WakefieldVillan

I get why some are suggesting that. I personally just think Salah, Mane and Firminho can destroy pretty much any defences on their day so I think it's going to be immaterial which one of the two plays

Wasn't great last night by any stretch of the imagination but I don't think he played too badly after lockdown and he is still an upgrade on Taylor (I know, I know!) I can understand views that Taylor is better defensively but his limitations going forward outweighs any positives. We look like we have a good team spirit right now and the players appear to be bonding very well, obviously the likes of Jack and John are very close, Mings is a key figure in the dressing room and I'm guessing Targett and Grealish know each other pretty well from the International set up (2016 Toulon tournament). Now I'm not suggesting he shouldn't ever be replaced, of course we should always be looking to improve, but I think building a good team spirit and a togetherness goes along way too, therefore I think he's one that we will have to persevere with until the start of the 21/22 season.

I think we will field a similar side to the one that played Bristol City and that's the right call for me. Hopefully a similar kind of performance should see us through to the Quarter Finals and continue our good start to the season. I don't think it will be a formality and we shouldn't take these lightly, although their league form has been mixed, they've not conceded a goal in 5 of their 6 matches so obviously doing something right. They also beat Wolves in the second round. Difficult to predict Stokes line-up but they have decent solid Championship players throughout their squad. Our team then - Steer, Guilbert, Elmo, Hause, Taylor, Lansbury, Nakamba, Ramsey, Traore, Davis, El Ghazi. - Doesn't look the strongest on paper, the defense in particular does worry me, but hopefully players are really playing for their place in our Premier League squad and should be busting a gut. I think 1 goal will settle it, possibly pens.

I can 100% guarantee Conor won't be playing at Anfield next week

I think tonight shows how far we've come in such a short space of time that we have comfortably beaten these and not really played that well at all. Jack and John our best players, hard to call for MOTM but aint it nice to see the real McGinn back in action. Time for our fans to get behind our players and less moaning. Trez is the one now that is getting most stick. Ok we know he is a limited footballer but he worked harder than anyone on the pitch today and he did a decent job for the team so fair play. I watched Fulham at Leeds and for long spells they were much the better side and they obviously scored 3 times so I will take tonight's result ALL NIGHT LONG! Now let's work on keeping the ball and get passing and moving and see where the season takes us UTV

Wasn't good enough, even prior lockdown (& Wembley goal) I wasn't overly impressed - I think it was more a case of him being "a body up" front (IE a striker playing striker as opposed to AEG) and some fans being easily pleased. After the break he looked totally lost and way behind all our other forwards. Don't feel sorry for him, but wish him well.

Cast off? Chelsea have Kante, Pulisic, Mount, Havertz, Ziyech, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho , Kovacic, Gilmour and Ross all on their books - Looking at that, maybe something has to give. He's only 26! He has tremendous ability and would improve our team (let alone squad) massively. This would be the type of signing I would expect that Jack was hoping for, them two linking up could be great to watch. Really hope it happens

Unfortunately can't see this happening, still think he is in Frank's plans. Would be a terrific signing IMO though and I'm surprised that fans would turn their noses up at him. For where we are at the moment I think it would a great signing. I think personally more chance of getting Loftus-Cheek (loan).

Mings for Engels and I think that's how we will line up. If Traore isn't up to speed then I'd stick Jota in there. Have Jack and Ollie on the bench in case it's level late on. Hopefully we have enough to get through, win this and (we should) get past Stoke/Gillingham at home then we are into the quarter-finals and we can start to smell the hot dogs... (well we would but for Covid ).

Delighted he's got a new contract and by the looks of it, with the majority. The lad can play, his hold up play is good, he's young, quick, very strong, works defenders and has good feet and YES we all know strikers are judged on how many goals they score and this is one fault that we ALL share, I still feel that he contributes really well to the team/squad and goals will come, he just has to keep working at it. I don't get the idea that he should play elsewhere, for me he is a front man, someone to get it into and for it to stick then get players playing off him, but he also has the ability to chase it in the channels (similar to the Burton goal). I wouldn't loan him out at all at the moment. Currently the pecking order is (1) Watkins (2) Davis (3) Samatta (4) Wesley (inj.) - Once Wes is fit, he goes alongside Davis and they both have it to prove who is best equipped. Only if Samatta leaves and we get someone in like Edouard and Wesley proves his fitness would then I loan Keinan to a Championship side.

Terrific debut, made me feel at ease when he was dealing with crosses coming in or he had the ball at his feet, just looked so calm and assured with a big presence. Also, I put him in my dream team a few days before he signed for us so thrilled to bits with the penalty save and the clean sheet. Reminds me of Buffon too with the short sleeves, let's hope he can become even half the keeper!

7/10 last night. Not one of his better games, give the ball away a couple of times which is unlike him, yet still was our main attacking threat. Think he will be a tad disappointed he didn't get on the score sheet though. Had 3 decent chances - first one he curled wide (hardest chance, and a bit unlucky), second one dragged past the near post and then then the last one deflected over and not sure if it was finding the far corner or not (I think ultimately he should be scoring both the last two chances).

Perfectly said

Surely best we can hope for is runners up behind Bielsa?

I said post match I'd be happy with a point and a good performance but given the option, I'd take a poor performance and 3 points like tonight every week of the season if truth be told. Seen too many negative posts for my liking. It was our first (proper) competitive match and they clearly had the edge fitness wise but penalty aside we always looked in control (which to be fair we should against 10) and with a bit more composure and guile we could and should have had the game wrapped up with 10 mins to go. 11v11 and that's a totally different game, one where I'm sure we would have created more chances and looked more fluid as the first 12 minutes we started brightly. After that it was basically attack vs defence and to their credit they defended pretty well. Martinez MOTM for the obvious, though Konsa was a close second. McGinn seems to be getting a lot of pelters on here and yes he was pretty dreadful, but I am surprised that people say he's not good enough. I hate the way we as fans write players off. He's been class overall since he came here, the injury has obviously taken some time to get right but he will come good again I guarantee and when he does it will improve us massively. I actually saw signs from 80+ mins of more of the real McGinn. Players have bad games = doesn't make them bad players.

I wouldn't class this as a "must win" game but I could see an argument that it is a "must not lose" kind of match so I would probably be reasonably happy with a point (& a good performance). If we were to lose this we then go to Craven Cottage and although Fulham have started the season poorly, they were the better team for long spells at Elland Rd and after two straight defeats they will be extremely fired up for our visit so it won't be easy. 2 defeats then going into Liverpool and Leicester games and things could easily look so bleak, hence why I can see why fans could be nervous for tonight, I know I am. That's the worst case scenario though. I hope we come flying out of the traps and match them for fitness and aggression, if we do that then we have a good chance of at least a point. Their game plan / style of play / team shape - should be well known to us (& all opponents) now so we have no excuses really. Barring injuries I think the team Smith will start with is - Martinez; Cash, Targett, Konsa, Mings; Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane; Trez, Watkins and Grealish. Hopefully Traore is eligible to feature at some point. Prediction 1-1. UTV

Just having some salmon for lunch, thought it was an appropriate time to make my *first post on this thread. Has he signed yet? Oh and you're all absolutely crazy, but you've kept me entertained (a little) *might be my second but I am not scrolling 300+ pages to check. YES 300!

I think we have to be realistic though Dave. If we do manage to sign Rashica and Traore and a big name striker (Tammy/Edouard) then I can't personally see us signing another winger/wide forward. I know we had the King links, he wouldn't be a bad signing at a decent price - but if we're raiding Bournemouth then Brooks is the man I'd want. Buendia would be nice too. Anyway it would be great if we did but I would prioritise a quality new ACM, CB and LB all before that (at this stage). It's a big season though for Anwar if we get this competition in, I think there's still a player in there - it's up to him if he grasps the opportunities when they arrive.

Sorry if I have missed it but has there been a new link, errr.. linking.. us to Tammy? Not my money but I think anything above £40M is too much - but I would love him or Edouard in (especially if Samatta is leaving). I must say hearing Jack's interview and talk of the owners ambitions ETC - My first thoughts were of Abraham coming back. He obviously enjoyed is time here, knows the club well and watching Werner's debut the other night (I know he didn't score), he looks a class act and will be their first choice striker in all their "bigger" games. That said, I'd be happy with Edouard too. Watkins, Edouard (Abraham), Wesley and Davis up front Rashica, Traore, Grealish, El Ghazi and Trez (& Watkins) as wide options. Top 10 side that barring no injuries to key men.

Delighted he got the goal last night which will hopefully do him the world of good confidence wise (even if it was only against "Burton"). Needs to keep spending hours and hours "finishing" on the training ground, because that is his only real weakness in his game (albeit a crucial one). Still think he has a lot to offer and will play his part this season.

I won't write him off yet, yes he was poor last night, worst player on the pitch for us in fact, but he has got ability and he has shown glimpses of that in his time here. Definitely a confidence player but he needs to add some aggression to his game, he has been way too passive in many performances for us and last night was the same. Hopefully if we get some real competition for him (with the likes of Rashica & Traore) then he can step up to the plate. I'd keep both him and Trez this season but ideally neither in our first eleven, one as sub and one fighting to get in the match-day squad.

Welcome Emi! Hopefully proves to be a great signing and has many clean sheets, not just for Villa but for my dream team His shirt to lose, Heaton as back up (providing real competition) and Steer third choice (still a capable keeper) - Bin the rest!

Goosebumps! What a statement of intent! I have waaaaaaaay too much love for this guy but I don't care, he's a joy to watch!

Unfortunately can't see this one happening, if it was I think it may have been announced as a double swoop with Watkins. A shame because he's obviously a real talent.

Welcome Ollie! Pleased with this one. Next.