Aston Villa vs Everton

I was talking to someone last week who said Villa played Villa U-21's last week behind closed doors and lost 3-0......not sure how much truth is in it but wouldn't surprise me at all.

He almost single handedly won us 2 of the 3 games where we had respectable results and the only game he was not at his best was when the whole team capitulated to the mighty West Brom.

Ask Seamus Coleman who he would like in front of him and I am sure he will tell you Lennon.

IMO Deulofeu is OK as a late sub to inspire a "moment" in the game but is not a 90-minute man, like Lennon.

I would also like Mirallas to occupy the other wide slot and really go at Villa.

I'd like to see some balance. Lennon, right, Mirallas, left or give the new man a start to give Romelu some support.

Let's hope that the team hasn't left it's talents back on the beach after their break.

Three points and nothing else will be acceptable. What would Martinez have as an excuse if we don't win?

He's worked his socks off for the team, is it any coincidence also that Lennon tracking back helping Coleman out has resulted in us looking more solid as a unit defensively?

Don't get me wrong I'm a Deulofeu fan but at times his stropping and sulking when things aren't going his way can be off-putting for the team, he's mercurial and skillful but maddeningly frustrating at times.

On to the match itself, it looks increasingly likely to be our last trip to Villa Park for a while, a shame in many ways as it's always been one of my favourite fixtures on the calendar but a good example of what can happen when club's regardless of their size are poorly run.

If we can't win that game tomorrow night then do we really deserve to finish in the top half of the table?

Aston Villa are awful, truly apologetic as a Premier League football team, almost as bad as the Derby County side of 2007/08.

We have tough fixtures on the horizon in March and early April, so it's imperative that nothing less than 3 points is registered at Villa tomorrow.

We have spoken quite often about the fact we have only lost the 1 away game this season but we have only won 4.

Nothing less than a win tomorrow night will suffice.

Yes it's good going to have lost once by March but just 4 wins let's it down from being classed as remarkable.

If we had won 7 or 8 then that would have been remarkable.

That should do the trick!

Another 3-0 win is what I expect.

Our away form isn't remarkable on its own but when you look at the fact that we've lost six times as many home matches as away by this stage of the season, I'd say that is worth remarking on.

The key is in the comparison.

We should win this one... but when could we be sure of anything with Roberto on the touchline???

He joined us for £13mil, age 23 but has not improved one jot. Once my favourite player, various injuries have hampered his progress and I'm hoping to see the old, quick, aggressive McCarthy against Villa.

After frantically licking the boots of Bill and Mr Moshiri, our manager will desperately want to demonstrate his competence and a resounding victory is confidently expected.

Garde looks like a man who cannot believe where he has landed, they have nothing to offer, their spirit has gone but... they have supporters who, having accepted the inevitable, now want and are driving their players to some sort of dignity. They will win soon and it must not be against us.

Someone needs to make sure your last line is right.

Having said that and hoping to pull a double bluff, I reckon anything less than a resounding win would be unthinkable.

COYB!!

Robles;
Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines;
McCarthy, Cleverley;
Deulofeu, Barkley, Mirallas;
Lukaku.

Or:

Robles;
Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines;
McCarthy, Barry, Cleverley;
Barkley;
Lukaku, Niasse.

If that counts for anything...

We are third in the away form league though, and this week's shot in the arm should have the players running around like mad things. Villa ought not know what's hit them.

I'm still having a fiver on Eugene's shoreline of 2-1 to the home team because, well, we are Everton! Hope I'm wrong and we do a proper job, COYB!

Lose this and all hope of RM keeping his job goes out of the window... surely we cannot lose this one???

I think even not beating them would be a disgraceful result.

Losing is unthinkable but if we keep talking about this greatest squad in 30 years, you need to back up the hype, we should be beating these with minimum effort really if all the big players turn up.

I fully expect us to win as he will put his 'philosophy' aside to make sure we get points on the board. If he wants to keep his job that will be the case. If we don't get 3 points tonight, I'm not going to have much hope for the weekend.

I'm pretty sure our servants would like to make a solid impression on our wealthy investor and the lengthy layoff should only benefit our chances of demolishing them. Expecting a neat and tidy 4-0 win. COYB!!

If he is sticking to his style of play then good on him for doing what he says he believes in, but it does not work: look at Arsenal against Man Utd – lots of tip-tap in their own half and Man Utd on breaks put it all to the sword by scoring more and surprise they win the game.

If RM does change, it will come as a great shock to him as his whole philosophy will also change and all because he will want to keep his job. If he does and it works, then great – lets get behind him and the team. But if he reverts, then I cannot see new owner putting up with it as he has waited long enough for Arsenal to move forward and WIN things.

Jay 6, have to agree with you 100% mate.

Agreed 100%.

So sad to see a famous club like Villa relegated, great stadium, easy away trip to reach and like ourselves very much spent the last 20-30 year's underachieving.

When you look at the old clubs in the Championship nowadays, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, even clubs like Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers or Charlton Athletic who established themselves as top flight clubs over the last 20 years, it just shows relegation can happen to anyone.

Please don't be another WBA. This has to be the worst season ever for feeling sick after games. There's just been so many!

Robles;
Coleman, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines;
Lennon, Barry, Cleverly, Barkley;
Mirallas, Lukaku.

We've got to show no mercy tonight – start fast, get ahead, and take them to the cleaners. Let's keep the feelgood factor going for as long as possible.

Villa have no chance of staying up so can be relaxed and play just for pride but Everton need to stay focused on the job in hand, especially if they score early. There is a cause for real optimism now that the investment has finally arrived and although the top Euro places may be beyond them they might be able to sneak into Europa League if the improvement continues and they beat the RS along the way.

I don't see any reason yet to change the starting eleven unless Martinez wants to start rotating but they have all had a good rest since the last game.

Other than that...? I think a little side bet on Naismith first scorer!!

Their crowd will wanting much more effort against us. I'm still hoping for a victory but not expecting a big score; maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

The four-goal thrashing in November was the only game I've seen at Goodison all season and I thought that was the worst Villa team I've seen in all of 50 years.

Nothing to worry about at all. Fill your boots @ 9/1 for us to win 2-0 and 17/1 to win 3-0.

Happy days.... I hope!

I've watched many recent Everton games and I can confirm that Deulofeu has dropped off the pace big style. It doesn't help that he is totally knackered after the 60 minute mark whereas Lennon has seemingly limitless energy and tracks back too. With Everton's defence frailty, it makes sense, in my opinion, to start with Lennon and bring Deulofeu on later, if need be.

Robles;
Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines;
McCarthy, Barry, Barkley;
Deulofeu, Lukaku, Mirallas.

Harsh on Lennon but I just feel we can afford to be attacking for this one.

Same team to start as last time except maybe Mirallas coming in for Cleverley.

I can't see RM changing the team that's started the last few. I'd like to see Mirallas given a go but I doubt it... I think he has to come on as sub and force the managers hand (although when he comes on and does well it still doesn't matter). Plus now Niasse is there too. Is Pienaar fit again? I'd also like to see a refreshed Baines back but again... doubt it. What a squad we have.

And finally my new song wasn't a misprint. Rock Lobster.... (Ross Barkley... catchy tune) :)

My team would be:-

Robles;
Coleman, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines;
Deulofeu, Barry, McCarthy, Oviedo;
Lukaku, Niasse.

A traditional 4-4-2 formation will hopefully put them under pressure from the start and with a few quick goals we can then start playing the tippy-tappy stuff and bring on the likes of Barkley and Mirallas in the second half with the game won.

Robles;
Coleman, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines;
Lennon, Barry, Cleverley, Mirallas;
Barkley, Lukaku.

Every Everton game means something. This one tonight would be a real kick in the teeth, should we drop points. So here's hoping that just for once that we turn up, that we act and play like favourites.... that Martinez has the team going for goals, and not aimlessly passing the ball from Villa's half , back to Joel. Tip-tap fucking tippity-tappity nonsense... I don't want to see any of that tonight – be more direct. This Aston Villa team will fold. Lukaku (should he decide to turn up) can fill his boots tonight. So can Barkley. Lennon starts in my opinion. Mirallas also gets a start. Maybe Cleverley gives way. Stones (for me) is still on the bench. Why split Jags and Funes Mori?

We cannot lose this game tonight... can we? Up the Toffees.

Unless you can remember an occasion, Michael?

A poster suggesting 4-3-1-2

The solidity of a central 3 would allow both full backs to get forward, let Ross play in the hole and get two forwards on the pitch.

I think I will stick to Russian roulette, it's safer!!

Just win!!!

Like the look of your team mate and the four-four-two. The only thing I would change is Oviedo as left back and Bainsey further forward. I'm sure that those two working together on the left can cause a lot of damage.

The manager and players know that they need to perform tonight because of the new owner and personally I think they will and we will hammer them.

We always make hard work if poor sides, see also West Brom last home game for that .

(I'm very rarely correct with my shitty predictions)

He's cool and collected in possession and an excellent distributor of the ball. Yes, he can learn when to launch it into Row Z and when to dribble – but too many people are on his case.

I'd drop Funes Mori – average passer of the ball and a bit slow when caught out of position.

I just read that Villa fans are planning a walkout during the game tonight - those rarely end well for home teams.

Also, if he's still making noises about fucking off next season, what's the point in playing him?