There’s a remote chance I might go to this game, but sadly, it’s looking very doubtful as there’s too much to do at work and I don’t think I’ll be able to finish early enough. I’m probably one of the very few who actually likes Friday night games.
Whatever, I’ve spoken to my Derby supporting mate and I also spoke to a bluenose mate of mine, who both watched the game between the two last week.
Between the two of them, the opinion was that blues outplayed Derby in the first half, while Derby totally battered blues in the second half. It was apparently some display too.
So it seems to me that it all depends on what Derby side turns up.
My Derby mate knows we have problems in defence, but asked me if we have any pace at the back. I replied “not really, maybe Tuanzebe apart” and he just laughed, saying that if we’re slow at the back, we could be in serious trouble.
I just keep thinking about Neil Taylor and although he’s been better the last couple of games, I still see him as a massive weakness. If Derby target him, we could indeed be in trouble.
It all suggests to me that it’s definitely not a game for Whelan or Jedinak.
Squad news on Derby’s part is that Mason Mount won’t be available.
As for us, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy went off injured after playing for the U-23’s against Derby. He’s not having much luck and it’s doubtful he’d have got a look in anyway.
Birkir Bjarnason is available again and Yannick Bolasie is apparently getting fitter all the time.
I don’t know what to think about this game.
Frank Lampard has got a team of young, hungry players going very well and if they get it together, there’s a good chance they could give us a spanking.
David Prutton, who while I know he’s only another pundit, has seemed to me to be very fair to Villa and often predicts us to win, actually predicts that we’ll lose tomorrow.
I suspect he’s right and it’s more about how many we concede.
I’m going for 0-2, while hoping it isn’t any worse.
Losing won’t be a disgrace though and it’s more about our performance and if things are moving on, for me.
Anything other than a loss would be a very good result.
I can’t see anything other than a loss, I’m afraid.
Then we have ‘nothing to lose’ so hope we play with freedom and confidence. Brentford got beaten 3-1 at Derby and it seems Derby are able to produce periods of outstanding attacking play in games.
Sadly I fear Dean Smith will still be looking for his first away win after this one!
I’m not expecting anything from this game but, with Derby, a draw is always possible.
More in hope than anything else I’m going for a 2-2 draw
Not throwing any money on this game. I’m gearing up for next week when it matters, its pretty obvious you cannot make a silk purse out of an old sows ear.
Smith’s hands are tied with that team.
I actually think we can win this – we are getting better, more used to Smith’s system; also, I don’t think we’ll cave in like we have in the past to pressure, having the forwards to cause more harm than, say, Blues or Brentford. Also, strangrly enough, I think Derby may start to feel the pressure of being almost certs to win games. Hard game, yes, but given the results so far in the Championship, this could definately go either way.
I am predicting 2-1 to Derby, although we are improving defensively and that comes down to a settled back four. Taylor is always a liability and Hyland seems to look nervous with a mistake in every game. Hopefully like Bolton, none will lead to a goal conceded. We need our forward players to be at their best today, because if they are they will cause problems for any defence in this league.
Weirdly i am feeling confident about this one! I think this may be the game that we announce to the league with a bang we are back from last year and get our season properly up and running. 2 or 3-1 to us.
I think we may get something here. For all that we criticise Villa for not scoring enough, Derby have only scored one more than us. They rarely concede more than one goal a game though, and we made need a couple today. I can see us getting that though. 2-2 or maybe we win 2-1.
*may not made
After a few close shaves it’s 0-0 at half time.
So far, so good…
It’s on AVFC site I’ve watch every minute of this game so far. It should be Villa 2 Derby 1 halftime. Kodjia right waste of football boots. Scum up 2 nil against hull. Lads we have to win this please.
Christ ….get someone on who can score….can see Derby pinching this…
AT LAST….1-0….
Thank god we kept going…2-0
Villa winning and scum losing! What’s not to like 😂
I predicted a 3-0 reverse. Am now about to settle down and scoff a large piece of humble pie while wiping the egg off my face. Well done to all concerned! Clearly, Smith and his staff are working hard and earning their salaries. Hopefully, more to come! 🙂
3 now houlerhan
Cudos to Steve Bruce for signing McGinn for peanuts?
*Kudos
Hope,Badger got to the game it will make his day.