WakefieldVillan

2 hours ago, Tomaszk said:

No chance I'm starting Hourihane. He's shown far too many times how easy it is for him to disappear. Useful if we're absolutely dominating and no other scenario.

I suppose plan is to come flying out the blocks and dominate from the off so Smith may see it that way.

I have a feeling West Brom will play it very cautiously tomorrow afternoon and will sit with men behind the ball and hope to hit us on the break with Rodriguez and Gayle, they would take a draw back to the Hawthorns all day long, I would go as creative as possible tomorrow.

5 minutes ago, avfc456 said:

Was it not Hourihaine who put in some half soaked tackle on Rodriguez in the lead upto the second?  Whelan every day for me tomorrow 

It was, but I can't imagine him not putting his foot in during a play-off semi final, plus he showed plenty of aggression at Elland Road not so long ago.

Having said that, I have no qualms at all with starting with Whelan and I think we probably will do, he is the best we have doing the ugly side of the game and recycles the ball well which gives the other players more freedom to play, I personally think he will be better suited to the away leg (and not both). Feeling relatively confident we can do this, bring it on, 3-1 tomorrow and 2-2 in the away leg

11 hours ago, AJ said:

Regardless of whoever Deano selects, I would be happy. Whether its Hause or Axel, Conor or Glen, Albert, Andre or Kodj, I would have faith in that team because they are all playing well. Deano is the man at ground zero, and I fully trust his judgement.

It has been literally years since I have been able to say something like that about Villa, and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.

This is exactly where I am at. I trust Smith and whatever side he selects to go out and perform well, he has got very little wrong since becoming our manager and hopefully he can get us over the line in the next 3 games.

Whichever starting eleven he picks, the most satisfying thing for me is the strength in depth of the bench with players returning from fitness and that could be key with two games in quick succession.

 I'd go;

                     Steer

Elmo   Tuanzebe   Mings    Taylor

  McGinn    Grealish    Hourihane 

El Ghazi      Abraham       Kodjia 

Subs;

Kalinic, Jedinak, Whelan, Lansbury, Davis, Green, Adomah 

Attack Attack Attack !

If we can get a lead to take to the hawthorns I would then be looking at starting with Whelan and possibly Lansbury.

Our squad is looking pretty strong at the moment, with Chester, Elphick & Hause not in the above 18.

52 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Thats the purpose of them.

Yeah sorry I get that, I just can't really see it being that high to be honest 

Can somebody just please wake me up on Tuesday 30th May and confirm that we've done it? 

Hate the play-offs, trying to tell myself it's just a game and there is more to life than football, and yes I know there is, the older you get the more you realise this.

Buuuuuut... this ones different isn't it?! Boyhood Villa supporting captain and manager, Wembley heartbreak last year, financial issues start of season, club in turmoil ETC..

These play-offs are massive, so much more than "just a game" and if we dont prevail, I've changed my mind... wake me up in August! 

Regardless of the clause value in his contract it is imperative that we get promoted this season for him to remain at the club, that said £60M does seem hugely inflated even for a guy as talented as Jack. 

Praying he can lead us to victory and subsequent promotion at Wembley 

Well I was completely wrong with my team selection last week at Elland Rd was shocked to see both sides putting out such strong teams, but I really hope Smith rests a few today, notably McGInn, Jack & Mings, which I am fairly confident he will! (Famous last words!)

I would go with the following;

                 Steer/Kalinic

Hutton     Elphick    Jedinak     Taylor

                     Bjarnsson 

           Hourihane    Lansbury

Adomah           Davis           El Ghazi

Subs; GK, Elmo, Chester, Tuanzebe, Whelan, Green, Kodjia.

Would take a point now to keep the unbeaten run going, a positive display with fringe players staking claims, some game time for Chester from the bench and no further injuries. Not much to ask?! 

Oh.. and then 3 f***ing victories on the spin!  

It will be interesting seeing both team sheets on Sunday afternoon; I'm guessing Bielsa won't be as confident (arrogant) to name his starting line up 'days' in advance and will be waiting on the outcome of the Sheffield United result before revealing his selection.

I would probably go 4-5-1 with Steer, Hutton, Tuanzebe, Elphick, Hause, Green, Lansbury, Bjarnsson, Hourihane, Kodjia, Davis.

Might not look the strongest on paper, but the fringe players should be fighting for a play-off place so hopefully they would put in a decent performance.

10 minutes ago, richp999 said:

Yes its a massive decision.. One I'm glad I don't have to make. 

For me I wouldn't risk mings/jack/mcgin/Abraham. 

I get the continuity thing, but how would you be feeling if jack gets taken out vs Leeds to miss the rest of the season.. Gutted I imagine.. 

I think if its decided they are to be rested, at least for most of those 2 games, it won't harm confidence if it's already been sorted out. 

The players will be aware we are coasting through those games eyeing the playoffs. 

Sure I'd prefer to win both, play everyone and go into the playoffs with a fully fit team.. But the thought of playing those playoff games without jack (or one of the others) would really worry me.. I don't think it's worth the risk

 

 

 

 

This is exactly where I am. I don't particularly think the players need the rest but God forbid we lose Jack or McGinn for the play offs, through picking up an injury at Leeds/Norwich it would be devastating.

I think Leeds will be resting players if Sheffield Utd win on Saturday so I think we can still field a reasonably strong side and try keep the winning run going. Look at it another way, players who haven't played much will be chomping at the bit to stake a claim for a play-off place! 

Whether we go up or not, I am proud of the players and management team this season and this run has just been incredible! 

We weren't at our most fluid today and could have done with the second goal just to finish them off earlier but really, 1-0 flattered Millwall greatly.

Grealish MOTM closely followed by Mings 

Bottom line is we can beat anyone in the play-offs whether that be over two legs or in a play-off final - Providing we play to our capabilities and have our key players playing. 

I really don't fear any of the teams we could face (including Leeds) however I am not stupid enough to be too cocky as anything could happen and although I would have us favourites no team involved can be ruled out. 

I'm actually worried about Bolton tomorrow, everyone seems to think it's a given and I hate these types of games but hopefully our mindset is right and the class should prevail.

I think a few weeks ago this was considered a must win match but for me it's more a must not lose now after 7 wins on the bounce has put us in a terrific position.

The main reasons I'd settle for a point is them having an extra days rest, us playing 50+ minutes with 10 men and the suspension of Mings.

I personally would play Jedinak over Hause (if the latter is struggling) but I can see why some people have concerns, his lack of pace may be targeted, I just feel he's more of a leader and up against Diedhiou I would back him (at least) physically. Either way Tuanzebe and the full backs all need to have solid games if we are to make it 8 in a row.

I think the gaffer has some difficult choices to make tomorrow, with both personnel and formation. 

Does Kodjia come in, buoyed by his goal and performance on Wednesday night and also facing his former club? If so, where does he play? Up front with Tammy or out wide where he maybe less effective? 

Does Smith freshen things up by bringing in Whelan or Lansbury? Does he play 4-4-2 with 2 natural wide men or a diamond 4 as been suggested on here? Or stick to 4-5-1?

More questions than answers for me, if I had to choose I would probably go;

                          Steer

Elmo    Tuanzebe    Jedi       Taylor 

                        Whelan 

           McGinn          Hourihane 

                        Grealish 

             Abraham        Kodjia 

But even with the team above I'd have concerns over our energy levels and what some of them have got left in the tank.

Prediction 1-1

UTV 

Was like the Kodjia of old last night and it was great to see. He has definitely given the gaffer some food for thought for Saturday and will be interesting to see how we line up.

I personally don't think we are usually at our best when playing a standard 4-4-2 but a middle diamond might work better with the strength we have in central areas and I think it's in wide areas where we have struggled to find any real consistency.

Back to Kodj...

Unlike when Tammy stepped up, I never felt for one minute he was going to miss his penalty, none of this silly run up, little stutter, waiting for the keeper ETC, just get the ball on the spot, pick a spot and hit it clean and precise.. and that's exactly what he did! Fair play! I think the goal lifted him and he was a nuisance all half, plus the drag back in the corner with three around him was disgusting

Pleased he's found a bit of decent form however regardless of which division we are in next season I hope we move him on and strengthen accordingly.

All hypothetical but should we get to the play-offs, I would feel more confident with a back four of Elmohamady, Tuanzebe, Mings and Hause (providing Chester is sidelined).

Hope he can keep putting in solid performances in the meantime, we know we have goals in our team, just need our defenders to stay switched on (unlike Elmo on Saturday!)

Some good posts in here giving the respect that Rotherham deserve and I hope the Villa team and management do the same, I am sure they will do.

Attitude is key in games like this, on paper our squad is much superior but we have to earn the right to play then let the football do the talking. 

I would be tempted to bring Kodjia for Green and Hourihane for Whelan, but wouldn't be surprised to see the same eleven as Saturday (with Tuanzebe for Hause if the latter is injured).

Got a hospitality ticket from a match sponsor for this one, with free beer (positive) but in the home end (negative) so hopefully I can control myself when we hit another late winner  

Prediction 1-2 UTV

Massive result is massive.

Thought we would lose today and even more so when going behind, but fair play to the team for turning it around, albeit a little fortuitously.

Voted Steer MOTM because the penalty save made that ending possible and he took a little bit of stick for the goal conceded last week so this will do him the world of good.

Derby and Bristol both conceding late goals has made this a beautiful day

Bring on Rotherham... 

If (and it is still a big IF) we finish in the play off positions, I will be terrified whoever we play, I think that's just what the play off's do to people!

In my ideal world I would prefer Norwich to slip out of the top 2 (extremely unlikely) and face them in a semi final with either Bristol City / Derby / Preston in the final.

But I think the chances of avoiding facing the teams currently 2nd 3rd and 4th at some point are ridiculously high.

Leeds worry me a lot, but more based on me knowing a lot of Leeds fans and losing to them would be horrible. West Brom have individual match winning class players (at this level) in Rodriguez and Gayle. And Sheffield Utd concern me more with the system they play and how we deal that.

Whatever happens it is going to be an exciting run in, hopefully we continue this cracking run and then we can worry about our play off opponents later  .

Scott Hogan

7 hours ago, villalad21 said:

Most teams up their game agianst us because of our name, playing like it's a cup final.

We got dominated at Villa Park against them, even when they were 2-0 down their moral didn't drop and kept attacking us for the entire game. Their high pressing and energy is not fun to play against.

I can't argue that Leeds played extremely well that day and were deserving winners, but we started the second half on top and their 1st goal came a bit against the run of play and gave them the impetus to go on to victory. From memory, both teams had players missing, but our losses were much more detrimental to us, most noticeably Grealish and Tuanzebe, Bree (although he did ok) played centre-half and but for a stupid mistake by Elmo deep into stoppage time, we would have still took a point from the game.

I wouldn't worry too much, since that game, we have a more composed keeper, Elmo & Taylor are starting to at least look like footballers, we have a pretty solid central defensive partnership and of course we have Jack back who changes our whole dynamic.  What we would have to do is make sure we match Leeds for passion, desire and work-rate, ability wise we have as much to offer anyone in the league. Anyway, we may not even play them yet so I will get back on topic.

Are we going up?! Well prior to our run of wins I had us 7th on the predictor and just missing out by a point, within that prediction though, I had victories against Derby & Boro along with draws at Forest & Blues, so bodes well.

8 cup finals, then hopefully another 3, bring it on...

What a crazy league the Championship is, two weeks ago I thought we were out of contention for the play-off's but then, boom, 4 successive victories and we are now in with a great chance of securing either 5th or 6th place.

I don't want to tempt fate but I really believe that we will get one of the final spots providing we don't lose any of our key players (IE Jack, Mings and McGinn).

I know it has been said on numerous occasions but the loss of Grealish is the reason for me why we are just challenging for play off's as opposed to the automatic places. His return and the signing of Mings has just lifted the whole squad and with the likes of Axel and Lansbury available for selection next game and hopefully Chester before the end of the season, then I think we have one of if not the best squad in the league.

The play-off's are a bit of a lottery and can be decided by the finest margins, but I genuinely feel that we would be the most feared team out of the four teams and I include either Leeds or Sheffield Utd in those thoughts, who would be picking themselves up from missing out on automatics.

On our day we have the talent to beat any side in this division, we just need to keep the run going, the belief going, concentrate on one game at a time and not get carried away, for me I am more worried when we play the "lesser" teams than the so-called bigger clubs where we may be complacent and our recent results seem to reflect this. Blackburn up next and for me this is one of those games but hopefully the International break doesn't affect us too much and we put them to the sword.

As for the run-in, for me, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds away are the two games where I think we may drop points, but I can see us making VP a fortress and winning our 4 remaining matched there, with a Norwich team already on the beach.

Fingers crossed we are back where we belong next season! UTV! 

Had £10 e/w on Poker Play and Potters Corner yesterday plus £20 on first race on ITV, which name escapes me. Won £650. If I had put them in a treble I would have been ecstatic! Not sure why I picked them, was just one of those days, added to by pretty much all the football scores going as I wanted, especially the Villa.

Had a poor 2019 betting wise and nearly 1k down before yesterday so it was nice to finally have something going my way. I've also decided it's time to reign it in as it was affecting my moods! 

Absolutely buzzing with last night's result, which was thoroughly deserved as the Forest goal came from a cross (no way the little ginge meant that one) and I think Steer only had a couple of routine saves during the course of the match.

Us on the other hand had several good chances,  aside from the goals.

Tammy should have scored on a couple of occasions, one header wide he should have hit the target and then bringing a fine save out of Pantilimon. Kodjia and McGinn were both unlucky late on too.

I was never fully comfortable watching the game, even with a 2-goal lead, but that was as much to do with the previous game at VP as opposed to how this game was going. We have been involved in lots of games with late drama and i feared the worst when the official held up 7 minutes stoppage time, but i needn't have worried.

McGinn MOTM for me, goals win games and his two put us in a great position, his work rate was second to none as well, but we know that's always a given. The whole defence played well, marshalled extremely well by Mings - What a difference he has made?!

I still feel that our wide players need to do more, at times they get out muscled easily, or give the ball away cheaply , though that said Green showed little glimpses that there is a player in there somewhere - if we got them fully firing then I would fancy us to get a play-off spot & promotion. 

As for the gaffer; I thought the team selection and the substitutions were the right choices at the right times, so great night all round - Roll on Saturday!

Absolutely delighted to see Jack named as captain, what a proud moment for him. I would give him it till the end of the season and tell him if he stays it's his for as long as he's here