Sunderland v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Matt Collins]

With arsenal and Liverpool up next, we've got to try and get something out of this, ideally three points

But if Vlaar's out I can't see us getting anything. Really really hope we can get him on the pitch

[rob_bridge]

1-1 Pop Robson for them. John Deehan for us.

[Jimbo]

Routine defeat, 2:0.

[Big Dick Edwards]

If Vlaar is fit I'll fancy us to get a draw. If Benteke is fit, and I mean properly fit, I'll be looking for a win. They have defensive issues at centre half themselves.

[silhillvilla]

We've put ourselves under massive pressure for this game. We really need a win here and I think we will. Pretty sure Brown and O'Shea are both out.

[pooligan]

With the defence we and them are likely to put out 2-2

[Hillbilly]

New year...reckless optimism...1-1 draw.

[Dr_Fegg]

No Vlarr, no clark, no Benteke anyone else missing (after Saturday?).

Happy with a draw

PS Please Please Please Please Please Please Please bench Wiemann

[RussellC]

I have a horrible feeling that's Weimann's "assist" on Saturday will keep him in the side, although I wholeheartedly agree that he should be dropped. I don't even think it's a lack of form with him, I genuinely don't think he has the ability or composure to be a top-class footballer and unlike someone like like Gabby, he doesn't have the athleticism or physique to compensate.

[VillaAlways]

2-0 Sunderland

[nodge]

We've put ourselves under massive pressure for this game. We really need a win here and I think we will. Pretty sure Brown and O'Shea are both out.

Let's hope so, we made them two look like Bobby Moore and Beckenbaur at our place.

[phantom limb]

I think we're going to win this, Sunderland are on a bit of a run at the moment but if Benteke and Vlaar are back it'll be a massive boost. I wouldn't mind seeing Helenius start as well.

[rob_bridge]

We've put ourselves under massive pressure for this game. We really need a win here and I think we will. Pretty sure Brown and O'Shea are both out.

Let's hope so, we made them two look like Bobby Moore and Beckenbaur at our place.

Well they were marking an inert statue who looked a lot like a top striker we had last season.

[Dribbler]

Guzan - gloves
Lowton - no gloves
Baker - no gloves
Vlaar - no gloves
Luna - gloves + snood
Tonev - gloves
Delph - no gloves
Westwood - no idea
Weimann - gloves
Gabby - no gloves
Benteke - gloves

Well hopefully the gloves will be off tomorrow and we'll give them a good shellacking!

[Boz]

Without Benteke in some sort of form, we'll struggle to score, and if there's no Vlaar we might be weak at the back with Clark out as well, so I'm going for an optimistic 1-1, Kozak to score ours and Luna to score theirs.