Aston Villa vs Southampton pre-match thread

[timeoutbigbar]

Absolutely dreading it.  If Okore doesn't play then who the hell does at centre half?

[Clampy]

Absolutely dreading it.  If Okore doesn't play then who the hell does at centre half?

It honestly wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Chris Herd plays at the back tonight.

[CJ]

I used to get excited about going to VP on match days. Today it feels like a chore - expecting us to play poorly, not compete, and get routinely beaten. Come on Lambert - surprise me.

[Richard E]

Villa win / draw double chance is 11/10 - odds against, against Southampton at home - how far we have fallen !

We go into a game against Southampton in 17th place in the division, with them 2nd. That is what the legacy of the bright new Randy Lerner era is. Phenomenal.

[pauliewalnuts]

The gabby statue on the pitch has been a nice touch by Randy this season

*applause*

Very good!

[pauliewalnuts]

Some talk attendance could be as low as 25k

I'll be there. But why I have no answer. It's like being invited to a car crash,,,

I am going because I like the bracing breezes in the Upper Witton and staring at the floodlights until visions appear. Sometimes the digital advertising hoardings show unworldly colours and you can imagine you are at a drive-in cinema Northern California in Winter circa 1967 watching a psychedelic movie stoned on mescal. 

Also the group of chaps sitting behind provide a constant stream of banter based light entertainment. I now know all the players who need to grow a pair, all the bottlers, all the fanny danglers and fancy Dans, the thimble riggers and the Nancy boys.

"Yer WEAK!" goes up the cry. "Yer fuckin WEAK!". 
"Put yer fuckin foot in!"
"Get it forward yer fuckin haircut!"
"Fuckin pointer sisters! Track your man!"
"There's no ***** in the box!"
"Get it wide ya fuckin quiff!"

I must say that even though I am of the Church Mystic rather then the Church Militant, I often find myself in agreement with these stout Black Country yeomen, and find myself chuckling at their earthy wisdom.

Sometimes, standing in the horizontal sleet on the Birmingham bound  platform at Aston Station having stood on the Lichfield Road for half an hour breathing in the toxic traffic fumes, and then another half an hour on the stairs breathing in Skunk fumes, the stars spangle in the indigo sky and seem to say: "Don't worry, son. The cricket season starts in April".

 

Favourite post of the season so far

Yes, it was rather marvellous, wasn't it?

[nick harper]

Another stat from The Times today. We have only scored 3 goals in the second half in the last 27 games.

[RussellC]

Absolutely dreading it.  If Okore doesn't play then who the hell does at centre half?

It honestly wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Chris Herd plays at the back tonight.

I think you might be right. He seemed to feature quite heavily in the OS's training photos this week. I can see Clark and Herd at the back with Okore on the bench. God help us.

[pbavfckuwait]

The match here does not kick off till 12.00, as we are 4 hours ahead and I am seriously thinking about not bothering and that will be a first, even under Lambert. Saints win and quite an easy win.

[Jon Crofts]

I can hardly contain my apathy about the game tonight.

[JUAN PABLO]

Villa 0 soton 2

Le tissier brace.



I really hope they get in the top 4 , from where they were in the third tier and the amount of talent they have sold from the likes bale , Walcott and oxlade-chamberlain to the shaw, chambers etc and the great style of football they have tried to play , good on them , if they keep Liverpool or spuds out the top 4,  fantastic.

[supertom]

I fully expect Herd to be in the side ahead of Okore to be honest. Herd isn't that big but he's actually quite good in the air. Given Clarky's not too good I'd possibly rather play Herd than Okore anyway, as we need at least one player to give Pelle something to think about. Okore is weak in the air.

[Clampy]

I fully expect Herd to be in the side ahead of Okore to be honest. Herd isn't that big but he's actually quite good in the air. Given Clarky's not too good I'd possibly rather play Herd than Okore anyway, as we need at least one player to give Pelle something to think about. Okore is weak in the air.

I disagree. Clark is not a centre half for me so playing another non center half in Herd alongside him would be a terrible idea. He played Herd against Fulham away last season and he was awful. Okore was brought to play there so let's play him.

[rob_bridge]

Just found out that cheating c*** Dowd is referee so I'm revising my guess to 0-9.

This may work for us. Southampton could be a top 4 threat including to his beloved Yanited. Expect a 2-1 win to Villa having been awarded 3 penalties and the Saints down to 9 men.

[supertom]

I fully expect Herd to be in the side ahead of Okore to be honest. Herd isn't that big but he's actually quite good in the air. Given Clarky's not too good I'd possibly rather play Herd than Okore anyway, as we need at least one player to give Pelle something to think about. Okore is weak in the air.

I disagree. Clark is not a centre half for me so playing another non center half in Herd alongside him would be a terrible idea. He played Herd against Fulham away last season and he was awful. Okore was brought to play there so let's play him.

I'd honestly rather play Herd and Okore given the choice. Herdy had a handful of reasonable games last season, and some terrible too (like Baker and Clark to be fair).
I agree on Clark though.
Trouble is, if their striker is a target man, strong and big in the air, with Phil and Baker out, the only other half reasonable option to deal with him is Chris Herd, such is the dearth in options and quality.