Aston Villa v Liverpool Pre-Match Thread

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Who is talking about Ireland?

Can I have some of what you're smoking?

You could have but Ireland's nicked it! ;-)

[TimTheVillain]

2-1 Villa

Benteke
Gabby

can't wait

[eastie]

Paul Lambert on belief in camp.



Paul Lambert says his players want to go again, despite the fact that some of them will play three colossal games in a week.

Lambert was proud as punch of his side as they beat Arsenal and then gave Chelsea the fright of their life.

Now his team face Liverpool on Saturday.

Lambert accepts the fact that physically this schedule is demanding but he believes his youthful charges are hungry for another battle.

He said: "The games take it out of you physically. But you just sense that they want to go again because of how they are playing.

"They have that feeling of 'I want to go again.' That's the beauty of it.

"The lads know they were outdone by certain aspects of the Chelsea game.

"I thought we were excellent. Some of the football was terrific.

"We come away from two difficult games with our confidence really vibrant - and so it should be because of the way we played.

"The youthfulness is going a long way aswell.

"I am sure they will come in this afternoon and be wanting to go again.

"There will be one or two bruises. Friday will be light for them and then we go again on Saturday."

Lambert admits he doesn't have trouble the night before big games because he knows his players will give it absolutely everything in every game they play.

He added: "It's great when you get a group of lads who are going to the well for you every time.

"I trust them. I trust them to give it a right good go.

"I always know they have given me absolutely everything they have given. That's all you can ask for as a manager.

"I have a good staff behind me and I have top players playing at the top of their game."

[The Left Side]

1-1 draw, they will get a last minute penalty to equalize

[Witton Warrior]

3-2 tight, tense and battling

[Jimbo]

1-1, a frustrating first home outing, but the fourth point from three games I thought we'd get nowt from. Congo Waring to notch, obviously.

[eamonn]

The atmosphere is going to be amazing. As for the result, I fear we may get burgled.

As long as we don't get funeraled (© Saranyu 2010).

[eastie]

We now have a month before our next away game at Norwich and in that time we have 3 winnable home games , Liverpool newcastle and Rotherham are all beatable and if we can get a solid run of results at home and make it a tough place to visit then it will be a strong base to build our season from .

[PeterWithesShin]

We can win this. Although I wouldn't count out a draw or Liverpool win either. This prediction is pure gold, stake your house on it being right.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I hate 5.30 kick offs.

We need to pick up maximum points against the midtable teams, especially at home. Liverpool will sit deep, thinking we can only play on the counter attack and try and catch us out on the break. Despite their decline, they're still a very good, one touch, passing side so we'll need to make sure all the lads are physically ready for this and Lambert may be forced to make one or two changes.

I think the Chelsea game will have taken too much out of the players and Liverpool will be more than happy to pick up a point. It will be tough but as long as we take care of Coutinho, I can't see them beating us.

A clean sheet in a scoreless draw. Saying that, Villa so far have surprised me and with Benteke and Gabby up front anything is possible.

[not3bad]

We've had a win, we've had a loss.  I'm going for a draw on Saturday, 2-2.  Gabby and Delph on target for Villa.

[manic-road]

I don't think we are so effective at home so 1-1 Benteke

[TheSandman]

2-2 draw.

[Ron Manager]

Two of the three down,one to go. We played really well at the Arsenal even better against Chelsea so Liverpool having no doubt watched both games must be more than a little concerned.

If Suarez was playing I would be a little concerned.

He's not , I'm not. Another fine performance and a 2-0 win to keep the train a rollin.

[The Man With A Stick]

Nothing to fear here, it's not 1988 you know.  Then again, who's the ref?

2-1

Delph, Benteke
Gerrard (pen)