Aston Villa v Chelsea - Pre Match Thread

[luke95]

So what happens is - because it’s on Sky and we can’t have the nation not having some footy on a Boxing Day evening - we put out a scratch team with a few kids in and a bench from the U23’s / U18’s - play well but lose 2-1 to a near full strength Chelski - all the media say nice things about our academy and how Steven G has got the club going in the right direction - but the bottom line - ie: that we get no points and could have these with a full team as we seek out a European place - gets conveniently glossed over.

100% this is what will happen

[SoccerHQ]

Gerrard out and misses Leeds as well - Covid.

Has Leeds match not been cancelled yet? Seems a bit bizarre given Liverpool match was called off a few days ago.

I guess if he comes back with negative test he can make Brentford match on NYD so hopefully just the one match he isn't around for as we will miss his presence and energy on the touchline as you can see it gets extra 5-10% out of the players so far.

[SoccerHQ]

I’ve heard McGinn has Covid too. Hope it’s just a rumour.

As brilliant as SJM has been recently I'd be disappointed in him if this was true.

I know his brother was playing in the cup final last Sunday but he didn't really have to go up to Glasgow to watch it. Also had covid a few months back (or was close contact) and had to miss Brentford match.

Our CM going to be pretty weak if he's out.

[Beard82]

I might be missing something obvious here, but what has changed to mean this game goes ahead and Burnley was postponed? After all, our youngsters would surely have been available for that game too?

Think they ruled that 13 players have to be fit - think before that they could call it off for an outbreak
The new 7 day isolation rule as opposed to 10. Providing they are jabbed of course.

Yes, but why weren't our youngsters called on for the Burnley game?

[coreyfeldman]

As brilliant as SJM has been recently I'd be disappointed in him if this was true.

I know his brother was playing in the cup final last Sunday but he didn't really have to go up to Glasgow to watch it. Also had covid a few months back (or was close contact) and had to miss Brentford match.

Our CM going to be pretty weak if he's out.
[/quote]

I'm sure he'll struggle to sleep if he finds out.

[mike]

As brilliant as SJM has been recently I'd be disappointed in him if this was true.

I know his brother was playing in the cup final last Sunday but he didn't really have to go up to Glasgow to watch it. Also had covid a few months back (or was close contact) and had to miss Brentford match.

Our CM going to be pretty weak if he's out.

I'm sure he'll struggle to sleep if he finds out.
[/quote]

I don’t think any of us think the players honestly give a fuck let alone struggle to sleep over what any one fan thinks. I’m not convinced the poster, who made an uncontroversial comment, has visions of SJM writing him a letter of apology.

[ozzjim]

I think the Barrow game excuse to get a game on, then I'd playing 48 hours later against Leeds who will have had a long period of rest is plain wrong in every way. We're going to get twatted for sky dollar today, then right up against it against Leeds, all without our manager. Then Brentford. Premier league should be ashamed.

[adrenachrome]

Sky Sports.

Steven Gerrard will miss Aston Villa's next two Premier League games after testing positive for Covid-19, the club have announced.
The Villa head coach will not be in the dugout for the Boxing Day clash at home to Chelsea, live on Sky Sports, or Tuesday's trip to Leeds.


The club said in a statement: "Aston Villa can confirm head coach Steven Gerrard will be unable to attend our next two Premier League matches with Chelsea and Leeds United as he will be isolating after testing positive for Covid-19."


...
One of the three games that have been postponed is Leeds' trip to Liverpool, because of a Covid outbreak at the Yorkshire club on top of their injury problems, meaning it is unclear if Villa's match at Elland Road on December 28 will go ahead anyway.

[andyh]

So no covid declaration forms required for season ticket holders according to the club website. The one filled in for Burnley, the one one that was supposed to be match by match, is now a cover all for ST holders and covers the whole season.
Someone is making this shit up as they go along.

[Villatillidie1982]

So no covid declaration forms required for season ticket holders according to the club website. The one filled in for Burnley, the one one that was supposed to be match by match, is now a cover all for ST holders and covers the whole season.
Someone is making this shit up as they go along.

The whole country is making up this sh1t up as they go along. It doesn't have to be right as long as they are seen to be doing something.

[Smirker]

Still on? 

[Drummond]

I guess if you're vaccinated, you're vaccinated.. So one pass should suffice?

[sickbeggar]

I presume its deffo going ahead then? After the last farce i would expect the club to be warning people to wait till 1pm before setting off if they can? Which they don't seem to be doing..

[ChicagoLion]

Just wondering when is the last moment to call it off .
You would think that the tests are all back in by now, so if we get past 1 it’s on.

[sickbeggar]

Yeah but I presume they do the normal tests this morning? What happens if they come back positive? Or you get a player feeling off with symptoms but not positive? Risk them? Phone up the PL so they can have a board meeting in an hour?