ejs1111

I'm still of the opinion that we loan Baker and find an experienced CB to fill the squad spot for Baker/Senderos. I'm also assuming we will acquire another CM for squad depth, because I too believe that Gardner will go on loan again. If not, Gardner and another U21 could fill the 'new CM' slot. Its fun to try and predict all the options with so many new faces. UTV!

I just don't envision Grealish playing primarily out wide on the left. He doesn't have enough pace imo. Last season I thought he played better a bit more central behind the strikers. I'm thinking he will rotate with Gil as the central AM. However, if we don't sign another LW then we really only have Sinclair to play wide left. Perhaps Grealish will rotate between LW and AM? That would give him plenty of game time. I'm of the opinion that TS will use 2 formations primarily (given the signings)... 442 <> and a typical 4231 with wingers. Its just so exciting with all the player options we have now! 442<> ---------------------------------Guzan/Bunn------------------------------- Bacuna/Hutton---Micah/Okore---Clark/Baker---Amavi/Bennett -----------------------------Westwood/Sanchez------------------------- -----Gana/New CM-------------------------Veretout/Richardson----- --------------------------------Gil/Grealish--------------------------------- -------------Ayew/Gabby-------------------Gestede/Kozak------------ 4231 ---------------------------------Guzan/Bunn------------------------------- Hutton/Bacuna---Micah/Okore---Clark/Baker---Amavi/Richardson ----------Gana/Westwood----------------Veretout/Sanchez---------- Traore/Ayew--------------Gil/Grealish-------------Sinclair/Grealish -------------------------Gestede/Kozak/Gabby-------------------------- Obviously Grealish could flip and be a starter in these slots if he proves it on the pitch. Maybe he is best used with these options wide left in the 4231??

I'm still hoping for 2-3 more players coming in... another CB to fill Senderos/Baker slot, another CM for squad depth, and a loan for another ST. Frankly, I think all 3 of these slots could just be squad/rotation type players, perhaps a young player on loan or something. Very exciting times for Villa. I have not been this excited to watch Villa since the early 90s when the Premier League was created and we challenged for titles. UTV!

who are the 6?? Gana, Veretout, Westy, Sanchez... then who? I have assumed that Gardner really is going back out on loan. Given injuries- I always assumed that you always want 1 backup for every position slot. So we should have 6 CMs for the 3 starters.

is anyone else concerned that we appear to be 'short' on CM depth? Based on comments it appears most believe we will play a midfield 3. --------------westy-------------- ---Gana------------Veretout--- Obviously Sanchez is backup to Westy... but who are the backups for Gana and Veretout? We seem to now have AM/W type players coming out of our ears (Adama, Gil, Grealish, NZog, Sinclair, etc). Maybe we really are going to a 4231? Then the 2 holding MFers can be rotated between 4 players? I'm hoping we are looking for another CM to add to the mix UTV!

I'm of the opinion that Jack, Gil, and too a certain extent Cole will be our rotating AMs. Young Jack will get alot of game time this season. UTV!

I'm hoping this is true. If so- it would lead me to believe that the best players will play and start Saturday. Perhaps the Mail article and mentions of certain players not starting is a ruse by TS to try and surprise Bournemouth. I'd like to see TS start Gestede, Ayew, and Veretout... then bring on the experienced heads at the end of the game to help close it out. UTV!

11th 51 goals 50 points Gestede (15) Amavi (6) Amavi POTY Grealish YPOTY Sinclair Surprise Richards Disappointment

fair enough. Prefer Adama over Lennon... but truthfully Lennon is better than Gabby, Weimann, NZog- who all played RW for us last season. Lennon might be plan B but its still an improvement over what we have! this is my last post allowed- I'll just read from now on! UTV!

I see alot of posts about needing additional players still. I agree... still need a RW and RB in my book. I'm not mentioning CB because it appears we have enough in sheer numbers (Richards, Okore, Clark, Baker, Senderos). I know many ppl don't rate them- but it appears that TS considers this settled (just my opinion). I think we will be ok at CB this season. Question... if Gardner goes out on loan- its being mentioned back to Forest- do people think we will need another CM? If we play a midfield 3, we really only have 4-5 players for these positions if Gardner leaves. just curious. UTV

hmmm... i'm confused. I thought Liverpool was the crappy backwater??

I'm still hopeful we will be battling for him down to the end. I like the 'young and talented' policy ALOT more than our previous 'young and hungry' policy. Personally I'm thinking we need a RW and a RB still this window. Dunno if we will get both. question- can someone tell me how the 'buy back clause' works? I've seen it mentioned many times here- not sure what it truly means. cheers. UTV!

hello everyone- new poster... 25yr long Villa fan from USA. Been reading VT for years. My understanding is Gil is injured and I read the Grealish is playing in a youth game Friday? If true- that would mean neither are available for Saturday to me. My lineup assumes that players who have not played in pre-season are still eligible to play Saturday. I'm hopeful TS will play the best players, the new guys are kids... so I have a tough time envisioning them not being 'fit' for a match. 442 diamond for me- 2 attackers up top and FBs for width to really go after Bourne tomorrow. I don't think we will see wingers used until Gil and Grealish are healthy and ready to play behind the striker(s). Villa 3-1 victory for me. UTV!!! ------------------Guzan------------------ Bacuna---Richards---Clark---Amavi ----------------Westwood--------------- -----Gana----------------Veretout----- ------------------Ayew------------------- -------Gestede---------Sinclair--------

hello all, I have been following this site for several years, I post sometimes on TBAR. However I am interested in becoming more engaged on this forum. I'm from the USA, reside in Maryland about 45min away from DC. I have been a Villa fan since I was in high school. I'm now 41 married with family, and I've only seen Villa play in person once- they came to the States for a preseason tour. Despite being a fan from afar- I have always watched them on TV and followed them online. I'm really looking forward to the new season with so many new players being brought into the fold. UTV!!!