WakefieldVillan

2 minutes ago, Farlz said:

The sooner we all ignore Villalad21 the better. 

Who? 

Voted Nyland MOTM, closely followed by Mings both deserved a clean sheet. Thought Guilbert had a great game too and did well for the goal, had the better of Chilwell which is no mean feat.

Sloppy goal to concede and this may sound silly but I am glad we are going into the tie at Villa Park on level terms as opposed to being in front?! I think we will still be underdogs (rightly so) but I think that suits us and takes the pressure off us but still gives us confidence that we can match them (a little). 

We will need a bit of luck at VP and some striking reinforcements but can't ask for much more from the lads tonight for work rate, discipline and effort.

If only Nakamba and Luiz were as comfortable on the ball as Conor and Henri or the latter two had the work rate & speed across the ground as the former two then we would have the perfect midfielders - hopefully Drinkwater makes us stronger in this area.

Gave Smith a good rating, we weren't going to go toe-to-toe with them but he set us up perfectly. Our possession was poor but for 15 minutes after our goal. 

Bring on the second leg! 

I know it could be said to all games but I feel tonight the first 20 minutes really are key to how this one goes. It's vital that we settle early, don't concede, be brave on the ball, disciplined without it and also show some aggression in our tackles.

If we do that then hopefully it will instill a bit of confidence in the players and we can produce a good account of ourselves. By no means will it be easy and if offered right now I would bite your hands off for a 2-1 defeat but lets not write it off before a ball is kicked - It's 11 vs 11 at the end of the day, let's not just turn up to have our bellies tickled!

UTV

If Targett isn't fit I personally would go with a back 3 (or back 5) of;

                          Nyland

         Konsa    Chester    Mings 

Guilbert                                          Hause

Even if he is fit, I'd still be tempted by this. Think Chester was probably our best player on Saturday and looks to be returning to match fitness.

Given the above and the fact we're away from home against a good side, that bit of extra experience (with the pace of Mings & Konsa each side to hopefully take care of Vardy) might give us a more solid look about us?!

Before today's game I said (3-4-3);

Nyland, Konsa, Mings, Hause, Guilbert, Luiz, Nakamba, Targett, Trezeguet, Davis (if fit), Grealish.

Nakamba was so poor today that I want to leave him out, but then again so was Henri and Conor so who knows... 

All I know is we're gonna have to show a lot more fight and passion (& ability) than today to have any chance. 

10 minutes ago, villalad21 said:

Disappointing we don't give the youth a chance.

Maybe they are just not quite ready yet.

Maybe Smith wants to bed them in gently.

There's a few around the first team squad now and that can only do them good in the long run.

Have a little patience and trust the manager will know a lot more about our youth players than any of us!

8 minutes ago, MaVilla said:

I agree, should have stuck with 3 at the back....

Maybe Smith wants to rest Konsa, Mings and Hause for the Leicester match (which looks very likely) and feels that Chester and Engels are better suited to playing in a back 4.  

Also Fulham are set up as a 4-3-3 therefore you would hope that the 2 centre halves can look after Cavaleiro whereas at Burnley we had 3 covering both Wood and Barnes. No brainer for me (if we are resting players).

17 minutes ago, Brumstopdogs said:

Pretty much what I chose (& expected) apart from Nakamba starting (I had Ramsey) who may still get a bit of game time from the bench.

Although Fulham have rested the obvious two in Cairney and Mitrovic it still looks a decent side on paper and it will be a good test and should be a good game with a few goals. (Get backing 0-0 now ).

I don't think it matters personally that we've gone back to what looks a 4-3-3, it will be a much different side against Leicester and I would be amazed if we didn't return to 3 at the back for that game given the performance against Burnley, our result and performance against Leicester in the league and the way Leicester themselves set up - at least it leaves them guessing on our formation and we can become less predictable.

I hope to see some improved performances from the likes of Jota, El Ghazi and Kodge! 

We all know how winning breeds confidence and it would be a great boost going into the Leicester match on the back of consecutive wins.

The severe injuries to Wes and Heaton have been extremely tough to take but I don't think it should deter us from competing in this one and aiming to progress into the next round, though I admit it is the last of our three priorities given the late stage we have reached in the Carabao Cup.

Difficult to select a squad today without knowing the fitness of certain players but I trust Smith, Terry and co to get the right balance for this and Wednesday nights game at the King Power. 

I think Wednesdays semi final team needs to be stronger than today and once we get past that we can reassess fitness of the players for Man City - which is going to be an extremely tough task regardless of who starts.

Dependant on fitness and any potential new signings, my team for Leicester would be (3-4-3) Nyland, Konsa, Mings, Hause, Guilbert, Luiz, Nakamba, Targett, Trezeguet, Davis, Grealish therefore today I would go 

(4-2-3-1) Nyland, Elmo, Engels, Chester, Taylor, Lansbury, Hourihane, Jota, Ramsey, El Ghazi, Kodjia.

I think Nyland needs to start today and hopefully he can continue where he left off against Liverpool, Mings and Grealish should be nowhere near the squad and possibly Kodjia & Davis could be swapped around. I'd like to see the likes of Archer, Sulliman, Vassilev and Wright on the bench too.

1-2 villa (Hourihane, Kodjia)

Continuing the 'B' theme..

Leeds look like signing Cauley Woodrow from Barnsley, who I think is a decent player but perhaps may struggle in the Premier League. For me it's a signing that suits Leeds as they no doubt are just looking for a back up to Bamford. (I think he has a similar style). But.... what if its Bamfords replacement .. nah I know he won't be.. but I'm interested to know what peoples thoughts would be if we were in for him?! (Besides being a word removed, I actually rate him and think he would be an asset).  

Let's sign all the 's

Benrahma, Batshuayi, Bowen, Butland, Benteke, B.........

I'd have all the above to be honest, well maybe not Christian...

Still think Batshuayi is a long shot but would prefer him over Giroud (even more so with a loan to buy option) but would be happy with either.

Although Butland's form has considerably dropped if we could get him on the cheap (8 to 10m?) then could be a bargain.

1 hour ago, imavillan said:

Tweets this morning.

interesting he’s meeting with owners this evening 

I was gonna post something on signings, but got sidetracked on Twitter 

**** get in BIG Wes ! 

Fear this one will go the same way as the Sheffield United and Watford games where we could get out-worked, out-muscled and out-thought. Man for man, I believe we are at least as good as they are and we possess the best player on the pitch by some distance BUT we need to go out there and dare I say it "roll up wor sleeves"! 

Crucial that we have Mings back, just as much for his leadership qualities as is playing abilities. I think Kodjia or Davis (if fit) needs to start because Smith ain't doing himself any favours by sticking with Wesley. Apart from big Wes I do think Smith as a rule has been trying to play players who have done well in the previous game and omit ones that have been poor, but for whatever reason the ones that start each game are just not consistently playing well.

I'd like to see either a 3-5-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation to (at least) give something else a try, because the current formation is just not working and we are conceding way too many efforts on goal.

Although Jack can play anywhere, with McGinn out he needs to play central.

Depending on certain individuals fitness I'd go either;

             Heaton

 Konsa  Engels  Mings 

Guilbert                    Targett 

         Luiz    Nakamba 

              Grealish

          Davis    Kodjia 

Or;

                 Heaton

Guilbert Engels Mings  Hause

    Luiz   Nakamba  Hourihane 

                   Grealish 

              Davis     Kodjia 

26 minutes ago, foreveryoung said:

Just heard his interview blaming everything else, shouldn't have been a pen, Grealish was fouled, players were not good enough. I personally think the dressing room has gone, he ain't coming back from this. Even says Grealish kept playing when Targett had a hamstring injury, as good as blaming Jack for the goal. You can't start blaming your captain or main player in public, we'll be lucky to keep him for the rest of the season after that comment. I think he's done, he might have the Burnley game, if he is lucky.

Still got full respect for him getting us up from the Championship, but that was his level, his inexperience is showing in the prem.  Always said it was much to early to take the step up especially to AVFC  and it shows. Doubt he will get another job at this level.

It's my worry he's lost the dressing room. 

I know the masseur at Sheffield Utd, who was also at Wales, he was having a beer with Neil Taylor after the Sheffield Utd game, maybe sour grapes from Taylor (with him not playing) but he said that he thought Villa were certainties for relegation, the dressing room was split, the new foreign signings weren't arsed about the club and the positivity/camaraderie of last season just wasn't there anymore. Worrying.

I think we need Mings back ASAP, for all his little mistakes this season on the field we are definitely missing his leadership qualities. 

I've been a big fan of Smith and he does talk a good game as others have pointed out but he's not helping himself picking the same formation week in week out and if anything our form is getting worse each week which again, is very worrying. 

I expected defeat today but not in the manner it came about, we really need to see a response at Burnley or the pressure will really mount.

Really want him to turn it around but I fear a sacking is just around the corner.

Worryingly I have heard today that there is no team spirit  the dressing room is basically shite and they are certainties for relegation! 

I get the feeling some posters are actually disappointed we won that, but I will leave that there!

We were fortunate today, we didn't play well collectively and Norwich can consider themselves unlucky not to have come away with at least a point. But... today was ALL about the 3 points. Nothing else really matters. Confidence is low, the pressure was on and it was never going to be a performance of free-flowing football. So what?! At least the application was there which is the bare minimum we expect but didn't get last week.

Grealish MOTM again (running out of superlatives for him!) closely followed by Hause who was solid throughout - which seems an odd thing to say bearing in mind the chances Norwich created?! Heaton was very good, but made saves I would expect him to make, Konsa played well as did Conor when he came on. Great block on the line by Luiz who also worked tirelessly but needs to stop conceding needless free-kicks in dangerous areas which just invites pressure. 

Our weakness yet again was in wide areas, I don't like knocking our players but Trez and El Ghazi were ridiculously poor today. I really hope we get a late xmas present in a Benrahma or Bowen.

Anyway, much needed 3 points. Hopefully gives us confidence to kick on again.

UTV 

4 hours ago, Zatman said:

Chelsea transfer ban has been lifted, Lampard said he will sign a striker 

JackClarke isn't being picked by Leeds due to attitude problems

Fair enough I didn't realise that A) Chelsea were having their transfer ban lifted in this window and that Lampard was in for another striker, which would make more sense to people suggesting Batshuayi coming to Villa.

To be honest I would take either Batshuayi or Giroud on loan as I think its crucial that we strengthen in that department but I think only the latter will leave Chelsea, personally.

I'm shocked by the Clarke comment to be honest, thought it was more that Bielsa didn't quite trust him in 'footballing' terms. Can't see it happening anyway, but the kids got talent and needs to be playing.

10 hours ago, abdulaziz1 said:

I think we can get Batshuyai, maybe try a get Bowen too. Those two could improve us dramatically. We'll have another loan which we could  look at a midfielder with.

I admire your optimism but I think we have absolutely zero chance of acquiring his services. He may not be starting many games for Chelsea but he his always in the first team squad and regularly is the one that replaces Abraham late on - No way are Chelsea and Frank going to let him go. I think Giroud would be a lot more likely but I can't see that happening either.

Bowen has been outstanding again this season and I could see him leaving in January, whether we would be in the market at the reported figures, again not too sure.

Although reasonably happy with our signings in the summer I always felt that we needed Phillips and Maupay to really give us a good chance of staying up, in fact I think with the addition of those two alone, with the way the league is panning out, we would be in the European places right now.

I think we need 3 signings in January to try avoid relegation, unfortunately we have no chance with the above mentioned, but I would get Benrahma in first (this will no doubt come at an inflated cost to Dean) failing that, how about Jack Clarke from Spurs who's not getting game time at Leeds? He ripped us apart at VP last year and I think he would be a decent alternative to our current wide players? May be the step up would be too much?! I would get JT on the phone to Frank to see if we could get Reece James in on loan too, absolute baller and could fill in for McGinn whilst he's out injured. Predominantly a RB but would add some steel that we are evidently missing?!

A centre forward is a must too, I wasn't too sure at first with the Morelos links, but the more I think about it the more I think it may be a good move for us, we really need some more fire power and some more aggression to our squad and he would definitely give us this. 

I advocated 3-5-2 for the Sheffield Utd game, thought with Mings out and the way the blades set up it was a perfect time to try it, this game I'm not too sure but one things for certain we need to try something or it will be another horrible day at Villa Park.

Teams have completely figured out how to get at us and it is imperative that we put a stop to it with some kind of formation or personnel change. 

This is a massive, massive game and I think we need some experience to guide us over the line therefore I'd recall Chester and Elmohamady for this and see if we can be more solid. I'd go;

                      Heaton

Elmo      Chester      Konsa       Targett 

                  Nakamba   Luiz    

                        Grealish 

   Jota               Wesley            Kodjia 

 I think the limitations in our squad are there to see, and in the team above, but what we all want to see is more desire, more passion, more hunger and more fight, today was a bad day and we need to bounce back and show these traits because if we do I still think we are genuinely good enough to stay up!

UTV 

Can't wait for all the comments when we come back to win 3-2 

UTV 

1 hour ago, Dr_Pangloss said:

We've got **** no chance

That's the spirit! 

Good job our management and coaching staff don't feel like that along with the players or there would literally no point turning up!

Will it be difficult? Yes. 

Can it be done? Damn right it can. And I am usually a glass half empty kind of guy.

A narrow defeat at the King Power and a storming comeback at a packed VP under the lights with the 12th man behind us, I don't think we should write it off mate.

I also think United might beat City and we have shown already we are capable of giving them a game.

Best scenario we could have hoped for I think. Just need an injury for Steptoe prior to our games to give us more of a chance

Interesting posts from this match reaction thread and probably the most split reaction I have seen our fans on how the game played out.

I think the fact our keeper got 50% of the MOTM votes is quite telling to me and if (and yes I know it is a big IF) they had taken one of their early chances we could've been looking at a very different outcome.

End of the day, the 2 goals settled us down and I do get we were playing within ourselves (in the second half) but overall I wasn't impressed with lots of aspects of our game, IE passing, moving, pressing off the ball ETC.

I don't think one player from last night really justified a definite call up for Saturdays game against Southampton which for me was a shame as I thought they would be chomping at the bit.

That said I get we made a lot of changes, some were a bit rusty and in the end it was a comfortable passage into the semi's so job done - I am sure we will field a strong team in the semi's and given a bit of luck who's to say we can't go all the way!

Great to be in the semi finals but was underwhelmed with our performance though it really must have been a strange game to play in and fair play to their youngsters they looked decent on the ball and the scoreline was harsh and but for Nyland (MOTM for me) they would have had at least one.

Positives; 

Kodjia - although a touch rusty, may have done enough to get the nod for Saturday (his running into channels gives us another dimension).

Nyland - made some great saves, fair play. He's probably earned a semi final spot.

Chester - back on the pitch, good to see, but he's a bit off the first team squad yet (for me).

Big Wes - Tidy finish which will do him a world of good. I know he has lots of haters. But I'm not one. And yes I know it's only a goal against youngsters. 

Terry/Smith - Real touch of class going into the opposition dressing room after, makes me proud of what our club is about

Negatives;

Sloppy in possession, no cohesion, gifted several chances, we didn't dominate midfield enough and individually thought Taylor & Trez were very poor and Jota who obviously can pick a pass is just so lightweight, thought he would stand out more tonight to be honest.

UTV