Aston Villa v Norwich- Pre Match Thread

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think we'll finally turn up and get this right. As Spurs found out, Norwich will be 100% committed but Lambert will for various reasons not want to lose this one and will have the players focused. Anything less than a home win will set the alarm bells ringing. Expect a tough first half but once we take the lead confidence will grow and we'll beat them by a healthy margin.

A 4-1 Villa win will paper over the cracks for a week or two.

 

[Jon Crofts]

1-2 to the cross eyed sister marrying inbreds after we take the lead, sit back and get passed off the park.  More fucking garbage from Lambert & Co.

[Des Little]

If we lose on Sunday, I suggest we put Lambert and Culverhouse on that bloody coach back to Norwich.

[Isa]

Norwich is an absolutely crucial game, this is so similar to the situation last season when we had to beat Reading (I know this is at home) to reduce some pressure we simply have to win and we will, 2-1 Villa.

That's the problem.

[TheSandman]

0-0.

[dekko]

They must be desperate for punters, I've just had the call from the ticket office offering me Super Mega Discount Prices

[Nelly]

I can't see us winning. I hope to be in the North stand for this, but im not hopeful.

[Clampy]

I can't see us winning. I hope to be in the North stand for this, but im not hopeful.

What, not hopeful of winning or being in the North Stand?

[PeterWithesShin]

It's nearly 3 months since Norwich last scored more than 1 goal in a league game. And they've only managed it in 3 league games all season. 8-7 to us it is then.

[eastie]

I fear a similar outcome to the palace home game and more frustration .

[Dave Clark Five]

1-2 to the cross eyed sister marrying inbreds

Lot of truth in that:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1526081/Norfolk-folk-are-sicker-because-they-are-inbred-says-local-MP.html

[hilts_coolerking]

Genuinely no idea about this one, so let's say 3-2.

[Clampy]

A nervy 2-1 win. Gabby and Benteke with a penalty. Hoolahan for them.

[saunders_heroes]

3-1 to Villa. Nervy game with a late goal to us to calm us all down.

[eastie]

By James Nursey | 27/02/14 

The locals are restless again at Villa Park .

A four-game winless run has seen Villa slip to 13th – just four points off the relegation drop zone.

And understandably fans are worried Villa's top-flight status maybe endangered.

The run has also rather undermined claims from Villa Park – and from myself – that the club are making slow, steady progress to improve on last season's 15th place.

Villa's home form remains a huge concern after the West Ham loss.

But the good news for worried Villains is Norwich are next up .

Because if there is one fixture boss Paul Lambert is sure to have his side particularly keyed up for, it is the Canaries.

Now I realise fans will say boss Lambert should have his side properly motivated for every game and I am sure he does.

But the Scot remains furious and bitter about his controversial exit from Carrow Road in June 2012.

It was the culmination of a stormy relationship with Norwich chief executive David McNally.

And in four subsequent matches against the Canaries, Lambert's Villa have never lost.

The corresponding fixture last season was a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.



They also won twice at Carrow Road last season, including in the League Cup.

And they won at Norwich earlier this season when Robert Snodgrass missed a penalty.

From what I have heard, when Lambert is up against a former side, he is so on edge that it translates to the players.

Paul McVeigh, for example, was part of Lambert's Norwich squad who got promoted from League One in 2009/2010.

He is now a radio show host and I recall him discussing Lambert's return to his old club Colchester that season after switching clubs.

McVeigh said Lambert was noticeably extra fired up and on edge against Colchester before City won 5-0.

So Villa's players will know Sunday's game is important for numerous reasons – not least climbing the table.

But the psyche of a player is such that they tend to try a few per cent harder if they know it is a specific game the manager is desperate to win.

After all, a good result will delight the boss and may probably earn them an additional day off or two!

The Canaries head to Villa off the back of a superb victory over Tottenham and their recent performances have been decent – even if results suggest otherwise.

Norwich were very solid at the back against Tottenham and created several chances going forward.



Chris Hughton maybe tempted to drop mis-firing forward Ricky Van Wolfswinkel for Gary Hooper, who can hold the ball up better away from home.

While Wes Hoolahan, who Villa tried to sign in January, is set to be on the bench.

It will be a tight game in my view with a draw the most likely outcome.

But what price a Grant Holt winner?!

Holt is a Carrow Road legend after firing the Canaries from League One to the Premier League with dozens of goals.

He dropped down into the Championship with Wigan last summer but is now back working with Paul Lambert after going to Villa on loan.

He is yet to score for Villa but was the man for the big occasion while at Norwich.

He will relish Sunday's game as a chance to say goodbye to City fans who adored him.

But Holt, 32, who is likely to come off the bench, will also love to prove to them he is not finished yet and what better way than with a late equaliser or winner.