ejs1111

i've always seen Jack as a Jack Grealish type player. 

When Gil, Grealish, and Traore are healthy/fit we will have more creativity and flair than we have seen in a LONG time.

442<>

--------------------Guzan--------------------

Bacuna-----Micah-------Clark-----Amavi

------------------Westwood-----------------

-----Gana--------------------Veretout-----

--------------------Gil------------------------

-----------Ayew------Gestede-------------

4231

--------------------Guzan--------------------

Bacuna-----Micah-------Clark-----Amavi

----------Gana------------Veretout---------

---Traore-------Grealish-------Sinclair---

------------------Gestede-------------------

neither of those two formation are regulation fodder imo.  That is comforably mid-table and deep cup run quality.  With a top class ST this is an even better side.

UTV!

It appeared to me in the game yesterday that we were clearly missing the creative MF to link play between the MF and ST.  Huge hole there all game.  I'm of the opinion that Gil and Grealish will fill that slot- once they are healthy and playing- our attacking presence will improve greatly.

I can see the front 3 from last night being completely different when Gil/Grealish are back.  One of Gil/Grealish will start behind the strikers, with a target man striker and a pacy striker.  I guess when I look at our team- it appears right now we are best suited for 442<> formation with Westy or Sanchez at the bottom point, and Gil/Grealish at the top point.

The players who are wingers/wide forwards (Traore, Sinclair, Ayew, Gabby) I think will all rotate with a target man pairing (Gestede or Ade-if he signs-).  I think against lesser teams we can sit one of the MF 3 and play a more common 4231 with wingers.

Incredibly excited about our business this summer, even though to be totally honest I don't really know much about any of the players have signed - other than they seem to be very highly rated.

 

My main question is - how the hell has this happened? What has changed at the club to firstly make us go in this direction, and secondly to make us so much more attractive a proposition to the these young players who previously might not have considered us??

I think we have always been an attractive place to play at...  we just have not had good 'face men' or quality people here to 'sell Aston Villa' to players until now.  Now with Fox and Sherwood we have bright, enthusiastic men who can sell what we have to offer.  A massive club with playing time to offer in the biggest league in the world.

UTV!

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!

Not a chance we'll have 6 CM's competing for 3 spots.

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 think as fans we need to be careful when judging the team selection.  We've been told several times that Sherwood picks the team based on training, so whoever gets put up front we can assume deserved it.

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

Well it sets it all up beautifully for Liverpool fans to refer back to as evidence that they took a poorly coached gem from a crappy little backwater....

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!!!