Aston Villa (H) - Sun 22nd May, 16:00 (BST) | Pre-Match Thread

[Rammy Blue]

foden bernardo rodri kdb must start.

Captain Obvious.

 

[cibaman]

I agree, I’d prefer Phil out left too. Just I suppose whether Pep wants to play Raz or not, certainly can’t see Mahrez starting tomorrow.

I know we all want the game to be done and dusted by half time. But when Pep picks the team I think he will have at the back of his mind who would he want to bring on if it’s goalless after 70 mins. Which of the attacking players is most likely to keep calm under pressure? And I think that might be Foden, to reprise his cameo against Atletico.

For that reason I think it’s more likely that Sterling will start, simply because I don’t think he’s suited to that late substitute role when it’s all a bit frantic. Which is probably why he wasn’t brought on at Palace when drew.

And when Sterling is on form he’s very good at disrupting the opposition early on. I think it’s a toss up whether Grealish or Mahrez start. Grealish does seem to be coming into good form

 

[Rammy Blue]

I know we all want the game to be done and dusted by half time. But when Pep picks the team I think he will have at the back of his mind who would he want to bring on if it’s goalless after 70 mins. Which of the attacking players is most likely to keep calm under pressure? And I think that might be Foden, to reprise his cameo against Atletico.

For that reason I think it’s more likely that Sterling will start, simply because I don’t think he’s suited to that late substitute role when it’s all a bit frantic. Which is probably why he wasn’t brought on at Palace when drew.

And when Sterling is on form he’s very good at disrupting the opposition early on. I think it’s a toss up whether Grealish or Mahrez start. Grealish does seem to be coming into good form

Not a prayer imo that Phil doesn’t start, I do though agree about your point of starting Raz rather than bringing him on from bench, hence I think Phil, Gabby, Raz is the obvious starting front 3.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Pitch invasions are so 1970s and 1980s, just like my legs

 

[Withnail]

I agree, I’d prefer Phil out left too. Just I suppose whether Pep wants to play Raz or not, certainly can’t see Mahrez starting tomorrow.

Mahrez has had a great season, but more recently and certainly against West Ham he looked a bit out of sorts. I hope Pep goes with Sterling Jesus and Foden up front tomorrow. Play Foden on the left, Sterling on the right and Jesus in the middle.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Mahrez has had a great season, but more recently and certainly against West Ham he looked a bit out of sorts. I hope Pep goes with Sterling Jesus and Foden up front tomorrow. Play Foden on the left, Sterling on the right and Jesus in the middle.

It's the obvious front three with Jack & Mahrez to come on later but, when has Pep done obvious?

 

[SWPISHOME]

It's the obvious front three with Jack & Mahrez to come on later but, when has Pep done obvious?

I was convinced Phil would start at West Ham along with numerous other occasions with different players. I'd confidently say we could all count on one hand how many times we've got a Pep line up correct since his time in charge here.

 

[Withnail]

It's the obvious front three with Jack & Mahrez to come on later but, when has Pep done obvious?

Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[Rammy Blue]

It's the obvious front three with Jack & Mahrez to come on later but, when has Pep done obvious?

I’d also say Jack and Mahrez are two who you can rely on to change the game when they come on as subs.

 

[Plain Speaking]

Is this the most important game in football history to stop Liverpool getting a domestic treble and getting the chance of an unprecedented quad?

If we don't beat Villa tomorrow, we will never, ever hear the end of it from Liverpool fans. For the sake of every other football fan we must win!