Aston Villa v Stoke City Pre-Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

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

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

and if he doesn't play to that standard or makes a critical error both and he and Lambert will get criticized. Until such time as we are completely safe, we should be playing our strongest available side. Yes, he played well, but even he will know it was one game. Bertrand had to miss the last game, so it's also unfair on him to miss again considering how good he's been so far.

[Nelly]

It's within us to look pretty decent as a team, so I hope we turn it on. 3 home wins on the bounce?! Uncharted territory! 2-1 Villa! Bacuna and Benteke.

[Big Dick Edwards]

I'd love to think we will win this, our third game on the bounce. It's certainly a winnable game and confidence should be high. Having seen all our home performances this season however, I'm not as confident as I'd like to be. If they can just go out on the pitch and show the same patience, discipline and desire as they did last week, the game will be ours.

[Nastylee]

Just beaten one of the favourites, at home to Stoke with most expecting a home win. However, this is Villa, the kings of the anti-climax.

[pauliewalnuts]

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

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

and if he doesn't play to that standard or makes a critical error both and he and Lambert will get criticized. Until such time as we are completely safe, we should be playing our strongest available side. Yes, he played well, but even he will know it was one game. Bertrand had to miss the last game, so it's also unfair on him to miss again considering how good he's been so far.

I entirely agree.

Bennett did well last week, but Bertrand is a better player and should start.

[pauliewalnuts]

Just beaten one of the favourites, at home to Stoke with most expecting a home win. However, this is Villa, the kings of the anti-climax.

*nods head gravely*

[supertom]

It would be bloody lovely to hit 40 points before the end of March. The possibility of even being close to doing that seemed a billion miles away about a month ago.
We'll see. I think we'll be there by Mid-April at the latest, which sure as shite beats scraping over the finish line with your underwear in a mess.

[villan from luton]

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

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

and if he doesn't play to that standard or makes a critical error both and he and Lambert will get criticized. Until such time as we are completely safe, we should be playing our strongest available side. Yes, he played well, but even he will know it was one game. Bertrand had to miss the last game, so it's also unfair on him to miss again considering how good he's been so far.

I entirely agree.

Bennett did well last week, but Bertrand is a better player and should start.

I do understand what you are saying, but I thought Bennett was superb last week and if that was me, would be pist off if I got left out now. On the flip side, Stoke do like a long high ball and Bennett aint the best, though Walters is suspended I understand. I would go for Bennett tbh

[ciggiesnbeer]

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

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

and if he doesn't play to that standard or makes a critical error both and he and Lambert will get criticized. Until such time as we are completely safe, we should be playing our strongest available side. Yes, he played well, but even he will know it was one game. Bertrand had to miss the last game, so it's also unfair on him to miss again considering how good he's been so far.

I entirely agree.

Bennett did well last week, but Bertrand is a better player and should start.

I do understand what you are saying, but I thought Bennett was superb last week and if that was me, would be pist off if I got left out now. On the flip side, Stoke do like a long high ball and Bennett aint the best, though Walters is suspended I understand. I would go for Bennett tbh

Its tough on Joe but Bertrand really is so good right now we cannot afford to drop him imho. I would be happy enough to see Bennett come on in midfield if needed though.

[Mortimer's Bear]

3-0 home win, Agbonlahor hat-trick

Hughes will blame the ref

[N'ZMAV]

3-0 home win, Agbonlahor hat-trick

Not in a million years. He probably won't score 3 goals in the rest of the calender year.

[peter w]

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

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

and if he doesn't play to that standard or makes a critical error both and he and Lambert will get criticized. Until such time as we are completely safe, we should be playing our strongest available side. Yes, he played well, but even he will know it was one game. Bertrand had to miss the last game, so it's also unfair on him to miss again considering how good he's been so far.

I entirely agree.

Bennett did well last week, but Bertrand is a better player and should start.

I do understand what you are saying, but I thought Bennett was superb last week and if that was me, would be pist off if I got left out now. On the flip side, Stoke do like a long high ball and Bennett aint the best, though Walters is suspended I understand. I would go for Bennett tbh

Or, it will send a message to him that to keep the shirt he needs to play at that level every game. Sometimes not playing is better for a players development than playing. Especially if you think by doing it the penny will drop. It's impossible for us to call because the management will know the player and the person and how they will get the most out of him.

[peter w]

It's not that bloody early. Where the frig is everyone?

[richtheholtender]

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

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

and if he doesn't play to that standard or makes a critical error both and he and Lambert will get criticized. Until such time as we are completely safe, we should be playing our strongest available side. Yes, he played well, but even he will know it was one game. Bertrand had to miss the last game, so it's also unfair on him to miss again considering how good he's been so far.

I entirely agree.

Bennett did well last week, but Bertrand is a better player and should start.

I do understand what you are saying, but I thought Bennett was superb last week and if that was me, would be pist off if I got left out now. On the flip side, Stoke do like a long high ball and Bennett aint the best, though Walters is suspended I understand. I would go for Bennett tbh

Or, it will send a message to him that to keep the shirt he needs to play at that level every game. Sometimes not playing is better for a players development than playing. Especially if you think by doing it the penny will drop. It's impossible for us to call because the management will know the player and the person and how they will get the most out of him.

Great point about sometimes not playing is good for a players development. I always thought Gabby would have turned in to a lot better player if he had of been rested when he was younger.

[Matt Collins]

I think gabby has done brilliantly given the limited ability he had when he first got into the team

We need alternative options for when he and Weimann aren't playing well, but i love gabby