Aston Villa v Middlesbrough Pre-Match Thread

[chippy]

Never have I been more sure of a defeat.  1-2 Boro. If so, I'll be joining the Bruce out brigade.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Are Davis, Onomah and Green all out?

Onomah and Green out. Davis doubtful.

Lansbury, Snodgrass and possibly Hogan in?

Jordan Lyden not captaining the U23s tonight. Maybe Bodger is planning on giving him a go tomorrow night, probably out of position as an attacking midfielder rather than replacing the knackered Whelan.

[Matt Collins]

Feeling pessimistic

I reckon he'll go:

Hutton for Bree (or maybe Elmo)
Jedi for Whelan
Lansbury for Onomah (or maybe keep Whelan AND Jedi, which promises to be free flowing)
Thor for green
Snodgrass for Elmo
Hogan for Davis

[Ads]

Anything less than a win is unacceptable. We're six points off the pace we ought to be accumulating at.

Attack for fecks sake.

[PaulWinch again]

Anything less than a win is unacceptable. We're six points off the pace we ought to be accumulating at.

Attack for fecks sake.

Indeed. He should be sacked regardless, but if we don't win he absolutely should be sacked immediately.

[Lastfootstamper]

Head says no way will it be anything other than an away win, and a convincing one at that. Bruce gone by the time I've driven back.

Heart says Villa win, it's 'boro, ffs. Ftf. Bruce is reborn, hallelujah!

Arsehole says 1 down with 88 on the clock having not dirtied Randolph's knees, unlike Johnstone who's had to change his worn-out gloves twice. We then launch an onslaught the like of which has not been witnessed since Balaklava, culminating in Lansbury's bun netting the equaliser with moments left. Bruce milks it for all its worth,  and continues on his point-a-game campaign til Bonfire Night.

[preston28]

2-1 us.
That's all I can post in my apathy.

[KRS]

Just watched the C5 highlights from the Boro game against Bolton at the weekend...they only showed 2 runs from Traore which both ended up with assists so looks like he may have finally added some end product to his game. He may not be consistent but if he's allowed to run at Taylor and Terry then this isn't going to be a positive result. I think Bruce will play for a draw...but will fail.

0-2 Boro

[Matt Collins]

Anything less than a win is unacceptable. We're six points off the pace we ought to be accumulating at.

Attack for fecks sake.

Indeed. He should be sacked regardless, but if we don't win he absolutely should be sacked immediately.

If we lose they should sack him twice

[brontebilly]

Are Davis, Onomah and Green all out?

Onomah and Green out. Davis doubtful.

Lansbury, Snodgrass and possibly Hogan in?

De Laet for Bree too I expect, think Jedinak will start for Whelan. Team looks very one paced but Bruce will go back to experienced players for this one. Would prefer to see a bit of a curve ball like O'Hare in for Lansbury to give us some energy in midfield.


---------------Johnstone
De Laet, Chester, Terry, Taylor
Lansbury, Jedinak, Hourihane
Snodgrass, Hogan, Bjarnsson

[The Moose]

I've passed my ST to my mate as I'm on an all-inclusive in Marrakesh this week.
He might not be my mate after tomorrow.....

[aj2k77]

De Laet played tonight in the u23's. We hammered Soton 4-0. Kodjia played well, Doyle Hayes and O'hare played well again apparently.

[QuintonVilla]

Kodjia looked well off the pace, understandably so. I'd say he's ready for 15-20 minutes maximum tomorrow.

O'Hare was superb again. How he isn't in the main squad is beyond me, probably because he's too attacking.

[Ian.]

0-2 Boro

[PeterWithe]

Another 0-0

Bruce is under pressure and knows it so will not want to lose this, although it's difficult to imagine him being more defensive save laying trenches and barbed wire in our penalty area.