Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: olaftab on January 26, 2026, 01:06:33 PM
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What: Europa League Match day 8
Where: Villa Park
When: Thursday 29 January 2026, Kick Off 20:00
Salzburg are struggling in the Europa League having lost 5 out of 7 so far and they will not progress to the knockout stage. So it's a dead match for them but we still need to win to secure a top 2 finish. No doubt we will rest a few players. Rogers should be rested and Youri is likely to be out due to injury. Would like to see Hemmings playing full 90 mins.
At the weekend Salzburg had a rest. They last played on 22 Jan and won 3-1 versus Basel and are top of the Bundesliga, so no mugs.
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They have to win to try and get in the play offs for the round of 16, we have to win to try and stay in the top 2 and have home games second in the knock out rounds.
Bizot
Cash
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Onana (if were comfortable get him off and wrap him up)
Bogarde
Beundia
Watkins
Rogers
Sancho
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3-1 (Watkins, Rogers, Onana)
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Would like to rest key players but not sure we have a big enough squad to do so wholesale. Would pick Bizot, Garcia, Lindelof, Hemmings and Guessand. Can't risk Onana as we have too few central midfielders.
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Draw, 1-1.
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4-0
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None of our regular starters should start this match. We have replacements in all positions so go with those if it isn’t achieving the victory we bring on the heavy guns. Yesterday has encouraged me in as much that the whole squad are bought into the system with not much drop off in performance. Yes, there may be a drop in individual level of quality but that’s to be expected.
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Ideal chance to hopefully manage minutes for some players.
Bizot
Garcia
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Onana
Bogarde
Sancho
Rogers
Buendia
Watkins
As soon as we’re 2-0 up get Onana and Rogers off. Hemmings and Jimoh Aloba to see it out.
Already looking forward to Fridays draw.
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Salzburg are struggling in the Europa League having lost 5 out of 7 so far and they will not progress to the knockout stage.
That's not accurate, is it? If they win, they will be on 9 points, the lowest team in a knock-out place right now is on 8 points. There are several other teams on 9 points with similar goal difference.
I would like it if the game meant nothing to them, but it doesn't appear that is the case.
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8-0
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Salzburg are struggling in the Europa League having lost 5 out of 7 so far and they will not progress to the knockout stage.
That's not accurate, is it? If they win, they will be on 9 points, the lowest team in a knock-out place right now is on 8 points. There are several other teams on 9 points with similar goal difference.
I would like it if the game meant nothing to them, but it doesn't appear that is the case.
Yeah, they need help elsewhere but they definitely have a chance of qualification if they win.
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Are Bailey and Tammy cup tied? Don't think we have any option but to ring the changes and leave the cavalry in reserve.
Bizot, Garcia, Lindelof, Mings, Digne, Bogarde, Sancho, Hemmings, Elliot, Guessand, Watkins
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There is no "cup tied" any more, but neither would be eligible to play until the knockout stages as we have to stick to the squad we selected at the start of the League Stage until its conclusion.
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I would say they have very low to zero chance of qualifying.
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If they win and Young Boys lose at Stuttgart, Ludogorets fail to beat Nice, Feyenoord fail to win at Betis and Basel fail to beat Plzen, they probably qualify.
None of those sound completely outlandish possibilities. Certainly, there's more than enough reason for them to at least give it a go. Even if there wasn't the prize money means makes it worthwhile trying to win, anyway.
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There is no "cup tied" any more, but neither would be eligible to play until the knockout stages as we have to stick to the squad we selected at the start of the League Stage until its conclusion.
In that case I think we have to use one of Elliot's spare games. Can't risk Rogers or Buendia gettinv injured in a bit of a nothing game. Cash and Onana are critical now too.
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Having to go for the win might also mean they have to open up rather then leave 10 behind the ball and hoping.
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My guess would be that they will try to keep it tight and go for it if still level with twenty minutes left. I have never seen them play so this is the guessiest of guesses.
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If they win and Young Boys lose at Stuttgart, Ludogorets fail to beat Nice, Feyenoord fail to win at Betis and Basel fail to beat Plzen, they probably qualify.
None of those sound completely outlandish possibilities. Certainly, there's more than enough reason for them to at least give it a go. Even if there wasn't the prize money means makes it worthwhile trying to win, anyway.
If only Wolves had won 16 more games they would be top of the table :D
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I'd go;
Bizot
Garcia, Lindelof, Mings, Digne
Bogarde, Hemmings
Guessand, Buendia, Sancho
Watkins
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I appreciate this wont be a popular idea and it disrespects the fans who have bought tickets but should we really risk critical midfielders for a game which at best will dictate home/away chronology of the knockout games?
I doubt they will go strong either so hopefully our Bs can win and if not so be it. I'd have Onana, Rogers and Watkins nicely rested.
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They will definitely go strong, why wouldn't they? I agree we shouldn't be risking more essential players than we have to. I wouldn't pick Onana.
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I imagine a much changed midfield at least, and Garcia starting at right back. Sir Victor of Lindeloff will give an imperious performance in defensive midfield.
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I'd go;
Bizot
Garcia, Lindelof, Mings, Digne
Bogarde, Hemmings
Guessand, Buendia, Sancho
Watkins
I like this but would put Guessand in place of Watkins and Elliott out on the right. Cavalry on the bench wrapped in wool.
Let's see what Guessand can do as striker and Elliott deserves a chance.
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George Hemmings and Rory Wilson FTW.
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Just looking at the Salzburg squad and they have a John Mellberg playing for them, Olaf's son.
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Just looking at the Salzburg squad and they have a John Mellberg playing for them, Olaf's son.
It has been mentioned (by Dave).
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Emery will want to win this competition for the 5th time. And I imagine he'll want the home advantage in the later stages so won't put out a b team. We went strong in Istanbul, and I can see something similar here, with maybe a couple rested. If Tielemans is crocked I'd give Onana a rest for a start and would involve Jimoh Aloba
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A win here means its too important to go too weak.
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This is Unai’s 4th season with us and some people still don’t get him or how he works
he likes games, he likes playing football matches, he won’t go full on weak he’ll mix it up like he’s done for the last 3 seasons in European competition
then he’ll use most if not all of his subs to rotate the players playing time
He’ll do the same in the FA cup
He knows what he’s doing
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This is Unai’s 4th season with us and some people still don’t get him or how he works
It's just a lucky run, it's unsustainable.
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I'd go;
Bizot
Garcia, Lindelof, Mings, Digne
Bogarde, Hemmings
Guessand, Buendia, Sancho
Watkins
My team too.. Maybe tempted to play Elliot ahead of Emi.
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This is Unai’s 4th season with us and some people still don’t get him or how he works
It's just a lucky run, it's unsustainable.
Total fluke. Why arent we hoofing it forward against all teams - they dont like it up them?
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Go for it qst half get the lead and then maks changes at half time.
Its vital we get top two to help with having second legt at villa park. I genuinely believe had 2nd leg been at villa park against olympiakos we would have the tie
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I'd go;
Bizot
Garcia, Lindelof, Mings, Digne
Bogarde, Hemmings
Guessand, Buendia, Sancho
Watkins
My team too.. Maybe tempted to play Elliot ahead of Emi.
Mine as well and I have bought a ticket.
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Do not let Onana anywhere near this game.
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Will be keeping a close eye on Lyon v PAOK. We're gonna win the league.
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Will be keeping a close eye on Lyon v PAOK. We're gonna win the league.
Not seen anything about the differing prize money for finishing in say 1-4th in the League phase?
Otherwise, doesn't seen to be much difference in finishing 1st or 2nd in the table.
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Will be keeping a close eye on Lyon v PAOK. We're gonna win the league.
Not seen anything about the differing prize money for finishing in say 1-4th in the League phase?
Otherwise, doesn't seen to be much difference in finishing 1st or 2nd in the table.
Coefficient Points is 6 to 5.75 from 1st to 2nd and 0.25 step for each position in the top 8.
Prize money is 36 shares 1st and 35 shares for 2nd and so on down the whole table. Each share is initially worth €75k so 1st is €75k x36 ($2.7m) and so on. That can be increased as each draw in the league stage means there’s more money for the pot at the end but we won’t know until next week. Each team in the top 8 gets €600k for direct qualification as well. Qualification for the R16 also gets us €1.75m as well.
So finishing 1st or 2nd is fairly inconsequential in monetary terms but is worth about €5.5m in total.
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Do not let Onana anywhere near this game.
Or Tielemens
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Do not let Onana anywhere near this game.
Or Tielemens
Totally agree we have 6 games in Feb as it is
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Will be keeping a close eye on Lyon v PAOK. We're gonna win the league.
Not seen anything about the differing prize money for finishing in say 1-4th in the League phase?
Otherwise, doesn't seen to be much difference in finishing 1st or 2nd in the table.
Coefficient Points is 6 to 5.75 from 1st to 2nd and 0.25 step for each position in the top 8.
Prize money is 36 shares 1st and 35 shares for 2nd and so on down the whole table. Each share is initially worth €75k so 1st is €75k x36 ($2.7m) and so on. That can be increased as each draw in the league stage means there’s more money for the pot at the end but we won’t know until next week. Each team in the top 8 gets €600k for direct qualification as well. Qualification for the R16 also gets us €1.75m as well.
So finishing 1st or 2nd is fairly inconsequential in monetary terms but is worth about €5.5m in total.
Probably would of made more money by having tickets slightly cheaper and less prohibitive.
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Will be keeping a close eye on Lyon v PAOK. We're gonna win the league.
Not seen anything about the differing prize money for finishing in say 1-4th in the League phase?
Otherwise, doesn't seen to be much difference in finishing 1st or 2nd in the table.
Coefficient Points is 6 to 5.75 from 1st to 2nd and 0.25 step for each position in the top 8.
Prize money is 36 shares 1st and 35 shares for 2nd and so on down the whole table. Each share is initially worth €75k so 1st is €75k x36 ($2.7m) and so on. That can be increased as each draw in the league stage means there’s more money for the pot at the end but we won’t know until next week. Each team in the top 8 gets €600k for direct qualification as well. Qualification for the R16 also gets us €1.75m as well.
So finishing 1st or 2nd is fairly inconsequential in monetary terms but is worth about €5.5m in total.
Brilliant, thanks AV82. Couldn't find that online.
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Seems silly that there is no real difference between 1st and 2nd. I would give the 1st place team in each of the competitions a trophy, to at least make it vaguely worth bothering.
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Play the kids.
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We would be genuinely mental to risk Onana in this. I'd be reluctant to use Bogarde, either.
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Hemmings starts. No question. Home, not top level opposition, job is done. I know we need top two, but we should still be winning anyway. Next to him, maybe Marco Bizot?
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We would be genuinely mental to risk Onana in this. I'd be reluctant to use Bogarde, either.
Maatsen has played in midfield for the Dutch U21s.
I'd be tempted to try him and Bogarde.
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Which would mean both left backs on the pitch and playing instead of mainly resting one of them.
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Seriously. Play Bizot there. Good in the air. Can hit a winger. Proctor might do a job too. Has a bit of personality.
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Which would mean both left backs on the pitch and playing instead of mainly resting one of them.
It would. But I'd take that risk over Onana.
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What's Gavin McCann up to?
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Maybe time to use one of Elliot’s remaining matches.
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Might be a mad take, but we play our strongest 11 for this, or as near as we feel comfortable doing.
Have to get top 2. The benefits of 2nd leg home fixtures is too much to ignore and will save us a great deal of effort in those last few weeks/months.
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Might be a mad take, but we play our strongest 11 for this, or as near as we feel comfortable doing.
Have to get top 2. The benefits of 2nd leg home fixtures is too much to ignore and will save us a great deal of effort in those last few weeks/months.
Definitely not a mad take. It's just a case of weighing things up.
Maybe the calculation is that we'd hope to have important players back for those matches so we're more comfortable risking the second legs being away if it turns out that we don't win on Thursday with Bogarde / Hemmings in the middle.
Or maybe we're happy knowing that we have Abraham and DL to come in on Sunday, so we risk Watkins and Onana for this one and give them a rest on Sunday.
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Is there a limit on how many kids we can pick - or did they have to be named before the league started in the squad?
Bizot
Garcia Lindeloff Mings Digne
Bogarde Hemmings
Elliot Buendia Sancho
Guessand
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Any "kid" who has been at the club for two years as of the start of the season and under 21 as of the start of the season is pretty much included on the b list. We can't include any outside of those conditions unless we add them to the A list (Alysson or Brian for example).
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Anyone listed here can be played - https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/52683--aston-villa/squad/
Anyone marked with * is part of the b list.
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Bizot
Garcia Lindeloff Mings Digne
Bogarde Hemmings
Elliot Buendia Sancho
Guessand
Yeah, I wouldn't complain at all if we saw that.
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Kind of screwed if Buendia gets injured or fatigued. Need him v Brentford. Id play Ollie, Guessand's confidence seems on the floor. At least we should have Tammy available to come on v Brentford.
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I'd rather play second legs away than have Onana out for the rest of the season. Get him rested. Don't even let him train, walk under any ladders or open any threads that were started by Toronto Villa.
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Add on the bench
Proctor
Maasten
Watkins
Cash
Pau
Konsa
Wilson
Jimoa
Young
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The bubble wrap and cotton wool doesn’t seem to work for us. I’d play our strongest side as the more we try to prevent injuries our players get injured nevertheless. Martinez will probably injure himself sleeping on the wrong side.
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We would be genuinely mental to risk Onana in this. I'd be reluctant to use Bogarde, either.
Maatsen has played in midfield for the Dutch U21s.
I'd be tempted to try him and Bogarde.
I think he played in midfield when he was on loan at Burnley as well.
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I'd rather play second legs away than have Onana out for the rest of the season. Get him rested. Don't even let him train, walk under any ladders or open any threads that were started by Toronto Villa.
You just know if we did that some other poor sod would get crocked after 5 minutes and he’d have to come on anyway.
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I hope George Hemmings has a few box sets lined up to keep himself occupied, just in case.
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I'd rather play second legs away than have Onana out for the rest of the season. Get him rested. Don't even let him train, walk under any ladders or open any threads that were started by Toronto Villa.
Absolutely. Especially the TV element.
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Moscow. MON. It's time.
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Good time for the club to cut ticket prices and ensure a big crowd on Thurs. Players deserve to huge support in light of everything.
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We would be genuinely mental to risk Onana in this. I'd be reluctant to use Bogarde, either.
Maatsen has played in midfield for the Dutch U21s.
I'd be tempted to try him and Bogarde.
I think he played in midfield when he was on loan at Burnley as well.
And he's moved there when Digne has come on in the last two games!
He's certainly got a lot of energy!
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Are Bailey and Tammy cup tied?
The new ‘why didn’t Barry take the penalty’?
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This is Unai’s 4th season with us and some people still don’t get him or how he works
he likes games, he likes playing football matches, he won’t go full on weak he’ll mix it up like he’s done for the last 3 seasons in European competition
then he’ll use most if not all of his subs to rotate the players playing time
He’ll do the same in the FA cup
He knows what he’s doing
Yeah, agree
Bizot
Garcia Lindelof Mings Digne
Bogarde Hemmings
Guessand Buendia Sancho
Watkins
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I'd rather play second legs away than have Onana out for the rest of the season. Get him rested. Don't even let him train, walk under any ladders or open any threads that were started by Toronto Villa.
It's okay, we've sorted him out a driver/minder/gofer. Guess which one of our members has got the job?
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I hope Amadou has home/fire/pet/meteorite insurance.
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Mings might be needed for Brentford. Torres tends to play very well in Europe so maybe start him. Good to have choices anyway.
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I'd rather play second legs away than have Onana out for the rest of the season. Get him rested. Don't even let him train, walk under any ladders or open any threads that were started by Toronto Villa.
It's okay, we've sorted him out a driver/minder/gofer. Guess which one of our members has got the job?
Long as it's not Legion we're ok.
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The bubble wrap and cotton wool doesn’t seem to work for us. I’d play our strongest side as the more we try to prevent injuries our players get injured nevertheless. Martinez will probably injure himself sleeping on the wrong side.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/2450363.stm
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-a-ferrari-stalled-wright-2301369
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I'd rather play second legs away than have Onana out for the rest of the season. Get him rested. Don't even let him train, walk under any ladders or open any threads that were started by Toronto Villa.
It's okay, we've sorted him out a driver/minder/gofer. Guess which one of our members has got the job?
Long as it's not Legion we're ok.
Funny you should say that ...
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Do we think the club will stick with the current Europa League ticket prices for the knock out games, as the demand isn't there at the current pricing. If we get CL next season, are we likely to charge £90 again?
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I’d imagine there’ll be an uplift if we qualify for the CL but maybe not as much as under the Heck regime.
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Do we think the club will stick with the current Europa League ticket prices for the knock out games, as the demand isn't there at the current pricing. If we get CL next season, are we likely to charge £90 again?
They released the details at the start of the season. They'll be more expensive, but not UCL levels.
Pravda linky (https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/29/ticketing-details-2025-26-season/)
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This is Unai’s 4th season with us and some people still don’t get him or how he works
he likes games, he likes playing football matches, he won’t go full on weak he’ll mix it up like he’s done for the last 3 seasons in European competition
then he’ll use most if not all of his subs to rotate the players playing time
He’ll do the same in the FA cup
He knows what he’s doing
Yeah, agree
Bizot
Garcia Lindelof Mings Digne
Bogarde Hemmings
Guessand Buendia Sancho
Watkins
Forget Garcia. He's out for three weeks; hamstring injury.
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Cheers, not expecting to sell out for the knock outs then?
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I literally have no idea who plays this one if we leave onana out. Bogade and ? Hemmings might get a start but i think this may have to be a game we use elliot. We literally have no choice
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Looking forward to this after the 2 new signings and belting out their songs….Even if they don’t play.
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I literally have no idea who plays this one if we leave onana out. Bogade and ? Hemmings might get a start but i think this may have to be a game we use elliot. We literally have no choice
Lindelöf in DM, alongside Hemmings. Bogarde at RB. Feel like it'll be Konsa and Mings at CB. Presume Tammy available, but Dougie signed too late.
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New signings can't be added to the squad until the knockout stage. No Bailey, either.
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New signings can't be added to the squad until the knockout stage. No Bailey, either.
Guess it'll be Ollie up front then!
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I think it’s clear we’ll see the youngsters and it’s difficult to argue that’s a bad thing. We can’t afford any more injuries. Get through the next month with positive results and you’d have to be confident of a really good end to the season.
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I think it’s clear we’ll see the youngsters and it’s difficult to argue that’s a bad thing. We can’t afford any more injuries. Get through the next month with positive results and you’d have to be confident of a really good end to the season.
Looking at our fixtures, we need to take a lot of points in February.
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I literally have no idea who plays this one if we leave onana out. Bogade and ? Hemmings might get a start but i think this may have to be a game we use elliot. We literally have no choice
No choice except the one you mentioned in the previous sentence. And the other options mentioned since. Calm down dear.
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If ever there was a time to give some of the youngsters a decent run-out, now is that time. We can't play any of the new signings, and we've qualified for the knockout stage already. The only thing to play for is whether we have the second leg at home, or not, from the QF onwards.
Yes, that's a nice to have, but it's a long way from being a 'must-win' scenario that necessitates risking first-teamers.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a decent chunk of minutes for Hemmings and Alobah, as well as Bogarde starting, plus maybe minutes for Kadan Young from the bench.
If he plays a side close to full strength, and we get an injury, I fear this place might go into meltdown...
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Shame Garcia is injured. Would have been the perfect match to start him tonight
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Shame Garcia is injured. Would have been the perfect match to start him tonight
Agreed as Cash needs a break. Other options there are Konsa Lindelof Bogarde or even Guessand? A youngster?
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Bizot
Bogarde Lindelof Mings Digne
Young Elliot Hemmings Jimoh
Guessand
Either that or play a young centre back and put Bogarde/Lindelof in midfield ahead of Young
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Bizot
Cash
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Bogarde
Hemmings
Sancho
Guessand
Watkins
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Bizot
Cash
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Bogarde
Hemmings
Sancho
Guessand
Watkins
I'm sure we can field 11 at a push.
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Predicting what I think Emery will go with.
Bizot
Lindelof
Konsa (splitting game with Cash, either 45/45 or 60/30)
Mings
Digne
Bogarde
Hemmings
Guessand
Buendia
Sancho
Watkins
Subs: Martinez, Wright, Maatsen, Cash, Pau, Onana, Elliot (but won't be used), Rogers, K Young, Jimoh-Aloba
Bit of rotation but a recognisable team. Unai doesn't do Moscow XIs. Onana and Rogers will see minutes to keep them ticking over.
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I'll be surprised if Rogers doesn't start. Rogers always starts.
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Would try to put this to bed early. Then take players off.
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I'll be surprised if Rogers doesn't start. Rogers always starts.
Going to look like idiots if he pulled up tonight with an injury. Same for Cash and Onana. Tough one for Emery as we have no real alternative at RB. Lindelof was awful there.
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I'll be surprised if Rogers doesn't start. Rogers always starts.
Going to look like idiots if he pulled up tonight with an injury. Same for Cash and Onana. Tough one for Emery as we have no real alternative at RB. Lindelof was awful there.
Agree with Bronte and dont care at all if we dont finish top 2 and have to play second legs of the Europa away.
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I'll be surprised if Rogers doesn't start. Rogers always starts.
Going to look like idiots if he pulled up tonight with an injury.
I don't disagree, I was just saying what I think will happen rather than what I would do.
I would go with:
Bizot
Konsa
Lindelof
Carroll
Digne
Hemmings
Bogarde
Guessand
Buendia
Broggio
Jimoh-Aloba
And I would replace Konsa and Buendia after no more than an hour.
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Some players love to play all games
Uri, Watkins, McGinn, Rogers rarely sit games out
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Agree with Bronte and dont care at all if we dont finish top 2 and have to play second legs of the Europa away.
Would prefer top two, but even if we finish 3rd or 4th we'd have the second leg at home up to and including the quarter-finals.
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Would try to put this to bed early. Then take players off.
This won't be an easy game. RB can still qualify and Unai reckons they are an aggressive side. Would be nice to finish top 2, but not at the expense of key players getting crocked.
I'd even try Guessand up front.
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I'll be surprised if Rogers doesn't start. Rogers always starts.
Going to look like idiots if he pulled up tonight with an injury.
I don't disagree, I was just saying what I think will happen rather than what I would do.
I would go with:
Bizot
Konsa
Lindelof
Carroll
Digne
Hemmings
Bogarde
Guessand
Buendia
Broggio
Jimoh-Aloba
And I would replace Konsa and Buendia after no more than an hour.
Hmmm... Guessand seems to be off. Maybe Sancho in for Guessand and get him off after an hour, then. Or Jimoh-Aloba wide and Young up front.
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Scratch Guessand off the possible team. I'm not sure how we avoid Elliot starting tonight.
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Scratch Guessand off the possible team. I'm not sure how we avoid Elliot starting tonight.
It's surely exactly this situation we use one of his few appearances up on. It's literally the least important fixture of the season.
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Scratch Guessand off the possible team. I'm not sure how we avoid Elliot starting tonight.
It's surely exactly this situation we use one of his few appearances up on. It's literally the least important fixture of the season.
I'd say it's the complete opposite. If we are using him in case of emergency, save Elliott in case we need him in a league game. Would be pretty silly to get to an important game in March, have an outbreak of food poisoning in our number tens and then not be able to pick Elliott because we used him in dead games
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Also, we're fucked in terms of getting him out the door if he's injured tonight.
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Scratch Guessand off the possible team. I'm not sure how we avoid Elliot starting tonight.
It's surely exactly this situation we use one of his few appearances up on. It's literally the least important fixture of the season.
I'd say it's the complete opposite. If we are using him in case of emergency, save Elliott in case we need him in a league game. Would be pretty silly to get to an important game in March, have an outbreak of food poisoning in our number tens and then not be able to pick Elliott because we used him in dead games
I can’t imagine he’d play well if starting in a league game if he doesn’t get some minutes on the pitch first. It’s a right mess. I really feel for him, he’s done nothing wrong.
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Whichever way anyone is coming from the traffic is proper racked off.