Aston Villa (A) - Sat 21st Dec, 12:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[aka blue jambo]

With the way we’re playing, we’ve not got much of a chance. Villa aren’t great but they’ll be licking their lips at this. Southampton would be licking their lips if they were playing us this weekend too.

With us still having unfit players and injuries and our heads are in the floor, he needs to do something radical. Take the handbrake off, don’t force them to play in such a rigid way with absolutely no room for error and let them just have a go. They’re petrified to lose the ball. We need to defend deeper because again it’s a team with pace that will waltz through us at will. Time to let some of the young lads have a run about.

Sadly, it’ll be the same players employing the same tactics in the same formation and we’ll get beat 4 nil. I hope I’m wrong.

10 quid charity bet that we don't get beat 4 v nil?

 

[David White]

10 quid charity bet that we don't get beat 4 v nil?

Haha that’s where my confidence level is, mate.

As I say, I hope I’m wrong pal but I’ll take your bet as it’s for charity.

 

[eyalluvitt]

Wasn’t it Villa last season we started with Stones and Lewis in midfield and it was pretty catastrophic?

Gulp.

Kind of a small sample appetizer for this season

 

[eyalluvitt]

It's likely we do miss him mate to a certain extent. He wanted to leave however and it was a very good offer. Should have been replaced in some capacity though.

Never understood why he wanted to go, he played a huge amount of minutes, and if it was the language or lifestyle, tough titties he’s under contract and should have only been sold if and when we got an adequate replacement. Damaged us massively

 

[mixer]

Wudnt play kdb , walker, gundog we can't carry anyone at this time.

Problem is nearly every midfielder we have is been carried during this slump

 

[blue by birth]

I genuinely think we could lose this game about 8-0

Then you are fucking deluded..

 

[Dereck Jeffries 3 wd]

Problem is nearly every midfielder we have is been carried during this slump

Same midfield I dread Gundo,Bernardo and Rico. Don’t think Pep has seen this problem yet?

 

[Macca77macca]

Wudnt play kdb , walker, gundog we can't carry anyone at this time.

Exactly who do you think will replace them?

We absolutely have no choice but to “carry” them, them who have won fucking shed loads for you, a fan.

 

[Roachy]

Never understood why he wanted to go, he played a huge amount of minutes, and if it was the language or lifestyle, tough titties he’s under contract and should have only been sold if and when we got an adequate replacement. Damaged us massively

Really should have refreshed the squad in the summer but the club, for whatever reason, thought we was good to go. We're now going to Villa with a lot of fans expecting a defeat due to this ridiculous downturn we're seeing.

 

[blue by birth]

Hopefully Stones Akanji and Kova are back ..we are in a bad run of form but we will turn it around and hopefully on Saturday.
We need a bit of luck as we don't seem to get any lately in regards to players being injured etc.
I'm looking forward to the game as I always think we have a chance..
Big Erl to break his drought hopefully

 

[uwe rosler 28]

For all the doom and gloom merchants villa are 9/4 to win the game. Go fill ya boots

 

[Father Paul]

Spot on Kaz

Those not putting a shift in training shouldn’t play

Doesn’t matter who even if kids have to play

Nah kids can't play. The Law According to Pep.

 

[Father Paul]

Same midfield I dread Gundo,Bernardo and Rico. Don’t think Pep has seen this problem yet?

Look if Rico has a future it is as an attacking midfielder. To continue playing him in that inverted fullback role is the hight of fuckin ignorance. If the guy who does it continues he will earn himself the sack.

 

[simon23]

Cant see anything other than a loss....

A draw would be a bonus at present but Villa are a better side than the rags so I aint holding out much hope.

Our midfield is so poor....If we could drop Gundo, KDB I do that but I doubt we can or will

Kovacic has to play but even with him Id expect more of the same .....Rico Lewis is available but for me its more of the same when he plays - a pedestrian, weak midfield that will create very little and offer no cover for our shaky back 4.

give Nico OReilly a chance...nothing to lose

 

[Benarbia’s Backheel]

If fit…


_____________Ortega____________
Lewis___Akanji_____Diaz___Gvardiol
____________Kovacic____________
______KDB__________Grealish____
Foden_____________________Doku
____________Haaland___________


If we want a flat back 4 then Pussey comes in.

 

[simon23]

If fit…


_____________Ortega____________
Lewis___Akanji_____Diaz___Gvardiol
____________Kovacic____________
______KDB__________Grealish____
Foden_____________________Doku
____________Haaland___________


If we want a flat back 4 then Pussey comes in.

we would bet murdered down our right hand side....Lewis and KDB are terrible defensively.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

I shall be back in Blighty for this one and jet lagged from the flight. Should be awake in time to watch it on TV.

Not been to Villa Park since David White bagged a Hattrick.

 

[Haaland94]

Hopefully will be something like:

Ortega

Akanji Stones Dias Gvardiol

Kovacic

Foden Grealish

Bernardo Haaland Doku

Probably the most solid defence we have right now if they are all fit. Front 6 can all press and retain the ball fairly well. Bit short on creativity but I think to focus on being a bit more solid first.

Keep KDB, Gundogan and Savinho for a bit more spark if needed later on.

The moment we see this back 4, or Nathan Ake in there as well, 4 out of 5 of them, is the moment we will win again, like we did vs Forrest. I highlighted Kova too because he is critical for us, for our stability. That has to be our defensive core, or we will carry on losing and occasionally drawing games.

 

[paulsimpson]

Ortega; Lewis Stones Dias Gvardiol; Kovacic Grealish KDB; Savio Foden Bernardo.

Keep the ball

Is Stones going to be fit? If he is or indeed any central defender back 100% fit then we have a good chance.

 

[WestGorton]

Ortega from now on in my opinion