Aston Villa v Wigan Athletic Pre-Match Thread

[Dave Clark Five]

We must be getting desperate if people want N'Zogbia to play.

[saunders_heroes]

We must be getting desperate if people want N'Zogbia to play.

You're right, we are desperate. Much rather see N'Zogbia get a run out than that useless lightweight Albrighton.

[avfcpg]

An ugly win vs Wigan will do.
Followed by an ugly draw at Swansea
Followed by an ugly win at home to Southampton

Squeeze a couple of cup wins in between and some new signings and we're 5 unbeaten, well clear of the relegation zone and all is well
Eternal optimist...but it's what we need and far from impossible.
 

[VillaAlways]

I think we're going to lose 0-2 with the current injuries.Something has gone in the players head and it's frightening to see.There is something seriously wrong for a team to completely collapse following a 6 game unbeaten run including a fantastic win at Anfield. Mind boggling, Where is the self belief??

[Jimbo]

As dreary a nil-nil draw as you can imagine, prompting the oft repeated question: if we're going to survive this season, where are the points going to come from?

[danlanza]

2-1 Villa

[Villafirst]

1-2 defeat. Sorry but squad is too small to cope with all these injuries. Shame we got rid of Cuellar. Dumb-ass decision by incompetent thick management.

[nick harper]

2-1 win.

Not having the injured players will be a massive blow though. Missing Baker AND Vlaar would be the difference, and if out I would have Lichaj into right back, Lowton in alongside Clark at centre half. In fact, I would do that anyway and leave out Herd.

Benteke needs a partner up front too. If we go in 5-3-2 I would play Bowery right up with Benteke and give him his shot. We need pace and someone to do the running up there, we missed Weimann running the channels and stretching the back 4 really badly. That option to pass too not being there automatically makes the midfield go sideways and back, and then results in the hoof.

Would definitely leave out Herd. He is an accident waiting to happen every time the ball goes near him. Nowhere near good enough at this level. I think Chelsea and Spurs both played on him.

I am guessing Lambert's approach will be not to lose and keep a clean sheet. It will be scruffy and shapeless and the longer it's 0-0 the better. My fear is that the players he has left available won't be able to do that.

Narrow defeat I think.

[CJ]

With the number of injuries to decent players we're going to struggle. Players on the bench that some of us who don't follow the Academy/Next Gen games won't have heard of. 2-2

[eastie]

I'd like to see Carruthers get a start, he is a player who will run at defenders and make things happen and a far better option than some who have reoeatedly failed to grasp the nettle.

[Ads]

I would like Charlie to be fit. Old club and all that.

His lack of end product drives me mad, but he was the difference at Norwich as he moves the ball at pace. At least he is an attacking outlet, and when you look around the squad, there aren't many of them about.

[paul_e]

With the current injuries, assuming no one comes back, we should revert to a back 4, bring Lowton central and Lichaj at right back.

I'd probably take a back to basics approach and put a flat 4 in front as well, and then have an attacking midfielder in the hole just behind Benteke.

Something like:

Guzan
Herd - Lowton - Clark - Lichaj
Albrighton - Bannan - Westwood - Bennett
Holman
Benteke

Holman ahead of Ireland mainly because he looks like scoring the odd goal, Ireland looks pretty and plays the odd decent pass but he really doesn't influence the game much and I don't imagine him scoring any time soon, he just doesn't look like he wants the ball around the box, major confidence problems.

Pushing Bennett forward means we'd have a player who looks tidy going forward and is used to playing on the left over there, should give us better cover defensively and he does a good job of getting up to the edge of the box so hopefully this will encourage that as well. I know Albrighton hasn't been great but last night he put in 2-3 good crosses during the good spell we had and was looking a positive change until things started to go wrong defensively.  Between the 2 of them if they can find Benteke 3-4 times in the game we have to back the big man to make at least 1 of them count.

If Vlaar and Weimann make it back to fitness though the whole thing looks a lot better, move lowton to right back for vlaar and bring Weimann into the hole to replace holman.  Stevens in at Left back would be nice as well.

[eastie]

                      Guzan

Lichaj.        Clark.     Lowton.      Bennett

           Westwood.     Herd

     Carruthers.      Bannan.    Holman

                  Benteke

[Clampy]

One good thing that came out of yesterday was glimpses of Ireland and Benteke linking up well. I'd start Ireland just behind, with maybe a midfield three of Westwood (if fit) Bannan and Holman.

[eastie]

One good thing that came out of yesterday was glimpses of Ireland and Benteke linking up well. I'd start Ireland just behind, with maybe a midfield three of Westwood (if fit) Bannan and Holman.

Would you give Carruthers a go clamps?