Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on April 07, 2021, 01:08:54 PM
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Inevitably we will be reminded this week of what happened last time the two sides met in the league. Doesn’t work that way of course. This will be a tough game but still one that is very winnable. Liverpool aren’t the same this year. A good win last week like us but followed up by a defeat yesterday. But still in the CL so they may rest one or two. But their defence isn’t what it once was and certainly a lot more porous than in recent years. No idea if Jack will play but he would on current form tear TAA a new one. I expect he won’t play.
So hopefully we can carry on from how we played the last 13 min or so vs Fulham. I would start Davis and Trez and really go at them. But I’ll go for a spirited 1-1 draw.
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I'm happy to copy and paste from the home game pre match thread.
Stupid time. Stupid game.
1-3
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The script has already been written. 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' having lost however many games at home end that spell with an emphatic 4 - 0 victory over Villa and avenge the freak result when the sides last met.
Sky will be wanking themselves stupid over this.
I so hope I'm wrong but fear I won't be.
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Happy to go with Meatloaf on this one.
Two out of three ain’t bad.
I think they’re more worried than we are, rightly so.
We’ve got Louie Barry!
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We are unpredictable this season and Liverpool are unpredictable this season. I fancy a draw.
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Well they are going to have more than half an eye on the Real Madrid game next week, they've still got some key personnel out and they've lost their last 6 home games in the league so.....
3-1 Liverpool.
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I can't see Liverpool winning this. We will if Jack is back.
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Stupid time. Stupid game.
Yes really annoying time to play. No one wants football at 3PM on a Saturday.
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Entertaining, for the neutral, 2-2, we give away a 2 goal lead.
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Stupid time. Stupid game.
Yes really annoying time to play. No one wants football at 3PM on a Saturday.
Er, the original post was a reference to the home game, repeated here in the hope of a similar outcome and with a healthy portion of irony this time around...
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Not looking forward to this.
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*Clears rarely used tactical throat*
I wonder whether we could perhaps surprise them by changing formation to a 4-3-1-2, with Jack being the 1 (if, and I know it's unlikely, fit) and Davis joining Ollie up front? Perhaps Bert could play the 10 role?
It obviously won't happen. They never listen to me.
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4312 would be a good idea - although, I think we'll need our wide players to work hard to cover the full backs in order to keep their full backs and wide players quiet. Traore on the right wing against Mane and Robertson worries me.
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I'd start with Trez and Ollie either side of Davis, and Ramsey, McGinn and Luiz in the middle, with instructions to press the fuck out of them.
That's presuming Jack isn't fit, obviously.
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4312 would be a good idea - although, I think we'll need our wide players to work hard to cover the full backs in order to keep their full backs and wide players quiet. Traore on the right wing against Mane and Robertson worries me.
I wouldn't be playing any of the wingers (unless it was Bert at 10). Width from the fullbacks, cover from the central defenders and the central midfielders.
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Hoping we score 10 this time, as Van Dijk is out
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Start with the kids to worry them in the first half. Then bring on £100m of talent to win in the second.
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For some reason I fancy us to win 2-1. May well be a good indicator how the rest of the season pans out for the 2 teams. Hopefully it will be Liverpool's fizzling out as they lose to us and Madrid.
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They were absolutely shocking last night. TAA was arguably at fault for the three goals.
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Yes let’s have a go they look ropey at the back , 2 up top
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I fancy we have a decent chance here if we turn up. They've never really recovered from the 7-2 drubbing we gave them last time. Losing to RM the way they did Tuesday won't have helped confidence either, and they've got to play them again yet.
Last game we were the bully in the playground. We need to make them uncomfortable from the off and bully them again. Hoping Jack will be back to get his 2 goals but I'll be happy with 5-2 to us 😁.
UTV!!
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Liverpool 2 Villa 7.
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Really no idea about this one. It’s similar to the Spurs one- they’re wobbly in the Eleanor and just come back from a European spanking midweek. You’d have to think we’d be in with a chance. Soooo....
After the Fulham match I was thinking to start this with the 3 subs who came on in the side for this one. But not so sure now. If Grealish is fit I was thinking to start him on the bench and see how it goes, but no so sure now. Maybe we could go with the side that battered them near the start of the season.
Anything less bad than 3-0 wouldn’t be a disaster, but really hope we can do the double over them. Odds aren’t looking great- I’ve seen us 6-1 for an away win.
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They were absolutely shocking last night. TAA was arguably at fault for the three goals.
They were no where near as bad as Spurs before they played us.
'The Mighty Reds YNWA' were not bad in the second half. They are dodgy at the back though.
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Assume Manè will be playing, he's always excellent against us.
They look pretty poor at the back, no decent CBs and their full backs are really wingers.
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Without Jack I don't have much confidence for this at all. Fulham result was a great bonus but it was 15 minutes of madness, we were as abject as we have been for weeks up to that point.
My glass has gone from half full to half empty quite quickly this week!
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Assume Manè will be playing, he's always excellent against us.
They look pretty poor at the back, no decent CBs and their full backs are really wingers.
Mané against Cash will be an interesting battle.
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Assume Manè will be playing, he's always excellent against us.
They look pretty poor at the back, no decent CBs and their full backs are really wingers.
Presuming Grealish remains absent, I reckon this could be a game for AEG, even he doesn't know what he's doing so Alexander-Arnold will get turned inside out, alternatively Traore though I worry he'll try too much and get caught out by Robertson and Mane on that side leaving Cash exposed.
Given their CBs aren't fabulous, I'd also stick Davis and Watkins up top, power and pace to really have a go and push them back.
We need energy in midfield, so I'd go with Ramsay and McGinn.
Martinez
Cash Konsa Mings Targett
Nakamba
McGinn Ramsay
Watkins Davis Grealish/AEG
or perhaps more solid....
Martinez
Cash Konsa Mings Targett
Trezeguet Nakamba Ramsay
McGinn
Watkins Davis
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We've got to at 'em.
Two up top for sure. I'm going for 1-2 and getting pissed early!
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I think any ideas that Smith will play anything other than 4 3 3 or maybe 4 2 1 3 are somewhat fanciful.
Leopards and Spots
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The script has already been written. 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' having lost however many games at home end that spell with an emphatic 4 - 0 victory over Villa and avenge the freak result when the sides last met.
Sky will be wanking themselves stupid over this.
I so hope I'm wrong but fear I won't be.
We would still win on aggregate.
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win please Villa...that is all
UTV
The Doc
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What do we have to lose?
Go at them, press them early and get a goal and their collective arses will be twitching with horrible flashbacks to VP in their minds.
We really need to flood their full backs with overloads which is clearly a weakness for them
1-2
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If we play with the lineup and attitude that we did in the final 15 against Fulham (*assuming Jack is still out), then we have a chance. If Smith reverts to type, they'll win - Comfortably.
Oh how glorious it would be to do the double over those fuckers though! #UTV
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When was the last time we did the double over them as a matter of interest?
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What do we have to lose?
Go at them, press them early and get a goal and their collective arses will be twitching with horrible flashbacks to VP in their minds.
We really need to flood their full backs with overloads which is clearly a weakness for them
1-2
This for me too. I’d be happy to start with the XI that finished the Fulham game, assuming Jack is still out.
Play with energy and go for them. I don’t think we’ll get seven this time, so five will do.
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When was the last time we did the double over them as a matter of interest?
I'm guessing early 90's ?
UTV
The Doc
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When was the last time we did the double over them as a matter of interest?
I'm guessing early 90's ?
UTV
The Doc
Think it was the same year as the Arsenal one, 92-93, so it would be good to get that monkey off the back as well.
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When was the last time we did the double over them as a matter of interest?
I'm guessing early 90's ?
UTV
The Doc
The 4-2 home (RR open goal miss) and the 2-1 away (Dean Saunders winner)? - a long time ago!
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Hoping they are concentrating on the 2nd leg against Real Madrid, wouldn't be surprised at a 2-2 draw.
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ok time to do the double over these then....I'm going 3-1 to the Villa as we seem to win 3-1 at Anfield.
UTV
The Doc
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We have to attack them right down the middle. They are very soft in central midfield and certainly at CB. And it shows that when you have a soft middle even the keeper, as great as he is becomes incredibly vulnerable. We cannot let them settle on the ball.
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2-1 Villa win.
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If Jack back, the boost that gives us, I really fancy us and would play the traditional jack on the left, Traore on the right, Ollie in the middle.
If jacks not back, I think Smith has to try something different, as our form has been really poor for 2 months other than 15 mins against Fulham. If jack is out, I’d play Davis up top to try and bully their soft centre, with Ollie and Traore either side of him and McGinn behind as a 10. Then Luiz and maybe Ramsey.
My suspicion is the usual will happen and Trez will come in for El Ghazi and that’ll be it. If that is the only change, I think we will lose.
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2-0.
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Martinez
Targett
Mings
Konsa
Cash
Nakamba
McGinn
Ramsey
Watkins
Davis
Traore
Ollie to run TAA all the live long day.
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Martinez
Targett
Mings
Konsa
Cash
Nakamba
McGinn
Ramsey
Watkins
Davis
Traore
Ollie to run TAA all the live long day.
I think that team would be on the wrong end of a severe humping.
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Assume Manè will be playing, he's always excellent against us.
They look pretty poor at the back, no decent CBs and their full backs are really wingers.
Mane is having a rotten season....probably get a hat trick now
If as expected Jack is out, let's try Watkins on left and Davis up top. Something a bit different. TAA leaves lots of space to exploit on that flank
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When was the last time we did the double over them as a matter of interest?
1992/93. If you're looking for a lucky omen that was also the last season, prior to this one, that we did the double over Arsenal.
Now can a real statto find out if we have ever done the double over a team and had a player score a hat-trick in both games, please?
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The commentary tomorrow will all be about Liverpool trying to get into the top 4
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The commentary tomorrow will all be about Liverpool trying to get into the top 4
Of course it will, the commentary of Liverpool games is always the same, worse than even Man U or City games, arse licking constantly
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The commentary tomorrow will all be about Liverpool trying to get into the top 4
Of course it will, the commentary of Liverpool games is always the same, worse than even Man U or City games, arse licking constantly
Agreed. As much as I despise their fans, the way the media suck up to them is the most sickening aspect of the club.
Those 'glorious European nights at Anfield'! Pass me the puke bucket please!
As much as I still have my reservations about Dean Smith pushing us on, I'd give the guy a knighthood if we manage to finish above that lot!
"I'd love it.... LOVE IT... if we beat them!"
(https://i.ibb.co/wMKssVs/tenor.gif) (https://ibb.co/wMKssVs)
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When was the last time we did the double over them as a matter of interest?
1992/93. If you're looking for a lucky omen that was also the last season, prior to this one, that we did the double over Arsenal.
Now can a real statto find out if we have ever done the double over a team and had a player score a hat-trick in both games, please?
Surely Pongo managed it?
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Grealish defo out for another ‘few weeks’ (but it’s not a long term injury!!) His euro place must be looking shaky.
I agree with Brontebilly, we have to try something different for this, just swapping Trez for El Ghazi just won’t cut it and will potentially hand Liverpool their first home win since mid December on a plate.
Davis up top, Ollie out wide with Bert on the other side. Or if Smith wanted to be really radical, could bring in Hause as a third CB, play the full backs as wing backs, have a three of McGinn, Luiz and Ramsey and Ollie and Davis up top.
I actually believe none of this will happen and it’ll be a straight swap of one, with Trez coming in.
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Onodi
Walker
Revan
Bridge
Rowe
Kesler
Sylla
Raiky
Bogarde
Chrisene
Barry
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Guess there must be some doubt about this going ahead? Football was suspended when Diana died in '97.
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Guess there must be some doubt about this going ahead? Football was suspended when Diana died in '97.
FA have announced that there will be a minute's casual racism before each match this weekend, in honour of Prince Phillip.
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They only thing I know is Dean and the players need to step up. We know what this squad is capable of and over the last few months we've not come even close to recapturing the form of 2020.
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My thoughts are that JG is looking more towards being fit for the Euros than for Villa. He may well be disappointed as Southgate doesn’t need too many excuses to leave him out of the squad. However, without him, if we go 4-4-2, I still think we could win 3 or 4 of our remaining matches.
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9 points from Liverpool and Everton would make me extremely happy .......... however I fear the worst tomorrow for no other reason that Liverpool will still be smarting after the drubbing earlier this season ......a draw would be a good result
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This will be bloody tough.
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When was the last time we did the double over them as a matter of interest?
1992/93. If you're looking for a lucky omen that was also the last season, prior to this one, that we did the double over Arsenal.
Now can a real statto find out if we have ever done the double over a team and had a player score a hat-trick in both games, please?
Surely Pongo managed it?
Nah, nobody has... not against Liverpool anyway. We did beat them 6-3 away and 6-2 at home in 1914/15, with two players (Hampton and Nash) scoring hat-tricks in the latter, but we had six different scorers at Anfield.
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“Redemption”. SKY not hiding the fact they’d prefer Liverpool to win.
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“Redemption”. SKY not hiding the fact they’d prefer Liverpool to win.
Please win Villa. And win well - I long for the day that the Man Utds and Liverpools of this world are a distant memory.
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It'd be about time that we did the double over Liverpool. Make it so.
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It's a pity Jota is back and in form for them, he really is a cracking player. We can still do this though.
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When was the last time we did the double over them as a matter of interest?
1992/93. If you're looking for a lucky omen that was also the last season, prior to this one, that we did the double over Arsenal.
Now can a real statto find out if we have ever done the double over a team and had a player score a hat-trick in both games, please?
Surely Pongo managed it?
Nah, nobody has... not against Liverpool anyway. We did beat them 6-3 away and 6-2 at home in 1914/15, with two players (Hampton and Nash) scoring hat-tricks in the latter, but we had six different scorers at Anfield.
Blimey. You're harder to impress than Shania Twain.
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Martinez
Targett
Mings
Konsa
Cash
Nakamba
McGinn
Ramsey
Watkins
Davis
Traore
Ollie to run TAA all the live long day.
Same for me. Give Davis a go and provide some physicality to their poor CH’s
Madness if we start as we did against Fulham
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Not feeling hopeful about this. Mind you I said that before the league game earlier in the season.
I suspect a 3-1 defeat. Sadly.
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3-2 us.
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Has to start with Keinan and no el ghazi please . Maybe thow JJ in as well . Just get at them Villa.
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Hopefully start with the team we finished with against Fulham and Davis can bully the back four, leaving a bit of space for Olly to exploit. I would imagine that we won’t though so am expecting a loss with some fairly poor footy to boot.
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It'll be interesting to see what Dean does today, both in terms of formation and team selection. Surely he must stick with the formation from those last 15-20 mins against Fulham? It was night and day to what we've been served up since the squad's covid outbreak.
Personally, I'd agree with Ads' team above...
- Davis deserves a start, especially against that soft-centred backline
- Nakamba has to start at DM based off how out of form Doug is currently
- Question mark over Ramsay starting, but the energy he brought against Fulham could be just the catalyst we need right now.
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Plan A it is.