Southampton v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[richard moore]

Mixed memories of what is one of my local matches. But hazy ones too (my age!) Le Tissier always seemed to score a last minute winner at the Dell though in reality it probably only happened once or twice. Then Dublin scoring within the first minute or so one season. Booing Benali. And Wolfie standing alongside me with his plastic bags in the old cage when they used to put away fans behind the goal at the Dell before we went down the side. And that funny staggered home end they used to have. Ugo having an absolute shocker there on either his debut or very early on in his Villa career. And that old pub outside the Dell. And down at St Mary's very early on when we won about 4-1 and Boateng scored a couple of belters on the break. The less said about the trip last season, the better

[Chipsticks]

Don't we have to go back over a year since we last lost to a team from outside the 'top 6'?

Entertaining 2-2.

We lost to Newcastle this season, unless you're including them for some reason.

[AVH87]

Where are the majority going before the game ? City centre or are there some pubs around the ground ?

And any ideas how many we've sold?

Utv

Last I heard a few days ago was that we'd sold over 2k but not quite all of the 2.2k allocation.

[richard moore]

Most Villa fans go to that pub on the corner of the crossroads - I think it's a Wetherspoon's - on the right on Above Bar which is the main drag down through the city. Opposite the park on the other side. It's pretty crap to be honest, but if you want to sing along and be with the masses, that's the place to go.

[bobdylan]

Don't we have to go back over a year since we last lost to a team from outside the 'top 6'?

Entertaining 2-2.

We lost to Newcastle this season, unless you're including them for some reason.

I think he means away from home, apart from the top 4 i don't think we've lost away for over 12 months or something like that, has to change sometime though.

[AVH87]

Don't we have to go back over a year since we last lost to a team from outside the 'top 6'?

Entertaining 2-2.

We lost to Newcastle this season, unless you're including them for some reason.

I think he means away from home, apart from the top 4 i don't think we've lost away for over 12 months or something like that, has to change sometime though.

Sorry yes, meant to say lost away to a non top six team.

As in, someone other than Man U, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool.

[hilts_coolerking]

Have we played them yet under this new bloke?  They seem to be a different proposition than they were under Adkins.  In the 'how many points from the next 5 games' thread I had this down as a defeat so I'm not expecting much.  But then I had us down for a win against Sunderland so let's hope we can get something.  A point would be very welcome

[paulcomben]

Chelsea used two up top very successfully to thwart Southampton in the second half on Sunday. Weimann has a hamstring strain.  I'd go Guzan - Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Luna - Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Tonev - Gabby, Benteke.

[Lizz]

2-2.

[curiousorange]

Last season at their place, it was Clyne and Shaw that ripped us apart. Fair to say optimism's not flowing with Luna and Bacuna having their turn against them.

[timeoutbigbar]

I think they'll be shattered after the work they put in against Chelsea and their confidence may be slightly dented after a couple of defeats on the bounce.  A good away win here.

1-2,  Benteke and Delph.  Lambert for them.

[Toronto Villa]

We need to separate ourselves from the pack below a little and close the gap above. That's why Saturday was so disappointing because a win against Sunderland we'd all be really happy with a point at Southampton tonight. Still a draw would be a good result, but as importantly a goal or two for the big man to get him going again. Even a penalty just so knows what it feels like. I'll be happy with a draw but I have a sneaky feeling that we might pinch this one. 2-1 to us.

[eastie]

We need to separate ourselves from the pack below a little and close the gap above. That's why Saturday was so disappointing because a win against Sunderland we'd all be really happy with a point at Southampton tonight. Still a draw would be a good result, but as importantly a goal or two for the big man to get him going again. Even a penalty just so knows what it feels like. I'll be happy with a draw but I have a sneaky feeling that we might pinch this one. 2-1 to us.

I agree , a couple of wins can really shoot a team up the table , as newcastle have done -draws don't really have that sort of impact - a couple of away wins this week and we would be very comfortable .

[sonyhill]

As much as I want to be positive about this one I can't see anything other than a Southampton win.  I think Shaw and Clyne will do the damage down the wings again.  Hoping for a better showing than last year and a point.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I'll be delighted with a draw. feel sad saying that