AVTuco

I hope that too

No doubt Andi will be straight back in next week though I hope Andi will.

Back to being solid. Great job Ciaran.

When I see him out there, I still don't think he's really a player. There's something funny about him (or me?). His hair? He looks like a little boy. He has no brain, or strength. If he gets those, he could become a player. Miles away still.

He is so good and yet in such a quiet way that I don't know what to write. Keep it up Ron! Captain.

Bacuna's goal was so important to us in this game, and possibly even longer term. A 0-0 would have put us in a difficult spot in forthcoming games. The pressure to score would have grown a lot. So, he's undoubtably MotM for me. Vlaar and Clark played very well again, Baker made some errors. All in all, our defense looks real good now. So good, that we can afford to move Bacuna to midfield and get Lowton back to RB. He made a difference today and should be a starter next game. Westwood was our best midfielder, the only one with half-decent play forward. I am slightly worried about Benteke. He is very frustrated. He needs to score so badly. Great result from a very important game. Thanks Leandro!

Well, Kozak will have to do

Wuld be good for Benteke to get one in here.

Bacuuuunaaaa

Hang in there mate, we'll be rewarded one day!

H haha

Can tonev please pass to a Villa player once?

Good ball from Clark to Baker there.

Good run by Tonev

I guess Baker didn't fare so well there last game...

Hopefully they're on the pitch, right?

Right choice to put Bacuna back at RB. Would not have started Tonev, but maybe he'll hit the target today.

Maybe by the end of the season we'll get his first name right in the thread title....

I've noticed him a lot this season. For all the wrong reasons. That's when you notice a player like that. Happens to me too. However, I tend to agree with Richard that a player like him is needed. And we have no-one better at the moment.

Not sure if you should watch today then. Kozak will start over Helenius.

A bit harsh mate.

Draw again, unless Benteke decides otherwise.

Bennet better than Luna with the ball? I really don't think so abdulaziz. Luna is very good with the ball going forward. In my opinion we have attacking FB's in Luna and Bacuna, especially Luna. Granted, he has been caught out of position a few times already. I'd like to see Matt at RM with Bacuna behind him switching places when needed. The only thing Luna is better with is that he have more pace and maybe more confidence .. Luna is very bad with crossing while Bennett seem to have good crossing and shooting and I think even better dribbling .. But he is terrible defensively .. I wanted him to be fit against Cardiff .. He might actually step up his game .. I would want Bennett to be fit now aswell, since Luna is out. I'm positive he'd be better than last year now that he's not so relied upon. He'd definitely be better than Baker at LB.

Bennet better than Luna with the ball? I really don't think so abdulaziz. Luna is very good with the ball going forward. In my opinion we have attacking FB's in Luna and Bacuna, especially Luna. Granted, he has been caught out of position a few times already. I'd like to see Matt at RM with Bacuna behind him switching places when needed.

Baker is terrible at left back, it's just not his spot. I don't know if Clark's any better as I haven't seen him in that role yet, but at least Clark has a little attacking instinct, good passing ability, and a bit more pace than Baker. Baker is not comfortable going forward and doesn't have the pace to get back. I'd like to see Clark tried out there, if we're assuming Luna and Bennett are both still out. I hope that Lambert doesn't go for the 5-at-the-back again. It was much much too defensive vs. West Ham and would be similarly overkill vs. Cardiff at home. If the fullback injury problems make a back four problematic, what do people think about trying out an attacking 3-4-3 formation? Something like: Guzan Vlaar - Baker - Clark Bacuna - KEA - Westwood/Sylla* - Delph Helenius - Benteke - Tonev I think Delph would do well over on the left, both in an attacking and defending capacity. Although his form has been not great so far, I think I'd favor Westwood in this formation vs. Cardiff, as we'll be looking to keep the ball and he's about the best passer we have. Sylla might be better deployed there if we need a little more steel against more physical teams, or maybe as a late sub to help protect a lead. Ideally the front three would be Weimann and Gabby with CB provided they're all fit and firing. I'm not sure yet how Kozak and Benteke together are going to work. But with Helenius and Tonev up front with Benteke, we've got some pace and industry (Tonev) and some trickery/skills (Helenius). I think it could work. I think a 3-4-3 could work, but with Gabby and Andi. If they're not fit, how about 3-5-2? Benteke with Gabby or Helenius if he's not fit. Both Sylla and Westwood in. I don't think Baker's that hopeless at LB. If we play 3-5-2 he can stay back and not go forward at all. Clark just doesn't look like a full back to me.