Today is going to be tough and like I said last week before the West Ham game, I can't see us getting three points if we line up in a 4-4-2. There, said it.

I also can't see O'Neill dropping Heskey if fit, Carew or Gabby, again if fit, so it also wouldn't surprise me if we started in a 4-3-3 or certainly finished using it, but I just can't see us starting 4-5-1, which I think is the best option for our players. The most depressing thing is I also don't think that 4-5-1 would get us three points today, so we might just need a lot of luck.

The thing that really does get me annoyed is that I fancy Everton will win at home and that because I don't think we're going to get anything, we'll be sixth by the end of the day and it's all down to Martin O'Neill.

But there is every chance, if the luck is with us, that we could win this game today and we do desperately need it, so the game does bring with it a certain amount of nervousness, which make sit interesting.

Marky Mark reckons it will be 1-1 and if I had to put money on a result, I think I might put it on a score draw also. He has also predicted a home win for Everton and we all know what happens if he gets both results right.

Martin O'Neill talks, we listen

We now need to get back on track and get back to winning football games again. We were doing that fairly regularly some months ago.

Football Betting

I've put a tenner on Chelsea, United, Everton, Fulham and West Brom. If they all come in, it pays £208. I've not had a bet on Villa, but you can if you fancy it, you'll get 6/4 for an away win. I'd want 2-1 before I made that bet, we don't deserve 6/4 on form.

Team News

It looks like it will be the team that started last week but there is every chance Gabby will be back. If he is, you've got to fancy he'll start on the bench, but do not be surprised if Martin O'Neill starts in a 4-3-3 or like I've said above, we finish using it.

Expected starting eleven: Friedel, L. Young, Cuellar, Davies, Shorey, Milner, Petrov, Barry, A. Young, Heskey and Carew.

Football Links

I'm not going to be at home today, so I'll be listening to this game on he wireless but I have no doubt they'll be a few links to the game below. This will be the first game of the season I've missed but it is my sons birthday party tomorrow so I have things I have to be doing. Please forgive me.

So, kick off in just over three hours, we'll be updating this page as and when we have anything, but please, drop a few links below to anything interesting. Up the Villa.

Team News

Sorry this is late - had loads of issues with the server, although it was only backend stuff.

Friedel; Cuellar, Knight, Davies, Shorey; Milner, Petrov, Barry, A Young; Carew, Heskey. Subs: Sidwell, Delfouneso, Salifou, Clark, Guzan, Gardner, Albrighton.

Comments (126)

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Nik Skilton said:

... if wishful thinking to expect the fonz instead of heskey?

Comment 1, made on April 25, 2009 at 11.43 am

tonky said:

... todays our day to turn our bad run around!!!! 3-1 villa!!! come on the boys!!!!

Comment 2, made on April 25, 2009 at 11.53 am

Fitzy_7 said:

... Im optimistic Im happy and I feel a villa win..

Comment 3, made on April 25, 2009 at 12.00 pm

Paul Gough said:

... We badly need a win to lift everyones spirits. I don't think Bolton are up to much. Their recent results are Portsmouth 1-0 Bolton Chelsea 4-3 Bolton Bolton 4-1 Middlesbrough West Brom 1-1 Bolton Bolton 1-3 Fulham So I think we can beat them.

Comment 4, made on April 25, 2009 at 12.10 pm | url

Chris Algie said:

... 40 goals between our last six games, it's gonna be a great game for the neutral but a nail biter for us. Fancy Carew to get a couple today.

Comment 5, made on April 25, 2009 at 12.14 pm

Chris Algie said:

... 4 or more goals at 9/4 and Carew hat-trick at 66/1 worth a punt

Comment 6, made on April 25, 2009 at 12.16 pm

vogra said:

... I think we'll win today, just have this feeling .. but if we could win just one more game before the end of the season id want it to be against Newcastle to send them down.

Comment 7, made on April 25, 2009 at 12.25 pm

Le Shava said:

... "if we could win just one more game before the end of the season id want it to be against Newcastle to send them down" Well, if you couldn't beat them when they had nothing to play for earlier in the season, i cant see you beating them when they are fighting for their lives. I think the Villa v Newcastle game will be known as the one that saw Newcastle stay up at the expense of Villa's 5th place spot.

Comment 8, made on April 25, 2009 at 12.37 pm

vogra said:

... Le Shava, we'll have to see then mate wont we.

Comment 9, made on April 25, 2009 at 12.45 pm

Damian said:

... Le Shava We are going to throw away 5th spot today .. We are destined to finish 6th this season - because that was what I predicted at the start. That will be two seasons on the bounce I've predicted the right finish ..

Comment 10, made on April 25, 2009 at 12.52 pm

Anthony Laud said:

... just cant see us winning today! 3-2 Bolton

Comment 11, made on April 25, 2009 at 12.52 pm

Le Shava said:

... I read a post on one of these blogs stating that Huddlestone should be bought as a replacement for Barry. After giving it some thought, i think that would probably be one of the smartest signings you lot make for a long time. He is wasted at Spurs and will give you much needed creativity in the middle of the park. Damian I too think you will lose or draw today. However, i don't think you will lose 5th as i have a feeling Everton are going to get turned over today.

Comment 12, made on April 25, 2009 at 1.00 pm

Pat McDermott said:

... apparently L Youngs a doubt and reo coker might start instead.

Comment 13, made on April 25, 2009 at 1.03 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... let me get this straight le sheva is an arsenal fan right? yet he spends all his free time on a villa blog. can i ask why? do you honestly have nothing better to do with your time!!

Comment 14, made on April 25, 2009 at 1.16 pm

Nik Skilton said:

... i may get shot down here, but i enjoy the banter with le shava. and even though he is a goon, he makes some correct comments now and again

Comment 15, made on April 25, 2009 at 1.32 pm

adam said:

... the arse blogs must be shite maybe thats why

Comment 16, made on April 25, 2009 at 1.43 pm

Chris Algie said:

... "if we could win just one more game before the end of the season id want it to be against Newcastle to send them down" Well, if you couldn't beat them when they had nothing to play for earlier in the season, i cant see you beating them when they are fighting for their lives. I think the Villa v Newcastle game will be known as the one that saw Newcastle stay up at the expense of Villa's 5th place spot. You'd think Arsenal had won every game this season, am I right in think ing you've been beaten by Stoke, Man City, West Brom, Hull and a certain team in Claret and Blue? Come on Boro.

Comment 17, made on April 25, 2009 at 1.44 pm

Paul Egan said:

... We've been playing very well recently and we're always better away from home. Bolton are not a good side. Today will be our first win in a long time and I can see a lot of goals being scored. We'll win 4-2.

Comment 18, made on April 25, 2009 at 1.49 pm

adam said:

... will probably be 4 all the way we been playing

Comment 19, made on April 25, 2009 at 1.54 pm

villa.yates said:

... any links today peops??

Comment 20, made on April 25, 2009 at 2.10 pm

Ronan Ward said:

... 2-1 to the villa. We'll not keep a clean sheet but I'm hopeful Carew will do the business upfront. UTV

Comment 21, made on April 25, 2009 at 2.20 pm

vogra said:

... the only players i rate from Bolton are Ricardo Gardner and Kevin Davies, id liked to have seen us try and get Gardner, I still hold a grudge against these fuckers when they waxed us in the Carling Cup Semis....cants

Comment 22, made on April 25, 2009 at 2.22 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... Bolton: Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Samuel, Cahill, O'Brien; Taylor, McCann, Muamba, Cohen; Elmander, Davies. Subs: Al Habsi, Puygrenier, Hunt, Riga, Smolarek, Makukula, Basham. VILLA: Friedel; Cuellar, Knight, Davies, Shorey; Milner, Petrov, Barry, A Young; Carew, Heskey. Subs: Sidwell, Delfouneso, Salifou, Clark, Guzan, Gardner, Albrighton.

Comment 23, made on April 25, 2009 at 2.31 pm

villa.yates said:

... desperate for a link. hi mum lol

Comment 24, made on April 25, 2009 at 2.47 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch1.html not great and will most likely cut out but its better than nothing

Comment 25, made on April 25, 2009 at 2.52 pm

beano123 said:

... http://www.atdhe.net/6575/watc...-aston-vil ok quality ppl

Comment 26, made on April 25, 2009 at 2.55 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... anyone smell a gary cahill goal. i do

Comment 27, made on April 25, 2009 at 2.58 pm

Paul Gough said:

... Here as well http://www.coragh.com/tv/jtv.aspx

Comment 28, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.01 pm | url

Fitzy_7 said:

... good old jtv as reliable as ever

Comment 29, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.07 pm

Altan Kargaci said:

... FFS !!!!!!

Comment 30, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.09 pm | url

Paul Gough said:

... That one has been shut down. I will look for another

Comment 31, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.10 pm | url

Paul Egan said:

... All the links I've tried have gone down. Back to AVTV commentary...

Comment 32, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.22 pm

UTV11 said:

... links????? and how r we playin?

Comment 33, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.24 pm

Paul Gough said:

... No goals anywhere yet

Comment 34, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.27 pm | url

Fitzy_7 said:

... this is a joke

Comment 35, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.31 pm

Damian said:

... lads .. i know i bang this drum but www.avfcforum.co.uk have a great stream up today anyway. we've had most of it, but bolton are coming back into it ..

Comment 36, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.38 pm

UTV11 said:

... Damien...does that avfcforum let u watch other games as well??.....and its always 100% reliable?

Comment 37, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.42 pm

UTV11 said:

... Sry Damian* haha

Comment 38, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.42 pm

r0bb0 said:

... Damian....you could also say that the reason that we've challenged for 4th and are now seen as potential contenders for Champions league is because of Martin O'Neill. Given the choice between you or MON deciding on Villa's tactics throughout the season..... I'd opt for MON

Comment 39, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.43 pm

Altan Kargaci said:

... Get In

Comment 40, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.44 pm | url

Alistair said:

... Man city are up at everton, could be nice

Comment 41, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.45 pm

Alistair said:

... Ash the star!!!!!

Comment 42, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.45 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... villa 1-0 woooooooooop now for once lets hold onto it

Comment 43, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.45 pm

erik said:

... YES!!!!!!!

Comment 44, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.46 pm

Damian said:

... 1-0, Ashley Young He crossed from the edge of the box and it went past everyone and went in .. he was maybe 3 or 4 yards diagonally out form teh corenr on the left .. maybe it was just the luck we needed

Comment 45, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.46 pm

UTV11 said:

... YEAHHHH! Finally Ash gets back on the board....0-1 Villa....sounds like he scored on a cross. any1 kno??

Comment 46, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.47 pm

UTV11 said:

... any links? plz....

Comment 47, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.56 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... back up http://www.atdhe.net/

Comment 48, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.58 pm

Chris Algie said:

... If anyone wants a link to a picture of a monkey with a video camera I'm your man.

Comment 49, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.59 pm

beano123 said:

... anyone lookin 4 link its ok bit slow http://www.atdhe.net/6575/watch-bolton-vs-aston-villa

Comment 50, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.59 pm

Alistair said:

... How is the first half rated, am not watching it and so don't know anything!

Comment 51, made on April 25, 2009 at 3.59 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... if anyone wants a link that wont work try justin tv

Comment 52, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.01 pm

villa.yates said:

... well said fitzy.. links please

Comment 53, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.03 pm

Damian said:

... UTV11 Yes, they show other games and I''ve never had a problem. Today is a prime example, the game isn''t been shown anywhere in Europe live, but they bought in a stream r0bb0 MO'N is a great manager - but it doesn't mean he isn't going to make mistakes. Everyone makes them and he is going to make them .. But, like I said above and in my preview post, if we have the luck we can win. We've had the luck and we are half way to winning .. as long as we keep the luck, we'll win. It is all good, but we shouldn't get carried away with one result .. especially against Bolton.

Comment 54, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.04 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... http://www.atdhe.net/6575/watc...ston-villa

Comment 55, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.05 pm

Chris Algie said:

... atdhe link is fine

Comment 56, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.07 pm

Brian Kavanagh said:

... http://www.zomse.com/57.htm

Comment 57, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.08 pm

crazyhobo said:

... irish_villian, p/w?

Comment 58, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.10 pm

Brian Kavanagh said:

... didn ask me for one

Comment 59, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.11 pm

crazyhobo said:

... did you use that link to get there? if not how did you do it?

Comment 60, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.14 pm

Alistair said:

... Everton look to be going down to man city, looking good so far, 2-0 up

Comment 61, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.15 pm

Brian Kavanagh said:

... yeah im watchin it. worked straight away for me

Comment 62, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.16 pm

Anthony Laud said:

... our defence is an absolute joke that was woeful!

Comment 63, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.17 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... 1-1 poor defending again

Comment 64, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.17 pm

Chris Algie said:

... fuckers!

Comment 65, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.17 pm

Damian said:

... 1-1 ... is the luck running out?

Comment 66, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.17 pm

Christo said:

... What aload of f'ing c****

Comment 67, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.18 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... im sorry but heskey is awful... offers absolutely nothing take him off put on sidwell

Comment 68, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.20 pm

Christo said:

... Get used to it as its Heskey type people MON wants. dont he know there is such a thing as hasbeens

Comment 69, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.21 pm

Alistair said:

... Man time and time again the defence doesn't match the attack, we need some serious work on actually learning how to get clean sheets!

Comment 70, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.22 pm

Damian said:

... There is a ppsitive to take from this, Everton are losing 2-0 to Man City at home ... so even if we get only a point, if Everton lost, it is all good, for fifth place anyway. But I think we can get another ..

Comment 71, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.22 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... free kick come on!!!!!!!!!

Comment 72, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.22 pm

Christo said:

... Oh yay 5th place and going into a cup where were gonna put our reserve team out. I really wanted 4th but as usual we fuck up

Comment 73, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.24 pm

beano123 said:

... is the stream from avfcforum any better quality than the free sites anyone ?

Comment 74, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.25 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... whats the password

Comment 75, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.25 pm

Alistair said:

... i have never rated heskey and was actually disappointed when we signed him, if that what MON's looking for then we can't expect much during the summer

Comment 76, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.25 pm

Damian said:

... Fitzy_7 As r0bb0 has pointed out above, i'm no tactician, but if i were martin o'neill i'd have ashley young practising free kicks on the training pitch every day for an hour after every one has gone home. he has had 2 now and not one went anywhere near the goal .. it just isn't good enough. they have to get on target

Comment 77, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.25 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... why didnt milner take it???

Comment 78, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.27 pm

Damian said:

... beano123 the stream is perfect, 100% like watching TV on your pc .. honestly, it is perfect they sometimes have a freeview night, go check out the site to see if they are doing it again soon ..

Comment 79, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.29 pm

mom said:

... anyone got the password for the zomse site please cant get to work

Comment 80, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.30 pm

Paul Gough said:

... Everton are down to 10 men so that looks like a city win

Comment 81, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.30 pm | url

Chris Algie said:

... west ham pen

Comment 82, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.31 pm

Chris Algie said:

... goal west ham noble

Comment 83, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.32 pm

Chris Algie said:

... ignore that it was saved by cech

Comment 84, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.32 pm

Chris Algie said:

... hull got one back against pool

Comment 85, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.33 pm

villa.yates said:

... pw... hashim200

Comment 86, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.34 pm

Alistair said:

... man i hope carew or del pop up with a winner! hehe

Comment 87, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.37 pm

beano123 said:

... nice one damian ill give it a go cheers

Comment 88, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.38 pm

Christo said:

... I doubt it ive given up on them all along time ago

Comment 89, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.39 pm

Chris Algie said:

... Come on Villa pleeeeeeeeeeease

Comment 90, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.40 pm

UTV11 said:

... that pw didnt work

Comment 91, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.41 pm

Pat McDermott said:

... have we been creating anything?

Comment 92, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.41 pm

Chris Algie said:

... Carew gone close with header

Comment 93, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.42 pm

woodinho said:

... DOES ANYONE HAVE A FREE LINK TO THE MATCH OR A PASSWORD THAT WORKS???

Comment 94, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.43 pm

Brian Kavanagh said:

... pw is fuckdmca no joke

Comment 95, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.44 pm

Brian Kavanagh said:

... for http://www.zomse.com/57.htm

Comment 96, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.44 pm

Anthony Laud said:

... looking like another draw. we really need to win before the seasons out. i fear for the confidence of the players going into next season if nothing changes in the next 4 games! and its also really looking like we might not even beat last seasons points tally now.

Comment 97, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.45 pm

Anthony Laud said:

... well thats it! i cant see us ever winning again! joke!

Comment 98, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.50 pm

arsene wenger said:

... its all over people, i have to admit at loved all the YES WE CAN talk over the last few months,but iv grown fond of you villa scumbags lol, you done well this season i hope they get you a win soon

Comment 99, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.51 pm

arsene wenger said:

... double C your an embarassment

Comment 100, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.53 pm

Alistair said:

... how can west brom manage to win 3 nil and we can't even beat bolton! argh its so frustrating!

Comment 101, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.53 pm

Paul Egan said:

... A bit disappointing. Still, it's another point on the board.

Comment 102, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.53 pm

woodinho said:

... Damo - Get rid of that twat Double C

Comment 103, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.54 pm

Chris Algie said:

... Fuck this ive had enough everything was going well until we signed that black basterd Heskey. All they do is let me down FUCK THE VILLA Scumbag

Comment 104, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.54 pm

Andy Pepper said:

... Double C you are a disgrace F**k Off

Comment 105, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.55 pm

Chris Algie said:

... everton 2-1

Comment 106, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.55 pm

wc said:

... could comment 100 be removed please

Comment 107, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.57 pm

Alistair said:

... Double C must be one of them bandwangon jumpers, its all fine until you loose a game and then they somehow know everything and know exactly whats the problem, get lost mate.

Comment 108, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.57 pm

pete said:

... get rid of the nazi ,double c you twat.

Comment 109, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.58 pm

Chris Algie said:

... Double C, you're obviously not a Villa fan firstly the way you speak and secondly how can you be racist and support a team including, Davies, Knight, Young, Agbonlahor, Delfonouso, Bouma, harewood, Carew, Reo-Coker.......... You are a disgrace, ban his IP damo

Comment 110, made on April 25, 2009 at 4.59 pm

arsene wenger said:

... dont remove it,leave it there so people can see what a prick this guy is,hopefully he will even agree

Comment 111, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.00 pm

Chris Algie said:

... I'm with wenger, (even though I'm surprised he saw it )

Comment 112, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.01 pm

arsene wenger said:

... didnt see a word prime minister said* lol

Comment 113, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.04 pm

Damian said:

... IP and user name banned. This site will not accept comments like that.

Comment 114, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.06 pm

arsene wenger said:

... damian i vote you as the new villa captain next season, good leadership

Comment 115, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.07 pm

woodinho said:

... ...may as well get rid of comment 104 then hadn't u!?!?!

Comment 116, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.08 pm

r0bb0 said:

... There's no place for the comment of Double C on here. If he doesn't come on and apologise can he be banned Damian?

Comment 117, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.09 pm

Chris Algie said:

... best get rid of my comment I quoted the p***k

Comment 118, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.09 pm

woodinho said:

... This is double c

Comment 119, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.10 pm

arsene wenger said:

... so a bad result,villa deserved to win or bolton or about the right result?

Comment 120, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.11 pm

r0bb0 said:

... Really disappointed at today's result as I'd convinced myself we'd win.... but then I know bugger all about these things.

Comment 121, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.11 pm

Chris Algie said:

... I'm off but I'll be back when the dust settles to explain how through my claret and blue tinted glasses we can still get 4th.

Comment 122, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.12 pm

Damian said:

... theprimeminister the quote is fine i think, it's the deletion and the action taken which i think sets the standard

Comment 123, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.13 pm

arsene wenger said:

... while its still mathematically possible villa can still come 4th, they wont but they can, same way i say arsenal can win the league (they wont)

Comment 124, made on April 25, 2009 at 5.14 pm

bob said:

... im shocked at crucials comments here more than on my site but still no need for either hes also been banned from using my site!

Comment 125, made on April 25, 2009 at 7.40 pm

Jake Gardner said:

... CC im shocked first of all theres no need to be racist no real fan would say 'Fuck The Villa' I'm disapointed. well done preston! i want the baggies to stay up and blues to stay down

Comment 126, made on April 25, 2009 at 8.24 pm

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