I’ve seen Leeds comments that have suggested that this is a massive fixture.
And indeed it is.
The current top two big clubs in the Championship are us and Newcastle; that’s without doubt, in my opinion.
The next level might be a bit more debatable and you could include Norwich as next on the list, but truth be told, I don’t see them as being up there as a big club.
So to me, Leeds are next, which is backed up by the fact that ticket sales are expected to be around 32,000 for this game.
When you consider this is going to be shown on Sky, that’s pretty impressive and even more so when you consider Leeds have done nothing for a while.
So they’ve got decent support.
Which makes them seem automatically a formidable foe.
Sure, it’s a plus point and one that we often use; the bigger club usually wins out, after all.
But we’re debatably a bigger club and that’s why we shouldn’t think we’re going to struggle before we even kick off.
Before I give my prediction, let’s have the team news.
Erm, I’m not seeing much to be honest.
Leeds have defender Pontus Jansson back in contention.
Whereas Villa have injury doubts over Baker (groin) and McCormack (ankle).
The big one there is obviously Baker and I feel he’d be a major loss even if we have Elphick to come in.
There was some mention about Richards, but who gives a toss?
Not that it matters too much.
Leeds are apparently seeking their fifth win in six league games and that’s pretty impressive.
But they haven’t met us yet.
Perhaps I’m heading for a fall, but I’m just feeling we’re on a roll.
A roll that says we’ll win this 2-1.
It’s all quite worrying really, as every time I’ve been confident over the last few years, it’s all turned round and bitten me on the arse.
But with Super Spud (you heard it here first) in charge, I suspect our good run will continue.
Otherwise, I’ll take a point.
Leeds’ home form isn’t great and our away form isn’t either.
Which makes this one particularly interesting.
Can my strong confidence be right for once?????
Would like to think you’re right – but I still find it hard to be optimistic about individual ‘big’ games!
Leeds are a difficult side to play, especially on their own turf; my gut says a 1-1 draw would be OK, even though we need wins…
Leeds home, 4-2-3, I believe (?)
If so, they’re very beatable, imo.
I think Bruce will take it to them and we’ll win.
It’s a rarity for me to say that and my proverbial is twitching.
I’m amazed why u think we will win today Badger it dosnt stack up plus we are without baker huge loss. We need to score at least twice to win we’ve not scored 2 away goals all season accept reading and that was a lucky win. I’m not saying we can’t win it’s just very unlikely that’s all.
Newcastle lost again, two pens missed and two men sent off. Are the wheels coming off?
For tomorrow honestly think Leeds are okay but have trouble netting so they’ll have a lot of the play and we’ll win 1-2.
Here’s hoping
UTV
Really hope that both you and Badger are right abput the Leeds game.
Pat – re Barcodes: “Are the wheels coming off?” – exactly the phrase I used after watching the game on Sky tonight. Suddenly Newcastle have got the wobbles, and we’re only at the start of December.
This has always been a strange division, and anyone trying to sprint in a marathon will come a-cropper eventually; usually it takes a bit longer though.
The think is newcastke can afford 3 more defeats and they’d still be favourites to finish top 2. They’ve actually lost more than us this season but gave turned draws into wins which is what it’s all about.
Think this is even Steven’s for us, watched Leeds a few times physical side and remember them as a top team in the country, albeit they had a manager that got players taking men out after the ball was played.I’ve said 2-2 and would be happy with that but a win would convince me we are going to get up this year. So booze is in, feet up, and tummy turning, come on you lions.
Yep another draw imo
i would ignore the noise from newcastle. good or bad and just focus on our own results. its not too late, i firmly believed this before their last two defeats. we need to catch them up to capitalize on this.
todays game is massive, win this and i feel it sends out a massive warning too the others, that we are here and mean business. leeds away is a massive game. also december is a massive month many games which will change the table,
i am going for a nil nil draw. but i hope we can win this and set up our chistmas period.
There is no way we will finish top 2 newcastke can afford a few slip ups.
Another tough away game today , I believe we can win this one 2-1 to the Villa. UTV.
solihull moors 2 nil up at the mighty luton lmao i bet their manager won’t be mouthing off, like he did when we played um
blue noses loses at home to barnsley
Norwich, Derby, Sheff Wed, and Fulham all winning, therefore as things stand we need a win just to stand still – got this league is tough !!
Yep – lose today and we’ll drop a couple of places and be 7 points (?) off play offs – just shows how bad our start was. We really need a run of 4 or 5 wins to get us in the mix. When did that last happen?
Aston Villa – Gollini, Hutton, Elphick, Chester, Amavi, Westwood, Jedinak, Gardner, Adomah, Kodjia, Gestede
Subs: Sarkic, Ayew, Cissokho, Bacuna, Tshibola, Grealish, Agbonlahor
Is McCormack injured?
Out with his ankle
Cheers Dave.
I didn’t know.
Gestede not working enough?
Decent up to now, but it looks like we miss Grealish for that something different, fouls etc.
Same old Villa decent up to final third but can’t create anything.
In a game of hoofball there’s only one outcome, a Leeds win.
Gardner looks uncomfortable in possession, Westwood terrifies me when having to track runners and Gestede should get an office job.
Back 4 a getting better tho. Yay
westwood reminds me of a policeman directing traffic he is always pointing is arm at another teammate you mark him,
I’ve no idea where a goal coming to Villa, i don’t see a plan ? no goals in this game.
Like I said it’s a draw all day long or Leeds may sneak it 1.0 either way we won’t win
Why can’t it be us that sneak it?
Always glass half empty with you mate, imo.
Because I’m always right Badger tell me how many times in the past 5 years we’ve sneaked a win. Reading away is the only one. It’s called being realistic
We’ll do it goals galore second half its coming COYL
Lee Hendry saying the same get Grealish to create, Or Ayew we need to put Leeds under pressure.
Was that a streaker on the pitch? Erika Roe’s daughter? This match could go any way…
crying out for someone to put their foot on the ball