Aston Villa vs Parma Pre-Season Friendly

[Dave]

Villa Park, Saturday 9th August, 3pm

Pre-match, match and post-match thread.

Parma aren't anything like the team they were fifteen years or so ago when they were possibly as good as anybody in Europe, but still have one or two decent players. Very solid and well-managed now by Roberto Donadoni, finished sixth in Serie A last season. So probably a good deal better than us.

Very much looking forward to seeing Antonio Cassano play.

[tomd2103]

Villa Park, Saturday 9th August, 3pm

Pre-match, match and post-match thread.

Parma aren't anything like the team they were fifteen years or so ago when they were possibly as good as anybody in Europe, but still have one or two decent players. Very solid and well-managed now by Roberto Donadoni, finished sixth in Serie A last season. So probably a good deal better than us.

Very much looking forward to seeing Antonio Cassano play.

Yep, remember them having a good side when Channel 4 started broadcasting Italian games in the 90s.  If I remember correctly, they had the likes of Zola, Brolin, Nadal and Asprilla around that time and were one of the stronger teams in Serie A. 

[Goldie.7]

0-0 or 1-1

[Lastfootstamper]

Been waiting for this, more so since the "Babies" thread started; taking my two-year-old boy to this. Registered him, so the tickets got delivered in his name. He's quite excited. Just hope it lasts. He's young enough to forget!
Didn't know Donadoni is their manager, always used to like him, possibly less for his talent, more for him looking really "Italian".

[Dave]

Villa Park, Saturday 9th August, 3pm

Pre-match, match and post-match thread.

Parma aren't anything like the team they were fifteen years or so ago when they were possibly as good as anybody in Europe, but still have one or two decent players. Very solid and well-managed now by Roberto Donadoni, finished sixth in Serie A last season. So probably a good deal better than us.

Very much looking forward to seeing Antonio Cassano play.

Yep, remember them having a good side when Channel 4 started broadcasting Italian games in the 90s.  If I remember correctly, they had the likes of Zola, Brolin, Nadal and Asprilla around that time and were one of the stronger teams in Serie A. 

I was thinking more of their late 90s vintage - Buffon, Thuram, Cannavaro, Sensini, Baggio, Veron, Crespo, Chiesa, Balbo and Asprilla all in the same squad at the turn of the century.

[Toronto Villa]

3-0. Confidence restored and a week of joy and happiness prior to the opening day defeat at Stoke. Goals from Bent, Zog and Delph.

[eamonn]

First Inter, then Fiorentina. Lets go for the hat-trick, dai.

[villadelph]

Been waiting for this, more so since the "Babies" thread started; taking my two-year-old boy to this. Registered him, so the tickets got delivered in his name. He's quite excited. Just hope it lasts. He's young enough to forget!
Didn't know Donadoni is their manager, always used to like him, possibly less for his talent, more for him looking really "Italian".

Lucky bugger.

I'm putting a decent amount of stock into this game. I want to see an approach that could be reflective of what we'll see at Stoke. Hopefully we can put two good halves together and score a few for the home crowd.

[richl]

I like their ham

[Witton Warrior]

I was going to this but have an invite to Avebury where I shall be invoking the spirit of the Ancient Gods in the vain hope they will asist in the coming campaign...

1-2 Hutton hat-trick

[Matt Collins]

This will surely be a clue to the stoke game? Will be interesting to see who gets picked up front. I think the rest is fairly obvious depending on the formation we play - I'm guessing 352 v stoke

If vlaar doesn't start this one I'll be concerned. I hope he's fully fit. It's him or baker for that middle role and that's a pretty big chasm.

[Gregorys Boy]

Finally decent oppersation!  Sorry Chesterfield

Win, lose or draw it would be nice to put in a good showing, and see a consistent line-up (with less subs) who is likely to play the week after.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Might be tricky to pick the Parma line-up, they have a squad of about 900 players.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

One of golfs all time greats.

[CJ]

Had a call from the ticket office last night thanking me for renewing my ST again and trying very hard to sell me tickets for this game. Methinks the latter was more important than the former. Wonder if they're struggling to sell? btw - lower tiers only open