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

[steffo]

For me, it's been the first time in over 3 years that we believe we can can win, rather than hoping. It will be close but the crowd and attacking football will seal 3 points.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

John Percy certainly does seem to have his ear.

Exactly. Bullshit reporting.

[pav]

Looking forward to it myself ,which best boozer for pre match ? Got both my sons with me ...16 & 9 year old

For an hour before the game go to VP.
The kids can enjoy the VP experience a bit more, you can have a beer for about £4 and the kids can have snacks/drinks etc. Expensive I know, but at least you are already there and you and the kids can take in the Villa experience - the approach by Aston Park itself is pretty unique. Part of being a Villa fan. Depending on which stand you're in the pre-match experience differs. I love the views over the pitch from being in The Holte concourse area. From the Trinity you see nothing until you are in the "auditorium" itself.
Have a great day pav!
Bring good fortune with you!
UTV!

cheers pal UTV

[Toronto Villa]

It's a crap article because I don't think he's dropped anyone. Now, he might take a horses for courses approach to some games. That's what a squad is for, but I doubt anyone has been "axed". And I certainly don't think he'd be showing his cards before he needs to tomorrow.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

He's already made it very clear that no player is "axed".
He will pick the team he thinks will win the game...anyone will set up differently playing v Chelsea/Hull...or the Boggies...in the cup or in the league....

No idea except he's POSITIVE.
Relief to know he thinks about things.
UTV!

[Dave]

Villa are in the bottom three but Sherwood is determined to build on his brief spell at Tottenham, in which he secured the best win ratio of any manager in the club’s Premier League era.

Is this just one of those invented statistics which is going to be repeated forever?

How is Sherwood's 50% ratio with Spurs (which is perfectly commendable, and not something to be criticised) better than Villas-Boas' 55% and Mauricio Pochettino's (current) 57.5%?

[Gregorys Boy]

Another thing to consider is that this fixture last season was a bit of a turning point for us.   We came into it after two very good wins against Norwich and Chelsea (did we really play three home games in a row? ) and so hopes were high.  We even took an early lead, but then Stoke killed us and we never recovered for the rest of the season which led us to almost go down.  And again this time because it is Sherwood's first game and because it has been so long since we got a even a point in the league then the result may prove crucial.

Can we stopped buying into all this press speak and going on about Sherwood.  Most people agree that he is a gamble, but most also agree that he could have a lot to offer.  Lets just see where the penny drops.  You can't compare his five months at Spurs to either AVB or MP's reigns so far as he had nothing to lose, and already knew the club, etc... We've been through this people

[pauliewalnuts]

John Percy certainly does seem to have his ear.

Exactly. Bullshit reporting.

Aren't you saying different things?

Woodhall seems to be suggesting there's a connection between Sherwood and John Percy. You're suggesting the opposite.

[villan from luton]

John Percy certainly does seem to have his ear.

Exactly. Bullshit reporting.

Aren't you saying different things?

Woodhall seems to be suggesting there's a connection between Sherwood and John Percy. You're suggesting the opposite.

I am confused now :-) . Actually thought Cleverley played well last weekend but 4-4-2 and a Sanchez (not Arsenal displays) and Delph would be good for me

[adrenachrome]

The Daily Heil is running with story also. Timah - "You will obey my authoritah!

Heil

Tim Sherwood to wield the axe on Ashley Westwood as the new Aston Villa boss begins to stamp his authority on the club

Tim Sherwood plans to drop Ashley Westwood for the clash against Stoke
The new Aston Villa boss takes charge for his first game on Saturday
Tom Cleverley's place is also in doubt but Carlos Sanchez could return

By SAMI MOKBEL FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Tim Sherwood was last night planning to make a significant move away from the Paul Lambert era by axing Ashley Westwood for Saturday's clash against Stoke.

The new Aston Villa manager takes charge of his first game at the club after sitting in the stands for the FA Cup win over Leicester last Sunday.

And, as of Friday night, one of his first big decisions was to drop Westwood, who was a key player for Lambert, from the starting XI.

Sportsmail understands Carlos Sanchez is in line to replace the 24-year-old in midfield.

Westwood was an integral part of Lambert's plans, the Scot even tipping the 24-year-old for an England call-up.

Tom Cleverley is also sweating on his place in Sherwood's team for the visit of Mark Hughes's side.

The midfielder was dropped for Villa's last league game against Hull and Sherwood looks likely to keep Cleverley on the bench this afternoon.

[Gregorys Boy]

John Percy certainly does seem to have his ear.

In the second half he was better (as were most of the team), but I don't know if we should get excited by one half decent display.  I would expect Sherwood if he has anything about him to say to the likes of Westwood, Cleverly etc, that now is your time to shine.  If you don't do it now then others will be taking your place.

Hope that report is true about Sanchez coming in for Westwood.  Actually don't mind Westwood, but he is going through a bad patch right now and Sanchez has been one of the better players this season.

Exactly. Bullshit reporting.

Aren't you saying different things?

Woodhall seems to be suggesting there's a connection between Sherwood and John Percy. You're suggesting the opposite.

I am confused now :-) . Actually thought Cleverley played well last weekend but 4-4-2 and a Sanchez (not Arsenal displays) and Delph would be good for me

[GarTomas]

Manager rotates squad.... Hardly being axed... (If true)

[pauliewalnuts]

I thought Cleverley was OK last week, too.

However, that's pretty much the only time I've ever thought that.

[villan from luton]

I thought Cleverley was OK last week, too.

However, that's pretty much the only time I've ever thought that.

Second half I thought he was positive and first time I have really thought that in a Villa shirt, so thought the new manager may have said something. If so, it would be a surprise if he was dropped.

[adrenachrome]

It is evident that Timah is going to a more direct style, so dropping Westwood and Cleverly who have been the chief fanny danglers under Lambo Phase 3,  has the ring of truth about it. John Percy says the reason is that Timah thinks they they are too short, though.

The long and the short of it is that The Tika Taka Tendency won't be best pleased by these developments.