Aston Villa v Everton Match Thread

[Monty]

I think Herd will be interesting. Probably in because Lambert looked at the game Monday and realised that a midfield of even United's talent level couldn't do without that tenacity which Herd will bring to the team. Hopefully he can unsettle them in midfield - and get up Fellaini's nose a bit!

[OCD]

I guess we'll have to get used to constant team changes!!

Already an improvement on the MON era.

I thought Delph would drop down and Bannan would come in but surprised to see Ireland drop down. About time we used a little more rotation.

[Monty]

I think Herd's really the one 'in for' Delph, but it's a change of shape as well so straight swaps are hard to say.

[Toronto Villa]

Swansea have shown today that you don't need big players to be a good PL team. They have had 71% possession in the second half and their current move is about 40 consecutive passes. They have nearly completed 500 passes in this game with 15 minutes to go.

Lambert has stressed possession and converting that possession into goals as Swansea have done. It will take a while and Everton will be tough. But we can do it, and Bent is a much better striker than anything Swansea have so we need to find a way of getting it to him, this game and throughout this season.

[ozzjim]

I think Herd might be in to compete with Fellani as well. Him and KEA sitting, Fonz and Zog off Bent with Bannan in behind where Ireland was would be my guess. Good for Lambert changing it round. They created very little last week, give others a go.

[Monty]

Swansea have shown today that you don't need big players to be a good PL team. They have had 71% possession in the second half and their current move is about 40 consecutive passes. They have nearly completed 500 passes in this game with 15 minutes to go.

Lambert has stressed possession and converting that possession into goals as Swansea have done. It will take a while and Everton will be tough. But we can do it, and Bent is a much better striker than anything Swansea have so we need to find a way of getting it to him, this game and throughout this season.

Totally. West Ham are more self-consciously anti-possession than Everton, who mix the physicality with passing and are just better, but the essentials of skill and hard work against physicality are ones I agree with there.

[Matt Collins]

Just occurred to me that there are 5 home grown players in that line up. That's something to be proud of, but also a concern against a very experienced high quality Everton side.

I'm looking forward to the game, but there's a chance we're going to get a bit of a lesson here I reckon.

[Olneythelonely]

Herd is brilliant in the air, I'd imagine that's the reasoning behind this. I though Delph was our best player against West Ham. Still, Lambert knows more than I do.

[Monty]

Herd is brilliant in the air, I'd imagine that's the reasoning behind this. I though Delph was our best player against West Ham. Still, Lambert knows more than I do.

Don't you just love being able to say that about your manager! Such a relief.

[Matt Collins]

Don't jinx it guys!

[Monty]

Don't jinx it guys!

In fairness, win or lose, right or wrong, I'm confident Lambert is doing and will do a better job than any of us ever could. Which might indicate low standards, but it is a nice change.

[Havencheese]

I think Herd will be interesting. Probably in because Lambert looked at the game Monday and realised that a midfield of even United's talent level couldn't do without that tenacity which Herd will bring to the team. Hopefully he can unsettle them in midfield - and get up Fellaini's nose a bit!

The sandgroper. He's reasonably hard for a kid who is partial to an alice band.

[Monty]

I think Herd will be interesting. Probably in because Lambert looked at the game Monday and realised that a midfield of even United's talent level couldn't do without that tenacity which Herd will bring to the team. Hopefully he can unsettle them in midfield - and get up Fellaini's nose a bit!

The sandgroper. He's reasonably hard for a kid who is partial to an alice band.

Frankly he's hard enough to get away with the alice band, which is saying something.

[The Situation]

Not sure about Delph being left out the team but we will see...

[VinnieChase84]

any streams available?