Herman22

For once, Smith has some positive selection headaches. I don't think you can change the team that battered Derby at the weekend. Elphick is out so that's a forced change but I'd go with: Steer Elmo Hause Mings Taylor Whelan Adomah Grealish Hourihane ElGhazi Tammy That leaves McGinn, Kodija, Jedi, Carroll, Kalanic, Green and BB on the bench. I hope we don't get another defender injury as we have no defender on the bench. Jedi can go CB but no one who can cover RB.

I haven't heard DS talk about him, any idea of the injury or when he's expected to be back?

McGinn still suspended, Grealish unlikely to start even if he's fit, Hutton, Chester, Tuanzebe, Lansbury all out. I think the team selection will be pretty straight forward. If we are going to play two up front, I'd be tempted to get Davis on. He's a very good hold up player and would be more of a threat in the air that Kodija. He hasn't made the bench of last so he could be injured again?

I saw Tuanzebe in the crowd yesterday before the United Liverpool game. DS doesn't mention him in the press conferences anymore, is there any guideline on when or even if he will play again this season?

We are looking light in midfield for this one. Grealish out, Carroll out, McGinn suspended. Hopefully, we go with: Kalanic (if fit, otherwise Steer) Hutton Elphick Mings Hause Whelan Green Ramsey Hourihane ElGhazi Abramah I've not heard much about Chester but if he's fit I would put him in place of Elphick. *EDIT* I've just seen on the OS Twitter that Chester is out too. So the above team it is.

I’ve always found it difficult to understand our fans. Players can be terrible for years (Hutton being an example) but are worshipped by the fans. Then you get the likes of Hourihane, bought for a small fee and has performed well (by no means exceptionally well, but us done in generaly ok) gets such abuse from fans. I think sometimes people want to blame someone for defeats and he’s the target at the moment.

Looking at the re-build that is going to need to happen this year I would give DS all of next season to get things right. He has inherited an ageing squad who, IMO, cannot play the type of football he wants. I think the signing of the RB from France is a sign of things to come. Between contracts expiring and sales we could see 12-15 players leave in the summer. We should look to build the squad around a core of players we have. For me, that should be Kalanic, Chester, McGinn. If you can add Mings to that, happy days. I'd love for Jack to stay but I don't see that happening. DS will need his transfer fee to fund the rebuild with no more parachute payments coming.

I've only just seen the highlights as I was away all weekend, but goals turn games. And the chance Tammy missed in the first half would have made this a very different game. Hopefully, Jack will be back for the next game, but he has been out for some time so don't expect him to start. Also missing McGinn for two games is a big loss. We need 9 wins to get anywhere near the play-off places. I can't see it but I will hope.

I think tonight's game shows the problem with Villa at the moment. We were outplayed, outworked and generally outclassed. But we had two huge opportunities, if either of them hits the back of the net I think we win that game. We wake this morning say "we played shit, but got 3 points and that's all that matters". Instead, we are looking at another year in this shithouse league. The two people the chances fell to are interesting too. Albert hasn't scored in about a year and never looking like putting that one away. Hourihane is a good player but pace isn't his thing and he was always trying to get the shot away early to avoid getting caught. Last point, there is only one way to break a high press and that is to move the ball quickly and be brave in possession. Last night showed me that Elphick and Hutton cannot play in a team that keeps possession. I don't question either's commitment but if you want to keep the ball on the ground they aren't you men. Still 100% behind Smith, I'll start asking questions if we are in this position this time next year.

Deserve nothing from this game. Best two chances, but a really poor performance. Also Hutton is beyond useless!

Really poor 80mins. Lucky to be still in the game. We all know we can’t continiue to draw, time to push for it. Get Kodija on.

Could that be a back 3/5? Adomah getting the nod over Green at LWB due to his defensive work rate!

Interesting to see what DS does with his starting line up. Both Green and Whelan were good off the bench last day so expect both to start. I don't see Chester coming back in just yet so I don't expect too many more changes. Likely: Kalanic Hutton Elphick Mings Taylor Whelan Hourihane Green McGinn ElGhazi Abraham

As much as I like Albert and appreciate how hard he works he just isn't good enough. I don't think he fits in to the way DS wants to play and for that reason I think he will be gone come the summer. Much like Jedi, Whelan, Elphick, etc he was brought in to get us back up in the first season or two but there is no long term plan that includes players like these guys.

I think if we don't go up this season we won't see Jack in the Villa shirt again. He stayed with us last season and signed a new contract, thus making sure we get a decent price for him. But I assume the deal was for one more season and if we aren't promoted he leaves this summer. What is more worrying is how poor we have looked when he isn't in the side. If/ when he goes in the summer DS is going to have to work out an effective way to play without Grealish in the side.

Most are writing it as 'stamp' or alleged stamp so they are covering themselves.

The simple fact is that we will never know if he intended to land on him. I would look at two things. 1. Did he move his foot towards him? I don't think he does. And 2 what is his reaction? He seems to go to him immediately and alert the ref/ medical team. From that, I would assume he hasn't meant it. But again only the player will know for sure. I will say this. Grealish was clearly stamped on in the playoff final last year. The ref missed it and no retrospective action was taken. Here the ref has seen it and deemed it an accident (this is assumed from him not even giving a free kick). So I don't believe he can take action if it is contained within his report.

I think if Mings is fit he plays, DS said in the interview yesterday that Mings was ready to start. I don’t see Carroll starting this one as he is only back from injury. Need another win, get some momentum.

You look at the people who are out of contract this summer. Bunn, Elphick, Hutton, Jedi, Richards, Whelan. All the wrong side of 30 and probably on decent money. The wage saving alone would be huge. We will most likely not see Abraham or Tuanzebe after the summer either No matter what league we are playing in this summer is going to be a huge shake up. The work done this Jan is massive. Two loaned left sided centre backs with (I think) the option to buy. A new RB already organized for the summer. A new deep lying centre midfielder who matches Smiths style of play. On top of this a whole host of younger players have gone out on loan to get game time. Overall I'm happy with the Jan window. Hoping the injury prone players can keep fit.

I think Mings will go into the squad. I think once Mings and Hause are up to speed Chester will be given some time off to recover from his injury. I don’t think Carroll is fit but might be worth having on the bench. DS didn’t seem to confident Green would make this one either. So most likely a similar team to last week.

If he has been brought in to play left side of centre back it's a bit worrying. I think we could see Elphick and Mings play at CB with Chester dropping out. Ming is quick and Elphick is good in the air. I still worry about us at left and right back. Taylor and Hutton are just so poor. I'm surprised Bree is leaving. I'd prefer him over Hutton.

Mings seems to be done. The worry is it's another player who is short of match time so won't hit the ground running. I would be happy if we get Hayden. He has played plenty of football over the last few months and should be able to slot right in. A midfield 3 of Grealish--Hayden--McGinn looks very decent.

Hogan had to leave to get game time. When Tammy is fit and available no one is getting in that team. I assume there is no buy clause in this deal.

A good guide is who isn't in the squads are most likely on the move. Not necessarily to Villa but may be going. Austin, Mings, Chalobah and Cahill not playing tonight. At this point, I'd take Mings, Hayden and Chalobah. I think those 3 would help in areas we need bodies.

There is no way I would trust Micah with the tea straight away. I'd start him off pouring cold water into sippy cups to build his confidence. He's been out a long time.