blunther

I think if Barkley was fit I would drop AEG, which is harsh but make it clear that he's back in for the game two days later (when Barkley is ineligible) and give him a bash off the bench for Traore or Barkley, as required. It's a harsh drop but with the fixture congestion we're going to have to rotate when we can, and this is one area we can rotate happily in at the moment. It's a nice problem to have I guess.

One-footedness is very frustrating, but after that airkick yesterday I can see why he doesn't use it. I'm also in no doubt that the league cup goal with his right was an absolute miscue. I don't think there's any excuse for a professional footballer not to be able to do the basics with their weaker foot, like put their laces through it which he could have done twice against Burnley. But then if he plays like that a bit more and scores goals like that, I might find it in my heart to forgive him!

Was worried about our lack of depth in this position but he's done really well. In fairness though both games have suited his strengths with his aerial ability. I'd still be wary of putting him in against a decent footballing team, but he's done us proud for now. Our squad players have really stepped up the last week or two.

Similar here. After a little 'yes' I assumed El Ghazi was off especially as he barely celebrated. I celebrated the Watkins one the most out of relief, before realising after a second that it might be chalked off. Couldn't celebrate Traore's incredible finish as I saw an appeal for a Grealish handball earlier in the move so assumed that would be looked at too. It's one thing when watching on the telly as celebrations are muted anyway compared to the real thing, but if this stays the se next season when we're back in the ground I suspect it might be my last season ticket. The whole point of it is going absolutely apeshit.

Be an interesting team to pick. It's Allardyce so do we leave Hause in for aerial dominance even if Konsa is fit? Same with Elmo, he's good in the air and didn't really put a foot wrong yesterday, do we give Catty Mash a nice long break so he's raring to go on Boxing Day? Marv didn't really do anything wrong but Luiz just brings more going forward so he's back in. Barkley starts if he's fit and could make the difference, and it'd be Traore making room for him for me. Barkley can have an hour and Traore the last 30 since Barkley might struggle with the 90 coming straight back in. Were not going to win every match and I thought four points would be a solid haul from these two games. Need the win now to make that happen.

Fair enough. I get emotions running high on a match thread but I'd have thought post-match is a good place for reflection but there we go. Fair point about home matches, but this season I barely notice what's home and what's away. Seems to matter a lot less when you're not allowed in the ground.

I think we can and will bench him. Trez and AEG carry more of a threat. Willing to give him time to settle but settling won't mean God gives him a right foot to use. Just no excuse to not use your weaker foot as a professional footballer. If you're not confident on it, practice. Don't need to do anything complicated but learn to put your laces through the ball at least. He's have had two today if he did that.

Be disappointed, even upset. But the hissy fit some supporters are throwing and the abuse at our players in the best season we've had since...what, 2009? Just seems disproportionate.

Well said. Some people need to calm down and try and enjoy the season for what it is. All we've wanted for a decade is mid table obscurity. We have a likeable bunch of young players. Let's support them and see where we can get to.

Ah, he's the designated scapegoat for this season. Sorry, I never realised. I'll bow out of this thread now then. Perhaps you should all find his social media if he's got it back and send him some personal abuse just to make sure he knows.

You misspelt Traore.

I can't believe people are having a go at him? Earned a start in the next game. Absolute belter of a free kick that needed a world.class.save and involved in a lot of our good play. Well done Anwar.

Ridiculous free kick to concede that.

Why are we a man down for being kicked in the head? Ridiculous that that should put us at a disadvantage.

Let's not go mad here.

Two chances now. Ridiculous to not just stick your foot through it.

Nope, he's not for me. Behind Trez and AEG now in my book. Forget time to settle, the complete inability to use his right foot is enough for me to dislike him as a footballer.

Wouldn't be my first choice XI obviously but Elmo and Hause provide some good aerial presence and the three behind Watkins could be very threatening. Good to see El Ghazi get a chance and at least we have a penalty taker on the pitch! Should be interesting.

Would have to average 4.5 points a game for that. Seems unlikely.

It's not relegation related but i would LOVE a Europa League place. Would love to go to Europe to watch the villa play again, it's the absolute pinnacle of following your club. It's a daft competition that could easily be improved. Would love to see it as a straight knockout, no seeding. Not like there's huge television audiences to lose for the group games so I don't know why they do it. One leg, straight draw, straight knockout. Could even add loads more teams to it. 256 teams, eight matches to win it. Would be brilliant.

Would like to see AEG get a start against Burnley. He's earned it. In for Traore to see what he can do with 60 mins maybe.

In fairness I think they had too much of a gulf to bridge this season. Taking the money, rebuilding in the championship and coming back up stronger is probably the sensible choice. It's not his things should be but it's the state of the game at the moment. Pretty much the same as Norwich did last year.

If VAR was supposed to.ensure we talked about the football rather than the refereeing, it's really working great..

Yeah I like this. I think we'll need the aerial presence of Hause. I'd probably go Elmo and Targett as wingbacks though. If it's not working then there's loads of ways we can change up to keep Burnley guessing with AEG, Traore and Trez on the bench. I expect we'll end up sticking with the winning system we have, but regret it a but when we're getting pumped with crosses. Elmo or Fred in for Cash, Conor or Marv in for Doug, and personally I'd give El Ghazi a shot for Traore. He just earned it.

They've been bent for years. Too much money in the game and refs are paid peanuts comparatively. It's inevitable.