Team to Face Swansea at Home

[PaulTheVillan]

I'm not a massive fan of either (at the moment) but I think Bannan and Agbonlahor should start v Swansea.

Bannan made 5 successful crosses v Newcastle, which could come in handy with Gabby in the side.

[eastie]

               Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Bennett
               Karim
Holman                Westwood
               Ireland
      Benteke      Bent

Lichaj played great but we need to make Swansea defend, Bennett will be able to attack and keep them on their heels. I thought Bannan played wetook faints Too  and hypothetically should deserve to start but I think with Bennett's attacking prowess a more responsible midfielder is necessary, enter Ashley Westwood. I threw Benteke in the line up because I want to see what he can do, no disrespect to Andi.

I think we can easily take three points off Swans pending the right attitude and tactics.

Totally agree with you, Westwood will be a huge asset to our team, excellent at keeping things going and keeping possession- the Swansea game should be very entertaining and a great spectacle.

[QBVILLA]

I'd have Gabby alongside Bent and retain Bannan in the midfield. It's up to the new signings to force their way into the side over the coming months.

[timeoutbigbar]

I'd have Gabby alongside Bent and retain Bannan in the midfield. It's up to the new signings to force their way into the side over the coming months.

Agreed.  If we start throwing too many new faces we risk losing any momentum gained from the Newcastle game.  Give a couple of the new boys (Benteke and Westwood) 20 mins or so and start Bennett.

Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Vlaar, Bennett, KEA, Delph, Ireland, Holman, Gabby, Bent.

subs: Given, Baker, Westwood, Bannan, N'zogbia, Benteke, Lichaj

[ozzjim]

Having watched the highlight of the Newcastle game weimann got through a lot of work, it would be harsh to drop him. A big part of how well we did was limiting their time and space on the ball, which we must also do to swansea

[onje_villa]

On another note, God, VillaTalk is depressing...

VT - stayaways and serial gripers.

And talking of depressing ....  the comment column of Aston Villa News and Views - a pit of malcontents - I feel sorry for the bloke.

And Twatter is haunted by a twit called Big B - though oddly he's been very quiet about how shit we are and how we are doomed to relegation since Sunday .... round 4pm ish.

Cheer up u mooks - if nothing else - no TSM!

Spot on, that Big B is the biggest tit since Jordan

[not3bad]

Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Vlaar, Bennett, KEA, Bannan, Ireland, Holman, Gabby, Bent.

subs: Given, Baker, Westwood, Delph, N'zogbia, Benteke, Lichaj

[Monty]

Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Vlaar, Bennett, KEA, Bannan, Ireland, Holman, Gabby, Bent.

subs: Given, Baker, Westwood, Delph, N'zogbia, Benteke, Lichaj

It's hard to disagree with that basic squad (the first-team and subs will always be up for debate), though it is a touch hard on Herd, Bowery and Weimann especially. Nice position to be in, this 'leaving people out' thing!

[Clampy]

What we did well against Newcastle was we closed them down and did'nt give them time on the ball. Even Pardew commented on how hard we worked. With that in mind, I'd leave the team unchanged.

[QBVILLA]

What we did well against Newcastle was we closed them down and did'nt give them time on the ball. Even Pardew commented on how hard we worked. With that in mind, I'd leave the team unchanged.

Hard to disagree with that. Weimann will only need to take a glance at the bench and see Benteke and Gabby sat there to boost his self belief.Play for the shirt lads, give less than 100% and they'll be out of the side and may not get back in for a long time.

[Hookeysmith]

With Gabby back from Injury and the new signings its interesting how stronger the team and squad look. I know there are quite a few untried at this level youngsters but i really feel that PL has done exactly what he said he would in getting in young and hungry and ambitious players

So much better to have the "unknowns" than the tired old heads that move from club to club

I do wonder though how much pressure PL will be under in playing the likes of Bentake considering the relative cost of him against the others?

I would be tempted to stick with the hard working team we had on Sunday apart from a single tweak in Bennett (if fit) for Lichaj as i always want specialised players in their right positions. Pretty pissed off with the break as i would love to see them so soon after the confidence came back at newcastle

[QBVILLA]

With Gabby back from Injury and the new signings its interesting how stronger the team and squad look. I know there are quite a few untried at this level youngsters but i really feel that PL has done exactly what he said he would in getting in young and hungry and ambitious players

So much better to have the "unknowns" than the tired old heads that move from club to club

I do wonder though how much pressure PL will be under in playing the likes of Bentake considering the relative cost of him against the others?

I would be tempted to stick with the hard working team we had on Sunday apart from a single tweak in Bennett (if fit) for Lichaj as i always want specialised players in their right positions. Pretty pissed off with the break as i would love to see them so soon after the confidence came back at newcastle

On the brightside KEA will hopefully be fit for the game

[NiiLamptey]

Not sure where to post this:

I liked the look of Carruthers last year when came on...  Where you think he will fit into this?

[Steve R]

Gary Gardner is now sidelined, but I would hope both Carruthers and Daniel Johnson will see reasonable game time this season. We are still short of numbers in midfield so I can see no reason why not.

If not we should be pushing hard for loan deals for both.

It is hard to see Williams and Burke getting much of a look in, they should be loaned out immediately.

[Percy McCarthy]

I'm sure Carruthers is in the same boat as everyone else - impress in training, take your chance when it comes. That's how it should be anyway.