Villa's strength is on the counter attack. When they are allowed to play that way they are normally good, when they are given opportunities to control the game they are generally poor. That is why their record against sides at the top of the table is so much better than that against sides from the lower half. We need to be aware of their threat on the counter, we've slipped up to them already this season and can't do it again.
We played some good stuff against Everton, the neat interplay looks a lot better, Nasri was much improved and Milner was effective as ever. In the home games Milner often seems a different player, but with Dzeko's form I think we need to play him as the lone striker in a 4-1-4-1 with Garcia holding and Fernandinho, Yaya, Nasri and Milner supporting Dzeko. I would leave Silva on the bench and bring him on if needed, wouldn't risk aggravating an injury when we may need him to help us win the game on Sunday. Hoping for three points tonight to make things a bit more comfortable.
