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

[Flask and Blanket]

In Paris today anybody know a bar that might be showing the game?

Thanks in advance.

[TopDeck113]

Worried.  I think if we get to Wembley we'll win. However, Pullis is the type of manager that could get his team to win the home leg 1-0 and then defend it away. We need a result.

[olaftab]

Loads of bars show whatever is live on Skysport. Google O’Sullivans in Montmartre  you should be ok there from memory.

[PaulWinch again]

I’m very nervous about this. Come on Villa please just batter them.

[auntiesledd]

I'm starting to feel properly 'jumpy' as kick off looms. I can't think of the last time that a Championship Play Off Semi' was effectively decided after the opening leg: and I can't see anything changing today. I've voted for the draw (1-1), but a goal either way wouldn't be the end of the world for either side - or, indeed, a huge surprise. I just hope we bring our A Game to both legs and find a way to overcome another dogged Pulis side that will doubtless be difficult to open up. Fingers crossed eh?

UTV

[footyskillz]

I feel Adomah is a must to play and can help Hutton defensively on the left against adama traore . Also will help push Traore back. The one thing about adama traore is his lacking  consistency on his final delivery. However there will be times when he just speeds past players like not there so  having Hutton and say Kodjia or Grabbs or even Onomah on left I think wouldnt be so wise.

 Albert can do defence work and of course provides a threat going forward. He can be up for this even more as its his old club.

Do people think Whelan and Jedinak will both start?? It would indicate what intentions are if both started. That said Jedinak offers the ariel support in defence quarters but if you look at the team boro are starting even if jedi doesn't start I think an organised and disciplined  Villa can cope.

I do think playing both for this leg against their midfield would be a good option.

Besic is a bit of enforcer in midfield and can drive forward but not much of a goalscorer. (think a fabian Delph type)

Clayton is pretty basic and likes battle (aka foul) and I imagine we can draw fouls and both are yellow card potential.

Howson has a decent shot from range and has scored against villa in past.

Their combative midfield of course must be matched but villa aren't an aggressive side and have least bookings in league.

We re up against this team that drew against Ipswich.

Randolph
Shotton
Ayala
Gibson
Friend
Howson
Clayton
Besic
Traore
Assombalonga
Downing

Ayala is a major threat from set pieces since pulis came in so needs to be marked.

Shotton is another basic player but has a long throw which they love.

I think Jedinak and Whelan could both play.

So my villa line up is

Johnstone
Elmo
JT
Chessie
Hutton
Jedinak
Whelan
Adomah
Snodgrass
Grealish
Grabban

In big games you want your big players to turn up and today our experience in play offs can certainly show.

[footyskillz]

No worries as there is not a great deal of difference between two of them.

I have to challenge that but respectful of your view.

SJ has been a match saver with his keeping this season. Numerous occasions has been extraordinary whereas I find reserve bunn a mere ordinary in nets

[rob_bridge]

A little concerned with Bruce's pre-match comments about 'staying in the tie' that we'll just defend for 90 minutes. As others have pointed out, the first goal is utterly huge. If we go 1-0 up tomorrow, I'd definitely back us to qualify.

Maybe just reverse psychology on Pullis. Bruce has loads of experience in this type of scenarios as manager and player

[Leicester_Villian]

Its quite simple today ....Whelan to crunch Downing in first tackle ...you wont see him again and Hutton to put Traore into row Z ..he wont fancy it then ...both can be done with totally fair tackles too

[four fornicholl]

Its quite simple today ....Whelan to crunch Downing in first tackle ...you wont see him again and Hutton to put Traore into row Z ..he wont fancy it then ...both can be done with totally fair tackles too

I like the way your mind works

[PaulWinch again]

We really need Albert to turn up today.

[Legion]

We really need Albert to turn up today.

As well as the rest of the squad. It would be a bit difficult if he had to play them all on his own.

[Legion]

My previous laissez-faire attitude has just gone up a notch to nervously concerned.

[villa `cross the mersey]

We really need Albert to turn up today.

the whole squad need to turn up and put in a shift today - I'd like to think our lot want it more than Boro,Fulham and Derby -this is where Terry can earn his coin by making sure they all give 100%

[eamonn]

Ah that's a problem we could do without.

I assume his GF is based in Cheshire so will be a struggle to get him to Boro if he hasn't travelled up with us.

No it won't. Helicopter would cover the distance in no time and plenty of places to land near Boro.

A helicopter to Middlesbrough?!  Do you think we have James Bond's budget or something?