Aston Villa Vs. Bitter Birds part deux 7th March Pre-match thread

[Dave]

Fletcher is cup-tied for them, which is good.

He was barely noticeable last night, but apparently he's been their best player since he signed.

[silhillvilla]

Rest players for a QF when we don't play for a week. Jeeze.

That's a fair point actually.
Winning needs to become a habit again.

[nigel]

I can't see why the clamour to drop CN'Z.
I've been his biggest critic since he arrived, but, his cameo as a sub at Newcastle and his hour on Tuesday warrant his inclusion in the starting 11 this Saturday.
Give him an hour on Saturday then replace with either Gil or Grealish.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Fletcher is cup-tied for them, which is good.

He was barely noticeable last night, but apparently he's been their best player since he signed.

He did a lot of good stuff pretty quietly.
His confidence on the ball and the ease with which he knocked it about stood out for me.
I think they will miss him on Saturday.

[AV82EC]

Fletcher is cup-tied for them, which is good.

He was barely noticeable last night, but apparently he's been their best player since he signed.

He did a lot of good stuff pretty quietly.
His confidence on the ball and the ease with which he knocked it about stood out for me.
I think they will miss him on Saturday.

Tidy on the ball but typical ex-United in the refs face the whole game moaning about everything.

[silhillvilla]

Hopefully Foster will be a fumbling wreck again .

[passport1]

Can't see there being many changes apart from Hutton. We have struggled to find a winning team for long enough this season so I dont think he wil want to tinker with it now.

[nigel]

Given's the 'Cup Keeper'
Hutton's suspended.

Those would be my only two changes

[Toronto Villa]

If Foster plays the early gameplan should be to attack him long range and get crosses in so Benteke gets stuck into him.

[CJ]

Think we'll miss Hutton - he's been a driving force down the right all season and he's defended well too. I've gone for a draw.

Hopefully, unlike last night, we might actually get a corner (or two). Speaking of which, why is it that all Pulis' sides touch the ball with their hand just before they take a corner? Doesn't seem to change the nature of the corner (they're all exactly the same, and, to be fair, often effective), so is it just to wind the opposition up like it winds me up?

[Gregorys Boy]

Hope this doesn't turn into the calm after the storm.

Last night was a big boast.  But this is a totally different game and is going to be very tricky.  Think Bacuna has to play just because he gives us a bit more of a purpose and some added pace.  And think we should at least start Grealish even if he doesn't play the whole 90 minutes.

Have a bad feeling this might end a draw which would make it hard for us to get through.  1-1. Gabby again for us.

[Toronto Villa]

It might off course and we don't know until we play a few games in a row after a win. Lambert could never put together anything after a win. Rarely did we win consecutive games of any significance under him. Sherwood wants to properly push on and not look back, so he'll a sustained period of good results from now to the end of the season. We'll see what he's made of.

[Gregorys Boy]

It might off course and we don't know until we play a few games in a row after a win. Lambert could never put together anything after a win. Rarely did we win consecutive games of any significance under him. Sherwood wants to properly push on and not look back, so he'll a sustained period of good results from now to the end of the season. We'll see what he's made of.

It wouldn't suprise me if that happened, but Cup matches are a different matter.  West Brom will be fired up to even the score on Saturday of that I have no doubt.  Until we make the semis I am refusing to get too excited about our cup prospects.

[glasses]

Playing Given is suicidal in my eyes. As we all concluded their lot are the new Pulis anti football mob right now. Lots of set pieces, big physical players. Given was great vs Leicester, but I'd play Guzan for this.

[DeKuip]

We can't expect to win just by offering the same again and have to have a surprise up our sleeve. I'd love to see Gil come in at the head of the diamond, he could frighten the life out of them when they'll have been preparing all week on stopping Gabby and Benteke.
One thing's for sure the opposition will be better this time, they look to grind out points in the league but have played with a bit more freedom in the cup. I wouldn't be surprised to see McManaman in to exploit our full-back problems.
It's probably the most evenly-balanced derby we've had in many a year with an equal chance on all three outcomes I reckon.