barry'sboots

And MOTD2 is on iplayer later in the week - I think after tuesday evening?? They did a feature on the Villa, so worth a watch.

First half was excellent. We did have a poor period for the first 10 minutes of the second half after Grant bought on the Mexican and Piquone where we looked a bit lightweight in CM again and they were cutting through with ease. Personally, I would have liked to see K-Mac respond to that with bringing NRC on to shut things down (either for Stan or Jimmy or via bringing one of the wingers/Ash off). But once we'd scored the third we were very much back on track and their heads went down a bit I think.

Quality display. Future Villa captain and England CH. Haven't seen a 20 yo CB play with that maturity ever.

Why????? Are you also thinking we are one of the two clubs in for Robinho? Maybe we will get Robinho?????? Good call, although even you couldn't have predicted a headed goal for Stan?

Friedel 7: comfortable but little to do Young 8: played really well and didn't put a foot wrong Dunne 6: outpaced a couple of times but his composure is really important alongside a youngster Clarke 9: fantastic and a future Villa skipper Warnock 6: a few sloppy passes went astray but otherwise performed well Downing 8: good game and looks much more comfortable on the left. Also scored and hit the post a couple of times Petrov 6: played well first half, good goal. Right formation and opposition for Stan as they don't really press. I felt he should have been replaced with NRC when we were getting pushed back at the start of the second half Milner 8: struggled to get in the game early on but got stronger and stronger Albrighton 9: great game and MOTM for me. Really went at his full back. Maybe needs to learn a bit of variation as better full backs will sort out his game better. Ash 8: did well. I still think he is better out wide and would have liked to see more interchange with Downing. Carew 7: battled well. Shooting boots well and truly misplaced. Kevin Mac 9: set us up great. My only issue is that I would have liked to see him respond to Wet Spam's H2 changes quicker. I thought they dominated the early stages of the H2 and I would have liked to see NRC on for Stan to give us more energy and them less space. Didn't like the switch to 4-4-2 either although I guess it was only for 5 minutes.

Why????? Are you also thinking we are one of the two clubs in for Robinho?

Very good down to earth interview by a level headed an experienced coach. Kevin Mac has no ego, but he is claret and blue and can be authoritarian when he needs to be. That came across quietly in his reminder to some fringe players that they should be grateful to Mon for bringing them to Villa in the first place. Comes over as a very genuine bloke. Doesn't appear to have the appetite for the role full-time though. Love to see Jol but whoever comes in with Martin Laursen as no.2 please.

Agree 100% with this. This is the most excited I have been in a couple of years going to a Villa game and not knowing what side or tactics to expect. Will be really pee'd off if we get a 4-4-2 with Stan and Sidwell in the middle and the only sub being Heskey for Carew after 80 minutes!!

Be rude not to. Its the most excited I've been for ages. We might get something different. I'll be really pee'd off though if we play 4-4-2 with Downing --- Sidwell --- Petrov --- Ash and JC and Gabby up front and make no substitutions until the 80th minute when Emile replaces JC!!!!

Looking for 2-0. Think that we have the team to do this comfortably. NRC to get into Scotty Parker please.

I would hope he will go: --------------- Friedel ----------------- Young --- Dunne --- Clarke --- Warnock ----------Petrov --- NRC -------------- Albrighton ---- Downing ----------- Ash ----------------- Gab ------------------ But if Gabby is injured would bring JC in there. For me, Ash looks better out wide. Seems to get lost inside. I would expect Milner to start on the bench but make an appearance.

I agree with your analysis. I wasn't really looking forward to this season but now I am excited again. We will see a fresh approach and we still have the core of a very good side - Milner out hopefully Ireland in - Downing from day 1 - plus Delph (when he returns), the Fonz, Albrighton, Clark and Lichaj a year older and ready to play more of a part - NRC, Young and Beye hopefully playing a part. As long as we don't lose any more that makes us a stronger side in my opinion. Don't see many of our rivals, Citeh excepted, looking that much stronger.

Jol for me. If not keep MacDonald. Love to see Martin Laursen come on to the coaching staff as right hand man as well.

Martin Jol with Laursen as his assistant/groom him for manager. Failing that I would probably want to see MacDonald given a shot.

Agree with much of this. I think we will look more of a threat from the wings when Ash is back out left. Ireland could well be the answer, but I would like to see DJ have a crack in the middle. The weakest link in the starting line up for me was Stan as you point out - did very little and I worry that he will play every game again irrespective of form or contribution.

Cup competitions are more about the luck of the draw. I don't think any of our performances point to us being "harder to beat", given the number of goals we shipped last season in the FA Cup. I think the highest ranking team we played, with the exception of Chelski and Man U, was Sunderland/Blackburn and we were probably lucky to get by the former?

If he plays like he played last season (ideally in a 4-3-3) I'd certainly accept him!!

.... and what about his twin - Fabian??

Could I ask why you think that? Is it because he has short legs and it takes him longer to get across the field? Or down to him getting knocked off the ball a lot? If he is good enough then size doesn't matter. I have seen plenty of big players who made it and they were crap. No Heskey jokes please. Because I think to play two in CM in the modern game is very difficult and you probably need a strong athletic pairing with good technical ability, like Viera and Petit, to get away with it nowadays, certainly against the better sides.

Muslim country ... no lap dancing clubs .... I very much doubt it!!

Have only seen glimpses of Bannan in which he has looked good. With his size though he would have to be in a 5 man CM I would have thought.

disagree, i think he needs to be playing regularly. His sub appearances generally tend to coincide with his cant be arsed appearances. Did you watch the Blues game?? I think he looks half arsed in a lot of the games he starts as well. I think it is all about MON explaining the importance of the role and how he fits in. To be fair to JC, I would have been p***ed off if Heskey was started in front of me.

Would like to see Big John's role left to that of impact sub (as per the SHA game last year at the Sty). I think he can have a real impact as a PLAN B and, as such, will stay fitter and around for more of the season. Also, he won't be as tired when he shoots off to the club on a Saturday night.

If he didn't we could be in a right pickle.

Yes and they are all for sale... Get rid. I wuld keep Davies though. Not that simple though is it and don't see many people coming in for them (except Jimmy obviously) potentially because they haven't seen them play for 12 months or more.