Sunderland v 'The Mighty' Aston Villa Match Pre-Match Thread

[Matt C]

After a fine week this is the barometer of where we are on the recovery scale, especially as has typically been the sort of game, against a struggling side, that we gift them a route to recovery.

[CT Villan]

I haven't missed a Villa game (on tv) in a long time (thanks NBC !), but the last few years have also harbored a feeling of trepidation going into the match. Since TS has arrived the level of excitement has increased to the point where after last week I am actually looking forward to watching tomorrow - somewhat akin to a child on Christmas Eve   Let's hope the presents aren't all crap !!

[jeowje]

I haven't missed a Villa game (on tv) in a long time (thanks NBC !), but the last few years have also harbored a feeling of trepidation going into the match. Since TS has arrived the level of excitement has increased to the point where after last week I am actually looking forward to watching tomorrow - somewhat akin to a child on Christmas Eve   Let's hope the presents aren't all crap !!

Ha, about sums it up for me. Would be ecstatic with the win!

[Deano's Mullet]

No matter how shit we are we often do well here. Can't see us losing but this side is capable of anything, let's hope Mr Sherwood and Co are up for the battle.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Massive game for us, let's just hope we turn up for more than 45 minutes. I get the feeling an early Villa goal will kill them off and the crowd turn on them. We need to be completely focused and if we can show the levels of confidence and drive as we did in the second half against the Baggies Tuesday night, we should have too much for them.

Hopefully Delph can now start to live up to his potential and lead our midfield. It would be ideal to have Benteke back too but even if we don't, providing we attack in numbers, there's goals throughout the team.

1-3 Villa

[peter w]

1-1 draw will suit both

Well, no, to be honest it doesn't. If we don't get 3 gettable points here it just puts more pressure on getting wins at home against Swansea and especially QPR and Burnley. To have a little breathing space we need 3 points tomorrow. Problem is I thought we'd beat Stoke and going into the FA Cup game firing from the off. i want to be confident but the past 3 or so seasons have warned me off that. And I'll be so crushingly disappointed if we lose tomorrow.

[Boz]

Massive game for us, let's just hope we turn up for more than 45 minutes. I get the feeling an early Villa goal will kill them off and the crowd turn on them. We need to be completely focused and if we can show the levels of confidence and drive as we did in the second half against the Baggies Tuesday night, we should have too much for them.

Hopefully Delph can now start to live up to his potential and lead our midfield. It would be ideal to have Benteke back too but even if we don't, providing we attack in numbers, there's goals throughout the team.

1-3 Villa

Who would have said this 5 games ago 

[PeterWithesShin]

Them 0 Us 3

[Des Little]

Them 0 Us 3

I'll have a pint of what you're drinking, brother

[CT]

Huge game for us. Hope we can score first and get the crowd on their backs.

Massive willpower test for me, sat with the home fans!!

[Ian.]

I have no idea at all but at least it's not the thought that we will turn up and conjure up a half decent effort which might go wide.

[villan from luton]

I think Sherwood will have them all ready to go at Sunderland and exploit their nervousness at home. Really think we can win this game and am going for 3-1, Gabby, Sinclair and Cleverley to break his duck

[TimTheVillain]

2 - 0 Villa

Confidence is high. We aren't playing Barcelona !

[robbo1874]

2 - 0 Villa

Confidence is high. We aren't playing Barcelona !

3 times in 10 days would be a bit much.

[Marton]

This is the key-game to staying up. Its really the only winnable away-game and we need one of those and 3 at home for 12 points to avoid the drop.