WakefieldVillan

Tough, tough game... although we need to start winning games I would probably take a point from this one. Actually... no I wouldn't, we, in my opinion, have the better players, it's all about having the desire and physically matching these which is key to getting a result (a la Newcastle last week)! I just hope the Leicester performance has hurt our lads and we can really put on a strong solid show and bring the 3 points home. I would be tempted to match up like-for-like with the blades and make it all about winning the personal battles, would be risky but would maybe shore the defence up a little and take Wilder by surprise. Obviously depends on Mings fitness and would be a risk if he broke down. Think McGinn should start deeper and let Jack play more central with a change up top which most fans are calling for. I really want Wes to succeed and have been less critical than many but yesterday he was very poor even by the low standards he has set. Heaton Konsa Engels Mings Guilbert Targett McGinn Luiz Grealish Kodjia El Ghazi Subs: Nyland, Hause, Nakamba, Lansbury, Hourihane, Trezeguet, Wesley Prediction 1v2

Summed up to perfection

I think a lot of this one comes down to belief, we have an abysmal record at Old Trafford (much like most teams I would imagine, but ours is painfully bad), but this isn't a United side with Keane, Beckham, Giggs ETC... It will be a massive occasion for a number of our players in front of 70,000 + home fans and we need to show that we have what it takes to perform on a big stage - if we do that then I firmly believe we have the players to bring home a positive result. They have a decent front free which will probably cause us problems but have others have alluded to we have a better midfield (I wouldn't swap any of ours for theirs!) and they can definitely be got at at the back. I know Smith likes to play either (or both) of Nakamba and Luiz against teams he feels we wont get as much of the ball, but the way we play, Utd play and the performance of Conor on Monday it would be extreely harsh to drop him therefore I think he should stick with the same eleven and go all out for plenty of possession and ultimately 3 points. I'd possibly switch Nakamba for Luiz but would be happy with either. If we believe in ourselves and start well then I think we can nick this 1-2. UTV.

His performances have definitely dipped since the England call up, that said the quality of opposition also increased (prior to Newcastle), but hopefully it is just a blip and he puts in star performance in the next 3 matches - which to get some positive results we will need him to do. He was poor against Newcastle until probably the last 20 minutes then he started to play like the player we've all grown to love. No way he should be dropped, but I think it's a real positive sign that people would even consider that and shows how well Engels and now Konsa have done this season - Competition for places is what it is all about.

Apart from 10 minutes at the start of the second half, when err we didn't start.. I thought this was a very good performance. After 30 minutes my Newcastle supporting mate text me to ask if they could have a ball to play with, for me that speaks volumes to where we are as a club and where they are, or more so the management regime we have here. I think we all should be so proud where we've come as a team and I just wish we could cut some of the "under performers" a bit more slack! This club is in a great place right now and our fans have a huge part to play. Grealish MOTM tonight though it should probably be shared with Conor for his contribution. Special mention to Heaton, Taggart and Konsa but I couldn't fault anyone tonight and that includes Wes - which will be an unpopular opinion but I actually thought he did ok today (but should have scored) - I'm definitely not writing him off like many others seem to be. Well done Villa - great start to the week!

91!! What a fantastic age! Enjoy the match mate and more so enjoy her company - I lost my mum last year and I would give anything to see her this Sunday.... Just not whilst the match is on

I mentioned after the Brighton match that Jack was a nailed on member of the next England squad so I take full responsibility, so sorry lads and er.... sorry Jack But on a serious note, I think we all thought that this was his time for selection and I am pretty baffled that Southgate has decided to overlook him again even after watching some of his fine recent performances. The injury he sustained last time out would have been the only reason for the England manager leaving him out.. IMO, though it could be a bit of a blessing in disguise (from a Villa perspective) that he can now rest up after the Wolves game. It is ridiculous to compare him to Delph who is a completely different player, but the question for me is do we really need Delph in this squad for these up and coming games, when we have Rice and Henderson - It was the prefect opportunity to have a look at Jack on the International stage and see what he can bring to the party - which as Villa fans, we all know - The ability to carry the ball, glide past players nonchalantly, pick a pass, draw fouls ETC... He really is different to practically every other player in the squad bar possibly Maddison. I may be biased, well there is no maybe about it, I AM biased, we probably all are on this topic, but he would be one of the first names in the squad for me, behind the obvious ones in Sterling and Kane - he just would give us something extra to our play. As for Southgate, I think he has done a decent job overall, blending in younger players and trying a decent style of football but I am not one of these that would get carried away with being World Cup Semi Finalists, in 90 minutes we beat Tunisia (last minute), Panama and Sweden! Any decent opposition and we came up short, therefore Jury still out! Back to Jack - A nice goal and victory at Molineux would be just the tonic!

This for me. I said that if we didn't get promotion last season (which for a long time was looking unlikely) we would lose Jack at the end of the season so what a relief for us all that we managed to achieve promotion and nothing can take away the fact he led us back to the Premier League. I sincerely hope we stay up this season and our owners / management show serious ambition in the summer transfer window and Jack feels like there is a real chance of success staying at his boyhood club, but I would respect his decision to leave should he go to another club such as Liverpool, Man City ETC - as horrible as it would be! Hope he is fit for Sunday, if he is then a definite starter for me.

I detect a lot of sarcasm in this post. You're right, Engels has looked pretty solid this season and will probably start tomorrow but I don't think it's ludacris to suggest a) Konsa might be better suited to nullify Liverpool's front three or b) playing Konsa would automatically mean we are defeated

Might have been easier saying 'same team as the one that played City' Davis won't be on bench he's injured, King Kodge will be though

Has he shagged your missus Trent? On a serious note I have noticed that you are clearly not a fan of him, which is fair enough, I agree his Villa performances haven't been great and I know you wasn't a fan when he was at Forest so you've probably seen him a lot more than me. I thought he was ok last night and his pass for the first goal was sublime - I think he has more talent than you give him credit for to be honest.

I think you're probably right that he will more than likely go with the same side as the one that played Ci£y, I wouldn't have a problem with that, it will be a tough game regardless of what team we put out but hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves.

Assuming Jack has recovered in time for this one and going on the performances of the fringe players last night, I think the main decisions Smith is faced with are the following; Elmo or Guilbert - Elmo played well against Wolves and got a goal to boot, but against a pacy Liverpool strike force I think Guilbert is better suited. Horuihane or Lansbury for either Luiz or Nakamba - Lansbury was better than Conor but I think neither will start on Saturday - If Jack doesn't make it, possibly Henri would get a chance. El Ghazi or Trezeguet - Anwar was the better of the two I think and at the moment more likely to pop up with a goal so I'd side with him for this one. Konsa or Engels - Ezri looked assured last night albeit against weaker opposition whereas Engels hasn't done a lot wrong since he joined, I don't expect many would agree, but I would be tempted to start with Konsa for this, again maybe better suited to the opposition. The rest pick themselves.

Gomez, Milner, Ox, Lallana, Keita, and Origi all started last night - I would envisage all these players would be in their squad for the Club World Cup.

I think best (realistic) scenario would be a semi final line up of us, Everton, Man City and Man Utd with the latter two playing each other in the semi final and us facing Utd in a one-off final. Having said that, I think a Villa v Leicester semi would be great games!

Third best team we could have hoped for after the obvious two. We will play a strong side and have too much for them, bring it on!

Positives. Through to the Quarter Finals which basically is all that matters. Luiz - controlled middle of park. Would have been my MOTM but for concedeing possession for the equaliser. Lansbury with 2 assists, first one was a delightful pass - which shows he does have something regardless of his haters. Elmo with a goal and a solid performance. Decent back up player. Konsa and Hause looked unflustered - maybe it was the level of performance of opposition. Davis looked handy at linking up play as we know he can. Negatives. Davis injury. Hope it's not too bad. Taylor was erm.. Taylor. Nearly cost us with that back pass and like many have alluded to, he just kills our momentum. Inconsistencies with our wide men. I ain't writing either off, but I want to see more over the course of the season. Hopefully a kind draw in the next round and who knows what could happen. Fingers crossed.

If all fit I think Smith will go for; Steer, Elmo, Konsa, Hause, Targett, El Ghazi, McGinn, Hourihane, Lansbury, Trezeguet, Davis The ones in bold I believe are definite ones to start IMO. Then for me it's a choice between; Hause / Mings or Engels or a lesser extent Chester. Taylor / Targett. McGinn / Luiz or Nakamba. I personally would try keep the back four as strong as possible, regardless of what side they put out they will be capable of punishing a weakened defence. Give Mings / McGinn 60 minutes and let's get off to a flying start! Think the front 3 picks itself tonight unless Kodje is somewhere very lose fitness wise.

Similar to mine, but with Elmo and Lansbury for Guilbert and Nakamba

Speak for yourself, I more often than not just casually side-foot it with power into bottom corner. Easy. . Back to Keinan, he definitely isn't a "natural" finisher but as I have said before he has a lot of other attributes to his game. I would play him Wednesday and if he performs he stays in for Liverpool. Simples.

Assuming Jack isn't available for this, which would be a shame, I would go for the following; Steer Elmo Konsa Mings Targett Luiz Lansbury Hourihane El Ghazi Trezeguet Davis Subs; Heaton, Chester, Taylor, Nakamba, Kodjia, McGinn, Wesley. I think the team should be good enough to win but it won't be easy. Really want to win this game and I think it would be a huge confidence boost going into a real difficult game against the league leaders. Hopefully a bit of game time for Kodjia and Chester if we're in control, obviously these two are dependent on being totally fit. 2-1 Villa Ps Forgot about Hause, who will probably play, but I'd personally like to be stronger at the back and worry about the scousers at the weekend!

In before all the negative comments. I thought we did ok. They are obviously a class above but we competed for the full 90. Didn't let our heads drop and didn't fall apart a la Sputhampton. We are a work in progress, we are trying to play the right way and we are a completely different animal from the side that played under Bruce. I would have took a 3 - 0 defeat prior to kick off which may sound defeatist but let's be realistic. I'm actually a bit disappointed with the goals we conceded because all 3 were avoidable and Heaton hardly had a shot to save. The second goal I have watched over and over and still unsure whether it should be given, but for me, Sterling in an offside position and interfering with Heaton, who can't really dive until late. Let's support the boys, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, comments re Wesley and Guilbert are ridiculous, they both struggled but it wasnt due to lack of effort, Guilbert was up against the most in-form player in the league and didn't let his head drop. I do think it's time for Davis to have a run in the side as you can see the influence he had when he came on and I am embarrassed to hear the comments saying "yeah but he doesn't score" - though that can be a criticism he's got a lot more than that to his game. Luiz MOTM for me. Oh and fair play to the Villa fans at the game, singing out loud till the death, give me this club over theirs every day of the week!

Mate, its DAVIS !! Really not a difficult one

The problem for Lansbury is that he plays in a position where we are probably at our most strongest, if for instance he was a winger he would be featuring a lot more because we have players out wide who are far less consistent. I still think he has a part to play for us and I think it is harsh to suggest that he shouldn't be involved in one of the three upcoming games we have, which I believe will be the Wolves game. I think Luiz is more suited to City away and Liverpool at home where we probably will have a little less of the ball - but I see no harm in putting Henri in against Wolves, with a few other changes (not wholesale) and still progress into the next round as Wolves will be playing a weakened side too. One of the big plus points since Smith arrived is that we have a happy, bonding squad and long may it continue, giving squad players match minutes when possible is part of the good team spirit in my opinion.

Funny how people see things differently, I might be wrong and I hope I am, but I doubt we will have that much of the ball that we will be earning loads of free-kicks in dangerous positions. I like Conor and he has good attributes to his game which we benefit from in certain games, but he's a player that contributes more to the team when we have more possession and on the front-foot, I don't think this will be one of those games.