Aston Villa v Stoke City Pre-Match Thread

[mrfuse]

This one of those game where we need to be a bit cute.
 Its quite possible that shawcross will have Benteke in his pocket if we don't give him the correct service. Stoke are still a big physical team so hoofing it to Benteke will rarely work.
Let's get it the floor using pace against the back four with man of the moment delph terrorising them in midfield and we could get something tomorrow!

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Totally agree. Lets not play Stokes game (hoof ball) they are without Adams-Ireland-Walters so they will have little to offer on the ground. Delph can walk through that midfield and Gabby has the pace to terrify them. Then Benteke and Weimann to finish them off !!!!

[Witton Warrior]

I hereby promise that if we play a decent game and do not lose I shall stop being a drama queen and renew my ST.
If we lose though they will just have to flippin' wait until the end of May before I cave in...

[UK Redsox]

I hereby promise that if we play a decent game and do not lose I shall stop being a drama queen and renew my ST.
If we lose though they will just have to flippin' wait until the end of May before I cave in...

If you know that you're going to renew, doing so before the end of April has monetary advantages. I wouldn't wait until the end of May just to make a point.

[Witton Warrior]

I hereby promise that if we play a decent game and do not lose I shall stop being a drama queen and renew my ST.
If we lose though they will just have to flippin' wait until the end of May before I cave in...

If you know that you're going to renew, doing so before the end of April has monetary advantages. I wouldn't wait until the end of May just to make a point.

I know Sox - just want to ramp up the pressure on the ticket office and get Lambert worried I might not be there to boo ;-)

Kind of you to bother mate

[ChicagoLion]

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.

Bennett is a Villa Player, Bertrand is on loan to us. I think it would be wrong to drop a player after he has just played his best game ever.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

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.

Bennett is a Villa Player, Bertrand is on loan to us. I think it would be wrong to drop a player after he has just played his best game ever.

If Bennett had been playing like he did against Chelsea, PL would not have loaned Bertrand. He might now of learnt what is expected, Bertrand already is at that standard and is far the better player. Bertrand to start with Bennett encouraged to progress from that performance .....

[Matt Collins]

I think lambert may play an unchanged side. I can see the sense in that. But I think it's going to be less suited to this game given how stoke will play. I'd prefer albrighton in there ahead of KEA so we can get more width, with Weimann supporting benteke down the middle.

[pooligan]

It always seem to be a boring game when Stoke come to town .I expect the same tomorrow .Villa to edge it 1-0

[Des Little]

If we play football we'll take them apart. We have momentum in our favour and that will see us to victory.

[villan from luton]

I would go with an unchanged side, would be tough on both Bennett and KEA to be left out after the performances last week. I think we need to go for the jugular from the off and think confidence will be high and we will do so. Reckon it could be another good day

[SoccerHQ]

I wouldn't be against playing the same team, I wouldn't risk starting Bennett at Old Trafford though, Bertrand needs to come back in for that one.

I wouldn't mind giving Albrighton a start though as another attacking option as the worry is Stoke know how to defend, they'll sit deep negating our two wide players and we'll have very little to offer otherwise unless Benteke comes up with another special goal.

[eric woolban woolban]

Nil nil.

[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.

Bennett is a Villa Player, Bertrand is on loan to us. I think it would be wrong to drop a player after he has just played his best game ever.

you play your best team whenever possible. There is no room for sentiment. One good game doesn't excuse Bennett for what has been a very steep and difficult learning curve. And there is no doubt he made a good start on his latest road to redemption. However, Bertrand is a Villa player, be it on loan or otherwise and is by far the better and consistent player.

[KevinGage]

Have a nagging feeling they'll do us. 

They've been better under Hughes, even if their away record is shite. 

In fact that's prob why I have such a nagging feeling. Usually when it's flagged up how poor a sides away record is, they invariably turn us over. 

Would take a 0-0 or 1-1, but reckon it'll be 2-0 to them. 

Don't think we're good enough (yet) to win three at home on the bounce.