Aston Villa vs Watford Pre-Match Thread

[rob_bridge]

Can Senderos play because we've loaned out Baker and Bennett or were they not in the twenty-five either?

Fuck me I've heard of straw clutching.

[Toronto Villa]

Garde needs a psychological boost every bit as much as the 3 points. We will get it, it might not be pretty.

[ChicagoLion]

this is the team                      Guzan
Hutton                 Richards                   Clark         Richardson
        Vertout                     Sanchez                  Gana
                                        Gill
                    Sinclair                  Gestede
Not my choice but I think this will be the team for our biggest game in ages, frightening

[in exile]

this is the team                      Guzan
Hutton                 Richards                   Clark         Richardson
        Vertout                     Sanchez                  Gana
                                        Gill
                    Gabby                   Gestede
Not my choice but I think this will be the team for our biggest game in ages, frightening

Gabby is certainly out

[AVH87]

Villa: 4-2-1-3

Guzan

Hutton Richards Clark R'son

Sanchez Gana

Gil

Traore Gestede Ayew

[itbrvilla]

Never beaten us at VP in top flight..... That will be the new record set tomorrow.

[Dave P]

I'd like to think last week was our line in the sand moment and this week is the start of the ascent.  I'm going 2-1 to us.

If we lose, well, we are fooked !

[garyshawsknee]

I think I'd rather have a cardboard cut out at left back than Richardson. A left footer though, so that counts out Hutton, Clark has been pretty ropey there in the past though hasn't he ?

[Toronto Villa]

Never beaten us at VP in top flight..... That will be the new record set tomorrow.

That's the spirit.

[PeterWithesShin]

Jores Okore is available this weekend for the clash with Watford.

Okore has been building his fitness back up following knee surgery in the summer.

The defender played through the pain at the back end of the previous term.

And following appearances for the U21s and regular training sessions, he is now on the verge of a first team return.

That will boost competition in a central defensive unit also including Micah Richards, Ciaran Clark and Joleon Lescott.

Gabby Agbonlahor is still struggling to be fit as he works his way back from a calf problem.

Agbonlahor came off against Tottenham at half-time as boss Rémi Garde watched on hours after his appointment.

The long-serving striker hasn't seen action since after failing to recover from the troublesome problem.

But Garde admits he's making good progress.

Tiago Ilori and Gary Gardner miss out this weekend through injury.

[aj2k77]

Imagine what it would feel like to beat the shit out of these?

[ASHTONVILLA]

I'd go with:

                     Bunn

Hutton      Okore    Clark     lescott

           Sanchez    Gana

                     Gil

Ayew                                Sinclair

                 Gestede

I'd be tempted to throw Kozak on for Gestede at half time if he isn't playing well. Sinclair and Ayew are both better cutting in from wide, and can give width.

[supertom]

What bugs me more than anything is that whichever way you cut it, we're gonna be putting out a piss poor starting lineup. There's literally no way around it. Appallingly weak at left back. Week through the middle of defence (And in goal) and toothless up front.

What I would consider though, is starting with Kozak and getting Guzan out the side. I think it's too soon for Okore I think, and regardless, he's not great. I know Richards is something of a liability but he's one of the very few players with have who has even a modicum of character. I don't rate him as a skipper, but that said, I rate as the best option we have at the club, with the possible exception of Clark.

[Tayls_7]

I'd go with:

                     Bunn

Hutton      Okore    Clark     lescott

           Sanchez    Gana

                     Gil

Ayew                                Sinclair

                 Gestede

I'd be tempted to throw Kozak on for Gestede at half time if he isn't playing well. Sinclair and Ayew are both better cutting in from wide, and can give width.

Do you know what 'Fait accompli' means?

[ASHTONVILLA]

Do you know what 'Fait accompli' means?

He isn't the best player on the books, but he can get goals if crosses come in. I do hope Kozak gets a go at some point, and that we sign someone better in January though.