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

[Villa Lew]

Playing Palace brings back memories of our 'Friend' Kevin, I think I'm right in saying that he hasn't refed us since THAT game, it could be just coincidence, but I doubt it, I reckon after the match Villa said they didn't want him to referee us again and if that is so well done the PGMOL.

Anthony Taylor is the ref for Saturday.

[simon ward 50]

Please, please, please perform Villa on national TV. That's all I ask!

[Meanwood Villa]

Exactly the kind of match we have been dropping points in so a bit cautious about this one.

[Legion]

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace: Jack Grealish v Wilfried Zaha best bits as they go head-to-head on BBC Sport - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/55416635

[oishiiniku]

I think this will be a real test. Palace have some good attacking players these days and Eze, Zaha, Benteke and Schlupp had been combining really well before the Liverpool game (which Benteke was suspended for). I hope we've learned the lessons from previous home games and strike a better balance between defence and attack. They can definitely hurt us on the counter if we're caught with our back line all well inside their half, for instance. If we have a better conversion rate than in recent home games then we should win, but I think we will be wasteful again and a draw seems a likely result between two teams who are pretty evenly matched. I'll go 2-2 with us finally coming from behind to get a point.

[TonyD]

The is a storm brewing for Boxing Day.  Bloody hope it’s not called off.  Looking forward to a day of beer,  food and shouting “come on JACK!” at the telly very loudly and often. 

[Drummond]

Unchanged. Brom Barkley on if needed or to give him some time.

[LukeJames]

Heads says probably 1-2 based on how our season has gone.

Heart says a straight forward 2-0.

[clash city rocker]

Sometimes in life you have to back yourself so going 3 -0.

[Richard E]

FIFA21 predicts a 4-0 home win. Watkins 2, Targett and Grealish. Palace barely get a sniff.

[Lsvilla]

Playing Palace brings back memories of our 'Friend' Kevin, I think I'm right in saying that he hasn't refed us since THAT game, it could be just coincidence, but I doubt it, I reckon after the match Villa said they didn't want him to referee us again and if that is so well done the PGMOL.

Anthony Taylor is the ref for Saturday.

I agree about Kevin Friend and his absence from our games since is surely more than coincidence. Equally, we appear to have gone about it with more class than Nuno and his beef with Lee Mason, but maybe no surprise there.
When I think of Boxing Day fixtures I can’t see past West Ham mid-late 70’s balloons etc and a 4-1 win. Stood on the Witton terrace with my dad and his brother (both blues and both now gone sadly) and my uncle (red scouse). Happy days and I am sure tomorrow can be similar save for the amazing atmosphere.

[tony scott]

I hope Watkins scores 1:1 for me I think we might play Barkley from the off will have the Chelsea game to recover.

[ChicagoLion]

I can not see what the problem is with Nuno calling out Mason.
Lee Mason is not good enough and well done Nuno for calling him out and sticking to it.

[dcdavecollett]

Couldn't agree more; Nuno wasn't abusive or insulting, just saying what most people might agree with.

Watch him get a ban now!!

[adrenachrome]

The Met Office is predicting SW winds gusting up to 38 mph. It will be a very good test of how we adapt to conditions. Bashing it long will be warranted when needs must.
 
Really looking forward to this game. Sad we can't be there.
If the full (wing) backs are on their game, we will win.