MATCHWATCH : Aston Villa (h) sponsored by Leandro Bacuna

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday 15th August, 8pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
What might I see in the area : A big "green" propeller machine

Back to the ground for what we all hope will be something rather better than the previous two results and/or at least something convincing by way of a performance and to try and stem the tide of "Reading are going down" and "Stam out" cries that will be inevitable from some knee jerk factions.

Aston Villa have recently sold their best player to Reading and so Leandro Bacuna will be eligible to partake of some friendly high jinks with his ex team mans and supporters should Jaap give him the go ahead. Reading's injury list is still lengthy though and Obita, Bodvarsson, Kermorgant, Harriott etc. will all be missing although there is a smidgen of a chance that McCleary, Quinn and Beerens may make the bench.

Meanwhile over at Villa Park Steve Bruce has a few of injuries of his own to worry about as well with Jack Grealish, Ahmed Elmohamady, Jonathan Kodjia and Mile Jedinak all out, plus a big doubt over Andre Green

Referee

Making his first appearance in control of Reading since 2014, is Leicestershire's Kevin Friend



Previous games with Mr Friend

1. 28 Jan 2014 > Reading 5-1 Blackpool
2. 28 Apr 2013 > Reading 0-0 Queen's Park Rangers
3. 12 Jan 2013 > Reading 3-2 West Bromwich Albion
4. 30 Oct 2012 > Reading 5-7 Arsenal ( League Cup )
5. 18 Aug 2012 > Reading 1-1 Stoke City
6. 02 Apr 2011 > Reading 2-0 Portsmouth
7. 26 Dec 2010 > Reading 4-1 Bristol City
8. 24 Apr 2010 > Watford 3-0 Reading
9. 08 Dec 2009 > Reading 2-4 Crystal Palace
10. 10 Apr 2009 > Reading 0-1 Sheffield United
11. 04 Oct 2008 > Reading 3-1 Burnley
12. 28 Aug 2007 > Swansea City 0-1 Reading ( League Cup )
13. 09 Aug 2005 > Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 Reading
14. 21 Mar 2005 > Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Reading
15. 18 Sep 2004 > Reading 3-1 Gillingham

Historically

Historically Reading's home record against Villa is almost as atrocious as their record against Arsenal having lost every league game they've ever played against them (except one, 2-0 in 2007), therefore it's no surprise when you hear Reading are on a run of 4 successive home defeats against them in all competitions.

Full record at home in the league is 1 win and 5 defeats for 8 against 13

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use an iFollow subscription (by the way has anyone managed to get the actual game commentary working on an iPhone/android as yet)
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[SpaghettiHoop]

Relegation six-pointer.

[windermereROYAL]

Meltdown if we lose tonight, 3 games in fold the club.

[CountryRoyal]

Villa fans claiming this is already a "must win". Many suggestions a loss could see Bruce gone.

[windermereROYAL]

Villa fans claiming this is already a "must win". Many suggestions a loss could see Bruce gone.

Many of our knee jerkers are the same.

[CountryRoyal]

Villa fans claiming this is already a "must win". Many suggestions a loss could see Bruce gone.

Many of our knee jerkers are the same.

Would hate to think what it would be like had we spent what they had

[Hound]

I think it's a huge game for Bruce

They didn't like him due to his Brummie links anyway and he hasn't done much in his time there. They look well short of someone like Middlesbrough in terms of squad quality

I think a lot depends on how they react and start the game. Early goal for us could easily lead to meltdown - on the other hand if they start well, get their fans onside they are still a pretty tough prospect

Looking forward to this one. First league game for me this season as well

[NewCorkSeth]

Thank God you're back Sutekh. It just hasn't been the same.

[Hound]

Nice work from JLow on his preview calling Villa 'the Northerners'

Like that. Live up to the southern stereotype

[Jim Royal]

Will John Terry get a warm reception?

[Royal Ginger]

Anyone relying on the trains that run between Poole and Waterloo to get back tonight beware. They're utterly f****d because of the crash this morning. I'm missing the match because I likely won't be able to get home.

[Hound]

All about pace tonight

Popa, Clement and Barrow front 3

4-3-3, Ilori and Evans on the bench. McCleary and Beerens welcome returns on the bench

[genome]

No striker

But very strong bench. In fact that bench is stronger than the first XI

[Hound]

Yeah personally would have gone for Mendes. Guess Stam's thinking is Terry and Chester prob happier against him than 3 nippy quick forwards

[Esteban]

Only one fit striker, Mendes didn't get a full pre-season and he played 70 odd minutes on Saturday. I can see why Stam would want to be careful with him. If the front three can be fluid they should stretch Villa and open up some space for Swift and Kelly to exploit. Mendes, McCleary, Beerens or Bacuna might get on with 20 to go against a tired defence.

It's a solid enough game plan, but I worry that the passing will be too slow to make life difficult for Villas aging back line.

[72 bus]

Yeah personally would have gone for Mendes. Guess Stam's thinking is Terry and Chester prob happier against him than 3 nippy quick forwards

Mendes vs John terry LOL

[Snowflake Royal]

Wow. Great having McCleary and Beerens back. Strong bench... much more attacking options. Yeah striker missing, but we're all aware of that. I assume:

Mannone
Gunter, McShane, Moore, Blackett
Kelly, Berg, Swift
Popa, Barrow, Clement.

Actually really pleased to see Berg given an instant chance to make amends for that mistake. He looked devastated walking straight down the tunnel at the end (understandably). That midfield really should be able to move the ball well, and the front three should pose a pacey threat and show plenty of movement.

If Villa sit back, we ought to be able to dictate possession and force an opening eventually, if they push on and press we should have the pace to run the line and work the channels. All good in theory, practice may be another thing.

[strap]

So Stam opts for the 4-6-0 option. Jesus H oxf*rd Christ.

Reading: Mannone, Gunter, McShane (c), Moore, Blackett, van den Berg, Swift, Kelly, Popa, Clement, Barrow.

Subs: Jaakkola, Evans, Ilori, McCleary, Beerens, Mendes, Bacuna.

[RichTea94]

Also, when the hell did Villa sign Chris Samba?

Next question is why the hell? He got annihilated at Cardiff on Saturday.

[NewCorkSeth]

Terry shakes hands like Trump.. pulls the people towards him.