Aston Villa v Chelsea Pre-Match Thread

[Duncan Shaw]

Balls we’re going to have one centre half aren’t we.

Hopefully he's just keeping them guessing! Onana still 2-3 weeks away!

[Somniloquism]

Cash Bogarde Mings Digne I suspect even if Konsa is in the squad.

[Duncan Shaw]

A few people on this thread predicticing a win to nil....you've seen us play this season, right?

[Somniloquism]

If all those listed are on course, they should all be back for the CL matches and definitely back for the April / May run-in which might start getting packed.

[Nev]

I picked out the Dandys to run Fireworks FC close in the title race but that's gone way off the mark. A lot of this probably down to Palmer not being in form so you know where our thought process goes from here.

Nah, fuck 'em.

2-0

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Cash Bogarde Mings Digne I suspect even if Konsa is in the squad.

Mings appeared to be struggling most of the second half against Liverpool. Could really do with at least one recognised centre half on the pitch.

[eamonn]

Who are the 2025 out of contract equivalents to Chris Samba and James Collins that we could sign to duff opposing forwards up on the pitch?

[paul_e]

Cash Bogarde Mings Digne I suspect even if Konsa is in the squad.

Mings appeared to be struggling most of the second half against Liverpool. Could really do with at least one recognised centre half on the pitch.

Mings took a stud or 2 to the side of his knee when he challenged Robertson at a corner. I don't think there's any real damage but it looked like a sore one and he might have a decent bruise from it.

[Smithy]

Cash Bogarde Mings Digne I suspect even if Konsa is in the squad.

Mings appeared to be struggling most of the second half against Liverpool. Could really do with at least one recognised centre half on the pitch.

Mings took a stud or 2 to the side of his knee when he challenged Robertson at a corner. I don't think there's any real damage but it looked like a sore one and he might have a decent bruise from it.

Yep, looked like a collision injury, rather than anything muscular (or worse).  Hopefully a few days of rest and Ibuprofen as he's ready to go.  As others have said, we really do need fit centre-halves for this one.

I think it's pretty remarkable that after not winning in 5 games, we're STILL only 4 points off 5th place.  So despite not being great in the league recently, we're still right in the mix for a Champions League place.  Beating Chelsea would go a long way towards that.  I'm starting to worry about Bournemouth though, who have probably the best run-in of any team fighting for the European places.  It would be sods law for Forest to fall away only for Bournemouth to sneak in there.

[brontebilly]

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Bailey/Malen, McGinn, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers, Watkins

I thought Bailey had some decent performances before his latest knock so if fully fit I'd play him on the right. Otherwise give Malen a go.

[VillaTim]

On paper the strongest defence can be fielded though not sure Konsa will be 100% and Mings isn't 100% fit either .
------- Martinez ----------
Cash Konsa Mings Digne
--- Tielemans- McGinn----
Ramsey------------- marlen
--- Watkins ---- Rogers ----

[brontebilly]

Cash Bogarde Mings Digne I suspect even if Konsa is in the squad.

Mings appeared to be struggling most of the second half against Liverpool. Could really do with at least one recognised centre half on the pitch.

Mings took a stud or 2 to the side of his knee when he challenged Robertson at a corner. I don't think there's any real damage but it looked like a sore one and he might have a decent bruise from it.

Yep, looked like a collision injury, rather than anything muscular (or worse).  Hopefully a few days of rest and Ibuprofen as he's ready to go.  As others have said, we really do need fit centre-halves for this one.

I think it's pretty remarkable that after not winning in 5 games, we're STILL only 4 points off 5th place.  So despite not being great in the league recently, we're still right in the mix for a Champions League place.  Beating Chelsea would go a long way towards that.  I'm starting to worry about Bournemouth though, who have probably the best run-in of any team fighting for the European places.  It would be sods law for Forest to fall away only for Bournemouth to sneak in there.

Would be a phenomenal achievement from Forest or Bournemouth to make the CL. Surpassing us or Newcastle really. Lazarus like managerial comeback from Nuno, Iraola will end up at White Hart Lane this summer I expect.

I wouldn't be surprised if Citeh fell away a bit yet, their team is breaking up this summer and maybe Guardiola might leave. Not a happy camp. Newcastle, Chelsea and ourselves aren't hitting any form yet but it's wide open for a late run.

[London Villan]

Man city could also be on for a points deduction too.

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

A repeat of Wednesday night’s performance should be enough to see off these tossers.

3-1 Villa

Rashford, Watkins and Ramsey.

[PaulWinch again]

We’ll need a massive performance here, they’ve got a significant advantage.