Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers Pre-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

Our record this season with Rudy starting, W3 D3 L1. When he doesn't start we are W0 D6 L3. Stats include the Luton game.

[tomd2103]

Our record this season with Rudy starting, W3 D3 L1. When he doesn't start we are W0 D6 L3. Stats include the Luton game.

He's not the best, but I think he could be an important part of piecing the side together over the coming weeks, especially if we are going to continue with three up front.  I like Kodjia, but I don't think the lone striker role really suits him. 

[olaftab]

Our record this season with Rudy starting, W3 D3 L1. When he doesn't start we are W0 D6 L3. Stats include the Luton game.

In that case we should start with him and sub him after 5 minutes.

[olaftab]

442 on Saturday please with both Koj and Ges up top.

[tomd2103]

442 on Saturday please with both Koj and Ges up top.

Don't think we've got the options in central midfield to play two in there to be honest. 

[oldtimernow]

RHM needs some involvement tp prevent him heading off somewhere for next to nothing...

2-0   Kodjia and RHM

[eamonn]

Murphy starred, again, in the U23s win against Blackburn midweek and Tshibola scored a world apparently.

[Marton]

Probably no Bacuna, Adomah or Ayew.

Bruce likely to stick with 4-1-4-1. That formations seems to stabilize our defensive, the  back 4 (except Huttons side) and Jedi gaining confidence.
That probably however means Grealish (or Gabby) , Westwood (or could we hope he venture to try ANYONE else here , Tshibola, RMC or youth all would be better) , Gardner and  Kodjia on the right.
With Rudy up front...

That mid 4 is bad in so many ways but this is Blackburn at home and should be winnable even if Bruce start both Westwood and Grealish. Even though 3 points would be welcome there is the worry that Bruce actually draw the conclustion that Grealish and Westwood are viable options in tougher fixtures...

[auntiesledd]

We really should be battering (!) the Venky's mob at VP, but I've got a feeling that we might see the same old outcome on Saturday i.e. going ahead & then failing to close the game out successfully (yet again). So I'll go 1-1: after a host of Villa chances go begging.

Here's to my prediction being completely wrong, mind.

UTV

 

[AVH87]

Home tickets seem to have sold reasonably well for this, but Blackburn used to have terrible away support even when they were decent and in the Prem, I could actually see them struggling to bring more than 200 or 300 on Saturday.

[VinnieChase84]

Kodjia though seems to have his best games for us (and goals) when he's started out right and maybe moved centrally later in the game......

I would go for this front 3

Kodjia.      Jack/Ross
        Rudy

[PaulTheVillan]

Routine home win 2-0

Gollini
Hutton             Chester             Baker            Amavi
Jedinak              Gardner            Westwood
Kodjia                                                                 Grealish
Gestede

Would prefer to see Tshibola or Bacuna in for Westwood, but not sure on their fitness.

[Richard E]

Routine home win 2-0

Gollini
Hutton             Chester             Baker            Amavi
Jedinak              Gardner            Westwood
Kodjia                                                                 Grealish
Gestede

Would prefer to see Tshibola or Bacuna in for Westwood, but not sure on their fitness.

Yes, I vaguely remember those from the dim and distant past. I agree that this might be one. Maybe even 3-0 Villa.

[tomd2103]

Routine home win 2-0

Gollini
Hutton             Chester             Baker            Amavi
Jedinak              Gardner            Westwood
Kodjia                                                                 Grealish
Gestede

Would prefer to see Tshibola or Bacuna in for Westwood, but not sure on their fitness.

Think that could well be the side, but with Jedinak in the middle and Gardner and Westwood a bit more advanced. 

[l_mckay]

2-0 home win. Kodija x2