Aston Villa v Wolverlona Wanderers Match Thread

[achilles]

Right in my eyes this is the game which will define our season.
At last we are meeting a side that is definitely going to give us a game and test our mettle.
No excuses, if we aren’t ready for this game we never will be and it is up to Bruce to get them ‘up’ for it from the first minute.
This game will show just how serious we are about getting an automatic spot rather than just settling for a playoff spot.

Now 99% of the time I would never advocate changing a winning side however this is the 1% time, as it goes without saying that Grealish must start and I would like us to go back to the side that did so well before Grealish and Adomah got injured. Also I don’t want us to play a 4-4-2 as it doesn’t really work for us and especially against a decent side.

So this is my side (4-1-3-1-1):

...............................................Johnstone...................................................
...........Elmo..............Chester.....................Terry.........................Taylor.........
............................................Bjarnason......................................................
.............Snodgrass...................Hourihane...........................Adomah................
...........................................Grealish.........................................................
.............................................Grabban.........................................................

The defence is a no brainer as Hutton is still injured. Bjarnason gives us more mobility in that defensive role and I don’t think that we need such a physical presence as Jedinak. The three in front really speak for themselves with Grealish playing the number 10 role. It is a shame for Hogan as he has not done anything wrong but Grabban is in form with 3 goals in his last 3 matches so gets the place and he is more physical which I think we need just playing one up front!

As long as Bruce doesn’t pick a defensive line-up which would hand the initiative to Wolves and encourage them to attack us, I think that we can give them a good game and I will go for a draw (but hoping for a win)!

[De Kuip]

Yep that's good enough for me. I think Bjarnasson gives us a more dynamic protection of the defence as he's forward looking. Everyone's griping about wolves' Champions League players - well Thor is one such player yet even after playing well he missed out due to our manager being Corporal Jones (Don't panic!!!) and dropping him.
If we go for it and pack out VP I genuinely think we'll tear them a new one.
2-0 villa.
Grabban and Hourihane.

[deadbuzzardalive]

I don't think I've wanted us to win a game more than this in a long time, one because we desperately need it for our promotion hopes, and two because Wolves' fans have become unbearably cocky, they haven't shut up about how they're going to give us a pasting at Villa Park, since the Molineux game, they did quieten down for a bit, but then they beat Leeds, and suddenly they're world beaters again (the latest classic is the only difference between them and Spurs, is Harry Kane).

It will be interesting to see how we line up, I like Bjarnason and think he's unlucky to have lost his place to Whelan recently, but could understand if Bruce opted for Jedinak for this one, and as we showed against birmingham we can still play well with him in the side.

Won't be easy as Wolves are very good side, but if we play at our best then we can get win.

[AstonThriller]

I'm feeling edgy about this one tbh (Lol usually deadbuz is the one who says that ). On one hand I could see us grinding out a win, on another I could see them turning us over In a dominant display and the scum Wolves fans declaring "world dominance". I think my mood will be determined by the Cardiff game though. If they don't win then I think we can relax and let the chips fall where they may. But if they do? Then it just ramps up the pressure.

I'd personally play Jedi simply because of the set-pieces. Please don't be fooled guys, Wolves are a good set-piece team so having Jedi In there will hopefully add more protection.

Another thing Bruce and co MUST consider is making Jack stay towards that left-hand side where Adomah is much like how the first goal against Blues was created. Why? We need to double up on Doherty, he's got the most assists for them so If we make him think twice about bombing forward it could go halfway towards stopping them.

What we can't do is let them dictate the game. Even if it means making things ugly then just do it. Slow things down, give away some "professional fouls" to stop their rhythm etc.

What's clear though is the first goal is gonna be absolutely vital. Neither team has lost having scored first. Wolves have conceded the first goal eight times and have only come back to win ONCE!!..and that was under freak circumstances against Bristol In the last minute of the game. They've lost five, drawn two and won one. We, on the other hand, have conceded the first goal twelve times and have lost seven, drawn three and won two. So we have actually shown a much better ability to get back into a game than Wolves have thus far.

Anyway, what will be, will be. Even if the worst happens and we end up being seven points behind Cardiff come Saturday night, let us remember that it could all be back to the same four or five points come Tuesday night, so there will be no need to panic.

I really don't know what to expect tbh, just want our lads to play to their potential. If they do, then Wolves are gonna have to play at a very high level to get anything imo.

COME ON VILLA!!!

[Saunders82]

The team talk for this will be interesting because if we aren't up for this one then there is no hope for us, VP will be packed with Villa fans who will demand the very best, so the team has to deliver. We have the players, we have the 12 man, we have momentum so I'm not bothered about the score as long as it ends in our favour, IMO we are due a massive result, make it so Villans.

[De Kuip]

Wonder which one of our players will get sent off?
Wolves don't often play against 11!

[Saunders82]

Wonder which one of our players will get sent off?
Wolves don't often play against 11!

Don't let it be Jack, they know he is one of our main players, lets hope they don't target him, also this ref is pants I hope he doesn't spoil things.

[achilles]

Wonder which one of our players will get sent off?
Wolves don't often play against 11!

Don't let it be Jack, they know he is one of our main players, lets hope they don't target him, also this ref is pants I hope he doesn't spoil things.

Most of the refs are crap in this league, it is really frustrating, the standard is certainly not very high!

[deadbuzzardalive]

It's been a disastrous afternoon so far, I don't care who plays or how we play, just need to get a win this evening.

[smetro]

40801

[AstonThriller]

It's been a disastrous afternoon so far, I don't care who plays or how we play, just need to get a win this evening.

Are you shocked at the results? Hardly the toughest games for Cardiff and Fulham. Infact, we won at home to Blues and away to Preston, it is what it is. Lose or draw today nothing is gonna change. There is still plenty of games left and we could go back above Fulham with our game in-hand anyway.

[deadbuzzardalive]

Fail to win this evening and that it for us as far as automatic promotion goes, Cardiff and Fulham just don't look like losing enough games. Now it feels like the theme of the day has been set and things will only get worse.

[De Kuip]

Nah we'll be fine, Wolves got no chance tonight.

[AstonThriller]

Fail to win this evening and that it for us as far as automatic promotion goes, Cardiff and Fulham just don't look like losing enough games. Now it feels like the theme of the day has been set and things will only get worse.

Yep, the world is about to end I tell thee

[De Kuip]

Get in! Good lad Albert

[De Kuip]

Oops there goes my 2-0 prediction.
Fuck off Jota.

[Saunders82]

The full backs leave a lot to be desired, playing us into trouble with short passes when we are in good positions, Hourihane too, we're having a go though which is positive. All to play for in the second half. UTV

[VTID85]

FUCK ON THAT YOU LIMP DICKED DOGHEAD DINGLES

[De Kuip]

Quickfire double - loving it!!!

[VTID85]

Wolves are in pieces now, throwing all the subs on and looking frustrated.

[De Kuip]

They've started hacking as well.
Maybe they'll end up with 10 players haha

[VTID85]

Oh my fucking McGrath this is absolutely fucking beautiful.

[De Kuip]

Dog heads just got torn a new one.

I might have predicted the scores wrongly but never felt we'd lose.

Didn't expect 4-1 though!!!

[De Kuip]

My McGrath but we need Cardiff to draw soon so it's in our hands at VP.

[Saunders82]

That will do for me, reminds me of the the arggies maggie thatcher maggie thatcher your boys took a hell of a beating

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