Stoke City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Richard E]

Just to break the habit of a lifetime, Lawro has got us down to lose.

[PaulTheVillan]

0-0

[Matt Collins]

Mate of mine who is a season ticket holder bumped into Concrete Ron at an Asda store tonight and had a brief chat with him, Ron said he was not optimistic about returning any time soon and felt very frustrated that this calf problem had flared up again, said he is very happy at Villa.

Depressing though I think we all suspected as much. If he's out for another month or so we really are in trouble I think. We'll have to score two or three to win any games.

Lambert said that herd would have played v Man U and that with him out we had to "change the whole thing around".  This strongly suggests we'd have gone with a back five.

I expect we'll go five at the back v stoke, just because we look so bad in defence without vlaar. I really don't like the 532 but I probably agree this is the right approach. 

I can't actually think of an occasion where we've played a back four without Ron vlaar and conceded fewer than two goals. Are there any?

[Drummond]

0-0 to them.

[bobdylan]

Herd, Clark and Baker as a back 3, how are we back to this after the nightmare of this time last season, 8 conceded v Chelsea etc.  It is unfortunate to lose both Okore and Vlaar but I think most on here looked at the start of the season and thought that as well as a creative midfielder we were also short of another defender who could cover right back and centre half.  I expect he'll play Lowton and Luna at wing back and I really hope Bacuna gets in over KEA in the middle but I doubt it.  Delph in for Sylla and one of Weimann or Kozak up with Benteke, probably Kozak for me, but that would need Bacuna in for Kea for a bit more pace from midfield.  I can't see how Albrighton fits into this formation.

[Simon Ward]

I see our Prime Minister is predicting a 2-0 away win which is nice!

[jeowje]

Not optimistic without Gabby and Vlaar. Being positive though, i think our two best players are undeniably Delph and Benteke, if they both play well then we can surely win this!

3-1 villa, in hope rather than expectation!

[Brian Taylor]

Benteke has got to get the ball more..Ron where are you?

[Legion]

Probably in ASDA.

[walsall villain]

I see our Prime Minister is predicting a 2-0 away win which is nice!

Mmmmm, he has predicted 8 away wins out of the 10 fixtures, that isn't going to happen. Hoping he has got the important one right.

[Ads]

I predict their will be a "Paul Lambert's Claret and Blue Army" rendition which lasts over ten minutes.

I am really looking forward to this game; Saturday, 3pm, close, behind the goal, good chance of winning, almost Christmas.

C'mon the Villa!

[eastie]

Probably in ASDA.

Yep , santas grotto so people don't recognise him

[supertom]

Just to break the habit of a lifetime, Lawro has got us down to lose.

Right, well I'll be betting on us winning then. Cheers Lawro.

[Richard E]

Just to break the habit of a lifetime, Lawro has got us down to lose.

Right, well I'll be betting on us winning then. Cheers Lawro.

Needless to say he has of course backed Liverpool to win. Based on his predictions they would have won the league title for the last 10 years running without dropping a point.

[supertom]

Just to break the habit of a lifetime, Lawro has got us down to lose.

Right, well I'll be betting on us winning then. Cheers Lawro.

Needless to say he has of course backed Liverpool to win. Based on his predictions they would have won the league title for the last 10 years running without dropping a point.

Ha ha. Yep. Prize plonker. I must admit to quite liking Lawrensons commentary. He talks complete bollocks and sometimes sounds like he can't hide it when he's bored out of his arse (ie, any time he's not watching Liverpool). Quite entertaining.