AFC Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic versus L'Aston Villa Pre Match Thread.

[dave.woodhall]

Has there been any other season, where we've been 3rd in the league, alphabetically?

No. We've been in the top flight at the same time as both Accrington and Arsenal but never at the same time as the former had disappeared before the latter cheated their way into the First Division.

The only other A-team we've played in league football is Saturday's opposition in the 1971-72 Third Division.

And they're no more an A team than Milan are.

[silhillvilla]

Have we ever played aldershot ?

[cdbearsfan]

The FA classes them as an A-team. That's why we've been ball number three in the Third Round of the FA Cup since they got promoted from the third tier.

[cdbearsfan]

Have we ever played aldershot ?

No.

We've never played Doncaster or Bradford either.

[Gregorys Boy]

Pretty much everyone expects them to win. I do too. But hopefully that will play in our favour.

Any fitness updates on the likes of gestede, gabby?

who's everyone? Because I very doubt that and certainly not everyone on here.

Betting markets are probably the best indication of popular consensus. Bournemouth evens, us 3-1. Most pundits too.

I think we could do with the season starting in a week or two.

If Tim can get the sort of reaction he did for much of last season we'll be fine but I think we'll need to do some adjusting. Bacuna in midfield and Kozak up front won't fill me with too much confidence

Bloody hell Matt, are we playing Chelsea away or something? I know last didn't quite go as planned but it's not like the squad is even the same. Have some faith, grow a pair and stop being so bloody miserable. It's a new season, be happy. There's plenty of time this season to get depressed surely not before it's all got going.

I'm not miserable. I'm looking forward to this season more than I have in ages. I think we'll be fine and fun to watch. I think we'll finish above West Ham and possibly palace and Everton

I just think we're going to lose on Saturday

Finishing above West ham is a real possibility, Everton I think is unlikely.  Even at their worse they should still easily be a top 8-7 club. 

Saturday is a tough one just because its always dangerous playing a newly promoted side at their ground on the opening weekend.  But I don't think the result will reflect either teams season it will just give either one a slight boast if they won.

[Matt Collins]

I think this is the season Martinez finally manages to successfully introduce his famous Wigan defending at Everton, in full.

[Dave]

Finishing above West ham is a real possibility, Everton I think is unlikely.  Even at their worse they should still easily be a top 8-7 club. 

How did they finish 11th then last season? That was worse than their worst presumably?

[VicMackey]

Away win.  Vive la Villa revolution!  (or should that be revillation....)

[villasjf]

Ted McDougall and Phil Boyer are not fit so its a win for the Villa. Andy Lochead with a header.

[Summers]

I had a dream last night that we won and Gestede scored from a header (cross from the left, for what it's worth).

[Gregorys Boy]

Finishing above West ham is a real possibility, Everton I think is unlikely.  Even at their worse they should still easily be a top 8-7 club. 

How did they finish 11th then last season? That was worse than their worst presumably?

To be honest I didn't know Everton finished 11th I knew they had a below par season, but I think they will probably bounced back this time. 

[ADVILLAFAN]

I had a dream last night that we won and Gestede scored from a header (cross from the left, for what it's worth).

So an Amavi cross to Gestede you're saying *places sneaky bet*.

[Deano's Mullet]

Lawro surprise surprise has us down to lose 2-1

[Matt Collins]

Any sense of injury / fitness updates yet? I think we did a press conference earlier . Can't see owt

[SirSteveUK]

Has there been any other season, where we've been 3rd in the league, alphabetically?

No. We've been in the top flight at the same time as both Accrington and Arsenal but never at the same time as the former had disappeared before the latter cheated their way into the First Division.

The only other A-team we've played in league football is Saturday's opposition in the 1971-72 Third Division.

Really ? Oh I see - you mean disappeared from the 1st Div