Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur Pre-Match Thread

[VillaAlways]

Having watched spurs and man city today I may avoid football for the next week or so. Teywere both absolutely awesome.

I wouldn't describe Spurs as being absolutely awesome.They just about managed to squeak past Cardiff who were very unlucky as the had what looked like a perfectly legitimate goal chalked off and created a few more chances themselves .You could also argue Spurs should have been playing most of the game with 10 men

Thrashing the Champions 4-1 is awesome.Narrowly beating a newly promoted side, with a couple of dodgy ref decisions,not so much

[KevinGage]

Any of our Scottish brethren know of a decent bar that's likely to have the match on in Edinburgh?

[TonyD]

Looking at the ticket planner - its going to less than half full.

[Matt Collins]

I think spurs had over 30 shots. The Cardiff keeper had a blinder. I thought they looked great to be honest.

Even though in many ways we defended very well on Saturday, if we put in the same sort of defensive performance in our next two games I suspect we'd concede a fair few

[Matt Collins]

Plus I just read that spurs have conceded one goal this season. To be honest I could do without having to play them twice at home within a month.

[Clampy]

It's hard to pick a team when you're not sure who's fit and who isn't. I've got a sneaky feeling we'll get past these though.

[danlanza]

Villa win aet.

[dekko]

I think Spurs are going to be a real force this season, but luckily for us they haven't settled and bedded in all the new signings quite yet.  Better to play them now than in a later round.

[Merv]

The injuries are stacking up, that's for sure. I'd err on the side of caution with anyone not fully (or almost) fit for this one, and go with:

Steer
Lowton Vlaar Baker Bennett

Bacuna Sylla KEA Albrighton

Weimann Kozak

Subs: Guzan, Clark, Herd, Tonev, Gardner (if fit), Helenius, Luna.

Clark was superb on Saturday but I'd take the opportunity to give Baker a game; I'd also give Albrighton a run wide left and allow Weimann to play alongside Kozak, as I thought, though Andi was bright on the left on Saturday, with Helenius and Kozak together we looked a bit one-paced.

I would started Tonev wide left but having watched him against Norwich...

Another option, if Luna was fit, would be to play Bennett LM; with him there and Bacuna RM we'd be pretty solid.

I really wouldn't mind us getting Carruthers back as soon as we can, to be honest. I'd start with him tomorrow if he was available.

[CJ]

Sadly think we'll lose this. We're without our 2 best outfield players and AVB (pre-)spent the Bale money well and built a decent squad. Pity he didn't buy himself a packet of Strepsils while he was at it. 3-1 to them

[JUAN PABLO]

I think spurs had over 30 shots. The Cardiff keeper had a blinder. I thought they looked great to be honest.

Even though in many ways we defended very well on Saturday, if we put in the same sort of defensive performance in our next two games I suspect we'd concede a fair few
And the disallowed goal was the right desision

[Monty]

Any of our Scottish brethren know of a decent bar that's likely to have the match on in Edinburgh?

It's not on Sky, is it? If not you're unlikely to find anyway here that'll show the thing.

[Toronto Villa]

Too many changes and we'll get battered. We are already going to miss Okore and Benteke, so I'd prefer that we played as close to first choice team as possible. I'd go with

Guzan, Lowton, Luna, Vlaar, Clark, Delph, Bacuna, Helenius, Sylla, Gabby, Kozac

Subs: Steer, Baker, Albrighton, Tonev, KEA, Bennett, Weimann, Westwood

Kozac up front, Gabby and Helenius just behind. Delph, Bacuna and Sylla breaking things up and helping out defensively.

[Clampy]

Too many changes and we'll get battered. We are already going to miss Okore and Benteke, so I'd prefer that we played as close to first choice team as possible. I'd go with

Guzan, Lowton, Luna, Vlaar, Clark, Delph, Bacuna, Helenius, Sylla, Gabby, Kozac

Subs: Steer, Baker, Albrighton, Tonev, KEA, Bennett, Weimann, Westwood

Kozac up front, Gabby and Helenius just behind. Delph, Bacuna and Sylla breaking things up and helping out defensively.

I'd go with that line up but I'm not sure we'd be allowed 8 subs.

[Toronto Villa]

Too many changes and we'll get battered. We are already going to miss Okore and Benteke, so I'd prefer that we played as close to first choice team as possible. I'd go with

Guzan, Lowton, Luna, Vlaar, Clark, Delph, Bacuna, Helenius, Sylla, Gabby, Kozac

Subs: Steer, Baker, Albrighton, Tonev, KEA, Bennett, Weimann, Westwood

Kozac up front, Gabby and Helenius just behind. Delph, Bacuna and Sylla breaking things up and helping out defensively.

I'd go with that line up but I'm not sure we'd be allowed 8 subs.

Hey now you know keep that shit to yourself. Taps nose. I thought I might slide an extra man in hoping the ref might not notice.