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

[paulcomben]

Every media pundit predicts that the club with 100+ years in the top division will lose to the PL virgins. Embarrassing. Just prove them wrong and give us back a shred of pride, Villa.

[paulcomben]

The Mail must be right about the team, logically. But, if Lambo was back, it would be Brad-Hutton, Richards, Clark, Bennett (Amavi secretly injured) - Sanchez (Westwood unexpectedly had baby), Gueye-Nzogbia, Robinson, Sinclair-Gestede. So FFS just be grateful.

[Ron Manager]

The more I read about Jordan Ayew makes me think it will not be quiet with him around. I now understand that he holds the record for the fastest sending off in French football. That fact concerns me. I just hope Tim Sherwood knows what he is doing with this addition to our ranks.

If Adebayor rolls up (as I suspect he will) we will then have two 'mavericks' on our hands. Not sure this is a good idea at all for club morale.

[FatSam]

Come on you Lions!

[MorrisNielson]

I always look for lucky omens.
Its Spinky’s birthday tomorrow, obviously a good sign.
Also, see the pattern:
      August   8 2009   h   Fiorentina   W 1-0 (pre-season games, even Heskey scored)
      August   8 1995   a   Portsmouth W 2-0 (pre-season)
      August   8 1989   a   Bromsgrove Rovers   W 4-0 (pre-season)
      August   8 1987   h   Coventry City W 3-2 (pre-season)
They turned out to be good seasons. Conclusion: Should be a good season if we win!

[LeeB]

I think we need to adopt a two part strategy towards tomorrow's opponents, which would consist of:

A) fucking them up, and

B) getting into them

[aj2k77]

I'm getting a case of the nerves now, after the transfer frenzy of a week I was quietly confident but now looking at the line up in the mail it looks crap to me and full of ifs and buts and very lightweight. I'd take a draw tomorrow.

[Meanwood Villa]

This lot are shite. 3 points for the Villa.

[Toronto Villa]

As utterly shit as we were at the time we played them last season we managed to win. And I believe they were top of the league at the time and very confident. They'll be nervous tomorrow and I still think Villa win.

[UK Redsox]

only seen one bloke in a Villa shirt so far and he was too pissed for me to talk to

[Matt Collins]

As utterly shit as we were at the time we played them last season we managed to win. And I believe they were top of the league at the time and very confident. They'll be nervous tomorrow and I still think Villa win.

That was their second string though

If we had a fitter squad who'd played a few games together I'd be confident. I'm optimistic for the season

But would be happy with a draw definitely

[Matt Collins]

I really hope that Birmingham Mail team is wide of the mark.

I don't think he's got too much choice. Who else comes in given injuries and lack of Match sharpness?

[SoccerHQ]

Don't like this sudden dependence on 4-4-2, just hope it's temporary until all the new signings are fully fit.

4-3-2-1 worked well enough for the run in last season so I was hoping we'd stick to that as we've rarely looked convincing over the years playing just two central midfielders.

[Matt Collins]

I'd definitely want three in midfield. Think that's our best chance for the season and tomorrow. Westy, gueye and veretout would seem to have a good balance

In the preseason games it has at least been noticeable that the wide midfielder is tucking in quite a bit. But I do think it's a mistake to take Bournemouth on 442. They're much more used to it.

[atomicjam]

Them 1-2 Villa