Opening Day Predictions - Stoke City (a)

[bob]

September though!

[MarkM]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/FixturesAndResults

[MarkM]

I think 4 points from the first 8 games

Draw with Stoke, loose to Newcastle, beat Hull, loose to Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Everton

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Our relegation run-in could be worse, looks like we're getting our tough fixtures out of the way early.

Well tough on paper - we'll probably do well against the "top teams" and get battered by Stoke, Palace etc.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I think we've been shafted, I think it's wrong how you can get all the top teams in a row, that is what effectivley relegated Norwich

[DeKuip]

I just knew we'd end up having to play all those teams.
Not that bothered about which order they come in, except for possible away trips. Swansea already ruled out (Boxing Day in front of the tele this year!) but a boozy day in London before the Tuesday night game at Palace in December is already sounding more appealing that having to get out if bed for Palace at home on New Years Day.
I'm also not keen on having to play Albion a couple of days after we've won the League Cup.

[Duncan Shaw]

Have to say looking at some of the away trips...what bright spark though Swansea was local to the Midlands for a boxing day match?!

Hull and Crystal Palace also midweek trips for the hardcore.

Not sure and I haven't checked, but I wouldn't be suprised if we were Swansea's nearest club (or the Boggies, just actually), but they're not ours, obviously!

[rob_bridge]

Stoke win - no qualms. Unless we have our 1 good game in 8.

As we are deep in the mire and currently see doom and gloom I want to roll back the best part of 2 decades.

Man U at home - very difficult opener though bemused why they haven't replace Ince and Kanchelskis as yet. Not our problem.

Draper is a fine sigining IMO. Good ball player, wide range of passing, interesting to see the formation with Taylor and Townsend and Southgate all central midfielders. Fresher look though to replace the aging Richardson, Houghton and Parker.

Despite the naysayers I think Southgate is a good player.

Not sure about Johnson and Charles as they didn't pull up many trees and Derby but showed promise before that.

As for the Yugoslav lad - no idea but an exciting signing - big gamble which could make a difference between mid table and push for Europe. We'd seen the best of Deano and the less said about his lazy sicknote strike partner the better.

[LeeB]

Are we actually requesting to be away first game every fucking season? Is the pitch not quite ready or something?

[saunders_heroes]

Are we actually requesting to be away first game every fucking season? Is the pitch not quite ready or something?

I was just gonna post this. Can't remember the last time we played at home first game.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

2010/11 - when we beat West Ham 3-0 under Kevin Macdonald.

Probably the last time I had any optimism about the Villa.

[Simon Ward]

September though!

My thought entirely!

[MoetVillan]

Brilliant, 38 winnable games in a row

[Toronto Villa]

We showed last season the ability to raise our games against the very best and play like a non league team vs teams we thought we should be beating. The fixtures could have started Arsenal (a), Chelsea (a), Liverpool (h) and the possible outcome just as unpredictable as what next seasons first few games actually will be.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

I look through that list and wonder where the hell we're going to get a win from.

Relegation is on the cards this season I think.

I have no confidence in us winning a game (though obviously we will win at least some (!) of them).