Sunderland v Aston Villa Match Thread

[eastie]

Huge boost to have Vlaar back and benteke - massive lift - bacuna in midfield will be interesting - worried about luna at left back and Weimann is very lucky to keep his place .

It really is an enormous lift though to see Vlaar and benteke play.

[rob_bridge]

I didn't expect to see those two in the team.

I hope they are both fit

[Toronto Villa]

Happy New Year everyone!! Let's hope we are not rushing these two back as much as we absolutely need them. Here's to a successful day and my sincere best wishes to all of brothers and sisters at H&V for 2014.

[supertom]

I've never really seen the fuss about Weimann to be honest. Had we stuck it out with Delfouneso as much as we have with Andi, we might have a better player on our hands. I think Fonzie had more natural ability, but Weimann has the right attitude and work-rate.

I certainly don't think Weimann is worthy of all the fuss that happened in the summer regarding him signing a new deal. He's probably getting paid very good money at the moment. But the fact is he's a player who should be a bit fitter, and his touch is pretty poor.

He's been held back a lot though, by being played as a right sided forward, as opposed to up through the middle. He's an out and out CF. How good potentially, who knows? As a wide player he'll only ever be mediocre.

Right now he does need a rest though. But I suspect a large part of his inclusion is that we're getting by mostly on work-rate at the moment, and he'll offer that.

[eastie]

Happy New Year everyone!! Let's hope we are not rushing these two back as much as we absolutely need them. Here's to a successful day and my sincere best wishes to all of brothers and sisters at H&V for 2014.

And the same to you Toronto - lets hope we can get off to a winning start.

[hartman_1982]

I've never really seen the fuss about Weimann to be honest. Had we stuck it out with Delfouneso as much as we have with Andi, we might have a better player on our hands. I think Fonzie had more natural ability, but Weimann has the right attitude and work-rate.

I certainly don't think Weimann is worthy of all the fuss that happened in the summer regarding him signing a new deal. He's probably getting paid very good money at the moment. But the fact is he's a player who should be a bit fitter, and his touch is pretty poor.

He's been held back a lot though, by being played as a right sided forward, as opposed to up through the middle. He's an out and out CF. How good potentially, who knows? As a wide player he'll only ever be mediocre.

Right now he does need a rest though. But I suspect a large part of his inclusion is that we're getting by mostly on work-rate at the moment, and he'll offer that.

How can a player who needs to be a bit fitter get in the team on his work rate?

[ozzjim]

Gardner needs a loan away to get fit properly and test his fitness. 2 months in the Championship would be ideal.

[Toronto Villa]

Happy New Year everyone!! Let's hope we are not rushing these two back as much as we absolutely need them. Here's to a successful day and my sincere best wishes to all of brothers and sisters at H&V for 2014.

And the same to you Toronto - lets hope we can get off to a winning start.

thank you sir, best wishes

[eastie]

Gardner needs a loan away to get fit properly and test his fitness. 2 months in the Championship would be ideal.

I think this is the final year of this contract so the next few months will be huge as to whether he gets another deal - its a shame he has suffered such injuries .

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

I've never really seen the fuss about Weimann to be honest. Had we stuck it out with Delfouneso as much as we have with Andi, we might have a better player on our hands. I think Fonzie had more natural ability, but Weimann has the right attitude and work-rate.

I certainly don't think Weimann is worthy of all the fuss that happened in the summer regarding him signing a new deal. He's probably getting paid very good money at the moment. But the fact is he's a player who should be a bit fitter, and his touch is pretty poor.

He's been held back a lot though, by being played as a right sided forward, as opposed to up through the middle. He's an out and out CF. How good potentially, who knows? As a wide player he'll only ever be mediocre.

Right now he does need a rest though. But I suspect a large part of his inclusion is that we're getting by mostly on work-rate at the moment, and he'll offer that.

Agree with most of that. Not sure about Delfouneso though, just don't think it ever would've happened for him here.

[Goldie.7]

Weimann starting.

[eastie]

Pleased to see donacien on the bench today too.

[Matt Collins]

Let's hope vlaar and benteke are genuinely fit

It's actually my strongest side bar Clark in for baker. But that's on paper and plenty of players are out of form and potentially not fit

But if they are, and looking at the Sunderland back line - Roberge and diakite at centre back - and I'm optimistic we can win this . .

[eastie]

@SAFCofficial: #safc team to play @AVFCOfficial: Mannone, Celustka, Bardsley, Diakite, Roberge, Cattermole (C), Ki, Colback, Ji, Giaccherini, Fletcher.

[eric woolban woolban]

We need to go out all guns blazing at Sunderland and quieten the hone crowd.

Get ourselves into an unassailable lead and bring Benteke off after 60.

We'll then have just under two weeks to get Vlaar and Benteke in shape for Arsenal.

UTV I'm feeling surprisingly optimistic.  0-3. Come on you lions!!!!!