Pre match thread

[villa89]

They're the worst team in the league. It's in Villa park. Do them by three at least. 

[The_Rev]

They are absolutely there for the taking, I get what Russell Martin is trying to do because what's the point of completely changing the philosophy you came up with when it won't magically make the players in your squad better and you'll end up getting sacked anyway?   Let's just hope he doesn't have a massive change of direction before the weekend because I'd like to go into the Leipzig game with three points and a clean bill of health from this game. 

[Kuwabatake Sanjuro]

A little annoying that their three best players were all suspended tonight so are rested for the weekend but still we need to just follow up tonight's result and performance.

[HanoiVillan]

Suspect we'll make a couple of changes, some or all of Maatsen, Torres and Barkley coming in for Digne, Mings and Tielemans. Don't think we'll make any others. 

I wonder if they'll fall for the kind of rope-a-dope strategy we used tonight, or if they'll just be too cautious for it to work. Also wonder if we'll try and press a bit more given they seem to concede at least one from a comedy turnover every week. 

[supermon]

Need to smash these guys 4-0

[OutByEaster?]

With a game in Germany on Tuesday, I think we'll need to rotate - and there are some big questions to be asked.

Do you start Duran, bring in Buendia for Rogers, give Maatsen a game, drop Mings after an excellent performance?

I think we can find a team that's capable regardless, but it's going to be a tough few days.

[Pongo Waring]

We need to make up the goal difference. 5-1 Villa.

[VillaChris]

Keep Mings in if he can manage it.

If Kamara starts this he probably dosen't start Leipzig so that's the big decision for Unai.

I think it will be a solid 2-0. They had Dibling and Harwood-Bellis suspended tonight who are their two best players but even with them back we should be winning this fairly comfortably.

Could be as high as 5th if Spurs and Brighton don't win tomorrow. Yes really.

[Ghost]

4 hours ago, HanoiVillan said:

Suspect we'll make a couple of changes, some or all of Maatsen, Torres and Barkley coming in for Digne, Mings and Tielemans. Don't think we'll make any others. 

I wonder if they'll fall for the kind of rope-a-dope strategy we used tonight, or if they'll just be too cautious for it to work. Also wonder if we'll try and press a bit more given they seem to concede at least one from a comedy turnover every week. 

Was thinking the same. We're barely a pressing team these days, but Southampton absolutely seem to crumble when you press them, so wonder if we'll change tack and go higher intensity for this one.

[villa89]

8 hours ago, OutByEaster? said:

With a game in Germany on Tuesday, I think we'll need to rotate -

I think with our recent run in the PL Unai will go full strength on Saturday to get the win. Even a draw in Germany would be okay so he might rotate for that game. 

[bose]

My first game at Villa Park in 2 years, can't wait!

Hopefully the match yesterday was the start of something positive again

[PaulC]

We have to rotate a bit Leipzig is crucial if we want to make the top 8 in the champions league.  Mings stays in Pau plays at Leipzig. Kamara rested. 

[rubberman]

7 hours ago, Ghost said:

Was thinking the same. We're barely a pressing team these days, but Southampton absolutely seem to crumble when you press them, so wonder if we'll change tack and go higher intensity for this one.

Yes - 100%. They are very vulnerable to the press - can't let them relax. 

[turvontour]

10 hours ago, VillaChris said:

Keep Mings in if he can manage it.

If Kamara starts this he probably dosen't start Leipzig so that's the big decision for Unai.

I think it will be a solid 2-0. They had Dibling and Harwood-Bellis suspended tonight who are their two best players but even with them back we should be winning this fairly comfortably.

Could be as high as 5th if Spurs and Brighton don't win tomorrow. Yes really.

But they also had their centre half sent off last night so presumably suspended for our game. 

[Hornso]

Don’t care how, just string some wins together please lads.

[HeroesAndVillans]

We are back, let's show the world how hard we have fought to be here and absolutely smash this lot. Hopefully everyone will be feeling the confidence flowing through.

I respect Martin and his boys for what they are trying to do, it's clear to see for anyone who has watched their games, but we can and should batter them at home. We'd all love it.

[VillaChris]

7 minutes ago, HeroesAndVillans said:

We are back, let's show the world how hard we have fought to be here and absolutely smash this lot. Hopefully everyone will be feeling the confidence flowing through.

I respect Martin and his boys for what they are trying to do, it's clear to see for anyone who has watched their games, but we can and should batter them at home. We'd all love it.

I think they're being ridiculously stupid. Just gifting goals to opposition every week when they're actually in decent positions.

I watched them v Liverpool and they were really good first half hour. Comfortable at 0-0 and they totally mess up a short goal kick and concede.

We get our pressing right we'll win this comfortably.

[rodders0223]

Put Gabby up top and he'd bag a brace against this shitshow.

[HeroesAndVillans]

25 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

I think they're being ridiculously stupid. Just gifting goals to opposition every week when they're actually in decent positions.

I watched them v Liverpool and they were really good first half hour. Comfortable at 0-0 and they totally mess up a short goal kick and concede.

We get our pressing right we'll win this comfortably.

Loving the confidence there, it's great to be able to feel that. I agree, if we do what we do best, we will take them to the cleaners.

[villa89]

31 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

I think they're being ridiculously stupid.

Their manager has the "this is the way I play" philosophy and that's idiotic. You can't just play the way you want regardless of the level of player you have or the level of the opposition. You have to cut your cloth to suit your measure.