wilko154

He hasn't had a lot to do... granted. However he hasn't had a lot to do due to the defence in front of him performing so well. One of the key reasons the defence are performing so well is due to their organisation and Steer is key to that. I watched him on Saturday and he was shouting at all of them, telling them where he wanted them to be to take the ball. Between him and Mings dictating the back 4 are rarely caught out of position now, something that was happening on a game to game basis prior. For me it's his shirt to lose now, and I can't see him being dropped this season.

First time I've ever ventured into this thread as I didn't know what it was. You lot are messed up I will be joining in in 2020...

Grealish's song has slightly changed now after the Blues game.

This bloke is an absolute monster. He's by far the best defender I've seen at Villa Park since Laursen/Mellberg. Defensively he is a machine, he reads the game so well and is relentless until he wins the ball. With the ball he is brilliant, his passing range is better than most players in our squad. He is so calm bringing the ball out from the back and it helps keep the rest of the back 4 calm, we rarely panic in possession now. The back 4 are a massive part of the way Smith is trying to play, and the improvement has helped the whole team. He could easily be our captain, but even without the armband he orchestrates the team from the back. If you watch him throughout the game he is constantly talking to those around him. Get him signed up!

If's and But's A bit of a break before the next games. We now need to start pulling ourselves clear of the pack. Bristol City to lose to Sheff U Sheff W to draw to Stoke Preston to draw to Reading Derby to beat Rotherham Boro to lose to Norwich Villa to beat Blackburn 5 - Villa - 60 points 6 - Derby - 59 points 7 - Boro - 58 points 8 - Preston - 58 points 9 - Sheff Wed - 56 points 10 - Bristol City - 55 points Games in hand - Boro x 1, Derby x 1 & Bristol x 2

If's and But's (updated) Going to keep this up as seems to be working well! Preston to draw to Blues - Preston Win Ipswich to draw against Forest - Draw Villa to beat Boro - Win 5 - Boro - 58 points 6 - Villa - 57 points 7 - Preston - 57 points 8 - Derby - 56 points 9 - Bristol City - 55 points 10 - Sheff Wed - 55 points Games in hand - Boro x 1, Derby x 1 & Bristol x 2

So how did Beta survive a fall down an elevator shaft?!

This took me much longer than it should have to understand

If you had your way we would be changing the whole starting 11 after every game You realise we just won 3-1. Tammy didn't have the best of games but he was a handful for the defence all game. Kodjia did well holding the ball up when he came on.

Thinking about this more, we really do have to pull ourselves clear in 5th or 6th in case we drop points against Leeds & Norwich. That would be soul destroying...

Hasn't done a lot wrong since he's been back in the side, defensively he has been sound. Obviously will be great to have options on the bench in case his form drops during the run in.

Fair

Currently I can't see Axel or Chester getting into the team. That in itself is a fantastic problem to have.

Absolute monster. Didn't put a foot wrong tonight. Sign this man up!

He's fantastic. Makes the odd mistake but we have to remember how rusty he is with the few games he has played over the last few seasons. Seem's to have struck up a good partnership with Mings. We now look like we have a solid defensive unit, something we haven't had all season.

He's a bit of a different player to Grealish... Played in the right games he's a very good footballer. Helped to close out the game tonight as Grealish tired.

Mistake for the first goal, but did well for the remainder of the game. Quick off his line and dealt with everything that came his way. Hasn't really been tested in the last few games. For me he retains the shirt Saturday.

If's and But's And onto the weekend we go... Preston to draw to Blues Ipswich to draw against Forest Villa to beat Boro 5 - Boro - 58 points 6 - Villa - 57 points 7 - Derby - 56 points 8 - Bristol City - 55 points 9 - Preston - 55 points Games in hand - Boro x 1, Derby x 1 & Bristol x 2

If's and But's It's all going our way! Bristol to beat Ipswich - Draw Boro to draw against Preston - Lost Derby to draw against Stoke - Draw Villa to beat Forest 5 - Boro - 58 points 6 - Derby - 56 points 7 - Bristol City - 55 points 8 - Villa - 54 points 9 - Preston - 54 points

Fantastic game of football. Brilliant performance from Villa, we dominated the game in large periods and defended very well in others. McGinn and Grealish ran the midfield. Elmo and Taylor looked assured at full back. Mings and Hause were a class above as always. Results have gone our way again. Just to let you all know, Villa's going up!

Quite happy for teams to be drawing right now, every time a team drops 2 points we have the chance to capatalise and gain 2 points. Tonight is massive as we can take 3 points off Forest who are also up there. We then have the chance to do the same against Boro, Bristol City and Sheff Weds which would strengthen our playoff push, although it's a huge ask. Currently we shouldn't be worried about anyone behind us in the league, it's all in our hands now.