ok, on to villa. i have 2 concerns.

[Ginger Ninja]

beating southampton away was a great result. beating sunderland yesterday was superb. the confidence in the squad is bound to be at an all-time high, and theres absolutely no reason why we cant and shouldnt beat villa.

however.

1. villa beat reading, and make no mistake, that was a massive result for them. their confidence after that win will have lifted too, the players as well as the fans, and their fans will be right behind them at villa park next week for another massive game.

2. winning 2 games in a row was improbable to say the least. but after the season we've had...3 on the bounce has got to be unthinkable hasnt it?

[qprdel]

It's a bit like tossing a coin.chances of three heads on the trot is not good, but each time is is just a 50/50.

We need to just look from one game to the next.

[Factamondo]

the pressure will be on villa more believe me....the longer it goes the more nervy they will become....we go one up and they will fold quicke than the italian army at first sight of a panzer!

[lymehoop]

Villa are a young side, we go 1-0 up they will brick it, got to keep Benteke quiet though, top drawer striker

[Rich]

Seriously fancy us to win, if Zamora struggling bring in Bothroyd and I genuinely believe we will have too much for them.

[W12hoops]

If Samba and Clint can handle Benteke, which I think they can - we've got a serious advantage. But I still reckon we'll lose in some unexplainable way.

[Ginger Ninja]

christ im already nervous about the villa game...gonna be a wreck next saturday!

[qblockoompah]

christ im already nervous about the villa game...gonna be a wreck next saturday!

Horrible aint it. Gonna have to get really pickled to calm the nerves

[QPRDave]

beating southampton away was a great result. beating sunderland yesterday was superb. the confidence in the squad is bound to be at an all-time high, and theres absolutely no reason why we cant and shouldnt beat villa.

however.

1. villa beat reading, and make no mistake, that was a massive result for them. their confidence after that win will have lifted too, the players as well as the fans, and their fans will be right behind them at villa park next week for another massive game.

2. winning 2 games in a row was improbable to say the least. but after the season we've had...3 on the bounce has got to be unthinkable hasnt it?

Samba take care of Benteke will be a battle we will need to win imo Ninja, and there will be massive pressure on Villa to win this one...home team and all that, a draw would be ok for me.

[Ginger Ninja]

Horrible aint it. Gonna have to get really pickled to calm the nerves

nasty mate. reminds me of the city game last season. that was terrible.

[themodfather]

right now a draw may not be too bad
if we beat wigan, and it's all if's
that could be 4 from 6 and a total of 10 from 12...we'll have the momentum and others have to play chelsea,man utd and liverpool.

[stainrodisalegend]

right now a draw may not be too bad
if we beat wigan, and it's all if's
that could be 4 from 6 and a total of 10 from 12...we'll have the momentum and others have to play chelsea,man utd and liverpool.

spot on. we shouldn't be expecting to win on saturday (hoping is one thing, expecting another). a draw wd be a v gd result. i fancy us away to fulham for three points.

[Del]

beating southampton away was a great result. beating sunderland yesterday was superb. the confidence in the squad is bound to be at an all-time high, and theres absolutely no reason why we cant and shouldnt beat villa.

however.

1. villa beat reading, and make no mistake, that was a massive result for them. their confidence after that win will have lifted too, the players as well as the fans, and their fans will be right behind them at villa park next week for another massive game.

2. winning 2 games in a row was improbable to say the least. but after the season we've had...3 on the bounce has got to be unthinkable hasnt it?

They beat Reading yes, but anyone should beat Reading at the moment as they are completely woeful and for me the only absolute certs for relegation no matyter what else happens.

Villa will feel a lot of pressure at home, and their fans aren't slow in making their frustrations heard if it doesn't go their way early on. If we start well they could get very nervous which could play into our hands.

They have very young and inexperienced defenders who are prone to mistakes if hassled or put under pressure. Two of them have made goal costing clangers in their last 2 games and if we pressure them high up the pitch we could force errors as they try to "play" their way out.

Benteke is the main threat but he normally bullies defenders.... he's not played against a defender like Samba yet, and his game may be affected if he's on the wrong end of the bullying.... perhaps he could consult Marshy for therapy advice.

We have key players buzzing, Remy has 3 in 4 starts and 2 key goals in out last 2 games. Townsend is flying and having scored his first ever goal will be on cloud 9 and raring to go again. Hoilett showing Blackburn form. Samba bedding in. FB's on top form. Park showing his true class at last. Mbia showing the player he actually is.

Yes we've won 2 in a row, so maybe unlikely to get 3, but its just another game now, the 2 before become irrelevant and we have nothing to fear, go at them and make them worry about us, not the other way around. It is very much winnable, especially if we sort our dead balls out as they have proven weak defending them and with Samba, Hill, Mbia attacking balls that could be fruitfall as well as our quick counters.

Win would be immmense, but a draw would also be excellent.

[QPR71]

the pressure will be on villa more believe me....the longer it goes the more nervy they will become....we go one up and they will fold quicke than the italian army at first sight of a panzer!

surely not that quick!
the italian battle cry....retreat

[Del]

surely not that quick!
the italian battle cry....retreat