Aston Villa vs Hull City Pre-Match Thread

[pauliewalnuts]

Sunderland are playing quite well. Last match a 4-0 beating of Cardiff, then a win at Chelsea and a point at Man City. Seven points from three games.

If you count back our last seven points, the period over which they were earned is very nearly two months.

I don't think we will go down, we will just about survive, but I do think there is a lot of writing off of chances which doesn't really sound that realistic when you look at recent performances.

[tomd2103]

Guzan
Lowton, Clark, Vlaar and Bertrand
Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Albrighton
Gabby, Holt

You then have the option to bring Wiemann on if we are losing or KEA if we need to hold on at the end.

I'd go for that, except I would start KEA instead of Westwood, as I think the latter really struggles in a two man midfield (the former seems to struggle whatever the formation but at least he is a bit more mobile).   

[FranzBiberkopf]

Guzan
Lowton, Clark, Vlaar and Bertrand
Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Albrighton
Gabby, Holt

Can't really argue with that.

Tell you what though, looking at that in black & white, it does have 'relegation' writ large all over it.

What were we thinking with all the optimism back in August?

Lambert is certainly incompetent, but I defy ANY manager to make a decent team out of that lineup.

[ADVILLAFAN]

0-0 with them missing an open goal, like that Sunderland player did in about 2005.

[Des Little]

We're going to shit 'em.  I have seen the future.

[Legion]

0-3

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

0-0

[Toronto Villa]

Sunderland are playing quite well. Last match a 4-0 beating of Cardiff, then a win at Chelsea and a point at Man City. Seven points from three games.

If you count back our last seven points, the period over which they were earned is very nearly two months.

I don't think we will go down, we will just about survive, but I do think there is a lot of writing off of chances which doesn't really sound that realistic when you look at recent performances.

when you've just lost 4-1 for the third time in 6 games, making it a total of 5 defeats in 6, the club's overall malaise embodied in the body language of the captain after the last game, then just about anything can happen. Those other clubs who look more likely to go down aren't giving up until it's officially over. A couple of weeks back Albion looked screwed and in fact so did Sunderland. Yet both have pulled out some good results in recent weeks to give themselves a chance, and in Albions case now look safe. I worry about us because the curve is very much straight down. And while I agree we'll likely stay up, it will be by the skin of our nuts that we do.

[Chris Jameson]

I know our defence is a bit rubbish but why do people think the likes of Jelavic have suddenly become goal machines?

[not3bad]

Guzan
Lowton, Clark, Vlaar and Bertrand
Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Albrighton
Gabby, Holt

Can't really argue with that.

Tell you what though, looking at that in black & white, it does have 'relegation' writ large all over it.

What were we thinking with all the optimism back in August?

Lambert is certainly incompetent, but I defy ANY manager to make a decent team out of that lineup.

Last August Benteke would have been part of the lineup, which would have made it stronger for a start. And last August most of these players were just comeing off a strong end to last season - so it could be argued Lambert had already made a decent team out of them.

[Toronto Villa]

I know our defence is a bit rubbish but why do people think the likes of Jelavic have suddenly become goal machines?

I think it's because we seem to allow players of every level to look like world beaters against us. If your down on your luck a game against the Villa is what you need. We managed to make Shane Long look like Messi earlier in the season. Jelavic isn't great by any stretch but I imagine we are going to do our best to help him round out his form ahead of the cup final.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I know our defence is a bit rubbish but why do people think the likes of Jelavic have suddenly become goal machines?

Long's already scored a few against us this season. I think it's the thought of Baker or Clark at centre-back that makes people nervous.

[avfcpg]

Sid has said we won't get relegated under his watch...that's good enough for me. In Cowans we trust.
If they aren't giving it max warp, closing down, chasing every lost cause, sweating blood (like they should be every game), then I truly despair...One massive effort, one massive win, sell up, invest and give us some hope.

 

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

It'll be like QPR at home last season. Being dicked on and losing, then we fluke a goal from Gabby just before half-time, we got the confidence and went on to win...

...and then I wake up...

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

I know our defence is a bit rubbish but why do people think the likes of Jelavic have suddenly become goal machines?

I think it's because we seem to allow players of every level to look like world beaters against us. If your down on your luck a game against the Villa is what you need. We managed to make Shane Long look like Messi earlier in the season. Jelavic isn't great by any stretch but I imagine we are going to do our best to help him round out his form ahead of the cup final.

We also made Peter Crouch look like Ibramahovich and Messi combined.