The unfortunate thing for us is that the word struggling could also be used to describe our form, and with both us and Villa struggling at the foot of the table dare I say this is yet another one of those “six-pointer” games we hear about?
However despite the home loss to Reading in our last outing things have perked up for United. Whilst Villa have exited two cup competitions to lower league opposition since the last round of Premier League games, United have signed four players who have real ability to shake things up in the remaining 15 games of the season which has boosted fan morale and will no doubt put a spring back in the step of some of our players.
Aston Villa:
Richard Dunne, Fabien Delph, Chris Herd, Marc Albrighton, Gary Gardner and Stilyan Petrov all remain unavailable through various injuries. Nathan Baker is fit again but is unlikely to be risked. Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor are likely to be recalled after sitting out Villa’s FA Cup exit to Millwall on Friday evening.
Newcastle:
As you were really in terms of injuries for United. Hatem Ben Arfa is still sidelined, as are Ryan Taylor, Haris Vuckic and Danny Simpson. Dan Gosling is back in training but is still quite a way away from being anywhere near match fit.
Yohan Cabaye is fit after asking to come off against Reading and Steven Taylor has another week of fitness under his belt after picking up a hamstring injury in November while Fabricio Coloccini should start having committed to the club at least on a temporary basis.
In terms of debutants, it’s unlikely but we could see as many as four new faces make their United bow tomorrow evening. Of the quartet I would think Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Moussa Sissoko are the two most likely candidates to start, with Yoan Gouffran and Massadio Haiadra having to make do with strengthening the bench for now at least. Still it gives us depth and options which what we’ve been lacking all season.
Previously…
Earlier on in the season Villa held United to a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park. It was the same score when we last visited Villa Park after Leon Best gave United the lead and I remember Yohan Cabaye having a cracker in that game. Hopefully he can do the same tomorrow!
At Villa Park there have been 76 games played between the two sides. Villa have won 40 times, United on 18 occasions with the other 18 matches ending in a draw.
Overall 154 matches have been played between the two sides over the years. Newcastle have come out on top 66 times, Villa 55 times with 33 draws making up the numbers.
Stats and facts:
Newcastle have beat Aston Villa 18 times in the Premier League era. That’s more than we have beaten any other team.
United could set a new league record for French players used in a season. At the moment five French players have been used by Alan Pardew and the league record is seven.
Villa are the joint lowest home goalscorers in the league having scored just eight goals at Villa Park. They are joint lowest with QPR.
Newcastle have yet to win away this season in any competition.
Final thought…
I’m wondering if too much is expected of our recent signings, and whether they’ll be rubbished should we lose at Villa Park? Understandably fans want to see our new faces and the argument for a change in our starting XI is kind of overwhelming given how we’ve played this season. However, is it too risky to put them in from the start in such an important game? Would we perhaps be better with players who know the league,like Steven Taylor, coming in for this one?
We need to win this one. It’s achievable but we’ll need to be at our best. Villa will be smarting after last weeks cup exploits and will want to answer some critics, but the fact is that they can be got at easily and if we strike first and hold our heads we can turn the crowd and hopefully use that in our favour.
Howay the lads!
Date: Tuesday, 29th January, 2013
Time: 7:45pm
Venue: Villa Park
Whereas I wouldn’t want to start with five new players i do not want to see Jonas or Shola in the starting line up, so work team selection from there.
Groucho(Quote)
Krul, Debuchy,Santon,Colo,Mbwia, Anita, Sissoko, Marveaux, Cabaye, Gouffran, Cisse. 🙂 🙂 🙂
That has to be the starting line up.
I will be fizzing if either Strola or Jonas are near the starting line up.
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
I’m hoping we go with a 4-3-3 or some variation on that.
On that basis I do not expect any of the new boys to start.
Krul, Debuchy, Colo & Santon will start, but Saylor or MYM ?
Cabaye, Anita & Jonas in midfield
with Marv, Cisse and Obertan up front
With Sissoko & Gouffran to come on after 60mins to gee things up and show us what they can do. MYM can come on if there are problems in the back four, eg Colo disinterested.
No reason why we can’t win this.
premandup(Quote)
Five includes Debuchy.
g(Quote)
GROUCHO @1
Likeminded 😉
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
As I stated on the last thread…… we have been losing with our old line up so why not play the new guys.. what’s the worst that can happen……. we lose again….
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
TonyGS Like it.
Groucho(Quote)
Leroy Fer to Everton apparently
premandup(Quote)
PREMANDUP
Surely you can’t start with Jonas, he offers nowt and it is like playing with 10 men, By starting him we are instantly at a disadvantage..
I actuall think AP will start with him though 😯
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
as long as will is not playing,the only guy I know that gets smaller the higher he jumps
icedog(Quote)
Jonas will start, sure as ****….
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
willo.
icedog(Quote)
well I think there is no doubt that we have to start some of the new lads.
MYM and Goofy at the least.
We need goals and Cisse isn’t scoring any.
We need a clean sheet too.
Howay the Lads
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Sort your tablet out Ice. 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
yeah I reckon Jonas is a shoe in to start too 😈
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Krul
Debby, MYM, Colon, Santoon
Obi, Cabage, Anthea, Marvin
****, stroll
👿 👿 👿 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Sorry that’s the team I expect.
Worst case
includes Willo, Perch & Jonas with Shola up front in a 4-4-2
Best Case
Krul; Deb, MYM, Colo, Santon: with Bigi, Anita, Sissoko, & Cabaye in a diamond midfield, with Gouffran & Marveaux supporting Cisse up front.
premandup(Quote)
AMF,need to get WOR lass sorted mate and get
her off the laptop,there is
plenty snow out there to shift
icedog(Quote)
Ice, good man, we can’t have you hurting your back from shoveling snow 🙂 🙂
I’m on a tablet to and these virtual keyboards are a pain in the ****….. I spend 5 minutes correctng all the missing letters from my posts… 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
well ime pleased pardew
has said sissoko will start and maybe two more but the kid from nanNancy is one for the future
icedog(Quote)
AMF me too,anyway I often hit the wrong key anyway lol,maybe the sun is in your eyes
icedog(Quote)
Ice 🙂 maybe mat, these 30+ deg days are hard to take mate.. you have to drink ya brews quick or they will get warm 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
he wont start all the new boys ders not a hope. i dont think it would be smart to start them all either ….. say what you will about Jonas but he is a willing runner and helps his full back, and he can get at defenders as well… the player i least want to see is Obertan hes afraid of a tackle wont go up for a header and in the reading game Ian Harte beat him in a foot race !!! not willing to give it blood and guts where Jonas will
Krul
Debuchy – Saylor(mapou after 70min)- Colo – Santon
Anita – Sissoko
Cabaye
Marveaux – Cisse – Jonas
goofy on for marv or jonas on the hour mark to freshen it, get fresh legs willing to run on
John Graham(Quote)
Hope that is true about Sissoko Ice, we need to change things up, we have nothing to lose…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
AMF aye mate. its a def he will start,there is a bit worry on cabaye like but should make it
icedog(Quote)
AMF – We’ve got 3 points to lose.
Pardew will be playing Shola for the full game to make getting just one point difficult.
I get off the reality train when Shola retires.
sidekick(Quote)
@17 we arent allowed play 4-4-3 its would be rather unfair !!!
John Graham(Quote)
Sidekick, we’ve been losing 3 points hand over fist with the cattle we have been fielding to date, as I stated, so what have we go to lose by starting the new guys..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Don’t know why most people have Cabaye playing ahead of Sissiko. Is suppose they can both play the same roles but for me Sissoko should be the man ahead with Cabaye and Anita behind playing the through balls and cleaning up in front of the back four. Sissoko is box to box and will get forward more than Cabaye or Anita naturally would.
JJ(Quote)
SIDEKICK you still swearing,bloody shops you put a shiver down my spine
icedog(Quote)
@Premandup #17 – Think playing those 12 players might give us an advantage, but I suspect the ref will cotton on.
Krul, Debuchy, Colo, Santon, Sissoko, Cabaye, Anita, Cisse & Jonas are pretty much certainties to start, I’d have thought. Not sure how happy I am about Jonas, but I’m trying to predict Pardew’s choice here.
Between Willo/Saylor/Mbiwa (my guess – Willo) for the other CB position and Marv/Gouffran for the remaining outfield place.
blip(Quote)
SHOLA
icedog(Quote)
**** you noticed.
premandup(Quote)
John Graham says:
January 28, 2013 at 14:28
@17 we arent allowed play 4-4-3 its would be rather unfair !!!
We’d prob still lose 😆
Johno Toon(Quote)
@JJ yea Sissoko is box to box meaning he will get from one box to the other alot attack wise and defensively and he is at full fitness Cabaye is not so give Sissoko the loins share of the running…. if Cabaye plays ahead of him(proven AMF in the prem) Sissoko has the freedom to go past him with Anita tucked in beside him…. Have you seen much of Sissoko play ?
John Graham(Quote)
I see Everton to sign FERa canny player but at
8.5mil no thanks
icedog(Quote)
I get the feeling this is going to be one of the worst games of football to watch but we will scrape the win.
Krul
Debuchy Mbiwa Coloccini Santon
Anita Cabaye
Gouffran Sissoko Marveaux/Obertan/Jonas
Cisse
Subbing your CB’s during (unless they are injured) a game is idiotic. I think if Shola starts then Anita wont play and Sissoko will drop back. Hoping for two pacey wingers that cross the ball and not **** around the edge of the box to eventualy lose the ball.
Santii(Quote)
Krul
Debuchy Mbiwa Coloccini Santon
Anita Sissoko
Cabaye
Marveaux/Cisse/Gouffran
Though I suspect Pards will pla Jonas instead Gouffran at least to start.
MDS(Quote)
Sissoko is a must for me, Tiote is away anyway, Perch despite whatever cult hero the fans have made of him is still a very limited player in what he can do and Jonas is a fucking joke wherever he is on the pitch.
Cabaye playing just ahead of Sissoko and Anita is a must. I can see why we might not risk the others-M’biwa as defence is a tricky one where players need to learn each others games in order not to make costly mistakes…Gouffran because, well, we’ll probably play Marv and Shola on the wings… 🙄
Newkie(Quote)
Sissoko has been playing in front of a cdm all season. He is better suited playing on the left of Cabaye with Tiote behind. Obviously with T @ ACON Anita is best there.
Premandup(Quote)
I think Mbwia and Sissoko will start and that will be that IMO, they are both better than what we have at the club and someone will lose out to them. (which is just what we need some better competition) Gouffran won’t be far behind them, maybe he will be a substitute. Hiadara, I don’t think we will see yet until Santon needs a rest, or is unavailable.
DJG(Quote)
Lee Ryder @lee_ryder
AP on further business in transfer window: “It’s never over until it’s over. You can never say never.” #nufc
Lee Ryder @lee_ryder
AP said Sissoko will play at #avfc but has “tough decisions to make” elsewhere #nufc
M(Quote)
for a slightly different interpretation of the same Pardew presser, here’s Mark Douglas of the Journal –
Mark Douglas @MsiDouglas
AP draws a line under incomings… But leaves it a little bit open. ‘Experience w/ Andy Carroll situation means ill never say never’
Mark Douglas @MsiDouglas
AP confirms Sissoko to start v Villa. ‘He’s PL-ready, it’s the signing I’m most excited about’
M(Quote)
Miles Starforth @milesstarforth
All new #nufc signings in squad for #avfc. Sissoko ‘will definitely play’, according to Pardew. Haïdara will travel, but won’t feature.
M(Quote)
M, I am excited about Sissoko as well. He has scored 19 league goals in France so when he says box-to-box I believe him.
DJG(Quote)
guess we’ll see for ourselves tomorrow… allez le toon!
M(Quote)
Team/formation – exactly as TGS has shown.
This is a must win game and therefore we have to go with our strongest 11 players. All of these lads have spoke about wanting to come in and fight for NUFC, to make us a top team again – not sit on the bench and watch the likes of Willo, Jonas and Oba making hard work of it.
Colo and MYM need to get used to working together in a competitive game, as does Anita, Cab and Sissoko as well as Cisse and Gouffran.
With respect to them, were not gonna get a better/easier game to do that anytime soon.
I think we have to be on Villa straight off, they are low on confidence already and if you go a goal up early I can see their youngsters heads dropping. If we score lets go for it, 3-0 would send a message to the teams around us that were up for this.
Sharpy17(Quote)
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-new-boy-sissoko-to-start-against-villa-1-5361003
– more quotes from today’s presser
M(Quote)
Failure tomorrow is not an option. He must start MYM and Sissoko. Both are match fit and ready to go. Willo is not an option and Taylor’s not match fit. I’d also put Goufran in but we’ll see.
At the end of last season, on radio, AP said Shola was the most important player at the club. Maybe because he speaks English.
georgio(Quote)
John Graham,
Ye, seen him play five or six games, so not too much I guess, but from what I’m seen, he likes to run with the ball quite a bit.
For more Cabaye likes to sit deep and pick out passes, as does Anita.
When is why Sissoko’s runnings ability would be a huge asset. It won’t be as useful if he is sitting behind Cabaye. Rather have him ahead causing havoc by running into space drawing defenders off the front men.
He also has the ability to hold the ball up, which would allow the midfield and defence time to push up and would give Cisse the freedom to play near the box where he can be at his best.
Just my opinion mind…
JJ(Quote)
Georgio
Maybe Shola is the most important player because he boosts the other players morale by making them all look like Messi on ******** in comparison to him.
JJ(Quote)
@JJ
If you look at my formation that’s exactly what i had in mind as well Cabaye’s best position is as a deep lying playmaker.
I am not holding my breath for another signing but it would be a lovely surprise if we did get another in.
Anyone think putting Santon on the LW and putting Haidara at LB could work? Worth a thought at least 😀
Santii(Quote)
With the pace in Villa’s forward line, I think we need Mbiwa to start.
Colo is classy but a bit slow, and Saylor is powerful but hardly quicker than Colo, so for me is obvious. Not even considering Williamson.
So
Debuchy Mbiwa Colo Santon
Anita
Cabaye Sissoko
Marvaux Jonas
Cisse
Subs: Elliot, Saylor, Simpson, Haidara, Gouffran, Obertan, Shola.
That’s what I’d expect Pardew to go with. Not necessarily what i would go with.
JJ(Quote)
Santii
Once Haidara is adapted I would definately play him and move Santon up to replace jonas.
JJ(Quote)
I’d go with a back 3 for Villa, one to pick up Benteke (a big lad), bar that, not much more to worry about.. give Cabaye a free roll.give Debuchy and Santon a bit more licence to go forward, with plenty of strength to keep us safe at the back.
……………………………………… Krul……………………………………..
………………. Mbiwa………..Taylor…………. Collocini……………
Debuchy……………..Sissoko……..Anita………………..Santon.
……………………………………Cabaye………………………………….
……………………………Cisse…………Gouffran…………………………
kev(Quote)
JJ-I just think having Sissoko behind Cabaye means we can exploit that running ability even better. You put him a bit behind and give him the ball-he’ll get to the opposition box at the same time Cabaye would allowing Cabaye to pick some space rather than just belting up hell for leather to provide support, if he were behind him. This leaves Anita behind so that, if we push players up but want to play it around their box, Anita can pull the strings for the short passes, which is where I think he is best used.
I do get your point about cabaye picking long range passes tho, he does like that….Still thinking strongest 11 could be cabs and siss ahead of tiote
Newkie(Quote)
Krul
Deb Mbiwa Colo Santoon
Sissoko Anita
Gouffran Cabs Marv
Cisse
Won’t be easy tommorow real 6 pointer ,the pressures well on . Villa have a real threat in Benteke and Gabby ,need to keep them quiet at all cost. Do not wanna see Wilo start will blow a fuse if he does.
KIMTOON(Quote)
@Kev
I love that formation mate. Think that is a really strong looking team aswell. Dont think Pardew will ever go with a formation like that though. Even though it solves a lot of our problems (poor wingers, attacking fulbacks, two up front without the weakness of the 4-4-2).
Santii(Quote)
Looks good Kev but don’t forget Pardew’s the manager and his team will look nothing like that!
georgio(Quote)
Can’t wait for friday so I can turn my calender to february and stop looking at Demba 😉 . I remember I had to look at Carroll all through Feb after we sold him end of Jan 🙄 👿
KIMTOON(Quote)
For me villa are so low on confidence so we need to hit them hard in first 15mins.
Dont let them get there confidence up.
Dunno why gouffran is an auto starter just cant see it.
Krul,
Debuchy, Mbwia (hes a beast has to start, Colo, Santon
Marveaux, Anita, Cabaye, Sisokko, Jonas (Undroppable 😥 )
Cisse
To change things…. Gouffran, obertan, ameobi
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Looking at that we need HBA back we still have few attacking options on the face of it 😕
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
I see Pards has come out and said Colos words were lost in translation in ‘ that ‘ letter. So at least now we know he did write it .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Don’t think the bookies are backing us to win 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Got to agree that they have a lot of threat. Benteke in particular is a beast while Gabby has bunches of pace. That’s why it’s especially important to start MYM. We need a CB with a bit of pace to deal with their threat.
SJP14(Quote)
my team would be;
Krul
Debuchy Mwbia, Colo, Santon
Sissoko, Anita
Goaffran Cabaye Marv
Cisse
However, if Pards doesnt start at least Mwbia and Sissoko he has truly lost the plot, the team has been awful this season
Instructatoon(Quote)
“Is it too risky to put them in from the start in such an important game?” 🙂 We wouldn’t want to spoil anything or upset the rhythm. 😆
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
so Pardew has confirmed that the ‘letter’ was from Colocinni after all. 👿
But had this to say.
“When you interpret from one language to another, while the words can look the same, the interpretation can be slightly different and I think the interpretation of that was slightly lost, if I’m honest.”
“It is his hometown club of course and he has friends and family there. I think he just wanted to say to them – ‘Thank you for your offer of help if I’d needed it’.” Unfortunately for them it hasn’t happened, and fortunately for us he remains Newcastle’s captain and is committed to the cause – make no mistake about that.”
😳 😳
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
well it wasn’t lost in translation to me …”if I’m honest” 👿
Its a fucking disgrace imo.
I hope they fined the **** two weeks wages (lol).
Make no mistake Pardew, he BETTER be committed to the cause.
I’m furious
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
apologies for my use of the f word 😳
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I don’t think it matters if Colo’s words have been lost in translation or not the general tone and the sentiments from it tell me all I need to know to make my mind up that he should be stripped of the armband, I just hope that when his name is called out at Villa no one cheers him and just gives him the silent treatment, much in the same way he has given us 👿
Big Dave(Quote)
Pardew continues:
“He has shown fantastic loyalty to continue playing and see us through to the summer at the very least. It’s a situation, me and Colo have been on a personal journey, to make sure he understands he has a big responsibility here to fans and to families of this club.”
I wont be singing his song no more.
He can do one in the summer for me.
Only at Newcastle like 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
DAVE its actually six months since he spoke to the press (Colo} what you going for on Tues?
icedog(Quote)
aye I’d like to hear some score predictions for tomorrow.
Will Cisse finally find his scoring boots of old ❓
Or will it require a touch of Shola’s ‘class’ in the final 20 mins to save the day. 😛
I want a win, and I dont care how ugly it is.
Just get the effing ball over the line ffs.
0-1 is my prediction.
HTL
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Ice as I said before I think Owen spoke more to the fans when he was captain, the man is a Joke sending his letter of undying love for his san lorenzo family, and the **** didn’t even have the decency to say fuk all to his own clubs supporters . I am going to go for a 2-0 win me old bean 😉
Big Dave(Quote)