Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur Pre-Match Thread

[rob_bridge]

No solace from me I'm afraid.

0.5. (Galvin, Falcao x2, Hoddle, Archibald)

There was a game many years ago - I think it was near the start of Turner's reign when we lost 5-0 to Nottingham Forest. I was reminded it of it in one of Mr Woodhall's books some 20 years later. Some really average striker - Ian Wallace maybe scored a hat trick.

I see something similar Sunday. We're a mess

[UK Redsox]

I'd stick Gabby on the wing, drop Weimann and bring in Bent along side Benteke. Whip some bloody crosses in and hope for the best. Can't be any worse than it is now.

Since when could Gabby cross ?

[silhillvilla]

Turners last game was a 0-6 loss at Forest .

[Ron Manager]

I'd stick Gabby on the wing, drop Weimann and bring in Bent along side Benteke. Whip some bloody crosses in and hope for the best. Can't be any worse than it is now.

Since when could Gabby cross ?

Its the one thing he is competent at these days. He hits it hard along the ground and thats one thing defenders in the penalty area do not want. I would pair Benteke with Bent for the simple reason that we have nothing else to try. They might work well as a duo or they might not
but Lambert has to try something different because what he is doing at the moment is obviously not working.

[rob_bridge]

Turners last game was a 0-6 loss at Forest .

It was - this one was at Villa Park

[Clampy]

Ooo I like this game...

-----------Guzan-----------
Hutton-Vlaar-Senderos/Okore-Cissokho
----------Sanchez----------
Bacuna- Cleverley- Grealish
-------------Benteke---
---------Bent-------------

Job's a good 'un.

That's the side i've come up with as well. A possible nice balance with Grealish and Bacuna either side and maybe it's time to give Bent a go. He can't do any worse and he'll actually get into the box.

[Dr Butler]

a loss, a low crowd and a long drive home on a Sunday night

UTV
The Doc

[supertom]

Ooo I like this game...

-----------Guzan-----------
Hutton-Vlaar-Senderos/Okore-Cissokho
----------Sanchez----------
Bacuna- Cleverley- Grealish
-------------Benteke---
---------Bent-------------

Job's a good 'un.

That's the side i've come up with as well. A possible nice balance with Grealish and Bacuna either side and maybe it's time to give Bent a go. He can't do any worse and he'll actually get into the box.

If Bobby "Made of sugar glass" Zamora can still cause all manner of problems at this level, I really hope Bent can. We just need to give him the service. If there's one player who'll read flick ons from Benteke, it's Bent.
I'd also fancy him to score against Spurs.

[claret and blue blood]

We all agree Grealish and Bent should start but knowing that dour git they won't even make the bench.

[tom jennings III]

Apart from Bentekke, Richardson and the back 4 of Hutton, Vlaar, Senderos, CissokhoI'm not really sure who I want in. Sanchez I guess as he's actually got the balls to win a  tackle and a header despite his obvious passing lapses. Westwood Cleverly, NZog, Weimann, Gabby have all failed to impress and J Cole looked knackered after 10 on Monday so not sure how he should be in the starting IX. I definitely don't want Bent to start but maybe he's the best of a bad bunch if we are able to slide balls into him and Benteks.

I think we'll lose 0-3. Despite how angry I was on Monday I will always cling to hope and would never want us to lose no matter how apathetic, inept and tactically clueless our manager looks so COME ON VILLA!! Let's try and fluke one.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

Guzan
Hutton, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson
Sanchez
N'Zogbia, Cleverley, Grealish
Bent, Benteke

6-0 defeat. Eriksen will run the show

[supertom]

The trouble with Bent is, he's not really good as an impact player. He's better playing from the start, being in a game and biding his time for the right ball. He struggles to get into the flow and pace of a game when he comes off the bench.
I'd rather play him from the off and take him off at 60 minutes if he's doing nothing. At the moment he can't do any less than Gabby that's for sure.

[pauliewalnuts]

Bent is finished.

He looks like he just doesn't care any more, ambles around, looking overweight.

I think one problem for him is that the game has changed in recent years and he is the sort of player who will find himself much less in demand as a result. Mind you, us sticking him in the bomb squad and ignoring him for so long won't have done much for his confidence.

Some players will recover from things like that (Hutton), others won't.

If we rely on Bent to deliver anything, I reckon we'll be disappointed.

[pauliewalnuts]

Sadly, I think we'll ship four with no reply.

Their scorers: Archibald, Crooks, Clive Allen, Gascoigne.

[andyh]

I must admit, I'm worried we might get tanked as well.
Confidence must be on the floor, and there just appears to be no belief in the team anymore.
Given that its on the telly and its at home, well, I just fear the worst.
0-4