. @NorwichCityFC starting-11 Bunn; R.Martin, Bassong, R.Bennett, Garrido; Johnson, Howson, Snodgrass, Pilkington; Hoolahan, Holt (C) . @NorwichCityFC bench: Camp; Whittaker, Jackson, Kamara, E.Bennett, Barnett, Tettey. No Ruddy at all
Hmm, that looks like 4-2-3-1 to me. Disappointed Ruddy is missing, and I'd have rather had the attacking instincts of Whittaker in the side over Garrido, but presumably he's not fully fit. Glad to see Pilks back though, hopefully we'll have a threat from both wings for a change, and it puts Snodgrass back where he wants to be on the right. No Becchio either, again. Can anyone justify his signing? Still, if Kamara comes on late and scores a winner I'm not going to be complaining.
Ruddy been out for 5 months, so I can sort of understand the reasoning behind it. It's a big game, so I guess CH don't want to throw Ruddy in the deep end. My only doubt is Howson.
the becchio situation looks more and more ridiculous. If he's injured tell people, so that we don't look so amateurish signing players who aren't good enough for the bench.
Delighted Wes is starting. If it is his day, we will win. He among the 22, is the real, real flair. They have the strike force but come come Chris, let the lads loose and push Villa around right from the start.
I usually am the first to leap to the defence of Hughton, but even I am perplexed as to why John Ruddy is still not back in the team yet. It won't probably make a difference when it is scoring goals that is our problem, but why would you not play your strongest team?!? And nice graphic by the way Battersea but doesn't look like Hughton quite gets what this means to the fans but nice to see Pilkington back! OTBC come on lads!!! IHW(sort of)T!
Playing Ruddy in such a vital match after such a long break would be something of a risk, but interesting. CH doesn't do risk. And he certainly doesn't do interesting.
Yeah, although I can see it's a tricky decision. Tettey hasn't been the player he was before Christmas, but Howson hasn't been brilliant either. Whoever it was, the DM's are going to be holding deep no doubt, but I'd hope that our front 4 will have some freedom to make something happen. It really shouldn't be too difficult, Hoolahan and Pilks/Snodgrass work a crossing opportunity down a wing, with Howson to help them if they run into dead ends, then the ball comes in and Holt and the other winger should be on the end of it. Simples!
Depends if we can pass the ball well enough to reach that position! We are decent at set-pieces though and Villa supposedly susceptible to concede that way so we should look to exploit that. We haven't lost at home except to Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea; come on you yellloooowwwss!
Stats: Villa have only had back-to-back wins once this season We've only lost at home to Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool Surely it's a draw?? I'd also like to think we'll stand a chance from set pieces, although Turner out is a loss. Hopefully Holt can use his 'experience' against some young defenders to buy us a few cheap free-kicks. It's practically the worst defence versus the worst attack, so we'll see I guess.
For completeness, here's Villa's line-up: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett, Westwood, Delph, Sylla, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann. Subs: Given, Bent, N'Zogbia, Holman, Bowery, Bannan, Lichaj. I can't remember how exactly, but that looks unchanged from last week to me. I quite rate Sylla as their holding midfielder, but (like most of them), he's young and I think Hoolahan is clever enough to give him problems. Their front 3 really worry me though!
I think aside from the front 3 they are fairly average. If (and that's a big if) we can somehow keep them quiet we have a real chance today.
Come on, let's have a comfortable win, secure our safety, and give him the worst day of his (footballing) life!
