Aston Villa vs Sunderland Pre-Match Thread

[ciggiesnbeer]

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).
[/quote]

A very strong one (in the military as well).

I have tremendous sympathy for Sunderland fans. I don't think they are more walk out prone than any other clubs and their "miserable bastards with cutting humour " culture fits in well with my miserable brummie nature

Anyway we should win, we really really should win. Now is the perfect time to play them. Ref or fluke aside there is no getting around this result for Sherwood. I expect 3 points.

[McGraths Dry Cleaning]

Really looking forward to this one - taking my 4 year old to his second game. Sunderland will be looking to stop the rot so expect it will be tight.

[CT Villan]

Can only see a home win here...because I don't want to think about what it means if we lose to this rabble.

3-1...Sinclair x2 and a Gil screamer from 25yds. Marco Gabbiadini for them.

[Doorbell]

What I hope

                          Guzan

Bacuna McCafu.   Richards.  Clark.    Amavi.

                Gueye.       Sanchez

Traore.                Gil                   grealish

                          Sinclair

3-0
             

My only change to this...I really want to see the midfield and frontline set up like this!

[silhillvilla]

If we can unsettle John O'Shea nice and early we could see a cricket score

[JUAN PABLO]

1 0.          sinclair

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Bloody hell, JP, Sinclair score a couple of tap-ins and squeezed through a penalty and suddenly you think he's going to score ten.

I like Doorbell's line up providing we can get players into the box. The idea of Sanchez or Gueye giving the ball to Traore, Gil or Grealish looks an exciting prospect.

[supertom]

How is Traore doing? Hopefully he's shaken off his injury from the other night. I'd be inclined to bring him off the bench, just in case.

[silhillvilla]

How is Traore doing? Hopefully he's shaken off his injury from the other night. I'd be inclined to bring him off the bench, just in case.

Might be better start him, give him 60 mins , get the goals we need then take him off and get Gabby on as impact sub

[Rudy65]

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?

Didnt Henderson get Emile sent off in the houllier game?

It was bloody cold and depressing.

[supertom]

How is Traore doing? Hopefully he's shaken off his injury from the other night. I'd be inclined to bring him off the bench, just in case.

Might be better start him, give him 60 mins , get the goals we need then take him off and get Gabby on as impact sub

Gabby should be looked in Bodymoor heath until he's dropped a couple of stone.
I'd be more inclined to give Ayew the impact role instead of Gabby. Hopefully by which time we'll be 10-0 up and Ayew will look a bit more composed on the pitch. The sooner he gets his first goal the better.

[Doorbell]

It was bloody cold and depressing.

It's going to be warm and sunny this time

[silhillvilla]

Heart says 4-0 head will stick with the 0-0 I predicted

[SoccerHQ]

3-0 win I think.

Sinclair, Grealish and late Gestede header.

Hope Adama is fit for this.

[LeeB]

I'm going Saturday, and though my visits have been sporadic in the last few years, they have by some miracle usually coincided with a win.

4-1 Villa.