
Follow us on Twitter @claretandview // Words by Harry Trend (@HazaTrand)
Villa play their third game in a week today against Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough.
To get the lowdown on the Boro, I’ve asked, Josh (@true_smoggie) a 19 year old born and bred Boro fan who has been supporting the club since the days of McClaren and his umbrella.
What league position would represent a good season for Middlesbrough?
With the season we’ve had up to now and recent changes I think we are all expecting to push up into the play-offs, I would be looking for at least 4th this season, if not higher.
Which Boro players should Villa be wary of?
Downing seems to be returning to form in recent games, especially against Sheffield Wednesday, taking men on like he used to and looking like a creative spark.
Do Middlesbrough need to strengthen in January? If so where?
The transfer budget seemed to go out of the window during the summer, so it’ll be interesting to see if Gibson gives Pulis anywhere near the same amount of funding. I don’t see any need for bringing anyone in, we just need the team to be inspired again, something that Monk failed to do.
If you could, which past Boro player would you bring into the starting XI?
He wasn’t there for long but I remember watching Bolo Zenden when I was younger, he was a real fan favourite and scored a couple of important goals.
If you were Tony Pulis and had to sign one Aston Villa player for the Boro, who would it be?
Albert Adomah. Didn’t like how we let him go, still think we should’ve given him a chance in the Premier League. Now he’s scoring for fun for you lot.
Is Pulis the right man to take you forward, or would you have preferred someone else?
Pulis is definitely the right man for Boro. He may not play pretty football, but his style is direct and physical, under Monk sometimes we were let down by sloppy mistakes and not taking the game to our opponent. Top appointment by Gibbo.
Score prediction for today?
3-1 Boro. All the best for the season. #UTB