please log in to view this image Sunday 13th March 4pm Villa Park Premier League A disappointing run of results see us in real need of a win to get the season back on track. Villa also desperately need a result, but for very different reasons. They look like virtual certainties for relegation, which would end their ever-present status in the Premier League. They've only spent one season outside of the top-flight in the last 40 years, having finished bottom in 86/87. Paul Lambert was in charge of our hosts on our last trip to Villa Park. A poor performance saw us trailing to an early Andreas Weimann goal, until the game turned late on. Christian Benteke reacted poorly to some aggrevation by Ryan Mason and was dismissed. Nacer Chadli leveled things up from a corner before an injury-time free-kick from Harry Kane nicked it. Watching that clip just reminds me of how much has changed at the two clubs since that game. 8 of our 18 players have left the club, including 5 of the starting XI. 3 of the bench are now starters. Villa have had an even larger turnover, moving on 10 of their match squad. They've also sacked two managers and it doesn't look like the third will last much longer, either. Quite incredible, considering that this was only last season. The game at WHL earlier in the season was the first for Remi Garde in his new job. He allowed caretaker manager Kevin McDonald to take charge while he settled in, though. It probably gave him a good idea of how big the task he faced was, as it was little more than a stroll to victory. The 3-1 scoreline was a little flattering to our visitors, as goals from Dembele, Alli and Kane saw them off. The team will be massively changed from the one which lost badly to Dortmund. Kane, Lamela, Alli, Dembele, Dier and Walker are the most obvious reintroductions. Villa are currently missing Traore, Sanchez, Kozak and Grealish, but have no new absences. Lineups for each club's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Trippier, Davies, Mason, Carroll, Chadli, Son. League form: WWWWLD. Villa: Guzan; Richards, Lescott, Clark; Hutton, Westwood, Gueye, Veretout, Cissokho; Agbonlahor, Ayew. Subs: Bunn, Okore, Bacuna, Gil, Lyden, Sinclair, Gestede. League form: LWLLLL. Referee: Anthony Taylor. Our fullback rotation has been consistent, but if Rose is injured, then should Davies play in this game? If not, then who should take his place? Bentaleb? Walker-Peters? Would you change anything else from our starting side for the Arsenal game?
I was hoping Poochie would go for the Europey and field a weakened side against Villa, I could've seen them nick something if that happened. One things for sure, the 32m they got for Benteke is costing them in the long run, as I think Delph would've stayed if they'd said no to Liverpool and those 2 may have contributed enough to Villa's cause to see them above 18th.
I scoffed the other day when somone described west ham as, "a must win game." This one is for me though. Don't take the 3 points here, and I'd say we won't win the league.
This is a must win game, even more so after yesterdays disappointment and no win in 3. Our strongest team possible on sunday, with fullback rotation/injuries considered. Lloris Walker Toby Wimmer Davies Dier Dembele Lamela Eriksen Alli Kane COYS!
Due to the team selected and the performance against Dortmund, we simply have to win this otherwise it'll look really stupid on Poch's part. Hugo Walker, Toby, Big Kev, Rose (if fit) Dier, Dembele Lamela, Eriksen, Alli Kane Vorm, Tripps, Davies, Mason, Bentaleb, Chadli, Onomah Would drop Son, done absolutely nothing for a while now, bit concerning.
Is rose fit? I thought I read that he was out. Agree about Son. Just constantly runs himself into trouble.
Not sure mate, I've just read he's touch and go so hopefully he'll be good, I'm fine with Davies though if Rose is out.
Ah I bloody hope not, I was just under the impression he had a calf strain or something like that and so Poch left him out against Dortmund but was then going to assess how he was for tomorrow.
Just goes to show the journalism in The Sun is as credible as their attempts to say nobody knew about phone-hacking...
Am out in a while ... so thought I'd put my anti jinx stuff in pre match ... 1) We ain't ever gonna score 2) trust us to give villa their 3rd point of the season 3) how can a team hope to win the league if they cant beat one of the worst sides in prem history? 4) Kane is crap 5)Alli is over rated 6) Dier is aptly named 7) what the hell has happened to Lloris? 8) Eriksen can not take a decent set piece 9) why can't son actually do anything to scare defenders? 10) Wtf did we pay £30 m to get lamela for? 11) why can we not cross the ball? 12 MP out! Cant say i didn't give it my best shot unlike the dross playing for us! Coys
I stick with what I said ahead of Thursday's game: we should've played Walker in that match and Trippier in this one.
That's a full strength team. Let's go out and win this and see if Leicester can deal with a revitalised Toon Army backing their new man Benitez. It's not over yet. COYS!!!
