Manchester City vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[PaulWinch again]

I think the Forest result, makes this pretty close to must win. Obviously it’s not in a pure points sense, but given we’re playing in the cup and how fixtures are landing we could end up quite a way behind if we lose. If we win and get in front of them that would be massive.

[Drummond]

Emi

Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne

Onana
Kamara

Rogers
Youri
Rashford

Watkins

Subs

Olsen
Garcia
Maatsen
Mings
Desasi
Ramsey
McGinn
Malen
Asensio

Missing out

Bogarde
Barkley
Bailey

2 2 I think.

I would go with this, but Emery has indicated a couple of weeks back that he’s not quite ready to play Rashford and Watkins together yet. Hard to drop Ollie after Saturday, but think he might bring Rashford in and then have McGinn or Ramsey in.

I think he meant as a two up top.

I'd go with this lineup too, though I'd have Barkley in the squad.

[PaulWinch again]

Foden always scores against us. I think we’ll need at least 3 goals.

[Brazilian Villain]

After Saturday I'm strangely confident about tonight. Would be a massive win if we could get the 3 points.

[PaulWinch again]

If it were at Villa I’d be confident, but we just have such a bad record there.

[rob_bridge]

After Saturday I'm strangely confident about tonight. Would be a massive win if we could get the 3 points.

Pre Saturday I thought we'd need to either win one of these or not lose both to stay in contention. Chelsea win was a curveball. Everton not hanging on was disappointing.

Whilst not a free hit by any stretch any points from this game would be akin to a bonus.

[Drummond]

Just had a quick chat with John McGinn. Chilling out before tonight at the hotel I have a conference in today... He said he was chilling but he looked properly intense and focused to me.

[Somniloquism]

Was it a chat, or did you just fall down at his feet wailing "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy".

[ADVILLAFAN]

Don't feel particularly nervous about this one, as far more preoccupied with the FA Cup game on the weekend and anything gained here is a bonus.

[RamboandBruno]

Just had a quick chat with John McGinn. Chilling out before tonight at the hotel I have a conference in today... He said he was chilling but he looked properly intense and focused to me.

I guess he was being demanding of himself in the way he chilled.

[Drummond]

Was it a chat, or did you just fall down at his feet wailing "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy".

Put it in the wank bank.

[Drummond]

Just had a quick chat with John McGinn. Chilling out before tonight at the hotel I have a conference in today... He said he was chilling but he looked properly intense and focused to me.

I guess he was being demanding of himself in the way he chilled.

I made sure my standards didn't drop.

[Dave]

Forest and Villa have had freakish good fortune with injuries this season. Villa especially given they had European football to contend with.

Yeah, if you say so chap.

[Monty]

Forest and Villa have had freakish good fortune with injuries this season. Villa especially given they had European football to contend with.

Yeah, if you say so chap.

I think I saw a table not long ago that had us third for most accumulated days missed through injuries? Something like that?

And yeah, OK, you can say that about Forest, but I also think that if you want to blame Ange etc for the injuries their hectic styles induce, you have to say that Nuno's style does seem to be the opposite. Which is fair enough, no?

[Percy McCarthy]

I feel sick.