Aston Villa (A) - Wed 6th Dec, 20:15 | PL | Pre Match Thread

[Eoiyflem]

Cobblers. Spurs just came to us with something like half their 1st XI crocked. We need to face this with BELIEF and NO READY MADE EXCUSES - that's for Rags fans

I'm not looking for "excuses", I'm explaining why I think we're in trouble on Wednesday.

As you said, we were a shambles at the back against spurs missing 9 players.

From that line up we have now also lost rodri, doku and grealish.

That is why I don't see us winning. It's not an excuse, it's an opinion

 

[St.Pauli support]

They have us in the ropes. Let's see what these gentlemen have in their locker... All is allowed vs us because we are on 115 unproven charges, and most football fans have thrown fair play and the integrity of the game over board when it comes to City.
Next obvious treatment incoming...

Referee: John Brooks
Assistants: Lee Betts, Akil Howson.
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor.
VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.

 

[Odd socks]

I think it will be different from what we're used to, I often think that we work harder than the opposition keeping possession.. Walker for example bombs down the outside but we spread it back across the middle so working hard for nothing.
Teams used to work hard against us but now they just work the last third creating a block which isn't as hard as running up and down end to end.
We keep getting mugged because forwards are fresh compared to our defence who are having to create the overlap.
I hope we might be surprised with an open end to end game, we have world class players who may just enjoy a good old fashion game.
Still positive and confident we will bag all 3 points.

 

[St.Pauli support]

Wow genuinely can't remember the last time Bluemoon voted us to lose a game

Maybe some have swallowed the bitter experience:
no Rodri no points...

We have to defend better as a team, all 11, esp. in the dying minutes. We had 3 lessons and still don't fight to get the win over the line. That's not enough this way!

Our mid is SOOOO lightweight with Phil, Bernie, Lewis, Julian and it's so important that they get BEHIND the opponents on the way back ASAP. Our defence is exposed that way as is Rodri and consequently both look so poor.

Compact mid, compact team. If we only had some energy from the bench, we are bare to our bones it feels.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

This is what I've missed these last 10 or so years, us being the underdog going into matches.

Can't wait for Wednesday and that familiar feeling of yesteryear.

Memories of being underdogs at Villa Park.. April 1990..Villa top of the league and City bottom 6 I think..all odds Home win..They score 1st but Mark Ward pile driver from distance and Peter Reid from 4 yards after David White hits the post...Happy days.

 

[Legal Alien]

We can't afford to lose this one, so I think we should start with a defensive mindset, using the four CH system we used last season and a compact, workman-like midfield.
We sacrifice a lot of creativity, but we'll always carry a threat with Erling playing.

.................Ederson..............
Akanji...Stones...Dias...Ake
.................Phillips................
.........Lewis.......Kovacic......
Bernardo..............Foden.....
................Haaland...............

2-1 to us.

 

[Gray]

More than 50% voting against a win.

I make that a spot on choice, seen nothing recently to think we will suddenly become watertight at the back and put away the chances we create.

 

[Gray]

We sacrifice a lot of creativity, but we'll always carry a threat with Erling playing.

That miss of his with an open goal in the first half on Sunday was an absolute shocker.

 

[Legal Alien]

That miss of his with an open goal in the first half on Sunday was an absolute shocker.

Yeah, i was up already thinking it was in, as soon as he got the ball.

He was well pissed off at the end, so i think he'll be raring to go on Wednesday.

 

[Gabriel]

We should be three points clear of Arsenal but have let 6 points slip through our fingers and instead sit 3 points behind. RB Leipzig collapsed physically and we picked them off, but domestic teams are much fitter, more ruthless, and capable of plugging away until the end, Villa will be no different. We either score our first 2-3 chances and hope that the defence holds, or we strap in for another bumpy ride. Brace, brace, brace...

 

[WEMBLEY76]

Will be a very tough game, their home record is all wins this season.

 

[Fordyboy46]

Will be a very tough game, their home record is all wins this season.

Really can't see us getting anything with a threadbare squad, and the likes of Lewis(who is excellent) and Kovacic potentially starting, and Phillip's must be very close. I think Villa will just cut through us with ease

 

[alexmcity]

If Doku isn't ready, then who's going to play on the wings? I guess Lewis on the right and Foden on the left.

 

[Keeper!]

If Doku isn't ready, then who's going to play on the wings? I guess Lewis on the right and Foden on the left.

Time to give Bobb a game, we could do far worse.

 

[I'm not really here]

Will be very happy with point at villa park with the way they're playing.

Think 3-1 Villa unfortunately

Hope I'm wrong though

 

[CityPar]

No Rodri. No Grealish. Probably no Doku. No real width in the side. Defence is at 6s and 7s right now. And Villas home record is perfect. I think it's safe to say if we come away with anything it's a bonus. I just don't think we've clicked this season yet and with everyone else upping their game I think we will struggle to retain the title. That said it's still early days so it's far from over yet.

 

[super_city_si]

We should be three points clear of Arsenal but have let 6 points slip through our fingers and instead sit 3 points behind. RB Leipzig collapsed physically and we picked them off, but domestic teams are much fitter, more ruthless, and capable of plugging away until the end, Villa will be no different. We either score our first 2-3 chances and hope that the defence holds, or we strap in for another bumpy ride. Brace, brace, brace...

Leipzig, Pep changed our shape completely with his subs. We got numbers in midfield and wrestled back total control. It was more like last season City where we just overloaded them. Then he went back to gung ho v spurs

 

[Sheikh rattle and roll]

This is a must win game now following our recent bad luck/ results
Teams that want to go toe to toe usually come off worst
They will fancy their chances but we should be fired up and angry
3:1 City
Then win the next few as well to claim what’s ours - top spot

 

[Sheikh rattle and roll]

If Doku isn't ready, then who's going to play on the wings? I guess Lewis on the right and Foden on the left.

If Doku isn't ready, then who's going to play on the wings? I guess Lewis on the right and Foden on the left.

maybe Foden and Bernie I would guess at

 

[St.Pauli support]

Will be a very tough game, their home record is all wins this season.

Yep, beaten all of
BHA, CRY, EVT, FUL, LUT, WHU.

We should be ready for a fight. We have to replace Rodri's corones in the centre of the park. Strong mentality needed. Time for Erling to find his cool and confidence.