Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Dave P on December 23, 2019, 07:52:43 AM
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I think this is our first genuine ‘must win’ game of the season. Let’s see how the squad react.
Everyone has their own ideas on the team and formation so I won’t bother. Is Mings back?
If we lose we are in real trouble but I think something will click so I’m saying 2-0 Villa. Connor and Wes.
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2-2
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Southampton felt fairly 'must win' to me, it has to be said.
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Compare and contrast.
Pukki and Cantwell running at our back 4 or balls bouncing off Wesley all afternoon?
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0-2 Norwich. It'll be another pick'n'mix ineffective midfield from us, with Wesley lumbering around up front not looking like scoring. The 5-1 in the away fixture will look a million miles off..
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Norwich looked electric for an hour of that Wolves game based on the highlights. Whoever scores first wins this, both teams' heads go down upon conceding at the moment.
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Wesley cannot start this game - he does not deserve it. Start anyone else there.
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We could field 12 players, with Wesley up front and nobody would notice
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2-0 down at half time. We bring on the three contestants from the half time "Prize Where It Lies" competition, as they show a higher degree of passing ability than anyone in the starting line up. They each score a goal in the second half and we win 3-2.
It sparks a renaissance and we do not lose again for the rest of the season, bringing home the Carabao Cup and our first FA Cup for 63 years.
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Very difficult one to pick a team for, one thing is clear and that is the formation needs to change. I'm hoping Chester is fit and for experience alone I think Elmo also needs to come in. Wes needs saving at least Kodjia will run in behind anyway. I don't rate Jota either but everyone else has had a chance of late and failed.
-------------Heaton
---Chester, Engels, Hause
Elmo, Luiz, Nakamba, Targett
-----------Jota, Grealish,
---------------Kodjia
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We quite simply have to win this, which is why we probably won’t.
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I can't see the formation changing before Thursday - there just isn't the time.
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I’d definitely drop El Ghazi he’s been an utter waste of a shirt all season.
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4-5-1 with Wesley trotting around doing fuck all, Luiz being a fanny and Targett meandering half way line out of position and they can all fuck off and we might as well pull the trigger.
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This is a must win game no doubt about it after Southampton we really must win this.
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I can't see the formation changing before Thursday - there just isn't the time.
Especially when they’ve got Christmas Day off.
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1.4
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I can't see the formation changing before Thursday - there just isn't the time.
Especially when they’ve got Christmas Day off.
Of course there is time. Leicester managed to do it in the four days between playing Watford and us. I’m sure there has been plenty of other instances too.
Whether Smith believes it is the right think to do is the biggest issue facing any potential formation change in my opinion.
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D 1-1.
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On current form, Pukki could have a field day running at and getting between Engels and Hause. I’ve voted for the win, but the more I think about this game, the less I’m liking the likely outcomes. Hope I’m wrong. Another miserable Boxing Day...
2-3 Norwich
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How far have we fallen in two months cannot see us winning.
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How far have we fallen in two months cannot see us winning.
Not even that. 20 days between nearly winning at OT and that shitshow on Shaturday.
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If smith goes with the same set up, expect the same result. Which I think he will.
Norwich win
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Would start Taylor, Chester, Trez, Kodjia and move Jack to number 10 role.
If the formation isn't going to be changed significantly then at least change the personnel in it.
Not sure that will be enough for the win though. 2-2.
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Can't see us winning this, Norwich will have too much for us, (fucking hell, did I just type that) we are in free fall. 0-3
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Southampton felt fairly 'must win' to me, it has to be said.
We have gone from must win to last chance saloon.
It really would be very difficult to come back from defeats at home to Southampton and Norwich
Not looking forward to watford either.
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Think he’ll stay with same formation, but will tweak team. He has to move Grealish back into the middle. I’m right behind Smith but if he doesn’t do that he’s hugely culpable. He cannot keep playing Jack our wide to try and support Wes more because he doesn’t know how to run the lines.
Saying that Wes tried hard on Saturday but needs to be taken out the firing line now. I don’t think Kodja is the answer but we have to give him a go for this one.
El Ghazi was so awful on Saturday he has to be dropped, that could for a few others but we have to put out a team. He may we’ll put an experienced head such as Elmo in on Boxing Day but I don’t think at the expense of Guilbert, who had a poor game Saturday but has generally been good. When under the cosh he sometimes resorts to Elmo wide midfield to support defensively, honestly don’t know if that’s a good idea or not.
Saying all that I think his team might be
Heaton
Guilbert Engels Hause Targett
Nakamba
Luiz Grealish
Elmo. Kodja. Trez
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3-2 us.
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If smith goes with the same set up, expect the same result. Which I think he will.
Norwich win
Exactly this, same formation, same result, only an idiot continues to do this!
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Following a post by joe_c regarding Villa Park being 'Whamageddoned' last Saturday, I'd like to cheer you up with the 2019 remix which you can sing on Wednesday if it happens again:
Last kick-off we gave you a goal
But the very next play gave a second away.
This half we're having a laugh
We're giving the ball to Wesley.
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There are 3 problems that Smith has to solve.
The first is the lack of defensive cover from the midfield and i struggle to see from the players at his disposal how he fixes this.
And playing a flat 3 is not working and putting Jack in to do defensive work is wasting our best player. As soon as Hourihane plays you know the gaps get even bigger he is terrible defensively.
Nakamba is the strongest but lacks discipline and Luis is also not suited to the dirty work of harass and closing down.
The next problem is the attack and Wes is not good enough for this level yet so he either pushes someone up along side him or plays without a centreforward, ( before he turned to absolute shit I would have given AEG a go through the middle).
The next is left back which could be solved by Hauhe or Taylor.
I would completely radical
Fred Chester Engels Hause
Konsa
Luis Marvel Tres
Jack
Wes
Of course I know that Smith would not contemplate this but it is one way of getting our best players on the pitch and shoring up the defense.
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If we pick the same kind of team and formation and don't win then DS is going to be under massive pressure.
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0-2/defeat I’d put Guilbert in the midfield he’s got pace and can tackle
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Is Mings definitely unavailable for this game?
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Team I would like:
Heaton
Konsa Engels Hause
Guilbert Nakamba Luiz Targett
Grealish
Kodja. Wesley
__________________________________________________________
The team I think DS will play:
Heaton
Elmo Engels Hause Targett
Nakamba Grealish Luiz
Trez Wesley El Ghazi
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Massive massive massive. For lots of reasons. We have to win or we face being a bit cut off at the bottom of the table.
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Team I would like:
Heaton
Konsa Engels Hause
Guilbert Nakamba Luiz Targett
Grealish
Kodja. Wesley
__________________________________________________________
The team I think DS will play:
Heaton
Elmo Engels Hause Targett
Nakamba Grealish Luiz
Trez Wesley El Ghazi
I’d really like him to try your first option with wing back but don’t think he will
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Switching to a back 3 is actually quite difficult and with only 3 days to practice you are asking for even more trouble.
There is enough confusion all ready, so given time maybe but not now.
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Switching to a back 3 is actually quite difficult and with only 3 days to practice you are asking for even more trouble.
There is enough confusion all ready, so given time maybe but not now.
You'd hope it's something they have already been working on, just on the off chance that 433 is a bit, erm... shite.
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Switching to a back 3 is actually quite difficult and with only 3 days to practice you are asking for even more trouble.
There is enough confusion all ready, so given time maybe but not now.
You'd hope it's something they have already been working on, just on the off chance that 433 is a bit, erm... shite.
Completely agree that 4 3 3 is shite, I think the biggest problem is to stop giving the opposition as many chances as we do.
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I can only see a draw at best. Norwich looked excellent when they drew 1-1 at Leicester. They were unlucky against Wolves. They have good passing and movement and don't give it away cheaply (unlike Villa) Without Mings and McGinn I can't see a win. The team lacks passion and has no stomach for a relegation scrap, apart from Jack.
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Norwich and us have conceded the most goals 37 in the league.
Grealish is 3 goals in 5 games, so moving him further away from the goal is probably not the best idea.
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We haven't won a game of football when both Nakamba and Luiz have started together or played the majority of the match. In fact, we're likely to concede 2 goals or more when they do.
Just go ahead and write off any hope of getting 3 points if you want those lightweights to both start.
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I want to see Kodjia start. We have just lost a six pointer so we now need to win a six pointer.
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I'd be tempted to drop Jack just to see the reaction of the players. They all need to step up and contribute instead of relying on Grealish to solve all our problems.
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I think we've got enough to draw at home with the mighty Norwich. If Kodjia starts I'd even say we might sneak a win. Southampton and the next 2 games will surely shape our season.
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I'd be tempted to drop Jack just to see the reaction of the players. They all need to step up and contribute instead of relying on Grealish to solve all our problems.
That reaction presumably being that the manager had lost his mind?
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I'd be tempted to drop Jack just to see the reaction of the players. They all need to step up and contribute instead of relying on Grealish to solve all our problems.
That reaction presumably being that the manager had lost his mind?
I'd quite like to see the fans' reaction too.
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We should not drop jack to prove a point. Maybe not being so dependent on him in the first place would be better. Proving a point like this is a sure way to get us into the shit. I would drop Wes for a game and have him on the bench.
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Its Villa, its Boxing Day therefore we shall lose. I think Norwich will really fancy their chances and go for it. I really want Dean Smith to be a success but i cant see him changing the way we set up or personnel plus confidence seems really low. 0-2 defeat. Please prove me wrong Villa.
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I've just got my fingers crossed that Dean will have something different for Norwich.
If we line up, same old, same old, and they go a goal up. I fear the worst. Absolutely must win.
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It's hard to see us winning this at the moment. Confidence is everything and our confidence is on the floor.
Norwich are very fallible as we have shown ourselves but they were decent at Leicester and unlucky to lose at home to Wolves.
1-3.
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https://twitter.com/OfficialTM_3/status/1209149224413270016
If Mings could by some miracle make back in time for this one it would be a huge boost - psychologically, as well as defensively.
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https://twitter.com/OfficialTM_3/status/1209149224413270016
If Mings could by some miracle make back in time for this one it would be a huge boost - psychologically, as well as defensively.
Saw somewhere else that he was training today and Boxing Day and had been pencilled in to return at Watford.
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Must win and have to be the complete antithesis of what we were on Saturday.
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https://twitter.com/OfficialTM_3/status/1209149224413270016
If Mings could by some miracle make back in time for this one it would be a huge boost - psychologically, as well as defensively.
Saw somewhere else that he was training today and Boxing Day and had been pencilled in to return at Watford.
Yep, just clutching at straws!
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Heaton
Targett
Hause
Engles
Guilbert
Nkamba
Luiz
Hourihane
Grealish
Kodjia
Wesley
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I’m with Ads. No AEG and two up front.
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Yep Ads has nailed it there for me, get rid of El Ghazi, absolute passenger.
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Heaton
Targett
Hause
Engles
Guilbert
Nkamba
Luiz
Hourihane
Grealish
Kodjia
Wesley
That in a diamond formation for me. Frees Jack up to support the front two and be able to do what he does best. I suspect it'll be this though:
Heaton
Elmo Engels Hause Taylor
Hourihane Nakamba Luiz
Trezeguet Wesley Grealish.
El Ghazi on for Trezeguet after 70 minutes, obviously.
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It was meant to be a diamond, but I agree, I cannot see us deploying a new system. I feel we need to do more to flood the middle out of possession and we absolutely must get Jack central.
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Seems to me that the majority, if not all, of the contributors to this thread could pick a team on Thursday that could challenge Norwich.
Pretty certain that Deano is unable to do so.
0-3
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We can't play 4 at the back with 2 full backs that can't defend and someone as slow as Engels. Konsa and Hause are too raw as well so I'm not looking forward to this. Never thought that I'd want Taylor back in but at least he can defend. We are far too easy to score against and once we concede the first goal, we're done.El Ghazi was a disgrace on saturday and needs to go. Grealish has to be moved in fro the wing.
Heaton
Konsa Engels Hause
Elmo Nakamba Luiz Targett
Grealish
Wesley Kodja
Surely with 10 minutes preparation we could defend better than Saturday!
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Have a look on their forums. 1 win in god knows how long?
But they are licking their lips at this fixture.
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Thing is, I don't think our defenders are too slow, they are just continually caught out of position and struggle to cope. The whole set up of the team is wrong. Trouble is, Dean can't or won't change. Out of his depth.
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We can't play 4 at the back with 2 full backs that can't defend and someone as slow as Engels. Konsa and Hause are too raw as well so I'm not looking forward to this. Never thought that I'd want Taylor back in but at least he can defend. We are far too easy to score against and once we concede the first goal, we're done.El Ghazi was a disgrace on saturday and needs to go. Grealish has to be moved in fro the wing.
Heaton
Konsa Engels Hause
Elmo Nakamba Luiz Targett
Grealish
Wesley Kodja
Surely with 10 minutes preparation we could defend better than Saturday!
I don’t disagree that it needs a radical shake up like this suggestion.
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Is Mings definitely unavailable for this game?
From BBC report he's targeting Watford game for his comeback.
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No one choosing Chester in their XIs? He's fit and a leader, we don't have any of them at the mo.
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No one choosing Chester in their XIs? He's fit and a leader, we don't have any of them at the mo.
I did mate.
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Yep, Chester should be in 100% for me too.
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We can't play 4 at the back with 2 full backs that can't defend and someone as slow as Engels. Konsa and Hause are too raw as well so I'm not looking forward to this. Never thought that I'd want Taylor back in but at least he can defend. We are far too easy to score against and once we concede the first goal, we're done.El Ghazi was a disgrace on saturday and needs to go. Grealish has to be moved in fro the wing.
Heaton
Konsa Engels Hause
Elmo Nakamba Luiz Targett
Grealish
Wesley Kodja
Surely with 10 minutes preparation we could defend better than Saturday!
That’s was my line up earlier discussing with my lad save as Chester being one of the CB’s
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It's all about the first goal. We don't handle adversity very well. Mind you, we don't handle leading very well either.
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Chester has to be in there to steady the ship, El Ghazi should not even be on the bench, that might shake him up.
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Chester struggled to manage 75 minutes against Liverpool youth team so don’t see him being ready yet unfortunately. I agree that we desperately need his leadership skills so maybe he could cope in the middle of a back 3?
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People talking Chester up must realise that he is not hugely experienced at this level. Whilst more experienced than most, because we signed a load of foreign players, Chester has only played 60 Prem games.
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1-1
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Is Mings definitely unavailable for this game?
From BBC report he's targeting Watford game for his comeback.
Thanks.
In which case, I think it’s absolutely imperative we don’t just set up as 4-3-3 in the same manner as we have been. It wasn’t exactly solid with Mings, but we are conceding a goal pretty much every half an hour since he got injured.
I think I would go three at the back, probably Konsa, Chester and Hause if all ready and available. Gives us some balance and a bit of pace and leadership back there which we massively miss without Mings. Gives us an additional player to help build from the back and should help make us secure enough to get Jack back centrally. Allows Guilbert and Targett to show the positive side to their game without being overly exposed behind them and also then probably negates the need for wingers/wide forwards as much.
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People talking Chester up must realise that he is not hugely experienced at this level. Whilst more experienced than most, because we signed a load of foreign players, Chester has only played 60 Prem games.
Only 60 PL games? Way more than Mings.
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Lose this and I think we need to seriously look at changing the manager - that is how bad things will be looking.
It's not just the current league position, it is the momentum, the way things feel like they are heading, and it feels to me like they are getting worse.
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Lose this and I think we need to seriously look at changing the manager - that is how bad things will be looking.
It's not just the current league position, it is the momentum, the way things feel like they are heading, and it feels to me like they are getting worse.
Crazy how quick things have changed. Go back just three games ago and things seemed reasonably ok (granted Chelsea outplayed us but we stayed in the game and almost nicked a point). But the Leicester game seems to have absolutely smashed some of the players and, worryingly, the management teams confidence. Combine this with the fact it gave teams the blue print of exactly how best to play against us and it is beginning to look like quite a pivotal moment in our season.
Hopefully Dean Smith can makes the changes necessary for Thursday to help the players out and arrest this mini slump before it goes too far.
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Is Mings definitely unavailable for this game?
From BBC report he's targeting Watford game for his comeback.
Thanks.
In which case, I think it’s absolutely imperative we don’t just set up as 4-3-3 in the same manner as we have been. It wasn’t exactly solid with Mings, but we are conceding a goal pretty much every half an hour since he got injured.
I think I would go three at the back, probably Konsa, Chester and Hause if all ready and available. Gives us some balance and a bit of pace and leadership back there which we massively miss without Mings. Gives us an additional player to help build from the back and should help make us secure enough to get Jack back centrally. Allows Guilbert and Targett to show the positive side to their game without being overly exposed behind them and also then probably negates the need for wingers/wide forwards as much.
Finally got round to watching the goals from Saturday. Couldn't see it from the North Stand on the day, but why on earth was El Ghazi marking their centre half who scored the second? Not exactly the first name that would spring to mind when you want people to be strong in your own box.
Engels being outpaced for the first goal looks worse on each viewing.
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I watched El Ghazi go up for headers three or four times during the match and he bottled every one and the previous poster was correct why was he marking their centre half?
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I think Smith said that El Ghazi wasn’t supposed to be the one marking him. Was initially McGinn and then after the injury it was supposed to be Luiz but somehow the message didn’t get across. So not a great look for us as a team.
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2-0 down at half time. We bring on the three contestants from the half time "Prize Where It Lies" competition, as they show a higher degree of passing ability than anyone in the starting line up. They each score a goal in the second half and we win 3-2.
It sparks a renaissance and we do not lose again for the rest of the season, bringing home the Carabao Cup and our first FA Cup for 63 years.
Cheered me up no end , then I realised we’d be fielding three ineligible players and the FA would demote us to the Vanarama league 😂
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They are playing good football at the moment and we are not. I think the best we will get is a draw.
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Lose this and I think we need to seriously look at changing the manager - that is how bad things will be looking.
It's not just the current league position, it is the momentum, the way things feel like they are heading, and it feels to me like they are getting worse.
I don’t see any way back from 2 home defeats to 2 bottom clubs either.
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They are playing good football at the moment and we are not. I think the best we will get is a draw.
Their away record is pretty much as bad as ours, with the added bonus that they barely score any goals. Cue the obvious 0-2...
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Message from the Barton's Arms re Boxing Day:
For those of you attending the boxing day Championship fixture at Villa Park between Aston Villa FC and Norwich City FC please be aware of our revised Christmas opening times.
The Bartons Arms will open at 11am on Thursday 26th December and will remain open until 6pm with last orders being called at 5:45pm. Please also note that there will be no Thai food offering on this short day. The Restaurant will be closed.
Many Thanks for all your support, loyalty and custom in 2019.
Kob, Wichai, Dave & the rest of the Bartons Arms team.
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Message from the Barton's Arms re Boxing Day:
For those of you attending the boxing day Championship fixture at Villa Park between Aston Villa FC and Norwich City FC please be aware of our revised Christmas opening times.
The Bartons Arms will open at 11am on Thursday 26th December and will remain open until 6pm with last orders being called at 5:45pm. Please also note that there will be no Thai food offering on this short day. The Restaurant will be closed.
Many Thanks for all your support, loyalty and custom in 2019.
Kob, Wichai, Dave & the rest of the Bartons Arms team.
Looks like they think we are down already.....
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2-2
There is no way that we wont conceed atleast 2 but on the basis that I have had a drink, I am now revising this to a 3-2 win.
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People talking Chester up must realise that he is not hugely experienced at this level. Whilst more experienced than most, because we signed a load of foreign players, Chester has only played 60 Prem games.
Only 60 PL games? Way more than Mings.
probably more than Konsa, engels and Hause put together
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People talking Chester up must realise that he is not hugely experienced at this level. Whilst more experienced than most, because we signed a load of foreign players, Chester has only played 60 Prem games.
Only 60 PL games? Way more than Mings.
probably more than Konsa, engels and Hause put together
If Chester is fit enough and ready he should play.
We really need some sense leadership out there on Boxing Day, nerves are going to be shredded.
I am nervous just thinking about it, it is such an important game.
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Playing one of only two teams below you at home -. I don't think they can come more "must win" than that can they?
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2-1 Villa. We have scored five more goals than Norwich this season and conceded four less. Their goal difference is minus eighteen to our minus nine. We need to win this one because the next game away to Watford is looking more difficult than it appeared a couple of weeks back.
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I'll stick my neck out and suggest Dean will put Jack in the middle and Kodjia up top in something radically different caused by injuries and circumstance and much improved performance and win. Because the alternative pushes him closer to the door. And I hope he realizes we all want him to do well and stay but he has to evolve. Lampard changed his system and outcoached Mourinho. If it's good enough for a very new manager like Lampard then it shouldn't be beyond Dean Smith vs Norwich.
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I don't understand the desperation to get Grealish moved back into midfield. He's scored & created goals since he moved. Prior to that he had done very very little.
Our problems are at the back & midfield where we are far too lightweight & show little energy.
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Just man the fuck up and win the game Villa. Concentrate, be strong, compete. It's all we ask of you.
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Can none of these fucking muppets gift the opposition a goal either!
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I think Smith said that El Ghazi wasn’t supposed to be the one marking him. Was initially McGinn and then after the injury it was supposed to be Luiz but somehow the message didn’t get across. So not a great look for us as a team.
This is more weakness of game management for me. How can simple messages like who to mark at corners not be understood by those on the pitch? Really schoolboy stuff like seemingly thinking a player who strained a hamstring could actually play on in the match.
It's costing us goals so those on the bench need to shape up aswell.
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Need to be well and truly up for the fight. About time these players stood up to a battle for once! Too many went into hiding last Saturday......show some bottle!!
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The Norwich press conference has filled me with nothing other than immense concern that not a thing will change in terms of how we approach the game. Now I'm sure he isn't there to divulge his plans but making the point we beat Liverpool U9's in between 4 league wins shows me that he is clutching at straws. We haven't played well in large part because the tactics we have employed have been dreadful and the players either don't know what the fuck they are doing or don't believe in what they are doing. I am hoping that Dean Smith has taken a long hard look in the mirror since Southampton and realized he is a huge part of the problem abd if he doesn't evolve quickly as a manager he will be out of a job.
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Chester struggled to manage 75 minutes against Liverpool youth team so don’t see him being ready yet unfortunately. I agree that we desperately need his leadership skills so maybe he could cope in the middle of a back 3?
Didn't he play at Hull on the right side of the three? If any way fit he needs to come in. That team collapsed like a deck of cards last time out. A new captain and formation would send the right message. I expect neither though.
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Chester struggled to manage 75 minutes against Liverpool youth team so don’t see him being ready yet unfortunately. I agree that we desperately need his leadership skills so maybe he could cope in the middle of a back 3?
Didn't he play at Hull on the right side of the three? If any way fit he needs to come in. That team collapsed like a deck of cards last time out. A new captain and formation would send the right message. I expect neither though.
Always played on the right of the three for Wales when they played that formation. Depending on how you play it, you either tend to put the biggest lump in the middle of the three with more mobile players either side, or its more of a sweeper role for someone decent on the ball (ie Southgate under Little and Gregory).
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2-2 and we all trudge off home hands in heads
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The fundamental need is to pick players who will give their all and not drop their heads that's why if he picks El Ghazi I will give up on Smith totally. I would be tempted to play Hause as defensive midfield as he will put a tackle in and he has strength to go with it. Up front if he plays Wesley he has to have Kodja with him that or Kodja by himself and hope he can rediscover his form.
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2-2 and we all trudge off home hands in heads
This suggests we will score 2 goals, in the same game, here's hoping! :D a long range screamer from Luiz will be nice
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Play two up front, drop AEG and make sure we don’t concede straight after half time and this one’s in the bag. Simples!
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I would be tempted to play Hause as defensive midfield as he will put a tackle in and he has strength to go with it.
That reminds me of when Keegan played Southgate in midfield against Germany. It didn't work.
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I would be tempted to play Hause as defensive midfield as he will put a tackle in and he has strength to go with it.
That reminds me of when Keegan played Southgate in midfield against Germany. It didn't work.
It didn't, but he was a midfield player when he came to us from Palace.
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Think I would shake it up a bit.
Heaton
Chester Engles Hause
Elmo Target
Nakamba
Freddy. Hourihane
Jack
Kodjia
I would put Freddy in midfield as he's got a tackle in him and great energy,
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Just bloody win Villa, any win will do me.
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3-1
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Southgate was a bang average midfielder when he came to us. I saw Stan Lynn played at centre forward. That did not work either.
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Come on Villa boys!! A win and good performance needed. UTV! Happy Christmas!
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Think I would shake it up a bit.
Heaton
Chester Engles Hause
Elmo Target
Nakamba
Freddy. Hourihane
Jack
Kodjia
I would put Freddy in midfield as he's got a tackle in him and great energy,
I think this would turn into 5 at the back and we would just be inviting them onto us for 90 mins. In other words, we would get the mother and father of all hammerings.
If there are any deviations from the normal starting 11, I think he'll drop Wes for Kodj, but that will be it.
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Feels very much like a sink or swim moment for Smith. I really hope he comes through it.
I wonder how brittle the teams confidence actually is at present. No Mings, No McGinn. I'd probably take a draw but by God we need a win.
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Think I would shake it up a bit.
Heaton
Chester Engles Hause
Elmo Target
Nakamba
Freddy. Hourihane
Jack
Kodjia
I would put Freddy in midfield as he's got a tackle in him and great energy,
Elmo and Freddy down our right flank is about as negative as it gets.
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Just setting out for Villa Park. Hopefully things will turn for the better today. Safe journey everyone.UTV
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He needs to change it, it needs freshening up as it's become far too predictable of late. Bring in Kodjia and Tresquet as a front two, Grealish through the middle with Luiz, Nakamba and Hourihane behind him. Not sure if that leaves us too open mind. I think he'll stick with Wesley though simply because of the two he got against them earlier in the season. We need to get the first goal otherwise the heads will drop again.
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Without doubt this is the most important game for us since the last one
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Smash them, Villa!
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Change something Dean please.
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A wild 5-1 season's greetings goal-fest
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Brother-in-law can’t go today, so I bagged his season tickets and will be taking my dad to the game today.
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We have to win this, 2-1 Villa, at very least this is the one game over the Christmas period we must win, it won't get any easier from here.
Come on Villa, Deano!!!!, do something.
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Just reading the interview with Smith in the bham mail online & he seems to me to be implying that two up top didn’t yield anything in the last 30 mins against a Southampton team that was cruising by then. Might be wrong but that makes me think he still play the same system. Hopefully he’ll at least tweak things.
Hopefully jack in the middle, give Kodjia 60 mins up front to see how he gets on, id probs go with midfield of Nakamba, Luiz, Hourihane (for set piece threat only), jack and give Trez a go, despite his truly wasteful free kick with 10 mins to go on Saturday. El Ghazi can’t be anywhere near after Saturday.
Not sure how our back line will cope with Pukki 🥺 gonna be an anxiety fuelled trip to VP
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Without doubt this is the most important game for us since the last one
It’s more important be because we lost the last one.
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Just win baby
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I actually have a hunch we’ll win, with no real reason to do so.
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With the exception of a replacement for McGinn, I fear we’ll see the same starting line up as last time which means zero points.
We need to try something different.
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How about, no late Christmas presents from our defence, no Christmas cheer from our really hard working midfield and a lack of benevolence from our centre forward? Would be nice.
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Basics lesson 1:
Score more than them
Hassle, and just want the ball than them
Don't concede straight from the kick off, from either start of a half
Work hard and look for chances ( thats you Wesley if you realise that you might start earning your money)
If someone along with Jack, could score?
And please win, not only for the 3 points, but also my other half and her family, and also my brother are Norwich fans.
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The brilliant Richard Hawley likes us the Villa - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50856019 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50856019)
Richard's prediction: Both of these teams came up from the Championship last season, and they are both struggling. This is a no-brainer for me, though, because my drummer Dean Beresford is a massive Villa fan, and his granddad Joe Beresford played for them from 1927 to 1934. He is in the process of writing a book about him at the moment and the stories are legend.
So, if I don't say Villa are going to win, I might end up without a drummer. In any case I have always had a secret liking of Villa because of their claret and blue colours. I think that goes to the 1970s because I can always picture Andy Gray in their kit. 2-0.
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I think Smith will make some big changes today. A must win game, if there ever were one.
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I think Smith will make some big changes today. A must win game, if there ever were one.
Think again!