Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread

[ez]

I fancy Benteke, Weimann and Agbonlahor to all end their goal droughts on Saturday.

[cheltenhamlion]

I am worried about Eastie's honking.

[eastie]

I am worried about Eastie's honking.

Haha chelts - just noticed - predictive texting my friend

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

This should be a comfortable win. Don't ruin my weekend, Villa!

[danlanza]

Three people have voted on the poll for a Villa loss. Can we have them shot at dawn please ? Dawn's place is at 25..............................Apartment 9....................................

[JUAN PABLO]

3-1

benteke    fletcher
gabby
vlaar

[taylorsworkrate]

Surely we can't not win this game??

Weimann, Agbonlahor and Delph must all start

[Matt Collins]

Hard to predict a line up when we don't know who's really fit. It'd be great if Luna was fit to come in. There must be a good chance that at least one or two of the three who came on last Monday are ok to start- we may lack energy if all three start though

I do wonder if he'll go with the 3412 that finished the baggies game.

Good to see Gardner back but I think it's completely unfair to say he really needs to make an impact in the next couple of months. I think he might take a year to show us his real potential, just as Delph and Ramsey did after significant injuries

[Matt Collins]

I also don't think this is a guaranteed three points, though I do fancy us to win

They've definitely improved since poyet arrived. Granted their away form is still poor but that's partly because they keep getting players sent off.

Would ideally like to see

Guzan - Lowton vlaar Clark Luna - bacuna Westwood Delph - Weimann benteke gabby

[rob_bridge]

I also don't think this is a guaranteed three points, though I do fancy us to win

They've definitely improved since poyet arrived. Granted their away form is still poor but that's partly because they keep getting players sent off.

Would ideally like to see

Guzan - Lowton vlaar Clark Luna - bacuna Westwood Delph - Weimann benteke gabby

Exactly - looking forward to my first trip to Villa Park this season.
H&V seller(s) please have some back issues available. Likely to be the one nearest Trinity Road.

[Legion]

That will probably be me if I get back from my WSFA Finals tournament on time.

[eastie]

Paul Lambert has tipped Aleksandar Tonev to be a success at Aston Villa after being encouraged by his “pace and energy” during the early days of his claret and blue career.

The Bulgarian international winger has impressed in flashes since his summer move from Lech Poznan as he adjusts to playing in the Premier League.

Tonev forced an early save from Boaz Myhill during Monday’s draw at Albion before making way for Andi Weimann just before the hour mark.

Lambert is convinced he will be an important player for Villa once he gets used to the demands of English football.

“He’s lightning quick, Alex, but you’ve got to give people time,” said Lambert. “At certain times they come in and hit the ground running but sometimes it takes foreign lads coming into this country a good bit to adjust.

“I’ve been happy with Alex, sometimes he’ll make mistakes like everybody else but his energy is very high. One or two take longer than others but that’s to be expected.

“You just have to wait for that time but his contribution I don’t have a problem with.”

Lambert also explained that he has recalled Marc Albrighton from his loan spell at Wigan to help Villa cope with a demanding fixture list between now and the new year.

After tomorrow’s match against Sunderland, Villa have six Premier League games in December.

“We need everybody and I’ve just pulled Marc back because of that as well,” added Lambert.

“The amount of games we’re going to have to play in this period is pretty demanding. I think he’s done well for Owen Coyle which was good.”

[Clampy]

Like someone else said a bit earlier on here, I think it'll be similar to the Cardiff game.

It'll be interesting to see if he starts with Gabby and Weimann. I do like the idea of Gabby running at Phil Bardsley but it would be a shame to leave out Kozak just as it looks as if he's slowly getting to grips with the English game.

[SoccerHQ]

Sunderland have arguably the slowest back 4 in the history of football....Bardsley....O/Shea....Brown....Colback so it would make sense imo to go back to our usual front trio for this one given we scored 6 past these last time out.

I'm obviously not saying that would happen again (426/1 at Paddy Power for another 6-1 btw) but it does seem a good defence for our strikers to run at.

[Jon Crofts]

Cant see anything other than a Villa win, I'd like to say routine, but we rarely do things routinely or by the numbers these days so huff & puff for 30 minutes then I think 2-0 or 3-1.