Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace Pre Match Thread - Boxing Day 3pm

[TonyD]

I’d keep Traore in the side. 

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think we'll have to with both Barkley and Trez still out.

[Lastfootstamper]

I think we'll have to with both Barkley and Trez still out.

Trez is still out, but Smith said both Barkley and Konsa should be back in training today. Might be a bit soon, though, depending on what, if anything at all, he has been able to do while out.

[RamboandBruno]

I think we'll have to with both Barkley and Trez still out.

Trez is still out, but Smith said both Barkley and Konsa should be back in training today. Might be a bit soon, though, depending on what, if anything at all, he has been able to do while out.

Thought Smith was quoted after West Brom, that Barkley would be fine for the palace game?

[Lastfootstamper]

The pre-Palace presser Smith gave yesterday where he says about a return to training is on the website now. There's also a gallery of photos from training, don't know if they were taken yesterday or today, but I can't see either Barkley or Konsa in them.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

One of the less offensive London clubs with a set of supporters who for the most part seem decent enough.
Checking the records I find I was at our first ever league meeting in 1967, a 1-0 home defeat about which I have zero recollection.
Since then we have played them in league and cup 42 times. No dramatic cup encounter which we talk of in the memories section, no massive thrashings for or against, no goal of the season contender, no big controveries or crowd incidents.
Both Sir Brian and BFR had their final managerial games for us with defeats at Selhurst Park. But even these were just generally below par games at the end of poor runs culminating in Doug deciding to show off his roses.
What a shame there wont be a crowd there. Some jealous small heathen could have smuggled himself in disguised as a glazier and hurled insults at Grealish.
Greasy reacts and launches a kung fu kick on his blue nose leading to a rest of the season ban and the Vile lose every game and get relegated.
Instead we spawny bastards win 2-0 and a month from now we will barely recall the encounter.

[villa `cross the mersey]

... our back 5 have really shown their metal....

 Chris Nickel was better.

But only when we were in the lead

[darren woolley]

2-1 Villa win.

[supertom]

As long as we approach it like Burnley and remain sharp at the back, we'll be okay. We've been a little too nonchalant in other home games (not always helped by a couple coming after international breaks). If we stay wary of their pace on the break, I think we should be winning this and swinging back our home form. I'd probably keep the side as is. Jack and John are fit as butchers dogs, the wingers are relatively fresh and Dougy had a game off last week. It'll be the Chelsea game we may switch 1 or 2. This will show us how fit we are between now and Utd. I just think that the Palace game is an ideal time to turn our Villa park form around. Watkins needs a rest in one of the three games. As much energy and running as he's showed, its a hard job. I think also Marvellous to come in for one of the Chelsea or Utd games for Doug.
I then think we've got a week between Utd and the cup game, which is enough time not to need to play second string. We should go into it looking to win. 

[Allan C]

Think this will be 3-0 to Villa with a much deserved and needed double from Ollie Watkins and anyone else for the third

[SoccerHQ]

Would bring Konsa back for this if he's o.k.

Hause has done well but think West Brom and Burnley were ideal opponents for him to look good. Of course Benteke will be a threat in the air but I'm sure Mings-Konsa will be o.k dealing with that. Thought of Zaha cutting in and running at Hause directly is why I wouldn't start him.

Barkley as impact sub for last 30 minutes. Hasn't played for 5 weeks now and can't see AEG or Traore being dropped after how they play on Sunday. Nice problem to have. Frustrating if Barkley does return he'll be out again as can't play v Chelsea. At least he'll be fresh for Man. United and Liverpool which are games he can make an impact on.

Forgot the prediction....2-1 us. We're overdue a home win and given our next two after this are Spurs and Everton it would be just us to go 4 months without a home win while being on verge of top 6.

Palace haven't got that great a recent record at VP....just one goal in last 4 visits.

[robbo1874]

Difficult one to call this. Your first thoughts are easy Villa win, but then the doubts start to creep in a bit. I’d take a 1-0, or 2-1 definitely.

[robbo1874]

... our back 5 have really shown their metal....

 Chris Nickel was better.

But only when we were in the lead

I’ll be brassed off if we don’t win

[Mister E]

... our back 5 have really shown their metal....

Chris Nickel was better.

But only when we were in the lead

I’ll be brassed off if we don’t win

I'll get out my tin hat, then ...

[Baldy]

Palace blow hot and cold. They are a decent side who certainly have more to offer than Brighton and Burnley who we lost points against recently but we are learning from our mistakes.

We now attack from all angles and will create lots of chances. Will we take enough of them chances is the question?

I think yes. 2-1 to the villa.