Reading v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[waynejames]

Just watch how Bacuna (if he plays) does some really strange shit during the game that we have never seen before, such as.
Pass the ball to a fellow player in the same colour shirt.
Run generally in the right direction at the right time in keeping with the game.
Show an ounce of interest in helping his team to win a game of football.
Incidentally that will be one ounce more than he has done for Villa over the past few seasons.
Let's see if Reading manage to somehow turn him back into a professional footballer type bloke.

[Axl Rose]

Is it appalling that I couldn't care less?

No.

I'm slightly in this boat, too.

Though I'll be up at 4am to sit through it anyhow. God only knows why.

[Ads]

Just for balance, I'll be one of the 4000 taking time off work, doing a 7 hour and 400 mile round trip, because I do care.

[Axl Rose]

Just for balance, I'll be one of the 4000 taking time off work, doing a 7 hour and 400 mile round trip, because I do care.

I salute you, mate. You guys, the away support, are a huge plus and have been for many years. If I was in the UK, I'd definitely be seeking you out to buy you numerous pints.

It's people like you that I do hope get some kind of reward this evening.

[Axl Rose]

Just watch how Bacuna (if he plays) does some really strange shit during the game that we have never seen before, such as.
Pass the ball to a fellow player in the same colour shirt.
Run generally in the right direction at the right time in keeping with the game.
Show an ounce of interest in helping his team to win a game of football.
Incidentally that will be one ounce more than he has done for Villa over the past few seasons.
Let's see if Reading manage to somehow turn him back into a professional footballer type bloke.

I hope he has a stinker, the petulant, grinning twat.

[brian green]

Crikey Ads.  You must put your foot down to cover that distance in seven hours.  Drive safely, your contributions would be sorely missed.

[cheltenhamlion]

I really am struggling to care that much anymore. Actually, that is a lie. I care very deeply but am numb with it all and certainly won't let it upset me like it used to. When it comes to the Villa I am at a very low ebb currently.

"Fancy a ticket for Bristol or Barnsley away" I was asked yesterday. Without a thought I said no. And, whilst I will be there, I don't want to go on Saturday if I am being honest.

[brian green]

That is the staunchest form of loyalty Stuart.  To be there when you don't want to be.  It is why great football clubs go on while lesser ones fall by the wayside.  There are two sides to us all.  I have so hated going to Villa Park in recent years when my wife books a foreign holiday for us, I think secretly great I shall not have to go to the game against Barnstoneworth.  Then when I am on some sun kissed beach with a glass of something cold and bubbly in my hand I want to be jumping over the dumped mattresses making my way to the Bartons.

[garyshawsknee]

It's very grim how years of going a goal down followed by a routine defeat has become the norm. Defeats use to cloud my weekends, now they have become a normal part of it, bit like a Sunday roast and country file....Happy Tuesday everyone.

[Tugby Villain]

Just for balance, I'll be one of the 4000 taking time off work, doing a 7 hour and 400 mile round trip, because I do care.

250 mile round trip for me.  Like you, I do it because I care.  Guys at work just don't understand why I go, but I always tell them it'll be rewarded one day.  Roll on Bristol too!

[Walmley_Villa]

I had the misfortune to be there on Saturday and the obvious way to play us is to get a physical striker up front with a bit of pace to press Chester and Terry, a half decent winger to press Hutton (he made Junior Hoillet look world class) and close down our midfield who in turn were totally detached from the strikers.
As such and as we all know we need more pace. Bree should be in and certainly for Hutton and if not maybe in for Whelan? Lansbury was abysmal and surely Hourihane gets a game? O'Hare and Onamah were the only shining lights and the former should be starting BUT we risk  destroying his confidence. When he was on the pitch we were passing and moving quickly which Cardiff couldn't handle and that will get Hogan in the game and his movement spotted . We have the players to do this but Bruce and the coaches can't see it or won't encourage it.

I wonder if Samba will be on the bench again as the last resort "big man" up front?!? Lambertesque

[Axl Rose]

Has there ever been such a one sided poll in favour of the other team beating us?

Well, not in favour of, exactly, but one tipping us to be beaten? Nearly 70%.

[robbo1874]

I've gone for a draw. I can never go all doom and gloom three games into a new season. You would hope and fully expect Bruce to have read them the riot act after the weekend debacle in Wales. We might not win, but I expect a draw at the very least as some kind of positive response. If we do lose, the pressure is right on top of the manager. Expectations, unrealistic as they may currently seem, are nonetheless high this season. We have to go up this time.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Just for balance, I'll be one of the 4000 taking time off work, doing a 7 hour and 400 mile round trip, because I do care.

250 mile round trip for me.  Like you, I do it because I care.  Guys at work just don't understand why I go, but I always tell them it'll be rewarded one day.  Roll on Bristol too!

90 mile round trip from London for us. I've no idea why I do it do it, we've been shit for so long.

[Ads]

You'll be at Bristol though Chico, whatever happens.