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

[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