WakefieldVillan

At the end of the day Taylor playing well on Saturday (which most agree with) can only be a good thing as at least it puts pressure on Targett (and Hause) to perform when they are selected. In an ideal world we would have two unbelievable left backs and Taylor would have left this summer, but we haven't and he's here so let's just hope when he is selected he can perform as capable as Saturday. Taylor would obviously be disappointed if he didn't start on Saturday, but I think even he would see the reasoning behind a decision to play a player, in Targett, who is much better going forward.

Agree. Yet people were screaming for Luiz to start today. For me that 3rd goal highlighted just why he didn't. That's not a dig at Luiz as such (all 3 subs were ineffective in difficult circumstances) but he didn't look match fit (understandably) Hopefully moving forward him or Nakamba will step up to the plate. Conor today was pretty much like many of our team, decent first half, not at the races in the second.

Was surprisingly relaxed when I heard about him starting today, I thought going with the most settled back 4 in this match was the way to go (& I am definitely not a Taylor fan) - but today, he played very well and fair play to him. Defended well and distribution was fine. I think Smith keeps players in the side if they are playing well and by that token he should start against Bournemouth and I think he will. However... Not dismissing Bournemouth (I dont think we can dismiss any team in this league) but, at home, I'd like to think we would set up to be on the front foot and if that's the case Targett would be better suited, so will be interesting to see who gets the nod. But today, well done Neil

Was a tough debut for him and he took a fair bit of criticism in the match thread. I didn't think he was too bad, he was obviously isolated and lost out physically at times, but I think he will be a handful for defenders of the 'so called lesser sides'.

Obviously disappointing that he dwelt on the ball for the goal but I'm sure he will learn from that, I think he just didn't want to give the ball straight back to Spurs (which was happening most of the second half) but you can't get away with it at this level. I don't think it was a foul and Jack's reaction for me said it all. That aside I thought first half he played quite well but ran out of steam along with most of them.

I said prior to kick off I would take a positive performance and a close defeat, we were playing the Champions League finalists after all - I think we got that and we should all be proud of the lads today. It is disappointing where the goals came from us giving the ball away, but by that point our lads had put in such a shift that they just didn't have the legs to see it out. Eriksson coming on no doubt lifted them, but until there first I thought we could possibly nick it. As long as we play with that effort, vigour, passion for the rest of the season we will be just fine and for once we have a team that is just so LIKEABLE. Thought the subs offered little, tough game for them to get into and there is obvious work to be done on and off the ball but overall there were plenty of positives, Heaton, Trezeguet at times, Mings,Taylor and Engels who I voted MOTM all played well. Think if our supporters stick with these guys the only way is up. UTV

Yet, he's been faultless.

Correct.. looks like he's today's fall guy

Apart from the two conceded headed chances at the start and end of the half that was an absolutely cracking first half performance. There is still a long way to go and I wouldn't be surprised to see us still lose this because they have individuals that can hurt us but we couldn't have asked for a better first 45 minutes back in the big time. Some of the posts after the team were announced were ridiculous, let's get behind the boys and the manager (he knows a LOT more than all of us)! Come on you Villa boys !

This

Probably going to get shot down for this but maybe Smith feels that a more settled back 4 is the way to go in this one and to be honest I can see why, and I'm definitely not a fan of Taylor. I can also see why Jota is on the bench. If this was a home game vs Norwich fair enough I'd be perplexed too but I am with him on this one. UTV

Congratulations I actually think we do need something - another winger and a striker. I'm praying for Benrahma and <insert decent striker> For me that would represent an absolutely perfect summer window.

All for this, please be true - then #welcomebenrahma

He certainly put it away with aplomb and for that and the reasons you mention he would be my first choice. That said, it was one of those slow casual run ups (not quite a stutter) which personally I am not a fan of. I was never totally convinced with Tammy to be honest. This would be my pick too

For all Jed's heroics, namely the finger tip Rodriguez save in the home semi final, the penalty shoot out at The hawthorns and the calm handling in the closing stages at Wembley, I still have a nagging doubt that he is not quite at the level we need him to be. Heaton is an established premier league goalkeeper and most definitely an upgrade and I think it is the one position where being the wrong side of 30 doesn't concern me, not for 8 million and as others have alluded to, we can replace again in a couple of years. I trust Neil Cutler's experience in coaching and I am sure he is a better judge than all of us, so if he feels Heaton is the right man for us that's good enough for me. Good Luck Tom

I'm with you on that AVTuco.. Elmo finished the season well and played well recently for his country too, I wouldn't be too surprised to see him start away at Spurs. But like you say there's some good healthy competition there now which is just what we need. I think Guilbert will definitely be starting in games where we should have more of the ball, for example (at home) to basically everyone barring the top 6.

F*** it I'm gonna stick £100 on us finishing top four

I think I am being a tad greedy but I would love to go into the new season with the additions of Butland, Nakamba, Luiz, Benrahma and Maupay. I genuinely feel we would finish comfortably top half with the likes of the above added to the squad.

Hopefully, then this would mean we have had an absolutely fantastic summer window.

Looks the weak link at the moment, he looks like the part, IE physically, but as others have pointed out, one run or one decent cross in a game is just not up to the required premier league standard. I really, really hope we can sign Benrahma, who would be absolutely class in this team - and send Andre out on loan, preferably to a Championship club - he needs a solid run of games and show he has got something about him. Not totally writing him off yet... and hope he can prove all his doubters wrong - including me.

Haven't read all the comments, but seen a lot of love for this guy, which bodes well - but I was a little concerned defensively, especially in the opening period of last night's game. I must say though, he looked very capable going forward, quick and looks to have a decent delivery on him. Do people think he will start against Spurs? I have a feeling it may be Elmo.

As always, hard to judge players performances in pre-season against limited opposition, however he has looked fairly decent. One I would keep in and around the squad, but it's up to Henri to elevate his game to another level if he wants to establish himself as a regular first team player. I think it's a tall order for him, but it's all about competition for places and whoever is performing in the shirt will keep it, which is the way it should always be.

I think he was at fault for the Blackburn goal (Bell?!) parrying the free-kick straight back into a dangerous area - may have moved a bit in the air, but anyway that's been ultra critical. Overall he's been absolutely fine. I'd personally feel more confident with Butland between the sticks though.

Another quiet day on the transfer front, so as it stands I could see our line up v's Spurs something like; Steer Guilbert Chester Hause Targett Hourihane Elmo Grealish McGinn El Ghazi Wesley Subs; Nyland, Bree, Taylor, Lansbury, Jota, Green, Kodjia. Full on Steve Bruce mode with Elmo RM, but looks to be having a great summer with Egypt, but even if you change him for Jota/Green, we still look very short of quality at this stage. Any signings from here on in I hope are ones that will improve the first eleven or it will be a long season.

Fair point. But not for me. If anything the inflated price is the only down side to this potential transfer. Before April, it was a lot more likely that Leeds would be playing a league higher than us and this would be a non-starter, I actually think that Leeds would have been sniffing around a few of our star players. Really hope it happens but if not we definitely need a player with the same traits.