Aston Villa v Everton Pre-Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

I hope Bannan starts ahead of Delph. I know they're different players really but I think Bannan offers so much more.

I'd keep Delph and drop N'Zogbia for Bannan personally

[Monty]

I hope Bannan starts ahead of Delph. I know they're different players really but I think Bannan offers so much more.

I'd keep Delph and drop N'Zogbia for Bannan personally

I agree. Delph's driving runs through the midfield and tenacity could be crucial. Bannan would offer more than N'Zogbia though, I'm almost sure of it. I remember a few moves where the passing was crisp and incisive until it got to Zog, who looked panicked and indecisive and ended up just dribbling into trouble. Bannan, as perhaps our best one-touch player, could have done something better with it.

[pauliewalnuts]

I hope Bannan starts ahead of Delph. I know they're different players really but I think Bannan offers so much more.

I'd keep Delph and drop N'Zogbia for Bannan personally

So would I.

Delph, as Montbert said above, can make driving runs from midfield. In fact, it was only on the few occasions that he did this that we looked like creating anything at West Ham.

[Boz]

It's PL's job to get the players up for this, as a loss and no points from the first two games could start to set the tone if they're not careful.

I liked the passing in the first 20 minutes at West Ham, but it was too slow and predictable with no penetration in the final third. The fact that Bent hardly saw the ball and the only real save came from Ron's shot from outside the area. Just not good enough if we want to stay out of the bottom 6.

[levico]

It's PL's job to get the players up for this, as a loss and no points from the first two games could start to set the tone if they're not careful.

With Newcastle away coming up it might well be no points from 3 games!

[danlanza]

It's PL's job to get the players up for this, as a loss and no points from the first two games could start to set the tone if they're not careful.

With Newcastle away coming up it might well be no points from 3 games!

Totally agree with yoiu on that. Everton look class and Newcastle are great at home. I would like to think we can get something at home though.

[seanthevillan]

If we play the same formation I would start Bannan - but I think we'll start with the diamond, and maybe Stevens/Lichaj at left-back.

El Ahmadi at the base of the diamond, Ireland at the top, Delph left and Gardner right - Bannan to come on for Ireland/Delph.

Weimann playing off Bent and hopefully we'll be able to have some meaningful possession - in the final third.

[Mark H]

I have gone for the draw - but after watching both first games I must say I fear the worst , they looked very good coming forward and we ummm well just didnt 

[danlanza]

Could someone tell me what CN'Z has done to warrent peoples constant inclusion in their teams?
The guy has done pretty much f**k all since he's been here.

I think it's just that he's looked bright on a few occasions and I know the player he can be when he can be bothered so I'm still keeping the faith that he's going to start performing soon. :/

If Nzog puts his head down and runs into trouble anymore we may get a bid from St Helens rugby league side for him. He has done exactly F'all since he came to Villa,nothing. If looking clueless and giving the ball away 90% of the time constitutes a good signing for us then i give up.

[seanthevillan]

Could someone tell me what CN'Z has done to warrent peoples constant inclusion in their teams?
The guy has done pretty much f**k all since he's been here.

I think it's just that he's looked bright on a few occasions and I know the player he can be when he can be bothered so I'm still keeping the faith that he's going to start performing soon. :/

If Nzog puts his head down and runs into trouble anymore we may get a bid from St Helens rugby league side for him. He has done exactly F'all since he came to Villa,nothing. If looking clueless and giving the ball away 90% of the time constitutes a good signing for us then i give up.

Thing is if he is one-on-one in the final third then this is an asset - at Wigan he was a success cause he received the ball high up the pitch and had license to run at players + create chances/shoot himself.

Since he's been at Villa he has played a different role and not adapted to it - fine he deserves criticism for that to an extent, but if we played more to his strengths and create more space for him/pass the ball better we'd see a much more dangerous player.

[danlanza]

Could someone tell me what CN'Z has done to warrent peoples constant inclusion in their teams?
The guy has done pretty much f**k all since he's been here.

I think it's just that he's looked bright on a few occasions and I know the player he can be when he can be bothered so I'm still keeping the faith that he's going to start performing soon. :/

If Nzog puts his head down and runs into trouble anymore we may get a bid from St Helens rugby league side for him. He has done exactly F'all since he came to Villa,nothing. If looking clueless and giving the ball away 90% of the time constitutes a good signing for us then i give up.

Thing is if he is one-on-one in the final third then this is an asset - at Wigan he was a success cause he received the ball high up the pitch and had license to run at players + create chances/shoot himself.

Since he's been at Villa he has played a different role and not adapted to it - fine he deserves criticism for that to an extent, but if we played more to his strengths and create more space for him/pass the ball better we'd see a much more dangerous player.

I hope you are right and this Saturday would be a good time to start for him.

[l_mckay]

Gladly take a draw right now 1-1

[Steve kirk]

It will be a very tough game but I think we will grind out a draw, I think it helps us that Everton beat United because if they had been battered on Monday it would IMO have made this game a lot more difficult, if we had more options I would put Charles on the bench as he offers nothing (I was so excited when he signed, Jesus what a let down he has been), somehow we have to feed Bent and if we do I am sure he will deliver.
2-2 

[supertom]

I think Delph did fine last week. It would seem that PL rates him. Making him skipper in pre-season suggests he likes his attitude. For me Delph is good on the ball, especially when his confidence is high. Hopefully this will be his coming of age season. If he improves his decision making and cuts out the rash tackles then he'll be quite a player.  For me he's got the pace and athleticism that offers more presence in midfield than Bannan. IMO Bannan will only work in a 3 man midfield, being allowed time to orchestrate. He can't play in a 2 man CM. He's too easily dominated physically for that.
I don't think Bannan would offer enough as a 2nd striker either.

I quite liked the balance that Delph and KEA had actually. They compliment each other. I think had our attacking three been more reliable we'd have been a lot better. Or failing that we need a midfield general to play along with Fab and Karim.

Big season for Delphy though. I hope he pulls through because he'd fast become a forgotten man. If he can add goals to his game too, it'd be decent. He's got the ability to spank in a few screamers so I'm hoping he unleashes a few.

[PaulTheVillan]

If we play the same formation I would start Bannan - but I think we'll start with the diamond, and maybe Stevens/Lichaj at left-back.

El Ahmadi at the base of the diamond, Ireland at the top, Delph left and Gardner right - Bannan to come on for Ireland/Delph.

Weimann playing off Bent and hopefully we'll be able to have some meaningful possession - in the final third.

I like the sound of that midfield.