Aston Villa vs Hull City Pre-Match Thread

[Proposition Joe]

Is this a must-win or a must-not-lose? I would like to think we'll go for it, but can imagine 90 mins of play basically around out 18 yd box as we defend deep and make our routine sliced clearances, dumb passes and needless corners.

I wish Chelsea - Norwich was the early kickoff on Sat...

[boozey182]

I don't normally post anything on the internet, much preferring to pass off what I read on here as my own opinions in the 'real' world in a misguided attempt to gain kudos from my peers, but I find myself with a bit of time on my hands today and wondered if anyone else was experiencing the same phenomenon as me today.

I call it Unjustified Friday Optimism (UFO) and, as the name suggests, it occurs most Fridays when, with the previous week's match (and all the frustration, anger and dejection that inevitably went with it) just a distant memory, I start to feel incredibly positive about the Villa match at the weekend. This week it seems to be more prominent then ever, which is all the more inexplicable.

Perhaps it is because there really is no other choice; I feel I have to be positive because the other option (reality?) is just too terrible to contemplate. Perhaps its because I've been watching some highlights on a the internet of times when we were so much better; 6-2 against Everton in 1989, right up to 2-0 away at Arsenal under O'Neill (remember when Gabby would bully centre backs?) and suddenly floods of Villa based happiness sweeps over me. As I look at things right now, I'm not only confident about the match tomorrow, but also about next season.

Maybe we have been unlucky this year. I mean, our two main signings from the summer, as well as our main signing from last summer, have all suffered long term injuries. Any plans Lambert had for the season were wiped out in the first month as our new defensive rock was crocked. And that start we had! Who else has had to play Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all in the same week?! Let alone in the first week of the season. Ask any sports fan lacking the creativity to express themselves originally and they will tell you; sport is all about momentum. Well, there was no chance of us carrying on our form from the back end of last season with that start, let alone with the dodgy decisions that went against us at Chelsea. If we'd have got the point(at the very least) that we deserved in that match, would we have lost to Liverpool so meekly the following weekend? How different would the season have panned out if we'd have nipped Liverpool's run of 1-0 wins in the bud in the second week of the season? How much confidence would we have taken from taking on 3 of the top 4 (2 away from home) and coming out of it unbeaten?

And the future: when we were flying high in 12th(imagine!) a few weeks back I was telling everyone that would listen that if we survived this season (as if this is even a discussion! We're 12th for crying out loud!!!!!) then all would be well. We'd really invest over the summer and Lambert has a decent record in the transfer market: Benteke (obvs), Kozak (jury may be out but I don't think we'd be struggling at all if he'd been fit for the last month), Okore (okay, he wasn't played much but he looks quite classy and we've all seen those highlights of him in that one match, right?), Bacuna (not a finished article by any stretch but scored some very important goals for us - let's be honest he's probably our most threatening player at the moment), Westwood (there's a player there somewhere), Luna (probably made double his transfer fee on those lovely t-shirts......I'm trying to be positive, yeah?). So there is some hope there, particularly when he's had chance to spend proper money. Whilst the last few weeks have been dreadful, depressing, frustrating etc, this is the only time that all of Lambert's major purchases have been missing; whatever mistakes have been made during this period, you'd have to say that Lambert (/we) would be incredibly unlucky to have all his 'bigger' signings out at the same time again, particularly if he's given decent money to spend this summer.

And I have to believe that there will be money to spend because, like believing that us and Stoke will both not lose this weekend, the other options will just make me sad. And I don't want to feel sad. Its Friday.

Am I a happy clapper? At this stage in the week, of course I am. Deluded? You bet ya! Massive Elton John style claret-tinted glasses? Yeah, and do you know what? I both look and feel fabulous!

Of course, when Nathan Baker attempts to clear it and ends up smashing it into the roof of our net I'll have completely changed my tune and revert back to the miserable, football-avoiding sad sack that deals with Sunday-Tuesday on my behalf.

Anyone else get this? I find the psychology of a Villa fan fascinating!

Oh, 3-1 Villa. Delph, Ron and Gabby

[bruisedshins]

We've got to win, not to ensure our safety, as i think we'll stay up even if we lose, but to give us something to cheer about. It's been a hard season for us, we've endured some truly mind numbing performances, the kind that leave you feeling like you've got a chronically underactive thyroid. A win would be nice simply to lift the gloom, hear the ground applaud the players off and walk out to a saturday night on the town with a smile on our faces and a spring in our step. I was still buzzing the day after we beat Chelsea, I want that feeling back. Come on you lions!

[Meanwood Villa]

boozey182 I agree. I was so down for most of this week and if anyone asks me about the Villa now I would be far from complimentary. And I want the manager sacked and the chairman to sell. But I'm still a bit excited by the prospect of a win tomorrow!

[silhillvilla]

If Grant Holt somehow conjures up the winning goal tomorrow his signing will be seen as a master stroke .

Failing that can we get Marcus Allback back.

[Des Little]

These bastard nerves are getting worse...

[mattjpa]

Having sworn not to attend again till the current regime has been ousted, this weekends call to arms has seen me part with the thick end of forty nicker and book the day off from the missus. Im gonna get the rattler from Lichfield nice and early, attend a couple of decent boozers beforehand and get marginally oiled before kick off.  Im going to destroy one of those half pound steak burgers on the walk up to the ground, buy the last ever edition of H&V and stand in the Holte on the 20th anniversary of the demolishing of its predecessor, drinking in the atmosphere and reading my H&V.

Despite not seeing us beat any league opposition in 7 games this season, Im going to see a Villa victory, im sure of it. The weather is going to be ace, its a bank holiday weekend and im going to be able to watch match of the day and give a big  fuck you to all my Boggies mates.

Come on the boys. UTV

[Des Little]

Having sworn not to attend again till the current regime has been ousted, this weekends call to arms has seen me part with the thick end of forty nicker and book the day off from the missus. Im gonna get the rattler from Lichfield nice and early, attend a couple of decent boozers beforehand and get marginally oiled before kick off.  Im going to destroy one of those half pound steak burgers on the walk up to the ground, buy the last ever edition of H&V and stand in the Holte on the 20th anniversary of the demolishing of its predecessor, drinking in the atmosphere and reading my H&V.

Despite not seeing us beat any league opposition in 7 games this season, Im going to see a Villa victory, im sure of it. The weather is going to be ace, its a bank holiday weekend and im going to be able to watch match of the day and give a big  fuck you to all my Boggies mates.

Come on the boys. UTV

Is the correct answer. Let's do it.

[Chipsticks]

Holte End's all but sold out. I really, really, really hope people get behind the team. Tomorrow could be a special day, I'm thinking 2011 when we beat Liverpool and Blues went down.

[Des Little]

As many have said, it's all about 100% vocal support for the full 90 tomorrow.  When it's happened before, we tend to pull a result out.

[Clampy]

I know there's one or two people on here who have said they're nervous about tomorrow. I'm not so much nervous, I just want to get the bastard game out the way, this week has dragged.

[eamonn]

Having sworn not to attend again till the current regime has been ousted, this weekends call to arms has seen me part with the thick end of forty nicker and book the day off from the missus. Im gonna get the rattler from Lichfield nice and early, attend a couple of decent boozers beforehand and get marginally oiled before kick off.  Im going to destroy one of those half pound steak burgers on the walk up to the ground, buy the last ever edition of H&V and stand in the Holte on the 20th anniversary of the demolishing of its predecessor, drinking in the atmosphere and reading my H&V.

Despite not seeing us beat any league opposition in 7 games this season, Im going to see a Villa victory, im sure of it. The weather is going to be ace, its a bank holiday weekend and im going to be able to watch match of the day and give a big  fuck you to all my Boggies mates.

Come on the boys. UTV

Good shout on the 20th anniversary of the Holte's Last Stand on the day of H&V's last stand. Further props for the creative descriptive writing.

[PeterWithesShin]

Paul Lambert has vowed Aston Villa will have a lap of “appreciation” at Villa Park regardless of the result in Saturday's monumental match against Hull.

A first victory in seven matches and they are safe, anything else and their fate could have to wait until the final week, depending on how relegation rivals including Norwich, Fulham and Cardiff get on.

Lambert is adamant his players should parade around the pitch after the crucial match against the Tigers – win, lose or draw – to show gratitude for the support they have had from the claret and blue faithful.

The manager is confident there will be no negativity because fans understand the importance of getting over the Premier League safety line while it is still in their own hands.

And Lambert admits the Holte End could be like a “magnet” for the players with a timely campaign from supporters to crank up the atmosphere in Villa’s main singing stand.

Rivals Blues scrapped their lap of appreciation at their midweek defeat to Wigan and Birmingham Mail columnist and Villa legend, Ian Taylor, suggested it could be embarrassing for the Villa players to stroll around the field after a season in which they have suffered a record number of league defeats.

But Lambert, who will not refer to it as a lap of “honour”, believes the home support should be acknowledged, even at the end of another disappointing campaign for long-suffering supporters.

“I think it’s important that the players do a lap of appreciation, as I call it – I don’t call it the other,” said Lambert.

“It’s important because the fans have come and supported us home and away and are vital. Your fanbase is your lifeblood and you have to show appreciation to them.”

Asked about potential negativity at Villa Park after travelling fans called for his head in the past two away games, Lambert said he expects a positive atmosphere.

“As I’ve said before, I don’t think they’ll come that way anyway,” he said.

“The fans will come in their thousands to watch us and they will get behind us. It’s important because the lads will need that backing from them. I’ve got no doubt that’s exactly what they’ll do.

“If you win then it virtually puts everything out of the road, that’s how big the game is. Everybody knows it.

“We’re at home and we’ll be backed by 37,000, 38,000 people and that’s what’s going to have to drive you on.”

Despite the circumstances, fans are hoping to generate a positive atmosphere with a Get The Holte End Back campaign calling for supporters to take banners, balloons and flags and chant throughout the match, with the 20th anniversary of the demolition of the old stand next week.

“The Holte End is a massive end for this football club,” said Lambert.

“There’s not many ends left in football where they have one traditional singing end.

“Liverpool have got the Kop, Villa have obviously got the Holte End, Borussia Dortmund have got Die Sudtribune.

“But there’s not many ends that have the hardcore – and that is absolutely vital, that end.

“You’ve got to keep it that’s for sure, that’s an important part of this club.

“It can be like a magnet at times and that’s what we’re going to have to have on Saturday.

“It’s a great end and I think if you ask anybody if you’ve one end where you want to hit into, then that’s the end you want.”

[Steve kirk]

Posted couple of days ago that I feel fairly calm and still feel ok (Dont know why), have changed prediction from 1-1 to 3-1 to the Villa, also took advice on here from Leeb to not attend due to the horrendous record my eldest son and I have had at home league games in recent seasons, sorry Lee and all my Villa friends on here but we have to be there and our luck has to change, it has to, it just has to.

[PeterWithesShin]

Get the prayer mats out. All hail Saunders of the Villa!