten pre-season record could come under threat if Villa send a strong side to Rodney Parade,

But defender Byron Anthony said: "This group works incredibly hard, we’ve had some good pre-season friendlies and we’ve all come back with a buzz after the amazing season we had.

"It makes us look forward to things that much more."

County are now just a week away from making their Football League return after a 25-year absence, with Accrington Stanley the visitors to Rodney Parade next Saturday.

"There is such a buzz around the place and we just can't wait to get started," added Anthony.

"We're all just desperate for August 3 to come around now, we are ready to get going again and are relishing the challenge.”

On-going work on the Hazell Terrace means it will be closed for Villa's visit and fans who have bought tickets in that area for the game can use either the North Terrace or upgrade to the Hazell seats.

[UK Redsox]

I think Newport are going to be disappointed

Newport fans will get a glimpse of me. That should make up for the lack of Benteke. 

[TheSandman]

"Whilst you can never be certain in Pre-season due to changes of plans, schedules, fitness and the progress of players, what sort of side any team will field, Villa have confirmed that the squad they bring will contain a presence of Premiership experience."

So the Bomb Squad will definitely be playing.

[UK Redsox]

If anyone else is going

Parking is £1 on Sundays at the Kingsway Centre

http://www.kingswaycentre.com/parking-at-kingsway

The ground is a short walk over the river via the new footbridge

[PeterWithesShin]

Aren't Newport charging about £15 quid to see what is going to be our reserve side?