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

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

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

I think it’s time to risk open games now. We were too conservative today. Kovacic has his strengths but playing him today mean it was much easier for Arsenal to contain us.

 

[alexmcity]

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.

Imo, Kevin won't start. His minutes will be managed. He'll play 30 minutes or so.

Same defensive players (unless Stones is ready) and Rodri.

Front 5: Foden and Alvarez behind Haaland with Grealish and Doku on the wings.

Kevin, Kovacic, Bernardo, Nunes and Bobb from the bench in the 2nd half.

Pep will take more risks vs Palace, where I can see him resting Rodri, Haaland, Foden and Bernardo, maybe Dias too.

 

[MCFC ISRAEL]

Ortega
Akanji
Dias
Stones
Gvardiol
Rodri
Bernardo
Foden
Doku
Grealish
Haaland

I don't think this is the lineup Pep would choose, but that's what I would do. Rest for Kevin, Duku and Grealish on the wings. A very strong midfield with Rodri Bernardo Foden.
We need creativity, we need pace, We need more offensively oriented players.

 

[Gabriel]

I think it’s time to risk open games now. We were too conservative today. Kovacic has his strengths but playing him today mean it was much easier for Arsenal to contain us.

It’s getting to the stage where we either go one way or the other.

 

[Gray]

Villa looked poor against Wolves until they were gifted a goal.

Lets get this game won and then go from there.

 

[alexmcity]

I think it’s time to risk open games now. We were too conservative today.

Open games would mean a lot of running up and down the pitch, more injuries and fatigue....We can't afford it, especially before Real and with Chelsea 3 days after the 2nd leg.

Foden and KDB were poor today and the service for Haaland wasn't good enough. It has little to do with Kovacic. Both weren't great at Anfield too. Much more is expected from them and Haaland. The rest did their job.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

McGinn being suspended and Watkins going off with a hamstring issue yesterday will hopefully help us.

I’d play Bobb as a kick up the arse to Foden and KDB. He’s been in form for Norway, so deserves a shot down the right.

 

[geek24601]

Drop Haaland and KDB. Both woeful today. (Not the only ones)

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Open games would mean a lot of running up and down the pitch, more injuries and fatigue....We can't afford it, especially before Real and with Chelsea 3 days after the 2nd leg.

Foden and KDB were poor today and the service for Haaland wasn't good enough. It has little to do with Kovacic. Both weren't great at Anfield too. Much more in expected from them and Haaland. The rest did their job.

Yeah I get your point. Maybe it’s time to focus on the CL then and just do what we can in the league games and not over obsess about it. If we win great, if we don’t it doesn’t really matter that much as we will be in the top 4 whatever.

Play Nunes/Bobb etc and let them have a go without burning out key players. Doku playing behind the striker was excellent for example against Newcastle. Why don’t we try that again.

The Madrid games are the biggest games of the season. Winning back to back CL’s would be huge for us, Pep and the players.

 

[Franny 1234]

Haaland had nothing today he's not in form but never will be if we can't give him a decent chance. Kev improved after a poor first half. The players know that was a poor performance today so I expect a response on Wednesday Night. CTID

 

[PragueBlue]

Ortega

Rico
Akanji
Dias
Gvardiol

Rodri
Kovacic

Bernardo
Foden
Grealish

Haaland

That's the one.

 

[The Blue Eh]

I think we will destroy Villa on Wednesday. We may be slow to anger, but our payback is meticulous.

They will sorely miss Mcginn, Watkins and Cash. Emery will have Villa bring the game to us, playing to keep themselves in the top 4, with Spurs (3pts behind, game in hand) breathing down their necks.

 

[ysmsa]

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

Gvardiol was fucking brilliant today

 

[Sale Moor Blue]

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

Really?
I thought he was absolutely awful to be honest.

 

[NoCompromise]

It's time for the real City to turn up and annihilate everything. 15 matches if we go all the way. Come on.

 

[NoCompromise]

Really?
I thought he was absolutely awful to be honest.

He definitely wasn't awful. His unpredictability is a Legohead nightmare.

 

[super_city_si]

He definitely wasn't awful. His unpredictability is a Legohead nightmare.

Unpredictable? Hes completely Predictable. He will beat his man and give it back to them. Or kick it out.

 

[jim tolmies perm]

Time for mind games ? Semi concede the title? Tell the players the league is out of reach? Take the pressure off them? Bobby Manc repeat....?

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Really?
I thought he was absolutely awful to be honest.

No idea how hes getting on the pitch before Bobb he drives me bonkers.

 

[Fred_Quimby]

The King Makers? They play all 3 of us before the final day. We need to win all 9 games now and hope someone slips up; not inconceivable but we fight to the end. CTID.