Barrow v Aston Villa

[Agbonlahorous Rex]

Hi chaps. Villa fan checking in here (feel free to delete if this isn’t allowed). What should we expect from your team tomorrow night then? Any predictions? For reasons I’m still not sure of, I’ve kept a keen eye on your results since getting promoted from the National League a couple of seasons ago, so glad we’ve been drawn together!

Not sure what team we’ll put out if I’m honest. We’ve had a bit of a disruptive pre-season, with cancelled friendlies, injuries, players coming back at staggered times, the Grealish saga etc, and we’ve been nowhere near full fitness/our best in the two games so far. With that in mind, I’m not sure whether Smith will go heavy with the first-teamers to give them some minutes and bring them up to speed, or whether it’ll be reserves/youth.

If I had to hazard a guess at the team tomorrow, I’d go something like this: Steer; Guilbert*, Konsa, Hause, Targett; Nakamba, J. Ramsey**; Buendia, Chukwuemeka, JPB; Wesley.

*Maybe swap for Cash.
**Maybe swap for Hourihane.

I’ve seen us beaten by lower league teams far too many times to mention in the past, so I’m not taking anything for granted – either way, I’m looking forward to the match. Best of luck for the season ahead too (well, after 9.30pm tomorrow night anyway!).

[VillaFan]

Hi chaps. Villa fan checking in here (feel free to delete if this isn’t allowed). What should we expect from your team tomorrow night then? Any predictions? For reasons I’m still not sure of, I’ve kept a keen eye on your results since getting promoted from the National League a couple of seasons ago, so glad we’ve been drawn together!

Not sure what team we’ll put out if I’m honest. We’ve had a bit of a disruptive pre-season, with cancelled friendlies, injuries, players coming back at staggered times, the Grealish saga etc, and we’ve been nowhere near full fitness/our best in the two games so far. With that in mind, I’m not sure whether Smith will go heavy with the first-teamers to give them some minutes and bring them up to speed, or whether it’ll be reserves/youth.

If I had to hazard a guess at the team tomorrow, I’d go something like this: Steer; Guilbert*, Konsa, Hause, Targett; Nakamba, J. Ramsey**; Buendia, Chukwuemeka, JPB; Wesley.

*Maybe swap for Cash.
**Maybe swap for Hourihane.

I’ve seen us beaten by lower league teams far too many times to mention in the past, so I’m not taking anything for granted – either way, I’m looking forward to the match. Best of luck for the season ahead too (well, after 9.30pm tomorrow night anyway!).

I think that team will be quite close. I would definitely say Guilbert should start ahead of Cash and Hourihane ahead of Ramsey. However, I think Bailey will get a look in tomorrow too.

[John_Bucks]

Should Leon Bailey play tonight will he be the most expensive player to step onto the hallowed turf?

[Big E]

Hi chaps. Villa fan checking in here (feel free to delete if this isn’t allowed). What should we expect from your team tomorrow night then? Any predictions? For reasons I’m still not sure of, I’ve kept a keen eye on your results since getting promoted from the National League a couple of seasons ago, so glad we’ve been drawn together!

Not sure what team we’ll put out if I’m honest. We’ve had a bit of a disruptive pre-season, with cancelled friendlies, injuries, players coming back at staggered times, the Grealish saga etc, and we’ve been nowhere near full fitness/our best in the two games so far. With that in mind, I’m not sure whether Smith will go heavy with the first-teamers to give them some minutes and bring them up to speed, or whether it’ll be reserves/youth.

If I had to hazard a guess at the team tomorrow, I’d go something like this: Steer; Guilbert*, Konsa, Hause, Targett; Nakamba, J. Ramsey**; Buendia, Chukwuemeka, JPB; Wesley.

*Maybe swap for Cash.
**Maybe swap for Hourihane.

I’ve seen us beaten by lower league teams far too many times to mention in the past, so I’m not taking anything for granted – either way, I’m looking forward to the match. Best of luck for the season ahead too (well, after 9.30pm tomorrow night anyway!).

Cooper likes to play football with a energy, whether he goes the same way tonight, who knows. I'd like to see us have a go from the off. Holker St is only a small ground, but can get raucous if the home crowd get ignited. Weather looks set fair, so should be a cracking night. Been too long since the old girl has been packed.

[peter w]

another Villa fan...I don't think it will be as youthful a team - or more accurately, inexperienced - than many think. Over the last couple of season we've played lower league teams and still put out a fairly strong first 11. Don't forget, we want to progress too. So, whilst there will be changes from the usual first 11 I doubt it will be the whole first team

Steer

Tuanzebe
Hause
Mings (c)
Targett

Luiz
Hourihane
Chukwuemeka

Philiogene-Bidace
Wesley
Bailey (if not fit - Buendia)

[Bombadel]

another Villa fan...I don't think it will be as youthful a team - or more accurately, inexperienced - than many think. Over the last couple of season we've played lower league teams and still put out a fairly strong first 11. Don't forget, we want to progress too. So, whilst there will be changes from the usual first 11 I doubt it will be the whole first team

Steer

Tuanzebe
Hause
Mings (c)
Targett

Luiz
Hourihane
Chukwuemeka

Philiogene-Bidace
Wesley
Bailey (if not fit - Buendia)

Read on a Villa forum that they shouldn’t risk Bailey on a “league 2 pitch, as risk of injury” sure Dean smith is already aware, but the whole pitch has been re-surfaced this year using laser projection, groundsmen does an excellent job and it’s currently like a carpet.

Hope it’s a great game, atmosphere is gonna be electric.

[blumooncrab]

Pies
I’m familiar with Greens and Delish pies but not Browns . Can someone enlighten me ??

[Hitthebar22]

Pies
I’m familiar with Greens and Delish pies but not Browns . Can someone enlighten me ??

Me too please. Delish were; the one I had from the Morecambe outfit was dire, and won’t be having another.

[peter w]

another Villa fan...I don't think it will be as youthful a team - or more accurately, inexperienced - than many think. Over the last couple of season we've played lower league teams and still put out a fairly strong first 11. Don't forget, we want to progress too. So, whilst there will be changes from the usual first 11 I doubt it will be the whole first team

Steer

Tuanzebe
Hause
Mings (c)
Targett

Luiz
Hourihane
Chukwuemeka

Philiogene-Bidace
Wesley
Bailey (if not fit - Buendia)

Read on a Villa forum that they shouldn’t risk Bailey on a “league 2 pitch, as risk of injury” sure Dean smith is already aware, but the whole pitch has been re-surfaced this year using laser projection, groundsmen does an excellent job and it’s currently like a carpet.

Hope it’s a great game, atmosphere is gonna be electric.

If this game was 15 or so games into the season then maybe - but given most if all pitches will have hardly been used we can't use that as an excuse. Unless you win of course. Then it was a scandalous decision to play on that mud heap. I'm not totally convinced on starting Bailey - depends on what the injury was. If a hamstring tweak then just leave it for a week or two. If nothing major then okay (but if you can't play a premier League game on a Saturday because of a training injury on the Friday, it'll be a surprise to be okay on a Tuesday).

As for the game - the atmosphere will be great. You'' throw everything at us early doors you'd have thought so if we win the toss I hope we kick off just to get a feel for the ball before you try and tear into us. If you go a goal up it'll be a good test for us (and one we probably need rather than us going 1 up), after our very disjointed pre-season for the may reasons already highlighted.

[Hadrian]

Pies
I’m familiar with Greens and Delish pies but not Browns . Can someone enlighten me ??

Me neither.

Browns Farm Shop, Lindal, perhaps?

[Adam29]

It is browns in Lindal

[Desmond2-2]

It’s an honour to welcome such a distinguished club to Holker street, great club with fantastic support. Unfortunately we only have the bare bones to select from due to numerous injuries, hopefully those selected will perform well. Weather is gonna be beautiful, let’s hope for the same on the pitch in front of the sky cameras and talkSPORT presenters. Safe trip to all the Villa supporters .

[Bacon Bun]

Pies
I’m familiar with Greens and Delish pies but not Browns . Can someone enlighten me ??

Greens used to be my favourite pies, that was until I started going to Browns on a Saturday morning. Got given a chicken and ham by mistake there once. It's my new favourite now.....mmmmmmm

[whitty1969]

Yep, there decent.

[VillaFan]

Hi chaps. Villa fan checking in here (feel free to delete if this isn’t allowed). What should we expect from your team tomorrow night then? Any predictions? For reasons I’m still not sure of, I’ve kept a keen eye on your results since getting promoted from the National League a couple of seasons ago, so glad we’ve been drawn together!

Not sure what team we’ll put out if I’m honest. We’ve had a bit of a disruptive pre-season, with cancelled friendlies, injuries, players coming back at staggered times, the Grealish saga etc, and we’ve been nowhere near full fitness/our best in the two games so far. With that in mind, I’m not sure whether Smith will go heavy with the first-teamers to give them some minutes and bring them up to speed, or whether it’ll be reserves/youth.

If I had to hazard a guess at the team tomorrow, I’d go something like this: Steer; Guilbert*, Konsa, Hause, Targett; Nakamba, J. Ramsey**; Buendia, Chukwuemeka, JPB; Wesley.

*Maybe swap for Cash.
**Maybe swap for Hourihane.

I’ve seen us beaten by lower league teams far too many times to mention in the past, so I’m not taking anything for granted – either way, I’m looking forward to the match. Best of luck for the season ahead too (well, after 9.30pm tomorrow night anyway!).

Cooper likes to play football with a energy, whether he goes the same way tonight, who knows. I'd like to see us have a go from the off. Holker St is only a small ground, but can get raucous if the home crowd get ignited. Weather looks set fair, so should be a cracking night. Been too long since the old girl has been packed.

If the home fans get raucous before kickoff and create an intimidating atmosphere it could turn out to be a brilliant night. Even though I am a Villa fan, I really hope Barrow start on the front foot and make it look like they don't care they are playing Premier League opposition. These sort of games can bring back the feeling of what football is all about