Aston Villa v Middlesbrough Pre-Match Thread

[paul_e]

I used to play rugby between derby and nottingham and the latter is about an hour if you're sticking close to the speed limit and don't have any major traffic.  Leeds is at least the same again from there so doing it in an hour during the afternoon rush is highly unlikely, 2-2 1/2 would be a much more reasonable guess.


On google maps it's listed as 120m miles and 2:06 in decent traffic (i.e. current conditions).

[Gregorys Boy]

Birmingham Mail have done a poll asking if we were right to sell him. 55%, including me, said no.

What a silly poll, the player said he wanted to leave.

And it was the injury which cost him appearing more for us.  That was just bad luck.  A better poll maybe for Baker or Ruddy. I think both could make a difference for us this season.

[Gregorys Boy]

1-1 Davis for us. 

I don't agree that if we lose it will be bye-bye Bruce.  There's no signs coming from the club of that and I doubt there's enough negativity coming from the crowd at this point.  But certainly it would be another push towards the door.  But its way too early still.

That would signal that the Club has given up on automatic promotion this season.

After six or seven games you cannot write anyone off in the Championship.  Its that sort of league.  Pretty sure Brighton had a rotten start last season.  Think we have a good enough squad (though I think we should bring in another striker in Jan) to be in the top six mix come the end of the season.  Its just whether the squad clicks and if Bruce is a bit bolder tactically.  He deserves till Christmas at least IMO.  Don't know which top mangers we would attract this early in the season anyway.

[ADVILLAFAN]

If we lose this I may begin to lose the will to live by the time the second Tuesday game against Brough rolls around.

[Pete]

Spot on, I live in Huddersfield which is the same distance and the same route (M1 M42) apart from me joining the M1 a bit further down - 2 1/4 hours usually to Great Barr and I'm a careful driver, 75mph all the way.

The bloke who claimed north of Middlesbrough to Villa Park in two hours is talking bollocks, it's about 200 miles.

Even the roadworks where the limit's down to 50...? I've been doing Castleford/Leeds to Birmingham a bit lately and even (very) early morning it's two and a bit hours.

No, I do slow down for that bit. I was down a few weeks ago and the roadworks do seem to be getting shorter. And when I say 'all the way' I just mean the motorway and the 42, obviously.

[Deano's Mullet]

0-0 or 0-2

[Jimbo]

Looking at the poll, I'm wondering whether people really think we're going to lose, or it's what they'd take to see the back of Bruce? While I doubt he's the man to take us up, I don't think we're in such bad shape as recent performances would suggest. Villa to win. 2-1, and the string of managerial saliva to stretch on that little bit longer before it snaps inevitably onto our chins and down our shirts. 

[paul_e]

Looking at the poll, I'm wondering whether people really think we're going to lose, or it's what they'd take to see the back of Bruce? While I doubt he's the man to take us up, I don't think we're in such bad shape as recent performances would suggest. Villa to win. 2-1, and the string of managerial saliva to stretch on that little bit longer before it snaps inevitably onto our chins and down our shirts. 

I've voted for a draw (1s each) because I can see them scoring and I can't see us scoring twice.  I suspect we'll take the lead in the first half hour and then back off further and further before the dam breaks in the last 20 and we cling on to the point.

[Lobsterboy]

I think it will be a battling draw and Bruce to claim we have turned the corner... again

[Boz]

If Triore runs at our defence like he did against Bolton, I don't hold out much hope for us hanging on for a draw, unless he returns to his Villa inconsistent form and is completely anonymous.

Without a consistent goal scorer, we are going to remain in the bottom six and hope there are at least three worse than us by next May.

[mallo]

I've gone draw in the hope we score as I can see Middlesbrough scoring. I'll take a draw if we put the effort into pressing and moving off the ball, if not it is simply a matter of time for Bruce to be gone. A defeat and I reckon the dreaded vote of confidence will come out.

[Clampy]

If Triore runs at our defence like he did against Bolton, I don't hold out much hope for us hanging on for a draw, unless he returns to his Villa inconsistent form and is completely anonymous.

Without a consistent goal scorer, we are going to remain in the bottom six and hope there are at least three worse than us by next May.

I don't think he was completely anonymous. He was lively in the games he played. he just didn't play enough of them.

[CT Villan]

A draw at best but most likely a defeat.

At least you'll get to see the Villa Engine...

[john e]

we are playing Middlesbrough at home and 76% of us don't think we will win

wtf is going on

[taylorsworkrate]

Are Davis, Onomah and Green all out?