Aston Villa (H) - Wed 3rd April, 20:15 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[MCFC1993]

Kick off time 20:15 (BST). Live on TNT Sport for those in the UK.

Think we've essentially wandered into a situation where we need 9 wins from 9 league games now.

Need to find a way of getting some goals and can't let them do what they did at Villa Park.

I honestly couldn't pick a best 11 at the moment.

 

[ojeme]

Ortega
Akanji Stones Dias Gvardiol
Kovacic Rodri
Foden De Bruyne Grealish
Haaland​

 

[Legal Alien]

A must win this one.

 

[Gabriel]

Big test. Another opportunity to get three points from a top five side, something we’ve failed to do this season, though defeat would see Villa two points behind us.

 

[johnbmcr]

Time to bench haaland he's been poor for a while. The arsenal game was a shocker maybe sell in the summer and buy a pep striker with the profits

 

[bellsouth]

Could we maybe try De Bruyne on the right and Foden in the middle?

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

I thought Doku did ok when he came on and should start. We were too predictable today.

 

[richards30]

Ederson
Akanji
Stones
Dias
Gvardiol
Rodri
De Bruyne
Foden
Bernardo Silva
Grealish
Haaland

 

[come-on-barney]

Time for Bobb to be given some minutes now.

 

[WestGorton]

I thought Doku did ok when he came on and should start. We were too predictable today.

I agree. He shanked a couple of shots but put them on the back foot and got past their blanket defence.

 

[super_city_si]

Be sorely tempted to bench Haaland and de bruyne. Kev will start and so will Erling but they’ll be lucky to.

ortega (assume ederson will still be out)
akanji stones dias gvardiol
rodri
bernardo kev foden grealish
haaland.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

I thought Doku did ok when he came on and should start. We were too predictable today.

The lad is electric, but the end product needs some major surgery. He is pretty unplayable and I haven't seen a full back who could claim to have had him in his pocket.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Be sorely tempted to bench Haaland and de bruyne. Kev will start and so will Erling but they’ll be lucky to.

ortega (assume ederson will still be out)
akanji stones dias gvardiol
rodri
bernardo kev foden grealish
haaland.

Alvarez will probably play on Wednesday. Won’t be in place of Haaland though.

We need to go for it now. Take the shackles off and just go all out. Nothing to lose.

 

[Gabriel]

I would like to see Gvardiol in at centre half because we need someone who’s confident enough to pass the ball into midfield a little faster; the others are a little too cautious and predictable in that regard. Unfortunately, we have nobody else, save Gomez, who can play on the left now, so it’s unlikely we’ll see that move.

Ortega

Akanji
Gvardiol
Dias

Lewis
Rodri
Kovacic

Foden

Bernardo
Alvarez
Grealish

 

[Fordyboy46]

Ortega, Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo, Nunes, Doku, Foden, Haaland

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

I would like to see Gvardiol in at centre half because we need someone who’s confident enough to pass the ball into midfield a little faster; the others are a little too cautious and predictable in that regard. Unfortunately, we have nobody else, save Gomez, who can play on the left now, so it’s unlikely we’ll see that move.

Ortega

Akanji
Gvardiol
Dias

Lewis
Rodri
Kovacic

Foden

Bernardo
Alvarez
Grealish

It’s not going to happen that realistically. If Haaland is fit, he plays. There is no way on earth that Pep won’t play him even if his form is poor.

 

[SWPISHOME]

I haven't a clue what team we'll play Wednesday night, We had so many tired looking legs today, Most players running on fumes.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Nunes, Bobb, Alvarez all start.

 

[Gabriel]

It’s not going to happen that realistically. If Haaland is fit, he plays. There is no way on earth that Pep won’t play him even if his form is poor.

I know, but I also think that’s part of the problem. No player should be playing when their form is poor or when they’re not entirely fit. I think we stand a better chance if we play a side that can maintain possession and be patient.

Alternatively, field a side that will play an open game:

Ortega

Akanji
Gvardiol
Dias

Kovacic
Rodri
Nunes

de Bruyne

Doku
Haaland
Foden

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Ortega

Rico
Akanji
Dias
Gvardiol

Rodri
Kovacic

Bernardo
Foden
Grealish

Haaland

 

[Blu3m00n91]

I would freshen up the team Wednesday;

Ortega; Lewis Akanji Dias Gvardiol; Rodri Nunes Bernardo; Foden Alvarez Grealish.

KDB and Haaland if needed second half