Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur Pre-Match Thread

[PaulTheVillan]

Helenius just doesn't look like he should be playing as a traditional number 10 role.

[Mister E]

Helenius just doesn't look like he should be playing as a traditional number 10 role.

Why? - because he's 6'7" or is there some other reason?
I'd be surprised if any of us have seen enough to make such definite judgements on players.

Not having a pop at you, PTV, but Helenius, Bacuna, Tonev and Luna have all been roundly rogered on this forum over the last few days and it seems bizarre to me.

[villa `cross the mersey]

So lets get this straight - I am leaving work early to collect VCTM jnr from school, we journey 100 miles in stop start traffic on the M6, pay for the privilege of watching an under strength Villa X1 "compete" against a under strength Spurs X1 - and I am supposed to be happy that our Manager considers the game on Saturday more important??
Seriously unhappy at the modern game along with many others of my vintage - I seriously considered the merits of getting a season ticket again this year but I convinced myself that when Benteke committed his "future" to the club it would be fun to watch us develop. I am now seriously peed off that the club are half arsed about winning a cup - probably the only cup we have half a chance of winning. How can I be cheered up ? A healthy 3-0 win will do me:) UTV

[Toronto Villa]

So lets get this straight - I am leaving work early to collect VCTM jnr from school, we journey 100 miles in stop start traffic on the M6, pay for the privilege of watching an under strength Villa X1 "compete" against a under strength Spurs X1 - and I am supposed to be happy that our Manager considers the game on Saturday more important??
Seriously unhappy at the modern game along with many others of my vintage - I seriously considered the merits of getting a season ticket again this year but I convinced myself that when Benteke committed his "future" to the club it would be fun to watch us develop. I am now seriously peed off that the club are half arsed about winning a cup - probably the only cup we have half a chance of winning. How can I be cheered up ? A healthy 3-0 win will do me:) UTV

And I've flown from Canada for my first game in a couple of seasons; Okore and Benteke, two llayers I really wanted o see are both knackered on top of everything you've just said. Still, I'll take any Villa win tonight.

[Clampy]

So lets get this straight - I am leaving work early to collect VCTM jnr from school, we journey 100 miles in stop start traffic on the M6, pay for the privilege of watching an under strength Villa X1 "compete" against a under strength Spurs X1 - and I am supposed to be happy that our Manager considers the game on Saturday more important??
Seriously unhappy at the modern game along with many others of my vintage - I seriously considered the merits of getting a season ticket again this year but I convinced myself that when Benteke committed his "future" to the club it would be fun to watch us develop. I am now seriously peed off that the club are half arsed about winning a cup - probably the only cup we have half a chance of winning. How can I be cheered up ? A healthy 3-0 win will do me:) UTV

If he's playing an understrength team because of injuries and knocks, then that's fair enough for me. He played a full strength team in the last round so he can't be accused of being 'half arsed'.

[fredm]

So lets get this straight - I am leaving work early to collect VCTM jnr from school, we journey 100 miles in stop start traffic on the M6, pay for the privilege of watching an under strength Villa X1 "compete" against a under strength Spurs X1 - and I am supposed to be happy that our Manager considers the game on Saturday more important??
Seriously unhappy at the modern game along with many others of my vintage - I seriously considered the merits of getting a season ticket again this year but I convinced myself that when Benteke committed his "future" to the club it would be fun to watch us develop. I am now seriously peed off that the club are half arsed about winning a cup - probably the only cup we have half a chance of winning. How can I be cheered up ? A healthy 3-0 win will do me:) UTV

Don't think he will leave people out willy nilly but why risk aggravating a slight injury when we, allegedly, have players who are quite capable of stepping in and making their mark.

[Ads]

If Delph is injured, I would rather he be rested than risk the chance of making his knock worse.

I am looking forward to tonight and seeing the likes of Kozak and Helenius from the start. I am more than annoyed that they have made it average 50 and then 40 mph heading northbound between 12-13 of the M6.

[Concrete John]

Had to nip out at lunch and Talkshite seemed quite certain that Spurs would play a weakened team.  After the team he picked at Rotherham, I can't see Lambert doing the same, although injuries will affect us.  That makes it very hard to predict, but I'm gonna go Villa to win with an extra time goal from Gabby.   

[martyn ellis]

Except Gabby is one of the players probably not playing

[TonyD]

Big difference between resting injured or half injured players versus resting fit players.

[Mister E]

And I've flown from Canada for my first game in a couple of seasons; Okore and Benteke, two llayers I really wanted o see are both knackered on top of everything you've just said. Still, I'll take any Villa win tonight.

Bloody lightweight 

Enjoy yourself - regardless of the game / result.
It'll be interesting to get your perspective on things ...

[PaulWinch again]

AVB has talked us up quite a lot.

[Toronto Villa]

And I've flown from Canada for my first game in a couple of seasons; Okore and Benteke, two llayers I really wanted o see are both knackered on top of everything you've just said. Still, I'll take any Villa win tonight.

Bloody lightweight 

Enjoy yourself - regardless of the game / result.
It'll be interesting to get your perspective on things ...

Cheers. It's funny that now getting to a game means so much yet something we all somewhat take for granted when you live close by. Nothing beats a Villa Park match at night. Can't wait. I'll try and hit the Barton's around 5.30 and then meet my brother at the ground.

[Mister E]

And I've flown from Canada for my first game in a couple of seasons; Okore and Benteke, two llayers I really wanted o see are both knackered on top of everything you've just said. Still, I'll take any Villa win tonight.

Bloody lightweight 

Enjoy yourself - regardless of the game / result.
It'll be interesting to get your perspective on things ...

Cheers. It's funny that now getting to a game means so much yet something we all somewhat take for granted when you live close by. Nothing beats a Villa Park match at night. Can't wait. I'll try and hit the Barton's around 5.30 and then meet my brother at the ground.

My brother had to come over from California in late-April and happened to arrive on the day of the Sunderland match.
It was his first game at VP since 1996 and after he asked what all the fuss was about!

Needless to say, he was very enthused.

[Rico]

A win tonight please Villa. Don't care how it's done, a penalty, own goal, crazy deflection - don't care. We need to start winning trophies again, and the League Cup has generally been good to Villa! Best part of twenty years without a trophy is too long for a club of Villa's stature. Can't see us getting relegated or qualifying for Europe via our league position, therefore the cups represent our best hope of glory. Go for it Villa!