Stratvillan

I'd play mings for his pace and distribution. Imo it's better than Hauses.

I'd agree with points 2 and 3 Did hourihane steal your christmas presents or step on your sandcastles in Cobh as a child. You seem to be a little obsessed.

Best game for months. The old john mcginn, less arse more running.

Is a measure of the progress we have made. Even pre8 lockdown we would have lost that 2 or 3 nil. Our strength on the bench is a concern, but with mings Barkley and trez out the subs we could have made would have weakened us. We done all!

Itll be nice to have a team set up to stop us playing as much as focusing on how they play. We'll play a high line - hold on watkins will run in behind. We'll push the full backs up , Traore and El Ghazi are bang in form. We'll go down the wings, what vs Cash and Targett? Shall we pass it through the middle? Damn they've that Brizillian and the man with the arse. We'll play Giroud for his height - Hause has just kept 3 clean sheets and wins everthing in the air. Shoot from distance - hasn't their keeper got the most clean sheets in the league? And then there's Jack.!!!!!! not saying we will win, but it's nice to know the opposition will have to work for it.

Doubted his positioning repeatedly over last season. thought he timed everything perfectly today, really impressed with his defending especially in the last 6/7 games. That's why I'm not a manager!

This is it for me, before he was more than happy to he involved if the ball came to him. Now he's working harder to get involved.

I think that's how we are rotating, who ever is booked sits out. Cash, mings, Luiz with mcginn etc to follow.

The yellows count until the 19th game.

100th game tomorrow.

5 Yellows are rescinded after 19 games. That's a long way away. In a way its forced resting. Can see a few easy yellows the game before the fa cup!

This is it for me. Against a more dynamic team going forward, Trezs workrate gets him in over El Ghazi. Not saying that's right, but I think that's where we are at. I think if trez and el ghazi are both fit against chelsea, Trez will start.

I dont want competition, would either sign 1st steamers or ones for the future. We have enough Lansburys.

Means we dont have to rush him back.

Thought Livermore was a red, didnt think Hauses was. If every tackle that hits a shin pad is a red there wouldnt be anyone left.

Btw. 3 0 away victory and smith gets a poor.

Grealish should be removed from motm voting, just to be fair to the rest. Thought really good all round, some of the interchange play was superb. Have to feel sorry for ollie.

You sound like the bloke who sits behind me down the villa. If in doubt "Get Keinan on!"

Sessegnon scored today. On loan at a German club.

I forgot him! But he isnt ours ( a poor defence!)

Theres always a trend on VT for players ability to increase when they're not playing see Keinan for an example. It's strange that Conor who has (whether you rate him or not) been a key player in our recent history, his ability seems to decrease week by week. Hes off the pace in training, hes aged horribly etc I think in terms of our midfield the order is Grealish McGinn, Luiz Ramsey, Hourihane, Nakamba Lansbury Grealish is so far ahead of everyone else its ridiculous. McGinn and Luiz are both 2 and 3rd choice (in a 3 man midfield) To say that Conor has no future, is below our level is premature. He is 1 of 3 vying to be first back up. We would like him to be below our level, we are not there yet. If we sell Lansbury and hourihane in jan, we would end up relying on Ramsey and Nakamba as starters in a reasonable amount if games. That's dangerous imo. I think 2 of our first 3 midfield options will leave in the summer. Players such as hourihane will provide the professionalism and character we've so often lacked outside the first team, to ensure some degree of consistency.

He's isolated partially because Targett cant pass the ball.

I was just checking games in charge by villa managers, as Smith appeoaches 100. 3 things stood out. He has nearly caught Bruce up God we had some awful managers over the last 15 years. We only had 4 "managers" before WW2.

And then he scores to destroy my argument!

I agree, I want a midfielder who really sits in the middle third of the pitch, and isnt interested in making late runs in the box. I think you've nailed it when you say we've not got the variety. I think you could swap SJM and Dougie L, and it wouldn't make much difference. I'm watching the liverpool game wijnaldum plays thus role really well, not necessarily tackling all of the time, just being in the way.