Aston Villa vs West Brom pre match thread

[KRS]

Completely agree CJ. Just bumped into a Baggies supporting Tesco worker whilst doing a shop (oh the irony!) and he was feeling optimistic for a win on the basis of our collapse last weekend and reckons Pulis wont make the same mistakes of sitting back like he did last season...I'd be very surprised if Pulis does anything else other than park the bus personally so my only concern is whether or not we can break that down.

I sincerely doubt TS and the players will capitulate again (so soon after last weekend at least), and they should be in the mindset to build on the good parts of our performance and secure 3pts. If we can be more ruthless and clinical in front of the goal then some teams are going to be on the wrong end of a good twatting...lets hope the next 2 games are good examples.

[CT Villan]

Me too, I doubt Albion can score from open play, but I would hate to see Villa nerves start to show and performance levels drop if we are put under pressure again. That is one Lambert habit that still needs to be exorcised.

[Lizz]

Home win.

[SoccerHQ]

1-1.

Think we used up our luck in this game last season.

What luck?

The luck that should have had us four up at half time.

Very true.

Luck maybe I meant the breaks ast in the first game it was petering out in a 1-1 draw and think it was Bacuna who hit the shot which Foster should've easily saved but he parried and then came flying out at Lowton and took him down for the penalty.

The cup game. I watched it again a few weeks later and was surprised how much went for us at key moments, completely forgot Brown Ideye missed a sitter infront of the Holte at 0-0 which would've changed things as Pulis teams are nightmares to beat once leading, then Lescott missed a free header from a corner at 1-0 and then they had Yacob harshly sent off just after (although Grealish was also an equally harsh red).

Blimey I sound like one of theirs bleatting on like that but I just think we got breaks at crucial times in the two home games last season (not that I cared at the time) and I just worry there's a sting in the tail in this game.

[silhillvilla]

Last weeks shocker will mean we react and win the nexf 2
That's football

[MorrisNielson]

After last season’s encounters, I thought of this picture. Made me smile.
From the Sports Argus 06/11/1920.

[Damo70]

I have gone for a draw which will please Pulis and be turned into a moral victory by their fans.

[pauliewalnuts]

I have gone for a draw which will please Pulis and be turned into a moral victory by their fans.

WM: "It was a draw, but there's no doubt Albion won"

[Jimbo]

I have gone for a draw which will please Pulis and be turned into a moral victory by their fans.

WM: "It was a draw, but there's no doubt Albion won"

Birmingham Mail: "LOOK! PICTURES: 30 draws Albion won against Villa"

[ADVILLAFAN]

After last season’s encounters, I thought of this picture. Made me smile.
From the Sports Argus 06/11/1920.

Didn't West Brom with the league that year? Early 20s anyway I think.

[AVH87]

This was highlighted by Neville on MNF, we lacked solidity when 2-1 up when we should have had our 2 CMs sat in, protecting the back four.

It was also highlighted by every Villa fan watching on Sky and in the away end in the Leicester ground. Even those that were three sheets to the wind from pre match lager were more tactically astute than Sherwood.

I was at the game but personally hadn't noticed Westwood's positioning as a problem. I had a problem with a striker Ayew replacing an ACM Gil, I wanted Veretout or Richardson on as a third CM. I also thought we were playing ourselves in to trouble with stupid passes (Bacuna across his own box almost) for one example.

[silhillvilla]

Once Ayew came on we lost all shape and composure .

[RussellC]

Sounds like Gueye's unlikely to play tomorrow (apparently he's only back in training today) which is a blow. Neither Gil or Traore have trained either. I reckon it'll be;

Guzan; Crespo, Richards, Lescott, Amavi; Sanchez, Westwood; Grealish, Veretout, Sinclair; Agbonlahor

Bunn, Clark, Bacuna, Gueye, Richardson, Ayew, Gestede

[Comrade Blitz]

Not watching this one so that guarantees a 4-0 win.

[KRS]

Injury news update:

Tim Sherwood has revealed that Jores Okore is back in full training.

Okore hasn't played since having an operation on his knee this summer.

The Danish centre-half has been rehabbing but returned to the fields of Bodymoor Heath this week.

The boss is delighted to see the likeable starlet out working with the players again at the training base.

But he also warned that the defender is at least a month away from donning the claret and blue shirt again in competitive action.

Sherwood also revealed that Idrissa Gana should train today for the first time since injuring his hamstring on international duty with Senegal.

But the manager may not risk him for the West Brom derby game this weekend.

Sherwood revealed that Adama Traore and Carles Gil are both yet to train ahead of the West Brom encounter.

But he hasn't given up on having the pair available for the Baggies clash.

Surely you can't risk Gueye, Traore or Gil if they haven't trained this week. Suddenly not feeling too confident that we'll have enough creativity or quality to break through the bus.