Match Prediction: Blackburn at Villa Park
Tuesday, 28 October 08, 06:28 AM · Comments (100)
Right, if you read my post earlier about lap dancers and Marlon Harewood you'll know that I'm in confident mood and on current form we should walk this like we're walking the dogs on a Sunday afternoon after a couple of hours in the pub; with a smile on our face and very little stress.
Now, I don't own any dogs but that is how I'd imagine playing Blackburn tomorrow should be, but we all know that football doesn't always follow a script and Blackburn, if they win, could be on the same points as Manchester United - sort of puts things into perspective doesn't it.
Anyway, it's not really about them at the moment it's about us and where we could be. If we win tomorrow night and results go in our favour, which is possible, we could be sitting in third place. Chelsea are at Hull while Spurs travel to Arsenal.
The interesting thing for me is going to be how we line up for this match. You know I'm a big fan of 4-5-1 and it worked against Ajax last week and against Wigan at the weekend, although it could be said that when Barry limped off, we reverted to 4-4-2 and actually played our best football of the match.
Either way, with Carew and Gabby both looking fighting fit and Milner getting a run, it doesn't look like 4-5-1 is going to be the way Martin O'Neill is likely to play it, although it will be interesting to see if Barry plays after limping off.
Reports suggest he will be fit but it is also an ideal time for Martin O'Neill to rest him for a few more days, but then the manager has the headache of Sidwell. Sidwell came off the bench to score against Wigan, but if he stars with Sidwell and we assume Young and Milner are starting and we're playing 4-4-2, who does he drop; Petrov or Reo-Coker?
I'm a big fan of all three but I'd like Sidwell to be given a chance alongside Reo-Coker. Believe it or not, there is a chance both of these players will be travelling to South Africa in 2010 and there is even a chance, although I've got to admit it's slim, that they'll be representing England in the finals.It would be nice to see them get a run together - but it's difficult times for the manager.
Now, you'll know my prediction already if you read the earlier post, but seeing as I'm looking at specific players and I've mentioned him above I want to delve further into the player that is James Milner.
Now, I think we paid too much for him, that is well documented on this site and my views of him as a player are that there is loads of room for improvement, but it looks like he's getting his chance at the moment and I hope he takes it tomorrow night.
I'll explain why; he's young, clearly talented and he is a very big prospect. If Martin O'Neill can find in him what convinced him to pay all that money and he can really become a £12mn. player, I'll happily eat my words and let you ram them right down my throat. It's games like Blackburn where Martin O'Neill will be looking to build his confidence, so I can see him getting a lot of the ball.
We also all know he can shoot, so I'm hoping we see a few shots from him and as such, I'm going to have a fiver on him to score tomorrow night and at 11/2 with PaddyPower, it's well worth a punt in my opinion.
Anyway, Blackburn shouldn't be taken lightly and they won't be, but I think we're going to have enough to take the three points and my prediction is a home win with a James Milner goal.
Interesting statistic ahead of this game tomorrow night; if we win it will take our all-time League points total to 5,000. The script is written.
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100 Comments · Add yours
Carew may not have it as easy against Chris Samba and our defence hasn't been at its best defending set plays which is worrying against Santa Cruz.
However, although I'm unconvinced that it will be as easy as others may do, I do think we will win and these are the games (as Portsmouth was) games we MUST win in order to keep in top 4 contention.
Maybe a third straight league clean sheet would be nice, Cuellar is definitely having a positive impact, although I do feel for Curtis as he did little wrong.
Personally I would start Friedel, L Young, Shorey, Cuellar, Laursen, Milner, A Young, Barry, Sidwell, Reo Coker, Carew.
Play a 451 give Gabby a rest and bring him on after an hour, Petrov also deserves a rest so would leave him out.
Milner is younger than Ash and I reckon he'll come good this season. Newcastle will be ruing the day they let him leave for ONLY 12 million pounds. I think it'll be a tight affair but we should have the quality and grit to edge it 2-1.
I think playing 4-5-1 is probably the best way to play because last year neither Carew or Gabby got 20 goals, yet we scored the 3rd most goals in the league - suggesting a lot of our goals come from midfield as well as up front ??
I don't think this is as easy a game as you are suggesting Damiam. Blackburn is never an easy team to play against, and if Santa Cruz is playing [i heard he may be injured??] then our defence has to be on top.
I still think villa will win - but then again, its the pompey games [anyone else gutted the Redknapp left AFTER the villa game and not before??] and the blackburns and the evertons that we must win in order to really challenge the top 4.
i agree with VillaCraig32's line up, execpt i would rest Barry either way. i think if MON really wants to see how far we have progressed then rest Barry and see if Petrov and Reo-Coker who have been sensational this year, can work the midfield without Barry, who has been solid this year. your entitled to yur opinon Damo, but i think we saw the importance of Barry in the pompey game - our game was lacking creativity from the middle - but i think Sidwell adds something to the middle - so id play Petrov [possibly even Gardner or Salifou], Sidwell and Reo-Coker.
a lil off topic but anyone else spewin those scummy rednoses are coming first?? credit to them, theyre playing better then wat they did last year, but god i can't stand them anymore.
I would rest Barry, Reo-coker and Gabby although Petrov looked a lttle tired by the end on Sunday. If we rest Petrov and Barry that would mean a whole new central midfield partnership of Sidwell and Reo. Therefore I would start with:
Friedel
L Young
King Carlos
Laursen
Not-so-Sure...y
Milner
Petrov
Gardner
Sidwell
A Young
Big Bad John
If everything goes to plan, 3-0 at half time take off Laursen, Petrov and A Young, for Davis, Reo and Routledge. Move Milner to the left, let Routledge have one chance in the premiership on the right and bring reo on to make the driving midfield runs to scare the poop out of them.
Final score 5-0
I would play 4-4-2 tomorrow. We are at home and Blackburn will sit back a bit.
I'd play Friedel, L Young, Cuellar, Laursen, Shorey, Milner, Petrov, Sidwell, A Young, Agbonlahor, Carew.
This depends how fit Sidwell is and have Petrov sit infront of back four allowing Sid to get forward more and the full backs to bomb forward. Playing Milner means that all our attacks aren't down the left through Ash Young. It was becoming easy for teams to man mark him and stop our attacks. I think Ash will have a big game tomorrow.
2-1 to Villa, Blackburn scoring from a corner as our defence mark the zone instead of the player!
I'd rather have two strikers scoring 15 goals each a season than one adding 20. Gabby is however dependent on Carew up front in order to get space and balls his way.
Reply to Timmy_rara:
That's just mental.
The games are coming thick and fast and so i dont think any of the players will take being dropped personally for this match.
I would certainly rest petron...hes been amazing this season and working like a racehorse so i think he deserves a rest.
Barry, even if he feels ok, i would rest to makesure he shakes off any risk of making a knock a bigger injury.
I would start.
Friedel
Young, carlos, laursen, shorey
milner, reo-coker, sidwell, young
gabby and carew
if we are 2-0 by 60-70th minute, take off A young for gardner and swap with milner.
I would like to think we could rest laursen, with his injury record and such but he is so god damn relible at the back its almost a crime too!!!
does anybody alse get paranoid about laursen and his injury prone-ness?
if he gets injured tomorrow now, i will happily jump off a bridge guys ok.
maindog shut up! that topic is never to be discussed!!!
just like when little philbob got stage fright and went all mr floppy just before his big performance! never to be discussed!
I can't believe how Laursen is playing so many games and playing like each one is a cup final with his past injuries to his knee, This man is a LEGEND!!
Haha what is is with stage fright? Ive never understood it!!
Reply to philbob88:
LMFAO....guess she (maybe he) wasnt impressed
Reply to Chater1703:
Believe me, she was a she! DOnt take it in the can! I'll leave that to Dale Winton!
Reply to Villa_Chris:
Its a horrible thing! Mental condition! Or maybe cuz she was just plain Ugly Bugly!
Ha ha, i still have her phone number!
Reply to Arrlui:
That is why Martin O'Neil is the manager and I am a lowly supporter!! LOL
Still reckon 5-0 maybe 5-1
Reply to Villa_Chris:
couldnt agree more villa chris laursen is the first name on the team sheet as far as im concerned. the new paul mcgrath
I watched the Balckburn game Saturday, Cruz looked knackered, and they were poor going forward. So I really can't see them scoring and no-one stops us scoring, therefore we win!
Maindog... Shhh... End of.
Reply to Villa_Chris:
Thats because you have to get close to a woman first Chris
Reply to keefvilla:
Can i just clarify, I or little philbob have never experienced stage fright, nor do i intend too! Little philbob might, but if he wants it to happen then i'll make him pack up his balls and leave! A little light-hearted comedy for what can only be described as shit weather!!
Keef, LOW BLOW! Straight to the carrots and onions!!!
Ha ha funny Keef!
I wasn't originally refering to stage fright in that manor, I was refering to when blokes go to the toilet for a pee in and nothin comes out.... also known as stage fright!.....Which means, you're slightly strange if you need to get close to a woman first....
i would start with reo on the right tomorrow young left and petrov and sidwell in the middle. sid has earnt his chance proving he is a playe we have missed for anumber of years a centre midfielder that u know if it drops to him on the edge of the area he is gonna put his laces through it. He took his goal superbly well sunday.
No, I would def get Milner on the right, with games comes confidence and I think once Milner settles, he'll be another Ashley Young.
If I was goin to bring Sidwell in, I would definitely rest Barry or Petrov.
with milner though your right hand side is just non existant. Some players wont get dropped no matter how well the "fringe" players play, there are players in the side that MON clearly see's at undroppable even if they play rubbish
Maybe this will change though. He took Reo-Coker off against Ajax which was somethin new. By the way, did you see Coker's face? I watched the game back on tv n he wasn't impressed by the looks of it.
i have changed my mind on this one i thought draw but now i am going for home win.
reading some of inces comments about gabby and ashley on the wings and barry playing out of his skin shows he hasn't really been paying that much attention to the players form.
reo didn't have a good game against ajax nor did petrov against wigan
soldier boy can screw himself he needs to realize his place isnt guarenteed in the side as is no ones place. O neil was on about that in yesterdays forum that i went to
Reply to philbob88:
hahahhaha....im sorry for bringin up such a HARD subject phibob my friend
ahhhhhhhhhhhhh villa fans
Just read on the website there that O'Neill was 'sweating over the fitness of Barry'. I would think that maybe not just as badly if it were this time last year.
Sidwell for Barry tomorrow night. 2-0 Villa.
I hesitate to remind everyone of this, but in this fixture last year, Marlon Harewood had one of his best games for Villa. I hope he's on the bench and that MON will think about using him if the team is struggling.
I actually like Timmyrara's lineup, MON needs to rotate a little bit with all these games coming thick and fast.
Playing nice at the minute aren't we, everyone around is talking about the mighty villa soon will be attracting the glory's
& give petrov or reo a rest? But its most likely gonna be coker
Optimistic i know
Play Sidwell he deserves a start after that cracker
Can we really keep up the good run? I don't know but who does i'm saying a 1-1 draw
*But i have been wrong on the last 3 predictions so bare that in'mind!
damian..we had milner for a season a couple of seasons ago did you like what you saw then or didnt you watch the villa then.
i liked milner and think he will come good AGAIN maybe the price we paid is hanging around the young lads shoulders abit??
Reply to Timmy_rara:
It's a big scoreline to ask for but I hope it does happen!
Reply to james_villa:
Ince thinks that we can't afford santa Cruz o shows what a complete idiot he is.
Milner has got to start tomorrow he needs games.
Askpaul, we've all told Damien over and over again about Milner but he wont listen.
George, the days of seeing Harewood playing for Villa's first team are long gone.
after tomorrow i think santa cruz will be gagging to join us in january
id like to see milner pley the full 90 mins . give the kid a few games build up his confedunce a bit. plus it makes it a wide pitch if young is on the left maybe swop about a bit with JC down the middle could be a good score line hope its warmer 2morrow freeze me ass off all day . so a good result will warm me up in lower holte UP THE VILLA
im gonna say 4-1 villa, i think blackburn are going to have a bad game and we are going to play amazing
i dont belive evryone shud b writing this game off!i belive blackburn are a decent team and have some quality players...i.e santa cruz,benni mcarthey,pedersen and derbyshire! villa have been geting results but havnt been playing there best stuff lately and i think this could be a possible bannana skin for us!
i really hope we get all 3 points as i think it will tell at the end of the season but we cant jus turn up and expect blackburn to give it to us!
We'll win.
Don't think we should be resting players. We're on a roll, you don't mess with that unless you can put in like for like and at the moment we can't do that. Strongest team week in week out and hope for the best.
2.0 carew and milner
iv just left carew at the rocket club and he reckons we will win 4.1 and he will get a hatrick as he scored on sunday,tonite and tomorrow,and he will get 3 goals also
utv
well i wont predict the score as i seem to bring bad luck or maybe i just go for us to win as i cant back against so im gonna get it wrong a few times, quite pleased with a result tonight even if we didnt play as i been getting some stick from blues fans as they had beat qpr when we had lost to them in cup so 1.0 to the 10 man rangers oh yea utv
Reply to Timmy_rara:
loving your optimism mate. thats what we need more of as villa fans. think not startin gabby could be a mistake though. Teams seem to be doubling up on marking him which is allowing the midfielders to score goals. Whatever we play we should win this and our next two. would be nice to get something from the difficult games after as well.
UP THE VILLA!
also I noticed a lot of people talking about Ronaldo on a free in the previous post. I know we're not short of CMs but how about STEHEN APPIAH on a free as well? then we could ship out a few of the younger lads on loan to gain experience????
was just looking at the premier league table and realised that if we were to beat blackburn today wed go on 20pts after 10 games.
if we were to continue this form for the whole season, that would leave us with close to 80 points [76 for those exact people]. based on the last couple of years, this would be close to enuf to guarantee champions league football.
thats some food for thought.
keef, if you think ince was mad saying we cant afford santa cruz, he said today robinson is the best keeper in the premier league! does he not know friedel still plays in the PL????
If Barry were to leave, would Darren Fletcher be considered an option?
Philbob, I normally agree with a lot of what you write, but if Barry leaves and we replace him with Darren Flethcer I think I would cry!!!!! I know he scores a few key goals for the scum, but my god that team carry him every week. I'd look pretty impressive if I just had to pass the ball to Ronaldo and Rooney
a lot of his work is understated christian! He's sort of like a wood burning stove!
Fergie rates him highly, not so high as to say he wouldn't sell him, as every player has a price!
Darren Fletcher has been learning from the midfield masters for years, Giggs, Scholes, Keane etc...
His versatility is good too!!
Fletcher has resigned with Munure thank christ. Im the first to say Barry should go, but to replace him with Darren Fletcher is just ludicrous......3-1 Villa, Young, Santa Cruz, Carew, Laursen, in that order!!! Haha UTV
I still think one of our best options would be Oba Martins in terms of strike re enforcements. Newcastle would have to consider an offer of 8-9mil (Martins wants out too) Doyle is reportedly worth 7mil......similar money lets get it done i think...
I agree with Christian. I'd being crying too. Not much evidence of Man U midfield rejects becoming playmakers for other teams.
Reply to Leroy:
Martins? Did you see him last night, some of his passing was horrendous - ok he scored a good goal, but hell my dog can pass better than he did last night!
Prediction 3-1 Villa, don't care who scores, Santa Cruz can get them all if he likes
Reply to Leroy:
OK Fair dues, just a suggestion though, i think he'd do ok! Just wanted to see what everybody thought! Besides we dont really need a midfielder! Maybe at the the end of the season if MON thinks we need to strengthen there!
I'd go for a cheeky 3-1 win tonight... Carew, Gabby and Milner! Fat Boy Benni to get theirs...
cant believe your all so blinkered on here,ok so barry pissed you all off in the summer(myself inc),but he is still a villa player and also probably our best all around player so get off his case you numptys
Reply to talusmanvillafan:
Not all of us mate. As long as a player pulls on the Claret and Blue shirt, he gets my vote always.
Reply to talusmanvillafan:
You talking about me? I'm creating healthy debate! As i said, it was just a suggestion...
I'm also like 1874! Anyone who pulls on the shirt, whether his name is Ronaldinho or Herbert Humpedinke! I'm behind them!
Reply to talusmanvillafan:
I don't think people are blinkered mate, its just that Barry has not been our best player this season by a long shot. Therefore, he (and we) shouldn't assume that he is an automatic choice every game. Both Petrov and Reo-Coker have been more consistent midfielders this season.
And with regard to the £12million for Milner, I think it was totally worth it as it seems to have given Reo-Coker a needed kick up the arse. Its almost like having two new players at the club!!
I'm not going to disagree that Coker has been one of our most effective players this season, but the truth is, he is not better in terms of ability than other midfield options.
He hasn't got a great range of passing, his first touch isn't the best and he doesn't score many goals.
What has made him stand out is his work-rate, energy and willingness to run around a lot and get the odd tackle in.
In terms of attacking play, Milner is a better winger, Petrov is a better stopper and Barry a better creative threat.
And if we play three in the middle Sidwell is also a better all round option.
I'm not knocking the guy as he has been as influential as anyone else for us thus far and obviously plays his best every game, where others don't always, but just wanted to point out my opinion of him.
Reply to talusmanvillafan:
No one has suggest that we don't get behind him when he plays, but do you still expect him to be a Villa player next August? Do you think that he will sign a new contract? Then MON has got to start looking for alternatives and Phil was asking who.
I will also support Barry as long as he is in a Villa shirt, but lets face it, a lot of Villa fans no longer see him as Mr Aston Villa. I certainly don't.
During the summer, he totally ruined his reputation in my eyes and doesn't seem to have the passion for Villa that he once had. This is shown in his celebrations. Hardly celebrated the winner against Ajax.
.....Still doesn't stop me praising him for his performances when he does well though.
We have plenty of Midfielders already, with Sidwell being the all rounder to replace Barry. No need for another replacement currently outside the Villa squad.
I think the best way i heard it described was 'scorned lover'!
We still love him, just not in that way anymore, we regarded him as a God of sorts, and now he's sort of a. . .
Would someone be kind enough to finish my sentence, can't think of the word i'm looking for!
Reply to philbob88:
Dickwad?
Not you Phil, Barry.
Knobgoblin
cockmuncher?
Are you goin tonight boys?
Are you asking if we are going cockmunching tonight Chris?
Reply to keefvilla:
I'm really starting to worry about Chris Keef! All this cockmunching and knob gobbling!!
That wasn't the word i was looking for, i was gonna use something a little more polite, but now you've all bought it up! He is a bit of a twat!
i goin to that game tonight! cant wait!
friedel
l.young
laursen
cuellar
shorey
milner
sidwell
barry
young
fab gab
carew
if sidwell dosent score in the first half then take him off and bring on reo-c. simple as.
guzan
davies
reo-c
petrov
salifou
gardner
harewood
UTV
3-1 to aston villa!
When Barry's move fell through, I was glad because he is an excellent player. I hoped that we would do well and he'd change his mind and stay. Then when he moaned about playing left back, I changed my mind and hope we sell him in January. I'd give my left leg to play left back for Villa.
Not going tonight working til midnight, hoping to get to listen to WM and got mate to text me scores in case I can't listen.
Reply to keefvilla:
Keef, i'd give my body to medical science just to get on the bench for Villa! I'd guess most of us who care about our club would do the same!
By the same regard though, Barry is no doubt a superb player but is heart isn't in the same place it used to be! Its quite sad when i think about it because us fans want the players to care about Aston Villa just like we do!!
You look at players like Martin Laursen, Craig Gardner, John Carew, Ashley Young, Stilian Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker, when they walk out on to the pitch on matchday, you can almost sense they are bleeding claret and blue at that very moment!
When you look at Gareth Barry, he may be walking out on to the Villa Park pitch in front of the Holte End, but you look at his face and you see he wants to be at Anfield walking out in front of the Kop!
It really is sad, i'm going Spar to get some MAN-size kleenex!!
Scoreline Trivia:
Since the 2006/2007 season what are the most regularly occuring scorelines in domestic matches involving Villa:
Games which Villa Won
Games Drawn
Games which Villa Lost
Reply to Timmy_rara:
3-1 win
1-1 draw
0-2 losses
General Football Trivia:
1)Who is the only player to score in a Manchester, Merseyside and Glasgow derby?
2)Which 8 English cities can host derby matches between city rivals?
To start you off, Birmingham
I'll go 2-1 win, 2-2 draw and 2-1 loss.
Reply to philbob88:
1)Andrei Kanchelskis
2)Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham, and three others!
The Answer to my question is:
Win 2-1, Draw 1-1, Loss 1-2
has anyone else heard the roumor that chelsea will buid 17mil for barry in jan ?
3-1 tonight come on the lions !!!
Reply to Timmy_rara:
Timmy,
London, Bristol and Stoke-On-Trent finish the set!
Right then, next up
How many players can you name who have scored for 5 different Premiership teams. Own goals don't count? (I have 13).
Reply to philbob88:
Andy Cole, Chris Sutton, Stan Collymore, Nicky Barmby, Dwight Yorke, Nicholas Anelka, Teddy Sheringham, Les Ferdinand and now I'm stuck
A few ex Villa boys.
Chris Sutton , Benito Carbone, Stan Collymore.
Shame about David Unsworth though.
How many times in the last three season 2006/2007 to current have Villa scored 4 or more and conceded 4 or more (Domestic competitions only)!
who scored 6 goals(not home goals)in an fa cup tie and still ended up on the losing side?
Reply to talusmanvillafan:
Denis Law?
Reply to Timmy_rara:
A*
Man City V Luton 1961 if I'm not mistaken!
Reply to Timmy_rara:
correct,man city were winning 6-0,the game got abandonned because of the state of the pitch,and man city lost when it was replayed, 3-1 and law scored in that game aswell so i suppose he actually scored 7
Reply to Timmy_rara:
You missed, Marcus Bent, Craig Bellamy, Ashley Ward and Mark Hughes!!!
Good effort though! Im very impressed!
off to the match now(via the battle cruiser)
heres one!name all the current managers in controll of a premier league club who have also played in the premier league?
Gareth Southgate, Paul Ince, Steve Bruce, Roy Keane, Mark Hughes, Tony Adams, Gianfranco Zola! They defo played in PL
I know David Moyes, Phil Brown and Tony Mowbray played pro but not sure whether they played PL football!
spot on philbob!!!
i think this blog should set questions for there users and make it into a competition!
Reply to philbob88:
What about Benito Carbone, David Unsworth and Keith Gillespie?
Keith Gillespie (Man Utd, Newcastle, Blackburn, Leicester, Sheff Utd)
Benito Carbone (Sheffield Wednesday, Villa, Bradford, Middlesborough, Derby).
David Unsworth (Everton, West Ham, Portsmouth, Sheff Utd, Wigan)
Walshy, compared to say ten years ago, the amount of ex-players going into management is a lot higher!
But the trouble is, when they do that, if they have a bad time of it in management, people tend to forget what they acheived in their playing careers!!
Boys. This is all great stuff. But you are no longer discussing the article written by Damian. Your own thoughts and debates have now taken over. Your voices need to be heard properly in a place where your humour will be fully appreciated.
Please come to the Forum and start up some threads there e.g the 'Quiz Thread' or the 'Best descriptive phrase for Barry Thread.'
Your Forum Needs You.
(I'll give a present to anybody new who starts a thread in there today.)
absoloutly true! this could happen is gus poyet's case with spurs!
and i also belive just because you are a good footballer i dont belive it automatically makes you a good manager!look at keegan lol!
Thread set up in forum for random football trivia
Lets get Quizzical
Link to forum here:
LINK
There will also be no match centre tonight .. sorry chaps.
I think that BBC sport are doing an online live text updated every couple of minutes. Failing that there will be all sorts of irreverant updates in the forum. LOL