Aston Villa v Norwich Pre Match Thread

[Pete3206]

1-1

[Luke8]

Is Mings definitely unavailable for this game?

From BBC report he's targeting Watford game for his comeback.

Thanks.

In which case, I think it’s absolutely imperative we don’t just set up as 4-3-3 in the same manner as we have been. It wasn’t exactly solid with Mings, but we are conceding a goal pretty much every half an hour since he got injured.

I think I would go three at the back, probably Konsa, Chester and Hause if all ready and available. Gives us some balance and a bit of pace and leadership back there which we massively miss without Mings. Gives us an additional player to help build from the back and should help make us secure enough to get Jack back centrally. Allows Guilbert and Targett to show the positive side to their game without being overly exposed behind them and also then probably negates the need for wingers/wide forwards as much.

[pauliewalnuts]

People talking Chester up must realise that he is not hugely experienced at this level.  Whilst more experienced than most, because we signed a load of foreign players, Chester has only played 60 Prem games.

Only 60 PL games? Way more than Mings.

[pauliewalnuts]

Lose this and I think we need to seriously look at changing the manager - that is how bad things will be looking.

It's not just the current league position, it is the momentum, the way things feel like they are heading, and it feels to me like they are getting worse.

[Luke8]

Lose this and I think we need to seriously look at changing the manager - that is how bad things will be looking.

It's not just the current league position, it is the momentum, the way things feel like they are heading, and it feels to me like they are getting worse.

Crazy how quick things have changed. Go back just three games ago and things seemed reasonably ok (granted Chelsea outplayed us but we stayed in the game and almost nicked a point). But the Leicester game seems to have absolutely smashed some of the players and, worryingly, the management teams confidence. Combine this with the fact it gave teams the blue print of exactly how best to play against us and it is beginning to look like quite a pivotal moment in our season.

Hopefully Dean Smith can makes the changes necessary for Thursday to help the players out and arrest this mini slump before it goes too far.

[tomd2103]

Is Mings definitely unavailable for this game?

From BBC report he's targeting Watford game for his comeback.

Thanks.

In which case, I think it’s absolutely imperative we don’t just set up as 4-3-3 in the same manner as we have been. It wasn’t exactly solid with Mings, but we are conceding a goal pretty much every half an hour since he got injured.

I think I would go three at the back, probably Konsa, Chester and Hause if all ready and available. Gives us some balance and a bit of pace and leadership back there which we massively miss without Mings. Gives us an additional player to help build from the back and should help make us secure enough to get Jack back centrally. Allows Guilbert and Targett to show the positive side to their game without being overly exposed behind them and also then probably negates the need for wingers/wide forwards as much.

Finally got round to watching the goals from Saturday.  Couldn't see it from the North Stand on the day, but why on earth was El Ghazi marking their centre half who scored the second?  Not exactly the first name that would spring to mind when you want people to be strong in your own box. 

Engels being outpaced for the first goal looks worse on each viewing.

[ROBBO]

I watched El Ghazi go up for headers three or four times during the match and he bottled every one and the previous poster was correct why was he marking their centre half?

[Luke8]

I think Smith said that El Ghazi wasn’t supposed to be the one marking him. Was initially McGinn and then after the injury it was supposed to be Luiz but somehow the message didn’t get across. So not a great look for us as a team.

[brentastonb6]

2-0 down at half time. We bring on the three contestants from the half time "Prize Where It Lies" competition, as they show a higher degree of passing ability than anyone in the starting line up. They each score a goal in the second half and we win 3-2.

It sparks a renaissance and we do not lose again for the rest of the season, bringing home the Carabao Cup and our first FA Cup for 63 years.   

Cheered me up no end , then I realised we’d be fielding three ineligible players and the FA would demote us to the Vanarama league 😂

[passport1]

They are playing good football at the moment and we are not. I think the best we will get is a draw.

[ChicagoLion]

Lose this and I think we need to seriously look at changing the manager - that is how bad things will be looking.

It's not just the current league position, it is the momentum, the way things feel like they are heading, and it feels to me like they are getting worse.

I don’t see any way back from 2 home defeats to 2 bottom clubs either.

[Luke8]

They are playing good football at the moment and we are not. I think the best we will get is a draw.

Their away record is pretty much as bad as ours, with the added bonus that they barely score any goals. Cue the obvious 0-2...

[Bad English]

Message from the Barton's Arms re Boxing Day:

For those of you attending the boxing day Championship fixture at Villa Park between Aston Villa FC and Norwich City FC please be aware of our revised Christmas opening times.

The Bartons Arms will open at 11am on Thursday 26th December and will remain open until 6pm with last orders being called at 5:45pm. Please also note that there will be no Thai food offering on this short day. The Restaurant will be closed.

Many Thanks for all your support, loyalty and custom in 2019.

Kob, Wichai, Dave & the rest of the Bartons Arms team.

[Nev]

Message from the Barton's Arms re Boxing Day:

For those of you attending the boxing day Championship fixture at Villa Park between Aston Villa FC and Norwich City FC please be aware of our revised Christmas opening times.

The Bartons Arms will open at 11am on Thursday 26th December and will remain open until 6pm with last orders being called at 5:45pm. Please also note that there will be no Thai food offering on this short day. The Restaurant will be closed.

Many Thanks for all your support, loyalty and custom in 2019.

Kob, Wichai, Dave & the rest of the Bartons Arms team.

Looks like they think we are down already.....

[LukeJames]

2-2

There is no way that we wont conceed atleast 2 but on the basis that I have had a drink, I am now revising this to a 3-2 win.