Who's out of contract and available?

[VillaAlways]

Given should be dropped, Guzan is far more commanding.

Agree.We had our best run of form with Guzan in goal

[Monty]

Given should be dropped, Guzan is far more commanding.

Agree.We had our best run of form with Guzan in goal

For me it's all about distribution. Given potentially increases the number of shots he'll have to save by his constant long kicking. Brad seems to prefer throwing, which is particularly good as his drive to command his area is also somewhat confidence building.

[Greg N'Ash]

Bottom line is they've been bottle feeding this one-in one-out bullshit for the last year and it doesn't add up

brad - Given
L. Young = Hutton
a. Young = Zogbia
Downing =
NRC = Jenas??
Makoun = Keane??
Beye = Stevens

by my reckoning even if we're still paying Jenas' wages they're still saving over a 100k a week at least

[garyshawsknee]

Big mistake letting Makoun go and all I hear is
'Oh, well he was crap against Hereford.'

Really could have done with him yesterday, another bad decision by McFuckwit.

That was a really early sign by McCleish that he's pretty clueless by letting Jean the second go. We were already light in midfield,now were completley screwed. Unless it was desperate cost cutting excercise to get Jenas in,im not sure how much of Jeans wages Olympiacos pay.

[Mister E]

I'd be tempted to stick Warnock in there just for his experience. We've got no worries with Lichaj at either full-back position IMO. When is Hutton back?

Injuries pemitting I'd go with:

Given

Hutton
Cuellar
Collins
Lichaj

Bannan
Ireland
Warnock
Albrighton
Weimann

Gabby

At least there's a fair bit of first-team experience there.

N'Zog and Clark out for a while yet aren't they?

I'm reluctant to see BB and Ireland in the same MF; doesn't work for me. So I'd go with:
Given

Hutton
Cuellar
Collins
Lichaj

Warnock
Herd
Gardner

Ireland

Gabby
Weimann

Pressing game with a tight MF three is the order of the day when without the ball. With the ball. look for the FB to attack the width; also Weimann and Gabby making space through the middle for Ireland to attack.

[SoccerHQ]

there must be some guy who can come in for 7 games, and lend a hand in the midfield.

Mo Diarra was available but went to Fulham.

Wasn't Bolo Zenden on trial at Blackburn a while back?

[scoobydoobydont]

there must be some guy who can come in for 7 games, and lend a hand in the midfield.

Mo Diarra was available but went to Fulham.

Wasn't Bolo Zenden on trial at Blackburn a while back?

I'll dust my boots off and get the next flight over....

[eric woolban woolban]

Where is Delfenouso? Injured?

[dcdavecollett]

Like you.I remember Lew Chatterley being played up front. he had a tremendous shot on him. trouble is, we ended up getting relegated

[ozzjim]

Warnock into midfield may be scraping the barrel, but he has played pretty well there for over half a season at Blackburn, and also started there as a kid, and was moved to left back after playing left side midfield once he got towards the first team at Liverpool.

He and Herd in front of the back 4, with Albrighton and Gabby wide, Ireland in the hole, Collins up front and Heskey in the back 4 then?

[eamonn]

Herd was exposed yesterday. Plenty of endeavour but just doesn't have the quality on the ball that we need in there especially with Stan out.

[ROBBO]

Interesting debate about Makoun, he is the exact opposite of what our manager wants on the field, a football stylist. To think i am worrying about a result against Bolton just shows how nfar we have sunk. Any day now the weakened by injuries excuse is going to rear its ugly head, totally disallusioned by everything associated with the Villa except the supporters.

[The Laughing Policeman]

Dig your boots out Dennis Mortimer. Your club needs you.

[scoobydoobydont]

Herd was exposed yesterday. Plenty of endeavour but just doesn't have the quality on the ball that we need in there especially with Stan out.

....don't you think that may come with a few more games? that said, we don't have a few more games.... ;(