WBA v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[eastie]

 - slight knock , out of Belgium game but fit for the Albion according to kendrick-

@HLNinEngeland: Christian #Benteke (slight knock on knee) is training individually. He probably won't play against Japan, but will be fit to play WBA.

[Ron Manager]

Sky are suggesting Benteke might not make this one. Still think a score draw is on the cards though.

What is wrong with Benteke and what are your replacements like?

I've seen nothing of Kozak, Tonev or Helenius.

He injured his knee in the Belgium/ Colombia game. Kozak has a good workrate and has started to show signs of improvement.
Tonev is an erratic genius!

[eastie]

Sky are suggesting Benteke might not make this one. Still think a score draw is on the cards though.

What is wrong with Benteke and what are your replacements like?

I've seen nothing of Kozak, Tonev or Helenius.

He injured his knee in the Belgium/ Colombia game. Kozak has a good workrate and has started to show signs of improvement.
Tonev is an erratic genius!

Kendrick tweeted about this earlier today - seems he will be fit against Albion and may miss the japan game as a precaution- nothing to worry about here - kendrick is far more reliable than sky sports regarding villa.

[Ron Manager]

Hmm we shall see. Im more interested in what Lambert says than a newspaper hack. No comment yet from the manager.

[eastie]

If benteke was ruled out of the Albion game he would have returned to brum by now rather than still be training in Belgium.

[Chipsticks]

I can't see us keeping a 4th consecutive clean sheet away from home, but on the other hand Benteke's due some goals.

2-2, Benteke x 2, a defender from a corner and a penalty for them.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

If we have Gabby-Delph-Benteke 0-2 looking forward to this ........

[eastie]

If we have Gabby-Delph-Benteke 0-2 looking forward to this ........

I don't think gabby will be fit .

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

G Agbonlahor Ankle/Foot Injury 25th Nov 13 Physio room. Do you know something we don`t eastie ?

[eastie]

G Agbonlahor Ankle/Foot Injury 25th Nov 13 Physio room. Do you know something we don`t eastie ?

Just that it was said last week at his press conference that gabby was very doubtful for the Albion game , Delph and Weimann should be available though .

Aston Villa could welcome back Fabian Delph from injury for their Premier League clash with West Brom, boss Paul Lambert has revealed.

Delph missed Villa's top-flight meetings against West Ham and Cardiff City with illness and a knee injury respectively.

However, manager Paul Lambert is confident the midfielder could make his 10th Premier League appearance of the season against Steve Clarke's side on November 25.

"I think Fabian will be okay for the West Brom game," the Scot told reporters, adding that he was also hopeful of returns for Antonio Luna and Andreas Weimann.

Both have suffered with hamstring injuries but could feature at the Hawthorns, although Gabriel Agbonlahor is doubtful due to his ankle problem.

"We have caught the international break at the right time," Lambert admitted.

"Our injuries have been relentless. When you look at the side we put out we've got a lot of injuries.

"We've got half a team out. It shows when you have two academy kids on the bench."

[saunders_heroes]

I saw Gabby after the Cardiff game outside the Trinity and he was wearing an ankle brace. Hopefully it was on as a precaution but it doesn't bode well for the Albion game.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

G Agbonlahor Ankle/Foot Injury 25th Nov 13 Physio room. Do you know something we don`t eastie ?

Just that it was said last week at his press conference that gabby was very doubtful for the Albion game , Delph and Weimann should be available though .

Aston Villa could welcome back Fabian Delph from injury for their Premier League clash with West Brom, boss Paul Lambert has revealed.

Delph missed Villa's top-flight meetings against West Ham and Cardiff City with illness and a knee injury respectively.

However, manager Paul Lambert is confident the midfielder could make his 10th Premier League appearance of the season against Steve Clarke's side on November 25.

"I think Fabian will be okay for the West Brom game," the Scot told reporters, adding that he was also hopeful of returns for Antonio Luna and Andreas Weimann.

Both have suffered with hamstring injuries but could feature at the Hawthorns, although Gabriel Agbonlahor is doubtful due to his ankle problem.

"We have caught the international break at the right time," Lambert admitted.

"Our injuries have been relentless. When you look at the side we put out we've got a lot of injuries.

"We've got half a team out. It shows when you have two academy kids on the bench."

Fair play eastie. But PL does have a habit of only telling you what he feels is appropriate, so we will see ......

[Clampy]

I reckon Gabby will be fit for this one.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

0-0 until Tonev comes on with half hour to go.
Bit of a run and a crazy shot from 35 yards - 1-0.
Repeat - 2-0.
Head homewards happy, call in at pub and go to bed slightly pi**ed, to sleep the sleep of the righteous.
UTV!

[Ron Manager]

I reckon Gabby will be fit for this one.

I do as well. If Benteke is out it is imperative he plays to give Kozac some back up. Of course if Benteke isnt fit Lambert(quite rightly) will not let on until the last possible minute.