We all know we’ve made a poor start to the season, but Stoke’s is equally as bad, given that they’ve played four games at home and three away.
We’ve played three at home and four away and if we can get the win tomorrow, we’ll go a point above them.
And points is all it’s about really isn’t it?
I’ve said that I’m not panicking just yet and I believe we’ve played better than the points we’ve amassed, but the very valid point has been made that we don’t want to be cut adrift this early on and frankly, we need to pull our finger’s out.
We have two tough games coming up, in Chelsea away and Swansea at home, so we really could do with all three points.
I’ve not looked at the league table much up to now, but it’s pretty apparent where our problems lie.
We’ve scored eight goals (I really thought it was more), which isn’t desperate and certainly much better than a large part of last season, but we’ve conceded twelve, which is worse than many around us.
Er, so it’s the defence, basically, isn’t it?
Ok, I’m stating the bleeding obvious aren’t I?
Squad news then and what might be good for us is that Stoke’s record signing, Xherdan Shaqiri is 50-50 and faces a late test on a thigh injury and Ryan Shawcross is still out after surgery on his back.
As for the Villa, I’ve read that Gary Gardner is back in contention, but I can’t see him getting a game.
Jores Okore is still unavailable and Gabby is doubtful with his calf injury. I’m sure you all know my feelings on the latter.
The worrying thing is that Stoke have a very decent record at Villa Park recently and the last game was pretty much thrown away by some reckless defending by Ron Vlaar, as I’m sure many of us will remember.
We don’t seem to have moved on much defence-wise do we? and I’ll bet you know where I’m going.
We have to cut out the stupid mistakes at the back; it’s as simple as that.
And if we can manage it, I believe we’re well capable of causing Stoke problems and I’m going for a 2-1 victory.
As for the banners, the Football Supporters Federation have arranged a protest day, aimed at reducing ticket prices for away fans.
And while I don’t know if the following is true, a story I’ve read confirms it. It seems that Aston Villa are the only Premier league club that are not going to allow protest banners.
This is really poor on the club’s part and so much for freedom of speech eh?
I think it’s disgusting that paying customers/consumers (that’s all we are nowadays) can’t show their opinions and there’s a word that describes people who suppress opinions being voiced, although I won’t bring myself to say it.
Villa do some good things and being at the forefront of the safe standing idea, is just an example; although the cynic in me might think that the club’s hierarchy just see that as a very cheap way of increasing our capacity to 50,000.
But banning banners is just pathetic, in my opinion.
I’ve stuck a poll in so you can let us know what you think the result will be.
[polldaddy poll=9106665]
Come on lads, no excuses.
We need the points.
blimey, no replies?
Have we really lost interest that much?
The rhythm of the season has been interrupted…that and we’re a bit disappointed I guess…
I’ve a gut feeling we’ll win this one, a tough battle as you always expect with Stoke but I’ll go for Villa 2-1.
On the banner front, I’ve commented before that I was at the Sunderland game when a group of Villa fans, [I believe they call themselves Brigada 74] were descended on by stewards and then police for continuously standing and chanting in support of the team. So does it surprise me that protest banners are banned….NO!
Villa banning banners – As pathetic at the football team!!
With his terrible decision making regarding starting line ups and how useful the subs have been when made it’s easy to see what the team probably should be……its a question of will Dim push out his favourites to make way for a potential decent hardworking side?
1-1
I cant believe Traore is injured again ffs. Gestede and Ayew front two please Tim. I think we will win this.
Beginning to see why Barca let him go now knew they was a catch somewhere.
When it comes to sticks and poles that ban has always been at Villa Park for obvious reasons, but protest banners thats a new one on me, freedom of speaking comes to mind in my eyes, as to do we think Villa will win in the fact we playing better? I’ll put it this way , so are other team’s, yes we have got better but the likes of Bournemouth, and all the other teams that came into the league are player good enough to be better than us, tomorrow is a decider for me and at the minute i don’t know. I just hope we do.
Playing good enough.
Glad that Gana is fit but I’m really not sure about this one. Stoke can be a bit of a bogey team for Villa.
However let’s be positive so Villa to squeak a 3-1 win
UTV
I’m making the trip down from the NW for this one.
Hopefully tactics tim gets this one right, or fans will turn in a big way.
I’m praying for some spirit and passion and attacking intent. And I’m praying I don’t see gabby or Westy get anywhere near a football too (does nobody in the football club realise how ineffective westys floated corners are? I could whip in a better corner than that bloke!)
Im going for a 2-1 victory. Lets get behind the team! UTV!
I am hoping we win this , I will be very disappointed AGAIN if we don’t get anything. I will be keeping a close eye on the team selection. Come on Villa
There is only one way Villa are going if we lose tomorrow’s game. With the upcoming fixtures this really is a six-pointer. Sherwood has to utilize Amavi and Bacuna/Hutton going forward or we will continue to struggle.
Is it too early in the season for a game to feel like a six pointer? We could be three / four points adrift from safety if we lose this……
Against Stoke you need to be up for a battle and a fight, I want to see us snapping in to tackles and winning 50-50s (still feel we’re lightweight in midfield) – if we can dominate that part of the game we have enough to win.
PS it would be great to come on here and not have to talk about who fucked up for Stoke’s goals……..clean sheet please.
After Stoke the clubs next five fixtures are (minus the cup) – Chelsea, Swansea, Tottenham, Man City, Everton – so it’s pretty important we pick up the points now. Otherwise come December we may be in dire straits and way behind the pack. I can stomach the slow start as long as we are still in striking distance of safety.
I think we still get some points of that lot though.
Especially Spuds.
Look at the optimism in here!
Where did you see Traore was injured again? I havent read that anywhere. I was hoping he would start.
Moreover, Traore has continued to struggle with an ankle problem picked up against Notts County in the cup.
The 19-year-old suffered a setback while playing for the clubs under-21 side and it’s unlikely he will feature against the Potters.
“Adama Traore is struggling, he played for the U21s on Monday he was limping one minute and fine the next,” Sherwood added.
Quite optimistic, Stoke are pretty bad at the moment and we will definitely score against them. All of a matter if Sherwood gets them finally playing from the start. Honestly of the opinion if Sherwood doesn’t turn it around in a couple games, he’ll be in big trouble. Possibly gone.
I’m not sure about gone, Andrew.
Don’t forget he was a friend of Fox’s before he came to the Villa, so I’m sure he’ll be given every chance.
But he will be in big trouble, agreed, because it seems there aren’t many willing to give him much time.
Not to worry lads, our Tim don’t do Facebook, Twitter, and doesn’t know how to switch a computer on, so he’s not bothered about internet trolls and what they think, saying if players cannot stand the heat ,drop down into another league, I wish managers would do that don’t you.?
https://fbcdn-photos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t1.0-0/p480x480/12107952_1053593071351428_8782282931799578351_n.jpg?oh=d6982e51fbb080662a97d0e76c862113&oe=569EF179&__gda__=1452971014_4a3f6994716b2f1f60fef4e377224b3b
What the hell kind of line up is this? 5 at the back, 3 CM’s, no creativity, Sinclair’s awful. I get he wants fullbacks bombing forward but we’re not winning with this crap line-up.
ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS
Team to play Stoke: Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Amavi, Crespo, Veretout, Gueye, Westwood, Gestede, Sinclair.
Subs: Bunn, Bacuna, Richardson, Ayew, Sanchez, Gil, Grealish.
Hmm, Crespo and Vertout in, Grealish and Sanchez out.
To me he doesn’t know what to do, he better prove us wrong in this game for me ? If he don’t fuck him .I’ll condemn him to shit street.
Awful team. 5 at the back I get because he wants Hutton and Amavi bombing forward for crosses, but it’s no wonder Gestede has a pathetic 53% pass rate. Who does he have to give it too? Sinclair? Woopdie doo. He has no one to head it down too, he has no one to lay it off too and no one bombing forward for him. Basically isolated until Amavi or Hutton gets forward.
To me Andrew, that a team you would play at away grounds, what’s he up to?, he’s lost for knowledge to me.