WakefieldVillan

I was just about to post something similar then I read this. Good point I think and not beyond the realms of possibility. Southampton (a), Chelsea (a) - Could quite easily be two defeats then Everton (a) becomes massive for both clubs Palace (h) is currently not scheduled so it could be 4 defeats on the spin with Spurs (a) next up. That would set the nerves jangling for their more winnable games (on paper). Wolves (h), Leicester (h), Norwich (a) and of course Palace (h) they will be looking for perhaps 9 points from that lot? Which will be key as it will more than likely be 0 from 9 in the next three - Liverpool (H), Man City (a), Arsenal (h) Wouldn't mind a relegation decider last game of the season with Burnley (a). It is very doubtful (in fact 16/1 with the bookies) but you can easily go on losing runs in this league and these lot are due a loss (or 12 ). All that said, messed about with the results predictor and had Norwich, Watford and Brentford! But it will come down to who wins the "6 pointers" when they face each other. I think 34 points will be enough to avoid the drop - Just hope we can get that single point

True. But I'm sure other clubs feel like this too, it's just how football works. He's a midfielder too.

Agree with all of this. I might be wrong but I assumed that Buendia was left out because he wasn't 100% fit and not down to his recent performances or tactical reasons, therefore I expect (& hope) he comes back in to the starting eleven.

Feeling a little more confident after the win at Brighton, think if we score first we might nick it 2-1. If they score first I'll go 2-2. They are a good side on a great run of form but perhaps their FA Cup win last night might mean they may lose a bit of focus in the league - let's hope so. Buendia for Watkins and Sanson for Luiz would be my only changes.

Could be a 4-4-2 diamond? Luiz Ramsey McGinn Coutinho Probably not Buendia must not be 100%, no way he wouldn't be starting.

I think we need to change the system which is clearly not working. I'd go back to basics a little and get our back four to do what most other back fours do - and that's to DEFEND. Stick Chambers in front (he's probably done enough to keep his place, albeit he would be in a different position, but not sure he'd be any worse than Luiz currently is!) - Hopefully he would give us the solidity that's been missing since Nakamba's absence. Further forward is a bit of a conundrum. Buendia and Coutinho are our main players for me and both need to be playing and although I'm showing them out wide (as below) I think with this formation they would still have a license to drift in field and make things happen. Let the two midfielders concentrate on being midfielders (not full backs) and hopefully you would see a better performance by both (in particular McGinn) - Though TBH I would be ok with Sanson in his place, just concerning that he hasn't been given a chance even though the performances haven't been great, makes you wonder how he's been performing in training. Martinez Cash Konsa Mings Digne Chambers Buendia McGinn Ramsey Coutinho Ings With the likes of Watkins, Bailey, Luiz and Chuk to mix things up if required. All that said - I would take a point and a good performance right now if offered. UTV.

Taking the super league cr4p out of it, I'd much rather Man U win this than dirty Leeds.. and I despise both teams with a passion. Surely it's better for a Villa perspective this result!

This

Seems to me like there is no middle ground between him bleeding the club and just taking a wage packet (if he stayed) or having no desire / confidence to fight for his shirt (if he left). I personally think he should / could have stayed for the remainder of the season and tried to prove Gerrard wrong by performing to his utmost capabilities, who knows what may have happened, IE injury or a lack of form to Digne - Ok may not have happened but you never know. Targett's best season came with no crowd (& with Grealish) and I think that and the fact that he's decided to go out on loan say's a fair bit about his character (negatively than positively). Fair enough assess the situation again before the start of the season but I think he lacks fight and to be honest he won't fit in the system that SG has us playing (that may be the major factor in all this) - I've not read the interview. All that said I would have been more than happy to see the season out with him as first choice and us get a real combative midfielder in but that's probably for another thread.

Massive game, need to see a huge reaction from yesterday which was as bad as I have seen us in years, well months. Not convinced by our current formation but I don't think that's going to change any time soon so it will all be down to personnel and who gets the chop and let's be honest it could be anyone of 7! I'd stick with the back four who defensively at least weren't too bad, though we need the full backs to play so much better for this system to work. I was tempted to start Chuck instead of Luiz but I think that might be a bit too much of a gamble to drop Luiz and McGinn so the former gets a reprieve. Up front we have to go with Ings as Watkins has been stinking the place out all season and I am not sure Bailey is the answer either. Martinez Cash Chambers Mings Digne Sanson Luiz Ramsey Buendia Ings Coutinho Won't be easy despite their league position and current form, we have (on paper) the better players but we need to have the right mentality or this (the crowd) could turn ugly. I'd take a hard fought 1-0 or 2-1 right now.

Think you've answered your own question

We are s*** no doubt about that, but every decision is going their way and McGinn is walking a tightrope now after 2 fair tackles. He also couldn't wait to point to the pen spot. The ref is a c***. As for us, worst I've seen us play in a long time. Not one player comes out of that half with any credit.

As I said previously, I'd give Watkins 45 mins tops if he's not at it, we have good options on the bench not to.

Happy enough with that. Wont be easy. Cut out the mistakes and we have more quality. UTV

Brave putting that on here, but I agree - I think it would have worked a treat last night.

Yes I agree, apologies, I shouldn't have categorised them both performing at the same level. McGinn wasn't at his best last night but he has been performing pretty well overall since Gerrard came in - Watkins hasn't. I don't think any player should be "undroppable" but I do agree SG loves him - And I feel more confident when he's in the side for sure.

Always liked Davis, glad he's getting a run of games and performing well - Whether you rate him or not, it can only be a good thing for Villa (and currently Forest).

I think most would agree that the ones in bold if fit will definitely start: GK - Emi RB - Cash CB - Hause or Chambers CB - Mings LB - Digne DM - Chambers or Luiz CM - McGinn or Sanson or Chuk CM - Ramsey AM - Buendia CF - Watkins or Ings AM - Coutinho Part of me would like to see Hause at the back and Chambers in DM which may give us a more solid looking base to let the flair players do their stuff - But not ideal to have two left footers in CD. I think I'd stick with both McGinn and Watkins but they need to both vastly improve from last night and particularly in Watkins case he needs to be dragged at HT if it's not working.

Playing the wrong striker tonight

Killed me

I hope I am still in a "fit, healthy" stage by the time my child becomes my mate - I'm 44 and my wife is 15 weeks pregnant (with our first), I might be 45 by the time he/she is born! That's certainly got me thinking about my age recently! I look younger than I am ( I think having no children as helped with this ) but I think it's all about to change in the next few years . Keep telling myself age is just a number, but my body doesn't feel like that!

True Think that's why it's a difficult one to call. By all accounts Leeds should have won that (TBH though not seen any of the match). I'd love us to smash these **** - but that goes without saying!

They went and won at West Ham not long ago with a "depleted" side and fully deserved to do so, so it won't be easy. But I agree it's a game we could do with winning to set us up for hopefully a strong finish to the season. Tough game to call but I feel more confident in our style of play / formation under Gerrard going into this than I would have been under Smith where I felt we played into Leeds hands (particularly the home game). No Bamford or Phillips though so that should work in our favour, though we need to keep Raphinha and Harrison quiet, match their work rate and hopefully with the likes of Buendia & Coutinho we will have that extra bit of quality. Prediction 2-2 (hopefully we nick it) Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Luiz, McGinn, Ramsey, Coutinho, Buendia; Watkins.

Result better than the performance, but I think we'd have all took that pre game. To keep a clean sheet is massive for confidence as is the win. On chances, a draw may have been a fairer result, but we we're due a bit of luck and I think we got that with their poor finishing, so f*** em! Buendia MOTM, he has real quality, cracking goal, nice touches, also works tirelessly. Cash and Ramsey also decent. Would have been nice to see a bit of composure second half but a wins a win! UTV

I presumed it to be more of a confusion tactic and to be less easily marked. Though in last nights case it was obviously a plan to stop their guy (Cavani) getting a run at the ball. I've done it loads of times at free kicks and as the ball is struck I would try to get back onside and in a position to score from a "second phase" knock down and it does work. I've scored once in about 500 games doing it