Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers Pre-Match Thread

[Mr Diggles]

I don't think KM is now picking the team.
I hope the new manager principle works from Bolton onwards until at least Chelsea, too. we might be in with a top 4 chance then

I doubt Houllier is the kind of man to pick a team from his french office having not even worked with the squad on the training pitch. You, sir, are deluding yourself. It will be a KMac team and tactical design through and through.

[manic-road]

With Bolton having so many injuries and suspensions we have to win. No Cahill and probably no Kevin Davies.

2-0 Gabby and Downing.

[olaftab]

             

GHOUL's first selction:

Friedel

Young Cuellar Collins  Anyone but Warnock (Downing)

Young Reo-Coker  Ireland  Albrighton

 Agbonlahor  Carew

Team to walk away with 3-0

midfield is so soft...  we badly need a hard nasty basta**d general in midfield....   We would be well sorted then and obviously a striker....     

Agree we need a  nasty man however till we do do you think James Collins could do tho that job?

[eamonn]

..................Friedel

Young Dunne Collins Warnock

.............NRC  Ireland
Albrighton.....Young.....Downing

.................Flabby

That midfield is powder-poof (sic) and piss-weak. Downing+Albrighton+ one (never mind two as you have) of Ireland and Young is always going to be out-muscled. Petrov or NRC can't be expected to break-up play on their own.

For physical away games I'd consider bringing Cuellar in at the back with Dunne, stick Collins in midfield alongside NRC, take Downing or Albrighton out and put Young on the left, Ireland in the hole.

[JJ-AV]

Friedel
Cuellar - Collins - Dunne - Young
NRC - Petrov
Albrighton - Ashley - Downing
Gabby

I thought the front 4 played brilliantly on Monday, so there isn't much to change.

[TimTheVillain]

I'd pick the same team as on Monday, but change the bench to Carew, Guzan, Cuellar, Fonz and a.n.other ( anyone frankly).

[Matt C]

Same as Monday but I'd bring Ireland in for Albrighton, move Ash onto the wing and play Ireland off Gabby.

[gervilla]

Same as Monday but I'd bring Ireland in for Albrighton, move Ash onto the wing and play Ireland off Gabby.

Good call. Albrighton to come off the bench. Heskey to not even be on the bench.

[Shrek]

What has KM got against Delboy? He isn't even making the bench is he?

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

What has KM got against Delboy? He isn't even making the bench is he?

Ye has been a mystery to me. Has only played him once for a few minutes. Please dont tell me "Mac" has a mean streak ..................

[TimTheVillain]

Same as Monday but I'd bring Ireland in for Albrighton, move Ash onto the wing and play Ireland off Gabby.

Hmmmmmmm I temporarily forgot about Ireland !

I'd drop Reo Coker for Ireland against Bolton and play Albrighton.

I am a little concerned about the gate - it may be no more than 32,000.

[Matt Collins]

I'd pick the same team. They showed lots of quality going fwds so I'd definitely stick with the same front 4. I thought Albrighton was excellent in the first half, but weak in the second when he was mostly on the left and just kept on running straight into the full back!

There's a temptation to bring Ireland in, but that does risk leaving us weak in the middle so I'd stick with what we have.

I'm not quite sure why Warnock is getting so much stick, one slip apart (on a a greasy pitch) I don't remember him doing that much wrong?

[pedro25]

Agree with Matt, same team again, and Warnock criticism harsh.  I'm not that fussed we got Ireland in and don't think he warrants a place right now.  A fit Delph may have been a good option in our current system ahead of NRC or Petrov, but I don't see Ireland as a replacement for either, rather the forward 3 mids who are all playing pretty well.  Carlos is unlucky not to be in but Dunne and Collins just edge it for me overall.  I've a gut feeling Fonz won't make it as a top player, but hopefully I'm wrong.

[Simon Ward]

Another 1-0?

[JD]

5-2 to Villa