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

[MadchesterCity]

We seem to be already in the 'must win' section of the season. A little earlier than last year I think.

Spurs was a must win as well unfortunately

 

[Gingers Dad]

Hope Jack man's up at Villa Park.

 

[MadchesterCity]

6 points behind and Arsenal are undoubtedly stronger than last year and the scousers are an absolute ball ache in title races. It’s not something we can’t do I do genuinely think we’ve got a better chance in europe though

We'll come short this season in the traditional trophies but win the Super Cup and Club World Cup. We had a terrible transfer window and terrible luck with KDB injury. We’re not getting the rub of the green and our rivals are. The premier league have already made it clear we won’t win 4 in a row and Arsenal or Liverpool will take the title this season. Madrid or Bayern will win the champions league. If we were to win the title this season from here it would be Peps greatest achievement to date

 

[MadchesterCity]

Hope Jack man's up at Villa Park.

He is suspended

 

[madloaf]

He is suspended

He'll still get the Doku fan boys on here giving him grief.

 

[madloaf]

That's horrible.

 

[MadchesterCity]

He'll still get the Doku fan boys on here giving him grief.

Haha true, Doku maybe on bench, more likely injured

 

[Bluewars]

Please no Alvarez.

Love the lad, but he is the main problem.

He is the one leaving Rodri exposed. Gives away cheap ball and doesn't get back with runners.

Not his fault, but him being on the pitch also prevents us changing the attacking option off the bench.

Wonderful dead ball delivery, incredible awareness in the penalty area, but we all know he will make way again for KDB.

Having Julian in from the start makes us far too attacking, we need any extra sitter alongside Rodders right now?

Said this a few times and got bit for it.

 

[MadchesterCity]

That's horrible.

It shows how threadbare we are with a few players out.
I think that’s probably not too far off for tonight, I’d try something different

——————Haaland
———Foden—Alvarez
Gvardiol—Bernardo—Lewis
Ake—Dias—Stones—Walker
——————Ederson

 

[The Colonel]

Not been to Villa Park since the Micah last minute equaliser. Where’s the best pre match pint for blues?

 

[eastmanc]

That's horrible.

I've seen worse in the Blue of City.

 

[chris85mcfc]

Completely disagree. He and Doku changed the game completely against Leipzig. We clearly have a few issues this season, the most notable of which is no KDB and Ilkay deciding to move on. Each to their own but I don’t think Alvarez is the issue

Isn't that the point he's making though, in that Alvarez was able to come off the bench and change the game?

I've a similar opinion of Doku in that at the moment they're both incredible options from the bench to change the game for the last 20-30 minutes, but neither are capable of doing what they do best for 90 minutes.

The issue is, at the moment we don't have the squad available to do this for various reasons. I'd imagine once everyone is fully fit (he says), I'd imagine both will come from the bench and will be great weapons to have.

 

[richards30]

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Dias
Gvardiol
Kovacic
Bernardo Silva
Nunes
Foden
Alvarez
Haaland

 

[Sky Blue]

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Dias
Gvardiol
Kovacic
Bernardo Silva
Nunes
Foden
Alvarez
Haaland

Nunes is injured. Think Ake starts.

 

[Franknorgrovesnephew]

Hope Jack man's up at Villa Park.

Suspended

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Agree mate, said it in a different thread, it’s why I feel we are conceding so many at the moment. Great goals and assists but leaving us too exposed as he’s just not a midfielder.

Mate, if you look at recent goals against Liverpool, he has been directly at fault.

He's too high risk. We can score more goals, but it leaves us with our arses hanging out on the counters

I do think Nunes is more suited to sitting in with Rodri and has the technical aspect to break lines?

 

[Father Paul]

Nunes is injured. Think Ake starts.

What is wrong with Nunes?

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Completely disagree. He and Doku changed the game completely against Leipzig. We clearly have a few issues this season, the most notable of which is no KDB and Ilkay deciding to move on. Each to their own but I don’t think Alvarez is the issue

No argument they changed the game, but both coming off the bench is a different dynamic, in terms of chasing a game or adding momentum.

 

[oldhamblue]

For any gamblers. Villa have won their last 13 at home. Outscored everyone in Europe bar Bayern in home games this season.
We've lost the last 3 or 4 Rodri hasn't played.
Villa are 4/1 for the home win

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

We'll come short this season in the traditional trophies but win the Super Cup and Club World Cup. We had a terrible transfer window and terrible luck with KDB injury. We’re not getting the rub of the green and our rivals are. The premier league have already made it clear we won’t win 4 in a row and Arsenal or Liverpool will take the title this season. Madrid or Bayern will win the champions league. If we were to win the title this season from here it would be Peps greatest achievement to date

I take this to mean 'we are reffed differently'! I wonder how many teams this season are taking the field against us thinking that they could nick at least a draw given the ref's propensity to vary the LotG along with dubious VAR decisions and dodgy timekeeping.