Villa match thread, sponsored by Ron Atkinson

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Vlaar their captain has not made it.

Bent not in squad again - pleased about that

[thirtyyarder]

McD seems to have listened to everything said in the Dellor interview (Pearce recalled, Gunter and Gorkss dropped, CM on the bench => no moving McAnuff to CM)

If we lose tonight, we can all start criticizing him about something else.

Corrected for you

[Gunny Fishcake]

@ReadingFC: Reading: Federici, Cummings, Shorey, Mariappa, Morrison, Leigertwood, Tabb, McAnuff (c), Robson-Kanu, Roberts, Le Fondre. #readingfc

@ReadingFC: Substitutes: Taylor, Harte, Pearce, Gunnarsson, McCleary, Pogrebnyak, Hunt #readingfc

Well the defence looks better , wonder if Brian reads Hob Nob ? The fans have had their wish ........time will tell

[leicsRoyal]

McD seems to have listened to everything said in the Dellor interview (Pearce recalled, Gunter and Gorkss dropped, CM on the bench => no moving McAnuff to CM)

If we lose tonight, we can all stop criticizing him now.

at the thought McD listened or took notice of anything Dellor said.

Dellor asked the fans for questions to ask McD in his interview yesterday

Give it a listen and you'll get it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20500160

Do you not think that if we could see who needed dropping, McD may have had an idea himself without Dellor pointing it out? I'm not sure McD picks the team on the advice of a journalist who has asked the opinion of the fans.

[winchester_royal]

Pretty much exact team I'd have picked.

McDermott to resign after we lose 4-0 saying 'have that HNA you bunch of clueless cnuts'

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Pleased with the back 4 - that's who I'd pick.

Bryn on the bench? WTF?!

That is surely a direct result of Dellor asking about him taking up a squad place the other day? Bizarre.

[blueroyals]

Do you not think that if we could see who needed dropping, McD may have had an idea himself without Dellor pointing it out? I'm not sure McD picks the team on the advice of a journalist who has asked the opinion of the fans.

Gorkss and Gunter have needed dropping for 3 weeks. Dellor tells him the fans want them dropped and a day later they're not even on the bench. Go figure.

[blueroyals]

Pleased with the back 4 - that's who I'd pick.

Bryn on the bench? WTF?!

That is surely a direct result of Dellor asking about him taking up a squad place the other day? Bizarre.

This.

[SPARTA]

Fans have got their wish... Pearce recalled... What?? Pearce is on the bench! That's really going to make a difference.

Obviously good news Gorkss and Gunter being dropped, but Leigertwood is still there in the middle, giving the ball away, getting tired by the hour mark and then giving the ball away even more, aiding the inevitable second-half collapse.

Whoop whoop.

[DandyRoyal]

I have watched Villa a few times this season and some of their youngsters are impressive, athletic and technical. What they are not is experienced and composed, so hopefully if we get stuck in and play a high tempo game they will be rattled, they are playing in front of home support who see this game as eminently winnable and if we can get an early lead they will get on the player's backs.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Pleased with the back 4 - that's who I'd pick.

Bryn on the bench? WTF?!

That is surely a direct result of Dellor asking about him taking up a squad place the other day? Bizarre.

This.

Much as I love the bald genius, that is an odd thing to do. Not exactly a game changer these days. When did he last play?

[blueroyals]

Exactly. He's on the bench to please the fans, that's the only reason.

McAnuff in CM > Bryn

But I still love him

[Pandoras Box]

Nearly everything for Xmas but no Pearce and every Leigertwood pass still under five feet to the wrong side.

[Royal Lady]

Pretty much exact team I'd have picked.

McDermott to resign after we lose 4-0 saying 'have that HNA you bunch of clueless cnuts'

That was my first thought actually!

[leicsRoyal]

Genuine lol at the thought that HNA has picked the team, via Dellor.

Anyway pleased with that team, will be interesting when Guthrie is fit again. Good chance tonight against one of the weakest Villa teams (on paper) I can remember seeing for some time.

[DandyRoyal]

Lowton, Baker, Clark, Stevens

Villa's back four, all kids. Good matchup for Roberts who knows every trick in the book.

[winchester_royal]

Vlaar out for Villa. Best piece of news from either line-ups.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Pretty much exact team I'd have picked.

McDermott to resign after we lose 4-0 saying 'have that HNA you bunch of clueless cnuts'

That was my first thought actually!

LOL - would serve us all right! Although I'd rather the HNA massive was proved correct...

I think it was pretty much unanimous that we all wanted Gunter & Gorkss dropped.

[Victor Meldrew]

McD seems to have listened to everything said in the Dellor interview (Pearce recalled, Gunter and Gorkss dropped, CM on the bench => no moving McAnuff to CM)

If we lose tonight, we can all stop criticizing him now.

It's just about the team suggested by most posters on here including Pearce returning to the fold.
It is said that players read stuff on here,it also looks as though Brian does as well and has yielded to fan power.
Not only can he now say that the players are giving everything but also that he takes notice of the fans' opinions.
Hob-Nob will be blamed if we lose.

[Pepe the Horseman]

I've heard of three of Villa's starting line up