Peter Griffin

But Gerrard knows all about them so we will be prepared. Pep hasn't a clue who Chuk or Davis are so we have the element of surprise

I like when our manager is not Mr Nice Guy. I really want Gerrard to develop a ruthless reputation

Jack's shins

Gerrard will be keeping their heads on the ground and won't be allowing Buendia and Bailey do too much showboating. He will keep the exhibition stuff till we are higher up the table. Tonight will be a good professional performance so no exhibition match unfortunately

Will needs to go to a game against a lower team or a game with less importance. He is currently a fair weather fan only rocking up for the big games. I think he would fall into Roy Keane's Prawn Sandwich cohort

Maybe another thing Gerrard will say is private and he is not going to tell us what is going on.

Didn't we just end Palace's unbeaten run of I believe 7 games?

I hope you win that bet.

Some clubs in worse off positions to us may understandably feel that Villa is doing exactly the same thing, we just haven't hit their spending numbers (yet) but we have only been at it 3 years.

Don't rule out a straight Red, that gives Christmas and New Year off

Surely it will have to be 'The Stevie G End'

Is the thrill of being a football fan not winning games when u are the underdog. I had no excitement for the Barrow game earlier in the season and I didn't even get too worked up when Archer scored a hattrick. Yet, from the moment Barrow drew us their entire fan base with uber excited. Their forum was crazy busy and the fans just couldn't wait for game day. We are playing one of the best teams in world football tonight. Yes, I expect to lose but I am really excited to see how we perform against them and I expect, like most Villa fans, there is something inside me that suggests we can nick a draw or even a win. Its great to be a Villa fan today. Lots of exciting things happening at the club and a great game in prospect. UTV

I don't think any loss to City is a reality check. They are amongst the top few club teams in World football. Nobody should be naive enough to think that beating Brighton and Palace means we are suddenly competing with Man City.

I am really looking forward to this evening. I expect a loss but there is part of me that thinks we can nick something from the game. IMO, The exciting part of tonight is how we we play and our approach to the game. We have had 2 excellent results and there are lots of positive signs about Gerrard's reign. Tonight is an opportunity to show the fans just how much we have changed and the direction we are heading. If Gerrard is able to take this opportunity it will bode well and get fans behind him

Why?

Newcastle, Norwich, Watford are my favourites for the drop. Burnley have proven year after year that they can grind out results and they are doing so this year too and they do have some games in hand over those at the bottom. I think Leeds are simply too strong to go down. The brand of football Bielsa plays will also get them a good few wins, lots of losses too but the wins should be enough to see them safe. Saints and Everton are fluttering with a relegation scrap but, again I think they will be too strong to go down. Brentford and Palace may get dragged into the battle and particularly Brentford, they will be in the mix come April / May imo

We averaged 1.1 points per game between Jan 2021 and Nov 2021. You are correct, we weren't suddenly a squad starting relegation in the face, we had relegation form for the best part of a year

I believe he was only at Liverpool (as a coach) from the start of 2017 until he got the Rangers job in April 2018. Initially, he was youth coach and then became u18 coach in April 2017.

And they have City, Utd, Liverpool, Leicester and Everton in Dec (not in that order)

I am hoping to see a few absolutely world class players (from about 15 years ago) sign in Jan. A couple of 34/35 year olds on 250k a week and 2 year contracts

Not half as much as they are costing Norwich and Palace

I am inclined to agree. They do look poor. That said, Cantwell and Rashica are probably their two best (only) creative players

I can't see Burnley losing to Newcastle, they are way to savvy for that. I expect 3 points to the Claret & Blue team

I think that requires a plan B, I am not sure he knows what a plan B is

I assume Newcastle will try and buy their way to survival in Jan. I am looking forward to seeing the ageing, overpaid journeymen they bring in. I am sure they will love the Championship