Philosopher

Thanks for the insight. To me though he doesn't seem like a natural goalscoring striker, and seems most comfortable in possession when he is in wide positions. I think his role on Sunday was perfect for him and the same for Bailey (wide strikers). When one was wide the other was central and vice versa. I think it's now a case of who plays behind them and who comes in if one isn't available. For me Ollie is just about 7 out of 10 in terms of finishing Good, but not clinical, or lethal. With strikers they need goals, as their confidence suffers. A lot of the little nuancies when finishing disappear from a strikers game when confidence is lacking. Being played in this way he will love, and then the goals and confidence will come.

He can finish, however like is said he lacks the cuteness, and / or slyness that a top striker has. His 3 attemps one was well saved, one hit the post, the other was a goal. The little lift Bailey put on the finish against Man U is something we don't really see from Ollie, sending the keeper the wrong way with a feint we don't see from him. His on target ratio is solid. Also until the Brentford game he's been feeding off scraps. 1 in 4 attempts being a goal is a good ratio for a striker. Only the very best boast a better conversion rate.

I like Guilbert, but I have yet to see anything that makes him good enough for any club with ambitions higher than avoiding relegation.

Ollie is a converted winger. This means he is more comfortable in the channels and coming off the left. It also means he doesn't have that natural instinct in the box. Ollie is actually and good finisher, but he hasn't got the slyness in front of goal a natural striker has. It's why he is unconvincing in one on one with the keeper situation. However his pressing is really good, his fitness and work rate are a managers dream. His ability in the channels and running in behind are top draw. He can even hold it up well for an average sized man. These factors are what Emery actually looks for in a striker. He may be replaced in the future if we are able to purchase a CLEAR upgrade, but otherwise he is here to stay. Emery likes his strikers quick, he has them play in the channels between the fullback and the centre back, he expects them to work hard. The Watikins - Bailey front 2 when defending was made for Emery's system and vice versa. We basically played 3 formations one for defending, one for transitions, and one for when we are attacking and in the opposition half. But is was seemless, as the forward players (who had to deal with most of the position changes) are all quite intelligent. Sundays win was courtesy of the forwards (in more ways then one), but of course the defense provided the foundation. This is how good coaching and tactics work.

Not sure about Sarr. Not sure he has the consistency. I definitely agree that if we have a opening it's definitely for a winger. A speedy, right footer that can play both left and right. Only other position I'd look at is right centre back. As for me Mings and Carlos (once he is fit) are good options for left centre back (Carlos prefers the left cb position) konsa for me is a midtable CB, Chambers is a good utility player for the defence. Bednarek is never going to be a permanent signing. If we can find a genuine top class right centre back, with leadership qualities, that would be ideal. Our defense would be rock solid then. Think Ollie will shine under Emery. I know certain Villa podcasters were saying he will struggle under Emery but that is BS. Ollie is just what Emery likes, hard working, intelligent, pacy, like to come inside from the left, stretches teams, and can hold it up a bit too. I don’t see much of a future for Ings though. Depending on if he likes Archer then in the summer Ings out and a replacement coming in. This will happen but the type of replacement will be Depending on if Archer has been able to gain the managers approval.

When we signed him we all felt it was an underwhelming capture. But I alway saw thought it was a smart signing. The size and aggression he brings are something we have lacked for a long time. He isn't a match winner, he isn't nice to watch, just effective at protecting his back four, really gets stuck in.

We finally have a good manager. Finally an end to the mediocrity that was an Aston Villa manager. I have to beg to differ on one thing. Emery isn't a coup! He is what this club deserves. We are a big club historically, and structurally (stadium, fanbase, training facilities). We have billionaire owners. A squad easily capable of midtable, europa league is a real possibility with a good manager. Villareal simply aren't on Villa's level. We are a much bigger club, with an arguably slightly weaker first team, in a superior league.

McGinn still lacking quality!

He looked better than McGinn!

Bailey is our number one game changer. Always has been since he arrived. Form (the team), fitness, and a lack of a run of games hampered him in his first season.

The only changes I'd make to this 11 if everyone is fit is Kamara for Dendonker and Carlos for Konsa.

Happy with the line up today. Kamara to come off the bench I expect. Hopefully Buendia will line up on the left, with Ramsey in the middle, but the two swapping positions. Get Ollie playing how he did when Grealish was here going out wide to the left then coming back into the middle. I think he and Buendia can form a good understanding.

But the Rangers players are a bit s**t!

Poch plays 433 mostly. Don't know much about Amorim, but he sounds like he could be a huge talent.

Poch or Amorim for me. Tuchel and Dyche hell no! Emery, no thanks, thought he was poor at Arsenal. Any manager that likes to play 3 at the back I'd be doubtful of.

He crosses well with his right as well. I like the option of being able to switch him to the other wing if there is a need.

Shame they can't revoke the penalty, and review our penalty claim!

I was saying all along it was never a red card. Mitrovic was far more aggressive and violent, then threw himself to the floor, disgusting behaviour!

He simply isn't captain material. And his form deserves dropping. Bless him though he looked like he was about to cry in his interview.

This guy needs to leave as well.

Terrible refereeing, never a penalty, Mitrovic charged into Luiz twice, but Luiz gets sent off for moving his head a matter of millimetres. Should have had a penalty as well. But 3-0 is the most we deserved, we played terribly. If Gerrard doesn't get sacked after this I'd be shocked. This was a shocking display!

Not a joke 2-0 is flattering us! So is 3-0.

Never a penalty, never a red card, probably should have had a penalty, but still 2-0 is flattering!

First 60 minutes bar the Mings freak error was the best football we have played all season. What it proved was the problem this team has had, which is a lack of runners. You play 2 narrow 10's with your central midfielders covering your fullbacks, then who the f*** is going to run from deep and break the lines? So to come back from 2 down he takes off two runners (the best runners with the ball at their feet in the team) and replace them with Buendia who is constantly dropping deep, and the static Coutinho and turn to a 442, so we are now outnumbered in midfield. Gerrard is a tactical numpty!

He was the only one putting in dangerous crosses. Should have at least one assist today. Him and Ramsey are the only players that actually scare opposition defenders.