Aston Villa v Chelsea Pre match

[N'ZMAV]

we will need to be at our best and Chelsea will need to be at their worst for us to win.
Neither will happen.

[Luffbralion]

Don't worry, folks...if we lose, we've still got the exciting prospect of a new crest to look forward to.

[Pete3206]

Nailed on defeat 0-3

[pauliewalnuts]

Don't worry, folks...if we lose, we've still got the exciting prospect of a new crest to look forward to.

Until it turns out to be some marketing bullshit about a lamp.

[SoccerHQ]

We've won 5 of the last 33 against them. I'm not hopeful.

Surprised the record is that bad. They didn't win a single game at VP between April 1999-Feb 2009 and we had a few draws at Stamford Bridge in that period aswell. Also took 4 points off them in 20/21.

I guess the years leading up to 15/16 diminished our good record v them but even that had us winning 1-0 when they finished with 9 men and Mourinho had his touchline meltdown.

Reckon 5 wins from last 33 is still probably better than Spurs have managed in their last 33 games v Chelsea.

[PaulWinch again]

It would be nice if we could show some tactical adjustments and actually look like a coherent attacking side. Get someone  filling the huge gap between attack and midfield.

[Ads]

The side I think that will be picked:

Martinez

Cash
Konsa
Mings
Young

Luiz
Dendonker
McGinn

Buendia
Ramsey

Watkins

[Nev]

One glance at the media's previews of Sunday will tell you what the reaction will be if we call for the Managers head. The Guardian in particular is so way off the mark they could be talking about a different club altogether and that Sutton preview bollocks on the BBC all but absolves him of any real responsibility.

We will, almost certainly, end up like the Newcastle fans under Bruce. Painted as ungrateful and not knowing what we are talking about.

[eamonn]

What are the Manchester Guardian saying? I thought Paul Doyle "got" us. I'm sure John Percy will fight for our rights, at least.

[Nev]

What are the Manchester Guardian saying? I thought Paul Doyle "got" us. I'm sure John Percy will fight for our rights, at least.

It's in the "10 thing to look out for article". I've rarely seen such a misread of a situation in my life.

[Risso]

The Graun bit:

"5) A lesson in the Blues for Villa
It doesn’t edify the clubs involved in it, but never has the Battle for the Top FourTM been as intense as this season. Which makes things difficult for Graham Potter who, as well as handling Todd Boehly’s multidimensional ego, must also contend with managers more experienced in life at the top end of the table. But so far, he’s doing a pretty decent job – in large part because he quickly decided that Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are his go-to attackers, so picks them in nearly every game. Villa, on the other hand, are struggling to score, and though Steven Gerrard was right to demand more from his creators, he is also part of the problem, constantly tinkering having built a strong squad with no obvious first team. Now it is time for him to settle on an XI and allow it to groove; the same wrong team playing together every week will be better than playing an altogether different team every week."

[Brend'Watkins]

What has happened to Chambers?

[Didier Five]

We'll set up and play similar to how we did v Man City.  It won't be pretty, it won't be exciting and we may get a point. SG will come over as mildly smug with the outcome.

You don't think he might try to play one up front, two out wide and one in the hole?

[Legion]

What has happened to Chambers?

He probably ran over Gerrard's dog.

[olaftab]

What has happened to Chambers?

He probably ran over Gerrard's dog.

And young Cam was walking by and did nothing to help.