Ha! sorry!! That was one of those moments where you start writing a post at work, but get distracted into doing somehting (some actual work...) and then you hit post without checking if someone else has already! me
Ha. I do it all the time bor. However, usually I end up deleting what I've started to write as the thread has moved on from my original point!
Not sure about where to post it, but Grant Holt's view of Sunday's match: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9189948/?
My guess would also be JH to start, Thai, with Wes coming on with 20 minutes to go as CH can't risk another hamstring injury. Elmander is another option though, if City are chasing the game.
Rick how can Goalmander posibly be used to chase the game ? He hasn't bloody scored in the league yet ! If he deploys the Sweed today then we're in big trouble. For my mind we need to start as we did v spuds with Fer being replaced for Howson,& if RVW is fit start him with Hoops coming on for him as he fades a bit. I really hope we can come away with a win but as we've not yet managed back to back PLwins this season is settle for a point now.
Starting line up for me same as Spurs, Howson in for Fer, but Hooper up front. Elmander shouldn't even be on the bench. Villa will probably play 4-4-3 so will be more of a goal threat than us.
If your looking to bring a striker on late to batter a tired defence Hooper is better. I'd start RvW.
Theres also the confidence argument, he had a very good games against spurs, it wouldn't be great for his confidence to be dropped again. Especially as it seems universally agreed he could use some confidence.
Wes starts! Ruddy; Martin, Yobo, Bassong (c), Olsson; Tettey, Johnson; Snodgrass, Hoolahan, Redmond; Hooper. Subs: Bunn (GK), Whittaker, Howson, Pilkington, Elmander, Becchio, R Bennett. And that RvW tweet is another injury, official twitter says it's the knock he took to his knee against Spurs, which he hasn't quite shaken off, so "just misses out". Presumably will be available for the next game at least. At least it's not a recurrence of his toe problems though. I wonder if Wes was a forced decision for Hughton due to Howson's fitness, or whether it was a tactical decision. As for Villa: Guzan, Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker, Bertrand, Westwood, Delph, El Ahmadi, Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor. Subs: Steer, Sylla, Holt, Clark, Albrighton, Bennett, Robinson. Both ex-canaries on the bench. Hasn't Bacuna been their weak link defensively this season? Interesting to see how he handles Redmond.
Good grief Will we ever get a break this season? If Hooper gets crocked, there is nothing on the bench that we can possibly call inspiring, unless he throws Pilks in that role. If he throws Elmo on to replace Hooper (for any reason), I will scream so loud, you will hear it where you are!
