Aston Villa (A) - Sat 21st Dec, 12:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[LangleyBlue1970]

Ha ha, I've finished work so am buzzing mate

4:20 today I finish. No managers in and as I’m working from home, safe to say I’m doing as little as possible.

 

[Father Paul]

I’m getting down selecting a loss and it happening.

I optimistically call a draw. I notice the win percentage as it often does is creeping upwards. Clearly optimism is alive and well at least within part of the fan base. What gives me hope for this fixture is the relative poor league form of the opposition added to the fact that the venue is not one traditionally feared by us. Also I think Pep realises that he has to stop the rot and quick. Relegation form inevitably gets any manager, even one as revered as him, the chop. I think he would like to attempt a rebuild but knows doubts are starting to grow that he may not be the man for the job. This is a vital fixture within the context of what happens in 2025. A draw will suffice.

 

[the blue panther]

If you think he was doing a good job maybe your IQ barometer is faulty. He was awful - casual misplaced passes, easily brushed off the ball, turning into trouble, lack of awareness - generally out of his depth. And that’s just critiquing his tactical and technical performance - discussing his lack of steel and grit is a thread in itself

He played 40 odd games for Wolves, scored 1 goal, and City decided to pay £53M for him.
We thought we paid Wolves too much for Steve Daly - they must f'kin love us.

 

[A J Styles]

What are the City pubs tomorrow? Last few games away have been midweek evening there

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

Villa a bit ropey of late as well.

I think we’ll scrape a win.

This is the spirit. C'MON CITY Fuck the Brummie gob shite bastards! If Kovacic and one or two of Akanji,Stones and Ake start we'll do the fuckers.

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

Team news crucial for this

 

[blue whippet]

I optimistically call a draw. I notice the win percentage as it often does is creeping upwards. Clearly optimism is alive and well at least within part of the fan base. What gives me hope for this fixture is the relative poor league form of the opposition added to the fact that the venue is not one traditionally feared by us. Also I think Pep realises that he has to stop the rot and quick. Relegation form inevitably gets any manager, even one as revered as him, the chop. I think he would like to attempt a rebuild but knows doubts are starting to grow that he may not be the man for the job. This is a vital fixture within the context of what happens in 2025. A draw will suffice.

I optimistically went for a draw too, as I did last week. After voting, about 5 mins later, realism set in and changed my vote to a loss. I really dislike voting that way but Villa are a different kettle of fish to the lot we lost too last week.

 

[Sk@mcfc]

Just going for few beers and a laugh with the lads and if we get any kind of result then even better
COME ON CITY

 

[Blu1]

Huge game this & it will be interesting who pep plays & which system.

Plays the same midfield & a high line it will be a real concern.

I’m hoping we sit back & make it hard for them. It will show we are learning & ready to adjust

A draw would be a great result

 

[Dr Marvin]

Huge game this & it will be interesting who pep plays & which system.

Plays the same midfield & a high line it will be a real concern.

I’m hoping we sit back & make it hard for them. It will show we are learning & ready to adjust

A draw would be a great result

I don't ever want to see a City side defending the penalty area and stringing 5 men across the back as Man Utd did. That was the biggest reason why the Derby was dull. Man Utd's tactics. It has been forgotten but we were in control of that game, as much as you can be at 1-0. It was daylight robbery.

I do agree that it is very difficult to imagine what a City side looks like now as so many players have been playing out of position such as Gundogan and Nunes that we don't really know what Pep's City now is. Does KDB feature?

I am hugely relieved that Kovacic and Foden are now available. They are top class players.