Aston Villa v Brighton pre-match thread - Sat 20 Nov 3pm

[Ads]

I am buzzing for this.

[Richard]

I'm excited too just wish our injuries would clear up quicker, I have no idea how many are unavailable today.

[Villa Lew]

Really looking forward to this one, interesting to see if he'll start with both Watkins and Ings, going 2-1 Villa.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

The talking and hype stops here. If we can win with a new manager bounce, we'll all be happy bunnies for the rest of the weekend. Hoping John McGinn can play more forward and score. 2-1 us?

Thermal tights for the Holte End are at the ready...

[AlexAlexCropley]

So excited I'm heading into town extra early.

[The Edge]

I met some Swedish lads last night who wanted to be here for the occasion. They're not even Villa fans they support teams in Stockholm but such is the interest surrounding the Villa right now they said they had to be here. Bloody hell if Gerrard gets it right we could be going global!
So maybe Purslow does know a bit more than me after all.
 

[Skerra]

Talking about Swedes, I see Ketchup has been given the boot.

[SoccerHQ]

let's play players in their proper position.

Well it's either Axel, McGinn or Young for DM and that isn't a proper position for any of them so only other option is to give the young lad a go but tough ask for him in there v likes of Bissouma.

That's the negative today as not sure midfield trio we'll put out will cope with Brighton who have some good players in that area.

[Beard82]

I'm actually quite excited.  I hope that the team doesn't play with the weight of the world on their shoulders like they seem to have at times this season.

Whilst I wasn't behind the appointment - he's our manager now - so I will get right behind him.  I have been impressed with the setup - he seems to have a very good team around him - and an idea for how he wants his team to play. 

I just have this pleasant, nagging feeling, that despite my reservations this could actually work out very well

He does inherit a team that currently does not have a midfield - which is a concern and I am interested to see what he does.  I'm hoping for McGinn, Ramsey Snr, Chuck

[Legion]

https://www.facebook.com/129445223749711/posts/5365153750178806/

[Beard82]

https://www.facebook.com/129445223749711/posts/5365153750178806/

I read that earlier.  I loved this bit at the end:

"I might not have been their preferred choice but I am their manager now.
I was now ‘The Chosen One’ and they were giving me their 100 per cent support. That moment will stay with me for a lifetime."

[SamTheMouse]

Well, he's talked a good game.

But the proof is in the pudding. And the pudding, in this case, is a football....

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

https://www.facebook.com/129445223749711/posts/5365153750178806/

Brilliant!

Hope SG feels something similar!
UTV!

[Drummond]

What's the article please for those of us who don't use farcebook?

[Legion]

Mat Kendrick:

Villa Park prepares for Steven Gerrard's dugout debut today. The last fella to mark his Villa management debut with a Premier League win was John Gregory in February 1998, beating Liverpool 2-1.
Here's JG's brilliant description of what it was like walking down the Trinity Road track for the first time as Aston Villa boss.
"My players left the dressing room and headed down the long flight of stairs to the pitch. A few minutes later I had to do the same.
The anticipation of stepping out into the sunny cauldron that was waiting for me in my first appearance as manager had my heart ticking a lot faster than normal.
I was convinced that the Villa faithful would welcome me with a half hearted response.
A polite round of applause maybe. A lot of boos even.
In a poll in the paper I wasn’t even mentioned in the 10 names that had a chance of the job. No, it’ll be loads of abuse. Steel yourself for it, JG.
I stepped from the darkness of that narrow tunnel into the brilliant sunshine of Villa Park at its finest.
The ground crammed full and awash with claret and blue and an explosion of noise and tension.
I started my walk from the tunnel and headed the fifty yards or so to my seat in the dugout. The Villa fans saw me. They started to cheer and applaud. It got louder and louder.
They started to stand up and shout my name. Wow, they like me! I wasn’t expecting this.
You will never be able to comprehend how I felt at that moment. The enormity of that welcome. The acceptance of the Villa faithful.
I might not have been their preferred choice but I am their manager now.
I was now ‘The Chosen One’ and they were giving me their 100 per cent support. That moment will stay with me for a lifetime."