I know we’re talking about the Villa and we should never count our chickens, but surely if you can’t feel confident for this match, you’re not going to at all, are you?
I know Reading were supposed to have been quite unlucky after going two down last week, but the fact is they are not getting points and only have 1 from four games.
Contrast that to us, where Brentford apart, we’ve played poorly, yet still sit on eight points.
The only news really is that Anwar El Ghazi will definitely get on the pitch, as long as we get International clearance.
I’d expect him to go straight into the team, myself.
So who drops out for him?
You have to suspect it’ll be either Whelan or Jedinak, which makes sense. They’ll both need a bit of looking after over the season.
For me, I’d go for Elmohamady at RB, Tuanzebe at CB, Adomah on the right and either Whelan or Jedinak in front of the back four.
That should be sturdy enough.
And if El Ghazi’s not quite on it, Green subs for a few more minutes that he definitely needs, as frankly I think he’s been poor.
The only doubt is Alan Hutton who has broken his nose.
I really don’t see that being enough to put such a good pro off though and even if he has to wear a mask, I’d expect him to start too.
It’s really fingers crossed, knowing how we messed up against the likes of Bolton (who are off to blinding start this season! it’s a funny old game indeed) last season, but I have to go for a home win, hopefully combined with just a little bit of arrogance and flair, just like Wednesday.
And of course assisted by lots of hard work.
Villa 3-1
And I suspect Kodjia might get another.
Here’s hoping!
God, I hope I haven’t jinxed it now.
That’s probably my highest goal prediction for a good while.
You’re spot on Badger. If we are really going to challenge for promotion then we have to play a consistently high attacking tempo and win today and beat teams who are going to be struggling this season – such as Reading.
I agree about Green – been disappointing so far. Whatever one says about Adomah, it was noticeable that our worst passage of play Wednesday was after he was substituted – no coincidence as he was consistently our ‘out ball’.
My only concern is our continued lack of central striking options. Let’s hope the international break gives Davies and Hogan time to recover.
Badger I wouldn’t disagree with your prediction except that it would be nice to get a clean sheet for a change. However, if we play anywhere near as well as we did against Brentford, I think we’ll be far too good for Reading.
I’m still wondering about last season and if the players knew something about our precarious finances and the fact that they had to win. The pressure is bad enough without thinking that the future of the club might depend on winning a game. Now I’m hoping that the pressure is off in that regard and that we can be more adventurous in our play.
Really looking forward to the game and the rest of the season now.
looking forward to seeing this new winger Anwar El Ghazi. i cant say i have anything about him before he joined, but looking and reading stuff about him he looks like another decent addition. one which we needed addressing also. we are solid and creative down the middle of mid but adomah and green are not the best at crossing.against brentford we really should have built up a unassailable lead. but we broke down on the crossing adomah often gets into great positions, but rarely produces the end product whether thats a shot or cross.
my drunken bet
bournemouth draw
man utd draw
leeds away
wigan away
millwall away
villa its hard to predict the score, we are not the finished team. new players are just bedding in, i hope we win and we should win. somebody already said the word consistency. we need another performance, like the one against brentford, reading are much weaker, so we shouldnt be wasting our energy chasing them down like we did against brentford. would like to see our mid use the ball more and get reading chasing shadows. if we can manage this should be a easy win. 3 1 win for me
We have to show our intent and give reading a good spanking – i worry it will be a dull draw, and if that happens we haven’t moved on since last season !!
Just heard we’ve got Bolasie
On BBC web site – very good news
That’s good news Badger, I watched Middlebough last night have to say we’ve no worries So will he play them today or not? My bet he sticks with that same defence my prediction is 2-1 Villa.
Signing Bolasie is a boost before kick off. We can’t afford to let our standards drop from Brentford game, although I don’t think it will be a comfortable win. I’m predicting 2-1 to Villa with McGinn getting his first goal.
El Ghazi starts instead of Adomah. It will be interesting to see what he can offer.
Also Bjarnsson for Whelan, and no place on bench for Green. With Bolasie on loan I think it might be better for Green if he was loaned out, because I don’t think Bruce rates him.
Wow, Jedinak’s lack of pace then!
el Ghazi hits the side netting.
Chester hits the bar.
Confident start.
And our total lack of urgency has let them back into the game.
Poor at the moment, overall.
Disappointed to say the least, no desire.
Thank god the ref’s blown up for HT.
Easy sum up.
Decent first 15 mins, then a very poor half hour.
We need to step it up, big time.
We do seem incapable of putting two good performances together. Several bad ones in a row appears to come naturally.
Down to SB to sort them out.
Grealish withdrawn.
Conor on.
Elmohamady heads from a nice El Ghazi assist.
Nice ball too.
About time.
Our new man goal
Oops, 1-0!