Aston Villa v Middlesbrough Semi Final 2nd Leg: Pre-Match Thread

[waynejames]

Keep Jack away from the ball during the intensity of the first 5 or 10 mins which is were boro will gladly try and kick him.....
Then after that let the lad loose and he will run riot.
2 nil villa.

[villabear]

I cannot remember the last time I was so worried and excited the day before a game.

A quick goal to settle my nerves and then put it to bed please Villa. 🙏

[darren woolley]

I'm going for another 1-0 Villa win.

[mr underhill]

Elmo aside, we can't field the same side - collectively it's too old for two games in three days. The OPR debacle tells us so. Mix it up a bit Steve and steer us through.

[lovejoy]

This game is all about attituide. If we think we're already at Wembley then we will get a QPR-esque shock. If they are focussed and play like they did against Wolves we go through.  There's also a fair break until the final so resting players should be an issue.

[JD]

Same team, with Bree in for Elmo. 4-1 win.

[Axl Rose]

2-1 us. Fans to roar us through. I'll be roaring from my Tokyo living room from 3:45am. Can't wait.

[Walmley_Villa]

I worry Bruce would play the same side if all fit. With Elmo out I would prefer Bree but think he will defer to experience and Thor. Jedi will be knackered but I expect Bruce to to start him. Would like Onomah in and Hourihane out if I'm honest as he has more pace.

First goal as ever is key.

[Lastfootstamper]

0-0. But a good one, the sort where boro are lucky to get nil. Tiny to announce his retirement on the back of it.

[DB]

Just got a message via the app, to say it is sold out. Can’t wait but at same time...ooer.

[Eckybloke]

Bricking it a little bit.

I'd have Jedi on the bench and bring him on for an aerial assault (I'm assuming from them ) if things are getting a bit tense.

I've gone for a Villa win in 90 minutes.  Can't bring myself to imagine anything else.

[Ads]

Onomah for Hourihane would give us an injection of pace and physical presence.

I think part of the drop off with QPR was going from a nigh on full and bouncing Villa Park, hammering a promotion rival, to a mid-week game against no mark opposition in front of a 2nd round league cup atmosphere. It was flat, so the drop off was as much psychological as it was physical.

I think the bulk of the squad would be ok, but that extra pace and presence in midfield would be a lift.

[Percy McCarthy]

Some stats for the record :


Boro 23 matches away have in 9 times conceded 6 goals within 15 mins

That must be a record. Let’s hope tomorrow is the tenth time they concede 6 goals in the first 15 minutes. I’ll relax then.

[cdbearsfan]

I'm very nervous. I feel like the last two years have been a hazy, alcohol-fuelled dream where the results didn't really matter. Now it all seems very tense and grown up. Scared.

[mr underhill]

spot on