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

[Ron Manager]

I think we are all eager to see Sherwood's first team selection. I hope he will play Carlos Sanchez and Carles Gil. Its possible he might have a shock in store. Delph could find he is on the bench and unfortunately (for us) Agbonlahor could find he is on the pitch!

I dont want to see Given in goal at all. Guzan has lost a bit of his previous excellent form but commands his area in a much more confident manner.

I think he will stick with Vlaar and Clark and will use Gil, Sanchez and Westwood in the middle, with Sinclair  floating around, and Benteke and Agbonlahor up front

or something entirely different!

[silhillvilla]

Gil on one side Sinclair the other with Delph and a n other in the middle

[Malandro]

Gil on one side Sinclair the other with Delph and a n other in the middle

What? a balanced midfield? What a crazy idea

[Richard E]

My confidence that everything points to us winning this game is, perversely, making me very nervous about us not doing so...

[VillaAlways]

My confidence that everything points to us winning this game is, perversely, making me very nervous about us not doing so...

Also, Lawro has predicted us to win 2-0

[bob]

We will crush them

[TopDeck113]

We now have to start winning and this is the sort of match we must win between now and the end of the season.  I reckon a barnstorming first half when we'll score early and get a second, followed be a nervy second when we revert to type.  We might hold on for a 2-1 win

[ADVILLAFAN]

February and March are critical, as we have murderous games (apart from QPR at home) in April.

[Richard E]

My confidence that everything points to us winning this game is, perversely, making me very nervous about us not doing so...

Also, Lawro has predicted us to win 2-0

Did you see that Carl Fogarty (from Blackburn) has got Chelsea down to beat Burnley 17-0?

[ROBBO]

We now have to start winning and this is the sort of match we must win between now and the end of the season.  I reckon a barnstorming first half when we'll score early and get a second, followed be a nervy second when we revert to type.  We might hold on for a 2-1 win

Somehow i don't think this manager will allow them to revert.

[AVH87]

--------Guzan--------

Hutton Vlaar Clark Cissokho

----Westwood Delph----

--Sinclair Cleverley Gil--

-------Benteke-------

[Villa in Denmark]

My confidence that everything points to us winning this game is, perversely, making me very nervous about us not doing so...

Also, Lawro has predicted us to win 2-0

Did you see that Carl Fogarty (from Blackburn) has got Chelsea down to beat Burnley 17-0?

Ha, and what do you think the bloosers say every time we play?

[Richard E]

My confidence that everything points to us winning this game is, perversely, making me very nervous about us not doing so...

Also, Lawro has predicted us to win 2-0

Did you see that Carl Fogarty (from Blackburn) has got Chelsea down to beat Burnley 17-0?

Ha, and what do you think the bloosers say every time we play?

Probably something along the lines of "Wibble wibble ug ug where is my carer SOTV KRO wibble wibble ug ug."

[Gregorys Boy]

--------Guzan--------

Hutton Vlaar Clark Cissokho

----Westwood Delph----

--Sinclair Cleverley Gil--

-------Benteke-------

Not enough defensive cover in that lineup.  Stoke are decent on the counter nowadays and Sanchez is one of the better passers of the ball in our side (wouldn't be hard to be fair) so he has to play for me.  How about having him and Delph as a central pairing, but Sanchez playing just behind Delph?  That way the better tackiler is in front of the back four, and our best midfield creater (again not saying much) is further forward?

Am all for Sinclair and Gil as the wingers.   Both have made promising starts to that Villa Park careers and at least are natural wingers.  If I see CNO in a Villa shirt again I will vomit...

[Villafirst]

We now have to start winning and this is the sort of match we must win between now and the end of the season.  I reckon a barnstorming first half when we'll score early and get a second, followed be a nervy second when we revert to type.  We might hold on for a 2-1 win

No, reverting to type is sitting deeper and deeper as Lambert's formation - especially when protecting a one goal lead. That used to drive me nuts!.......I think you'll find that Sherwood will encourage his players to pour forward all game.