Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on April 08, 2024, 04:57:09 AM
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Another big game this week. Back to Europe against French opponents. Lille are sitting 4th in Ligue 1 so won’t be easy to get past. We will need to keep an eye on Canadian international Jonathan David who has 16 league goals this season and 24 in total across all competitions. Backing us to put ourselves in a good position heading to the second leg with a 3-1 win.
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2-2
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3-0 Villa.
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After watching the highlights of them schooling Marseille on the weekend, I actually wouldn’t be too surprised at us going out of the competition at this point - the relative form (albeit in substantially different leagues) of each club is worrying. 😱
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How big an impact on CL 5th place would us going out have?
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Probably a fair bit.
Play well and win Villa.
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The little I know about them is they seem a bit compact and have a fast forward in Jonathan David. Expect similar games we've had this season to Burnley, Forest and Brentford. All hard work but we got 7 points from that lot. I think we'll win 2-0.
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Definitely our hardest opponents so far. I was hoping to avoid them until the final at least so to get them now is going to be tricky. On our game I think we can beat them so hopefully we channel 81 minutes of the game from Saturday and run out 2-0 winners.
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3-0 and 5-1 agg
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How big an impact on CL 5th place would us going out have?
Would be one less English team picking up points. Impossible to tell in isolation but it certainly won't help.
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Hoping for a two or three goal win to take a bit of pressure off away leg. Exciting times, this is what it's all about.
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After Saturday, God only knows what will happen. The bottom line is that we can't stop playing for 10 minutes as we did, we might as well have the left the fuckin' pitch en masse.
The Manager acknowledged this in his post match so I expect us to be more compact on Thursday and while we might want a gung-ho performance to get a decent lead to take into the second leg, Emery would probably be happy with a tight, narrow victory.
Saturday's aberration did remind me of Woolwich at home last season that saw the Manager incandescent with what happened. Let's hope that what followed then, follows this time.
1-0
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I reckon a 2-1 win for Villa.
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-------- Martinez ---------
KKH Konsa Torres Moreno
--- Luiz ----- Irogbunam
Bailey ------------ McGinn
--- Diaby ----- Duran ----
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Lille will sit back defend and think they can finish job at villa park. They looked organised so i have a feeling 0-0
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Lille will sit back defend and think they can finish job at villa park. They looked organised so i have a feeling 0-0
Aren’t they playing at Villa Park first?
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Lille will sit back defend and think they can finish job at villa park. They looked organised so i have a feeling 0-0
Aren’t they playing at Villa Park first?
Yep!
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Think we'll win but not by enough so that the tie is done and dusted, 2-1.
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Lille will sit back defend and think they can finish job at villa park. They looked organised so i have a feeling 0-0
Aren’t they playing at Villa Park first?
Hahaha you are correct i meant to say at their place. Thanks for correcting me 😘
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0-2.
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We will have enough, regardless of who Emery picks. Same team as Saturday please, I think we need to try and make as few changes as we can right now to try and build some consistency.
*edit due to forgetting a full-stop.
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I’d certainly take winning by one goal.
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Apparently played Lille in a summer tournament named Inter Toto Cup over 2 legs ?? A Semi final second leg at home was a 2-0 defeat after a 1-1 draw in first leg.
Graham Taylor | 🏴 | manager
GK Peter Enckelman | 🇫🇮 |
LB Steve Staunton | 🇮🇪 |
CB Olof Mellberg | 🇸🇪 |
RB Mark Delaney | 🏴 |
M Gareth Barry | 🏴 |
M Thomas Hitzlsperger | 🇩🇪 |
M Ian Taylor | 🏴 | |
CF Peter Crouch | 🏴 |
CF Dion Dublin | 🏴 |
F Marcus Allbäck | 🇸🇪 |
F Darius Vassell | 🏴 |
"The cup billed itself providing both an opportunity for clubs who otherwise would not get the chance to enter the UEFA Cup and as an opportunity for sports lotteries (or pools) to continue during the summer"
And apparently won it year before And entered the Uefa Cup.
'The 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup finals were won by Aston Villa, Paris Saint-Germain and Troyes. All three teams advanced to the UEFA Cup.'
Anyone with any Lille memories/stories from the game or occasions at home or away ?
The year was 2002 late July and early August
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Played For Lille and Villa.
Luca Digne started his career at Lille.
Joe Cole played for Lille 2011–2012 on loan came to us on loan in 2014-16
2015 Villa signed Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye.
2017 Villa signed El Ghazi on loan from Lille then bought the marvel!
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Apparently played Lille in a summer tournament named Inter Toto Cup over 2 legs ?? A Semi final second leg at home was a 2-0 defeat after a 1-1 draw in first leg.
Graham Taylor | 🏴 | manager
GK Peter Enckelman | 🇫🇮 |
LB Steve Staunton | 🇮🇪 |
CB Olof Mellberg | 🇸🇪 |
RB Mark Delaney | 🏴 |
M Gareth Barry | 🏴 |
M Thomas Hitzlsperger | 🇩🇪 |
M Ian Taylor | 🏴 | |
CF Peter Crouch | 🏴 |
CF Dion Dublin | 🏴 |
F Marcus Allbäck | 🇸🇪 |
F Darius Vassell | 🏴 |
"The cup billed itself providing both an opportunity for clubs who otherwise would not get the chance to enter the UEFA Cup and as an opportunity for sports lotteries (or pools) to continue during the summer"
And apparently won it year before And entered the Uefa Cup.
'The 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup finals were won by Aston Villa, Paris Saint-Germain and Troyes. All three teams advanced to the UEFA Cup.'
Anyone with any Lille memories/stories from the game or occasions at home or away ?
The year was 2002 late July and early August
Yes, I can confirm that this happened and this tournament existed. And we did qualify fir the UEFA Cup at least once through it.
Essentially it was given as a rolling down invite to the highest placed teams in the league who had not otherwise qualified for Europe.
I remember us playing some home games at The Hawthorns as VP was undergoing renovation over the summer
We played Dukla Pribram one round, who were previously known as Dukla Prague and wore their away kit...
...errr...
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Playing at West Brom?
Walsall bigger than them in those days then!
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I remember going to the Zurich home game. We wore white at home. Lille I honestly don't remember.
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I remember going to the Zurich home game. We wore white at home. Lille I honestly don't remember.
"Aston Villa beat FC Zurich 3-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Intertoto Cup. Republic of Ireland defender Steve Staunton headed the crucial third goal with 12 minutes remaining as Villa overturned a two-goal deficit from the first leg in Switzerland last week.
Earlier goals from Michael Boulding and Marcus Alback, a two million pounds signing from Dutch club Heerenveen, had levelled the tie."
Sounds like a great game!
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Michael Boulding never heard of him.
I see good reason.
"Notably played in the Football League with several spells each with Grimsby Town and Mansfield Town. in 2002 he signed for Premier League side Aston Villa however he would only feature in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and six months later had returned to Grimsby on a permanent deal"
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I was probably at all the home games but I can only remember the one at the Hawthorns with that hilariously bad referee. Honestly, Father Dougal Maguire would have done a better job.
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I was probably at all the home games but I can only remember the one at the Hawthorns with that hilariously bad referee. Honestly, Father Dougal Maguire would have done a better job.
Was that the game when Steve Stone was kicked in the head and we scored from the penalty?
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Michael Boulding never heard of him.
I see good reason.
"Notably played in the Football League with several spells each with Grimsby Town and Mansfield Town. in 2002 he signed for Premier League side Aston Villa however he would only feature in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and six months later had returned to Grimsby on a permanent deal"
He was good at tennis.
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Bad feeling about this, we're just too shaky in defence especially at Villa Park, which seems ridiculous given how good our home form was. 1-3 and the tie over.
Hopefully we can cling onto a top five place but the lack of first-choice players is going to hamper our ability to get over the line.
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Emery record v Lille
7 matches
6 wins 1 Draw. Underfeated.
PSG:
4 wins in Ligue 1
1 win French Cup (h) 3-1
Valencia:
Win 3-1 Champions league group stage (h)
Draw 1-1 Champions League group stage (a)
Home matches
Emery has beaten Lille 3-1 scoreline 3 out of 4 times played (the other 2-1)
Based on that trend:
Footy Forecast 3-1
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I'll have a bit of that Footy. 12/1 £50 on it.
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I think with PSG involved in 5 of those wins it rather diminishes Unai's contribution. Under most Coaches PSG will prevail against Lille.
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Yeah, see how he gets on with Troyes, the privileged basquetard.
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3-1
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We'll be too good for Lille and win 2-0.
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I think with PSG involved in 5 of those wins it rather diminishes Unai's contribution. Under most Coaches PSG will prevail against Lille.
Not Pochettino. He lost 1-0.
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We'll be too good for Lille and win 2-0.
I wish i shared your optimism. Cant see us keeping a clean sheet. Hope you are right and im wrong!
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How big an impact on CL 5th place would us going out have?
Not sure. It would certainly have an impact us picking up a trophy this season as I reckon the league title has gone.
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8-0 to us and Lille forfeit the second leg.
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Apparently played Lille in a summer tournament named Inter Toto Cup over 2 legs ?? A Semi final second leg at home was a 2-0 defeat after a 1-1 draw in first leg.
Graham Taylor | 🏴 | manager
GK Peter Enckelman | 🇫🇮 |
LB Steve Staunton | 🇮🇪 |
CB Olof Mellberg | 🇸🇪 |
RB Mark Delaney | 🏴 |
M Gareth Barry | 🏴 |
M Thomas Hitzlsperger | 🇩🇪 |
M Ian Taylor | 🏴 | |
CF Peter Crouch | 🏴 |
CF Dion Dublin | 🏴 |
F Marcus Allbäck | 🇸🇪 |
F Darius Vassell | 🏴 |
"The cup billed itself providing both an opportunity for clubs who otherwise would not get the chance to enter the UEFA Cup and as an opportunity for sports lotteries (or pools) to continue during the summer"
And apparently won it year before And entered the Uefa Cup.
'The 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup finals were won by Aston Villa, Paris Saint-Germain and Troyes. All three teams advanced to the UEFA Cup.'
Anyone with any Lille memories/stories from the game or occasions at home or away ?
The year was 2002 late July and early August
There were about 200 of us in a 14k crowd at Lille’s old crumbling stadium. No food or drink available at all inside the ground. Kept in for a ridiculous length of time after the game with the CRS riot police just itching for any excuse to lay into us.
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I vaguely remember one of Lilles goals in the 0-2 being one of those 30 yard twats that hits the defender and trickles slowly into the opposite corner to what the keeper had dived.
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The French league is pretty dire so them being 4th really means not a lot .
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I think with PSG involved in 5 of those wins it rather diminishes Unai's contribution. Under most Coaches PSG will prevail against Lille.
Not Pochettino. He lost 1-0.
Pochettino would not have done as well as Emery this season if he had taken over Villa. I think that's a fair forecast.
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I vaguely remember one of Lilles goals in the 0-2 being one of those 30 yard twats that hits the defender and trickles slowly into the opposite corner to what the keeper had dived.
That's my recollection too
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With Kellyman playing Prem Unders tonight, is he now unlikely to still be in the European matchday squad and bench option on Thursday?
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-------- Martinez ---------
KKH Konsa Torres Moreno
--- Luiz ----- Irogbunam
Bailey ------------ McGinn
--- Diaby ----- Duran ----
I think we need to start trying 433 again with Bailey and Diaby either side of one of Watkins or Duran. I'm ok with giving Duran a go. 3 of Luiz, McGinn and Tielemans. It's not the night for the likes of KKH and Iroegbunam.
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-------- Martinez ---------
KKH Konsa Torres Moreno
--- Luiz ----- Irogbunam
Bailey ------------ McGinn
--- Diaby ----- Duran ----
I think we need to start trying 433 again with Bailey and Diaby either side of one of Watkins or Duran. I'm ok with giving Duran a go. 3 of Luiz, McGinn and Tielemans. It's not the night for the likes of KKH and Iroegbunam.
if we're trying 433 again this is the competition to experiment .
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We won’t be doing 4 3 3 it’s now how Emery sets up.
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It's 4-4-fucking-2
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It's 4-4-fucking-2
ha ;D
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My prediction is we won’t keep a clean sheet.
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-------- Martinez ---------
KKH Konsa Torres Moreno
--- Luiz ----- Irogbunam
Bailey ------------ McGinn
--- Diaby ----- Duran ----
I think we need to start trying 433 again with Bailey and Diaby either side of one of Watkins or Duran. I'm ok with giving Duran a go. 3 of Luiz, McGinn and Tielemans. It's not the night for the likes of KKH and Iroegbunam.
Why would we not play our top scorer and one of the best strikers in the league, in a European quarter final?
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1 0 Watkins.
Draw second leg, semi final to look forward to.
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-------- Martinez ---------
KKH Konsa Torres Moreno
--- Luiz ----- Irogbunam
Bailey ------------ McGinn
--- Diaby ----- Duran ----
I think we need to start trying 433 again with Bailey and Diaby either side of one of Watkins or Duran. I'm ok with giving Duran a go. 3 of Luiz, McGinn and Tielemans. It's not the night for the likes of KKH and Iroegbunam.
Why would we not play our top scorer and one of the best strikers in the league, in a European quarter final?
Arsenal Sunday
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I vaguely remember one of Lilles goals in the 0-2 being one of those 30 yard twats that hits the defender and trickles slowly into the opposite corner to what the keeper had dived.
"...with half-time looming Lille took a shock lead. Abdelilah Fahmi drilled a low free-kick from 25 yards out, which took a wicked deflection off the Villa defensive wall and left keeper Peter Enckelman stranded.
That was a big enough blow for the home side - but within 35 seconds of the second half Lille doubled their lead. Enckelman could not hold Phillipe Brunel’s shot and the ball rebounded to Nicolas Bonnal - who made no mistake."
https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/4718
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-------- Martinez ---------
KKH Konsa Torres Moreno
--- Luiz ----- Irogbunam
Bailey ------------ McGinn
--- Diaby ----- Duran ----
I think we need to start trying 433 again with Bailey and Diaby either side of one of Watkins or Duran. I'm ok with giving Duran a go. 3 of Luiz, McGinn and Tielemans. It's not the night for the likes of KKH and Iroegbunam.
Why would we not play our top scorer and one of the best strikers in the league, in a European quarter final?
Arsenal Sunday
So what? Watkins will play both. He's the best forward in the league. 31 goal contributions thus season. Let him batter Lille, make next week a stroll and give Arsenal a headache too.
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Watkins will play both (assuming he’s fit) and rightfully so. We need to win Thursday.
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-------- Martinez ---------
KKH Konsa Torres Moreno
--- Luiz ----- Irogbunam
Bailey ------------ McGinn
--- Diaby ----- Duran ----
I think we need to start trying 433 again with Bailey and Diaby either side of one of Watkins or Duran. I'm ok with giving Duran a go. 3 of Luiz, McGinn and Tielemans. It's not the night for the likes of KKH and Iroegbunam.
Why would we not play our top scorer and one of the best strikers in the league, in a European quarter final?
Arsenal Sunday
Yep. Duran can start Thursday with Diaby . Watkins can have 20 mins if required. Keep him on ice for Sunday .
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No.
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Why would we not play our top scorer and one of the best strikers in the league, in a European quarter final?
Arsenal Sunday
That's probably how Sky will bill it.
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No.
This, all day fucking long, and twice on Thursdays.
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We need to win Thursday - a. we want to win a fucking trophy after nearly 3 decades and b. winning said trophy will help support our aim of qualifying for the Champions League. Strongest team possible please and get at them.
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Full strength team against Lille, try to blow them away first leg. Fuck Arsenal.
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Why would we start with anything other than the strongest possible side to reach a proper European semi final for the first time in 42 years ? History beckons.
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Forecasters February Foresight:
Fourth Round or Quarter final exit: Somniloquism.
Predicting Villa to go out this round Quarter final exit: Axl Rose, Skerra, VillaTim, Sid1964, Oldhill avfc,
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Forecasters February Foresight:
Reach Semi Final chicago Lion , Mpls Villa, Tax dodger, Edgy Satsuma 89, Eamonn, Legion,
Runners up/Final: Baldy , diced lam, Simboy,
Semi /Final Dogtanian
Conference winners:
Footy-Vill, Richard, Darren Woolley, Phill Vill, AV82EC, Chrisw1, Towser, Andy Lochead in the air, DaveP, Peterwitheshin , Rigadon, Saint13, Holte L2, Rotterdam 82, Iron maiden mania,
Brazilian Villain, Nunkin 1965, Richard E, N'Zmav, Algy, Louize0
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All out to win this please Villa.
I'm going for a single goal advantage to take to the 2nd leg.
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-------- Martinez ---------
KKH Konsa Torres Moreno
--- Luiz ----- Irogbunam
Bailey ------------ McGinn
--- Diaby ----- Duran ----
I think we need to start trying 433 again with Bailey and Diaby either side of one of Watkins or Duran. I'm ok with giving Duran a go. 3 of Luiz, McGinn and Tielemans. It's not the night for the likes of KKH and Iroegbunam.
Why would we not play our top scorer and one of the best strikers in the league, in a European quarter final?
Arsenal Sunday
Yep. Duran can start Thursday with Diaby . Watkins can have 20 mins if required. Keep him on ice for Sunday .
Whats the point in supporting any football team, if you don’t want to play the strongest side possible, in the latter stages of a competition we could actually win.
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If Cash is still out, think I’d go with.
Martinez
Konsa. Lenglet. Torres. Digne
Luiz. McGinn
Bailey. Rogers
Tielemans
Watkins
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-------- Martinez ---------
KKH Konsa Torres Moreno
--- Luiz ----- Irogbunam
Bailey ------------ McGinn
--- Diaby ----- Duran ----
I think we need to start trying 433 again with Bailey and Diaby either side of one of Watkins or Duran. I'm ok with giving Duran a go. 3 of Luiz, McGinn and Tielemans. It's not the night for the likes of KKH and Iroegbunam.
Why would we not play our top scorer and one of the best strikers in the league, in a European quarter final?
Arsenal Sunday
Yep. Duran can start Thursday with Diaby . Watkins can have 20 mins if required. Keep him on ice for Sunday .
Whats the point in supporting any football team, if you don’t want to play the strongest side possible, in the latter stages of a competition we could actually win.
Whats the point in supporting a football team if you don’t want them to secure a place in the elite competition that every player wants to play I,that would have a huge impact on its ability to compete at the elite end of the football pyramid?
Just playing devils advocate but not everyone sees it the same way and they are no less supporters.
I don’t know which is most important regarding CL next year, doing well in this or focus on the league.
I doubt we can do both.
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Play the strongest team available in both games. It’s simple.
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Whats the point in supporting a football team if you don’t want them to secure a place in the elite competition that every player wants to play I,that would have a huge impact on its ability to compete at the elite end of the football pyramid?
Just playing devils advocate but not everyone sees it the same way and they are no less supporters.
I don’t know which is most important regarding CL next year, doing well in this or focus on the league.
I doubt we can do both.
Why can't we? Emery rested loads of players at Man City in preparation for Brentford, and look at how that turned out. Torres had an absolute stinker, but prior to Brentford had played 1 game in three weeks. We've got 6 league games left, and a maximum of 5 European games, we need to go all in for both. No more bollocks like the Man City team selection, shite like that rarely works.
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Plus there's 10 days rest between the last league game and the UECL Final, if we get there.
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Play the strongest team available in both games. It’s simple.
Yup.
Looking forward to next years Champions League quarter-final and we'll have people saying we should be playing the youth team because we're fifth in the league and have a big away game to Crystal Palace that weekend.
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Plus there's 10 days rest between the last league game and the UECL Final, if we get there.
And also depending on how the first leg of the quarter final goes, there might be scope to change things round for the second leg if we're 3-0 up or whatever. Although after Brentford, possibly not such a good idea with the way our defenders are currently playing.
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At the moment, I feel like we're going to need to win handsomely in this first league to be confident of progressing. Some - not all, but some - of our Conference League performances have been very underwhelming.
Fingers crossed we kill this tie in the first leg.
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Yep we’ve had some very stodgy Conference League displays, I'm hoping we’re a bit more lively on Thursday. I’ve no idea how good Lille are, although them having a pacy forward concerns me, but we could really do with a comfortable win.
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Yep we’ve had some very stodgy Conference League displays, I'm hoping we’re a bit more lively on Thursday. I’ve no idea how good Lille are, although them having a pacy forward concerns me, but we could really do with a comfortable win.
I wonder if there is a Lille forum where their fans are wetting themselves because we have 3 pacy forwards!? Sometimes the negativity on here is astonishing.
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Play the strongest team available in both games. It’s simple.
Available is the key word there. Some players just don’t seem to have the stamina to play 3 big games in a week, Bailey for example, so he’s inevitably going to have to use the squad and substitutions will probably play a big part. If we can get a decent lead in the first leg then it gives him the opportunity to use different players from the start next week and it will also improve his options for Sunday.
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Strongest team possible, no pissing about. 100% certain that Unai will go all out for this one.
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Whats the point in supporting a football team if you don’t want them to secure a place in the elite competition that every player wants to play I,that would have a huge impact on its ability to compete at the elite end of the football pyramid?
Just playing devils advocate but not everyone sees it the same way and they are no less supporters.
I don’t know which is most important regarding CL next year, doing well in this or focus on the league.
I doubt we can do both.
Why can't we? Emery rested loads of players at Man City in preparation for Brentford, and look at how that turned out. Torres had an absolute stinker, but prior to Brentford had played 1 game in three weeks. We've got 6 league games left, and a maximum of 5 European games, we need to go all in for both. No more bollocks like the Man City team selection, shite like that rarely works.
You don't think fatigue was a factor against Brentford?
We have limited resources, Emery has to decide hoa to use them with far more information concerning niggles and fitness than we do,
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You don't think fatigue was a factor against Brentford?
We have limited resources, Emery has to decide hoa to use them with far more information concerning niggles and fitness than we do,
Torres didn't play against Man City and played 1 game in three weeks. McGinn's just had a three game sit down. Bailey didn't play for his country, nor did Carlos or Digne.
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You don't think fatigue was a factor against Brentford?
We have limited resources, Emery has to decide hoa to use them with far more information concerning niggles and fitness than we do,
Torres didn't play against Man City and played 1 game in three weeks. McGinn's just had a three game sit down. Bailey didn't play for his country, nor did Carlos or Digne.
You also had an entire 45 minutes where 21 players were 25 yards apart, with an occasional recovery run when Brentford hacked it long. We just switched off, horrendously, on our right for 9 minutes. Composure returned, but fatigue wasn't the issue.
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I think managers have worked out that while Torres is great on the ball, he's not an especially brilliant defender and can be got at. With our most reliable central defender filling in at right back, it doesn't take a genius to see that putting pressure on can reap dividends. We've had two many two goal+ 15 minute collapses (mostly in the second half) since the start of 2024 for it to be a coincidence. Emery says they want to analyse it and work out why, but they keep happening. They haven't all led to defeats which does at least show some resilience, but we don't half need to tighten up at the back.
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There is no getting away from the fact that over the two legs it is going to be very difficult fitness wise, both mentally and physically.
Personally, I would pick the strongest team Unai has got available with maybe the exception of Moreno (who gives us more of an attacking threat down the left) and then also having Diaby and Bailey either side of Watkins.
I predict if we win the home tie we will go through.
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I'd go
Emi
Konsa Carlos Torres Digne
McGinn Luiz Tielemans Rogers
Diaby Watkins
Bring Bailey on if we need to second half, he's been a bit off it last few games.
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Yep we’ve had some very stodgy Conference League displays, I'm hoping we’re a bit more lively on Thursday. I’ve no idea how good Lille are, although them having a pacy forward concerns me, but we could really do with a comfortable win.
I wonder if there is a Lille forum where their fans are wetting themselves because we have 3 pacy forwards!? Sometimes the negativity on here is astonishing.
“Concerns me” doesn’t really translate to “wetting myself” does it?
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Yep we’ve had some very stodgy Conference League displays, I'm hoping we’re a bit more lively on Thursday. I’ve no idea how good Lille are, although them having a pacy forward concerns me, but we could really do with a comfortable win.
I wonder if there is a Lille forum where their fans are wetting themselves because we have 3 pacy forwards!? Sometimes the negativity on here is astonishing.
“Concerns me” doesn’t really translate to “wetting myself” does it?
Without evidence it's tough for us to tell.
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On one of Lille's forums, they recognise it is a difficult game for them and most would take a draw or a narrow defeat. They also think their rowdy full stadium for the home leg will be influential.
A few have called out that they are aiming for history to reach a European semi-final so there won't be any resting of players, not least because their intervening game against Strasbourg was postponed.
Possible starting line-up:
Chevalier (young keeper, 2nd full season)
Yoro (only 18, first season)
Diakité (23 - second season at Lille)
Ismaily (34 - Brazilian)
Tiago Santos (21 - Portuguese)
André (33 - longstanding regular)
Bentaleb (29 - Algerian international - started out at Spurs)
Haraldsson (20 - Icelandic international)
Gudmundsson (24 - Swedish)
Zhegrova (25 - Kosovan international)
David (24 star player - Canadian international)
Also they have Cavaleiro who was at Wolves and Fulham.
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I'm surprised there is a severe lack of French players in that team. Maybe I shouldn't be?
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Yoro is a serious talent and expected to be sold for a big fee in the summer. Their main playmaker has been out injured, Angel Gomes, but may play a part in the tie.
No doubt they are a decent side, only 5 league defeats all season. We will definitely need our strongest available 11, and tighten up at the back. I don’t think there will be many goals.
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Yoro is a serious talent and expected to be sold for a big fee in the summer. Their main playmaker has been out injured, Angel Gomes, but may play a part in the tie.
No doubt they are a decent side, only 5 league defeats all season. We will definitely need our strongest available 11, and tighten up at the back. I don’t think there will be many goals.
I think lille is the toughest team after fiorentina left. This will be a tough game for sure. If the 2nd game was at villa park i would feel abit more confident
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Just to add if mcginn or diaby get a booking they are banned for game in lille. Absolutely essential neither picks up a booking
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Just to add if mcginn or diaby get a booking they are banned for game in lille. Absolutely essential neither picks up a booking
Oh no we all know what that means....
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Just to add if mcginn or diaby get a booking they are banned for game in lille. Absolutely essential neither picks up a booking
I think 'absolutely essential' might be pushing it.
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On one of Lille's forums, they recognise it is a difficult game for them and most would take a draw or a narrow defeat. They also think their rowdy full stadium for the home leg will be influential.
A few have called out that they are aiming for history to reach a European semi-final so there won't be any resting of players, not least because their intervening game against Strasbourg was postponed.
Possible starting line-up:
Chevalier (young keeper, 2nd full season)
Yoro (only 18, first season)
Diakité (23 - second season at Lille)
Ismaily (34 - Brazilian)
Tiago Santos (21 - Portuguese)
André (33 - longstanding regular)
Bentaleb (29 - Algerian international - started out at Spurs)
Haraldsson (20 - Icelandic international)
Gudmundsson (24 - Swedish)
Zhegrova (25 - Kosovan international)
David (24 star player - Canadian international)
Also they have Cavaleiro who was at Wolves and Fulham.
Where's the great Turkish Yusuf Yazıcı? Is he injured out of favour ? Lille Top scorer in Europa League but leaving end of season on a free.
He's a decent player has great attacking qualities and would forecast he would cause a lot of issues.
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Just to add if mcginn or diaby get a booking they are banned for game in lille. Absolutely essential neither picks up a booking
I think 'absolutely essential' might be pushing it.
If Ginny gets banned again this season then he's really letting everyone down.
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Id go
Olsen
KH Carls Lengelet Moreno
SJM Tim Luiz Zaniolo
Big Jhon Diaby
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If he gets a straight red yes. A yellow card resulting in a ban is more subjective.
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Id go
Olsen
KH Carls Lengelet Moreno
SJM Tim Luiz Zaniolo
Big Jhon Diaby
Pretty sure Kesler-Hayden isn't in the submitted squad. So probably not worth being thrown out of the competition just to give Konsa a rest.
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If he gets a straight red yes. A yellow card resulting in a ban is more subjective.
Friday June 14 Germany vs Scotland (Allianz Arena, Munich) will he get booked ?
He must learn not to put his team and team members in jeopardy.
Against England in Euros, Ginny booked after 15 minutes, and it curtailed him. The point is that his bookings can change how he plays.
Now Vs Lille if he plays without suspension in mind, then he'll be suspended because he plays without it in mind, and the way he plays anyway, well, he could be suspended.
I think he'll have to sit out one of the two leg QF matches either suspension or because of the risk.
At some point, Mcginn could be suspended if not in this European club competition, then Euros in Germany.
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Just to add if mcginn or diaby get a booking they are banned for game in lille. Absolutely essential neither picks up a booking
We've played half a season without Diaby in fairness .
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Id go
Olsen
KH Carls Lengelet Moreno
SJM Tim Luiz Zaniolo
Big Jhon Diaby
Pretty sure Kesler-Hayden isn't in the submitted squad. So probably not worth being thrown out of the competition just to give Konsa a rest.
He is. You can have as many "kids" as you want, I thought?
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaconferenceleague/clubs/52683--aston-villa/squad/
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Id go
Olsen
KH Carls Lengelet Moreno
SJM Tim Luiz Zaniolo
Big Jhon Diaby
Pretty sure Kesler-Hayden isn't in the submitted squad. So probably not worth being thrown out of the competition just to give Konsa a rest.
He is. You can have as many "kids" as you want, I thought?
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaconferenceleague/clubs/52683--aston-villa/squad/
You can, I just thought you had to have specified which ones*
But it'll teach me to trust anything that the Mail (https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-europa-conference-league-28582749) churn out:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Joe Gauci, Robin Olsen, Filip Marschall (B), James Wright (B)
Defenders: Matty Cash, Diego Carlos, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne, Pau Torres, Alex Moreno, Clement Lenglet, Ben Chrisene (B), Sil Swinkels (B), Jayden Barber (B), Josh Feeney (B), Aaron O’Reilly (B), Frankie Ealing (B), Finley Munroe (B)
Midfielders: Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Jacob Ramsey, Tim Iroegbunam, Boubacar Kamara, Edward Rowe (B), Taylor-Jay Hart (B), Ajani Burchall (B), Tommi O’Reilly (B), Travis Patterson (B), Kyrie Pierre (B), Kadan Young (B)
Forwards: Ollie Watkins, Moussa Diaby, Nicolo Zaniolo, Jhon Duran, Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey
*And we clearly have included him, as he's there on your UEFA link.
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He's on the B list apparently, which I think means you can name them up as late as the day before a game, and you can have as many as you like. Hence I've just found out we've got players called Charlie Lutz and Mikell Barnes.
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Just to add if mcginn or diaby get a booking they are banned for game in lille. Absolutely essential neither picks up a booking
I think 'absolutely essential' might be pushing it.
I dont we already have major issues in CM and mcginn missing will be a massive worry
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We are going to need points in the Brighton & Palace away games and that worries me . Not to mention beating Bournemouth and Chelsea at Home .
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We are going to need points in the Brighton & Palace away games and that worries me . Not to mention beating Bournemouth and Chelsea at Home .
We are 5th you know, with a +17 goal difference. We are not shit.
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We are going to need points in the Brighton & Palace away games and that worries me . Not to mention beating Bournemouth and Chelsea at Home .
We are 5th you know, with a +17 goal difference. We are not shit.
No but we are running on empty and down on key players and the pressure is biting .
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The pressure is certainly getting to some of our support.
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The pressure is certainly getting to some of our support.
Unlike the players and management to anywhere the same extent I bet.
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We advise for supporters to arrive no later than 7:30pm tomorrow for our UECL match against LOSC Lille - as there will be traffic and pedestrian disruptions/road closures in place.
https://x.com/avfcsupport/status/1777984870691607008?s=46
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Charlie Lutz and Sil Swinkels - a couple of crooks from the Bronx, there's no messin'around with these guys. In and out quick as a flash, they get the job done.
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I have a spare adult and u14 ticket in Trinity Road B6 if anyone is in need?
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My contact on l'Equipe reckons we'll have too much for them. He says our squad is stronger and they're concentrating on the league.
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"Emery confirms that Clément Lenglet is unavailable for tomorrow with a small injury.
The boss adds that Matty Cash is still working individually following his injury, but he is close to a return to training with the group."
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You can have as many "kids" as you want, I thought?
But allowance is only paid for the first two.
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My contact on l'Equipe reckons we'll have too much forcthem. He says our squad is stronger and they're concentrating on the league.
Interesting
You would think its same for us. But i thought the French FA agreed to help with their congestion of fixtures by moving their games? Surely if thwyd idnt care aboyt this competition as much they wouldnt have done that?
Not questioning you btw just thw info being fed back to you
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My contact on l'Equipe reckons we'll have too much forcthem. He says our squad is stronger and they're concentrating on the league.
Not convinced they won't be concentrating on this competition, especially as they have a week off league action in between the 2 legs, and they'll want to try and win a first major European trophy. There was not much sign of them resting players in the first match of the previous round either.
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My contact on l'Equipe reckons we'll have too much forcthem. He says our squad is stronger and they're concentrating on the league.
Interesting
You would think its same for us. But i thought the French FA agreed to help with their congestion of fixtures by moving their games? Surely if thwyd idnt care aboyt this competition as much they wouldnt have done that?
Not questioning you btw just thw info being fed back to you
Moving European games away from league ones cuts both ways. If its helping you in Europe, its helping you in the league.
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My contact on l'Equipe reckons we'll have too much forcthem. He says our squad is stronger and they're concentrating on the league.
Interesting
You would think its same for us. But i thought the French FA agreed to help with their congestion of fixtures by moving their games? Surely if thwyd idnt care aboyt this competition as much they wouldnt have done that?
Not questioning you btw just thw info being fed back to you
Yes, although it's for all the French sides; so PSG and Marseille have been given the same benefit. However, it shows that's the French FA and their clubs are taking it seriously, or at least the clubs are not being given an excuse not to take it seriously.
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French also have only 34 matches a season I believe instead of 38, and do they only have one cup competition. So for them to "help" the teams for I assume the knockout stages only does seem overkill.
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My contact on l'Equipe reckons we'll have too much forcthem. He says our squad is stronger and they're concentrating on the league.
Interesting
You would think its same for us. But i thought the French FA agreed to help with their congestion of fixtures by moving their games? Surely if thwyd idnt care aboyt this competition as much they wouldnt have done that?
Not questioning you btw just thw info being fed back to you
Moving European games away from league ones cuts both ways. If its helping you in Europe, its helping you in the league.
Agree with that. Could you see the english FA doing ut for any of our clubs? Not a chance.
My contact on l'Equipe reckons we'll have too much forcthem. He says our squad is stronger and they're concentrating on the league.
Interesting
You would think its same for us. But i thought the French FA agreed to help with their congestion of fixtures by moving their games? Surely if thwyd idnt care aboyt this competition as much they wouldnt have done that?
Not questioning you btw just thw info being fed back to you
Yes, although it's for all the French sides; so PSG and Marseille have been given the same benefit. However, it shows that's the French FA and their clubs are taking it seriously, or at least the clubs are not being given an excuse not to take it seriously.
Thats exactly my thoughts. I think lille will take this seriously. I think whoever wins this game will be finalists so why not go for it? Im sure unai will take this very seriously
This really is our best chance for a trophy
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"Emery confirms that Clément Lenglet is unavailable for tomorrow with a small injury.
The boss adds that Matty Cash is still working individually following his injury, but he is close to a return to training with the group."
As you were then defensively for tomorrow
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"Emery confirms that Clément Lenglet is unavailable for tomorrow with a small injury.
The boss adds that Matty Cash is still working individually following his injury, but he is close to a return to training with the group."
As you were then defensively for tomorrow
Other than Digne/Moreno, we have no other options for the other 3 slots.
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"Emery confirms that Clément Lenglet is unavailable for tomorrow with a small injury.
The boss adds that Matty Cash is still working individually following his injury, but he is close to a return to training with the group."
As you were then defensively for tomorrow
Other than Digne/Moreno, we have no other options for the other 3 slots.
We have KKH who can naturally play RB .
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Id go
Olsen
KH Carls Lengelet Moreno
SJM Tim Luiz Zaniolo
Big Jhon Diaby
Absolute madness. We have a far better chance of CL next season if England wins more co-efficient points than junking them in the hope of finishing fourth.
Edit: you might be joking, sorry if so.
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"Emery confirms that Clément Lenglet is unavailable for tomorrow with a small injury - but is hopefully the amputated leg will grow back"
The boss adds that Matty Cash is still working individually following his injury, but he is close to a return to training with the group - just as soon as medical advancements allow"
FTFY
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Let's not go all Martin O'Neill and get knocked out of Europe resting everyone to try and get in to Europe next year.
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Id go
Olsen
KH Carls Lengelet Moreno
SJM Tim Luiz Zaniolo
Big Jhon Diaby
Absolute madness. We have a far better chance of CL next season if England wins more co-efficient points than junking them in the hope of finishing fourth.
Edit: you might be joking, sorry if so.
Id go
Emi
KH Konas Carlos Moreno
Morgan SJM Tim Luiz (looking to change asap when were 4 up)
Ollie Diaby
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Why drop Pau? Why drop Bailey?
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Why drop Pau? Why drop Bailey?
Save bailey for Sunday. TBF forgot that Pau plays for us.
So most likely back four is
konsa carlos pau mareno
Also think Diaby is at his most effective in Europe
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Moving European games away from league ones cuts both ways. If it’s helping you in Europe, it’s helping you in the league.
But surely it creates more congestion for League games?
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The Konsa at RB experiment needs to end .
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The Konsa at RB experiment needs to end .
There is zero chance of Unai throwing an untried player in at right back tomorrow.
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Unai Emery's record in his European knock-out first legs
*First leg had to be at home
🟰 Valencia 1-1 Werder Bremen (09/10, R16)
🟰 Valencia 2-2 Atletico Madrid (09/10, Quarters)
🟰 Valencia 1-1 Schalke (10/11, R16)
✅ Valencia 4-2 PSV (11/12, R16)
❌ Sevilla 0-2 Real Betis (13/14, R16)
✅ Sevilla 2-0 Valencia (13/14, Semis)
✅ Sevilla 1-0 B. M'Gladbach (14/15, R32)
✅ Sevilla 2-1 Zenit (14/15, Quarters)
✅ Sevilla 3-0 Fiorentina (14/15, Semis)
✅ Sevilla 3-0 Molde (15/16, R32)
✅ Arsenal 2-0 Napoli (18/19, Quarters)
✅ Arsenal 3-1 Valencia (18/19, Semis)
✅ Villarreal 2-1 (20/21, Semis)
🟰 Villarreal 1-1 Juventus (21/22, R16) *UCL
✅ Villarreal 1-0 Bayern (21/22, Quarters) *UCL
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Lost only once
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Thanks for cracking that code Footy.
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Play the strongest side available and go for it. If there is any chance at all of not finishing in a Champs League place, we need to throw everything into trying to win this competition. It is not the time for experimenting, sod that, pick a side to win the game. That said, even if guaranteed a top 4 spot, I'd still want to win this competition.
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Thanks for cracking that code Footy.
and potentially hexing him.
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It's going to be a tough game but if we play to our potential & with the tempo of a PL game we'll have too much for them. One thing is certain, the ground will be rocking.
It's been too long since our club won anything & it's time to put that right.
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The Konsa at RB experiment needs to end .
There is zero chance of Unai throwing an untried player in at right back tomorrow.
Yeah I agree he won't . Konsa will probably be ok in the conference playing there but it's not working at all in the Prem . KKH needs blooding . Be brave .
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Thanks for cracking that code Footy.
Based on that it looks like we're okay, as we're not playing Blose in Europe.
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The Konsa at RB experiment needs to end .
There is zero chance of Unai throwing an untried player in at right back tomorrow.
Even at the lower levels, KKH was reasonable on the ball but not the best defensively. If he did play him, that would be our attacking side and relying on Bailey (if he is playing) to track back and defend.
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Martinez
Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Moreno;
Diaby, Luiz, McGinn, Rogers;
Zaniolo, Duran
Rest Watkins. Bring him on if necessary.
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Play the strongest side available and go for it. If there is any chance at all of not finishing in a Champs League place, we need to throw everything into trying to win this competition. It is not the time for experimenting, sod that, pick a side to win the game. That said, even if guaranteed a top 4 spot, I'd still want to win this competition.
Yep, would love to see us win this competition now. Was unsure about Thursday nights after the Hibs game, but have enjoyed it so far and really looking forward to tomorrow.
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It’d be really nice to play well and win well.
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Hoping we win - this will be a tough game for us
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Hope we properly go for it tonight. We're the strongest team in the competition, we ought to be at least in the final. I'd rather rest players in the league than rest them in this
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I have a bad feeling.
We rarely seem to convince for extended periods these days
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There's no resting players now. We're a month and a bit from the end of the season. Drive every single one of them into the ground. Push, push, push. Get their jobs done, and then we'll talk about having a day off.
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Totally agree Lastfootstamper. This is the Last leg of the season so we must put our Foot on it and Stamper on both fronts. There is no point in saving effort for another day.
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Totally agree Lastfootstamper. This is the Last leg of the season so we must put our Foot on it and Stamper on both fronts. There is no point in saving effort for another day.
We mustn't put our foot in it, that's for sure.
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Why drop Pau? Why drop Bailey?
TBF forgot that Pau plays for us.
You did what?! There's no "to be fair" about it. You're a sub-standard Villan and you've been demoted to TBAR.
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Hoping we win - this will be a tough game for us
Even harder for them.
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These are bringing 1300 apparently, so one to factor in for guess the crowd.
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Big blow losing Doug, but still confident we'll take a 2 goal lead to the 2nd leg. This'll be Unai's 1,000th match as a manager, let's hope he'll still be with us, when he clocks up his 2000th match!
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Big blow losing Doug, but still confident we'll take a 2 goal lead to the 2nd leg. This'll be Unai's 1,000th match as a manager, let's hope he'll still be with us, when he clocks up his 2000th match!
Why would we be losing him?
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Dougie will play both legs injury and no red card tonight permitting.
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Big blow losing Doug, but still confident we'll take a 2 goal lead to the 2nd leg. This'll be Unai's 1,000th match as a manager, let's hope he'll still be with us, when he clocks up his 2000th match!
Luiz is only suspended in the league mate.
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Big blow losing Doug, but still confident we'll take a 2 goal lead to the 2nd leg. This'll be Unai's 1,000th match as a manager, let's hope he'll still be with us, when he clocks up his 2000th match!
Luiz is only suspended in the league mate.
Of course he is, so in that case I'm going for a 3 goal lead.
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Big blow losing Doug, but still confident we'll take a 2 goal lead to the 2nd leg. This'll be Unai's 1,000th match as a manager, let's hope he'll still be with us, when he clocks up his 2000th match!
Doubtful, he'll probably retire/move on after he equals Real Madrid's 5 European cups/CLs in a row.
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It would be really nice if our defensive shape and performance could revert back to not being an utter disaster.
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Totally agree Lastfootstamper. This is the Last leg of the season so we must put our Foot on it and Stamper on both fronts. There is no point in saving effort for another day.
Abso-fucking-lutely!
Our first European QF in 26 years and people are suggesting we rest players! Absolutely bizarre.
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Thousands of French football fans are being directed into Birmingham's famed pub district ahead of tonight's clash with Aston Villa. More than 2,000 Lille fans have been told they must head to Broad Street ahead of tonight's Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg.
The French club instructed its fans that no tickets are being issued at Villa Park and in order to collect their ticket they must present a valid ID card and their voucher. City nightlife chiefs said that by creating a designated area for the city's French visitors, the hope is to create a "welcome place" for Lille fans, and that there will be a strong presence from West Midlands Police and street wardens.
The excitement was already building early on Thursday afternoon, with groups of French fans dotted about the city centre, chanting and enjoying Birmingham's many pubs and restaurants. Westside BID said Rosie's on Broad Street has been selected by West Midlands Police and the football authorities as the official place for fans to collect their tickets.
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Thousands as in two.
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Imagine travelling all that way only to be forced to drink on Broad Street!
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Stop Gomes and David and you stop Lille, those two can cause a lot of damage.
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Thousands as in two.
As in less than 2. They've sold 1300 tickets.
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Imagine travelling all that way only to be forced to drink on Broad Street!
Literally forced into Mordor
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Now we are a few hours away this feels massive, biggest game since league cup final 2020 for me. The idea of having a chance to get one foot into a European semi final for the first time since 1982 is focusing the mind a bit. Huge.
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https://twitter.com/lukerobinson89/status/1778425006130704609
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Now we are a few hours away this feels massive, biggest game since league cup final 2020 for me. The idea of having a chance to get one foot into a European semi final for the first time since 1982 is focusing the mind a bit. Huge.
I suppose technically the last 4 games of that season were bigger
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Now we are a few hours away this feels massive, biggest game since league cup final 2020 for me. The idea of having a chance to get one foot into a European semi final for the first time since 1982 is focusing the mind a bit. Huge.
I suppose technically the last 4 games of that season were bigger
I was thinking of the West Ham game as I was typing that earlier, so get that. Just thinking cup games, chance to win something or get closer to winning something
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Obsessed. And try not to laugh when your hear it
https://twitter.com/JwbaAinge/status/1778437807989485600
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So that's why the noses have allowed them to drink in town.
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It would be really nice if our defensive shape and performance could revert back to not being an utter disaster.
Kansa in the middle
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Obsessed. And try not to laugh when your hear it
https://twitter.com/JwbaAinge/status/1778437807989485600
Is his voice breaking? Bless them. Nice to see Rory Mcgrath recovered from his troubles as well
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Come on the Villa, a tough game tonight....2 nil Villa please
UTV
The Doc
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Come on the Villa, a tough game tonight....2 nil Villa please
UTV
The Do
Couldn't agree more.
UTV
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I quite like seeing what an away fan takes pics of when visiting Brum
https://twitter.com/AlexLOSC
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Need a lead to open them up for away leg. Last thing we need is to be losing then having to brwak them down over there.
Get it done villa
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One thing i've noticed today is the amount of ticket scams on Twitter. A steady flow of different accounts offering tickets all using the exact same wording.
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Fully expecting them to sit deep tonight and put ten me behind the ball. Will be tough to break them down if they do that, so we'll have to be patient.
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Tom, I don’t think Lille will set up too defensively. They are usually quite pro active.
Fiorentina match now in 25th minute and has been an eye bleeding game so far.