AValon

It would look terrible. A hoofing great big apple in the middle of the shirt? A banana would be more appropiate Just the skin preferably!! Handled very badly I feel and as usual it hits the faithful the hardest.

Yep, could be the type of game to bring Ireland out of himself. Its also one of those games that are impossible to forecast. They're going to come for us, its just whether we decide to retain possession or mix it up. To be honest, if its the latter we could just come unstuck? A must win? Its a home game.......

He'll 'grow' with every game.

Fulham never easy, not down there. Fortunate 1-1.

Don't know what it is really.....but the right result on sunday means so much. Hatred does'nt even begin to explain it. All of my in-laws are blosers and there is terrible rivalry between us. Bragging rights, especially for them it seems, are vital! And my old man and his own brother would'nt speak to each other for weeks, despite sharing a room, if one of us got the result. And we ARE 'rich' compared to those illiterate inbreds........rich in history and tradition!!!

Ipswich would be good. The round has the Arse and manure written all over it and I reckon the Olbion might be entertaining the rabble.

I don't think Sunderland will score personally. There were one or two encouraging periods of the Chelsea game that convinced me that GH's methods will pay serious dividends before too long. Sunderland are a game side these days and I always wished we had signed Bent, but I can't see us getting beat today. At a stretch I'll take a draw, but it really would'nt surprise me if the Hesk does it again!

This. Heskey is actually the perfect foil for him and holds the ball up very well for the lad to feed off. The boy needs a goal......then we might see quite a different player.

Fair result. Thought both sides were lacking certain key players and defensively our boys worked their conkers off. Strange game, because there could have been a fair few goals, had Ireland/ Reo Coker and both sets of woodwork not transpired to get in the way. I thought we showed glimpses of how GH wants us to play, particularly in regards to keeping possession and when we did you could see that it stopped Chelseas freeflowing style.....I expect that to get even better the more the season goes on. Shame the Hesk never played, because JC looked jaded and disinterested after twenty minutes. He used to hold the ball up brilliantly, but yesterday so many good moves were broke down because he gave the ball away cheaply. I would also have liked to see Albrighton, had he been fit, because Cole was definitely not at his best. All in all, pleased with the result.

Looking better! Come on Villa!!!

Don't let 'em play, Villa. Keep the ball and let them get frustrated and we'll win this!

Both teams are cancelling each other out in the final third. I want to see Ireland more involved second half, like Downing was and let JC feed off one or two tasty through balls. Anyway, here we go......UTV

Time to score is now!!!

Better movement from Ireland there.

Row Z!

Downing looking as if he wants every ball......superb!

Pitch looks stunning.....thought I'd put the snooker on!! COME ON VILLA!!!!

Ireland could be key here? Will be very interesting to see if he can run the game from there. IF it works, I can see JC having a couple on a plate and maybe the boy nicking one himself. Big IF there.....but I'm going for a Villa win anyway!

Not bothered who we play up front. Chelsea are bent out of shape and we'll definitely score against them today. Heskey could be a handful for them, if he can stay the course. I'm more concerned that he's sticking with Dunne/Collins, at the expense of Cuellar. Ok, Carlos ain't perfect, but when he's played he's been consistently resilient in defence and in their faces. I'd leave Dunney out, rather than see him get 'caught' out because Chelsea WILL punish mistakes.

3-2 would actually be a decent shout....but I do fancy it to go in our favour again. Heskey. Young 2.

I'd definitely go with the same team as sunday. They'll be up from the win and whats the betting we do the same again? Would like to see Ireland play at some point, though, if only to see how Houllier intends to use him.

Choked! After the first 20mins, during which we were second best to nearly every ball, I thought we started to run rings round them.....should have had another two easy! Then, second half, the ball spends so much time in the air you'd think it was a balloon!! And KMAC failed to see that certain players legs out there had gone.....crazy! Plus points, we actually did'nt play badly. Downing was a totally different player and its to be hoped he can keep it up. We just got undone by a cheating bluenose tosser and a referee who, to be fair, missed decisive and blatant decisions for both teams. Oh well, be interesting to know what GH would have done?.....

Good move Villa...come on!!

Great tackle back Downing!

Great NRC....never give it up son!