WakefieldVillan

Moving forward we will need two new full backs (or for Bree/De Laet to step up at RB), but I think Smith is right trying to keep the back four (five) settled as much as possible for now.

Thought both Taylor and Hutton were 'ok' last night, both better in the second half (when we had our better spell).

On a side note, I think Joe Bryan would have been excellent for us playing under Smith. 

Extremely happy to start the weekend off with 3 points and hopefully tomorrow a few of the other results go our way.

Actually thought we played better against QPR than we did tonight, this was a bit of a mixed bag for me, started well, but could have been level at HT, had a good spell second half where we could have hit 3 or 4 then saw the game out well.

Chester MOTM for me, he needed that performance to give him a bit of a lift, ably supported by Tuanzebe who also showed more promise, with Grealish instrumental in both goals. 

Highlight for me though was listening to Dean Smith honest post match verdict, really refreshing to hear, I think we've got a good one here lads!

Looking forward to this one, hoping a full week of training will help the squad to gel further and hopefully with a bit of luck that has deserted us over the past couple of games, we can get a much needed 3 points.

The team selection will be interesting;

Does he keep the same (under-performing defence)? Perhaps Bree in for Hutton? Hutton to LB? On current form, I would have Jedinak in for Chester, but he ain't going to drop the skipper. Only Tuanzebe for me in the recent back-line as merited a starting berth.

Midfield wise; McGinn & Grealish definite starters, take your pick from the rest, another four of them might be on the bench! Kodjia wide left? Bolasie with his first start? Does he set up with a more "holding midfielder" or really go out all guns blazing?!  Lansbury make the squad? Time will tell. Looking forward to seeing O'Hare get up to speed, think he will flourish under Smith in time.

Up top; Abraham - Hope he's had plenty of shooting practice this week, that is all. Hoping Davis is close to full fitness, I like him as another option, he may not be a natural finisher, but I think our talented midfielders would benefit from his hold up play in certain matches.

I think we will put on a decent show Friday night, 4-1 Villa and a great start to everybody's weekend! 

UTV 

Hard to take that one, we deserved something from the game, at least a point.

Schoolboy defending for their goal and some bad finishing as cost us.

We are carrying too many players at the moment, but results aside we are playing better football and it's more enjoyable to watch.

Grealish MOTM for me, back to something like his best, the number of fouls on him is beyond a joke. The one by Lynch was horrible. Dirty tw@! 

Abraham was very poor tonight, Taylor likewise!

QPR defended like there lives depended on it and fair play to them, but moving forward I prefer the style of football Smith is trying to implement than theirs. 

I fancy us to smash a few past Bolton! UTV

Cue the meltdown... 

18 hours ago, wilko154 said:

If we put that side out we will lose about 4-0.

A midfield of Jedinak and Grealish would be shambolic. Abraham and Kodjia up front doesn't work, they are too similar.

Bjarnasson and McGinn are the first names on the team sheet along with Abraham for me.

Interesting that you think Abraham and Kodjia doesn't work, I think it could do given a bit of a run together, if I remember correctly, Tammy's first goal for us came from good interplay with Kodje. I think as long as Kodjia is putting the effort in, pressing and defending from the front then it would be a decent partnership, all about opinions though... 

The only 3 names I would have guaranteed on my team sheet though at the moment would be:

McGinn (great form, tackles, good energy) 

Grealish (still our main man, form is temporary)

Abraham (main likely source of goals) 

I bet you could pick 7 or 8 definite starters from the top teams in this league... time tonight for some of the other players to step up 

UTV

Just like our game against the canaries on Tuesday night, this will not be an easy game, QPR are another team in great form and we are probably playing them at a bad time. Yes, yes.. I know we are ASTON VILLA FC and we should never fear going to Loftus Rd, but the truth of the matter is, we are where we are at the moment and all I am saying is, it won't be easy. I like the look of Luongo who's an intelligent player and Eze will cause us a few problems, they have strengthened well too with the additions of Rangel, Hemed & Wells!

That aside, we have enough quality in the squad going forward to cause them a few problems, it is our defence & goalkeeper that is the obvious concern (to every Villa fan!)

I genuinely could pick about 20 different team selections for this, which I suppose shows that we have a deep squad, but also tells me that we have several players that need to stake a regular starting spot and have not shown enough in the previous games.

Keeper wise, I would stick with Nyland, I think dropping him would do more harm (to him) plus its not like we have a young Spinksy waiting in the wings. 

I think Smith will stick with the same defence, but I would be tempted to start Elmo at RB as I think he can support the attack from that position better than Hutton and is better on the ball. Taylor would still get my nod at LB based purely on giving us a bit of balance. 

Midfield - You could make an argument for and against so many of the players why or why they shouldn't be involved, I just wish we could combine the traits of a couple of them to make a Platt and a Taylor! I finally plumped for Jedinak just to give us a bit of aerial prowess and to sit and let the front five cause havoc!

Pleased to see Tammy is fit for selection and I'd like to see him closely supported tomorrow with (a firing) Kodge.

                    Nyland

Elmo   Chester   Tuanzebe   Taylor

                    Jedinak 

     Grealish  McGinn  Hourihane

              Abraham  Kodija 

Subs: Bunn, Bree, Bolasie, Bjarnsson, Lansbury, Hogan, O Hare...

Prediction - +3.5 Goals

Will reiterate what others are saying, set-pieces aside he is not doing enough, needs to up his game.

Was a great opportunity last night for him to stake a claim as a regular starter which for me he didn't grasp.

Looks a different player than the one that performed for Barnsley, watched him a number of times when he was plying his trade there and he was so influential, not only with goals and assists but he seemed to get stuck in more.

I want to see that Conor, more aggression please.

I don't rate Taylor at all and would definitely be looking for a replacement in January but I didn't think he was that bad tonight, let's put it this way, I have seen him play a lot worse! 

1 minute ago, Stratvillan said:

Marathon not a sprint. He has to instil his style of play, that will take time, especially when some of the players don't suit it. We are 4 players short. 2 full backs 1 centre back and a winger. For those saying we were terrible, I disagree, we are a team in transition Norwich were better, but not massively. 

This ^ 

So frustrating...

No, not Jack... (Ok maybe a little Jack)

But how teams single him out week in week out, with persistent fouling but never enough to see them down to 10 men and for us to gain a real advantage.

Jack's form hasn't reached the standards he has set last season but he has been played in different positions and in poor team performances, he will come good again

Norwich are a decent side mate, they've shown that tonight, Farke has been there 2 years and had time to put his style across. 

We are trying to develop a new style, it's going to take a bit of time, but for a bit of dodgy goalkeeping and Chester caught ball watching we haven't done too badly IMO. 

A Bruce team loses this comfortably 

Talk about over reactions on this thread.

It's going to take time lads, but I am more than happy with what I have seen Saturday and tonight. 

Keep the faith 

Heart says;

Norwich 1 v 2 Villa

(Can't see us not conceding, especially from a set piece)

Head says;

Norwich 3 v 1 Villa

Just now, Rugeley Villa said:

Glad you both enjoyed it @WakefieldVillan. I nearly missed my train, because of the queues, it was horrendous. You an ex pat, or a native Yorkshireman ?

Cheers pal, born and raised in Wakefield, followed Villa since I was 4 (37 years ago) apparently it was the colours I went for (but too young to remember!) 

If I was offered a point now, I would probably take it, but hopefully we can start like we did yesterday, on the front-foot and with a positive attitude, we may be able to sneak all three points.

McGinn suspended is a big blow, I think Hourihane will come in and I would be tempted to freshen up a bit more with 3 games in 6 days. I'd go;

                             Nyland

Hutton        Chester    Tuanzebe      Taylor

           Grealish    Whelan   Hourihane

Elmo                 Abraham             Kodija 

First post in here as I was up until very recently in the Bruce-In camp, I hope he can turn it around and he will have my full 100% support whilst he's here, however I think we need a change.

My order of preference would be;

1) Arsene Wenger

2) Brendan Rogers

3) Rafa Benitez

4) Eddie Howe

5) David Wagner

6) Claudio Ranieri 

7) Thierry Henry 

Chris Wilder

9) Giovanni Van Bronckhorst

10) Remi Garde

Yes, I get that at least 9 of those are extremely unlikely to say the least!

Up until the Burton and Sheffield United games I have been one of the Bruce-In camp, this was mainly due to the fact I felt that having stability going into the new season would work in our favour and I was more concerned with what replacement we would get in as opposed to seeing Bruce as some kind of Messiah!

I like Bruce, he seems a good guy & I think he brought what we needed after Di Matteo was fired, BUT, this has been a poor start to the season, the results have been poor, the football even worse and I think it is criminal the state our defence has been left in going into this campaign, the last thing you would expect from an ex centre half and that of a Bruce side.

I feel he is underachieving with one of the strongest squads in the league (defence aside), the football is poor (most of the time), there is no real style of play, he is playing players out of position and first time I have said this, but I think it's time for a change! 

1 hour ago, DaveAV1 said:

My heart goes out to Ron and especially his family. I lost my Mom to this cruel disease. A nurse once said to me, you mourn twice for dementia sufferers, once for the person they were and a second time when they actually pass away. She was absolutely right. 

Ron gave my generation of Villa fans the best moments of our football lives. He and his teams always gave 110%. Wonderful, wonderful memories. I hope that he can still recall some of them himself, as his long term memory may still be partially intact. 

Bless you Ron, no words could ever thank you enough. UTV. 

I lost my mum 6 months ago to this cruel disease, so it is still very raw, there really isn't a positive, just hope he has the best care possible and my thoughts go out to him and all his family 

   I'd go...

                       Nyland 

Tuanzebe Chester Jedinak  Hutton

 Elmo    McGinn  Hourihane   Green

                 Grealish  

                             Kodija 

Morreira, Taylor, Lansbury, Whelan, Bjarnsson, Adomah, Hepburn-Murphy

Think Bruce will make 2 (or 3) changes with Nyland and Tuanzebe coming in and possibly Jedinak.

UTV

1 hour ago, GENTLEMAN said:

NVM I am

Apologies but what does this mean? Think the Jack will he stay or will he go thread has affected my brain!