kasabian21

4-3-2-1? Although I'm hoping for: Given Hutton Senderos Baker Sanchez Westwood Bacuna Cole Grealish Richardson Bent LOL.

For me it all depends on how we do this season. If we do much better than last season (not only in terms of performance but signings also) I can see him staying on with us, if not then he'll be off.

ANYONE on this forum would have bitten off whoever's hand they needed to bite off to have four points from the first two games. As much as we all love to moan, we've got four points on the board and have kept two clean sheets, with our two best strikers yet to come back from injury. I for one am very happy.

Vlaar not actively seeking to renew and Lambert saying there's no loyalty in football....not good signs at all.

Lambert will never say anything unless the deal is 100% done. It could be 99% done and he still wouldn't say anything. No need to panic.

The delay is because they want to announce Sanchez signing and Vlaar and Delph signing new contracts at the same time.

Definitely Bent - look at the gold bracelet thing.

The Daily Mail article (first one to report £4.7 million fee) was updated a minute ago and now includes the line: "Sanchez will undergo his medical at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training complex in the coming days, with the club hopeful of completing the deal soon after...".

What a horrific night this is. The Sanchez deal may be off and Robin Williams commits suicide.

"Paul Lambert will not pursue Elche's £4million-rated ace Carlos Sanchez - and cools his interest in Ki Sung-Yueng"...if true, who next...?

If this is true (I really, really hope it isn't), then what possible reasons could Lambert have for not wanting him? Money related I'm guessing.

Some people have been going on about Westwood's triceps all pre-season....I can't wait to see the reaction Sanchez's upper legs get.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/11025073/Aston-Villa-in-talks-to-bring-Colombian-World-Cup-star-Carlos-Sanchez-to-Villa-Park.html

Sadly, I think Lambert will still try to dine out on the 4-3-3 counter-attacking style that used to work. With Gabby and Weimann off form and the beast still out, he must use something different; I'd like to see a 4-4-1-1.

He's better than Bennett and has proven this in pre-season, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him start as LB if/when Cissokho isn't available.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/check-out-aston-villa-star-7589824 lad.

Not a chance he'll play v Stoke even if his injury has cleared up. I doubt we'll see him until 2nd/3rd game - and he won't start either.

If Gabby and Weimann start against Stoke then Lambert needs a slap on the forehead.

4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 would be our most solid formation in my opinion.

Everyone seems to be obsessed with the fact Westwood has 'bulked up' (based on seeing pictures of his triceps, which means absolutely nothing). It doesn't really matter if he has or hasn't. Granted, he'll be a bit stronger in the tackle, but it's all upstairs anyway. Look at our no.2 - Mr. Roy Maurice Keane, not a big man at all, but a beast on the field.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9409761/transer-news-aston-villa-close-to-agreeing-fee-for-aly-cissokho

Del Piero on a one year deal I'm hearing...

What a bizarre post, to me it shows the opposite. Pl does not think Steer is ready and Given is more than capable backup. OK, £5 bet that Steer is no.2 choice keeper at the start of next season and Given will either be gone or a coach. Deal?!

The only way we can play two up front is in a 4-4-2 or 5-3-2/3-5-2. It wouldn't surprise me if Lambert played a 4-4-1-1 at the start of the season. I'd feel 'safe' playing: Guzan Hutton Okore Vlaar Stevens Bacuna Westwood Delph Richardson Cole/Nzog/Grealish Bent As Bacuna and Richardson can both play as RB/LB respectively, we'd have much more cover for Stevens and Hutton and we'd be a lot better defensively. The huge gap we usually have between Midfield and Attack can be bridged by Delph and the Attacking Mid, whoever that may be. Westwood can sit deep and do his usual thing. If attacking it could turn into a 4-2-3-1.

This shows that Lambert thinks Given is past it. Basically, he's hoping Guzan stays fit (so Given doesn't have to play) and Steer will rack up minutes and gain experience at at Doncaster, so when he comes back he's ready to be no.2 GK. Given will then be offloaded or offered a coaching role.