Watford vs Aston Villa Pre match thread - Saturday, Aug 14th 3pm

[darren woolley]

2-1 Villa win.

[robbo1874]

In Aus a Villa win is $2.25, Watford win and the draw $3.25. Fairly comfortable Villa win I think.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

On paper whatever XL we put out should be better than Watford man for man. Having said that it's never easy going to newly promoted side on the first day of the season and I think Watford might be the best equipt of the three sides to stay up. I wouldn't grumble at a point.

I would. Every game is difficult in the PL (Albion aside) so no excuses, start the season as we plan to go on. 3 points please, Bob.

[Lastfootstamper]

On paper whatever XL we put out should be better than Watford man for man. Having said that it's never easy going to newly promoted side on the first day of the season and I think Watford might be the best equipt of the three sides to stay up. I wouldn't grumble at a point.

I expect us to beat these with only eleven players. Forty seems unnecessarily excessive.

[eamonn]

Hope we're not ragged as fuck....we've had such a disruptive pre-season.

Don't have a clue about Watford, do they know their arse from their elbow? Can't believe Deeney is still there. You can just see an 88th minute shithouse winner from him in front of the Vicarage's first crowded house since we funeral'd them.

[Meanwood Villa]

On paper whatever XL we put out should be better than Watford man for man. Having said that it's never easy going to newly promoted side on the first day of the season and I think Watford might be the best equipt of the three sides to stay up. I wouldn't grumble at a point.

I'm not sure it will be 40 per side

Edit- Lastfootstamper got there first!

[CT]

We will be missing at least three key players...

Buendia
Bailey
Luiz

This. I’m thinking we’ve had a pretty disrupted pre season and it may take another week or so to hit the ground running. I’ve no idea what Watford’s pre season has been like though of course.

I’d take a point and then a humiliation of the barcodes.

[Monty]

On paper whatever XL we put out should be better than Watford man for man. Having said that it's never easy going to newly promoted side on the first day of the season and I think Watford might be the best equipt of the three sides to stay up. I wouldn't grumble at a point.

I would. Every game is difficult in the PL (Albion aside) so no excuses, start the season as we plan to go on. 3 points please, Bob.

Agreed. With no disrespect to Watford, they are after all sort of stepbrothers via SGT, but if we're not looking at these games as the sort we should be winning then forget challenging the top 6/7.

[eamonn]

We will be missing at least three key players...

Buendia
Bailey
Luiz

This. I’m thinking we’ve had a pretty disrupted pre season and it may take another week or so to hit the ground running. I’ve no idea what Watford’s pre season has been like though of course.

I’d take a point and then a humiliation funeraling of the barcodes.

Fixed.

[sid1964]

I don’t think the owners and Purslow will be too impressed if we lose on Saturday

Dean needs a good start to the season otherwise he may be looking for a new job by November

[WarszaVillan]

I don’t think the owners and Purslow will be too impressed if we lose on Saturday

Dean needs a good start to the season otherwise he may be looking for a new job by November

The opening game of the season being a must win game is a first for me.

[Meanwood Villa]

I don’t think the owners and Purslow will be too impressed if we lose on Saturday

Dean needs a good start to the season otherwise he may be looking for a new job by November

The opening game of the season being a must win game is a first for me.

Gets earlier every season. Will be pre season friendlies soon.

[Richard E]

By 5.00 on Saturday we will know whether we are going to win the League with a record number of points or finish miles adrift in bottom place. 

[AV82EC]

There are times though when a poor first performance means you question what the fuckers have been up to in the summer. Was it under MON where a home defeat by Wigan was swiftly followed up by being unceremoniously dumped out of the Europa League by Rapid Vienna and a serious amount of meltdown occurred. Admittedly that was followed up by a quite stupendous 3-1 win at Anfield so all part of the rough and tumble.

[brontebilly]

We will be missing at least three key players...

Buendia
Bailey
Luiz

And how fit are the likes of Sanson or Traore? Hardly fit enough to start surely....might be the day to give three at the back a go as options out wide and in midfield seem very light. Always have the option of bringing in likes of AEG and Traore off the bench.

------------------Martinez
-------Konsa, Tuanzebe, Mings
Cash, Ramsey, Nakamba, Targett
-----------------McGinn---------
------------Ings, Watkins

Subs from Steer, Hause, Young, Traore, AEG, Wes, Sanson, Hourihane, Chucky, JPB, Guilbert