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

[RussellC]

The players did get through a lot of work last night, so I wouldn't be surprised to see one or two rested. Potentially Gabby and one of Delph / Clev with Sanchez and either Sinclair/Weimann/Gil coming in.

Otherwise I think it'll be Given for Guzan (with WBA doing likewise with Boaz Myhill), Vlaar for Okore (Vlaar still has a big part to play in the run-in) and I think he'll opt for Bacuna at right-back. Unless McMananaman is available for them they have very little width in the side, so I think he'll be looking for both full-backs to attack.

I don't think we can afford to rest Delph. Gabby has to play in derbies. It's the law.

Genuinely, we can't rest him and Clark, but especially Gabby. I've always though it's vitally important to have players on the pitch who understand what the derby means to the fans, and we've seen for years now how motivated Gabby gets for them.

Has there ever been a player to go from 'unpickable' to 'undroppable' as frequently and as as quickly as Gabby?!

In all seriousness, he looked dead on his feet by the end of the game last night. With Sunderland coming up I'd be tempted to bench him and leave him as an impact sub should we need him for the last 20 minutes on Saturday.

[villan from luton]

Why rest any of the players with the exception of N'Zogbia who is getting back to fitness and Given who plays in cup games? We dont have another game for 7 days so dont see a problem. Want to rub thir noses in it and send them back after a proper drubbing.

[darren woolley]

I think we will nick this 1-0.

[rob_bridge]

No way would I drop Guzan for Given against this bunch of Pullis Neanderthals where the ball comes down with snow on it.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I don't think we can afford to rest Delph.

I do. Forget resting him, I think Delph has been very lucky to keep his place in the team. I've no idea why he's playing so deep, there were times last night I thought he's switched to playing centre half, he was that deep. If he must play, let's see him further up the pitch where he's great at running at teams. He's a completely different player to the one that normally passes the ball square on the half way line whenever he gets the ball. It's a complete waste of his talent.

[spk]

Cant wait...7 of my nearest and dearest in L6.  Lets make it shake

Amen to that

[rob_bridge]

1-1 I reckon for this.

Pullis will be having them practicing head tennis ad nauseum until Friday. Except for the 2 who are practicing booting the ball 70 yards at a time

[eamonn]

Legion posted a pic of the rampant lion attacking the bitter bird from the clubs' crests but I can't find it. Can someone re-post it please?

[Legion]

[silhillvilla]

-------------Given -----------
Bacuna Okore vlaar Stevens
 
---- Sanchez.     Westwood --

---------- cleverly ------------

Weimann   Benteke.  Gabby

[PeterWithesShin]

So you'd drop Lowton for someone who plays for Doncaster? And drop Delph? And Clark?

[The Left Side]

1-1 then we'll do them in Smethwick

[pauliewalnuts]

re whether or not we rotate the team for the cup match, I don't think it's an easy decision to make.

If we get knocked out, it isn't the end of the world, which is one reason he'll be tempted (as all managers are in the circumstances) to change the team, but then again, you have to wonder, confidence is much higher already after last night, even apart from the fact it means a Wembley trip, how much of a confidence booster it'd be to win again on Saturday.

[PeterWithesShin]

We don't play again for a week after the cup match. Unless someone has a bad knock I don't see why we should 'rest' anyone. And I wouldn't play Given, this is a Pulis side, set pieces and crosses is what they rely on.

[Ron Manager]

I would start with       Given
                            Lowton  N'zogbia
                              Clark Okore
                      Cleverley Delph Sanchez
                                   Gil
                     Agbonlahor Benteke

   for the first half at least.