Stoke City v Aston Villa Match Thread

[Karl Bridges]

The amount of times KEA gets brushed off the ball and not by bigger guys is infuriating. It's cost us a few goals as well.

[PGW]

Is Benteke injured???

Apparently he's been carrying knocks. Which would certainly tie in to how short of pace he's looked since coming back from injuries. He's looked 2 yards short of last season and hasn't really shown the willingness to really run at defenders. He's definitely been holding back.

Paul Lambert on his pre-match interview says he is out with a knee injury!!!! Read into that what you will!

[eastie]

The amount of times KEA gets brushed off the ball and not by bigger guys is infuriating. It's cost us a few goals as well.

Slows things down too much as well - as least tonev has a quicker tempo to his game .

[JUAN PABLO]

so many Villa fans I know and speak to , none of them rate KEA  .     They are happy hes not starting

I think he's one of the most average midfielders we've ever had. Even some of our worse midfielders at least had some kind of presence in a game to remind you they were playing.

David Hunt was the worse midfielder I ever saw .  I use to just stand there laugh every time he touched the ball which wasnt often has the game passed him by

[ciggiesnbeer]

so many Villa fans I know and speak to , none of them rate KEA  .     They are happy hes not starting

I rate KEA. Worried he might be injured. Our midfield is far worse this season without him.


Anyway, happy enough with the line up. Time for Tonev & Albrighton to step up.

[Reuben]

So - get to 78 minutes at 0-0.  Win a free kick and bring Bacuna on?

[garyshawsknee]

Guzan, lowton, baker, Clark, herd, Westwood, Delph, tonev, weimann, Albrighton and Kozak

Is that the worst Villa line up since the Turner era?

Yep.  Started going around then  and can't recall seeing a weaker Villa team.  The team we had in Division Two was stronger than that line up.

Yeah, Lillis,Simms and Aspinall would walk into this team.

[Hampshire Villa]

Might go in my music studio and mess on synths looking at this game

but it would be 6-3 Villa If I do

 I'm in the studio at the moment! just put 2 guitar tracks down, just having a cup of tea and watching the bass player try to get his parts right!!
Have fun!!

[timeoutbigbar]

I just hope Kozak puts himself about, we'll need a focal point.  Come on you villa boys!

[JUAN PABLO]

KEA

[Dr_Fegg]

Got a funny feeling this might work. Two wingers, tall, target front man and an industrious Weimann in the hole at least gives us a different attacking thread.

I'm just worried about Guzan.........who's he going to launch it at if Benteke is out?! 

Get at them early with a high temp and go for it. Change 2 after 60 mins and go again (sorry).

3-1 

[Hampshire Villa]

Is that a a banana in his pocket or is he just pleased to be in the team!!

[Karlos96]

Benteke has a knee injury according to Kendrick on twitter.

[Hampshire Villa]

Tonev shooting from the half way line!!  here we go!

[JUAN PABLO]

tonez shoots straigt away into row s