The Official Not606 Match Thread: Aston Villa Vs Liverpool.
Vs
Hello and welcome to the official Not606 match thread for Sunday's Barclays Premier encounter between Aston Villa & Liverpool.
Preview.
Liverpool & Aston Villa meet on Sunday in a important game for both sides. Aston Villa & Liverpool come into the game on the back of good results. Aston Villa picked up their first away win of the season with a 2-1 win against an out of form Bolton whilst Liverpool beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at Anfield.
Aston Villa currently sit 9th in the table with 19 points from 15 games. In my opinion, Villa should be pleased with their current position in the league table. However, if you have a closer look at the table, you can see that they have seven draws which is the highest figure in the league. Some Villa fans may point to Alex McLeish and his tactics away from home being the main factor for the high number of draws. McLeish has played 4-5-1 away from home and that has resulted in many draws away from Villa Park because Villa have 'parked the bus' and seemed to settle for the point away from home. However, they played 4-4-2 in their away win over Bolton and that brought instant rewards with the 3 points being taken back to Villa Park.
Liverpool currently sit 6th in the table with 26 points from 15 games. I believe that this has been a good start to the season for Liverpool but the results could have been better. We have dropped points in games against Sunderland, Norwich City & Swansea City and I believe that if we had taken our chances, we could have picked up wins in these games. That would put us 3rd in the table with 32 points. Obviously, the lack of goals is a cause for concern but Liverpool have hit the woodwork 15 times so a little bit of luck would help with the scoring issues!
Injury News.
Aston Villa:
- Fabian Delph- Knee Injury.
- Shay Given- Hamstring Injury.
- Eric Lichaj- Hip/Thigh Injury.
- Jermaine Jenas- Achilles Injury.
Gabby Agbonlahor is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Bolton Wanderers.
Liverpool:
- Steven Gerrard- Ankle/Foot Injury,
- Lucas Leiva- ACL Knee Injury.
- Fabio Aurelio- Calf Injury.
Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing is suspended for another two Barclays Premier League games after his sending off against Fulham.
Aston Villa 0 - 2 Liverpool
Goalscorers:
Liverpool... Craig Bellamy: 11th minute.
Liverpool... Martin Skrtel: 15th minute.
Aston Villa:
Guzan
Hutton
Dunne
Collins
Warnock
N'Zogbia
Bannan
Petrov
Albrighton
Weimann
Delfouneso
SUBS:
Marshall
Clark
Cuellar
Heskey
Johnson
Delph
Burke
Emile Heskey off and Barry Bannan on.
Fabian Delph off and Andres Weimann on.
Liverpool:
Reina
Johnson
Agger
Skrtel
Carragher
Enrique
Downing
Adam
Henderson
Kuyt
Carroll
SUBS:
Doni
Coates
Kelly
Shelvey
Maxi
Bellamy
Suarez
Luis Suarez off and Andy Carroll on.
Jonjo Shelvey off and Jamie Carragher on.
Craig Bellamy off and Dirk Kuyt on.
YNWA.
Last edited by Chris.; 18/12/2011 at 10:22 PM.
Nice thread. Good effort as usual, Chris.
Reckon we can sneak a win here, we're better on the road than at home this season.
Great thread Chris
Aston Villa are solid at the back and so are we so it should be a tight game, the odd goal should win it, Time for us to start converting our chances me thinks
This is our season. Unless some one finishes above us, in which case.. It's their season.
Yeah thanks for the thread Chris! Yeah I do not see more than one goal in this game and will be more than happy with that providing it is us who get the goal. I predicted a 1-0 win to the mighty reds and I am sticking with that!
McCleish is applying his Birmingham model, which is great when you're a newly promoted team going on to establish yourself in the Premier League as mainstays, but Villa were used to top 6 and some great attacking players. It feels like McCleish is sucking the life out of them a bit. As we know all too well, once a manager imposes a negative, defensive style of play the initial results usually aren't good and it can take months (if not years) to shed that style if the results don't turn around. Not sure how Villa fans feel but let's hope it's a good game anyway and not the tight affair it looks like on paper.
He can't be any worse then houlier can he?Originally Posted by Skrtels Nips
I think this will be a tight game but I reckon we'll sneak it 1-0 or 2-1. Hopefully Big Andy will grab a goal, if not then I see Kuyt scoring and possibly Adam
Liverpool FC & Colchester United FC Forum Moderator
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Harry Redknapp: "I write like a two year old and I can't spell."
Makes you wonder what the other Sun columnists' qualifications are!.
as usual, id like this to be the game where we finally get the scoring done properly and win 3-0 or 4-0 etc. But honestly I think itll be more of the same with us sneaking a goal 1-0, with most of the possesion and chances
hard game to call, given is a big loss to them, i've considered them as still having a good defense set up and good fowards but lacking in midfield.
I don't know how the game will go really... too many unknowns today.
"If that's the level they expect this football club to play at, they won't be here long." Kenny Dalglish 21/1/2012.
"Attitudes do need to change, That team was the best 11 LFC could play IMO, only lucas and suarez to come in? Terrible attitude" MITO 22/1/2012
1-5 to Liverpool. Someones due a beating so why not Villa. Come on you REDS!!!!!!! Hopefully Maxi plays.
You have insulted the Great British race by insinuating that Welsh people are part of it. Robbie Keane would be livid.
JohnJensensGoal
Goal from Downing is worth a bet.
downing?
i don't know... he works at it and he's due and maybe he's got the attitude to take a crowd boosing etc but is he actually in any form? I'd settle for an assist here.
For me i thnk with dunne and collins this side is made for suarez and maxi to just pass around.
"If that's the level they expect this football club to play at, they won't be here long." Kenny Dalglish 21/1/2012.
"Attitudes do need to change, That team was the best 11 LFC could play IMO, only lucas and suarez to come in? Terrible attitude" MITO 22/1/2012
Think we will sneak this.
Anyone else tired already of Downing headlines such as "Downing can do it against Villa"?
He needs to bloody do something!
"There are only two sides in Liverpool. Liverpool and Liverpool reserves." Mr. Bill Shankly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwRP7h5UedM
He needs to find his feet soon that's for sure. Probably our biggest disappointment so far this season IMO
"I'd kick my own brother if necessary... it's what being a professional footballer is all about." - Steve McMahon
Yeah, i never rated him previously but was prepared to change my opinion.
Yet to be convinced. Like Carroll, he will never be worth his price tagg. 20mill? What were we thinking?
A punt between 8-12 i would of been happy with.
"There are only two sides in Liverpool. Liverpool and Liverpool reserves." Mr. Bill Shankly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwRP7h5UedM
Nah, Carroll continues to disappoint. Big time.
The thing with Downing is that he seemingly gives 100% every game and is apparently a brilliant trainer who stays clear of trouble.
Carroll on the otherh and seems to not put any effort in training and also goes out on the piss every so often, instead of knuckling down in training and sorting his fitness out.
That's why I'm much more frustrated by Carroll, as part of the reason he's failing is down to himself, when with Downing its just his overall quality lacking to make it here.
Kenny's press conference.
Some pictures from over the years.
The view from Villa Park.
How are Villa fans feeling about our visit?
Villa fans always look forward to big games and this is no different. The two clubs have a lot of history and although we're not the side we were two or three years ago we are still capable of pulling out results. Beating Bolton away last week is a big boost and should lift confidence within the club. This is a transitional and experimental time at Villa Park and we have struggled against the bigger teams this season.
One song we're bound to hear?
You can guarantee we'll be singing about Petrov, Agbonlahor and Cuellar but no matter who's playing one man that will always be sung about is Paul McGrath!
Where can travelling fans get a pint?
Away fans tend to go to The Witton Arms, it's a pub pretty much designed for travelling supporters. Star City isn't too far away either and has plenty of places to get a drink from.
Players we should be worried about?
Our front two have the potential to cause a lot of problems. Gabby Agbonlahor is having a terrific season and this could prove to be his best yet. Darren Bent is always a threat and his scoring record speaks for itself. As long as they get some decent delivery (from the likes of Albrighton and N'Zogbia) they're a fair bet for a goal.
And players you'll be worried about?
Luis Suarez has been Liverpool's top man this season and plays some really good football. He knows how to trouble opposition defenders and is certainly a threat. Charlie Adam has also been solid in midfield and playing against an area that I would consider our weakest, it could make or break the game.
What about the prospect of Stewart Downing returning in a red shirt?
I don't think he'll get too hostile a reaction. He did well for Villa, especially in his final season. I don't think Liverpool have seen the best of him yet but what better team to play his best against? Always a threat with his strengths being his crossing and turn of pace.
How big a loss is goalkeeper Shay Given to injury?
Losing Shay is a big loss. He's been good for us so far and is a favourite in the stands. Brad Guzan will step in and isn't a bad 'keeper himself. He made a few crucial saves against Bolton last week and this will be a big chance to prove himself. I'm hoping he can step up.
Best way to beat Villa?
Isolate the strikers and cut off the wingmen. If we play a 4-4-2 as we did in the last game then we'll be far better than we were when playing a 4-3-3. Agger and Skrtel will have to be sharp to keep up with Agbonlahor and Bent but if Johnson and Enrique can cut off Albrighton and N'Zogbia then you're half way there.
Best and worst thing about being a Villa fan?
The worst thing about being a Villa fan is how close we can go before throwing it all away. We've had a few trips to Wembley in the last few years and are were within touching distance of the League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League football but blew it at the final hurdle. The best thing is supporting a club with a rich history and supporting a club that teams want to play against. Knowing that we're very often on the cusp of achieving something is also a lot of fun!
Prediction?
2-2.
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