I’m sure I don’t need to tell anyone how big a game this is.
But the fact is a lot rides on it, as it really could be a season defining game.
It’s quite simple for me.
If we can win this one, it might bode well in giving us a real confidence boost ahead of what would normally be some very winnable games that follow.
But if we lose, you have to wonder how much it will affect a side that already seem incredibly low in confidence, especially when it comes to the attack side of our game.
Enough of telling you what you already know though, so on to squad news;
I don’t think we have any major problems now, do we?
Vlaar’s fit and could well start, if Lambert feels he’s sharp enough.
And of course, Benteke is also available after being dropped on Saturday. I’d play him in this one, personally.
As for Hull, they have new signing Dame N’Doye available and striker Nikica Jelavic might be ready for a return after his knee injury.
Thoughts?
Well, I didn’t see the Man City – Hull game, so the question is did Hull get lucky or actually play well when they got that point? From what I’ve read, they played pretty well at the back and put in a resolute display.
But the important point is, they seemed dejected after City equalised.
Which could prove telling.
In my opinion, a lot will boil down to which side feel more up for it.
How much did Okore’s goal mean to us against Chelsea? And did it give us any extra confidence?
The truth is, I can’t see past a draw, either 0-0 or 1-1.
I just don’t believe the way we play will lead to us beating Hull. We always seem to do poorly against the teams around us after all, don’t we?
Although, in fairness with two wins in something like twenty, you could probably say we don’t do well against anyone.
And I don’t believe Lambert has enough about him to pull anything out of the bag, as in trying something different, to get the result.
I’d actually take that draw, something I can hardly believe I’m saying, but that’s what we’re down to.
I see Lambert has been defending Cleverley today.
My view’s fairly straightforward there. While I appreciate that the manager should defend his players, how Cleverley, who has played lots of games, gets a start over Bacuna, who has actually created something in his rare appearances, is just beyond me.
Cleverley has had lots of time to get into the swing, but he’s been awful in going forward.
Unless the priority is just to stop the opposition scoring.
In which case he’s only been poor.
He needs dropping, the same as Lambert is quick to drop others, even though they’ve offered way more.
It’s no wonder I want Lambert out.
Badger, I want Lambert out too, his tactics are none existent, dropping Benteke was the right thing to do, for a few reasons the main one Gabby did not slack off.
The cleverly thing is so frustrating it must have been 4 or 5 times on Saturday when he slowed the attacking play down with plenty of opportunities to move forward, plus he adds nothing, and I totally agree Bacuna should be first choice. Having said that for me Sinclare needs to be in with Gil on the opposite side and Delph and Westwood in the middle, saving Cole for the last 20 if we are still at nil-nil.
I will be at the KC so looking forward to the inept tacticians response to Saturday. As much as I think some of the issues are also related to Lernner, Lambert is the one supposedly running the pitch.
Definitely need to drop Cleverley, also keep Sanchez out as he gives the ball away to easily.
I Personally like Grealish but Lambert being Stubborn following the fallout prefers to put him on loan. Benteke needs to return as we have no other striker and putting him on the bench against Chelsea hopefully will give him a kick start. I Hope we continue our performance against Chelsea as it should bring us a win against Hull. This is a massive must win game that will open up a 5 point gap, and with games coming up against teams we should hopefully pick up points against will ease the pressure. I know we can stay up and have seen worse teams than Villa. Having watched Burnley against West Brom yesterday both teams played a lot worse than us and yes it was poor.
lambert should play Sinclair and Gill wide to get the service to Benteke and the goals will come. Bring in Bacuna for Cleverley to play along side Delph.
I don’t think we have any major problems now, do we?
Well none apart from a absentee tight arse owner,a shite manager and crap team that couldn’t score in a brothel.
I was talking purely from the squad pov, BWS.
But pretty much agree.
I know mate I was just being facetious.
I think our season hinges on tomorrow, lose and it’s one foot in the grave.
Villa are a fair-weather team. I will back us to get results, even against bigger teams, when the sun is shining and Spring is in the air. Away games at night in the freezing cold of winter on the East coast fall into the foul-weather, go-through-the-motions category.
I see nothing for Villa except what Hull gift them. That may still be a flukey win – but I won’t bet on it. If there is to be a change it won’t be our old lags who provide it – so I would go for a midfield of Westwood, Sanchez, Gil and Sinclair, Benteke and Robinson (who plays well on winter nights) up front, defence as Saturday.
Robinson?
Two hopes.
No Cleverley?
That’s a surprise 🙂
I like that mid, but could happily live with Delph doing the box to box that I thought we bought him for, instead of Westwood, who I’m not mad keen on.
It won’t happen though, as Lambert won’t change anything up, that might give us something to really talk about.
definitely not a game for the faint hearted, tiger’s have been in rotten form like us. so first goals vital. this game doesn’t need the 3 of cleverley westood and delph, two i would go with is westwood and delph, either cole if fit or bacuna, our tactic must be PASS TO GIL this guy has a trick or two,give him the ball deep in the opposition half, he will cause panic and will create, sinclair on other side of benteke.
nowhere to go if we lose this one
Nath, It seems we all agree, the mid we normally use is holding us back.
We need to grow some balls and actually go for a game sometimes and to me, this is one of them.
Play with width and see what they’ve got, in other words.
And then adapt, if it doesn’t happen.
It’s beyond Lambert’s way of thinking though, I reckon.
i think lambert needs to grow the balls. damn the guy was bold at norwich, he needs to shape up. otherwise he needs to step down. this game can’t end with him opening his excuses book. tigers will be there for the taking. much harder to play in front of your own fans in games like this. especially when your struggling. villa need to start fast and add to this pressure
Villa start fast?
That’s something else we’ve lost.
To think, playing a high tempo was our forte not long back 🙁
its all about tempo, bws was saying same, villa play at such a slow tempo the opposition are always getting back into their defensive shape, while we pass side to side and back. i know how i would like to approach this game, start the game correctly is a must, you start slow like we usually do, playing safety passes no risk, you pass tigers the game to dictate. we need to dominate from the first whistle. involve benteke more, mix up the short long passes. get gil and sinclair one on one with their fullbacks because they are like ours they tend to get forwards and that’s were the space will be
I’d not risk a 50p bet on this game. It’s absolutely anyone’s game, or as you suggest a draw. I think we’ll score, but so will they. It’s just down to the numbers in the onion bag. Squeaky bum time indeed…
wot about 10 bob
Was just learning to speak when ‘old money’ went out of fashion…
me2 i saw on a flicker show once
A porno? I think tomorrows game will b an x-rated filthy affair…
I’d love to see a Westwood-Sanchez midfield behind Bacuna and Gil with Weimann and Benteke up front in a 4-2-2-2 type. I’d keep Gil on the left though, he’s a horrid defender and Hutton doesn’t track back enough for a fullback. Bacuna’s far better in that part of the game than Gil and so is Cissokho to Hutton. Of course we’ll see a Westwood, Cleverley and Delph midfield, behind a Benteke, Gabby and Gil front 3. Definitely see Benteke starting. I’d start him with Weimann playing off him, even as a statue he’ll win things in the air and Weimann’s best to run off him.
Agree with the comments on Cleverley – he’s a tidy footballer but we have too many playing exactly the same way in mid field. Either he’s incapable of playing a forward ball down the channels or he’s just completely lost confidence In his own ability – either way some time on the bench wouldn’t hurt. Mid field of Delph, Sanchez and Bacuna for me in a 433(fat chance) with Weimann, Gil and either Sinclair / Gabby up front (Weimann playing a central striking role) Benteke, Cole available off the bench.
Oh yes and I remember when u could fill a tank of petrol for 10 bob – 50 p to you youngsters!
“I’d keep Gil on the left though, he’s a horrid defender and Hutton doesn’t track back enough for a fullback.”
Bloody hell Andrew, Hutton is a RB, whose priority is supposed to be defence.
He is not supposed to be pushing up the way he does and this is all part of what’s wrong with us, imo.
The fact that he’s often looked like our most attacking player and gets slated for being out of position when defending, sums up everything that is wrong with Lambert being our manager, imo.
I realize that, but that’s not going to change as Lambert wants Hutton getting forward as often as possible. Gil can’t cover Hutton and Hutton won’t get dropped for Lowton. So the next best thing we have is to play someone like Bacuna on the right, who is in fact a natural Right Winger and played there quite a bit in Holland as he’ll track back. Gil who covered for Hutton a few times against Chelsea got ripped to shreds, and be it yes it was Hazard, one of the best Left Wingers in the game today, the fact it was Gil back there and not Hutton is a big problem and you need someone like Bacuna to cover.
I completely agree with you, Hutton can’t push up like he does, he’s not Cissokho, he doesn’t have the legs, energy or pace to do it on a regular basis like Cissokho can.
Not like he’s great going forward either, most of his crosses seem 10-15 yards too deep, lofted, slow, which any 6’+ defender can easily win in the air and Benteke who’s the only one winning those no matter how much of a run up he gets, which he doesn’t do anyways, isn’t going to get anything on it to even come close to scoring.
Hard to call this one, two Pretty average sides but unfortunately I think potato head will out think Lambert so sadly (and I hope I’m wrong) I think they’ll do us 2-0.
If yr right, and qpr win, our luck is out and we’re bottom three…it just cant last forever.
Mate I hope I’m miles off the mark and we turn them over 5-0 but what are the chances?
The difference between the two managers will be shown tonight. Bruce will realise that he has a great chance of 3 points and will play an attacking team with instructions to get at us from the off. Lambert will think defensively – Let’s contain them and see if we can get a goal somewhere and sneak a 1-0 win.
That will probably be our undoing and I think that will be the beginning of the end for us. Our only hope is a poor performance from Hull. Even then I struggle to find any optimism or belief that we might win the game.
It’s 8.15am and already I feel like I need a drink!
Yep. It is almost defying the manager to start fast – if he has told you to retain the ball and keep it tight at the back. So Villa will hope to ride the Tiger’s onslaught – dangerous because if they go ahead I doubt Villa’s ability to get back into it.
Cleverley has come to stand for everything Lambert now is: a hollowed out, gutless and frightened-looking man seeking to avoid adventure in case it costs him
No goals and No assists for Vleverley – the most cartoon-character dud midfielder since Ray Wilkins. Do I expect to see him start today, yes, in one sense Lambert has already defended him, but no in the other – I won’t be watching if the line up is anything like what I expect.
I would go as far to say even with 14 left I think ?If we lose this one we will be goners IMPO we are in a right mess and for me to say that as I always used to defend the managers and be positive is something.That said I think we are down already you can see it we have nothing to offer fight wise while other teams are scrapping like dogs giving everything we are just lack luster can’t be bothered look about us.I think Hull will do us good and proper.
Jay Dee – I was at the game on Saturday, and unlike many people I didn’t see Villa as a team that are “down already”!
I saw a team that are seriously deficient in several areas: Cleverley, as everyone has pointed out many times simply adds nothing to our midfield; he is too slow-thinking and simply mediocre. However my major criticism of that team on that day was of Agbonlahor. He simply went through the motions and I really struggle to remember anything that he contributed. The guy once had pace. If he’s still got it, then he certainly can’t be arsed to use it anymore, and he’s not developed any other useful attribute to replace it.
I was actually quite surprised that the rest of the team played better than I’d expected, albeit that Chelsea hardly had to get out of second gear most of the game – but then it was Chelsea, who will almost certainly win the EPL by a fairly safe margin this season.
I’ll agree with you that if we lose to the like of Hull then things will look pretty dire for the rest of the season, but I’m not ready to put up the white flag just yet, nor do I think that most of the team have done it already!
Let’s hope we can win tonight then m8 and it would be a start in Villa proving me wrong.Bottom 3 by tomorrow IMPO
I think this time tomorrow I’ll be in a low mood equating to an episode of mild depression,we’re fucked.
Id go as follows:
Guzan
Hutton Vlaar Okores Cissokho
Sanchez Delph
Bacuna Gil Sinclair
Benteke
Play Gil through the middle as the defensive side of his game wont be the best and neither do i need it to be – i want him forward and creating. Agre Bacuna better to help out Hutton defesivley and we know he can create and score a goal whilst Sinclairs holding with with pace and curting in (obviously Bacuna and him can swap sides).
I think sanchez has been hard done by due to the fact there is so little options ahead of him and expected to play this passing style by Lambert – so probably feels he cant go direct to benteke when it may be the better option! Big game so i’d bring Vlaar back for i whilst Okores pace will complement.
Hopefully we lead and with 20-25 mins to go Gabby, Weimann for counter pace whilst westwood to come and and shore it up a little…
this team selection i totally agree with 🙂 playing gil in the centre of the three supporting benkeke is clever, as you pointed out, we don’t want him to be tracking back their full back. give him licence to cause havoc my only concern is sanchez. i think hes better than westwood. but he looked fed up against arsenal. i think leaving him out is for the best.
Defense as Saturday – Sanchez or Westwood and Bacuna in the middle. Delph and Cleverly need dropping to the bench. Out on the wings i’d have Grealish and Gil either side doesn’t matter really. Benteke and Sinclair up top. Gabby and Weimann on the Bench.
It won’t matter what we think, Lambert will play the same side as last weekend apart from Vlaar , he calls the shots, he makes the decision who and where to play, result 2-1 Hull.
totally agree unless Lambert decides to be more positive i can only see Hull winning.
Prediction same taem as Saturday and a 1-0 hull win.
Dead right Bill. Lambert picks the team and the tactics and what we think is irrelevant. I can’t see any reason why he would change the way we play. That’s speaking from his viewpoint. Poor form and poor results are pretty obvious proof of the need to change but Lambert clearly refuses to see it.
I’d like to see Delphy, Sinclair or Benteke score tonight. Hoping all 3 would score would just be greedy of me, wouldn’t it? Just imagine what it would do for the club if they got their confidence up and running. I really want to beat Hull tonight, I hate them. They were lucky to get a point against City as somehow the ref missed what were pretty clear penalties for City. C’mon Villa, don’t let us down!!
Big question – how has the late equaliser at ManC affected Hull in terms of confidence. We, on the other hand, didn’t get mauled by Chelsea even drawing praise (?) from the chosen one! For two teams both with some decent players but low on confidence and no recent form it could be the decisive factor. Personally I have absolutely no idea nor what to expect from Villa tonight.
Agree that it’s unlikely Lambert will change it around; he’s pretty much confirmed that Cleverley will play.
Hope we win but as the game gets closer, my fears are growing so the best I can hope for is poor 0-0 draw. If Hull score first then we are goners.
1-3 to the Villa, Benteke will be fired up and so will Gil and Sinclair…. lets hope Cleverly gets a doctors note and can’t play, otherwise we will be playing with 10 men…Again
New commercial officer joined us Charlie Wijeratna I though that was Foxs role. Announced on os
Fox is second in command CEO
Here’s who the fella is and what he does – https://uk.linkedin.com/pub/charlie-wijeratna/17/ab9/b31
BWS its just an appointment to save Lerner’s money going down the drain, he’s not understood that you have to speculate to accumulate. He will learn.
Bill I think his forte is selling the brand – raising money as opposed to saving it mate.
what brand might that be then? {Football?)
Lol
Apart from that we’ve got it all Bill.
To generat money surely the priority has to be stay in the Premier League.
A new commercial man in the championship is irrelevant.
Exactly Steve, I would think being a attractive prospect would help Villa.
No it’s an appointment to make him money whilst he keeps us up on a shoestring.
A good CV apart from getting the tin-tack at Tottenham, perhaps because the Hammers got the Olympic stadium instead of Spurs. I am not sure he has had as difficult a task as selling the most boring team in England’s Premier League yet.
However his job description does tally exactly with the role Fox fulfilled at Arsenal. So I wonder what conclusions will be aired over the water cooler at VP by the ex-commercial director of Tottenham Hotspur and the ex-commercial director of Arsenal? Might they just suggest that the entertainment quotient of the on-pitch happenings needs to improve to the standards of their former employers?
OOL this new guy and fox are here to do the same job imo wtf. Priorities all wrong this guy can’t score us goals. Just someone else to make money for lerner