Aston Villa v Stoke City Pre-Match Thread

[gpbarr]

I think we will bump back to earth here - Stoke are a tough proposition and as we keep seeing, we play much better against real footballing teams than we do against 'scrapers'. So horrible game to watch - draw or loss by a goal.

But we are totally safe at this point and it won't change the fact real progress is being made when one looks at the bigger picture :)

UTV

[WestleyArmsAV]

Some of the negativity after two straight wins is laughable, but not surprising TBH.

Comfortable 2-0 win.  Don't care who scores.

UTV.

[jeowje]

[/quote]0898  12 11 48. Wasted more ( of my parents ) money on that shit as a teenager before the internet than an old dude  ringing wanklines!! 'Behind the scenes at Villa Park'
[/quote]

Haha me too! I remember the day the phonebill came, nearly 100 pounds of calls, more than enough for a junior season ticket in the lower holte back in 1995!

[CJ]

Originally put us down for a draw but with the players they have missing I've changed to us winning. 2-1, Gabby & the Beast, Crouch for them

[Richard E]

Originally put us down for a draw but with the players they have missing I've changed to us winning. 2-1, Gabby & the Beast, Crouch for them

I was just about to post pretty much the same. Had voted for a draw but now I know who's out for them we really really ought to win this one.

[rob_bridge]

4-1 to the mighty Villains

Rideout x 2
Glover
Peter Fox O.G.

Chamberlain with a late consolation for them.

Fox is out with a damaged finger.

Is he?

Barry Siddall to throw one in then. God he was a shite keeper.

[PeterWithesShin]

Gabby Agbonlahor and Karim El Ahmadi have both been declared fit for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash against Stoke.

Agbonlahor came off during last weekend's 1-0 victory over league leaders Chelsea after picking up a calf injury.

But the 28-year-old striker has shaken off the knock and is ready to take his place in Villa's attack.

El Ahmadi was on the receiving end of a rash challenge from Ramires which led to the Brazilian midfielder being sent off.

The Moroccan international hurt his shin but there was no lasting damage.

Paul Lambert will also welcome back on loan full-back Ryan Bertrand, who was unable to play against his parent club last Saturday.

"Karim is fine and he is ready to play the game," said Lambert.

"He is ready for the Stoke game and if he is picked he will be fine.

"Gabby is fine too. Everybody is ok."

Meanwhile, Libor Kozak has stepped up his rehabilitation from a broken leg.

The former Lazio forward is now off his crutches and will move on to the next stage of his recovery.

Make sure you check out all our Acorns Day 2014 activites.

Snap up match tickets for Villa v Stoke.

[Gareth]

The good news is our midfield can play without the worry of that over rated clogger Adam going down the back of the achilles!

3 points required, please deliver Villa :-)

An early goal would be nice, force Stoke to try an play a bit...

[Toronto Villa]

Unchanged line up then with the exception of Bertrand for Bennett.

[cdbearsfan]

I think Bennett might merit keeping his place, he was excellent against Millwallwithcash.

[olaftab]

Just seen that Stoke haven't won away from home in the league since August 31st against West Ham

Do I not like that....even a blind squirrel syndrome applies!

[olaftab]

Us 2 Them 0. May well be similar to the Cardiff home game, they'll frustrate us for a while but we'll win.

That's just like girlfriends then? (Talking from fading memory mind you)

[olaftab]

Unchanged line up then with the exception of Bertrand for Bennett.

That would be very unfair to Joe based on last week.

[Legion]

Unchanged line up then with the exception of Bertrand for Bennett.

That would be very unfair to Joe based on last week.

It's a tricky one.

[J]

I'd play Bennett, we won't have Bertrand next season so let's give Bennett a chance to prove he's good enough to be our first choice left back.