The Barclays Premier League Thread 2013/14

[Nerf]

Still seems harsh considering he had a very good first season, definitely deserved longer. I mean, it's obvious his side have lacked someone as powerful as Lukaku up top. But, still, seems harsh.

In many ways, I think he was a victim of his own success. Massively overachieved in his first year and failed to live up to it. I'd take him back as a defensive coach in a heartbeat though.

[Lineker]

Aston Villa make four changes from the defeat by Fulham last week. Right-back Matthew Lowton, left-back Antonio Luna, midfielder Yacouba Sylla and winger Marc Albrighton come into the side. Manchester United also make four changes from their win over Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek. Left-back Patrice Evra, winger Antonio Valencia, midfielder Tom Cleverley and striker Danny Welbeck return to the side. Midfielder Darren Fletcher has not played since Boxing Day last year but is on the bench.

Aston Villa XI: Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Baker, Luna, Westwood, El Ahmadi, Sylla, Albrighton, Agbonlahor, Benteke.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Rafael, Jones, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Cleverley, Giggs, Januzaj; Rooney, Welbeck.

Norwich manager Chris Hughton names the same side that won 2-0 at West Brom last time out. Michael Laudrup makes three changes to the Swansea team that drew 1-1 with Hull in their last Premier League match, with Michel Vorm, Angel Rangel and Jordi Amat coming back into the side. Michu starts in attack and Wilfried Bony, who started the 1-0 defeat at St Gallen, returns to the bench. There are only three survivors from the team that played on Thursday.

Norwich XI: Ruddy, Whittaker, Bassong, Turner, Olsson, Howson, Johnson, Fer, Redmond, Elmander, Hooper.

Swansea XI: Vorm, Rangel, Amat, Williams, Ben Davies, Dyer, Shelvey, de Guzman, Canas, Hernandez, Michu.

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

Big injuries for us. Van Persie, Kagawa, Hernandez and Nani all missing, among the obvious one's of Carrick and Fellaini who are still out.

Darren Fletcher incredibly returns and is on the bench, first time in the squad since 23rd December last year.

Edited December 15, 2013 by JohnnyPerfect

[Baddar]

[Cymbols]

1-0 United. Against the run of play. Albrighton has been very lively though.

[Jimmy]

Really looks like Januzaj wasn't a one hit wonder. Scary to think how good he could be.

And oh that's 2. All looks far too easy.

[Baddar]

[Matt]

I take back all the times I've taken the piss out of Danny Welbeck

[Sam]

Nice start.

[Starvinho]

Welbeck for England!

[Sam]

Can't tell if Villa are awful or if we are great today, best we've played in a long time going forward.

[Baddar]

Welbeck for England!

It really is about time he put a goalscoring performance in. Running only gets you so far as a striker.

[Sam]

Welbeck rarely plays as a striker though, bit like Jones in that he should be left to play in his best position rather than all over the field.

[Starvinho]

Nearly a hat-trick there! Welbeck should get a good run of games with RVP out, if he can perform like this every week he should turn a few fan's opinions of him back to the positve.

[MDK]

Villa, you let Welbeck score two against you. Why? Do you have no shame?

[Baddar]

Welbeck rarely plays as a striker though, bit like Jones in that he should be left to play in his best position rather than all over the field.

But when he has, he's either been wasteful or drifted out wide. He's put himself in the width of the posts twice today and reaped the rewards.

[Starvinho]

We're playing well, but Rooney is having a bit of a shocker.

[Starvinho]

Silly Evra.

[MDK]

Silly Evra.

He is always like this. Evra game is the same with him, tsk.

[Lineker]

Swansea goalscorer Nathan Dyer has been stretchered off with an oxygen tube after what was apparently a horror tackle from Sebastian Bassong.