(courtesy of Avillafan.com and just to remind the lads what they should be fighting for)
I suspect you know what’s coming in this one and the brutal truth is I’ve had to debate with myself if I should even bother offering my thoughts on this game.
Another truth is that I’ll be at work again and have to work out some devilishly sneaky way of getting to watch the game.
Part of me asks why I bother, but we all know how it is: We follow blindly, because we can’t resist and typical of football, you just never know.
Unfortunately, for this game, I think I do know and the sad fact is that we don’t have a hope in hell of beating the mighty Crystal palace, in my opinion.
That’s not to decry Glenn Pardew’s side though.
He’s done a brilliant job and Palace are the antithesis of Aston Villa (just goes to show the difference between an equally poorly run club as us, in Newcastle, as opposed to Palace, in my opinion).
They’re organised and look like they know what there aims are and what they’re doing.
No, it’s more that I look back and see the gulf that has existed between the clubs over the fairly long time I’ve supported the Villa and it makes me want to cry at how far we’ve fallen.
The sad fact is, that over the years, we’d generally have been expected to beat Palace, it’s as simple as that.
Squads then and again I’m not really sure why I’m bothering, as I suspect Palace’s second string would beat us, no problem.
But, Palace have Connor Wickham in contention and Yohan Cabaye is a maybe. Yannick Bolasie is definitely out, which is good for us, as I rate the player.
As for us, Gabby is doubtful, but it matters not. He has less chance of getting a game than I do.
Micah Richards, who showed some balls in speaking to the fans against Wycombe, should be ok.
Jack Grealish is still suffering the back-end of tonsillitis and Sanchez and Hutton are both still out.
So we face the team with one of, if not the best, away records in the Prem this season.
While we’ve won erm, how many, at home?
I could talk about tactics, but it’s pointless, as apparently the players don’t listen to what they’re being told anyway, according to Garde.
And even if they did, we’re simply not good enough.
How we’re over a third of the way through the window without having bought anyone in, is just beyond me.
And why have we only just held crisis talks, when they should have happened weeks ago?
Was Randy really so naive to think that we might not need strengthening?
I really suspect he was, which just sums it all up, doesn’t it?
It’s actually hard to predict this one, as instinct tells me that we’ll lose by at least 2, probably 3 and maybe even more goals.
In short, I see a major thrashing coming up sometime soon and Palace could be the team to do it, especially if the players just throw the towel in after the weekend’s events.
But if Palace take the lead, I don’t think they’ll have to work too hard to stay in front and might contain us easily, hence not having to go for the jugular.
Conversely, if we score first, we might at least make a game of it.
But I’m still going for a 2 goal home defeat.
In fact, I’m not sure the score really matters that much and it’s a funny old game, isn’t it?
I’ll just go for the home loss, as that’s nailed on, I reckon.
Strange game tonight im giving it a miss and not go down for the first time this season, i am not even sure i care if we win and lose which is such a bizarre statement from someone who has lived and breathed villa for over 35 years! They have finally broke my spirits……… Does anyone know a link to watch the game on
on wiziwig CB
Can’t fault the line-up – looks attacking and players that put in more effort than those not starting. Round pegs in round holes.
4-1 Villa
2 nil villa
i feel palace are their for the taking = whether we can capitalize or not, i think we can just seen starting lineup. seems a shake up might just see green shoots
I can’t see it but I’m hoping you boys are right, we turn this round and they’ll have to change the name to Lazarus FC.
Nath you keep coming on at this rate you’ll be classed as a regular MATE. 😀
Decent lineup lets hope kozak and ayew gel
Guys – you’ve pretty much got what you’ve been asking for selection wise so it will be interesting to see if it makes any difference. I have my doubts but hey ho what do I know!
VILLA 6 PALACE 0
Kozak has ran further in 90 seconds than Gestede did in 90 minutes at Wycombe!
Kozak’s run on their mistake is more running already than Gestede’s done all season.
If we had played like we have in this first half all season we’d be nowhere near the bottom of the league.
If Kozak wasn’t so match rusty, he’d have grabbed a goal already. We do need to get men into the box though, Kozak’s often the only one with Gil standing outside the box and that’s about it.
The perils of 4-3-3.
Westwood and Gana have had very good games so far, but it is Veretout’s job to get forward and even into the box. He’s not doing it.
This is as close to the best line up we’ve got at the moment, in my opinion.
WOW
Buy him some chewing gum to celebrate
a goal and were winning must be a misprint on the bbc website
YYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Ha ha ha, sorry, missus pissing about ha ha
last couple squeeky bum time
its a win jesus christ Remi is god
Never doubted it.
ha!
I think our all problems are solved now!
I jest, no it was good to get a win though and although that goal was a jammy horror show for the keeper, the overall bite and drive and enthusiasm from the players tonight was so refreshing. would like to go down fighting if we are to go down,
as fo kozak, honestly I didn’t think he was that great at all! whether they weren’t expecting him or a couple of his off side runs put the frights on them or something, I think Palace gave him way too much respect and worried about him too much which gave others more time and space. It worked for the most part. his touch is so bad though! and he looks emaciated!
some upper leg work in the gym Libor!
That said I am delighted he got a run today, and there more sense of a goal around him than I have felt about anyone in the team in a long time. you get the feeling that he is poacher, that if he was up to speed he would just be there to pounce on a decent cross, mis kick, rebound or tap in.
It might be pure mysticism but I get that feeling when I see him play.
anyways.. we can afford to smile tonight lads and ladies, ye all deserve this reprieve!