Aston Villa v Newcastle United Pre-Match Thread

[SoccerHQ]

We have to win this if we're going to prove that things really have changed from last season. It is all well and good saying we should be two points at better off so far, but our home form over the past three seasons is woeful.

Newcastle are a side with decent players rather than a decent side. They looked callow against Man City and its clear for all to see that they are rotten to the core.

Last season the second 45 minutes against these turned our season around and we should have picked up at least a point. We have to be being sides like Newcastle at home if we want to finish in the top half.

Anything but a win and I think it will set the wrong tone for the season.

What happens if we draw this and then go to Norwich and Hull and win at each?

I'm half expecting that tbh, usually when we have good seasons, it's our away form that is above average, really can't remember the last time we were really good at home, just doesn't seem to happen with us whoever the players and manager are.

As you say though Newcastle have a good team of individuals rather than collectively being great.

I am looking forward to watching Ben Arfa though. A mercurial injury prone player but plays off the cuff and scores great goals.

That's the sort of player I'd like to see in the squad to give us another dimension. Someone who went we're playing shite and heading for another 0-0 at home can just whack one in from 25 yards to win the game as he did for Newcastle against Fulham.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

I think PL has Tonev down as our Ben Arfur. Someone who can pull something from nothing. But he will take time to get up to pace in the prem. Can see Kozak coming on and nicking a goal to win the game .... 1-0

[ozzjim]

I think this will be 1-1, with us going a goal down and coming back second half. Like Soccer, at home I can see it being a bit rocky this season, but we will pick up wins away. Although we look better, this is a really strong league, and I don't expect much more than 5-6 points more than last season.

[eamonn]

I'm half expecting that tbh, usually when we have good seasons, it's our away form that is above average, really can't remember the last time we were really good at home, just doesn't seem to happen with us whoever the players and manager are.

MON 2007/08
SGT 2002/03

Not much else over the last decade (O'Dreary's first, maybe?)

[VancouverLion]

1-0 Gabby 71mins, clean sheet, 3 points, job done!

UTV

[eastie]

Paul Lambert is refusing to curb Aston Villa’s enthusiasm against Newcastle, despite the claret and blues topping the early season bookings table.

Villa have picked up 12 yellow cards in their first three Premier League matches, more than any other team in the top flight.

They had five players cautioned in the win at Arsenal (Ron Vlaar, Antonio Luna, Ashley Westwood, Gabby Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke).

Four players had their names taken in the defeat at Chelsea (Brad Guzan, Karim El Ahmadi, Westwood and Benteke).

And there were three more bookings in the home loss to Liverpool (Matt Lowton, Fabian Delph and Luna).

Aston Villa v Newcastle: Follow Mat Kendrick's live match notepad

But Lambert insists the claret and blues are not a dirty side and the Villa manager has no intention of asking his players to reign in their competitiveness and combativeness.

“It’s a contact game – we’re not going to curtail them,” said Lambert, ahead of Newcastle’s visit to Villa Park tomorrow.

“That’s how we play the game. There’s not been a bad challenge as such, I don’t think.

“We try to play hard and fair and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

Lambert does not plan to go on the defensive despite 25 Premier League games without a Villa clean sheet.

“Of course I want to put it right but I want a team that’s exciting,” he added. “I want to try to attack.

“This season we’ve started off by playing really well and we’re doing well at the moment.

“We can take confidence from it because the way we played was really positive. Training this week has been at a high level.”

[rob_bridge]

Win Win 2-1

[danlanza]

Win 4-0 Villa. Easy as that.

[UK Redsox]

I think PL has Tonev down as our Ben Arfur.

Does that make him Toni Arthur ?

[Concrete John]

Performances have been good so far this season, but they can easily fade if we don't convert that into results and the confidence that comes with it.  I heard on the radio that Newcastle have only won two out of 21 away.  One of those was obviously against us, but it's still a stat that says it's a very winnable game.

I'll go 2-1 Villa.  Benteke and Gabby with the goals.

[Monty]

We should be winning this, and we should be playing the sort of football that home teams play in games they should be winning: on the front foot, keeping the ball, taking the initiative and making the opposition think about how long the coach journey was down, and how long it is back up again.

[eastie]

We should be winning this, and we should be playing the sort of football that home teams play in games they should be winning: on the front foot, keeping the ball, taking the initiative and making the opposition think about how long the coach journey was down, and how long it is back up again.

Indeed.

Lets build on a decent start and get a few wins together against the likes of newcastle, Norwich and hull- we have the chance to build a solid base for the season and newcastle are there for the taking - bring it on!

[AVH87]

I see this one being a disappointing draw, 1-1.

[Toronto Villa]

wonder how ticket sales are going for this? Has to be close to a full house you'd hope. They'll likely sell their allocation.

[PGW]

wonder how ticket sales are going for this? Has to be close to a full house you'd hope. They'll likely sell their allocation.

Just had a look on OS and there are loads of tickets left wings of Trinity more than 50% available same with some of Upper Witton and a fairly large number at back of Holte and wings of Upper Holte.