There’s nothing better than not getting what you thought was a certain win, for denting the confidence, is there?
It’s not so much the fact that we drew at Preston that bothers me, but more the fact that we’ve failed to catch up on the clubs above us.
We have to start winning games consistently, it’s as simple as that.
Which means we could have done without today’s fixture against a Qpr side that McClaren has got going very nicely thank you, after a really poor start, where they were regularly getting tonked.
Squad news and the big one is that Nyland looks to be out for the rest of the season after doing his Achilles. This wouldn’t have bothered me in the slightest, to be honest, but for reasons I still don’t understand, Kalinic isn’t available to replace him for today’s game.
Which means Jed Steer, who’s been recalled from Charlton, will take his place, only to be sat on the bench for at least the short term future. I wonder how he feels about that after featuring regularly this season while on loan? Still, his duty is in serving us, I suppose.
The other big news is Elphick being recalled from Hull. He’s done very well for them and has been rated as one of the best defenders this season, which makes Bruce’s decision to let him go all the more unbelievable. You can put the house on him starting today.
That apart, it’ll probably be Smith tinkering with the same squad he used on Saturday.
There are plenty of options.
Will Bree, get moved to RB in place of Elmohamady, I wonder?
Maybe Bolasie will be rested, to give Kodjia a start?
I’d expect at least a couple to be rested, put it that way.
As for Qpr, Massimo Luongo is at the Asian cup, but Ryan Manning has been recalled from Rotherham.
Defenders Angel Rangel and Geoff Cameron and striker Tomer Hemed are all out.
I’m a bit worried about this one.
Qpr will sit back, soak it all up and hit us on the counter, which is where we’re weak, especially with that long ball over the top.
As usual I think we’ve got enough to threaten them and I see us getting at least a goal.
Home advantage should see us through, but my head can see a draw.
I’ll go for a 2-1 win, simply because we need to believe, but can see it being 1 apiece.
Don’t forget, this is available on AVTV, even for UK viewers, for a one-off tenner.
Comments
39 responses to “Villa – Qpr; Not so confident, but hopefully still a win”
Fingers crossed.
If you have Sky you can watch it on the red button. I can see today’s game being a draw, so 1-1 is my prediction.
Ah, an even better bet then, if you’re not an AVTV subscriber.
steer plays which had to be having recalled him would have been a travesty to bring him back to sit this one out. one thing i like about smiths team is he likes a settled team, if injuries are permitting. QPR are a difficult team to predict before mcclaron they were bottom three side and he has transformed um to top ten. need to win this 3 nil clean sheet steer
got that app working badger, my son pointed out i hadnt allowed it to access my files or sumat. but i need a mouse toggle to control vpn and i cant get the mouses to work on the 4k firetv heard somebody say its the high resolution need to turn it down . its too late now i will have to watch the game on my ickle lappy
cheers for help thou badger,much appreciated
Steer, Bree, Elphick, Chester, Hutton, Bjarnason, Hourihane, McGinn, Kodjia, Abraham, Adomah. Subs: Bunn, Elmohamady, Whelan, Bolasie, El Ghazi, Davis, Hogan.
As, I suspected, Bree moves over and Kodjia starts.
All eminently sensible, i think.
abraham wants to be recalled if you believe the sun toilet paper
WANTS to be recalled?
I doubt that myself, Nath.
He’s a guaranteed starter here and doing very well.
Unless he’s unhappy with the service he’s getting, perhaps?
it just says he has asked chelsea to terminate the loan. its 99% b/s but it is the silly season. just maybe he has had words with agent about a possible permanent move
https://the72.co.uk/122005/aston-villa-shock-news-striker-wll-ask-loan-termination/
its here if you want a laugh
Was that a pen?
Not sure
Good chance for Abraham then.
Qpr look very unsettled.
We’re a bit ponderous.
McGinn stormer hits the bar.
Abraham header.
1-0
Why would he want to go?
It’s as quiet as VP on here lol
Good chance for Qpr.
Goes well over.
Qpr long range strike.
1-1
Kodjia shoots and it’s wide.
Probably should have squared it.
kodjia had to square that ball, but he cuts inside as per usual and the chance has gone, his shot also got more chance of being blocked, all because he cut inside. decision making final third really needs to be more unselfish we got more goal getters than providers.
Lovely back heel flick from Huttino then 🙂
And it’s HT.
It’s all a bit slow, but I suspect tiredness has something to do with it.
Creating quite a bit though.
I’m nor surprised if they’re tired, I’m absolutely knackered after last night.
It’s a makeshift team and I think even a point wouldn’t be a bad result right now. Hopefully some new recruits will soon be on their way.
Still 3 points would be nice and would start off the new year nicely. COYL
lol.
I’m not sure it’s that makeshift.
There’s only Hutton not in his correct place?
And I wouldn’t be happy with one point, Holte.
They’ve offered very little and came for a draw, imo.
It’s all a bit subdued, so I know what you mean.
Kodjia catches the goalie. It’s yellow.
And Qpr hit us with a counter.
1-2
Shit.
We need to seriously pick up the tempo now.
Far too slow.
Bjarnason shoots over.
Bolasie on for Adomah.
Good choice, imo
El Ghazi on for Kodjia
Abraham close from a corner.