VillaFaninLondon

I definitely see a promising player there. He obviously needs to work on his final ball, but also should take on his man more. He too often takes the easy option. But he is young, has had injuries, and has not played much. I like the fact that when he loses the ball he tries to win it back and I like that he is from our academy. When he came through he was seen as our brightest prospect, if he can be coached to be more aggressive in his attacking movements and learn to cross the ball better I think he'll go on to be a really good player. Only time will tell if that happens.

First half I genuinely thought we played like Barcelona, we were that good. Obviously you have to put it in context, we were playing Blackburn not Real Madrid, but some of the one-touch football was beautiful. 

Second half was a bit disappointing, especially the last 20 minutes where we sat back too much and gave the ball away too often. But the win's all that matters.

Thought Steer was at fault for the goal, even if the ball did swerve you don't punch it out to an opposition player you punch it to safety. He is obviously reasonable with his feet but I do think he is a weak link for us - not sure why we spent £7m on Kalinic to not play him even when he starts for Croatia, but hey ho. Suppose he'll stick with Steer but for me, GK has to be a priority to sort out this summer, especially if we go up. 

Mings and McGinn were outstanding, Hause and Elmo did their jobs. Taylor was a bit shaky at times but did ok, Whelan was excellent again. Grealish was quiet, a shame as Southgate was there, but even when he's quiet he's still involved in most of our good play. I see Green got some stick - some of his crosses were wayward and he needs to work on his decision making and final ball. But I do think there is a quality player in there - he's only 20 years old, works hard, even when he loses the ball he tries to win it back, and he's got a lot of talent. He needs to work on making quicker decisions and not be afraid to take his man on more. Don't think we should write him off just yet, he could go on to be some player for us if he can work on his weaknesses. 

Good that Tammy is fit. He's not been scoring a lot recently but his all-round game is top notch and it's not just his goals that he brings to this team.

Some selection headaches on Saturday. Does Dean bring Tuanzebe straight back in, probably for Taylor with Hause going to LB? I think it would be harsh and slightly rash to change things, so probably best to keep things as they are, but equally Hause looks more comfortable on the left-hand side and Tuanzebe-Mings could be very impressive. Tough call. In midfield too, does he bring Hourihane back in, probably at the expense of Whelan? For me on this one I think he should - Whelan was brilliant against Boro and did the simple things really well, but has just played 90 mins for Ireland at 35 years old. And out wide too, does he drop Green for Adomah or go with Green again. Given Adomah scored against Boro (albeit he couldn't miss), he probably deserves the nod, but I'm hoping Green takes his chance when he next gets it - he looked average against Boro.

Blackburn are in really poor form and we've just won four on the bounce, so I'm really hoping we put in another strong performance. Three points is all that matters though. 

And by better I mean when those players were at their peak for us - of course he's better than granddad Barry now

The fact that he isn't playing for England is good for us. He won't lose fitness or get injured during the international breaks and he isn't in the spotlight.

It's win win for us. No idea what you lot are complaining about.

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I suspect some fans think that because he isn't getting England recognition here, he may well think he has to leave to get it. Which is pretty much accurate considering Hudson-Odoi, talented as he though is, gets a start for England in a competitive game but can't even get that for Chelsea outside the Europa League and League Cup. 

For me personally, too, I want to see as many Villa players get international recognition as possible. The more international players on our books, the increased status we have in the game and it helps to attract better players. It also gives me pride seeing Villa players turn out for England, particularly if they do well. 

But equally I do see your point. If he gets injured or is tired coming back from England duty, he won't perform to his best level and that will affect us. 

In my opinion, he's unlucky not to get a call up. He's the best midfielder I have seen at Villa since Merson, more talented than Barry, Milner and Petrov I think (though not necessarily better yet). He can pass, dribble, create, score great goals, and tracks back. I'd go so far to say he's one of the best dribblers I've seen since watching Villa in the early 90s. So we simply have to go up and let him show his magic in the Prem - if we do, he'll get the call.

It's definitely good having more options with almost a fully-fit squad to choose from now. Not only Tuanzebe and Lansbury but Chester should be back in contention soon surely? We just need to make sure that absolutely crucial players - i.e. Grealish, McGinn, Mings, Abraham - are wrapped up in cotton wool after each game because we will certainly need them in the run-in and if we get to the playoffs. 

I think Tuanzebe will probably be on the bench for Blackburn, but he is a real talent and being good on the ball and right-footed would be absolutely immense alongside Mings I think. Hause looks slightly uncomfortable on the right-side of a back four for me, but there's no doubting he's struck up a great partnership with Mings. 

Blackburn don't really have much to play for but no game will be easy and there are no guarantees. But we generally have a fairly decent run-in and if we keep everyone fit there's no reason we can't win the majority of our final eight games. 

I have us down to finish on 74 or possibly 75 points, it will be touch and go if we get top six but fingers crossed we do as I can see us taking the playoffs by storm.

Whelan played well against Boro but I do feel Hourihane, McGinn and Grealish is our best midfield. It's a tough decision to make.

Wonder whether he'll put Tuanzebe straight back in and move Hause to left back - would be harsh on Taylor who also played very well last game, but Tuanzebe alongside Mings would be very decent.

I have been browsing some Villa forums and came across this one so I decided to join. I occasionally post on ja606 but there doesn't seem to be many Villa fans using that. 

I was born in London but grew up in the Midlands (Shrewsbury) and been a Villa fan since I was five. I've since moved back to London but still go to games when I can - most recently against Boro on Saturday. 

I look forward to joining in the discussions about this great club!