villaslash

12 minutes ago, tinker said:

 Free header for any premier League striker is going to be on target,

Hmm…

6 minutes ago, Spoony said:

Names in the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. Pleased for him and hopefully he can build up a bit of fitness. 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/59818147

How many defenders can really force Lukaku off the ball? Mings played that header wrong but it was going to be tough to get that header no matter what you tried.

You really saw how strong Lukaku was for that 2nd penalty. If I wasn’t a Villa fan I would have to laugh when Targett just bounced off Lukaku. I was screaming for him to take him down before he got to the box but I’m not sure even a leg tackle would have worked.

I wonder if this made more sense as a loan when we were playing 3 at the back and you were bound to have more strain on the CB’s in general plus them moving more and needing to be rotated.

Though he hasn’t had a lot of game time I think you need Hause plus another back up. Look at the next game, Mings is suspended and Konsa could easily need to be out at the same time. Unless we have another person to slot in I say keep him till the summer.

18 minutes ago, VillanousOne said:

On the most basic level, most of our attacking success over the last few seasons was based on pace and width.

At the moment I don't get the feeling Ollie or Buendia are proper wide players who offer us the width we had before. We need Ollie to be on the end of crosses not putting them in.

I would honestly stick Bidace or Anwar on the left and now we have Traore back start him on the right, Ollie on his own up front. If we need more attacking impetus bring on Buendia or Ings.



 

I’d also like to see the left and right attacking players move farther to the outside sometimes and cut in. This was one of the strengths of Traore. I think he is a player who has the trickery to play narrow but the pace to really rip down the wing.

Looked pretty good first half. 2nd half came out so meh. You could feel it. 

not too concerned though the wreck less penalties are going to kick us in the …

Quite chuffed with that line up. Ramsey to run them ragged. Traore to come on and exact former player vendetta. Let’s do it Villa!

Nice interview on Sky with Matty Cash and impact of Gerrard on the defensive setup of the team.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/12502137/how-steven-gerrards-tactical-tweaks-have-made-aston-villa-hard-to-beat-matty-cash-exclusive

I think a CDM is vital. Marv is out for a length tbd. Putting Luiz or McGinn in that role doesn’t play to their strengths or the rest of the teams. The premier league is determined to keep going no matter what and unlike injuries the number of players out could oscillate drastically without warning.

if we can finish at least close to the Europe spots I think it would entice more players to the team in the summer.

What was the last good goalie goal we had?

I would like to see Emi take a PK. I’d have to think he could dish it out both ways.

2 hours ago, briny_ear said:

Where are you getting this from JV?

 

 

 

 

BBC transfer rumours

Aston Villa have received four offers for 25-year-old Brazil striker Wesley, who is on loan at Club Brugge. (HLN - in Dutch)

1 hour ago, messi11 said:

Looks like Douglas Luiz, Mings, Young and Possibly Ings are out with Covid for game.
Sanson should be back start. 
Could possible see a debut for Tim Iroegbunam.
Exciting to see the kids get a chance we really gave them a great game in the league cup, should of won that. 

-------------Martinez-----------
Cash- Konsa-Axel- Targett

Mcginn- Sanson- J Ramsey

Buendia- Watkins- Carney

If that’s the case a pretty good line up. Lose Watkins or Konsa and it could get Dicey.

6 hours ago, Kingman said:

Be interesting to see if clubs take a gamble and omit a substitute keeper. 

Sky Scum Sports trumps Safety yet again! 

We’ve always got David Platt. Or Keinan Davis- he’s excellent at preventing goals.

Don’t shoot the messenger. Saw this posted earlier today in the BBC transfer rumours.

BBC transfer rumours

Aston Villa have made an offer for Liverpool and England defender Joe Gomez, 24. (CalcioMercato)

If it’s Martinez as our goalie I like those odds of Martinez and our academy vs Mendy and their academy

Barkley didn’t even make the Villa bench sometimes last year.

don’t get me wrong-13 and goalie seems a bit ridiculous.

1 hour ago, sne said:

As expected he's been named in the Egypt squad for the AFCON.

Excellent. Time for him to tap up Salah.

1 hour ago, turvontour said:

Really, I thought Buendia was expected to play. Why is Ings out?

Gerrard said Young was 50/50 and other two okay. Something come out late today?

3 hours ago, troon_villan said:

Wouldn't mind seeing a bit of rotation here.  Nothing drastic though; Ings and Chuk to start over Young and Watkins maybe.  Wouldn't even mind Axel playing in CB for one of Konsa or Mings to give them a rest but that is very unlikely. 

Would agree only Axel would get crunched by this bunch. Don’t swap out The CB’s but if you do bring in Hause who could give a little back to Ben Mee when defending or attacking set pieces.

13 hours ago, Indigo said:

Never in doubt 

 

 

Yeah, that was a bit scarey but pulled it off like a dance move. Take that Maguire, playing out from the back!

23 hours ago, Vancvillan said:

I agree with this - unless one of Arsenal, Spurs or West Ham start sliding down (and we maintain current form) then 8th is our ceiling this season.  I think Spurs have about 14 games in hand, West Ham look solid, and Arsenal - well yeah they could **** up anything.

Moving into that 7th / 6th / 5th spot the following season would be another leap forward - it'll likely take us more than one attempt. 

Even in the best of scenarios cracking the top four from there could again take a few seasons. 

Slow and steady progress should be hailed for the achievement that it is given that we were drawing with Stoke City in the Championship this time three years ago. 

Yes, I think we can close on and pass wolves and Leicester. The next leap it would be hard to pass Spurs with so many games in hand and though Arsenal are prone to a New Year meltdown would be a tough one. Start of the Season 8-12th looked likely. If can get 8th it would be great. Though I would also take higher of course

Good result. Good goals. Wish we had really thrashed them and controlled the game more but a good game. For Ramsey to have that much confidence to run with the ball so far and then dummy the two defenders the wrong way was brilliant. What a great bending pass from Chuk for the 2nd.

Best of health for everyone but Nakamba and Sanson out as they both were on the up.  Oufff- get well soon!

13 minutes ago, The Other Mat said:

He's defo a Stokie.

A Stokie you say. You have gone too far sir. to prove it I shall type something no Stokie could write, I’m glad Matty Cash is cutting back on his channeling of Stoke’s most famous player Rory Delap on the constant long throws. What more evidence do you need?