It’s absolutely not the sort of thing I like to say, especially about a club that is as massive as they are and has a pedigree up there with the best of them, but beating Sunderland at home surely has to be classed as a banker game for us doesn’t it????
I see Tim Sherwood has played the game down somewhat, saying that it’s too early for “must-win” games and I can understand where he’s coming from, in trying to alleviate any pressure on the lads.
But for me, this is just one of those games where if you don’t beat them at home, who do you expect to beat?
Plus Sunderland have a poor record against us recently, which is about right, even though they eventually finished above us last season.
They looked truly shocking at times, particularly in defence; Even worse than us in my opinion and that’s saying something.
Dick Advocaat played a blinder in keeping them up and with 20-20 hindsight, he should have retired at the end of the season, just as he said he was going too, as it would appear he was promised serious money to spend, only for Ellis Short to seemingly go back on that.
I think they’ve spent around £10 million net in the window and you get the feeling that just isn’t enough for a club in their position.
Just to continue the tone about what a mess they’re in, Advocaat pulled the team in for crisis talks after the home defeat to Norwich. Yes, even this early in and just after their second game. If that’s not a team in trouble, I don’t know what is.
Injury news then and Sunderland have Adam Matthews out with an ankle injury.
Adam Johnson has a shoulder injury, but the rest of the squad are fit.
They’ve also just signed Ola Toivenen, a midfielder who could step straight into the team.
As for the Villa, Adama Traore is a bit doubtful and it’ll be a tomorrow morning thing.
Possibly more worryingly, there’s a bug going round Bodymoor Heath and two players, who Sherwood didn’t name, are suffering from it.
My money says Gabby will be one of those two, as he doesn’t really seem to get “dropped”, does he?
Anyway, such is the nature of bugs, so it might affect anyone tomorrow. Let’s hope not, eh?
So, what to think?
Given Sunderland’s awful defence, you’d have to expect that we will go for them, especially with Sherwood’s natural penchant for attack.
Same as many of you, I’d expect Gabby to be “ill” and Sinclair to be rewarded with a start after his midweek exploits, in his place. Probably combined with Gestede, as an aerial threat should achieve something against a poor defence.
The only question to ask is based around the midfield and we have a fair choice there, so perm any combo you like, although I’d expect Grealish and Traore to start, if fit.
Sanchez sits as the holder and the defence probably speaks for itself, although they’ll need to be on their toes as Defoe still looks very potent on his day.
While I’ll be content with a 1-0 win, I certainly won’t be happy.
I expect an emphatic win, let’s say by two goals.
3-1 it is then, as I always think we’re likely to concede.
Although predicting a win worries me after the last few seasons, I have to admit.
How many times have I done so and it’s gone against us?
As for Jolien Lescott, it’s looking likely he’s coming and that’s a decent signing for me, especially at the money we’re talking about (around £1 mill or so).
And just as Sherwood says he doesn’t expect anyone in, so I think we’re still in the hunt for a striker.
We’ll see, no doubt.
So what was gabby’s “wishes come true” comment about?
I can only think that he’s read the fans comments about us wanting him dropped.
I’m slightly worried that we might come unstuck tomorrow. I always am lately, I’m afraid 🙁
4-0 we’ll puke all over them that’s if shabby ain’t playing.UTV keep the FAITH BADGER.
Heh 🙂
4-0 eh?
I’ll have some of that, but doubt it.
They’ll do their best to stifle us, I reckon.
The thought of Traore running at their defence has me licking my lips.
I do hope he makes it, as if he doesn’t at least create, you can just see cards all over the place.
If he’s fit, of course.
I will be very disappointed if we don’t collect 3pts tomorrow, I also think Sunderland will go down this season. 2-0 VILLA .
I’m feeling positive tomorrow I think we will win 3.0 with Gabby getting one. It’s the type of game that suits him which is rare.
That’s knackered it then.
Just as rarely as you feel positive, so you have Gabby marked to play.
and score!
Blimey OohAh – you had a positive relapse or something! 🙂
Lol not positive just realistic and tomorrow should be 3 points for us. If we don’t win tomorrow we deserve to go down IMO
I’ll go with 2-1 Villa, but I’m another one who still worries about making any predictions for us to win even against Sunderland.
If we’d had them a week or 10 days ago then I reckon we’d have put 4 or 5 past them, but maybe Advocaat has managed to turn them around after his ‘crisis meeting’…
Oh, and Badger – you need to keep out of Dorset from now on mate!
A relegation 6 pointer already. Any game at home is a trappy affair until the ghosts of Lambert’s losers have gone. The last two ghosts are Gabby and Guzan, just how selective can the Bodymoor Bug be, d’you reckon?
Lescott may not be much more than a Vlaar mk II, 1 gaffe per game guaranteed, but I am always happy when a pro footballer who is a Villa fan gets a chance to play. It just might inspire him up his game.
Why has Badger got to stay out of Dorset, are they gassing them all again?
Yup, not a safe place for Badgers!
Don’t want lescott either rather stick to what we’ve got tbh. Shouldn’t we be after Jonny Evans instead of WBA FFs
No, no we should not. I’d take Lescott over Evans every day of the week. Why the hell should we be after him “FFS” (love when people type that in all caps for no reason too). Evans would also want to start, he’s not better than Baker or Okore so would be fortunate to make the bench if everyone’s fit.
FFS? Franz Ferdinand Sparks????
Fully agree. Lescott over Evans any day of the week. Lescott is also a danger when up for set pieces. I think the experience will show if he gets regular game time. I don’t rate Evans at all.
The Question we keep asking is ‘when will our wretched home form turn around’ – personally I wonder at times whether it ever will!
Hate making predictions and I have this really horrible feeling about tomorrow (or is that today now). We should win – we really need to win but I think it might be a horrible bore draw as Sunderland will concentrate on defence and hope to catch us on the break. Would like to say 3-0 Villa but actually think it will be 0-0. Hope I’m wrong (on the 0-0 that Is!)
I think the difference will be made by the ability of Grealish and Traore to unlock defences. We haven’t really been able to break down teams that are well organised. Players that can go past opposition players will give us that. i hope both players are fit, in which case we should be able to beat them. Sunderland either defend very well or hopelessly so I guess we have to wish for the latter
On Lescott – I wouldn’t be disappointed if he signed as long as the contract is limited to a couple of years. Adds experience to the defence.
Slightly off topic it seems that TS is being won over by Kozak so I really don’t think we will see another striker signed unless it’s a youngster for the future. Wouldn’t surprise me if we signed another attacking midfielder though.
Other than lescott I can’t see anyone else coming in now. Learners nett spend is still fuck all. Not spent a penny in real terms.
Agreed OohAh in regard to capital spend but increased the wage bill quite significantly and I think it would be fair to take that into account in terms of overall investment.
Nope, a majority of clubs don’t spend more than they bring in when big money players are sold, bar Liverpool, which failed. So it doesn’t matter if spent “fuck all”. Can still see a striker coming in on Tuesday though.
But Lerner still hasn’t spent his normal 10-15m which he can easily afford
I really expected him to spend that over and above the incoming fees. I still think he will provided we can ship a few players out before the window closes, even if only loans. We could be in great shape if he does.
I agree with Oohah, why waste money on Lescott, I don’t rate him at all, if he’s not good enough for W.B.A. why is he good enough for us. I’d rather stick with Senderos, he’s 2 years younger and looked pretty solid the few times he played for us. Invest it in a striker Tim, Ayew won’t score many, [he probably is the one mistake Sherwood’s made in this window], and I don’t see Gabby turning into Thierry Henry any day soon! How about making a cheeky bid for Marcus Gayle, Palace don’t want him and he’s certainly a goal scorer, think he’d link up well with Gestede
Ayew wasn’t bought to be a top goal scorer, Ayew was brought in for his link up play which is very, very good. Support striker as you will so never a mistake as people have the wrong idea about him as a player. Probably figured Gabby wasn’t going to last long and Ayew’s a much better version of what Sherwood wants in a support striker role.
A striker is necessary but someone better than Lescott is too. He adds little value to the team and adds relatively high wages. Much better than Senderos but he should be sold anyways.
Sky Sports doing their best to be tabloid standard again linking us to Adebayor like a joke, we said no, his wages were too high, etc.
Ayew scored with his team mates Mrs for four years so he can’t be that bad! (Allegedly)…
Jordan ayew ayew
He’s bigger endowed than you
He’ll fuck your missus too
Jordan ayew ayew
Very funny Adam!!!!
lol that was very good. made me laugh .
would love to hear our away fans singing it if jordan was not in the squad .
all our players would have worried looks on their faces..
LOCK UP YOUR WAGS.
Hitch , same as you mate, not sure yet because we haven’t shown constancy, 0-0 or sneak it 1-0, Lescott let’s be fair to the player, mistakes are made in defence because other players are lacking in knowhow, inevitable the main man gets blamed , times I’ve seen him he’s trying to right other players wrongs, he’s strong ,make a good captain give me him over Vllar any day,plus he’s claret and blue he would play for the shirt, and he’s worn the England shirt.
Morning Bill – can’t argue with any of that mate. How are your brassicas this fine summer morning 🙂
Villas very own John Terry lol
Morning hitch, fine mate, grown quiet a lot of weeds this year all down to holidays. Up for chairman this week the last chap was a ex officer tried to run it like military base painting stones. other than that had a good year,
Weeds easy to grow – no effort required for a bumper crop 🙂 good luck with the candidacy for Chairman. Off to the local Horticultural show next Saturday – it’s a mere 200 miles away in Kent; I’m a country member 🙂
Now that’s dedication Hitch, good luck at the show.
Grealish out of today’s game! That’s a big loss hopefully adama and Gill are fit or we won’t score a thing!
4 ex villains on derby bench does merson still think wiemen is pl class
No grealish or traore mutton playing SHITE no shabby hallelujah.should be interesting still I feel a VILLA win COYL
Do we have another injury prone player in Grealish ? How’s he got injured I ask myself they only bloody training 9-3 we’ll have a Gardner all over again.
Bill he’s probably got the belly ache MATE I’m sure if grealish was fit he’d be starting I couldn’t give a FUCK if shabby had yellow fever tbh
I’d like to see Gestede score today. Anyway, may not be the best but it’s still a strong starting 11. Gil and Veretout are good attacking option to come off the bench for us. Lescott is playing for the baggies apparently, so doesn’t sound like any move is close after all!
One defender on the bench today (Bennett). Hope that doesn’t backfire or we’ll have Sanchez at the back again.
Anyone cursing the same as me FUCKING live hockey on the red button where did that FUCKING come from its not been advertised
Giddy go onto the BBC sports app into on there I have on, play back sports app.
West ham just scored against Liverpool
Team looks shit, bench looks shit, Sherwoods tactics are shit.
1-3 Sunderland
DEADWOOD OUT!!