I agree, we go in marginal favourites. We have at least so far, a decent home record, we have more points than them which in an indicative sense suggests we are a little better than them (And against tougher oppo). We were better than them last season too. Ultimately it is the home advantage against another team that looks destined to be in or around the relegation places much like us. Even with the injuries I hold out hope for this one. Away at Palarse I didn't. Bah!
Not sure Krul will be fit or Faruman so I think it'll be MacGovern Don't like the idea of players out of position either so assuming he's fit (Big assumption with our luck) I'd start Hyse and Arroons Agree with Hanley and Gergoly at CB Agadou,Leicester, Bendier Stiepeljack Canwell, Pookey Tempted to switch in McDirty in for Stieperjock and or Roberts for Cantelever, but the front 4 have done well in home games and we can't rip up the whole team and expect to do well. If Veinybitch was fit he'd go straight in for either stumplmann or lightacandlener. Bah!
Probably one of the few occasions this season, Robbie, but we are at home, we're one place above them in the table and we were unbeaten against them last season. They also have injuries in key positions and a packed CR will be our 12th man. I rest my case!
Really don't think the 17th v 18th in the league means anything; nor does our record against them last season -- the line ups will be different in both cases, for different reasons, and both matches last season were affected by special circumstances. Injuries in key positions? Not really, judging by the predicted lineup in the Birmingham Mail. Which leaves just home advantage and the 12th man effect -- if it materialises: there will be an expectation of putting one over on Villa, which is very different from the "nothing to lose"-stoked atmosphere against Man City. In short I see Villa as a much tougher nut to crack this season and any advantage we have so marginal as to be negligible. To coin a phrase, "I hope I'm wrong"
Even with all of that, I can't see any reason to make Villa favourites, or evens, even. It will be tight, but I'm reasonably hopeful of all 3 points.
Disagree with this bit from the article JMF. I certainly had no trepidation going into this season with our current 4x CBs. Were these people planning to drop Zimbo or Godfrey from the starting line up when we purchased another CB? In hindsight we've obviously struggled with subsequent injuries but i don't remember any disgruntled chat about our CB set up before the season started.
Yes, all comparisons are notional Robbie, but Villa still seem to be trying to gel with so many new additions whereas we are likely to field a side well acquainted with each others play. Wesley has hardly made up for the loss of Tammy Abraham, who they had on loan from Chelsea. Newcastle spent £40m on Joelinton, but he was totally outclassed by Pukki's hat-trick at CR. It will be a tight game, but I'm still optimistic about it. https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/villa-pose-different-challenge-to-city-1-6301299 I also agree with HMQC about our CBs. In the past 47 years I can't remember us ever going into a season with 4CBs and then there's Amadou who can also play there. Zimmerman should be back in January, so we should be able to manage.
To cut a long story short, I'd certainly start Hadley at CM and push Amadou forward. That may give us a lifeline to force a way through the Villa barricades. True?
Oops. That's not what I meant! And anyway, Steven Whittaker adapted to a midfield role in no time, so who's to say Tony Hadley / Steve Harley couldn't.
Yes, yet another anxiety as we wait for this afternoon's presser. At least the rumour about Cantwell pulling a hamstring in training seems to be wrong. I hope you're right about Godfrey just needing minor surgery during the break, Cromer. I can remember questioning McGovern getting a new contract this summer, but that now looks to have been a very good decision. I have to stop questioning SWs judgement on these things!
