GreavesAV

Absolutely loved Elphick going up to the Holte to get us pumped up before the game, and getting all the lads to come over at the end. Already showing up our 'captains' of last season

Very complete performance in every area of the pitch... except Albion's box. Team is crying out for a goalscorer, with a bit of pace and technical ability. Gil & Westy were both very impressive today

Some absolutely pathetic performances today from a few of them. Back four is so uncoordinated it's a joke.

Thoughts on this?

4-2-3-1

             Guzan

Richards Okore Ilori Clark

   Veretout Gueye

Adama Gil Grealish

           Ayew

Guzan; Bacuna Richards Okore Clark; Sánchez Veretout Gana; Gil Ayew Adama (4-3-3)

Yes, Adama is naturally a right winger, but I'd love to see him and Gil rotating behind Ayew; a nice mix of flair and speed. 

Clark at LB because, literally anything (other than probably Lescott) is better than Richardson at LB.

Bacuna in for extra service to the forwards

We set-up with an XI where the quickest player was Richards, our centre-half... How we thought we'd have any chance as an away side against a possession-based home side with that line up is beyond me.

Few questions: Where the f*** is Adama? Why has Grealish's form been so appalling? Remember Ilori? Why did we let Cissokho go on loan, knowing full well Richardson was our back up LB?

Anyways, next week we've just got to absolutely go for it. Would like a mix of pace and flair in the attack, not one or the other. Will be delighted if Adama gets his chance. Also, defensively we're so uncoordinated it's a joke. Think Garde needs to look at moving Richards to RB and giving Okore/Ilori a look-in at RCB. Oh, and Sánchez HAS to start over Westwood, every week. 

Bit embarrassed reading some of the criticism of Brigada in this thread to be honest. I'm a Trinity-side Holte End season ticket holder, and Brigada have massively improved the atmosphere around me. There have been occasions where the rest of the Holte End has been silent through poor performances, but Brigada have continued to support the team. Blackpool at home last season is an example I like to use, because I recall the rest of the Holte End booing the team, while Brigada sung for the players. The players not only celebrated in front of Brigada, but went over to applaud them at the end of the game too. They help the team.

It's very disappointing that some of you see Brigada as anything other than an attempt to improve the Holte End experience. Their banners, displays and general showing of support for the team is second to none for such a small group. If the club embraced them, I'm sure they could enhance our support 10 fold. You only need to look as far as South London, at Crystal Palace to see what a difference Ultra groups can make - that Palace team feeds off their support.

Also, those of you describing the group as 'yobs' or 'hooligans', I'd love to see you explain why you think this.

So much more organised. Tactically excellent from Remi, making changes to ensure we got the point. 

The thing I enjoyed the most today was the players playing for the manager. Non-stop running from all of them, Sánchez looking like a proper DM too. 

Prediction for the XI: 

4-4-2: Guzan; Bacuna Richards Lescott Amavi; Gil Gana Sanchez Grealish; Gestede Ayew.

Think he'll look at the fact Gestede has scored a few and start him. With Gil's display the other night I'm sure he'll be in. Expecting him to start Lescott due to Clark errors.

Easily our best creative player. Embarrassing that Sherwood/KMac did not realise this. 

It's actually incredible that all of us Villa fans know who our best players are, but thus far this year our 'managers' have failed week in, week out to field an XI containing them. Are we actually all mental or were Sherwood/KMac genuinely that underqualified haha?

I'm in absolute disbelief that Sherwood/KMac could not identify that  most of the players they were fielding should have been nowhere near the starting XI. Got to the point where it doesn't even annoy me when we lose as its just the norm. Hope to God this Garde is as good as expected. Play the flair players, go for it, please Villa

What a ridiculous XI. Three players in that XI that I'd have started (and only because we don't have much else better); Guzan, Clark, Grealish. Really hoping despite all this fume we somehow sh*thouse a 1-0 win.

Genuinely think he could do it, & do it well. He's technically very able & I think he'd provide a lot for players in the box, as opposed to cutting in & fashioning his own chances.

(4-3-3) Guzan; Richards Okore Clark Amavi; Sánchez, Gana, Veretout; Adama Gil; Ayew - my XI for a game like this. 3 in the middle of the park to combat Spurs' midfield 3, extra protection for defence and potential to counter with Adama RW and Gil LW. Although we're going to see another flat 4-4-2, aren't we...

Slightly worrying with Garde potentially being in the stands that KMac will probably start Richardson, Hutton, Gabby etc... He'll be wondering what he's got himself into haha

Hello all. 

With everything going on around Villa of late, I've decided to sign up for VT and offer my perspective on the goings on around the club. I'm a season ticket holder and get to as many away's as I can every season. I'll be active on many threads, particularly match-threads, to offer my views on what went well, what didn't go well, who played well and who was at fault.

Thanks, and I look forward to posting.

Nathan