*** Official Match Thread: Villa Home ***

[King Kev]

I'm sorry, I know there's 3 hours to go but I'm getting giddy with excitement!

[Esky]

Nervous as great mother fuck. Definitely one of the biggest weeks in a very long time.

[MaineRoadMemories]

Setting off in an hour. A mix of excitement and nervousness.

Today is the day we find out the answer to the sticky thread. [highlight]Is Mancini THE man?[/highlight] I really hope so.

[Beefymcfc]

Thank fuck for that!

.........you saw me standing alone...

.........best team in the land and all the world...

............walking down the Maine Road...

And, I'm going for a Chesea'esk 7 goaler from our lads, Bellers, Carlos and Ade!!!

Come On City!!!

PS. Can we have another Star, then it'll be the dogs ;-)

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I've got a REALLY bad feeling about this one. Villa's style of play don't suit us AT ALL. They have densive line sitting dep all the time with no space behind them and they hoof long balls which we have problems dealing with. Hopefully Vieira starts ove De Jong as we need to win headers in midfield.

[brite blu sky]

i dont care if this turns out to be a bit indecisive on the Mancini the man question.. as long as we win it im happy to see this as some more serious training for the Spuds game..

feel more relaxed than i did before the Chelsea game.. just going to enjoy this one.
time to go to the pub soon though.

[Beefymcfc]

Anyone hazarding a guess at the team?

[Abu Dhabi]

I have to admit. Yesterday I had a look at the fixtures to see kick off times of games we are concerned about.
Found ours and spuds but took a while going up and down the fixtures looking for Villa's until I realized.. oh shit we are playing them!
This game is massive!

[Beefymcfc]

Setting off soon so just to say, 'May this board be a happy place when I get back in'.

Oh, and good luck to Bolton, hopefully Vlad has had a word with the lads to give it their all.

...walking down the Maine Road.......

[fees]

I have been out and about wearing my Given shirt that Shay gave me when City came out to SA. Today has felt like derby day and a cup final day rolled into one. I wish i was there, watching it at a mates house on TV while the rest of his guests celebrate hi birthday somewhere else in the house.

Wednesday I am watching the Spuds game with a few Spuds fans. That is also going to be edge of the seat stuff.

[King Kev]

Anyone hazarding a guess at the team?

I just wish we had Vassell in the team.

[Esky]

Anyone hazarding a guess at the team?

I just wish we had Vassell in the team.

As close to a sure thing as I've ever seen.

I've got a REALLY bad feeling about this one. Villa's style of play don't suit us AT ALL. They have densive line sitting dep all the time with no space behind them and they hoof long balls which we have problems dealing with. Hopefully Vieira starts ove De Jong as we need to win headers in midfield.

All depends whether they bring Reo-Coker back in (or Sidwell at a stretch) and play 4-5-1 rather than 4-4-2. Would think Vieira will start in place of Barry in truth.

Cuellar and Warnock are defensively solid but offer little to nothing coming forward. As you say we're not likely to get in behind them which might nullify Bellers a little bit. Either way, we need to keep it on the floor.

[PaulieIrish]

Oh plz plz not Vieira....

[Esky]

Oh plz plz not Vieira....

Barry's 50/50 and could well do another Invisible Man impression if booed again. Unless Zaba plays in the middle I think we'll see Vieira today.

[MaineRoadMemories]

Just pray we don't play one up front ourselves. Tevez looks lost as a lone front man.

[Green & Blue]

As a big a game as we have had in a very long time considering whats at stake.Anxious wait now until kick off.
Hope Mancini sends them out to go for it from the start.Dont want to see city sitting back soaking up pressure and looking to break,just go all out today lads.

Come on city.

[Tony P]

Team news, quite attacking:

Fulop

Lee Goater Rosler Anelka Tevez Bellamy Ade Brook Vass Dickov




Should score some goals.

[Tokyo Blue]

Come on, City.

[french_tony]

Team news, quite attacking:

Fulop

Lee Goater Rosler Anelka Tevez Bellamy Ade Brook Vass Dickov




Should score some goals.

Not Vassell on the left again

[Renato_CTID]

Wish I would be there at Eastlands to support our beloved Blues! Maybe it should be the most important game of City long history, won't be able to think what a game would be this!!!