Aston Villa v Manchester City Pre-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

If I were Pellegrini I wouldn't include Delph in the squad. They really need the win so why give the crowd an excuse to get worked up and create a hostile atmosphere? We've already got the positivity of a new manager, why give us something else. For those reasons I hope he does pick him, but in his shoes, i'd leave him in Manchester. It's not like he's a vital part of their side so they'll hardly misssssssssssssss him any way (snigger).

[Witton Warrior]

If I were Pellegrini I wouldn't include Delph in the squad. They really need the win so why give the crowd an excuse to get worked up and create a hostile atmosphere? We've already got the positivity of a new manager, why give us something else. For those reasons I hope he does pick him, but in his shoes, i'd leave him in Manchester. It's not like he's a vital part of their side so they'll hardly misssssssssssssss him any way (snigger).

Well that would spoil my day!
Been practicing my booing all week

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Interesting comment from Manuel Pelegrini regarding Delph reported in the Graun here: Manuel Pellegrini: I hope Fabian Delph won’t be booed on return to Aston Villa

Asked if Delph could expect a difficult welcome, Pellegrini said: “No, I hope he will not receive that. He played a lot of years for Aston Villa and Aston Villa wanted to sell him also. He continued being a pl
ayer that gave a lot of his career to Aston Villa and I don’t think the fans will forget all those things.”

An eye-brow raising narrative for me, as I was under the impression that Villa wanted him to stay, what with being the club captain and everything, and it was a case that his new contract included a ridiculously-low release clause valuation.

That is a pitiful attempt to defend his actions. We paid for about 6 years of his career while we stood by him through injury and then got two good years out of him. I'm sure he'll win some titles at Citeh, but it doesn't change the fact that he used us and betrayed us. Not all footballers deserve booing when they first go back to their old clubs, Ashley Young didn't, but Delph fully does.

And fair play to the Grauniad for including an excellent "other side of the story" piece by the magnificent Mr Woodhall!



(do I now get a discount?)

[Legion]

Here

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Cheers Leeg.

[ez]

The team selection is massive tomorrow. I hope Traore has been good in training as any defender will be worried about his ability and pace. This would stop them from surrounding our penalty box in fear of the counter attack. Also some appearance from Kozak would be refreshing .....

If Gabby starts i think i'll cry.

[Legion]

[Toronto Villa]

Nicked

[Steve R]

Interesting comment from Manuel Pelegrini regarding Delph reported in the Graun here: Manuel Pellegrini: I hope Fabian Delph won’t be booed on return to Aston Villa

Asked if Delph could expect a difficult welcome, Pellegrini said: “No, I hope he will not receive that. He played a lot of years for Aston Villa and Aston Villa wanted to sell him also. He continued being a player that gave a lot of his career to Aston Villa and I don’t think the fans will forget all those things.”

An eye-brow raising narrative for me, as I was under the impression that Villa wanted him to stay, what with being the club captain and everything, and it was a case that his new contract included a ridiculously-low release clause valuation.

Pellegrini is quite correct. As soon as we discovered that Delph had an 8 mill release clause in his contract we couldn't wait to cash in.

[Richard E]

Interesting comment from Manuel Pelegrini regarding Delph reported in the Graun here: Manuel Pellegrini: I hope Fabian Delph won’t be booed on return to Aston Villa

Asked if Delph could expect a difficult welcome, Pellegrini said: “No, I hope he will not receive that. He played a lot of years for Aston Villa and Aston Villa wanted to sell him also. He continued being a player that gave a lot of his career to Aston Villa and I don’t think the fans will forget all those things.”

An eye-brow raising narrative for me, as I was under the impression that Villa wanted him to stay, what with being the club captain and everything, and it was a case that his new contract included a ridiculously-low release clause valuation.

Pellegrini is quite correct. As soon as we discovered that Delph had an 8 mill release clause in his contract we couldn't wait to cash in.

Indeed. It must have come as a real surprise to our management to find out what the terms of one of our own player's contract were!

[LeeB]

I had a dream we won one-nil. I must stop drinking creosote before bedtime.

On the plus side, you can throw away that cumbersome umbrella.

[rob_bridge]

Here

Ta. Good stuff from Mr Woodhall

[Archie]

As our friend Frank said, let's hope that our support for the Villa today achieves more than it did yesterday for Fulham against the blues, mates!

[McGraths Dry Cleaning]

Really looking forward to today's game - intrigued to see what team is selected and how the players carry themselves for the new manager. Everyone expects us to get nothing but if football was predictable no one would go and betting would not exist. Wonder if Delph is looking forward to today.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Villa are 7/1 to win get it on