Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on February 16, 2026, 01:56:38 PM
-
We go again...
-
Our performances against Everton, Brentford and Brighton don't inspire much confidence. I'll take another 1-0 win off Tammy's shin (VAR'd onside).
-
Need to win.
-
Lucky Villa but Leeds will bring loads
-
1-0 win will do it. Big selection decisions for Emery, main positive from the Newcastle first half performance. We didn't have that v Brentford or Everton.
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Onana, Luiz, Bailey, Rogers, Barkley, Tammy.
Barkley would be fortunate to start but I think Buendia has a bit of a flat spot form wise. Sancho came on in that 10 role v Newcastle and did ok to be fair but I don't trust him. Would go with Barkley again, hopefully has a goal in him and 60-70 mins or so. Lindelof or Mings at LCB but I think Lindelof deserves his chance.
-
Need to win.
Need to win the midfield if we want to win. A midfield three of Luiz, Onana and Bogarde is the only solution if Unai only sees Barkley as a 10. Leeds will fight all game long and will see how other teams have packed the central midfield to easily break though whilst leaving us no place to operate, forcing us to go long.
Maatsen to provide some width down the left, Garcia on the right if Cash isn't available, Konsa back and a toss up between Torres and Mings alongside him.
Upfront, Rogers as the left 10, Buendia as the right 10, both hard workers, link up well with the technical ability to open up Leeds and score or supply. Abraham more than deserves to start and hopefully he can continue to keep hold of the ball, lay it off and start scoring a few.
Martinez
Garcia Konsa Torres/Mings Maatsen
Onana Luiz Bogarde
Buendia Rogers
Abraham
-
2-0 home win. It'll be 1-0 until late on, which will make it a bit nervy.
-
Definitely picking Mings against Dominic Skirt Wearer .
-
Definitely picking Mings against Dominic Skirt Wearer .
Going to struggle to get the ball quickly to Luiz if that's the case. Lindelof should be able for Domo anyway. Definitely not a game for Torres in any case.
-
Definitely picking Mings against Dominic Skirt Wearer .
Leeds is absolutely a Mings game whoever they've got playing.
His finest hour may have been in the 3-0 romp there under Gerrard where he rammed their chants down their throats and then stood applauding them with a big grin on his face afterwards.
-
Mings will definitely start this game with their long-throw threat.
-
Definitely picking Mings against Dominic Skirt Wearer .
I expect Leeds to press us relentlessly all over the pitch so we could do with cutting out the suicide passes as we try to play it out from the back. Once we get the ball out from defence I'm a lot more confident we can hurt them. I'd probably go with Mings too, he has a good record against them and we could certainly do with a bit more leadership on the pitch.
-
Need to win.
Didn't Tammy nudge one in off his left bollock against Forest in that 5-5 game? A repeat would come in very handy this week.
-
Ming's to deal with Calvert Lewin.
-
4-0.
-
6-1
-
It is going to be a game of attrition, no doubt about that.
A full bodied, bloody battle.
There will be no time on the ball, they will be in our faces the whole game, until they tire.
We have to match that, and be better.
-
We have won very few league games by more than a single goal this season, and really haven’t looked like doing that at home of late. It would be nice to put together a performance and have a comfortable win.
-
Us 2 Dirty 0
-
Oh the glory of a Sat 3pm at home. Up early for breakfast, meet up in the pub for a few hours before facing a club that at least fills the away end, blood and thunder of a game with a bit of rain and wind added in, back to the pub for a victorious sing song, grab an Argus to check the form ratings before a curry to round the day off. Magic.
Isn't it? Mmm?
Anyway, parts of the above will happen and it is nice to experience a game when it should be played and hopefully CL qualification will mean a lot more of them. The week off will help reset and refocus on what we have ahead starting with a tricky game. I agree that we need an answer in midfield which could be Lindelof in a deep role replicating Kamara. I can't quite believe I'm saying it but Sancho to start and I hope we see Alyson at some point. Cash back is vital.
2-1
-
Can we please just have a routine, no drama win this time!? No scrapping or the ref fucked us nonsense. 2-0, game sewn up by the 60th minute and no injuries. When was the last one of these types of games?
-
Yesterday the cashier at the supermarket asked me if I wanted cash back. I said that I did not know that she was a Villa fan. The look on her face made me realise that I had misunderstood her.
-
I will guarantee you Abraham will be on the bench. Undeservedly mind.
-
Yesterday the cashier at the supermarket asked me if I wanted cash back. I said that I did not know that she was a Villa fan. The look on her face made me realise that I had misunderstood her.
What happened when you went into Barkleys ?
-
I will guarantee you Abraham will be on the bench. Undeservedly mind.
Replaced quite early v Newcastle which I thought was a hint that Emery didn't want to run him into the ground.
-
Hopefully our recent home form has them come here and play into us. If they sit deep I have little faith we'll get anything from the game.
-
There's 0% chance the manager is going to play a centre half out of position in a game where we have central midfield options anyway. Lindelof is not a deep lying playmaker nor good enough on the ball to be one.
-
Hopefully our recent home form has them come here and play into us. If they sit deep I have little faith we'll get anything from the game.
I was chatting to a Leeds supporting pal at the weekend and he was saying that they tend to sit back and then try to play on the counter.
So...see Everton, see Brentford. Rinse and repeat.
1-1
-
There's 0% chance the manager is going to play a centre half out of position in a game where we have central midfield options anyway. Lindelof is not a deep lying playmaker nor good enough on the ball to be one.
Lindelof starting in midfield at home to Leeds would be a tactic I'm not sure even McLeish would go for. Leeds are off a good result at Chelsea and I think will go at us. Try and press the likes of Mings and Onana hard in possession, Salzburg, Brentford, Everton all had success doing this recently. Ball has to stick up front when we go long like Watkins did v Newcastle in league or Tammy the last day.
Think we can counter that press by getting Rogers out on the left with a bit more space, Bailey on right.
-
Just win so I can forget about last Saturday's debacle.
-
With our dodgy home form of late, a make-do midfield, players like Bailey and *Sancho in the team against a tenacious non-stop Leeds, this isn't one I'm looking forward too at all.
If we can keep them out for 60-65 minutes I fancy us to get something out of it, but if we don't.....gulp.
* He has has shown improvement to be fair.
-
Blimey this is Leeds who have 20 less points than us and are 12 places below us - with a poor away record.
3 1 to us.
-
We really should have more than enough to beat Leeds, especially at home. They will park the bus, but if we score first / early it should be a much easier game.
-
Blimey this is Leeds who have 20 less points than us and are 12 places below us - with a poor away record.
3 1 to us.
Rather than relying on the form over the season, it would be mad to ignore current form. They've only lost two games since the start of December, both away; a 4-3 defeat at Newcastle and spanked 4-0 to Arsenal. They certainly know how to dig out a point away from home. Win the midfield and we'll win the match.
-
Arsenal was at home.
Leeds have won 1 away game in the league, and that was at Wolves in September. Leeds are cack.
-
So are Everton and Brentford. Hubris is bad, as is jinxing. Donald Trump is confident. Do you want to be like Donald Trump? Or James Corden?
SHAME ON YOU.
-
Everton and Brentford are top 8, Leeds are 15th. And yes, I want their back accounts.
-
I'd love a comfy 3-0 like at Wembley 29 years and 11 months ago. It's high-time. Not sure who scores the 30-yard left-footed howitzer though.
-
Lindelof.
-
Everton and Brentford are top 8, Leeds are 15th. And yes, I want their back accounts.
I’m sure you predicted we’d comfortably beat them too. Obviously it’s good you’re confident, but it’s the fact you seem to think it’s absolutely crazy we might slip up. We’re not playing particularly well at the moment. We need to start being better.
-
Where have I said it's absolutely crazy? They've won 1 away game all season, against a comically shit side. Leeds are shit, I expect us to beat them. Doesn't guarantee we will but bollocks to worrying about playing them. Some people shit themselves whoever we play,
-
I'd love a comfy 3-0 like at Wembley 29 years and 11 months ago. It's high-time. Not sure who scores the 30-yard left-footed howitzer though.
There are plenty of contenders in the team this year.
-
My god are my eyes deceiving me a 3pm saturday game ??
-
Arsenal was at home.
Leeds have won 1 away game in the league, and that was at Wolves in September. Leeds are cack.
Indeed, it was at home. So despite them being 'cack' they've only lost one away from home in over two and a half months, picking up points at Anfield, Brentford, Chelsea, Sunderland, Everton plus two away wins in the cup. Nothing to worry about other than them successfully fighting for points to avoid relegation and us recently being 'cack' at home.
5-0 Villa win (Watkins 80, 82, 84, 86, 88)
-
Where have I said it's absolutely crazy? They've won 1 away game all season, against a comically shit side. Leeds are shit, I expect us to beat them. Doesn't guarantee we will but bollocks to worrying about playing them. Some people shit themselves whoever we play,
Yeah and that’s fair enough, but people worrying is also perfectly valid. There’s plenty at stake. Personally I think it’ll be tough, but we’ll turn up and win. But it’s just an opinion.
-
Any side 15th at this stage of a season with 1 away win is shit. We were shit when it was us.
-
Where have I said it's absolutely crazy? They've won 1 away game all season, against a comically shit side. Leeds are shit, I expect us to beat them. Doesn't guarantee we will but bollocks to worrying about playing them. Some people shit themselves whoever we play,
Yeah and that’s fair enough, but people worrying is also perfectly valid. There’s plenty at stake. Personally I think it’ll be tough, but we’ll turn up and win. But it’s just an opinion.
I didn't say anything about what others should do until some chimed in as though i'd said that. My first 2 posts today on this thread were that they were shit and worse than Brentford and Everton. And they are.
-
We can’t go on losing at home.
-
My god are my eyes deceiving me a 3pm saturday game ??
367 days since the last one, apparently.
-
We can’t go on losing at home.
Well we won our last league game at home. But I take the sentiment, injuries are a big issue but we need to start playing well again.
-
My god are my eyes deceiving me a 3pm saturday game ??
367 days since the last one, apparently.
Thats unbelievable even with europe.
Lets hope we kick it off with a win against dirty Leeds
-
Saw something today saying it will be our first home Saturday 3pm kick off for 367 days. Is that correct?
-
It is reported as so further up
Also i am sure i read that we have been the most televised team this season - across all comps
-
We can’t go on losing at home.
To paraphrase Mick McCarthy, "We can!"
-
Please win Villa
-
Saw something today saying it will be our first home Saturday 3pm kick off for 367 days. Is that correct?
Yeah, and I'm having to miss the game!!
-
We’ve lost 1 of our last 29 home games in the PL played on a Saturday.
Let’s be positive and not shitting it that a crap Leeds side is rolling into town.
4-1
UTV.
-
Yep, without Lee Chapman or one of the Wallace brothers, I ain't worried about them anymore.
-
We need to take advantage this time of the Arsenal result. Episode 27
-
I had a dream last night that we lost 1-3. It’s 40/1 btw
-
As the first comment said, 'We go again', only in this case i'm going for a 2-0 win, we have to, to lose here is unthinkable, counting down on the games now and we are still in the top 4.
-
Arsenal was at home.
Leeds have won 1 away game in the league, and that was at Wolves in September. Leeds are cack.
Indeed, it was at home. So despite them being 'cack' they've only lost one away from home in over two and a half months, picking up points at Anfield, Brentford, Chelsea, Sunderland, Everton plus two away wins in the cup. Nothing to worry about other than them successfully fighting for points to avoid relegation and us recently being 'cack' at home.
Since switching up their tactical setup, their form would make them a top half team. While we should still expect to a beat a team of that level (Everton, for example?), their position in the table is misleading. 'Not losing' away from home is exactly what promoted clubs should be doing - most people would say Sunderland have had an outstanding season for a promoted club, yet Leeds are now just 6 points behind them.
I'm expecting it'll be another awful game to watch, and we'll either just edge it or it'll be another unsatisfying draw.
-
Arsenal was at home.
Leeds have won 1 away game in the league, and that was at Wolves in September. Leeds are cack.
Indeed, it was at home. So despite them being 'cack' they've only lost one away from home in over two and a half months, picking up points at Anfield, Brentford, Chelsea, Sunderland, Everton plus two away wins in the cup. Nothing to worry about other than them successfully fighting for points to avoid relegation and us recently being 'cack' at home.
Since switching up their tactical setup, their form would make them a top half team. While we should still expect to a beat a team of that level (Everton, for example?), their position in the table is misleading. 'Not losing' away from home is exactly what promoted clubs should be doing - most people would say Sunderland have had an outstanding season for a promoted club, yet Leeds are now just 6 points behind them.
I'm expecting it'll be another awful game to watch, and we'll either just edge it or it'll be another unsatisfying draw.
Not loosing away but also not winning away. I hope Cash is back and that will give us a better balance. But we have more than enough even with our Injuries to put these away. I would like to go for it and play Tammy and Ollie together for this with Ollie slightly out to the left, Rogers in behind and Sancho out on the right.
-
If you could offer me a performance as disjointed as Brighton but also a 1-0 win, I wouldn't care in the slightest. Just win Villa.
We just have to keep picking up points however we can before SJM/Youri are back then we can really kick on into the run-in.
-
If you could offer me a performance as disjointed as Brighton but also a 1-0 win, I wouldn't care in the slightest. Just win Villa.
We just have to keep picking up points however we can before SJM/Youri are back then we can really kick on into the run-in.
Well yeah obviously, but I guess the point is disjointed performances are far more likely to result in inconsistent/poor results. We need to start playing well again to get a sequence of good results.
-
Tough game, we'll need to deal with their long throws into the box.
Hope Abraham starts.
I think we'll have enough
-
We need this.
-
This could be our sliding doors match. Win and we go on to qualify for the champions league. Lose and we fall away.
-
I dunno, it's a lot to put on one game, especially when we've made a bit of a habit out of turning up against the 'bigger' teams.
I won't count us out of anything unless it becomes impossible, they've surprised us all too many times for that, but there's no doubting the desired outcome for the season looks bleaker should we do anything other then win tomorrow.
-
Perform as we did before the sending off last week and I think we’ll be fine.
-
This could be our sliding doors match. Win and we go on to qualify for the champions league. Lose and we fall away.
Maybe...could have said the same about the Brighton match.
We haven't played well in a whole and Leeds are in good form. Any win will do.
-
Cash is training and could be in contention. No Bizot or Elliott.
-
Matty Cash is in contention to return from injury when Aston Villa host Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday.
The right-back has missed the past two matches but manager Unai Emery says he could feature against the Whites at Villa Park.
“Matty Cash is coming back,” he told reporters at his pre-match press conference.
“He trained the last two training sessions and he is feeling good, and he is coming back.
“The players who were injured are still being injured – John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and Alysson.
“Harvey Elliott, as well, is not available for tomorrow. The other players are available.”
Marco Bizot is also suspended, having been sent-off in last weekend's FA Cup tie versus Newcastle United.
-
Cash is training and could be in contention. No Bizot or Elliott.
Alysson doesn't make the squad either, disappointing.
-
Emery in top form for the presser. Looks as jovial as I've seen him for a while, which can only be a good thing...
-
Arsenal was at home.
Leeds have won 1 away game in the league, and that was at Wolves in September. Leeds are cack.
Indeed, it was at home. So despite them being 'cack' they've only lost one away from home in over two and a half months, picking up points at Anfield, Brentford, Chelsea, Sunderland, Everton plus two away wins in the cup. Nothing to worry about other than them successfully fighting for points to avoid relegation and us recently being 'cack' at home.
Since switching up their tactical setup, their form would make them a top half team. While we should still expect to a beat a team of that level (Everton, for example?), their position in the table is misleading. 'Not losing' away from home is exactly what promoted clubs should be doing - most people would say Sunderland have had an outstanding season for a promoted club, yet Leeds are now just 6 points behind them.
I'm expecting it'll be another awful game to watch, and we'll either just edge it or it'll be another unsatisfying draw.
I'm expecting a tough game, even when they go behind they never give up, constantly pressing. As I've already mentioned, if we can strengthen the midfield it will allow our quality to shine and take all three points. Having Cash back should see us more solid in defence, Mings to start with Torres likely to replace him late in the second half. With Maatsen and Cash the full backs we'll have some attacking width to compensate from a more solid midfield. Buendia on the right as a 10 for his energy, link up play and goal threat, Rogers on the left doing the same, Abraham leading the line and linking up with the pair.
Get it right and we'll beat them by a couple of goals, we just need to match their energy which is why I wouldn't start Bailey, we can bring him on later. If Barkley can play as an 8 then bring him in but Unai sees him more as a 10 which doesn't serve our need of re-enforcing the midfield. Onana needs to rediscover his dominating form, this will be no game for going through the motions. It will be a battle but one we're more than capable of winning.
Over to you, Unai.
-
Anyone think playing Bogarde and Onana as the pivot and pushing Luiz further forward, with Buendia and Rogers either side, could work?
-
Anyone think playing Bogarde and Onana as the pivot and pushing Luiz further forward, with Buendia and Rogers either side, could work?
I thought this last week post Brighton. He's clearly not fit enough to go on mad tears down the middle and his passing isn't quite there as it stands to pick out worldy 30 yard through balls.
-
Thought our midfield when we went with 3 v Newcastle after half time was a mess tactically. Not helped by Barkley gassing incredibly quickly but it doesn't suit Luiz on the other side of Onana either. Onana/Luiz were fine in the first half v Newcastle and I don't see to our setup there.
Four selection decisions for Emery it looks like, LCB, RM as ever, LM/ACM (Rogers will be one), FWD. Could Sancho maybe get another go but this time in the position he finished v Newcastle? I think he will go with Mings again but his distribution puts us under pressure. I think Tammy might have done enough to stay in the team. Buendia has struggled in home games of late so think he will be left out.
I'd go - Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Onana, Luiz, Bailey, Rogers, Barkley, Tammy.
-
Martinez
Cash Konsa Mings Maatsen
Onana Luiz
Sancho Rogers Buendia
Watkins
Bogarde
Bailey
Abraham
Digne
Hemmings
all to come on.
-
At the start of the season when we were struggling, we eventually started the resurgence with a 3-1 home win over Fulham.
It’ll be tough tomorrow, aren’t they all at the moment, however, I predict the start of another resurgence after a tough 5 or 6 weeks.
Another 3-1 (Rogers (2), Abraham
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Maatsen
Onana
Luiz
Beundia
Abraham
Rogers
Sancho
-
Prices for this are ridiculous
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HAKSpDfXIAAC4RJ?format=jpg&name=small)
-
Away fans paying £30 and their team winning at VP á la Brentford amd Everton is taking the piss. It cannot happen tomorrow.
-
Ridiculous but almost sold out.
-
Prices for this are ridiculous
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HAKSpDfXIAAC4RJ?format=jpg&name=small)
Chelsea at home, in a couple of weeks time is cheaper than Leeds tomorrow.
-
It's surge pricing by another name.
-
Chelsea should be the same price as they are top category. As are Leeds for some reason.
-
I would imagine it's due to the crazy kick off time, fitting in, as it does with people's weekend plans in an odd sort of way.
It'll never catch on...
-
I would imagine it's due to the crazy kick off time, fitting in, as it does with people's weekend plans in an odd sort of way.
It'll never catch on...
The club have said this is one of the reasons for the prices.
-
I would imagine it's due to the crazy kick off time, fitting in, as it does with people's weekend plans in an odd sort of way.
It'll never catch on...
The club have said this is one of the reasons for the prices.
Jesus Christ!
-
Forest and Everton (like Leeds tomorrow) were also dearer than the upcoming Chelsea fixture.
-
Bad feeling about this one. Hope I’m wrong.
-
I would imagine it's due to the crazy kick off time, fitting in, as it does with people's weekend plans in an odd sort of way.
It'll never catch on...
The club have said this is one of the reasons for the prices.
Jesus Christ!
He's got s pretty good following too, but Leeds, well they'd have taken more.
-
Forest and Everton (like Leeds tomorrow) were also dearer than the upcoming Chelsea fixture.
Wasn't there a game earlier in the season against a Watford type club that they classified as Category A?
-
Forest and Everton (like Leeds tomorrow) were also dearer than the upcoming Chelsea fixture.
Wasn't there a game earlier in the season against a Watford type club that they classified as Category A?
Category A games, so far this season, that I'm aware of:
Newcastle, Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Forest, Everton and Leeds.
-
Bad feeling about this one. Hope I’m wrong.
Please don't say that!
-
Cash starts, as do Bailey and Buendia.
-
Mings gets the nod.
-
Forest and Everton (like Leeds tomorrow) were also dearer than the upcoming Chelsea fixture.
Wasn't there a game earlier in the season against a Watford type club that they classified as Category A?
Category A games, so far this season, that I'm aware of:
Newcastle, Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Forest, Everton and Leeds.
Cheers. Maybe it was Everton or more likely Forest, neither had any reason to be Category A games.