Final League Position

[sickbeggar]

I'm trying to think of an ex-England international with no visible ability as a manager apart from failure...……….Gary Nev?

[Drummond]

Aidy Boothroyd surely....

[LeeB]

Aidy Boothroyd surely....

Winner.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Anything below 12th and I'll be disappointed as I expect would be the owners having ploughed in close to a quarter of a billion quid just on transfers in the last 12 or so months.

[260475]

Had a Ladbrokes bet on 10th about 4 weeks ago at (rather poor) odds of 7/1, so 10th it is, but no higher.

UTV

[ASHTONVILLA]

Mings and Konsa are a bottom half defence based on most of last season, and we have little in reserve there if either get injured. Add in terrible left backs, a rookie right back and a very lightweight midfield and I think we will ship a lot of goals.

Up front we look better, but are still starting the season with one inexperienced striker and hoping they stay fit and hit the ground running. Fortunately I think Watkins will do.

If everything clicks, we have better luck with injuries and sign a couple more I think we are capable of surprising a few and finishing at the top end of the table. This is Villa though so predicting 14th but comfortably away from relegation.

[aev]

I can't believe I am the only miserable pessimistic so and so that sees relegation.

[sickbeggar]

I can't believe I am the only miserable pessimistic so and so that sees relegation.

Dunno. After seeing Fulham and wba, there's 2 teams we're better than even based on last season's form

[Pat Mustard]

I think anywhere between 9th and 14th is likely as can’t see more than a handful of points covering the mid table teams this year, who I think we will join. Can see West Brom and Fulham being a way behind the rest, then a group including West Ham, Leeds, Newcastle and possibly Burnley fighting to stay up.

We aren’t good enough to be any higher than mid table yet, but have enough not to struggle this year from what I’ve seen of other teams so far. Plus, I’ve got a feeling we’ll have another cup final to look forward to this year.

[ASHTONVILLA]

I'm trying to think of an ex-England international with no visible ability as a manager apart from failure...……….Gary Nev?

Gareth Southgate

[ozzjim]

I can't believe I am the only miserable pessimistic so and so that sees relegation.

I still think it will be tight, and we are only a couple of injuries from a full on relegation fight to the last (or worse)

[ASHTONVILLA]

I can't believe I am the only miserable pessimistic so and so that sees relegation.

I still think it will be tight, and we are only a couple of injuries from a full on relegation fight to the last (or worse)

That's where we were last season. McGinn, Mings Grealish, Heaton and Wesley all picked up injuries and we just about survived.  If that lot all did the same this season we also have Watkins, Traore, and Martinez so we do have more depth and quality available up front and in goal at least - hence I reckon we will be safer this time around. If we do not strengthen in central defence, and shore up a very lightweight midfield I can't see us doing very well, but do think we will less close to relegation.

[Russ aka Big Nose]

1st. I've had a bet at 1,000/1, though I did back us E/W as 2nd would be decent progress.

EACH WAY?! Bluenose!

Blimey, what an incredible spot. 54 years and counting and even I hadn't realised! UTV (maybe ...)

[Mister E]

Yes, we're potentially frail in defence if we pick up injuries.
Tonight's game is really important: we need to start off where we finished the mini-league and push on from there. Any poor performance tonight leading to a loss will not give the squad the confidence it badly needs to push on.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I can't believe I am the only miserable pessimistic so and so that sees relegation.

Give it 5 hours..