Villa – Leicester; Preview

Aston-Villa-Leicester-City

I really don’t know what to think about this one.
If you’d have asked me before the Palace game, I’d have immediately said we don’t have a hope in hell of getting anything today.
But it’s amazing how even a solitary win can change your thinking isn’t it?

Not that I’m suggesting we’ll get the win against Leicester, but Bournemouth managed to hold them to a goalless draw at the King Power last week, so that sort of result is certainly not impossible, which is more my point.
Certainly I got the Palace prediction completely wrong, but even then I added the caveat, where it’s a funny old game, where anything can happen.

Onto squad news then and we have Grealish, Sanchez and Gabby all available.
I can’t see Gabby getting in the side unless he’s wound his neck in and something’s changed, although you never know. Garde might well give a shot at putting himself in the window, perhaps.
More realistic is one or possibly both of the other two coming in, just to give other players a rest.
Hutton’s still out with a hamstring problem.

As for Leicester, Jeff Schlupp is definitely out and Matty James is close, but it’s too soon.
I thought Vardy was injured, but it seems he’s ok and that has to be a concern for us.

I suppose the talking point is probably the link with Marc Albrighton, who came out yesterday saying how bad it was watching our demise (good lad).
It’s probably a bit much to hope he has a shocker today, with the aim of doing us a favour, but it would be nice wouldn’t it?
Ex players playing against us always worries me, as they often do well, but I’m happier that we have Cissokho to counter him, as I think Albrighton would run rings around Richardson, for example.

So while I think an actual win is doubtful, a draw definitely isn’t in the realms of dreamland.
Which would be a pretty decent result, in my opinion and one I’d take.
Of course, a win would probably have us dreaming of Europe again.
Or maybe just survival would be more realistic.

More important is that I want to see the fight and desire we demonstrated midweek, continue.

I’ll go for a 1-1 draw, which is maybe ambitious these days.

151 Comments

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  1. #HELENIUS
    #HELENIUS January 16, 2016 at 7:15 pm . Reply

    Please remove Kozak. He been on 15 mins too long

    1. #HELENIUS
      #HELENIUS January 16, 2016 at 7:29 pm . Reply

      Why the dislikes, because he ran loads very slowly? Perhaps if he’d have come off for Sinclair last 15 we’d have had a runner off Gestede instead of Captain slow.

  2. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN January 16, 2016 at 7:25 pm . Reply

    Well done the lads have the team turned the corner due to working didn’t see or hear the game but the stats look positive.UTV

    1. originallondonlion
      originallondonlion January 16, 2016 at 7:36 pm . Reply

      We really stood toe to toe with them Giddy. Actually more Jaw to Elbow with Huth. I know now why Vardy plays for Leicester – his chin is in the Jimmy Hill size and if he played against Huth – he would be wearing it under his left ear.

      Late on, Gestede and Kozak was an interesting combination – the Foxes neanderthal could not mark both.

      Bizarre Leicester which I have only seen on highlights. In the clip Vardy seems miles offside and Bunn miles out of his goal, but the real gaffe is from Lescott, as Bunn palms away the lob at full stretch Lescott lets the Jap fly past him like a Pearl Harbor cruiser to tap in the loose ball. God save of a bad pen by Bunn, and Gestede is lucky his handball was not declared deliberate before scoring.

      The games we don’t win in our run in we have to draw, so against the 2nd best team this was a good point.

      1. GIDDYVILLAN
        GIDDYVILLAN January 16, 2016 at 7:43 pm . Reply

        CHEERS for that OLL it’s hard to comment on something you haven’t seen or heard MATE.

        1. Hitchens 60
          Hitchens 60 January 16, 2016 at 7:52 pm . Reply

          Two points OLL – surely Vardy was offside from their goal kick which led to the goal – unless of course they’ve changed the rules and you can’t be offside from a goal kick and second how did we not get a penalty from the deliberate Huth elbow when Westwood was penalised for exactly the same!

          It’s always the same the top get all the decisions and the bottom get none

          1. Cavillan
            Cavillan January 16, 2016 at 8:10 pm . Reply

            I watched the game in the US and the commentator did say that you can’t be offside from a goalkick. When did that rule come in?

          2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
            OohAhPaulMcGrath January 16, 2016 at 8:39 pm . Reply

            If Lescott had reacted to rebound from Binns save we would of won that’s the line between staying up and going down

          3. Bill Pearson
            Bill Pearson January 16, 2016 at 9:32 pm . Reply

            That’s correct Oohah (IF) if the ref had done his job right we would have won, twice we was denied a pen.even Olivier assistant linesman knew he’d dropped a goolie. Hope he gets demoted.

      2. Ardent Villain
        Ardent Villain January 16, 2016 at 7:49 pm . Reply

        Watched on Sky – agree it looked miles offside..

        Huth should have walked for the arm-swinging, but then again the ref was pretty lenient all around.

        Under any ‘normal’ circumstances the 1-1 at home against a side trying to get back on top of the Prem would be more than acceptable; and it was good to watch, especially in the 2nd half.

        Best thing I can take from the performance is that we didn’t look like the worst team in the division today, not by far.

        1. originallondonlion
          originallondonlion January 17, 2016 at 12:19 am . Reply

          It was always the rule even when I played (and that goes back to the brown ball era) that you could not be offside from a goal kick. I wasn’t able to see in the clip that it had been a Leicester goal kick, I just looked at where Bunn was when the camera panned upfield, and I have never seen a keeper out that wide and far for an opposing goal kick so I guessed the ball had been kicked from hand (when you can be offside) Does not excuse Lescott dozing though.

        2. originallondonlion
          originallondonlion January 17, 2016 at 12:37 am . Reply

          Remi picking Kozak is straight out of Roy of the Rovers.

          All else has failed. The guy he always thinks is a w****r in training, is the last fit man in the squad left in the dressing room. So he gives the guy a start and he turns out to be a different character in a real game.

          The goalie is a clown but the new gaffer’s heard from the GK coach the Res keeper is worse and the kid keeper is just that. One day he thinks its bloody unlikely the GK’s he has never tried are worse than the Muppet so he puts one in. The only other untried players are a LB out on loan he gets back and a RB who can defend but can’t attack – as if that was the real problem.

          Until results improve the Gaffer has not dared look in the Melchester Fanzine at what the rabid dogs are writing but after turning the corner he fishes them off the shelf in his office.

          And ……….OMG………. he reads they have been dissecting the previous formations and calling for the changes he has just made since the start of the season!

        3. originallondonlion
          originallondonlion January 17, 2016 at 12:42 am . Reply

          How do you think he got the Manure job? Only because he has his own rulebook like the previous guy.

  3. VillaAwayInDiv3
    VillaAwayInDiv3 January 16, 2016 at 7:27 pm . Reply

    A 1-1 draw against one of the old style top 4 would be a bonus point…no good at this stage but could be useful later……or maybe not……
    Could have won if officials had seen the repeated karate chops of the german.

  4. claret and blue
    claret and blue January 16, 2016 at 7:27 pm . Reply

    That my fellow villans is without any doubt the best match we’ve played this season. That’s all

  5. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN January 16, 2016 at 7:27 pm . Reply

    Ps at least we’ve beat derbys tally.

  6. Jvillan
    Jvillan January 16, 2016 at 7:52 pm . Reply

    Oll
    You can’t be offside from goal kick
    Why did remi persist with guzan Hutton Richardson I would say about 27 out of 37 goals concede down to them 3 alone mind lescott pretty white as well if he had followed the ball we wouldn’t conceded
    Rudi came on ran more today last 3 months because kozak playing by the way kozak should 2 pens and probably red card for huth

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 January 16, 2016 at 7:53 pm . Reply

      Are you sure JVillan?

  7. Jvillan
    Jvillan January 16, 2016 at 8:01 pm . Reply

    Hitchen
    Was sure looked up rules corner throw in goalkick all the same once over line

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 January 16, 2016 at 8:18 pm . Reply

      You’re absolutely correct JV – as long as you receive the ball directly from a goal kick, corner or throw in you can’t be offside. Never used to be the rule – oh well but still should have got at least one penalty the way Huth was throwing his arm around and he should probably gave received at least a yellow card. Very poor refereeing given the dubious penalty awarded against us.

    2. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 January 16, 2016 at 8:22 pm . Reply

      On a different point or points – didn’t see anything from Albrighton which suggests he’s any better than when he played for Villa BUT has better players around him (nice to see the crowd applauding him – not his fault he left) also thought Ranieri made two strange substitutions which helped us by reducing their attacking threat – maybe that was a compliment to how we played second half.

  8. Jvillan
    Jvillan January 16, 2016 at 8:21 pm . Reply

    Bunn couple hairy moments but million times better than the clown why was he not put in sooner
    Bacuna major improvement on Hutton could done better for goal,no more Hutton
    Cissko good game bit unlucky with pen ,never again Richardson in villa shirt
    Lescott awful again day dreaming for goal,woeful needs replacing now too many goals down to him
    Okore worst game for a spell lescott must be bad influence need to improve
    Gana good game need to keep it up
    Westwood normal crap game from him what does he do,his missed chance led to goal 3 chances last few games none on target,kozak laid one back to him he disappeared
    Vertout poor tonight but on the whole looks OK
    Kozak big improvement on rudi ,should had 2 pens unlucky with shot,midfield too far back first half
    Ayew tries hard Not his night
    Gil tried hard didn’t understand the sub
    Sub
    Rudi maybe being dropped do him world good

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 January 16, 2016 at 8:24 pm . Reply

      Think some of those assessments are a little harsh JV.

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath January 16, 2016 at 8:38 pm . Reply

      Hopefully Lescott will soon be in USA retirement home for shit premier footballers earning a fortune. As long as he’s not playing for us that’s fine with me

    3. Benno
      Benno January 17, 2016 at 8:10 am . Reply

      Okore marked Vardy out of the game??

  9. Jvillan
    Jvillan January 16, 2016 at 8:27 pm . Reply

    Hitchen
    Feel free to say which ones
    Albrighton didn’t try tonight, free kick he hit man’s a fan

    1. Bill Pearson
      Bill Pearson January 16, 2016 at 9:02 pm . Reply

      Someone’s poised the question on Kozak, Gestede, I thought it was a good move, the only thing is you wouldn’t start that way, its noticeable that we cannot measures crossing a ball or lift one over the top to the big men, the only person that did was the goalkeeper, saying that far better performance and had we started all our games like that no way would we be in this position. Well done our team its not all over till the fat lady sings.

  10. sasa c
    sasa c January 16, 2016 at 9:09 pm . Reply

    i haven’t been on here for ages as I don’t have anything different to say than anyone else, but just got back and we were superb tonight,
    And the manager deserves specific praise,,,,well done Remi Garde,

  11. Jvillan
    Jvillan January 16, 2016 at 9:17 pm . Reply

    Think remi has a lot too answer for why did he stick with guzan Hutton Richardson rudi
    Why for a defensive player can he not stop some of mistakes week in week out we hand goals to opponents, when was last goal we conceded not mistake

    1. Stubbs
      Stubbs January 16, 2016 at 9:32 pm . Reply

      I agree Remi has a lot to answer for. First answer he should give is how has he managed to get us to go 3 games without defeat. The longest period of time without defeat all season.

      I was unsure about him when he came but to be fair he’s doing a decent job. He is sorting out a huge mess and trying to get rid of players who are causing the shit.

      Regarding team selection his hands are kind of tied given the lack of quality available to him.

      He’ll do well with Villa as long as he is given at least a couple of years to build HIS team and providing he gets the support from the board.

      Good performance and a more than deserved point against a team top of the league.

    2. sasa c
      sasa c January 16, 2016 at 9:34 pm . Reply

      JV, I have no beef with you at all mate, but we have been making the same mistakes for years now, the reality is that Lescott has been more than ok over the last couple of games Garde went shit or bust…we can’t knock him for that and for me, we deserved 3 points and the effort and desire was never in doubt.

    3. Colonius81
      Colonius81 January 17, 2016 at 3:39 pm . Reply

      I don’t think he has anything to answer for until the end of the season and then – the only question I would be asking is why in the f&*% did you take this job?
      he is going to make mistakes but honestly, considering the absolute shit hand he was dealt to begin with, at worst they aren’t going to be any worse than any made in the last 4 years.

      This why didn’t he do this and do that, Captain Hindsight would have prevented every crime …

  12. VillaAwayInDiv3
    VillaAwayInDiv3 January 16, 2016 at 9:23 pm . Reply

    You can trace most goals to a mistake…..today Lescott was slow but the Leicester bloke was running from the 1/2 way and going like the wind – much easier for the attacker in that scenario.

  13. Miffedvillain
    Miffedvillain January 16, 2016 at 10:06 pm . Reply

    The team I watched today was a 100 miles better than the team I watched last, 3 months ago.

  14. jvillan
    jvillan January 16, 2016 at 10:59 pm . Reply

    sasc
    just think remi there long enough to sort out defence,as for lescott think thats 3/4 goals down to his laziness ,we need reinforcements now keeper saying that bunn did better than guzan already,centre half strong leader type,midfield enforcer westwood got to go striker one who knows where the goals are,and a wdeman,winger someone with abit life in them,pity traore out for 10 weeks

  15. VillaAwayInDiv3
    VillaAwayInDiv3 January 16, 2016 at 11:26 pm . Reply

    UNBELIEVABLE……….Bleedin Moyes is the ONLY person on the earth that thought ALL the decisions were different to what everyone one else said.On MOTD he said (without laughing) that our goal was hand ball (even Gary Leicester said it was O.K.) and Huth is a fine young German gentleman who apparently needs to have helicopter arms to get off the floor and forwards bring it on themselves by attempting to get to the ball.

    It said on Sky this morning that we were getting the Arsenal full back and I’m sure we were having the Centre half/Midfielder from the continent as well…names escape me for now but I’m a bit worn out from watching the early match…3pm one and Villa as well…..also most of the ones on Channel 5 as well.

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 January 17, 2016 at 8:10 am . Reply

      Who cares what Moyes thinks! If Huth smashing Kozak wasn’t a penalty then how did Westward’s less obvious flailing arm deserve a penalty. Huth is a thug.

      I think the CB is Lame Sane – sounds like a Bowie song.

    2. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 January 17, 2016 at 8:15 am . Reply

      To put last nights result into perspective – we have not come from behind to win a game in the PL since September 2013. Since then, last night was the 36th game we have fallen behind and of those 36 we have LOST 32!!! So last night’s draw was only the 4th game we haven’t lost in that sequence and I think I’m right in saying that Garde now has either 2 or 3 of those 4 draws – so Garde ain’t doing too bad!

      1. Holtender
        Holtender January 17, 2016 at 8:36 am . Reply

        Those are very bleak statistics. Agree with you strongly that Remi Garde is going to be a very good manager for us.

        1. Bill Pearson
          Bill Pearson January 17, 2016 at 9:33 am . Reply

          So do I, Garde proved that on subbing with Gestede, yes he took off one of our best and it changed the game.as I’ve said unless you can feed the long ball to them and we not able to yet , its most likely be a one off. But that team put a shift in yesterday, cannot really place blame on Lescott he’s ageing and not so mobile, I’d still stick with him for a few more games he will prove his worth.

        2. Hitchens 60
          Hitchens 60 January 17, 2016 at 9:46 am . Reply

          Redknapp also pointed out that we have only won 9 out of our last 56 games so why should anyone think we could win 9 of the next 16 – difficult to argue with. To be fair to Sherwood he was very supportive and positive about the club and there was no bad mouthing.

    3. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath January 17, 2016 at 2:25 pm . Reply

      Which is why Moyes is now in the cosy MOTD studio trying to sell himself to get another job as his stock has crashed big time!

  16. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum January 17, 2016 at 9:19 am . Reply

    Listened to bits of the game on R5L. They said it was possibly the worst game they’ve covered all season and could see why Villa are going down. Also said Cissoko had a stinker. Leicester seemed to hand us the game…Would rather have seen them take the points. They won’t do us any good…

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 January 17, 2016 at 9:43 am . Reply

      Bum bum – I watched the game and if that’s the way R5L reported it then it’s typical media bias (why do they seem to dislike the Villa?) Villa played pretty well and gave as good if not more than they got. Smeichal was the busier of the goalkeepers. Yes Raneira took off there best two strikers and put on an extra defender – maybe he was concerned about Villa’s second half attacking play.

      OK it wasn’t pretty football but what the hell do they expect! Leicester play a long ball counter attacking game very much in th MON style and Villa are scrapping for all they’re worth (at last) – but it was entertaining.

      There is absolutely no doubt we should have been awarded at least one penalty. Good for the lads, I’m pleased they got a point

    2. originallondonlion
      originallondonlion January 17, 2016 at 10:22 am . Reply

      I listen to R5L quite often on the way to/from Sutton Utd and if they are right the season must be getting steadily worse because they have said “worst game” about a Chelsea game 2 Southampton games and a Baggies game before today. Maybe they meant worst Leicester performance, and in that case it is to Villa’s credit that we disrupted them and had the better of a game against the team going top.

  17. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum January 17, 2016 at 9:21 am . Reply

    And Huth has always been a thug. I wish he was our thug though!

  18. andrew1
    andrew1 January 17, 2016 at 11:21 am . Reply

    sorry but for those who were’nt there radio 5 live where correct.
    first half was as bad as its been all season. are passing and defending was shocking.
    second half we improved but it was again the same issues as bacuna could’nt beat his first man with every cross.
    the ref was very poor and motd’s highlights missed out when vardy should of been sent when putting two hands on bacunas face when they squared up.
    garde looked like a cardboard cut out whilst ranieri looked animated all the time dishing out orders and appeared unhappy only being one up at half time.

    so to sum it up yes weve got 4 points out of 2 games but looked shaky still and a lot of villa fans acting like were gonna win every week now.
    stop getting carried away its embarrasing

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 January 17, 2016 at 12:10 pm . Reply

      Frankly, I disagree with your overall assessment. We were poor in the first half can’t argue with that and the ref was a disgrace but it certainly wasn’t ‘the worst game of the season’.

      We all know that Bacuna and Cissoko can’t cross the ball but they both defended pretty well. We can’t afford to play pretty football – this is about scrapping for every point and in the second half Villa did just that and took the game to Leicester and remember this is a side that hadn’t conceded in 6 hours of PL football.

      And where does comments on this blog indicate that a ‘lot of Villa fans think we are going to win every week’. We all hope for miracles that’s what all fans do but I would argue that the majority know that relegation is a very real outcome this season

      1. andrew1
        andrew1 January 17, 2016 at 1:39 pm . Reply

        never said it was our worst game!
        if you was actually there you would of seen a poor game where we could of been out of sight but got a point.
        but not through outplaying leicester and like many many fans who i spoke to leaving commenting on how poor our passing and defense was.
        i listened to radio 5 live on way home and they said what they saw and many villa fans commenting on how good we was and how we fought.
        just look at their goal and penalty and tell me thats a team who was fighting and not to mention the countless times bacuna couldnt beat his first man.
        so yes it was poor end of and i will always say it that villa fans are fickle. if we lose to the baggies with the same team you tell me how good we was

        1. Stubbs
          Stubbs January 17, 2016 at 2:14 pm . Reply

          Hitchens doesn’t attend games. He doesn’t even understand the rules so don’t take his opinion on board.

          He’s a classic example of an elitist.

        2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath January 17, 2016 at 2:21 pm . Reply

          Performance and statistics mean nothing now Andrew if we play shit and win or nick a point that’s good enough for me

          1. andrew1
            andrew1 January 17, 2016 at 3:19 pm . Reply

            i agree with you.
            my point is villa fans getting carried away and especially towards comments made by radio 5 as i agree with what they said. it was a poor game and if you saw our defending and passing thats not fighting let alone when kozak was fouled in the box how many players complained

  19. VillaAwayInDiv3
    VillaAwayInDiv3 January 17, 2016 at 11:42 am . Reply

    Well they said Leicester and Palace played the worse they have all season…..so maybe it was down to use making them look useless….just like we made Everton look champion League winners.
    Could be interesting against Albion…on paper 0-0 and crap but the Albion CAN play well but seem to not bother most of the time …lets hope they cant be bothered.

    1. andrew1
      andrew1 January 17, 2016 at 12:03 pm . Reply

      let me tell you we didnt make palace and leicester look poor.
      palace could of been 1 up in 40 seconds and leicester missed a pen to be 2 up.
      in both games the 2 teams sat back whilst we aimlessly passed sideways and backwards and hit us on the break.
      like most games we have a ten minute spell and 80 minutes of boring dross and dont out play oppositions.
      another carried away villa fan

      1. Hitchens 60
        Hitchens 60 January 17, 2016 at 12:12 pm . Reply

        If you find it that boring I suggest you go and watch another team

        1. Bill Pearson
          Bill Pearson January 17, 2016 at 12:32 pm . Reply

          I hate it when people take the words of the media and don’t see the game, Andrew 1 they get paid to get fans reaction, I seen the game and so did many more fans, yes poor first half, second half loads better, infact 100% better, yes still have defensive problems but we was robbed yesterday did they say that. No probably relayed from London or Manchester with commentators supporting their team like refs.

          1. andrew1
            andrew1 January 17, 2016 at 1:43 pm . Reply

            i was there and plenty of fans leaving the ground said the same.
            its only when you get the holte when the doppy villa fans start sayin how good we are

          2. Bill Pearson
            Bill Pearson January 17, 2016 at 2:03 pm . Reply

            Well you would in the cheap seats,

        2. Stubbs
          Stubbs January 17, 2016 at 12:39 pm . Reply

          Coming from someone who didn’t know the proper offside rule it’s comical that you understand football at all.

          1. Stubbs
            Stubbs January 17, 2016 at 12:40 pm . Reply

            Not aimed at you Mr P.

          2. Bill Pearson
            Bill Pearson January 17, 2016 at 12:44 pm . Reply

            Thanks, call me Bill.

          3. Bill Pearson
            Bill Pearson January 17, 2016 at 1:17 pm . Reply

            There you go , typical media biasness Sky, Goal reviews Ben Shepherd, and Kamara, talking to Brendan Rodgers, Sheppard let’s take a look at Gestede goal Brendan, should it have been a pen? Rodgers no he controlled the ball, not a bloody thing on Huth slinging his arms about and should that have been a pen, they did point out about goal kick not off side from goalkeeper to player.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath January 17, 2016 at 2:21 pm . Reply

              Media always hated us they will be chuffed when we go down

          4. andrew1
            andrew1 January 17, 2016 at 2:00 pm . Reply

            who doesnt know the offside rule.
            i know it and you’ll find hitchens is the one claiming offside and also thinks we played well

          5. Stubbs
            Stubbs January 17, 2016 at 2:18 pm . Reply

            @Andrew1……….Hitchens doesn’t know the offside rule. He’s also blamed Doug Ellis for our current plight. Astonishing considering he left 10 years ago!!

      2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
        OohAhPaulMcGrath January 17, 2016 at 2:23 pm . Reply

        Ok we got 4 lucky points ur so what it’s all about building momentum and confidence now. Once we start nicking wins and playing poor you know we have a chance

  20. Jvillan
    Jvillan January 17, 2016 at 12:28 pm . Reply

    Only 3 goals from villa subs since 2013
    No win in 36 after falling behind
    And Moyes is a wanker two clear fouls on kozak first one should have been red

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