Middlesbrough v Aston Villa: Semi-Final 1st Leg Pre-Match Thread

[wittonwarrior]

Take a draw now. We’re beat them at Villa park. Must be our biggest game for nearly 30 years. Bigger than any cup final during that period

[PeterWithesShin]

For the club it is, I just can't get excited, nervous or anything over it. It's massive for the club to go up, we need to go up, but for some reason I just can't get worked up like I do before a big cup game etc.

[clash city rocker]

The way pulis sets them up as long as we don't gift them a goal I think we'll get through.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Take a draw now. We’re beat them at Villa park. Must be our biggest game for nearly 30 years. Bigger than any cup final during that period

I'd take the draw also - glad you got your ticket sorted buddy - it's all very nerve wracking isn't it

[dorsetvillian]

Just picked up the hire car. Four of us from Bournemouth making the long trip to Boro. UTV

[villa `cross the mersey]

Just picked up the hire car. Four of us from Bournemouth making the long trip to Boro. UTV

Have a safe journey and give em a cheer from me and jnr

[PaulWinch again]

Middlesbrough will be bloody tough, we struggle to break defensive teams down.

[AlexAlexCropley]

Hope we go on the front foot and not try and stifle a 0-0.Time for Bruce to not revert to type.

[Lastfootstamper]

For the club it is, I just can't get excited, nervous or anything over it. It's massive for the club to go up, we need to go up, but for some reason I just can't get worked up like I do before a big cup game etc.

I'm the same. I'm looking forward to following the three preceding games on the radio, and I'll be there Tuesday cos it's a Villa home game, and I haven't got far to travel.

But as for Wembley, *shrugs*. I might ask my brother if he fancies using my ticket to take his lad.

[Ads]

I'm excited as these are hugely significant games. But at the same time it won't feel so much like achieving promotion as correcting a huge mistake.

It's a bit like elbow dislocation. It's easier than you think to pop out, very hard to get back in, but once it is, it's a huge relief, but then it shouldn't have been halfway down your forearm in the first place.

I speak from experience.

[PeterWithesShin]

You have it there Ads, for me it will be a relief if we're promoted, not a celebration.

As an aside if we win through I really hope we don't do a pitch invasion.

[andyh]

Home game sold out

[Small Rodent]

I dreamt 1-8 last night, although the team had a foreign name.

So I'm going 1-3.

Fulham had to win their home leg 3-0 in the same dream.

It was also one of those dreams that have you dashing from toilet to toilet only to find them occupied, doors off, or open to crowds.

Maybe this should be in Off Topic

[Tuscans]

They're playing well, especially at home. I think this is going to be a really tough game, not many goals in it....1-0 them.

[SheffieldVillain]

1-0 them. A goal in the last twenty minutes after a painfully bad first 70.

We'll do them in the second leg though.