Stoke City vs Aston Villa pre-match thread

[PeterWithesShin]

Saturday 16th August 2014. Britannia Stadium. KO 3.00pm

Them 1 Us 2 Senderos, Zog. And our charge for a top 4 place begins.

[Legion]

About time. 2-0 away win.

[PeterWithesShin]

Ashley Westwood says there's real excitement in the claret and blue camp as the new campaign approaches.

Westwood has been pleased with pre-season as the players have built up their fitness ahead of the 2014-15 campaign, with tough game assignments and rigorous training work.

He knows, however, that "business time" is now upon the players as Saturday starts their fresh top-flight journey.

He said: "Pre-season has been really good. We've really got our fitness up and we're ready for the season.

"Parma was a really good test for us. They are a really good team and we got a clean sheet, which was nice.

"We are fully prepared ahead of Saturday.

"Now all the pre-season is out of the way and it is really business time now.

"The media and the fans are up for it and we are too.

"This is what being a footballer is all about - looking forward to the weekend."

On a personal note, Westwood is hoping to maintain high standards throughout the season.

He continued: "It's about consistently performing at a good level. That is the main thing.

"Being in my position you want to be consistently good - hitting sevens and eights out of ten every week.

"That's what I'm aiming for."

Westwood is recognised as a central midfielder but spent some time as a sweeper in pre-season.

He says he enjoyed the experience - and would play anywhere as long as he's in the first XI.

He added: "I'd play in goal if it got me minutes on the pitch.

"It was a good experience in there as you get time on the ball to pick your passes.

"That is what pre-season is for - trying different things. I like to get on the ball and play, so it was good.

"You saw it a lot in the World Cup - three centre-backs.

"I'm sure come Saturday whatever we decide to play, we'll be ready for it."

[SoccerHQ]

Can't see us scoring or keeping a clean sheet tbh, 2-0 Stoke.

Think Lambert will go 5 at the back for this, a point would be very good to start off with.

[eamonn]

"Parma was a really good test for us. They are a really good team and we got a clean sheet, which was nice."

This Villa fan agrees:

[Chipsticks]

Stoke have been playing really nice passing football in their pre-season and I'm half-expecting us to try and keep the ball down and play to feet without Benteke or Kozak.

1-1, Zog and Bojan to score.

[Steve kirk]

And it begins, more in hope than judgement I am going for a 1-1 draw.

[Legion]

I'm already nervous.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'm already nervous.

Bumder.

I've told you, we get to Stoke, sort aht the N40 in their main boozer, have a few sherberts and a couple of lines, cause some more agg on the way to ground and have it away wiv ne1 who wants it. Sorted.

[Legion]

If you insist.

[olaftab]

2-0 to us Okore and Richardson.

[Villafirst]

Stoke 0-3 Villa.... Sanchez hat-trick

[andyaston]

Stoke 0-3 Villa.... Sanchez hat-trick

he won't be playing

[cdbearsfan]

I'm already nervous.

Bumder.

I've told you, we get to Stoke, sort aht the N40 in their main boozer, have a few sherberts and a couple of lines, cause some more agg on the way to ground and have it away wiv ne1 who wants it. Sorted.

I reckon sobbing into your bitter after another defeat while the fire brigade try to put Legion out is more likely.

[PeterWithesShin]

If you see a car broken down on the hard shoulder you can bet it will be us.