Aston Villa v Newcastle United Pre-Match Thread

[danno]

Why the sudden clamouring for Clark to play Left Back ?

lack of faith in him at centre back.
lack of faith in Stevens/Bennett at left back.
lack of alternatives in either position.

[eamonn]

Strongly considering avoiding this game completely. Feel bad about it and can't remember consciously doing it before but another 90 minutes reading about us playing like dipsticks again is enough to think of other things to do on Tuesday evening.

We've played three games since Newcastle last kicked a ball with little in the way of rotation. I think that leggyness combined with Newcastle's renewed impetus on the back of their new signings might be the most telling factor. Well, that and our general shiteness.

More chance of Richard Nixon's ghost haunting your dreams tonight than us winning this one I'm afraid.

[adrenachrome]

Why the sudden clamouring for Clark to play Left Back ?

lack of faith in him at centre back.
lack of faith in Stevens/Bennett at left back.
lack of alternatives in either position.

He should be left back - in the changing room.
Boom! Boom!

[Ads]

If Dunne was even 50% fit I would start him and put Clark in the middle with Delph and Westwood. Charlie in behind Bent and Benteke.

[James]

Guzan
Lowton, Vlar, Dunne, Clarke
N'Zogbia, Westwood, Delph, Gabby
Weimann or Bent, Benteke

No substitutions unless absolutely necessary, as the bringing on players from the bench only weakens the team.

Massive game, they are currently no better than us. First goal is crucial as they have as little confidence as we do.

UTV

Tis foolish indeed to leave Weimann out IMHO. I'd leave Bent on the Bentch along with Gabby and start Carruthers. Stevens at LB, he's better there than Clark. It's shit or bust time really!

[danno]

Has there been any news regarding Delph's injury?

[Malandro]

If Dunne was even 50% fit I would start him and put Clark in the middle with Delph and Westwood. Charlie in behind Bent and Benteke.

If Dunne is available it would be like three new signings, weight wise.

[DB]

If they score 1st (probably from a set piece) heads will drop and will lose. Soooo important we score 1st and put them under pressue - as they too are fragile.

[PaulTheVillan]

If Dunne was even 50% fit I would start him and put Clark in the middle with Delph and Westwood. Charlie in behind Bent and Benteke.

This

[peter w]

Important that we get to half-time a lot-0.

[steffo]

We have three natural goalscorers at the club. Weimann. Bent and Benteke. Play all three in 3-4-3.

Valar Dunne Baker (at the back)

Albrighton Westwood Delph Warnock (midfield)

forwards as above.

Wigan survived last season on 3-4-3. Pushing the fullbacks forward isn't working as they are poor. Play to our strengths. We have goalscorers.
 

[PaulWinch again]

Albrighton is useless and injured, so I wouldn't include him.

[steffo]

Need someone who can track back on the right had side of midfield. - Unless a team has at least one full back of the likes of Gidman, Ashley Cole, Kyle Walker etc who can turn defence into attack, why bother?

Our full backs are just not good enough even in a 3-5-2 system.

[l_mckay]

1-0 defeat with Newcastle scoring a free header from a corner

[russon]

Albrighton is useless and injured, so I wouldn't include him.

Being useless is a pre-requisite for selection just now and Dunne's injured but may play so don't rule Albrighton out.