Both Villa and Palace will be feeling positive going into their weekend clash. Villa picked up their first 3 points at home to Everton and Palace on the back of their encouraging draw at Anfield.
Ahead of our first Saturday kick off of the season I checked in with Dave Beeston from The Villa YamYam (it’s a Midlands thing!) to get an inside track on how Villa fans are feeling ahead of our clash…
Q – So Dave, how are you feeling about the season so far? A win and a loss seem par perhaps? But is there a sense that Gerrard is still finding his best 11?
Dave – It should have been two games won in all honesty. Stevie does tend to favour his favourite players in Big Phil and McGinn. To say the side has hardly changed and he still doesn’t know who is best side is, is a bit concerning to say the least.
TEB – I just hope it doesn’t lead to extra motivation for Buendia and Watkins to cause havoc!
Q – What’s your ambition for the season? Hopes and fears?
Dave – You would have hoped for top ten and pushing for Europe to start with. But with our signings and the potential for a couple of players more, you need to target the top eight at least.
TEB – I wonder what Palace fans think our ambition is? For me it’s top ten with a good cup run, but in reality, being safe while we continue to evolve our style and squad seem realistic targets.
Q – Which player are you most excited to see?
Dave – The young lads have caught everyone’s eye. Ramsey and Archer are two amazing talents who were exciting to watch during pre-season.
Q- Who would be your dream signing for Villa before the window shuts?
Dave – Messi! I’m joking of course, it’s a number eight and a striker. So, Conor Gallagher and Jonathan David would be my shouts.
TEB – A few Eagles are still thinking we will get CG back before the window shuts…
Q- What’s your perspective on Palace this season? One of your competitors for kicking on into the top 10?
Dave – Palace have some great talent I’d gladly have at Villa. Patrick is also a decent young manager, but I do think the Eagles are a bit hit and miss at times, like Villa, you don’t know what is going to happen during the 90 minutes of each match.
TEB – hmmm I could be wrong, I feel Palace’s results are a bit hit and miss but in general the performances have been good and getting better… but then I would say that!
Q – To the match on Saturday, where do you think it will be won or lost?
Dave – I’m going 2-1 Villa. If Watkins and Ings can get firing again and Buendia comes off the bench, I think we just have the slight edge over a talented Palace side.
TEB – From a Palace perspective, it’ll be interesting if we stay with the five at the back to counter Villa’s likely two strikers, and whether Chris Richard’s starts as he did so well off the bench at Liverpool. Be great to see Olise get at least a half too!
