Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers Pre-Match Thread

[Tayls_7]

Would like to see Tshibola in the midfield instead of Westwood. Not because I don't rate Westy but i think Tsh has more drive about him and a trick.
Anyway, just win and we all go home happy.

It can be because you don't rate 'Westy'. That would be fine.

[tim]

This has the potential to really start something I reckon.
After ending a losing streak and the general feeling of positivity that seems to be coming in, a good win today will hopefully trigger the full-on rise up the table that we've been hoping for. If this proves to be an 'easy' game then it's come right when we need it.

[tomd2103]

I would go 4-4-2 for this one , with McCormack dropping when needed. Same back four, just no westwood and Jack in for Ayew. Have to say I think Ayew is a twit sometimes but was that booking last week deserved?

I think we will be seeing a three man midfield for the time being.  Heard it mentioned (can't quite recall where) that Bruce has stated that Jedinak can't really play in a midfield two.   

[Clampy]

Everyone seems to be very positive about today so I hope the crowd don't get too impatient if we're struggling to break them down. That said, i'll go for 2-0. Kodjia and Gestede, although it wouldn't surprise me if Gardner made it two in two games.

[Lizz]

Scrappy 1-0 home win.

[PaulWinch again]

This is the sort of game where we need to start dominating and win comfortably.

[SoccerHQ]

Ten years ago today this happened....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6094124.stm

Blackburn have always been good away opponents to us down the years, similar to Fulham.

Let's go for the same result, 2-0 win.

[tomd2103]

This is the sort of game where we need to start dominating and win comfortably.

Not sure we are going to be able to dominate games with our current midfield.  I think we will be looking at toiling and scrappy wins until we bolster that area in January. 

[tim]

Ten years ago today this happened....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6094124.stm

Blackburn have always been good away opponents to us down the years, similar to Fulham.

Let's go for the same result, 2-0 win.

"Blackburn, sorely missing Robbie Savage..." Ha ha. They must thought they were at Crufts or something.

Great Villa line-up though:
Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Laursen, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Petrov, McCann, Barry, Angel, Sutton (Baros 90).
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Davis, Cahill, Osbourne.

[shirley_villan]

Got a spare season ticket (free of charge) if anyone wants today. Would need to be collected from Sheldon.

[TopDeck113]

Dare I say it... a routine home win.  Yes, a routine home win!  2-0

[VinnieChase84]

The team
Gollini, Hutton, Chester, baker, JA, Gardner, jedinak, Jack , Adomah, Kodija, Ross

[tomd2103]

Ten years ago today this happened....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6094124.stm

Blackburn have always been good away opponents to us down the years, similar to Fulham.

Let's go for the same result, 2-0 win.

"Blackburn, sorely missing Robbie Savage..." Ha ha. They must thought they were at Crufts or something.

Great Villa line-up though:
Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Laursen, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Petrov, McCann, Barry, Angel, Sutton (Baros 90).
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Davis, Cahill, Osbourne.

Swap the latterly purchased Friedel and Luke Young for Sorensen and Hughes respectively and that defence would have been as good as anything I have seen at Villa Park.   

[Marton]

Bruce probably going to stick with the 4-1-4-1 that has stabilized us defensively.

Great to see Adomah is fit for this. With Bacuana and Ayew out the challenge is getting options on the bench right
more then who gets to start. I would prefer he start with:

                                 Gollini

Hutton       Chester (c)         Baker         Amavi

                                Jedinak

                 Tshibola            Gardner

Adomah                    Kodjia                 Grealish

Sub options:
1) He can bring on Gabby if Grealish fade (and when does he not?).

2) If Adomah still feeling his knock from last week he can bring on Rudy, move Kodjia over to the RW. Last week he brought on RMC and kept the formation but that was less effective. Hutton, Westwood and RMC...hope he doesnt try that again.

Grealish might do better at Tshibolas position but not trusting Gabby lasting 90 min. If he brings on Tshibola for Gabby and move Grealish over to LW then Grealish gets to play 90 min ending up on our left flank. Thats riskier imho. Just hope he doesn't play Westwood unless he absolutely has too.

Should at least not be defeated by Blackburn today. 3-1 Villa