WakefieldVillan

Would be chuffed with a point (as long as it's not an injury time equaliser from them or another dodgy pen) I'd be absolutely ecstatic with three. Can't see it though, not because we ain't capable, just because it's United. Hopefully they have half an eye on the other Villa(real) on Wednesday night but I doubt it will affect their line up which will inevitably be a strong one. In an ideal world Bailey would be starting but presuming he won't make it I'd either go:- (4-3-3) Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins, Traore. or (3-5-2) Martinez; Konsa, Mings, Hause; Cash, Luiz, Ramsey, McGinn, Targett; Watkins, Ings. Ultimately, I think Ronaldo unfortunately will be the difference. Head 3-1. Heart 0-1 with a 93rd min OG from anyone, but Bruno would be extra spesh!

A disappointing outcome but a very encouraging performance again at Stamford Bridge which really goes to show how far we have come to play a second string side and compete like we did gives me real hope for our future. When the team sheets were announced I must say I presumed it would be a comfortable night for Chelsea and was expecting a two or three nil defeat, but our lads proved me wrong so fair play to each and every one of them, and to Smith for having faith in the fringe players, he was a fraction away from getting this one absolutely 100% spot on. It would have been such a fantastic scene if we had come out on top in the shoot out and to see the players running over to the fantastic support of the travelling Villa fans but alas it wasn't to be. I have seen posts debating whether or not this was the Chelsea "first" team, well, of course it wasn't but they have a pool of about 20 players that could easily be labelled as part of this so called "best eleven" so it's not quite the same. To put it in context a little, FIVE of their starting line up cost a combined total of £230M pounds, the other 6 were (are) quality players that have come through their youth system (or bought in at a young age) and on top of that they still brought on two other players at a combined cost of £112M with another £100M worth of subs just warming the bench for the night. Compare that to our starting eleven which included six players costing £101M only and just Konsa (£12M) on the bench with the rest all our future young stars. I think we can take great heart from the result and more so our performance so to be honest I am feeling very upbeat today with everything about our club. Don't get me wrong, money isn't everything and I am not suggesting just because Chelsea's squad value is a lot bigger than ours that we can't/shouldn't be able to compete, we definitely can, we proved this last night and hopefully we can keep improving season on season. I love the fact Smith had such faith in the likes of Archer, JPG, Chuk ETC and I love how he is starting to be very flexible with his formations and changing things up, last night being a great example starting with a back 4 then immediately when Lukaku comes on he switches to a back 3 - Get the feeling he loves pitting his wits against the so-called elite managers. Deserved to take it to pens, lost it a bit for 20+ mins at the start of the second half but that aside thought we were more than decent. As for the pens, my two penneth - El Ghazi's was unsaveable, Young's was very disappointing (got to hit the target, rule Nr 1), Nakamba - not going to give him pelters but I wasn't convinced when I saw him step up and though he hit the target, if the keeper goes the right way he saves it, again - a poor pen. Konsa's and Buendia's were fine but the damage was already done. Was expecting more from Steer to be honest, was hoping for the baggies stare but that never came and he only got close to the last one and that was in the top corner, shame. Finally, the goal (which deserves a mention) - great cross from Matty and that was some header by Archer, fair play to him finishing like that after missing a couple of early chances, a sign of a good striker. Learning from the likes of Ings and Watkins (& Davis ) is going to be fantastic for his development. All good, now let's beat those f****** on Saturday!

Shame it wasn't an easier tie where we could have rested key players and got to see some of our exciting youth again but unfortunately it wasn't to be, therefore, I think we should go as strong as possible TBH and worry about Man Utd later (once we've progressed! ) Chelsea will no doubt make changes yet still be able to field a difficult side to beat, would expect the likes of Chilwell, James, Hudson-Odoi and Werner starting so obviously whilst being no mugs they may not all quite gel as their best eleven do. I think the 3-5-2 as worked pretty well in the last two games but I think we need to try get our wide players some minutes whilst also making sure we have a really solid platform at the back therefore I'd probably go something like this:- Martinez Konsa Tuanzebe Mings Young Luiz Nakamba Traore Buendia Bailey Watkins I'd usually pick Steer in cup games but I think Martinez for this one because we look more assured when he plays, Konsa at RB for that extra defensive nous, Tuanzebe misses Man U so I think he definitely starts, Targett needs a rest / injured? So no brainer bringing in Young. 4-5-1 off the ball, counter quick and hit them at speed would be my game plan. 0-1 Watkins.

Contrary to what some people on here would have you believe, yes, yes they did. Bertrand was only on for around 5 minutes mind and the game was over. Not sure he would have made the same sub (with same formation) if it was early in the match.

WE DIDN'T CHANGE FORMATION Well done Dean, well done team! Shaded first half then ran out worthy winners with MOTM Bailey's cameo. Thought Mings was very good and also Nakamba proving that he's more than capable regardless of what many on here think. Some of the comments in the match thread are laughable, it's like people have absolutely no faith in our manager. He knows what he's doing. Bailey will start games soon. As will Buendia. He has real options now. And I have every faith in him

To be honest I understand fully where you are coming from, maybe I had my Italia 90 head on when I posted that bit - I'm not a fan of Southgate and watching England isn't the same as it was for me in years gone by. I think my point is, which I badly put, "it's easier watching him play for England than it is for City". I can watch him perform for England and think our famous club got him performing at these standards (regardless of what the clueless/top 6 driven media try to tell us). I agree with your sentiments though about the National team

I'm not ashamed or embarrassed to admit, that even at 44 years young, seeing him play for City hurts a lot as does seeing any of his social media City stuff. I get why he left. We couldn't offer what City can. But I still think he's a Villa fan, he's just in a completely different position to any of us. Moving for me doesn't change that. But for him his career / brand is No 1 priority and has been for a good while. But that's his choice and as hard as it is to take there is no turning back. I don't begrudge any of our supporters wishing him well still at City, he brought us so much joy when wearing the claret & blue, but not for me. I can't bring myself to that at all. I hope he does well when playing for England at major tournaments (given he's a nailed on starter now - Cheers Gareth) but that's all the support I can muster. He will no doubt shine for both though, on the biggest stage - Majority of Villa fans have known this for years now, which makes this whole transfer even harder to take seeing now all the plastic fans jumping on the "Grealish is world class" (now he's at City) bandwagon. Anyway, I can put it all in perspective, it's football at the end of the day - It's not (quite) life or death - Just disappointing that he could have been one of the greatest legends at our club had he stayed on our journey. Oh well.

Should be a good game and hopefully we can put in a similar performance to the one at Stamford Bridge but obviously excluding the mistakes and being more clinical in front of goal. Love the fact that it's much harder to pick a starting eleven now (the upside of Jack leaving) and with Smith showing he's not worried about a formation change then this also makes it less predictable. I would go for - Martinez Cash Konsa Mings Targett Luiz Ramsey McGinn Traore Watkins Bailey With great options off the bench in the likes of Ings, Buendia, El Ghazi ETC if required. They were poor first half against Burnley and DCL is a big loss, I think (hope) we might nick it 2-1 or 3-2.

Maybe I am (subconsciously) watching him differently now but I didn't think he was that good at all, don't get me wrong, he was still probably our best player, at least from an attacking POV, but, I don't know, I just think he's capable of so much more. Feels like it's been a long, long time since he's really been driving at players, passing them with ease and it all feels a bit restrictive at the moment both with England and City.

If I have eggs on a day Villa are playing, be it boiled or poached and to a lesser extent fried, depending on how well they turn out I always feel it will affect the Villa result (& my day in general)! Absolutely ridiculous I know, yet I tend to either stay away from on match day or concentrate really hard on getting them perfect!

Same team as the one that started against Newcastle. Guilbert played well last night but he won't displace Cash, Targett still a little off it so Young gets the nod there. The midfield 3 last week all played well so no changes there, more of the same hopefully from JJ. I feel the two most at threat were Buendia and AEG but regardless of whether Bailey/Watkins are declared fit I think both should (& will) start - Another weeks training for Emi and a confident performance by Anwar last night should bode well for both. Loving our squad now, there's going to be some serious competition when everyone's fit, the way it should be. Think we might nick it, 2-1 Ings, Buendia.

First time I have seen him play and very impressed, not only with his MOTM performance but the way he spoke after the game, looks to have his head screwed on right and another one of our young crop that's got great potential. Not knocking Keinan Davis, as I am a fan of him in terms of his hold up play, strength, bringing others into the game but I couldn't imagine him scoring the 3 goals that Archer scored last night, they were real quality finishes, reminded me of a young Michael Owen. The first was easy enough but in the right place at the right time and gave the keeper absolutely no chance, the second one he made look a lot easier than it was but it was an exquisite chip but my fav was actually the third - I loved how he calmly side footed it into the far bottom corner, I have seen so many players that would have just lashed at that but that finish showed me that he's a natural finisher and the kid with a bit of luck and hard work can do very well in the game.

Almost a perfect 1st half I think our 2 centre halves are the only ones that aren't quite "on it" though their CF is putting himself about a bit, they both look rusty. Hourihane instrumental (like you'd expect) El Ghazi clinical, the young lads all showing the future is bright. Meanwhile Leeds are 0-0 at HT with the mighty Crewe playing arguably a stronger team than us...

A few people putting Davis in their teams - Thought he was definitely out injured?! Regardless of whether we make wholesale changes or not we should still have more than enough to qualify tonight as long as we play with the right attitude. I would say our squad is better now even with the fitness issues and injuries we currently have than in previous seasons where we have gone understrength and come unstuck. Not always easy to gel granted, but a back 5 of Steer, Guilbert, Tuanzebe, Hause and Targett (which most people are predicting) should give us a solid base to work from.

Really want us to go for it in this cup (as always) as it is our best chance of silverware, that said we need to manage the squad effectively in terms of resting players that have niggles and giving players that need minutes some game time - all whilst hopefully giving us a comfortable passage into round 3. Difficult to predict the starting eleven as we aren't privy to the players' fitness levels but I would think it would be something along the lines of this; Steer Guilbert Tuanzebe Hause Targett Nakamba Hourihane JPB Chukwuemeka El Ghazi (Sanson) Wesley All about attitude, if that's there then we will be just fine - I'm going for 0-3 Wes, Conor, JPB.

My missus said exactly the same to me re Jack's girlfriend suddenly been back on the scene, it is so obviously all to coincide with the Grealish "brand". He's a class footballer, best I've seen at Villa Park, and I thought once he left I would want him to go on to achieve great things (call me bitter) but I hope he fails miserably - He probably won't because of his undoubted talent - But the transfer to City at a time when we were (are) making great strides, the my city, my club blah blah messages but the requested buy out clause put into his contract, the emotionless message to the Villa fans, the City videos "made my year" blah blah), the blue hearts, the goal celebration, ETC ETC it just comes across so fake - City didn't need him and like one of the videos with the blogger on here said - they are just trying to buy a new fan base - looks like it to me. I really, really hope they don't win the Champions League anytime soon. And a failed title bid would be quite nice too! I'm intrigued to what kind of reaction he will get at Villa Park - From what I have seen over social media it seems a mixed reaction to the posts he makes, I'm guessing VP will be the same.

At the moment we can't look past Watford, (standard boring comment I know) but I think Saturday's result (& performance) will shape the first 5... So 3 possible outcomes for me, hopefully it's the first one... Watford - W D L Newcastle - W D D Brentford - W W D Chelsea - L L L Everton - W D L (12) (6) (2) Definitely need to be aiming for 12, I think even the most optimistic Villa fans wont see us picking up anything against Chelsea (though hopefully we go there brimming with confidence). I would be delighted with 12, happy with 10 and satisfied with 9. My concern is the disruptive pre-season and doubts over whom could be key personnel or otherwise I would feel a lot more confident

Cantwell is a decent player, a poor man's Grealish (at this stage) but one i feel our coaching staff could work wonders with - for the right price! Bellingham, would be absolutely buzzing though! I've thought about this for a while and didn't think it was beyond the realms of possibilities tbh! I think it would finish a few noses off

Just feel kind of empty now, gutted he's gone, don't wish him a serious injury or anything but hopes he flops in the light blue, it's a real shame that he couldn't continue living our dream, the fans dream (for another year), but I genuinely don't think it was an easy decision for him and I don't really get the snake remarks, yes he may have had the clause put in(?), but he's been way too good for us for several years now, the fact he is as good as he is is the reason why it hurts like it does. He has brought us so much enjoyment. I think he is desperate to play Champions League, and the opportunity to work with Pep, play with De Bruyne was just too tempting. Does that mean he isn't one of us?! I don't think so. We should be proud that he's a Villan and the coaching staff, Dean, et al should be proud that they have helped produce a player of his calibre. The way the blues go on about Bellingham who's only been there 5 minutes is ridiculous, incomparable to what we have with Jack yet they have retired his shirt. I think once the dust settles, the hurt wears away, people will understand (a little) of the difficult decision he had to make and he will be welcomed back to VP - Obviously not whilst wearing another teams colours. I hope that amongst our bright academy that another flame can be ignited, the likes of Louie Barry, Carney Chukwuemeka or Brad Young all look to have huge potential, particularly for me Carney who I think will be the real deal all being well. I also hope for a couple more additions to this window. Potentially we have a better all round squad this season on last season, but we have just lost one of (if not) the best player in the league and I think we need to just flex our muscles a bit more to push us into European places. We have great owners who have handled this (& every transfer) with such dignity and backing us financially and we still have a Villa man as our gaffer, I think we are still in a really good place. Jack who?

1-2 Watkins and Ings First 3 points towards our European push!

This thread is killing me, what a rollercoaster of emotions! @nick76 your positivity is superb - I really hope he stays, more for you than for me* Also hope we get Tammy for you *more for us all

Gutted if (or when) he goes. I think if he hadn't been training this week and training on his own as advised by the club then it would have been a lot easier to take, but to see this dragging on all week has just made it 1000 times worse. I've supported Villa for nearly 40 years and he's the best player I've seen so it's a tough one to take. I thought I would wish him well when he left but for me, he's made his bed and whilst I appreciate the lure of Champs League, Pep, KDB ETC was an extremely tough decision he's left (leaving) us and our "project" one year too early. Reading comments throughout on Blue Moon and they don't deserve him, hope he fails miserably.

Delighted with this, for a long time now we have been very inconsistent in wide areas (Grealish aside). Traore can be class at times, El Ghazi can nick a goal, Trez will work all day but now we have Bailey and Buendia that improves our starting eleven and should improve our overall play no end. It would be mouthwatering having Grealish with those two and Watkins, but nevertheless glad to get this one over the line. Still think we're definitely still a centre half light and I'd be happy with JWP (for the right price) and another forward

Literally spat my tea out at that bit, cheers

Me too, I went on our official website, twitter, H&V, Facebook and Blue Moon all in the space of 3 minutes! I had intentions of working today...