Man C115y vs Aston Villa pre-match thread

[Drummond]

Of course they are hard to beat and favourites for the match but we can beat them.

If we lose, we shouldn't be downhearted etc. because anything can happen in these games. They will be desperate to win, especially after today, to stop Liverpool getting away, which means we'll get chances.

[AV84]

If we lose, we shouldn't be downhearted etc. because anything can happen in these games. They will be desperate to win, especially after today, to stop Liverpool getting away, which means we'll get chances.

I know some people watched today's match and thought oh, we could finish better than 4th, but for me I'm still looking over my shoulder at Spurs. So my reaction to the result of our game will rest entirely on the result of the Spurs game the day before. If they win, we have to win. If they drop points, we have to at least match them, but a win would be massive then.

[Smirker]

Win on Wednesday and we're back in the title race imo.

[Martyn Smith]

Today's match showed that you can get something from them if you stop them playing. This is what I hope we do. Play horrible, negative, suffocating shithouse anti-football. No to fannying around at the back, they will pick us apart with that. Yes to agricultural punts in the direction of the International Space Station

0-0. Please. Gotta be worth £10 on the win with a £5 saver, keeping an eye as necessary out for a good cashout

[PaulWinch again]

I don’t think that’ll work. Our way to stop them is to be front footed, like we were in December. If we sit back it’ll be like Spurs at home.

[Drummond]

I don’t think that’ll work. Our way to stop them is to be front footed, like we were in December. If we sit back it’ll be like Spurs at home.

They will be different than they were in December, as will we, their are personnel changes in both sides. I'd argue we're weaker and they are stronger. We're away, the odds are against us, but this is a new Aston Villa. This is Unai Emery's Aston Villa.

[PaulWinch again]

No I understand it’s different, my point is more that I don’t think, generally, sitting in really works against Citeh. For one thing they’re very used to it and normally their quality eventually tells. But they do have some defensive fragility and can be got at. That coupled with the fact that the personnel we have available aren’t really optimal for a backs to the wall type display means I think trying to give them something to think about is our best chance. Doesn’t mean it’ll be successful of course, they normally win, especially at home, so it’s an incredibly tough ask, but I do think it’s our best chance.

[Monty]

Wolves seem to have had some success with an aggressive counter-attacking strategy, which will necessarily entail a bit of sitting deep at times.

[Demitri_C]

Win on Wednesday and we're back in the title race imo.

Sorry we are not. They have a game in hand as well. Sorry if its coming across as negative but just dont want you to be disappointed when it dont happen.

We would need a almighty collapse of three teams and for us to win near enough all games. Not gonna happen. But imagine we finished 3rd? That would be incredible

[brontebilly]

I'm not much of a Carlos fan but I think he will do ok on Haaland again. They are nowhere near the level they were at last season. Ake is a big loss for them too. With all our injuries, our only option really is a 424 with Luiz/Tielemans behind Bailey, Diaby, Duran, Zaniolo. Maybe one of the most attacking line ups that's ever played at their place, who knows it might work. We don't have the players available to consider sitting in and playing on counter.

[rob_bridge]

They were lethargic today in my opinion but against a very good side.

Can see them being too much for us without McGinn and Kamara -where we won the game back in December

Them 4 Us 2

[Smirker]

Win on Wednesday and we're back in the title race imo.

Sorry we are not. They have a game in hand as well. Sorry if its coming across as negative but just dont want you to be disappointed when it dont happen.

We would need a almighty collapse of three teams and for us to win near enough all games. Not gonna happen. But imagine we finished 3rd? That would be incredible

Yes it would.

But I'm a believer too 

[rob_bridge]

Win on Wednesday and we're back in the title race imo.

I disagree - we are 8 behind Liverpool who have a game in hand and a much better goal difference. Which will be much better again when they play Sheff Utd on Thursday.

To win the league we'd need to win all 8. I simply cannot see that happening. Even then Liverpool would only need 13 from 7 other games.

If we beat Cit-eh it would mean they'd need to win all 8 to have a chance of winning.

85 should be enough to win it this year.

[VillaTim]

Why is this a 20:15 hours KO . I can only think it's the Amazon Prime effect .

[Smirker]

Why is this a 20:15 hours KO . I can only think it's the Amazon Prime effect .

Its not on Prime is it?