I’ve actually had a good few hours to think about this one, but I’m finding it difficult to make a call.
Team news first and we know Jedinak is unlikely to play after all the flying he’s done lately.
Or is he?
The player has apparently said he feels ok and Steve Bruce has intimated that he wants him to play and he’s been assessed today.
Kodjia should be ready and in further good news, Jordan Amavi should be ok too after suffering a cut on his foot.
Ayew is back from his suspension.
Bacuna has been passed fit, but Richards is still suffering a calf problem.
McCormack is suspended for picking up his fifth booking against Blackburn.
So all in all, we’re not in too bad shape.
Brighton have defender Liam Rosenior and midfielder Beram Kayal out, both with ankle injuries.
Villa and Brighton have quite a few links lately.
Steve Sidwell plays for them, Gary Gardner had a loan spell there and Tommy Elphick used to play for them.
And now it seems we’ve nicked their assistant manager, Colin Calderwood, who of course used to play for the Villa.
I wonder if that might fire up the Seagulls somewhat?
The team will be supported by another sell-out allocation of 2700 of our away support.
This seems a real tough test, as Brighton are a very decent side who were up there in the promotion betting from the off and are in good form (second over the last five games) having only lost two games up to now.
But then we’ve only lost three games, which means we’re tough to beat too. Couple that with the fact that we’ve seemed more resilient since Bruce came in and things look quite rosy really.
We’ve got to beat or at least get something from the teams above us and up to now we haven’t done too badly, so it would be nice to see that continue if we want to demonstrate our credentials for promotion.
And part of me thinks we can.
I think a lot will revolve around how our midfield looks. Jedinak is beginning to look very important in the middle and if he doesn’t start, or suffers after his international efforts, I’d be a bit concerned.
But if he plays well, he could make all the difference.
Will Ayew come straight back in place of McCormack? I’d like to think so as he does provide something, as much as I appreciate many think he’s too greedy. Surely Bruce will be drumming it into him to look to his team-mates?
It’s not a bad position to be in for Bruce, as he could go for Gestede or even Gabby, but I doubt it myself.
I’d venture Bacuna is decent backup for the midfield or of course right back.
Otherwise it’s a case of don’t change a winning side really and I don’t think Bruce will, McCormack apart. And he hasn’t really shown yet, so that’s no major loss in my opinion.
After still thinking about the outcome as I type, I still don’t know what to say.
I’m somewhat optimistic, but I see this as as tough a test we’ll face all season.
I see goals, but not too many and my heart says we can win this 2-1.
But we have to play well for the whole game, which is where I have my doubts.
Hence my head says a 1-1 draw might be more realistic.
And I’d be pretty happy with that.
Baker’s first goal for the club?
Really?
Adomah tried one then, but didn’t bend it enough.
westwood looking better and trying to move it forward.
About bloody time.
I think we’ll have a different from two on after the break. That’ll confuse them!!! Is the ref Brighton born and bred?
Shit 1-1
Shit!
Typical villa
Ha, so you wait until we concede before making an appearance.
TYPICAL OOHAH
No. Typical you.
We’ve played well in that half, simple.
Could see that coming , I’ve noticed Westwood moving a ball forwards more, why didn’t we see they placing it down the middle and wings, come on Villa its there to win.
Typical villa can’t hold onto a lead to save our lives. Even if we go 2.1 up with 5 mins left u can put ur mortgage on us not holding on to it
Unlucky then
And BHA score, Murray 1-1
Come on Villa we can still win this…
COME ON VILLA
UTV
Well taken, but just seconds until half time! Shoukd make an interesting next 45 minutes.
Could have done without that, but agreed, it makes it interesting now.
Still some very decent players that could come on.
Gestede would seriously worry this lot, imo.
As would, despite his greediness, Ayew.
Yep.
Probably just sit back and try to defend the draw second half. We tend to only have 1 half in us. I really hope not though as If we do we will lose.
With a view to a counter?
Probably.
But from what I saw there, we have the tools to beat them.
But have we got the belief
badger
i wouldn t even class mutton and flabby as tools
That wasn’t unlucky, it was deserved. Great goal. I’d swap Murray for Gabby any day.
We’re doing ok tho, working hard and they’re defo there for the taking at times. Just require some better play in final 3rd (as per)
Am I alone in thinking I’m enjoying it in this league and hesitant to go up? Really don’t want to be getting spanked every weeks again. This is our level.
The unlucky reference was what happened just before.
No, back to the prem asap for me, because it’s the place to be
Anything else is even more pointless.
And it isn’t our level at all, imo.
Ask the neutrals.
Bright start to the 2nd half!
You really think this team will stay in the prem? It’ll be a laughing stock of a season again just so, what, we get to play in some nice stadiums again? Please remove your villa goggles, we’re not even top 8 standard in Championship
I work with Forest, Ipswich and a Derby fan, all think we’re suited to Champ
I’d keep it the same for the first 15/20 mins then take Gabby off and put Ayew on and play him down the middle.
Yep.
Brains for pace,
And looks like it might happen even quicker.
Ayew coming on?
Yep, Ayew for Gabby, who in fairness harried ok
Please explain that booking on Westward? Ok he’s at fault for losing the ball but why the booking.
Obstruction Bill.
BHA have the momentum
Ayew shot deflected for a corner.
Grealish coming on?
You can’t say that’s defensive, if so.
Super super jack super Jackie Grealish
Westwood effort.
Goes wide, but more like what he ought to be doing.
Grealish on for Gardner.
Bruce wants this, imo.
I still think we’ll win this.
Gardner? Should have been Westwood, did you see that shot at goal pissing miles off target.
His best game for yonks, imo, Bill.
Grealish and Ayew linked well then.
BHA seem poor at the back, but we aren’t taking advantage.
BHA sub.
Baldock off
Murphy on
This ref doesn’t believe in any contact, it seems.