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

[Roachy]

He started the corresponding fixture last season, so I don't expect emotional baggage to be behind any omission. Whether he's currently fit enough to start such a fixture is a different matter.

Agree, form or fitness will decide.

 

[Mike S]

That's true. Being on the same pts as Liverpool before their game at United would be nice though.

Dippers play Thursday……

 

[alexmcity]

Dippers play Thursday……

I take it for granted they'll win the game vs SU and will be 3 pts ahead before the weekend IF we win vs Villa.

 

[Gone for a Burton]

Surprised they haven't signed Ivan Toney

Fred Done says Hi.

 

[Zapcity]

Nope, now it's Haaland of all people! Amazing that people are saying how much we miss Gundogan and Mahrez, whom if memory serves were considered dog sh*# by most for several seasons.

Very true, it took a good few years for City fans to appreciate what an intelligent, hard working player Gundo was (myself included to an extent if I'm totally honest)' FFS 'was similair to Sane imo, frustrating for sure but a very exciting player to watch who could change games.
Haalands 'poor' season is laughable, he set incredibly high standards last season and he has also been out injured for a bit this season. Add Alvarez to that list too. True, he's maybe not quite the finished article but is it something like 35 goals (?) in less than 2 seasons in all competitions including the toughest league in the world, he's also not good enough according to some on here!!

 

[MCFC1993]

This is where I'm at with the team:
-------------Ortega
????---????---????---????
--------------Rodri
------????---------????
Bernardo--????----????

Ederson injured, Rodri and Bernardo are the only 2 that give 7 out of 10s every week.

The other 8 spots are up for grabs, can't say anyone deserves to start. Defence is probably more straight forward given the injuries.

 

[pride in battle]

Moreno for Digne is probably the only change from what you have.

A nice early goal and we should be OK.

So Watkins and Mcginn definitely out ?

 

[ChicagoBlue]

This is where I'm at with the team:
-------------Ortega
????---????---????---????
--------------Rodri
------????---------????
Bernardo--????----????

Ederson injured, Rodri and Bernardo are the only 2 that give 7 out of 10s every week.

The other 8 spots are up for grabs, can't say anyone deserves to start. Defence is probably more straight forward given the injuries.

If the same players who were fit at the end of the last game are still fit, the team picks itself, with the exception of two spots, and where Bernardo plays.

 

[yeah whatever !!]

COME ON CITY !!

 

[SWPISHOME]

So Watkins and Mcginn definitely out ?

McGinn is definitely out as he is suspended.

Rumours are Watkins has a hamstring problem, Not sure if he's definitely ruled out.

 

[bluemoon32]

He won’t make that call though. It wouldn’t surprise me if Haaland has a must play when fit understanding. If Alvarez plays, which he might, it will be with Haaland not for him.

Absolute madness if true

 

[Pedestrian]

This is where I'm at with the team:
-------------Ortega
????---????---????---????
--------------Rodri
------????---------????
Bernardo--????----????

Ederson injured, Rodri and Bernardo are the only 2 that give 7 out of 10s every week.

The other 8 spots are up for grabs, can't say anyone deserves to start. Defence is probably more straight forward given the injuries.

Football isn’t for you. Try eastenders.

 

[Sleeping_Easy]

He won’t make that call though. It wouldn’t surprise me if Haaland has a must play when fit understanding. If Alvarez plays, which he might, it will be with Haaland not for him.

Under any other manager I'd say thats likely but I can't see any way Pep would ever accept that

 

[halfcenturyup]

We have the beating of this lot at home. Whether we will the title or not depends on Spurs away, imho, and the timing of it. Tough game probably between two other tough games ... .

 

[mosssideblue]

I would hope that he doesn't have such a clause but it would not surprise me if he did.

Nobody should have such a clause

 

[TinFoilHat]

Dippers play Thursday……

Another lovely bit of fixture manipulation by the TV rights holders.

 

[alexmcity]

Rodri and Bernardo are the only 2 that give 7 out of 10s every week.

That's true.

Haaland and KDB have a higher ceiling and get the plaudits for their goal involvements, but their bottom level can be infuriating at times.

Even when Rodri and Bernardo play close to their bottom level, they are still miles better than the average PL player.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Darren Dipper England
Live on TNT Sports

11 V 15

Have a feeling we're gonna shit on the Villa.

 

[dan136now036]

I'd be tempted to start Rico at the back, thought he did well on Sunday and actually brought the ball forward and gave us a bit of forward impetus.

I feel at times at the moment we are more intent on keeping the ball for keeping the balls sake and Rico has that bit of youthful exuberance that can create problems for the opposition. Plus with having him in the team and moving into midfield think we could do without Kovacic which would allow Doku/Grealish to have a start on the wing, given Doku's lack of form recently i would go with Grealish;

Ortega

Rico
Ruben
Akanji
Gvardiol

Rhodri

Kev
Bernie

Foden
Haaland
Grealish

 

[youngbob]

Ortega
Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol
Lewis, Rodri
Foden, De Bruyne, Grealish
Alvarez, Haaland

More than enough to win the game with that team. Doku and Alvarez on the bench.

Visual of this.