Aston Villa v Bristol City - Pre Match Thread

[manic-road]

2-1 defeat, back to reality.

[cdbearsfan]

Bruce expects him to be fit

But it's villa so I'll believe it when I see it

The Ron Vlaar Rule: Villa player doubtful = won't play, probably won't be seen for several weeks or months.

The Daniel Sturridge Rule: Opposition player doubtful = will start, play ninety minutes and score at least once.

[aj2k77]

Bruce expects him to be fit

But it's villa so I'll believe it when I see it

The Ron Vlaar Rule: Villa player doubtful = won't play, probably won't be seen for several weeks or months.

The Daniel Sturridge Rule: Opposition player doubtful = will start, play ninety minutes and score at least once Then be out injured for the next 2 months.

Edited for accuracy.

[Lizz]

2-2.

[levico]

Just can't call this match, could go either way so a fence sitting draw

[oldtimernow]

High scoring draw....we take the lead and go further ahead they then score quickly then brown trouser time with a dodgy scrappy equaliser in added time.....thanks ref

[Ads]

They're pretty weak up top, so I'd be surprised if its a draw if there were many goals.

[Monty]

One good result might look fortunate - two begins to look like carefulness. And three would be pretty fecking great.

I still think he needs to stick to the system which allows Hourihane to make the breaks from midfield, as freeing him up was a revelation last weekend. If we can invade the spaces between their defence and midfield, we'll cause problems.

[Nev]

The result is not as important as the performance, it's crucial the approach and attitude demonstrated over the last two games continues, should it not then even a scrappy defensive 1-0 win will see the doom soon descend again after the short term joy of gaining the points.

Pragmatists may point out that a win is a win and in most circumstances I would agree but tonight could be a bellwether for the rest of the season.

[chrisw1]

The result is not as important as the performance, it's crucial the approach and attitude demonstrated over the last two games continues, should it not then even a scrappy defensive 1-0 win will see the doom soon descend again after the short term joy of gaining the points.

Pragmatists may point out that a win is a win and in most circumstances I would agree but tonight could be a bellwether for the rest of the season.

Nah, this is bollocks.  Any sort of win would be fantastic for keeping the momentum going and getting the confidence up.  We're not going to move from one of the worst away records in memory to blowing teams away over night.  Bristol are in excellent form and any sort of result would be welcome today.

[dave.woodhall]

The result is not as important as the performance, it's crucial the approach and attitude demonstrated over the last two games continues, should it not then even a scrappy defensive 1-0 win will see the doom soon descend again after the short term joy of gaining the points.

Pragmatists may point out that a win is a win and in most circumstances I would agree but tonight could be a bellwether for the rest of the season.

Nah, this is bollocks.  Any sort of win would be fantastic for keeping the momentum going and getting the confidence up.  We're not going to move from one of the worst away records in memory to blowing teams away over night.  Bristol are in excellent form and any sort of result would be welcome today.

They're not in excellent form at all. They've got one  point  more than we have.

[Axl Rose]

3-2 to us.

[Dave]

The result is not as important as the performance, it's crucial the approach and attitude demonstrated over the last two games continues, should it not then even a scrappy defensive 1-0 win will see the doom soon descend again after the short term joy of gaining the points.

Pragmatists may point out that a win is a win and in most circumstances I would agree but tonight could be a bellwether for the rest of the season.

Nah, this is bollocks.  Any sort of win would be fantastic for keeping the momentum going and getting the confidence up.  We're not going to move from one of the worst away records in memory to blowing teams away over night.  Bristol are in excellent form and any sort of result would be welcome today.

They're not in excellent form at all. They've got one  point  more than we have.

They also knocked a Premier League club out of the cup in the week.

And if us sticking four past Wigan is evidence that our form is improving (and it should be), then so is them beating Watford.

[Brend'Watkins]

I really hope Davis plays.  Up against Baker with both knowing each others strengths and Davis knowing he's twice as quick as Baker, more skillful and stronger and not made of glass.

[cdbearsfan]

They're in excellent form apart from matches against Small Heath. The ******.