Burnley vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

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He has got to acknowledge that he needs to do something with the midfield. It is entirely unacceptable to keep stringing out players in a line, as we have seen the sum total it creates; a goal every other game and one, maybe two shots on target. I feel sorry for Cleverley the way he is being used and cannot for the life of me understand why Lambert doesn't have Sanchez and Westwood sitting, with Cleverley in front of them creating the option for the other two to make a forward pass. It would also mean we'd be much more likely to have a midfielder hit the box, as he wouldn't be quite so deep.

That is another point too, if we go to Burnley and sit as deep as we have been doing then I will be absolutely staggered. The way we not only fell back en mass on Monday and squeezed it so tight that we only pressed from 30 yards from our goal was poor.

Burnley are probably the poorest side in the league, but you have got to go about them and attack them, otherwise you give them a chance.

He won't bring Grealish in, he won't play Andi up top and we will likely play with the same flat midfield and struggle to create anything unless it comes from an early Hutton cross. That is my prediction. Whether that will be enough to take three points is largely down to how Burnley play.

[RussellC]

I'd go 4-4-2 for this one. Our current shape is doing absolutely nothing for us going forward and too many players are currently being asked to play in positions that they're not very good at. I'd drop Sanchez and N'Zogbia for Richardson and Bacuna and move Weimann and gabby upfront as a 2.

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I fear 4-4-2 would simply be another body, most likely Richardson, to throw into the defensive screen that our midfield is currently used for, rather than provide width.

[passitsideways]

We'll play well and take a mostly-deserved lead, at which time we'll promptly shit ourselves, crawl into our shells and eventually concede an equalizer, with a possible chance of a further kick to the balls late winner.

[silhillvilla]

I've a hunch lambert WILL try something different on Saturday. This will lead to a 6 goal thriller with us running out 4-2 winners.

[Toronto Villa]

I think we'll lose. I hope we don't, but if we do I really pray it signals the end of Lambert. Surely this would be one shit result too far. Burnley will attack us and they know we are soft through the middle. If they strike early I really fear that we don't have the ammo to get 1 let alone 2 goals. I cannot believe that after such promise of entertainment and goals that we have arguably the most boring side in the league to watch and 6 goals to our credit. Horrible.

[RussellC]

I fear 4-4-2 would simply be another body, most likely Richardson, to throw into the defensive screen that our midfield is currently used for, rather than provide width.

You're probably right but, if nothing else, it would negate the appalling predictability that our current set-up carries. it must be the so easy for opposing managers to plan against us at the moment. "Well, they don't really attack via the flanks, and they don;t really have any creativity in the middle and, er, Benteke's not playing..."

[silhillvilla]

Burnley attacking us at will is probably playing into the only game plan we have. If Sean Dytch (sp) is clever he will do the opposite , sit tight, keep a clean sheet and wait for a villa player to make a monumental fuck up and gift them the game .

[richard moore]

I think we'll lose. I hope we don't, but if we do I really pray it signals the end of Lambert. Surely this would be one shit result too far. Burnley will attack us and they know we are soft through the middle. If they strike early I really fear that we don't have the ammo to get 1 let alone 2 goals. I cannot believe that after such promise of entertainment and goals that we have arguably the most boring side in the league to watch and 6 goals to our credit. Horrible.

I agree with every word you say except one. 'Arguably'

[andrew08]

Had the always interesting experience of being in the ticket office just now. 31 tix left for Saturday.

[Clampy]

Had the always interesting experience of being in the ticket office just now. 31 tix left for Saturday.

To sell 31 short of 4,000 the way we're playing is tremendous.

[Ron Manager]

I think we'll lose. I hope we don't, but if we do I really pray it signals the end of Lambert. Surely this would be one shit result too far. Burnley will attack us and they know we are soft through the middle. If they strike early I really fear that we don't have the ammo to get 1 let alone 2 goals. I cannot believe that after such promise of entertainment and goals that we have arguably the most boring side in the league to watch and 6 goals to our credit. Horrible.

Sorry TV, but Lambert (under Lerner) is unsackable.

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Had the always interesting experience of being in the ticket office just now. 31 tix left for Saturday.

To sell 31 short of 4,000 the way we're playing is tremendous.

Its actually over 4000, as the allocation is about 4100 odd. Its madness to think that this will be the biggest following we have taken away from home since we were 3rd in the league in March under O'Neill.

Given the state of how badly we have been playing not just this season, but for what is now getting for the 5th season in a row, the way the away support has held up is great.

[silhillvilla]

I've a feeling this is going to be a great day out and a solid villa win.
COYVB.

[Toronto Villa]

I think we'll lose. I hope we don't, but if we do I really pray it signals the end of Lambert. Surely this would be one shit result too far. Burnley will attack us and they know we are soft through the middle. If they strike early I really fear that we don't have the ammo to get 1 let alone 2 goals. I cannot believe that after such promise of entertainment and goals that we have arguably the most boring side in the league to watch and 6 goals to our credit. Horrible.

Sorry TV, but Lambert (under Lerner) is unsackable.

There's no such thing. Everyone is sackable. He might not want to do it but there would come a point where the camel is lying on the ground, his back broken, smashed to pieces.