Timsherwoodsastonvilla v Stoke City Sat 21st Feb - Pre Match Thread

[dekko]

SSN are saying that Muniesa and Shawcross are injured and Geoff Cameron is suspended. Useful having 3 centre-backs out.

Maybe Sherwood is a lucky manager, if nothing else.

Any word on Gil? It's vital that he stays fit in my opinion.

He's training at least, judging from the photos that went up on the OS earlier in the week

[peter w]

I haven't looked forward to a home game so much since we beat Chelsea at home 1-0 last season and then played...

[David_Nab]

Gil and Gabby both in training and fit for the game

[berneboy]

from OS:

Agbonlahor and Gil both missed the FA Cup win over Leicester with tight hamstring and tight groin issues respectively.

But both players are available again as Mark Hughes's team come to B6.

Nathan Baker and Philippe Senderos are the only doubts.

Boss Tim Sherwood said: "Carles and Gabby are fit. "Gabby was on fire today. Everyone is flying and can't wait to get started. "They just all want to play and it's great to see. "Nathan is not fit. Philippe didn't train today either. Everyone else is raring to go."

There was positive news on long-term injury casualty Libor Kozak. Kozak has been out for over a year with a broken leg but now the striker is back in training with the U21 group. Sherwood suggested the forward could return to the fray before the end of the campaign. He added: "Libor is back in training. "It's non-contact and it's with the U21 squad. They are tailoring the sessions for him, which is good. "We are bedding him in nice and slowly. He has that get the confidence up because it was a nasty break and didn't heal as quickly as everyone wanted. "We are looking forward to seeing him, perhaps before the end of the season which would be good."

[ADVILLAFAN]

F*ck it, if Gil's playing I'm going for a home win.

[passport1]

Westwood interviewed on the official site said the training has been "electric". I cant cope with all the positivity at the moment.

[aj2k77]

Guzan
Vlaar
Clark
Hutton
Cissokho
Delph
Cleverley
Sanchez
Gil
Sinclair
Benteke

That's the team I'd go for. Vlaar is better than any of our defence at bringing the ball out of defence, Clark has been in form and also I forward to seeing another tackle where he rearranges the oppositions anatomy. Sanchez and Cleverley to do the midfield donkey work. Cleverley came out the 2nd half a different player he deserves a shot. Delph pushing right on and Gil and Sinclair to get wide and also play off of Benteke. Westwood gives away too many free kicks in dangerous positions and against these fuckers I'd rather not that.

[Rotterdam Vetran]

If nobhead Lerner had done this beginning of January we would be safe now.I have full confidence in TS.His whole demeanour is a breath of fresh air.He knows the premiership inside out.Cant wait for Saturday actually looking forward to going to a game for a change.COME ON YOU LIONS

[Toronto Villa]

If nobhead Lerner had done this beginning of January we would be safe now.I have full confidence in TS.His whole demeanour is a breath of fresh air.He knows the premiership inside out.Cant wait for Saturday actually looking forward to going to a game for a change.COME ON YOU LIONS

charming

[Rotterdam Vetran]

Guzan
Vlaar
Clark
Hutton
Cissokho
Delph
Cleverley
Sanchez
Gil
Sinclair
Benteke

That's the team I'd go for. Vlaar is better than any of our defence at bringing the ball out of defence, Clark has been in form and also I forward to seeing another tackle where he rearranges the oppositions anatomy. Sanchez and Cleverley to do the midfield donkey work. Cleverley came out the 2nd half a different player he deserves a shot. Delph pushing right on and Gil and Sinclair to get wide and also play off of Benteke. Westwood gives away too many free kicks in dangerous positions and against these fuckers I'd rather not that.

[Rotterdam Vetran]

Can't start with Guzan,Given is a far better keeper and after Sunday deserves another start.Lamberk fucked him off after one mistake.He is still a top class keeper

[ADVILLAFAN]

I prefer Guzan, although he had a poor game against Arsenal.

Given is really poor from crosses, feel like the opposition will score with every corner.

[Toronto Villa]

Can't start with Guzan,Given is a far better keeper and after Sunday deserves another start.Lamberk fucked him off after one mistake.He is still a top class keeper

Stoke are a big team. The last thing I want is to have a small keeper as they pile bodies forward into the box. And what exactly has Guzan done to be dropped? This is the same topic that came up a month or so back and then he saved our arse the very next game and everyone who doubted him realised they were being a little hasty in doing so. If you are calling on Given, then you have clearly forgotten why he was replaced in the first place, and it wasn't one game or one mistake.

[Brend'Watkins]

I haven't looked forward to a home game so much since we beat Chelsea at home 1-0 last season and then played...

Me too.  It's like our season starts Saturday which it effectively does.

[Rotterdam Vetran]

Hear what you say I have never had much confidence in Guzan.He had a poor game against Arsenal(As did the rest of the team) He would just not be my choice