Going into this game, the obvious first comment would be that Gary Monks Swansea are not going to roll over and be as easily defeated as Sunderland but they can be defeated…
Tim Sherwood has been great since his arrival and the toughest decision of the day is the choice between Bacuna and Hutton, a hard decision we have not had to make in a long time. My personal choice for the day would be Bacuna because I believe he is much more threatening on the attack (even though I have previously claimed that Hutton was our only threat in previous Lambert run games). Additionally, the part he played again Sunderland was overlooked by most pundits and papers a like; he really was the true star of the game and deserves another look in for that performance. Having said all of this, I can see us virtually sticking with the same 11, different bench.
In previous meetings, Swansea have definetly had the better over us winning 3, drawing 3 and losing only 1. We are however on home turf, full of confidence and looking a much stronger and composed side than in previous seasons. We have more to play for with relegation ever looming over the shoulder.
We have the potential to win 3 league matches in a row, a feat that we haven’t manage since 2010 and fueled by a double derby winner and a 4:0 mauling of Sunderland, we may just have the confidence to continue this streak and with Burnley beating Man City on the weekend, we need this win!
TEAM NEWS – Villa
Hutton & Grealish back in contention
TEAM NEWS – Swansea
Federico Fernandez returns from injury
My prediction is that there will be goals both ends, but Villa will do enough to take the 2:1 win through Agbonlahor and Sinclair.
UPDATE
I read an interesting theory earlier on in the week regarding Clark and his yellow card dibacle. He currently stands at 9 yellows which means his next one will lead to a 2 game match ban. This article suggested that todays game would be the best time for Clark to pick up lucky number 10 as it means he will miss Tottenham and United but be fit for the Semi Final. Clark has arguably been our best centre back this season and I have to somewhat agree with the theory. Thoughts?
Hoorah! A preview!
The Swans are struggling with the loss of Bony. Monk admitted as much this week. Agree about Bacuna, Benteke was gushing in his praise for Bacuna this week. Clark and Okore are looking better each game therefore merit a clean sheet. I fancy a 3-0 win…Roll on kick off!!!!
P.s. what a difference a few weeks makes! 🙂
Off topic – I read somewhere that Benteke and Bacuna live next door to each other?
Really?
You learn something new everyday.
Maybe they compare gardening tips.
Always round helping to trim the misses Bush back I hear (it’s a large unruly hydrangea I believe).
I like to imagine they kick the ball over the fence to each other in order to improve their blind passing….
4-1VILLA get in there.
Morning my optimistic friend. I posted earlier this morning after a few glasses of the Amber nectar so went back to check what I’d said 🙂 Apparently I went for 3-1 Villa – don’t see any need to review that even though it was posted through a bit of a haze!
Morning MATE
On the Bacuna v Hutton debate I agree that Bacuna deserves to start today; his performance against Sunderland was outstanding. He’s a very good footballer and I think he has a better all round game than Hutton and add his ability on free kicks and goal scoring generally puts him in front. Hutton has done really well for us this season and it will be hard on him but if you lose your place and someone else takes their chance…..
It’s nice that we’ve got a choice in that position & yes bacuna imo should get the nod over Hutton which I think will happen anyway.
The mighty Villa will smite those Swans with furious vengeance and pick another 3 points in the process, 2-0.
Love the positivity MATE. 😀
Today will tell me if, I’m not getting carried away yet with all this believe that we have a savour in Sherwood. Yes things have improved but 3 games don’t make me convinced yet, give me today’s game then I’ll join the happy band. Hope today will give me faith.
Today will be an important pointer for us. West Brom games were derbies so can always go either way. Sunderland were beyond abysmal. Swansea will present a different problem. They retain the ball well, but clearly miss Bony. A win here and I will feel pretty confident we will stay up. Defeat puts us right in it (again). I hope the confidence we have shown in the last few weeks is maintained, even if we go behind.
I think we will win 2-0. Everything crossed!
Nice one Cheese I reckon we will win today to.Up to Clarky regarding the yellow if he’s gunna get one make it a good un Crunch,break,snap & hope it ain’t red utv
My heart says we will win but my heads says a draw, swans don’t concede many but don’t score many either so I’ll go for a 1-1 and really hope it’s not a 0-0 cause I’ll actually be at the game so at least 1 goal in our favour would be nice! That’s why I would go with bacuna too because his end product is better than Hutton and he makes better, more intelligent runs, but swans movement will give both our fullbacks problems today I fear and that could be our downfall. We have to hope they start slow and we start fast because the longer this game goes on the more control swans will get. Fucking man c screwed us last week that we actually need a win here instead of just a draw but I feel we can get it as we have more to play for and ts should have them right up for it. Can’t wait now UTV!
I said before Sunderland that 4 points from the next two games would be great so a draw against the Swans won’t be the end of the world yet…
….yet I can’t help feeling that we might make it four straight wins in a row something we haven’t done since the days of MON.
3-0 to the Villa
UTV
Two minutes into the game between Man C and Albion ,Albion had a defender sent off, but its the wrong man again.
Didn’t the dozy linesmen point this out to the dozy ref????
If Clarke does pick up a yellow, let’s hope it’s not in the penalty area!
So we’ve won our last 3 games and inevitably the expectations rise. I have a feeling we’ll be brought back down to earth. 1-2 Swansea
Giddy Dawson stood in front of the ref saying it was me, Mcally was the man that should have gone, even at half time going off the pitch Dawson tried to tell him but told to go away.useless refs again.
He should be demoted to the conference MATE but as we know refs can’t do nowt wrong & dare you slag em off your fined.fucking outrageous
Leicester 1 down.
2 down…
Burnley 1 down lovely jubbly.
Leicester pulled one back.
Leicester are 2 now drawing 2-2
Today is about taking a point. We can’t win it so don’t bloody lose it point is good enough
Can’t win it? Better team by miles 2nd half (so far) still a point will be very welcome, but think there’s errors at the back that will break us today.
Not according to final score, both teams poor second half, what is it with us we still not safe.
Point is a still a point gained on rivals. Good enough imo
Gabby back to usual form in front of goal
What missing or not being there..
Leicester losing 3-2 Tottenham
SHITE
When are we going to learn. Sherwood should of defended the point Ffs.
We bollocked Lambert for that approach for his entire tenure!!!!