Aston Villa vs Fulham Championship Play-Off Final Pre-Match Thread

[villan from luton]

Sooooooooooo this is our most important game since when? 26 May 1982?

Short term wise an even greater game.  Our immediate future will be dertermined over one game.  Just remember though  Fulham don't win finals.

I agree that this game probably determines our short term future, massive dent if we lose. All of us should be going there ready to roar the team on from before they enter the pitch until after we have got promotion.

[Steve67]

What a massive game.  Second only to the European Cup Final in Rotterdam.  I have quite enjoyed being the super big club of this division but I want to know where Xia wants to take us if we go up.  No prediction from me because I honestly can't call it either way and I don't want to hex it.  Snoddy and Albert are due a goal.  Up the Villa.  Superb club, superb fans.

[villan from luton]

Think Albert has a massive role to play on Saturday. Their right back (Frederick) looks a good player going forward and will need to be tracked. However, think Albert can cause him problems going forward and make him less confident to bomb forward.

[thick_mike]

Everyone leave your sunglasses in a pub!

[villan from luton]

I hope the poor luvvies bring sunglasses with their suncream if the sun is shining on them

[exigo]

Ticket's arrived. It's f***ing massive.

[tomd2103]

What a massive game.  Second only to the European Cup Final in Rotterdam.  I have quite enjoyed being the super big club of this division but I want to know where Xia wants to take us if we go up.  No prediction from me because I honestly can't call it either way and I don't want to hex it.  Snoddy and Albert are due a goal.  Up the Villa.  Superb club, superb fans.

Not quite to the day, but 30 years ago this month we were last promoted out of this division. 

[Richard]

Anthony Taylor is the ref on Saturday

[eamonn]

We want Neill Swarbrick!!

And are sunglasses in Middlesborough to protect your eyes from the smog?

[mallo]

I really hope we win in 90 as we are older and Bruce will have considered that (apologies if written elsewhere as I am new to the thread. I’d say 2-1 as we know how to beat them and I think we can take villa park to Wembley more than they can take craven to Wembley edit - they’re not as good away. That said it’s always going to be close especially first half so I expect a nail biter. I’m saying nothing more and I put my trust in JT to spell it out to everyone and try and counteract nerves and occasion - if anyone can he can. For every worry about every player we have, Fulham like for like have never come through the struggle - I’m pinning my hat on that. Weather a 15 minute storm of Adrenalin on their part and we should win. Score first and I’d put something smaller than my house on it.

[walsall villain]

I really hope we win in 90 as we are older and Bruce will have considered that (apologies if written elsewhere as I am new to the thread. I’d say 2-1 as we know how to beat them and I think we can take villa park to Wembley more than they can take craven to Wembley edit - they’re not as good away. That said it’s always going to be close especially first half so I expect a nail biter. I’m saying nothing more and I put my trust in JT to spell it out to everyone and try and counteract nerves and occasion - if anyone can he can. For every worry about every player we have, Fulham like for like have never come through the struggle - I’m pinning my hat on that. Weather a 15 minute storm of Adrenalin on their part and we should win. Score first and I’d put something smaller than my house on it.

Actually we got 2 points more than they did (49 to 47). They had a much better away record than we did.

[walsall villain]

I really hope we win in 90 as we are older and Bruce will have considered that (apologies if written elsewhere as I am new to the thread. I’d say 2-1 as we know how to beat them and I think we can take villa park to Wembley more than they can take craven to Wembley edit - they’re not as good away. That said it’s always going to be close especially first half so I expect a nail biter. I’m saying nothing more and I put my trust in JT to spell it out to everyone and try and counteract nerves and occasion - if anyone can he can. For every worry about every player we have, Fulham like for like have never come through the struggle - I’m pinning my hat on that. Weather a 15 minute storm of Adrenalin on their part and we should win. Score first and I’d put something smaller than my house on it.

Actually we got 2 points more than they did (49 to 47). They had a much better away record than we did.

I meant two more Home points

[tomd2103]

Any news on injuries?  Nearer it gets, I can only really see one change, with someone coming in for Bree if Elmo, Taylor or Axel are fit.

[QuintonVilla]

Absolutely bricking it already, keep thinking about it going to penalties and how nerve wracking that would be.

[olaftab]

Any news on injuries?  Nearer it gets, I can only really see one change, with someone coming in for Bree if Elmo, Taylor or Axel are fit.

No not Taylor under any circumstances. I would rather Charlie Atkin played instead as I am sure he will be there.