West Ham United v Aston Villa Pre Match Thread.

[CT]

easy win

I need an injection of that confidence mate!

[Bobby Boy]

We have control of our destiny which seemed so unlikely at 7 points adrift only 3 games ago.

But this is Villa and Villa don't do easy. I think West Ham will be really tough and think we might lose narrowly...

But.. But... Watford lose comfortably at Arsenal and Bournemouth draw so all is well and we stay safe.

Then a few drinks to seal the deal...

[Drummond]

Effectively our 3rd play off final in 3 years.
This one feels much, much more nerve wracking though.

I suppose it’s because we have so much to lose rather so much to gain.

I’m going for a very, very nervy 2-1 win for us with Samatta on the scoresheet.

2 out of 3 ain't bad........

[Marton]

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Villa, England, and Saint George!'

Just win this game ffs !

[PaulWinch again]

Just win Villa, please.

[manic-road]

1-1, I'm more concerned about Bournemouth than Watford. Everton have looked pretty poor lately.

[gpbarr]

I think this will be a very tough game - Spam are playing very well, Antonio looks like the real deal, and while they are now safe, I don't see them taking it easy.

The good news is that I don't see Watford beating Arsenal - I think they are a mess and even if Arsenal don't turn up, I think a draw is the best they can hope for.

Bournemouth are the danger. To some extent they have less to lose given they don't have the big club tag and simply must win to give themselves any chance - they can afford to really give it a go and I think they have a good chance of beating Everton, even though the latter beat SU last night.

Sunday will be unbearable - lost of twists and turns I'm sure during the 90 mins - we are in the drivers seat but its marginal and if we dont show up with the right attitude and desire, then it can easily slip through our grasp.

As Dean said, its our cup final and thats got to be the attitude come kick off. No prisoners, lay absolutely everything on the line, play with passion and pride, and what will be will be. If they do that and it doesnt work out, I can live with it.       

[KevinGage]

Based on historical Premier League finishes, the chances of staying up on our current tally are remote.

Only Olbiyun in 2004/05 stayed up with 34 points.  It doesn't improve a whole pile on 35 points either, with only Hull managing it with that figure in 2008/09 and West Ham in 2009/10.

[paul_e]

Based on historical Premier League finishes, the chances of staying up on our current tally are remote.

Only Olbiyun in 2004/05 stayed up with 34 points.  It doesn't improve a whole pile on 35 points either, with only Hull managing it with that figure in 2008/09 and West Ham in 2009/10.

It really depends what you're looking at, the points scored by 17th or the points needed to be 1 above safety.

The latter is more accurate:
18/19 - 35
17/18 - 34
16/17 - 35
15/16 - 38
14/15 - 36
13/14 - 34
12/13 - 37
11/12 - 37
10/11 - 40
09/10 - 31

So 34 would've been enough in 3 of the last 10 and 35 would've been enough half of the time. That pattern doesn't change much if you go back for all the seasons with 20 teams. It holds true for other leagues as well, 35-36 is generally the average.

[Legion]

0-2

[levico]

This is the Villa remember, the very definition of it’s the hope that kills you.

2-1 West Ham

[KevinGage]

1-0 Villa with a Mark Noble OG.

If we play with the same intensity as we did against Arsenal and leave it all out there that's all we can ask.

[TopDeck113]

Just win.

[Steve67]

I have absolutely no idea what will happen here.  When we play well, like we have the last three games, we look like we can go places.  All too often though, when we play poorly. we look like a bunch of strangers thrown together.  I hope for the former, but sadly, I don't trust us.  I want to, but it's the hope that kills you.  Be heroes.

[Risso]

1-4 Villa.

Jack 2, McGinn, Davis.