Well, based on the competition yesterday, that you can still enter, I think most think this is a win but there is a fair number of you saying it could be a draw and while it is fair to say a point at Stoke would generally be a decent result, you could also say, that at the business end of the season, we really do need three.
Business is business and we are at that part of the season and only three points will see us move up a place in the league today. If we do win and move up the league today it would also be seen as a very big step and will do wonders for the confidence of supporters and no doubt the squad, ahead of a very busy two weeks.
News
But, before we get to the match, we've got a little bit of news. Martin O'Neill has spoken of his hope that Gabby and Webcam don't give up on their chances to get into the England squad for the World Cup in South Africa. I have a feeling that Gabby might get picked, but I'm not sure Webcam will - although both have a number of games left to make an impression and anything can happen.
In other news; Nigel Reo-Coker is back training. It is just light running, but he is back and well, there is every chance we will see him on the bench and making five or ten minute appearances before the end of the season.
News and Speculation Links
- O'Neill understands why Habib Beye spoke out - Link
- Martin O'Neill apparently keeping an eye on Manchester United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak - Link
New Aston Villa site
In site news, we have a new site launching next week or the week after - it is basically an extension to what we do with the site for Aston Villa desktop wallpapers - rather than having wallpapers on this site, we put it on another. The new site launching next week will focus very much on websites associated with Aston Villa - so if you have an Aston Villa website and you would like it featured - and it can be loosely linked to the club, then click the contact link above and email me the URL and a logo and we will do our best to get it up.
Aston Villa live
Away from news and to the match. We will be doing updates here all day and on Twitter here for those on the road or who prefer it that way and we will try to do the same on both but it won't happen like that.
As soon as we get team news we will update and at kick off, there will be updates happening on a very regular basis, so bookmark or come back later.
John Carew goal against Stoke
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Betting
I've just noticed this, but you'll get 13/10 on Villa today at Paddypower - it is a decent price. I'm not having it personally, as I've decided to not bet on matches with Villa playing again, but it is a good price if you are that way inclined.
For now, I'm going to sit back with Sky Sports and read the papers and hope that my beer arrives in time. I'm sure it will.