If you were Villa Manager, how would you play against us?

D D

Didsbury Dave

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1 Feb 2007
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I've just been thinking about this.

First of all, when you think about stopping us attacking, I don't know if there is a way. We've got so much pace with Bellamy and SWP that it's almost impossible to have a game plan. And we've got so many creative options that it's very hard to stop us attacking. Centre halfs struggle like mad against Adebayor and I fancy him to leave Dunne standing a time or two tonight over 5 yards.

If I were O'Neil I'd say to defend right up the pitch, ie harry our back 4 into giving it away. Get the ball to the wide men and get crosses going into the box. We have shown some signs that if we get a bit rattled we will give it away, and we are still suspect from crosses. I'd also say to try to win as many free kicks in our half as possible, then lump them in the box too. I'd tell the midfielders to look for gaps when our fullbacks get forward too and hit their widemen early.

That's how I think I'd play against us.
 
Interesting points DD,

Villa's main problem last season came at home, where they dropped too many points. I think that was because they rely so much on the counter attack which is fine when playing away because teams will attack you more but at home its usually the home side that dictates the play.

City like to have alot of the ball, although with our pace we're dangerous on the counter. I'm expecting us to have more possession but Villa to rely alot on their pace causing us problems. Id be amazed if Carew doesnt start because its clear that we struggle with high balls knocked into the box and with delivery from Young and Milner that could cause us alot of problems tonight. I think the midfield battles are key to us winning and we really need De Jong to stop Stilian Petrov from spaying the ball about, If Barry and Ireland/SWP with De Jong can over run their midfield I can see us having some joy going at their back 4 especially with Adebayor back.

In some ways this is toughest test so far, Arsenal was a home game, United is a derby match. If we can go to Villa Park and win it will show how far we've come, although a point wouldnt be a bad result either. Looking forward to this one.
 
As well as the points already made, i would have to be targeting the Villa attack down our right side. SWP (if he starts) and Richards (who i think will be back tonight) are far from on top of their game just now and with James Milner on a very good run at the mo, that flank is a definite weakness.
 
Bellamy's Caddy said:
Interesting points DD,

Villa's main problem last season came at home, where they dropped too many points. I think that was because they rely so much on the counter attack which is fine when playing away because teams will attack you more but at home its usually the home side that dictates the play.

City like to have alot of the ball, although with our pace we're dangerous on the counter. I'm expecting us to have more possession but Villa to rely alot on their pace causing us problems. Id be amazed if Carew doesnt start because its clear that we struggle with high balls knocked into the box and with delivery from Young and Milner that could cause us alot of problems tonight. I think the midfield battles are key to us winning and we really need De Jong to stop Stilian Petrov from spaying the ball about, If Barry and Ireland/SWP with De Jong can over run their midfield I can see us having some joy going at their back 4 especially with Adebayor back.

In some ways this is toughest test so far, Arsenal was a home game, United is a derby match. If we can go to Villa Park and win it will show how far we've come, although a point wouldnt be a bad result either. Looking forward to this one.
Click to expand...

Great post, BC, and particualrly intereting about their home form. I wasn't aware of that. If that's the case, then playing us may suit them as we will try to dominate the game.

From our point of view, you're right, we need De Jong and Barry to get hold of the midfield like they did first half against United and against West Ham. Then I can see us scoring goals. Any team with Dunne at centre half is vulnerable to pace.

I also agree that this is a very interesting test for us. I'm really looking forward to it.
 
I'd keep it very tight for the first 20mins with one up front, then push forward and put in as many crosses as possible into the box after changing the formation to 2 wingers and 2 up front.
 
ireland and richards shud not start on performances this season , richards personally has been a let down for some time now hes anb athlete but not a footballer for me. Ireland is obv a good player but underperforming, swp is playing below best but still has to play for me petrov or bellamy out left with tevez and ade up top with de johgn and barry in middle. zab right back with the other 4 defenders in? shay, les, bridge, toure
 
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