82Villan

He's a player that I've wanted to do well from the moment he signed and his level of performance has been consistently above average and in my opinion gradually improving throughout his time here. Friday night against Man U I thought he was very good indeed - that volleyed pass out to the right wing was sublime, not that it was his only moment by any stretch. Unfortunately I think he might find his England chances hampered by those already in the squad, there's never a great deal of rotation with the national team once a player is established.

Not sure if that's true. Although I think I may have seen that shirt being lowered over Connecticut during a spell of inclement weather...

Wouldn't be surprised if Hutton starts at Palace. If we have one (or more) creative attacking players to come in, we can afford to sacrifice Bacuna's more attacking style of fullback play for the more defensive solidity we would get from Hutton. No bad thing either given that Palace have some decent players going forward.

If we're vying for top six with the above formation, Sherwood had bloody well better stick with it. Sorry, I meant when we're vying for top six with the above formation....

I find myself thinking a lot about this, wondering (worrying even) how we can accommodate all of Richards Clark and Okore at centre back, all of Westwood, Sanchez, Veretout and Gana in midfield, all of Adama, Grealish, Gil, Ayew, Sinclair... Then I chastise myself for the small-time thinking, it's not about having a first XI and then some not-quite-as-good players on the bench, it's about having a squad and an equally accomplished player to come in for another in the case of injuries, loss of form, and tactical flexibility. In short I think what I'm saying is I want them all to be first choice, but it's not a bad thing they can't all be. I would love to see us play sometime with Adama, Gil and Grealish on the pitch at the same time though.

I remember another player exactly like that. I think his name was Ronaldo. Dunno where the hell he is now. Probably playing keepy up in the centre of Madrid with a beard and sunglasses. if only he'd worked harder. If only he was more humble! The Shaqiri comparisons won't end will they? All because his breasts are small and humble. Well to be fair I was confusing them with mountains. #LyricalBantz Nah that's his meat n two veg! (Or so I been told)

I'm hopeful for him and willing to give him time. I wouldn't mind seeing him benched for a couple of games until he's ready for 90 minutes but I hope he's soon up to speed and a first team regular.

Well the hope is the brighter future comes while he is still with us, otherwise what's the point... But yes he looks a top player, very happy with how he has started with us.

This I think is very true. In a position where we have options, it's already becoming difficult to see him being left out. All credit to him.

He shouldn't be starting if he's not match fit yet. It's a bit of a surprise given that Sherwood is obviously holding off starting others for the same reason. Maybe the belief is that JV will benefit from the show of faith from the start but it's a bit of a risk, can be difficult to recover from a disappointing start at a new team in a new league.

Have to agree with every word of this. You have to think that unless any of them flops badly he's not going to be preferred to any of these guys when they are fit. I do think he may prove to be a higher quality option off the bench than we've had in recent seasons though so I'm not unhappy we signed him for peanuts.

You honestly think its the midfield that's lacking quality? The only missing link for me was someone to link the midfield and the strikers, for me that will come from grealish when he is match fit again. We pretty much contained Man U today and that's only their second game playing together. Amavi looks like he will bomb down the left all day, if him and Gestede can develop an understanding that's going to be a constant goal threat. What worries me is Gabby playing every game as a striker when we know hes a 5-10 goal a season player and Ayew who at the moment looks out of his depth. Dan I'm wrestling with the same fear but surely Richards being given the armband means that Gabby isn't going to be an automatic choice every week....surely....

Who the Hell is that? Rory Delap Can we get him in on loan?

Looking on the bright side, it didn't look like there was the massive gulf in class between the two sides that there has been in past seasons. That said, that may be because United really weren't that impressive. They still have a lot of work to do if they are really going to challenge. But who gives a crap about them. On to Villa...the positives are definitely Amavi and Gueye. Must remember that was only their second PL game, and both are already looking high quality players, who will get better with game time. Veretout is clearly not match fit yet. Seems to be struggling a bit to adapt to the pace of the game and can't do 90 minutes yet, but there is a player in there I think, he will need time. Ayew looks desperate to impress but it's not quite clicking for him. I thought he became more prominent as the game went on but he's not going to be a major goal threat I don't think. Defence looked like they need more time together but there wasn't a bad individual performance. There were moments like for the goal and the Depay effort just wide that they were cut open a little too easily. Westwood had one of his best games in a Villa shirt for me. Thought Gestede should have started or come on earlier. We didn't look like scoring before he came on with the Sinclair - Gabby - Ayew front three but to think there's Gil, Grealish and Traore also to come in, it's not too much of a stretch to think we're not playing any of our strongest attacking players just yet. Oh and the ref was very poor. Although that is only to be expected. Should have been a penalty, not to mention the multiple fouls that were just let go. Would have taken 2 draws from the first 2 games, so can't complain about having 3 points. The Palace game will be a better test of where we are in the grand scheme.

Good point well argued

To be fair though they did get Rickie Lambert, so I'd say it's honours even... :-)

If Gabby scores, we'll win. If anyone else scores, we'll almost certainly lose. I'm pretty sure that's the rule. Unless it's not too late to register Mark Draper for the game?

Damn I wish I'd thought harder about my name now... Think you have a good point though, Bournemouth was hardly a new test for Rudy, United will be. And on a wet Friday night in Brum no less. Don't be too surprised (or disappointed) though if the game plan still involves staying tight and soaking up what they have to throw at us, then trying to hit them on the counter with a pacey and direct approach, playing to the strengths we have in the side. That's pretty standard for lower team against higher team.

Plop can keep him... Gestede 1, Benteke 0. We've obviously moved on to better things. I do think we'll see at least one more attacking player come in this window though.

Irrespective of the Benteke transfer, I really hate Liverpool. It's already annoying me that Sky's coverage of this game, featuring an ex-Liverpool manager and an ex-Liverpool player as the two pundits to give their unbiased analysis, is all about them and barely mentioning Stoke. FWIW, I hate Stoke too. But not so much today.

Erm, clam down mate. Without getting carried away (we won away on the opening day of the last couple of seasons too) I think that as the season progresses and Bournemouth start to pick up some scalps at home, we will look back at this result and think yeah, we've done pretty well there. Especially considering the work-in-progress nature of the current rebuild.

I think there's a lot of sense in this. Although it's also a bit of a wrench to leave Westwood out and I think he is a big part of Tim's plans, away from home against a team that built a reputation for attacking football last season, a DM like Sanchez to break up their play would be the right choice IMO. Used correctly he could be a big player for us this season.

Carlton Cole... I don't think I can ever forgive him for looking brilliant on his debut for us against Southampton, and then rapidly descending into one of the worst players I've ever seen in our shirt, couldn't even control a simple pass by the end of that season.

What I find exciting - if not also a little scary - about this season is we're sort of dark horses for anything; with so many new faces, most of them new to English football as well, it's a complete unknown how the players will perform, how the team will gel, if they are all up to Premier League scratch, etc... Were among the favourites to go down based on recent finishes but I don't think the last few seasons should have any bearing on where we end this one, it is a (largely) brand new team going out. Ok so we can be realistic and rule out the upper reaches of the table - say the European places - but after that it could be anything. I'm clinging to optimism for now that we will improve, significantly, and surprise a few. And hopefully we'll all start to enjoy the ride again.

Habib Beye?