Aston Villa vs Sunderland Pre-Match Thread

[curiousorange]

It must be truly horrible watching Sunderland. Like watching us the last five years, except for much, much longer than that, and with the added "bonus" of actually managing to climb into bed with relegation, rather than just occasionally pinching its arse like we've done.

Their fans seem to love that "LOOK AT ME! I'M SO ANGRY I AM LEAVING AT HALF TIME!" thing, though.

I used to go to a few of their games with my Mackem best mate at university, when they were in the third division. There's a sort of depressing fug of misery about that club that has been there for decades, which is a shame, as there's really nothing not to like about them.

Actually, thinking about it, there is. The fact they named their new stadium after another, famous stadium elsewhere, and that they adopted that shitty "black cats" nickname, which is meaningless.

Two uncharacteristic outbreaks of nu-football from a normally traditional club, there.

EDIT downscale that to one, the black cats thing has a historical connection, albeit a bit tenuous.

Wasn't there a vote where the fans had to decide what their nickname was going to be?

[ldavfc4eva]

I'd go a win for us against these, 3-1. Rudy, Gil & Sinclair. Defoe to get one for them.

Guzan

Amavi
Clark
Richards
Hutton

Gana
sanchez
Westwood

Sinclair
Gil

Gestede

[oldhill_avfc]

I'd go a win for us against these, 3-1. Rudy, Gil & Sinclair. Defoe to get one for them.

Guzan

Amavi
Clark
Richards
Hutton

Gana
sanchez
Westwood

Sinclair
Gil

Gestede

Seriously?  Why would you play three defensive midfielders and prefer Gill to the best attacking player in the club?

[pauliewalnuts]

It must be truly horrible watching Sunderland. Like watching us the last five years, except for much, much longer than that, and with the added "bonus" of actually managing to climb into bed with relegation, rather than just occasionally pinching its arse like we've done.

Their fans seem to love that "LOOK AT ME! I'M SO ANGRY I AM LEAVING AT HALF TIME!" thing, though.

I used to go to a few of their games with my Mackem best mate at university, when they were in the third division. There's a sort of depressing fug of misery about that club that has been there for decades, which is a shame, as there's really nothing not to like about them.

Actually, thinking about it, there is. The fact they named their new stadium after another, famous stadium elsewhere, and that they adopted that shitty "black cats" nickname, which is meaningless.

Two uncharacteristic outbreaks of nu-football from a normally traditional club, there.

EDIT downscale that to one, the black cats thing has a historical connection, albeit a bit tenuous.

Wasn't there a vote where the fans had to decide what their nickname was going to be?

Yes, the black cats thing does have some historical connection, though (I've learned since googling it).

[Jimbo]

A dreary draw.

[KRS]

I would like to see a line up of:

                            Guzan

Bacuna       Richards      Clark     Amavi

                 Sanchez        Gueye

Gil                      Grealish          Sinclair

                         Gestede


Subs - Bunn, Baker, Hutton, Westwood, Veretout, Ayew, Agbonlahor

I'd be a bit worried about Gil tracking back in that position, but I'd have him in over Ayew.

Pretty much spot on if Traore isn't fit...we've got some big games coming up so I wouldn't risk him if his ankle is not 100%.

Westwood and Veretout to come on in the second half for the tiring Sanchez and Gil respectively; Ayew to replace Gestede just to give him some game time once the result is in the bag.

Alternatively stick with the diamond with Sinclair alongside Gestede...

                            Guzan

Bacuna       Richards      Clark     Amavi

                         Sanchez       

              Gil                      Gueye

                         Grealish

                Gestede          Sinclair

It may be too early for Gil still so TS may prefer Westwood or Veretout on the right.

[pauliewalnuts]

I'm not expecting an avalanche of goals. Not that one ever does as a Villa fan.

The last five home matches against Sunderland. It is relatively easy to spot the "outlier" in this list.

14/15: 0-0
13/14: 0-0
12/13: 6-1
11/12: 0-0
10/11: 0-1

That one in the Houllier year was particularly horrific, I recall. It was midweek, freezing fucking cold, and we were absolute awful.

Wasn't the fixture last year also truly horrible? The Prince William match, I think?

[KRS]

I'd imagine Sunderland will be coming here for a point rather than going for a win so we may need to be patient...an early goal is needed to open it up a bit.

[ldavfc4eva]

Forgot about Jack! Fair point Oldhill, Jack in for Westwood or Gana then. Play Gil behind Rudy with Jack and Sinclair out wide.

[ldavfc4eva]

As I posted that last comment I immediately thought of the guy off the fast show, indecisive Dave was it?

[LeeB]

I'm not expecting an avalanche of goals. Not that one ever does as a Villa fan.

The last five home matches against Sunderland. It is relatively easy to spot the "outlier" in this list.

14/15: 0-0
13/14: 0-0
12/13: 6-1
11/12: 0-0
10/11: 0-1

That one in the Houllier year was particularly horrific, I recall. It was midweek, freezing fucking cold, and we were absolute awful.

Wasn't the fixture last year also truly horrible? The Prince William match, I think?

That game was also resplendant with a near-impossible miss from Heskey, hitting the bar from virtually on the line.

[damon loves JT]

It must be truly horrible watching Sunderland. Like watching us the last five years, except for much, much longer than that, and with the added "bonus" of actually managing to climb into bed with relegation, rather than just occasionally pinching its arse like we've done.

Their fans seem to love that "LOOK AT ME! I'M SO ANGRY I AM LEAVING AT HALF TIME!" thing, though.

I used to go to a few of their games with my Mackem best mate at university, when they were in the third division. There's a sort of depressing fug of misery about that club that has been there for decades, which is a shame, as there's really nothing not to like about them.

Actually, thinking about it, there is. The fact they named their new stadium after another, famous stadium elsewhere, and that they adopted that shitty "black cats" nickname, which is meaningless.

Two uncharacteristic outbreaks of nu-football from a normally traditional club, there.

EDIT downscale that to one, the black cats thing has a historical connection, albeit a bit tenuous.

Wasn't there a vote where the fans had to decide what their nickname was going to be?

Yes, the black cats thing does have some historical connection, though (I've learned since googling it).

Online votes and the rise of social media have made this sort of thing impossible. If you had a poll today, they'd probably end up called `The Jeremy Corbyns'

[l_mckay]

A nervy 1-0 win

[warleyboy]

3-2 us, Sinclair, Gestede and Grealish

[darren woolley]

A must win game so I'm going for a 2-1 Villa win.