Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Brazilian Villain]

I just hope that there's no 'Other Games' thread started on SHA this evening.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

I just hope that there's no 'Other Games' thread started on SHA this evening.

Don't count on that! 

[Richie]

I just hope that there's no 'Other Games' thread started on SHA this evening.

Don't count on that! 

They only tend to comment on matches we lose.

If Villa win, they go down the "I don't wanna talk about it" route.

So fingers crossed, the match is ignored on there tonight.

As regards the match, I'd take a draw back to VP every day of the week.

[Halfway to Moseley]

8+ hours to kick off and I already feel like I’m sat in a dentist waiting room. Watching it tonight is going to be horrible.

[TaxDodger]

It's going to be Bolton 2004 all over again. We're going to be 3-0 down after 15 minutes. We shouldn't bother turning up. We should just never play football again so I don't have to be nervous about things. I'm going for a walk.

[john2710]

Hopefully it's Forests turn to shit the bed at the last hurdle.

It's ours to lose & over two legs, there's no excuses. I think Ollie's words yesterday tells us the players know it's time to deliver & that it's probably the last chance for some.

It's going to be fucking epic. UTV

[brontebilly]

Get through this tie and we will be red hot favourites for the final. We have flunked similar situations in the past but time for these warriors to deliver tonight. We were running on empty the time of the Olympiacos debacle, no such excuses this time. Confident our players will do it and finish the job at Villa Park.

[eamonn]

Hopefully it's Forests turn to shit the bed at the last hurdle.

It's ours to lose & over two legs, there's no excuses. I think Ollie's words yesterday tells us the players know it's time to deliver & that it's probably the last chance for some.

It's going to be fucking epic. UTV

Speaking words of wisdom
Score Ollie
Score Ollie

[dave.woodhall]

Time we turned up in one of these games. If we do we’ll win.

Yep, third semi-final in three seasons and didn't show up at all in the previous two.  Not showing up when it really matters is probably a justified criticism that can be levelled at this group of players over the past couple of seasons, but hopefully they can deliver over the next four games.

I can understand Olympiakos. We were completely flat lining and the result at the Emirates was a minor miracle, as was Duran against Liverpool.  Palace was all us though. We were flying, practically full strength, and to serve that up wasn't good enough.

It was Palace's year.

[eye digress]

Very calm.

No miracles required, this is where this team finally comes of age. It's ours.

UTV

[usav]

Most pre-match threads are between 5-8 pages.  The fact that this one is 20 already shows you the magnitude of this game.

As others have said, it's time for them to deliver - and I include Unai in that.  He got it wrong on Saturday IMO, he rarely messes up twice in a row.  Solid performance tonight pls, ride out the storm and get them back to Villa Park.

[Toronto Villa]

Respectfully, if Onana cannot go tonight I sincerely hope Emery doesn’t play Bogarde in his place. It needs be Luiz or SJM more centrally, as unfortunately it can’t be Barkley.

[Hookeysmith]

Unless injured - Pau has to play over Mings as he slows the play down too much

[brontebilly]

Respectfully, if Onana cannot go tonight I sincerely hope Emery doesn’t play Bogarde in his place. It needs be Luiz or SJM more centrally, as unfortunately it can’t be Barkley.

Barkley with Tielemans would be ran all over in a two. So he isn't a loss in that sense, would probably come off the bench. Luiz is more athletic than Barkley, not difficult, but again Luiz/Tielemans lack legs in midfield. Bogarde blew his chance. McGinn into midfield and Sancho/Bailey onto right for Williams to bully them...again bit of a nightmare. Luiz/Tielemans is the least worse option if Onana is out for me. If Onana is out, Id push Tielemans forward and still bring in Luiz anyway. Luiz has a point to prove and has done well off bench lately against Forest and Fulham. Seems to have slipped out of favour though.

[Bully2345]

Not panicking on the team selection. If anyone could have hit the target on Saturday, we'd have got a draw at least and that was playing terribly. Luiz and Tielemans isn't going to happen. Only way Luiz plays is instead of Buendia and pushing Tielemans forward.

However, I am panicking about the game. I really really don't want to lose to these