Aston Villa v West Ham United Pre-Match Thread

[mj]

We will, for once, click as a team.  KEA will have a good game as he won't have to do what he can't do very well (help out the full back) and will score a tap-in inside the 6 yard box.  Benteke will terrorise them, scoring one with his massive Belgian head from a Bertrand cross & the other from the edge of the box. 

Nolan will grab one back just after half time.  Twenty minutes later Weimann will continue his scoring streak with a tidy finish past the oncoming keeper.  The 5th will complete Benteke's hat-trick after another breakaway move.

Spammers will score a 2nd in the 93rd minute to make it 5-2 but we reply instantly in a 'crazy' last 90 seconds making it 6-2 with a Westwood lob from 25 yards.

Home hoodoo smashed.


Either that or 0-0

[eastie]

@MatKendrick: Gabby Agbonlahor set to return to #avfc action this weekend, but Ron Vlaar is still doubtful

[eastie]

By Darren Lewis | 05/02/14 

West Ham are ready to throw the FA’s disciplinary system into disarray over Andy Carroll’s controversial sending-off.

The Hammers remain furious after their appeal against the red card, shown by World Cup referee Howard Webb in the win over Swansea last weekend, was thrown out on Tuesday.

They now want the Football Association to agree to an arbitration hearing under Rule K - in which an independent body sits in judgement on disputes - by Friday.

If they do not get one, they will go to the High Court seeking an injunction to block Carroll’s dismissal pending a personal hearing.

It woud free up Carroll to play in the crunch relegation battles against Aston Villa on Saturday and Norwich next Tuesday.

The unprecedented action from the Hammers, who have enlisted top QC Lord David Pannick, has huge wider ramifications.

All clubs have signed up to an FA agreement that the decision of an independent panel in relation to wrongful dismissal claims is final and not subject to appeal.

Pannick, however, has queried the FA’s claim that there has to be an “obvious error” for the dismissal to be overturned.

[PaulWinch again]

He swung an elbow, get over it West Ham.

[Ads]

The Cockney chancers have Bob Hope of having a hearing heard inside 24 hours.

[Monty]

I think 'Pannick' is a rather appropriate QC to represent West Ham and the way they're acting when faced, once again, with the absence of the man who comprises their entire attack.

[PeterWithesShin]

Chico time does himself no favours but I just can't see enough for it to be rescinded.

[LeeB]

Chico time does himself no favours but I just can't see enough for it to be rescinded.

That's the first time I've seen that, and as laughable as Chico's reaction was I think there was intent from Carroll.

[DrGonzo]

Well it was something and nothing, the fact the ref was looking straight at it means the FA will back their boy or risk looking foolish and undermining all refs.  If he's out I think will nail this.  Consecutive home victories though??  Think I'd be more inclined to believe "The Gospel According to St Whatyercall'im". 3 points Saturday, 3 more on Tuesday and relegation threat is over for the year.

[Big Dick Edwards]

It was certainly a debateable decision to send Carroll off but surely doesn't warrant legal action. What precedent would that set for football if West Ham were successful? Perhaps retrospectively we could sue Phil Dowd for not sending off Vidic in the first few minutes of our League Cup Final a few years ago,
and get awarded the cup, or at worst a rematch.

[manic-road]

I think that this will be a tough game, West Spam have had eleven clean sheets and we struggle to break down teams at home. I think it will either be 0-0 or a 0-1 away win. Hope I'm wrong and we smash em.

[PeterWithesShin]

Ron Vlaar remains a doubt for Saturday's clash against West Ham - but Gabby Agbonlahor is hopeful of making a return.

Vlaar came off with a hamstring injury in last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Everton.

The skipper was forced to sit out the last 10 minutes of the clash at Goodison Park and now he is facing a battle to be ready for the visit of the Hammers.

Manager Paul Lambert and his staff will wait until tomorrow to decide whether the Dutch central defender is fit enough to play a part.

But there is a more positive outlook for Agbonlahor who has been missing since colliding with an advertising board in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool three weeks ago.

Lambert is optimistic about the striker's chances of returning.

"Ron is a doubt. We need to see how he is tomorrow," said the manager.

"If he is not fit we've still got the two lads - Nathan Baker and Ciaran Clark - at the back anyway. It is somebody else's chance to get in.

"Gabby looks pretty good at the minute and everybody else is in fine health."

Meanwhile, Chris Herd is available again after hamstring problem as is Joe Bennett who stepped up his recovery from a back injury by turning out for the U21s on Monday.

[supertom]

Chico time does himself no favours but I just can't see enough for it to be rescinded.

That's the first time I've seen that, and as laughable as Chico's reaction was I think there was intent from Carroll.

I'm torn on this. Chico's having a bobble hat and scarf there for sure. I do think if Carroll had intent to plant an elbow on Chico's mug, he'd have done a better job.
Call me an anarchist but it's almost a shame he didn't smash that tossers conk in. I might be a little harsh perhaps...

[paulcomben]

Those spiteful little Cockneys and their orrible porn peddling owners. If Carroll plays this Saturday, Villa should sue the FA, too.

[john2710]

They cheated to get out of relegation a few years ago with Tevez and Macherano, which resulted in Shef Utd going down. I have fuck all sympathy for them now (despite the fact they are owned by those 2 fine upstanding gentlemen).

What goes around, comes around.

Anyway, he swung he arm & the intent was there, stop bitching.