Aston Villa vs Manchester United pre-match thread

[Clampy]

The only one I'm worried about is Ganarcho. We usually bounce back quickly so I'm a little more optimistic than others but we need to be at it a lot better than last night.

Yeah, but the Sheffield United result was the bounce back from the Newcastle one, and that was only at the weekend. It's not bouncing back if you're at it one match, then play like Small Heath the next.

In general under Unai, we do quickly bounce back though more often than not. Hopefully we will again on Sunday.

[boozey182]

We need to get control of midfield, or we'll be smashed. And considering their midfield at Old Trafford wasn't any great shakes, it's a big worry. I'd go.

Martinez
Cash Carlos Torres (hopefully) Moreno
Bailey McGinn Kamara Luiz Ramsey
Watkins

I think we can win with that team. Ramsey looked more like his old self last night - a bit more pace and purpose about him. Tielemens is not who we need when we are in a battle to get control of the game - having him and Diaby to bring on in the second half once the game has opened up a bit could really help, but we need to win that initial battle for control first. This lineup is our best available. Torres being back will be huge - a boost to Doug, Kamara and Carlos. I just hope he's fit enough.

[Sexual Ealing]

I'm very comfortable with the tone in this thread. The ones with super-confidence fill me with dread.

[VillaTim]

over on Red Cafe they aren't exactly bulging with confidence but they do seem a bit more chirpy today

[edgysatsuma89]

I'm fully mentally prepared for the loss so I'm going to be fucking partying when we pull off a miraculous draw.

[PaulWinch again]

Torres is absolutely vital, he makes such a massive difference.

[Smirker]

I know it's still raw after last night, but I'm quite shocked at the poll. Maybe it's rose tinted glasses,but I think we'll see a different Villa Sunday.

Agree mate I can't believe how negative it is on here.

[Brazilian Villain]

I know it's still raw after last night, but I'm quite shocked at the poll. Maybe it's rose tinted glasses,but I think we'll see a different Villa Sunday.

Agree mate I can't believe how negative it is on here.

We're 6/5 to win with Paddy Power, Yanited are 2/1. Some easy money to be made for the pessimists.

[PaulWinch again]

I know it's still raw after last night, but I'm quite shocked at the poll. Maybe it's rose tinted glasses,but I think we'll see a different Villa Sunday.

Agree mate I can't believe how negative it is on here.

It’s hardly a massive leap though given the last two home performances. We haven’t just lost, we’ve been comprehensively outplayed by two teams who are worse than Manure, and also our most recent experience against them is letting a two goal lead slip and get completely battered for 45 mins.

I hope we see a different Villa, something akin to what we saw against Citeh, but we looks a million miles off that at the moment.

[eamonn]

Agree with taking Tielemans out for Ramsey. JJ still looks like he's playing within himself, tentative because of the double injury no doubt, but we need him to be brave now.

Would be glad of a draw which seems a shameful thing to say as six weeks ago I would have gladly faced this lot every week til the rest of the season.

[john e]

There’s a lot of negativity on this pre match thread

So I’ll throw in a bit more I have zero confidence about getting anything out of this game
Man United only have and have only ever had one tactic, counter-attack, unfortunately they are bloody good at it as shown by the goals they score and how effective it is late in games against the run of play

our defence will be like spinning tops by the end of the match, Garnacho will be licking his lips as we speak
Chelsea literally took the piss out of us last night to a televised audience and the same will happen again on Sunday if we don’t play 100% better

On the rare occasion we build up a bit of pressure and the crowd get behind the players and you think come on let’s have a go, then we’re passing the ball round the back for 10 minutes, going back to square one all the time, we lose all impetus the atmosphere falls flat and the opposition think ahh this is good

I don’t mind paying out of the back with the emphasis been on Out
We play around the back and into the back, always very slowly with Carlos lumbering about it’s honestly unbelievable how many negative and cautious balls we play, then we get trapped in the corners and have to hoof it away mainly because we’ve been too negative ponderous not progressive and fucked about too much

With the history of this fixture I don’t think I’ve ever been more in my Boots expecting a flogging

I’ll go as far as to say if we win on Sunday I’ll eat my sou’wester

[VillaTim]

Man Utd have to be one of the best counter attacking teams out there , even when they are shite its one aspect they appear well drilled at

[Risso]

Man Utd seem to have picked up a few points in games where they haven't really deserved to. In those sorts of games we generally come away with nothing.

[olaftab]

I'm fully mentally prepared for the loss so I'm going to be fucking partying when we pull off a miraculous draw.

Miraculous draw? How on earth is that a valid sub-position for a team in 4th place playing mid table dross?

[olaftab]

Man Utd seem to have picked up points in most games where they haven't really deserved to.

FIFY