Some of you may know that I’m currently on holiday.
I always try and make it a rule so that work goes out of the window when I’m away and I’ve actually got quite good at it now; so much so that days go out the window too.
Hence it’s a good thing that I actually looked at the site today and having seen one of the replies, realised the game is actually tomorrow and not on Sunday, as I’d got in my head.
Enough of that rattle though and on to the important stuff, which is Manchester City at Eastlands or whatever they call Maine road these days.
On the face of it, it’s a frightening thought as all the stats are against us.
I could go on about how we haven’t beaten City at their place in the league for ages and the fact that they score boat-loads of goals, but we all know this, I’m sure.
We could also look at the players City have that aren’t available for the game in Vincent Kompany, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Stevan Jovetic.
They’re all top players that would walk into any side in the Premier league.
So perhaps it’s no surprise that City are currently struggling. By their standards anyway, I hasten to add.
But then, they have players to cover and Bony, Silva and Milner are all available.
So it’s all a bit worrying, isn’t it?
Not for me, it isn’t.
Don’t get me wrong, playing City on their turf is a formidable task these days and while I can see a few goals in this game, I don’t think it’s going to be as one-sided as the stats might suggest.
Benteke is scoring for fun and if Gabby proves fit, he can certainly cause City problems.
Sanchez is back after his ban and Sendoros and Cissokho are also available.
It’ll be interesting to see which of those players get back in, if any.
So what do I reckon then?
Well, as I’ve suggested in some of my previous replies, I currently fear no-one and I really don’t think the players do either. This means a lot and makes unlikely results eminently possible.
I’m going for goals and actually think we can get something out of this.
2-2 it is then, for me.
But even if I’m wide of the mark here and we go on to lose, let’s just remember that it won’t be any disgrace.
The turnaround at the club recently has been fantastic and we need to keep up the really positive feelings.
I know Eastlands isn’t Maine Road.
It’s just the old fogey in me 🙂
I’m looking forward to what I hope will be a really entertaining game.
UTV!
Badger, you might be an old fogey, but I’d buy you a pint any time! Good write up. You’re right, it’s very odd how we’re seriously looking forward to every game now believing we can get something. It’s how football should be. Might have to get down the pub to watch it! And Man Citeh will always be at Maine Rd for me too.
Cheers.
I’d forgotten I’d put a poll in.
It seems many think similar to me and pretty much 2/3rds think we’ll get something.
Even if we lose, I’m sure we’ll have at least had a go and it’s just so refreshing to be able to say that 🙂
“Bonus game” this one, it’s the 2 that follow that can ensure safety, though I agree, it won’t be a repeat of last season when a certain Jack Grealish came on and watched Toure deliver a master class goal…nearly a full year on and how things turn. UTV.
Man city are nothing special these days depends what city turn up. They are only after top 4 place now which they should easily get.
Feel we will come back down to earth with a bang tomorrow. I fear a heavy defeat in this one. But I won’t be getting to disheartened if we do. As someone once said “We dust ourselves down and go again”.
I honestly don’t think we’ll get beat. City are vulnerable to breaks and if Jack and Gabby are playing then who knows what might happen? City aren’t going to win the league and I wonder if their balloon has been a bit deflated.
Okay I’ll look in my crystal ball and I predict a 2-1 win for Villa.
Bloody hell even surprised myself with than one!
UTV
Soproud to be a villa fan again its been great takin the piss out of all my liverpool mates up here on merseyside all week cant stop smiling .
It should be a great game, but City are a bit stronger than Liverpool and I don’t want to get too carried away… I think it will be 4-2 to Man City….. But as others have said its the 2 games after this that will really count.
I’m staying positive 2-2 I’ve got a hunch we’ll get something out of this game.UTV
I’ll be keeping a close eye on the Burnley Leicester match a draw would be ideal,but I’ve got a sneaking feeling there’ll be a winner.
Why was OhAhh allowed to vote 27.78 times???
We will hold our own today it will be a draw, and I think this week will be the week we know who the 3 relegated teams will be.
After last Sunday confidence will be high the midfield will be strong, my only reservation will be defence.
You must have a very understanding wife Badger, on holiday still involved in Villas plight, and like me think we will get something out of today’s game, I’m going for a draw like Giddy 2-2 , its plain and simple now we all know Villa are better drilled today under Sherwood than that other daft twat Lambert. Only one poster to see the light.
Yes, she’s good as gold Bill.
She’s always known the score with Villa being massively important to me and it’s my only vice really. It’s even very rare that I go down the pub these days.
As for holidays, we’ve done very well recently, this being the third since August.
But I do have to work the best part of 70 hours every week, so I feel we deserve it.
I can’t see Ooah ever seeing the light.
I’m convinced he’s not happy unless he’s moaning, I’m afraid.
As for suggestions that it’s only comment baiting, well it’s certainly not planned on my part.
I really think he posts what he genuinely feels, bless him.
And to be fair, it’d probably be a very boring site if we all agreed with each other.
Yes, VTID, that’s my concern too, tbh.
We haven’t looked convincing at the back for a while, especially down the flanks, imo.
Still, you never know with what seems like a “we’ll just have to score more than you” attitude 🙂
I am not expecting our usual limp performance at the Etihad today. With the exception of our league cup rout, Villa have been poor on this ground since it opened, but I fancy a better showing. I still believe we will lose, Citeh’s fresher legs off the bench to prove the difference. I am hopeful rojadirecta.me will show the game.
While the crystal ball is out I am going for Citeh to score early with Guzan beaten low to his right. Then Citeh will sit back and Villa will have long period on the attack. Joe Hart, with just one man to concentrate on in the air, will seem in command of his box. Villa’s key player will be whoever plays in front of the right back, if he can deliver a cross that Hart does not pouch we can score, but that player will also have his work cut out helping our RB with City’s left sided attack – so how he performs will be key but I have no idea who will be in that position.
I guess I’m in the minority by reading the comments on today’s game. I do think we are going to come back down to earth. I agree with Badger in respect that i think we will have a go and that is great to know. I just think Citeh will have too much for us.
I’d love to be wrong. 🙂
3-1 Citeh
That’s the perfectly logical way of thinking B6 and it’s one I can’t really argue with.
At least now there’s hope, where a while back there was none.
That’s how I look at it anyway 🙂
Agreed mate, something we never had under our previous manager. As long as they give there all like they have in all games under Sherwood, then they’re be no complaints from me. All fans ever ask from there team is that they give there all.
Ha! Anyone hear the news about David Cameron’s gaff this morning. Someone asked him for his favourite football team…he said…wait for it…wait forit…they play in claret and blue…it’s coming…he…said…West Ham!!!!!!!!!! No wonder nobody has any faith in politicians any more.
Factually incorrect.
He said he’d prefer Londoners to support West Ham, at no point during the interview did he say he supported West Ham, the Daily Mail once again providing a twisted version of the truth.
Erm…I suggest you watch the clip and re-think that. He even apologised afterwards for the mix up and reaffirmed that he’s a Villa fan and it was a ‘Natalie Bennet moment’.
Factually correct, and bugger all to do with the Daily Mail.
Right back at you, i suggest you watch the clip again.
He at no point says he supports West Ham, he is talking about a multi-cultural Britain and the interview was in Croydon, the reasons for the West Ham gaff are nothing to do with him not knowing who he supports but rather the developments surrounding the Olympic Stadium, if you can read between the lines.
Anyway, i’m not defending Cameron as i think he is a massive tit, but, that said, he didn’t say he was a West Ham fan. Watch the Clip again.
His words…he talks about a number of teams the makes a misjudged quip about “I’d prefer it if you all supported West Ham”. See his defence afterwards…
I bet yr a closet Tory! 😉
I wish Cameron could support the NHS.
Bet he gets a free ticket, and the royals and a loyal Villa fan will have to fight to go,
Leicester winning, Hull winning, Badger hope you’ve found a pub to watch the results and Villa match on Sky.
MAN CITY: Hart, Demichelis, Zabaletta, Kolarov, Mangala, Silva, Toure, Reges, Nayas, Lampard, Aguero. Subs: Caballero, Sagna, Boyata, Fernandinho, Milner, Dzeko, Bony.
VILLA: Guzan, Bacuna, Okore, Vlaar, Richardson, Sanchez, Westwood, Cleverley, Delph, Grealish, Benteke. Subs: Given, Weimann, Cole, Senderos, Cissokho, N’Zogbia, Lowton.
Not a big deal if results stay and Villa lose, still everything is in our hands to stay up and we have a few games we should be winning left. Everton, West Ham, Southampton and Burnley are far bigger games for points than today. Bonus points today if we get any.
Hmm, no Gabby, when it was suggested that he might be fit?
Has sherwood had the balls to drop him, I wonder?
Newcastle losing to Swans and Hull winning.
The Toon are beginning to look really vulnerable, imo.
Bill, yep, a couple of pubs lined up, no problem 🙂
Newcastle are probably safe. Sunderland’s in awful form, need 5 points to catch them and they don’t have any easy games left. Southampton, Everton, Leicester, Arsenal and Chelsea. For them they’re all incredibly difficult with their form.
QPR and Burnley for me are now down and out.
Agreed.
Leicester fighting like lions.
With that, I’m off down the sucker.
I’ll have my phone with me and might throw the odd comments in.