Jareth

No, we've not hit 40 points, but the fixture list and form guide all point to another PL season for AVFC. Let's wait, but should it be, then hats off to sherwood.

Almost every result went our way today. The only one that didn't was the West Brom - Leicester game, but given where West Brom are now it's not even that damaging because we could now easily finish above then. All we need now is a Chelsea win.

 

We're still in this but we're in such a good position compared to even a week ago.

That went our way - for sure

Burnley win will be pants, BUT there are 7 teams in this now, WBA will not get another point all season, of that I am quite sure. And who wanted Pulis?

Tottingham never looked like scoring, but that didn't mean it wasn't about to happen. Rates 2nd to the WBA win, but only just. Shouted YES like a nutter, shouted it 7 times in a row whilst weeing 5 mins later. Sunderland DOOMED!

Sanchez red card well worth it. Good Columbian.

Up, I say up, we are staying up!

Lou Reed - just a perfect day

what were we worried about?

We've no right to win this one, but a point would be possible - I'd be happy with that, especially as it looked like 3 points from QPR and Tottenham, so 2 would be ok in my book.

He is lightweight, but he knows where to put his body when there's a loose ball and while he might get barged off it, he will mostly draw the foul. I think he actually glided through the opposition two or three times, lovely to watch. Unlucky not to score too. More please!

 

Playing Burnley last could also be a complete blessing - a chance to relegate a rival whilst surviving. Would actually need to win that one so ho hum.

 

Judging by our nervous defence against Q.P.R., I'm not so sure needing anything from that game is a blessing!

 

Quite right. But I was thinking, even if we only manage two more draws before the last day, and find ourselves in the bottom 3 - we would still be in touch with survival. As much as folks have said we won't survive till the last day, I see it as we won't actually be relegated until the last day, no matter how bad we are until then. Then it is one game of football with home advantage. For a worst case scenario that isn't so awful.

Playing Burnley last could also be a complete blessing - a chance to relegate a rival whilst surviving. Would actually need to win that one so ho hum.

I have just done the predictor thing. I have us finishing 16th. I have tried to be as fair as I can and not let heart rule head. My bottom three ends up as Leicester Hull and.........Albion. they have a brutal set of fixtures. 

Had completely discounted WBA but if they only muster a draw with Leicester this weekend then it gets very interesting - that is the last game of theirs they would call winnable in their current form - they may not get another point after that, so could finish on 34 points. There's always one team who just sink at this point of the season.

Sunderland also, if Palace hold them to at least a draw this weekend, then depending on their mentality, Leicester home is there best hope of 3 points until end of the season. They could easily finish the season on or near 34 points.

Trouble is I also have QPR, Burnley and us all finishing on 34 points also. Hull and Leicester down IMHO.

Gonna be 34 or 35 to stay up, that's being generous to the teams near us, we need two wins from the next six. Gonna be a long six weeks.

Reasons to be optimistic - Benteke 7 in last 5, grealish, vlaar back and hopefully a couple more defenders by the time we face Everton. Reasons to be negative - absolutely no peace until relegation or survival is confirmed in May.. frickin May!

It's all about keeping our noses in front of the pack from now on. Looking at the final day, we may have Burnley but Leicester face QPR and Hull host Man U. Quite feasible we play for a gentleman's draw and both stay up.

Looking at the fixtures - by May 2nd it is very possible we and Burnley, Hull and QPR could all be on 29 points, if we are not then we will be close to that situation. Home games against Everton and West Ham are now key - as when we play those our competition will be playing better teams or each other.

Give QPR credit, they rode their luck and took their chances, but they will be worse off after that then we will - they almost got out of the relegation spots - that could be their highest point of the season snatched from them by benteke.

This really is the time to trot out 'must-win' - win and I cannot see QPR overtaking us, Leicester neither, and it is very possible that Burnley and Hull will struggle to exceed 31 points. It's basically our life line to early survival and would save us all from shredded nerves for the rest of the season.

Nzogbia looks up for it - can see him scoring today - trouble is I can see Swansea scoring too!

New territory for us fans, old villa would give us optimism then break our hearts. New villa, has won three on the bounce, I think this will be 4, and if it isn't it won't be from lack of trying.

The bottom 6 of the table at the moment are probably going to be the bottom six come the end of the season - they are going to creak and stumble their way towards the low thirties in terms of points. I know Swansea is a crucial game but that win at Sunderland in my opinion has given us a crucial edge, at worst to remain level with or just above the bottom three for the rest of the season. We 'should' make it.

Gabby and Benteke are in form, either can score for us now and going on what's happened the last three games I fancy us to score at least once. Swansea are a good side without Bony, I think they'll score from a set piece - so min 1-1 - but with a bit of luck 2-1 us. That would be 4 in a row. Would be a hell of an acheievment by Sherwood.

Best news is that Poyet has said he won't resign - he will take them down.

I feel sorry for sunderland, booed off, booed back on. There was something familiar about all the pre match press and player quotes, it was us, when we were sleepwalking into relegation - this is their wake up, Poyet has to leave, good luck to them but I hope they finish below us.

3 points off swansea now is... expected.