Championship Play-off Final : Pre-Match Thread

[themossman]

This thread makes me realise how pathetically suggestible I am. I’m either rampantly confident bordering or arrogant or resigned to eternity in the championship depending on which post I read last.

[Hookeysmith]

I know we can't just turn up and expect to win, but a lot of people are getting very 'Villa' about this.
That's not us any longer.
We're different now.
We're new Villa, sharp, powerful, progressive.
We plan meticulously. 
Our revolution has purpose, stand before us and be crushed.

I, for one, can't f***ing wait for this.

That rally cry has gave me the horn.

We may have a big % of the same players as last year but we are different now in almost every way.

We turn up and play - we win

We know it
They know it

Its all about us

[robbo1874]

So, will we win then?

I think so.....thats us damned to the championship for the next 10 yrs then!! 😄

Gone for a win in the poll!

[cdward]

Last year we all said Fulham was the team we didn't want in the Final, because we knew they had the beating of us, and had been on a great run of form. This year Derby will be thinking the same.
We have the psychological advantage over them, plus the experience of players like Grealish and Hourihane who felt the pain of losing last year will drive us on.

[Ads]

I remain unconvinced that they will commit a high press as they lack the discipline, if not the legs to do this successfully.

The press also leaves space in midfield for Grealish to get into and once here's there, you're in serious difficulties.

I think they'll play a diamond and two up top to chase balls into channels for territory. What they did at Leeds was good, but aided and abetted by Leeds having a meltdown.

A diamond exposes Cole and opens up space.

I cant see them putting 11 behind the ball.

Steer

Taylor
Mings
Tuanzebe
Elmo

Whelan
McGinn

Kodjia
Grealish
El Ghazi

Tammy

2-0 Villa.

[andyh]

Exactly the team I’d go for as well, Ads.

[Rudy65]

Exactly the team I’d go for as well, Ads.

me too

No Green or Albert for me. They aren't in form. Kodj has looked decent ne he has been used recently

[Des Little]

Kodjia to start for me too.  We need to be onto them like a fox on a bin bag from the off.

[Toronto Villa]

I’d unleash Kodjia too.

The pain of last season for those still playing and coaching for us will be fresh in the memory. But much more than than we will go into this with a very defined plan versus hoping to nick a fucking goal. Fuck off Bruce.

[Monty]

I'd be tempted to go with Kodj as well, and I think I'd also go with Whelan over Hourihane from the start just because I'd rather be looking to change the game by bringing Conor on instead of off.

[Dr Butler]

as usual keep the clean sheet and the Villa will win...

UTV
The Doc

[Sexual Ealing]

I'd be tempted to go with Kodj as well, and I think I'd also go with Whelan over Hourihane from the start just because I'd rather be looking to change the game by bringing Conor on instead of off.

Yep.

[ironmaidenmania]

Unleash Kodj, but I'd also switch Hawse for Taylor.

[purpletrousers]

I think we are agreed. Dean you there mate?

[john2710]

My lad is flying into Heathrow from Australia on Monday morning.  He pre-booked his flight in February, just after we lost to the Albion. I told him he was mad, but he was convinced we'd be there.

He was there last year, but says this time it's different. If we perform how we can, we have nothing to worry about. UTV