I’m sorry that I never wrote a review of the Swansea game, but the truth is we had a load of family round and I never really got to see much of the second half. Certainly not enough to write about it anyway.
What I did see was encouraging though, even if we didn’t score.
On to today then and it’s Sunderland at home.
It should be another interesting game, because the opposition sit just one place and one point below us in the table. They even have the same goal difference, on -11.
Sunderland have been very much the draw specialists over the last few games and I doubt many of us see there being many goals today.
It’s pretty much the same players available for the Villa today, with the exception of Gabby Agbonlahor who’s out because he picked up his fifth booking this season.
Some will see that as a big loss, because he does give us an option with his pace and he is after all our second highest scorer (not that that’s saying much), but I’ve felt he hasn’t really contributed much of late. Hence I’ve previously said that I’d like to see him “rested” for a game or two, even if it’s only to keep him on his toes and to not make things quite so comfortable as they have been.
With Gabby out then, I wonder how Lambert will play things?
I’d guess he’ll play Weimann just behind Benteke, but I really wonder if there would be some mileage in Grealish playing on the left, with Weimann on the right and them both floating infield as chances allow?
I don’t know, I prefer to leave the tactics to the manager, but this strikes me as a game we very much have to go for, as we need to get nothing less than three points today.
While Lambert says he has us playing differently and it’s true, the play has improved, I felt against Swansea that our build up play was way too slow and when we got to the halfway line we practically came to a standstill. We need to improve this, along with our off the ball movement in my opinion.
On the Sunderland front, they have Conor Wickham back for the game.
So what do I think then?
Well, I’d love to say I think we’re due to properly beat a team by a good couple of goals at least.
I suppose if we were to get lucky and take all of our chances, it might be possible.
I just don’t see it happening though and it has to be just the one goal again.
1-0 to the Villa, because anything less will be totally unacceptable.
http://metro.co.uk/2014/12/28/liverpool-want-to-sign-aston-villa-duo-fabian-delph-and-ron-vlaar-in-15m-transfer-deal-5001308/
15m for both? I’d argue that’s worth selling both for that easily.
Perhaps, but I think we could get near 20m for the duo, I also reckon it’s worthy of selling them and bringing in new players that are keen to stay
I’d be surprised if we could get 20m, unless Delph starts a bidding war between the likes of Southampton, Tottenham and Liverpool. Mainly because he’s at the right age to get a lot out of. Vlaar on the other hand, be surprised if we get more than 6-7m due to age, fitness levels, etc.
Of course you want players that are keen to stay but that’s unlikely for us, unless they grew up Villa fans. Unfortunately I have my doubts a lot of the better players have.
A draw & that’s hoping.
anyone see man utd game. rooney did a nice tackle on kane, if it was rugby lol, how come the ref or lines man go blind when utd come to town
Villa team :
Guzan
Hutton
Cissokho
Vlaar
Clark
Sanchez
Cleverley
Delph
Benteke
Weimann
N’Zogbia.
How very predictable.
Weimann replaces Gabby, N’Zogbia replaces Okore and we’re back to a back 4. Yet again, Bacuna can’t get a start. Grealish and Robinson on the bench and there’s a small chance with N’Zogbia starting Grealish will come on as N’Zogbia’s terrible.
so our star player is replaced by our disloyal captain explain please?
It’s rather easy. Clark’s been better than Okore, Vlaar’s back to full fitness so he automatically has to come in, so Okore has to be dropped since we’re going to a back 4.
Unless you wanna be less of a cynic and claim Okore shouldn’t be playing 2 games in 2 days and that’s why Lambert did it. I have my doubts.
why does vlaar automatically come in if he wants a guaranteed start sign on the dotted line in my opinion he wouldn’t get on bench same as other turncoat delph
Not sure why they have to be loyal to us to play. Delph and Vlaar aren’t academy players, so they must have been unloyal to the teams we signed them from, so what’s the difference bar they’re now at a team we support instead.
Vlaar automatically gets a start because he’s Vlaar, Lambert loves Vlaar. He’s also our captain so he’s going to automatically start under Lambert.
N’zgobia is starting, I don’t see much in this game for that very reason. Made me angry before the game has even started.
Just a quick one…..Weimann is a disgrace to the world of professional football !!!
Wiemann is playing shocking, had a shot opportunity in the 6 yard area and took a touch instead….
He had a great break going forward, passed it out wide and gave a throwing. What is going on in this kids head? Over thinking, just do what you are paid to do
And iv seen at least twice, in the final 3rd, CNZ failing to track his opponent…!!! Lazy fecker
Do Villa ever practice crosses in training?
Iv just been screaming the same, so many chances of a decent ball have resulted in pathetic crosses.
I write every week aboût how cissokho can’t and shouldn’t attempt to cross the ball. He has repeatedly screwed up the attacks this game from poor crosses.
I’d like Grealish on at ht (or shortly after). These are there for the taking, they’ve turned up for a 0-0.
I presume your on about Villa being the side that have turned up for a 0-0?
Grealish did have one or two moments against Swansea and deserves another outing. Why do we end up with Hutton and V laar carrying the ball and compressing the game in the Sunderland half. Our midfield need to come and to the ball carrying and then the full backs arriving from behind. We had one good moment of that with Hutton. So right Helenius, Sunderland are not here to win unless we give it away.
Like Lamberk, your clutching at straws my friend.
Villa are as clueless as anybody in this league – hence 11 goals scored.
Fucking great down to 10 yet again,could this be the last time we see delph in a VILLA shirt??? ???
with a bit of luck?
Sunday league tackle from Delph, but Johnson’s deliberate handball goes unpunished. Not saying it weren’t a red but if the refs playing the “letter of the law” game……. Hate inconsistent refs
Add Fletcher’s handball to the list too.
Your desperate mate.
Another record to be broken: lowest scorers ever in Premier League???
Weiman needs dropping and grealish starting, on for 5 mins and done more than weiman has done in the past 4, wrong mentality at villa, if you play shit you still ay the next game, if you play well you get dropped, stupid
Grealish and Sanchez outstanding, Vlaar, stupid mistake but otherwise great. Benteke has totally lost his timing and cant keep the possession we need. Thank God we have a goalie. I love my straws.