[Archived] Rovers vs Aston Villa preview

[philipl]

No Lowe or Givet available. A lot hangs on whether Agbonlahor plays as he could have too much pace for our defence. Villa have an excellent away record.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

However looking across our team... you have to ask the question who is actually in form at the moment? Yak, Robinson. Um, that's about it.

I actually think that Hanley is in good form - which made it the more surprising when he was dropped for Dann recently. Nzonzi has been playing quite well recently. Other than that - I agree - some players show fleeting glimpses of what they can do (Hoilett, Olsson, Formica) - but on the whole most players are playing at best below average.

Personally wouldn't like to call this match - we desperately need Hoilett to put in a performance. If he can put in 6 good performances between now and the end of the season it could make all the difference.

[colin]

Great read, thanks.

[alexanders]

Well win! Villa are poor. 3-2

[John Howarth]

Best referee in the country is in charge: Howard Webb

[Josh]

Best referee in the country is in charge: Howard Webb

I hope that is sarcasm

[Sparky Marky]

I actually think that Hanley is in good form

This is a joke right?....So so poor....Id rather he played nzonzi there.

[old darwen blue]

Best referee in the country is in charge: Howard Webb

Is he not turning out for Man u that day like he usually does?

[Mattyblue]

Now now, he's a Rotherham fan... and nothing else

[Clitherover]

This is a joke right?....So so poor....Id rather he played nzonzi there.

You've really got it in for poor Hanley haven't you?, I can name two defenders that have been much poorer than him this season in Dann and Orr.

[joey_big_nose]

No Lowe or Givet available. A lot hangs on whether Agbonlahor plays as he could have too much pace for our defence. Villa have an excellent away record.

Really, I thought the bald one said Givet and Lowe are coming back?!

"

We have no injuries today and got a couple coming back, Gael Givet and Jason Lowe from suspension, so fingers crossed lads come back from international duty fresh and fit to play.

"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17093495

If they are not fit we are a bit fooked.

Nzonzi should start if available. Why did he not play against City?

[LeChuck]

Really, I thought the bald one said Givet and Lowe are coming back?!

"

We have no injuries today and got a couple coming back, Gael Givet and Jason Lowe from suspension, so fingers crossed lads come back from international duty fresh and fit to play.

"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17093495

If they are not fit we are a bit fooked.

Lowe's suspension was two games because it was his tenth booking of the season, and surely Givet will have got three games for his two-footed challenge.

No idea what Kean is on about!

[Daniel Louis Grabko (Dan)]

Lowe's suspension was two games because it was his tenth booking of the season, and surely Givet will have got three games for his two-footed challenge.

No idea what Kean is on about!

Exactly, LeChuck! Very odd statements. Lowe and Givet are definitely not available according to my calculations...

[Mercer]

See that Yak started this afternoon for Nigeria - 0-0 at half time and resumes @ 2.45 pm UK time.

Rwanda & Nigeria are a couple of hours ahead of UK.

Faces a six hour flight back to UK so at least not as bad as what Nelsen / Emerton used to suffer.

[arbitro]

You've really got it in for poor Hanley haven't you?, I can name two defenders that have been much poorer than him this season in Dann and Orr.

Got it in for Hanley, Orr has played two and a half games ffs. I feel another Keith Andrews in the making here.

[Clitherover]

Got it in for Hanley, Orr has played two and a half games ffs. I feel another Keith Andrews in the making here.

No, you're completely right, he'll be an absolute blinder, signing of the season no doubt...

[arbitro]

No, you're completely right, he'll be an absolute blinder, signing of the season no doubt...

Nothing like giving somebody a chance eh? How long before you boo him?

[Clitherover]

Nothing like giving somebody a chance eh? How long before you boo him?

I never booed Andrews to be honest mate, I thought it was quite embarrassing when people did.

You are right, every player does deserve a chance but from what I've seen of Orr so far he'd struggle to get a place in a Championship side. We may well end up using him as a scapegoat if/when we end up getting relegated but he epitomizes everything that's wrong with this club at the moment.

[Tom]

I was discussing with a Villa fan on another site how bad a game it would be and if it was a good game we should change our avatars to Kean / McCleish hybrids, they will now haunt my dreams:

[Mercer]

I was discussing with a Villa fan on another site how bad a game it would be and if it was a good game we should change our avatars to Kean / McCleish hybrids, they will now haunt my dreams:

Uncanny !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[colin]

Tom,

That is not only uncanny, it also deeply disturbing. I'm going to have a very poor night's sleep. Please don't ever do anything like that again. *shudder*

[walk down bolton road]

I was discussing with a Villa fan on another site how bad a game it would be and if it was a good game we should change our avatars to Kean / McCleish hybrids, they will now haunt my dreams:

The Kean hybrid looks like something from the film THE HILLS HAVE EYES.

[waggy]

we will win this game 3-1

[Rovers_Dan]

I'm really feeling a 2-2 draw here. Both times battling for points.

This is the type of game where I would really like Formica to step up his game and impose himself on it.

Villa are bobbins and someone like him could really open them up a bit. Heres hoping!!

[m1st]

I nearly sh4t myself when I saw those two photos. Talk aboot,"Dinnae mess wi' me, laddy!"

Magnificent preview, Beta Ray; the funniest, most up-lifting one I've read in ages.

It, and the banter which followed, [almost] got me back to being a glass-half-full fan. I'd love to think we could get the three points on Saturday and we might never have a better chance with all of Villa's injury list. The problem may be another Rovers' old boy I don't think we've mentioned in this thread: Shay Given.

Even so, I'm going for a win by the odd goal in 3, thereby starting our late dramatic push for the European qualification place the Raos promised us by lifting us to the rarified heights of 16th in the table [bolton to lose (heavily, please!) @ Citeh; QPR to draw at home to Everton; Wigan & Swansea to draw; then, on Sunday, Fulham to beat Wolves].