Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace Pre-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

I doubt he will risk Clark so soon after leaving the Sunderland game with a back problem.

[Damo70]

I want this to be the game that Grealish starts in, plays exceptionally, then gets called up to the next England squad, suddenly becomes the next saviour of English football, before we're having to rebuff 20 million bids in the summer.
But I want this to be the starting point, because we need some magic from somewhere and we really need to win a game like this. Every point counts when you're trying to scrape to 40 points.

That last sentence says everything to me. Yet again we are just desperate to clock up the magical 40 points. Groundhog day.

[Matt Collins]

I think Cole is fit, richardson no longer suspended (nor gabby) and maybe even westwood back.

I was thinking a four man midfield of bacuna sanchez cleverley grealish with gabby playing the awkward role off BENTEKE that he's not really suited to

But I think we might see joe Cole which presumably means him playing behind Benteke and gabby and AN other wider. We definitely need some attacking thrust in this one and Weimann and nzogbia need dropping

[SoccerHQ]

It will be Okore at the back as Clark went off injured.

Think it will be Cleverley, Sanchez and Bacuna with hopefully Grealish alongside Gabby and Benteke in the front trio.

[Tom_Mc9?]

I'm struggling to gather enough interest to make a prediction. Hmmm...new manager for them. 0-1 defeat. 80th minute goal. Empty seats aplenty. Humbug.

[Des Little]

Grealish has to start. We'll win this one by scoring more than they do. They'll score none and we'll score once.

It's an easy game, this.

[Goldie.7]

------------- Guzan ---------------
Hutton--Okore---Vlaar----Cissoko
--------Sanchez---Richardson-----
Bacuna -------Cole-------Grealish
                -Benteke -

1-1

[brontebilly]

------------- Guzan ---------------
Hutton--Okore---Vlaar----Cissoko
--------Sanchez---Richardson-----
Bacuna -------Cole-------Grealish
                -Benteke -

1-1

I like that selection but would prefer a diamond formation in midfield. Not sure Cole would be up for starting so Cleverley is the only other alternative in midfield

No more playing Gabby off Benteke, hasnt worked and won't work.

[pauliewalnuts]

I hope he starts Grealish.

I full expect to see a slightly tubby looking, unbothered N'Zogbia constantly running into defenders and seeing the ball go off in the opposite direction.

[PeterWithesShin]

In fairness to Zog, in the first half against Sunderland he seemed to be pretty much the only Villa player interested in attacking. I definitely wouldn't be starting him against Palace mind.

[pauliewalnuts]

In fairness to Zog, in the first half against Sunderland he seemed to be pretty much the only Villa player interested in attacking. I definitely wouldn't be starting him against Palace mind.

Interested in, yes. Able to carry it out, no.

I hope Lambert grows a pair and tries Grealish from the start. In ten minutes the other day he caused the opposition more trouble than the rest of the team had the whole match.

[Toronto Villa]

In fairness to Zog, in the first half against Sunderland he seemed to be pretty much the only Villa player interested in attacking. I definitely wouldn't be starting him against Palace mind.

I think the instruction was to get the ball out to him as often as possible so he could attack the full back. Which he completely and utterly failed at but for a couple of very average shots and crosses. Most of the time he gave it away in one form or another mainly down to his own ineptitude.

[Tuscans]

Tricky one this.

They dominated recently and should of won with all the balls they put in the box but didn't have goal scorer. Now factoring in the Pardew effect, assuming he joins in time, I think we might be lucky to get anything.

I'm going for 1-2 Palace.

[PeterWithesShin]

No Jedinak for them is a bonus for us as I think he's a decent player.

[Damo70]

No Jedinak for them is a bonus for us as I think he's a decent player.

He is a big player for them.