Pre-season Friendlies Match Thread

[TheSandman]

I would not want Young playing in the middle as a pair with Petrov.

Playing behind the striker would work with 2 centre midfielders behind him.

My hobby horse, forget Keane, keep Milner, play 4-2-3-1 with Gabby up front (Carew & the Fonz to cover) Young behind with Downing & Milner on the wings (Albrighton & Bannan for cover) and two behind, Petrov and NRC.  

If we sell Milner then look to use funds on a winger (McGeady-although there must be better surely?) and a good holding midfield player - Parker?  

Is there any reason why the Fonz couldn't play in the Young position and cover him?  I'm at the stage where I would much prefer to give him his chance now rather than buy Keane.

I agree with you on much of that. Definitely think we should try and give some of the youth a chance. Certainly give Albrighton a chance ahead of signing someone like McGeady (Bluntly, Albrighton is a considerably better player who is younger).

Lichaj wore number two? All the others were wearing their squad numbers from last year.

[Chris Smith]

I would not want Young playing in the middle as a pair with Petrov.

Playing behind the striker would work with 2 centre midfielders behind him.

My hobby horse, forget Keane, keep Milner, play 4-2-3-1 with Gabby up front (Carew & the Fonz to cover) Young behind with Downing & Milner on the wings (Albrighton & Bannan for cover) and two behind, Petrov and NRC.  

If we sell Milner then look to use funds on a winger (McGeady-although there must be better surely?) and a good holding midfield player - Parker?  

Is there any reason why the Fonz couldn't play in the Young position and cover him?  I'm at the stage where I would much prefer to give him his chance now rather than buy Keane.

I agree with you on much of that. Definitely think we should try and give some of the youth a chance. Certainly give Albrighton a chance ahead of signing someone like McGeady (Bluntly, Albrighton is a considerably better player who is younger).

What are you judging Albrighton's elevated status on?

So far he's demonstrated potential in the reserves, glorified pre-season friendlies and for 20 minutes in an FA Cup tie but has struggled in PL games. He might be "considerably better" but he is yet to prove it at the required level.

[Concrete John]

Albrighton's PL time has mainly been coming on when we're chasing a goal, as he's the most offensive option on the bench.  Hardly the easist introduction.

[TheSandman]

I would not want Young playing in the middle as a pair with Petrov.

Playing behind the striker would work with 2 centre midfielders behind him.

My hobby horse, forget Keane, keep Milner, play 4-2-3-1 with Gabby up front (Carew & the Fonz to cover) Young behind with Downing & Milner on the wings (Albrighton & Bannan for cover) and two behind, Petrov and NRC.  

If we sell Milner then look to use funds on a winger (McGeady-although there must be better surely?) and a good holding midfield player - Parker?  

Is there any reason why the Fonz couldn't play in the Young position and cover him?  I'm at the stage where I would much prefer to give him his chance now rather than buy Keane.

I agree with you on much of that. Definitely think we should try and give some of the youth a chance. Certainly give Albrighton a chance ahead of signing someone like McGeady (Bluntly, Albrighton is a considerably better player who is younger).

What are you judging Albrighton's elevated status on?

So far he's demonstrated potential in the reserves, glorified pre-season friendlies and for 20 minutes in an FA Cup tie but has struggled in PL games. He might be "considerably better" but he is yet to prove it at the required level.

I'm judging him on those which are of a similar standard to a match at St Mirren or Kilmarnock. I'm not saying he's a great player. It's just that based on what I've seen of him I know his strengths and weaknesses. Like McGeady he is a bit lightweight but his crossing is much better. I might be old fashioned here but I like wingers who can cross from the bye line which McGeady is not that good at. McGeady would earn a few more points with his tricks and flair if I thought he could manage it at the higher level of the Premiership.

My statement was that Albrighton is bluntly a better player than McGeady based on my criteria for judging players in their positions. If we were to be linked with another winger I could make comparative judgments between him and Albrighton. For instance I would prefer to sign David Bentley than have Albrighton start but would still prefer Albrighton to McGeady.

[Chris Smith]

Albrighton's PL time has mainly been coming on when we're chasing a goal, as he's the most offensive option on the bench.  Hardly the easist introduction.

I agree and I'm not writing him off. He's got a lot of ability but so had Stepehn Cook. I've got high hopes for him but I just think it's a little premature to be saying he's considerably better than a man with 28 international caps.

[Greg N'Ash]

Salifou's got forty odd caps, and i wouldn't rate him better..

[mozza]

Yes I know- it was a pre-season kick about and Posh are possibly 2 weeks ahead of us fitness wise but I came away from last night's victory with a few concerns -

Beye did not look bothered - even if his future isn't with us surely he would have put in some effort as there might have been scouts from other clubs watching

MON played Lichaj out of position on the left and the lad didn't look comfortable at all.......he improved when moved to the right and in my humble opinion could be a regular in that spot in years to come (reminds me of John Gidman)

The Dunne/Collins partnership looked suspect and the latter was at fault for the Posh equaliser - anyone know what he was wearing that were protruding behind his legs and above his socks (looked like splints?)

We didn't work their keeper - Brad senior was the busier in the first half and made a couple of excellent saves ........a couple of long range efforts that whizzed over the crossbar from Downing & Albrighton were the highlights of the second half

Downing was getting some stick from several Villa fans in the seated area - and rightly so - his only worthwhile contribution being the corner from which Lichaj put us 3-1 up .............the guy doesn't have the ability to go past the opposition and enevitably goes inside or backwards

On the positive side (yes there were some) NRC put in a shift and Ashley appeared to enjoy playing more central role - excellent finish to open the scoring

Maybe I'm being highly critical or expecting too much too soon ..............at least the ale will be more palatable in Dublin this weekend

[Mazrim]

Lichaj looked quite comfortable on the right and left I thought. He had a good game.

[Olneythelonely]

Lichaj looked quite comfortable on the right and left I thought. He had a good game.

Yeah, I'd heard he played very well on both sides.

[Merv]

Lichaj wore number two? All the others were wearing their squad numbers from last year.

No, I think they were mixed up a bit. Harry Forrester came on with No.11 on his shirt.

[peter w]

Lichaj wore number two? All the others were wearing their squad numbers from last year.

No, I think they were mixed up a bit. Harry Forrester came on with No.11 on his shirt.

Him again. How did he look?

[Merv]

Stroppy, in the main.

Nah, he had just a few minutes, Peter. Came on wide right and looked really up for it, bit frustrated he didn't get much of the ball, had a go at someone (Osbourne, I think), for a sloppy pass, chuntered under his breath and shook his head as the final whistle blew.

And Maz, I agree: Lichaj looked good left and right, though obviously better on the right. I know we've been linked tentatively with Matthews and Clyne but if we're after a young full-back to act as a back-up and develop gradually, I think Lichaj can be that player.

[Guy M]

Any idea who was captain last night? Assume it was Petrov but would be interested to know who took over when he went off.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?!

[selly park trinity]

Request for info here....

Does anybody know where the villa team are stopping in Dublin for the Bohemians match?

Cheers!

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

Not exactly, but Jack Woodwank on the official site gives a pretty good clue on the AVtrashTV thing