Stoke City vs Aston Villa Match Thread

[Dave]

In Legion's absence - from team announcements.

[TheTimVilla]

Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett; Westwood, Delph; Agbonlahor, Benteke, Bowery, Weimann

[Dave]

@AVFCOfficial: #AVFC: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar [c], Baker, Bennett, Westwood, Delph, Agbonlahor, Weimann, Bowery, Benteke. #AVFCLIVE

[neo_Villan]

Bad news is that Pulis has picked the team that Stoke fans wanted him too. Has dropped Crouch for Jones. As for us, are we playing 4-2-3-1? Weimann in the hole? Very positive.

[eastie]

Not worried about jones- the game is there to be won - surprised Bowery starts but hope it works out.

[Tuscans]

Bowery in midfield....REALLY!!??

[paulcomben]

Bad news is that Pulis has picked the team that Stoke fans wanted him too. Has dropped Crouch for Jones. As for us, are we playing 4-2-3-1? Weimann in the hole? Very positive.

Probably. Possibly 442 with Bowery and Benteke to hassle Huth & Shawcross?

[Matt Collins]

Apologies to whoever predicted this exact side in the pre-match thread! Hats off.

I can see the logic, but I am concerned this is a mistake. Bowery on the wing doesn't convince for me and that could leave us ineffective on the right. And Weimann in behind Benteke will be less creative than the alternative options, though he will be able to get in and around him.

I'd have stuck with Sylla in midfield if we wanted the height for set pieces, which surely must be the reason for the change.

[aj2k77]

Bowery LOL

Can't see today being a good day. Hope im wrong.

[Tuscans]

Is Holman really that bad to not get a game in midfield

[shipscat]

 I think if Clark had been fit,he'd has stayed with the same formation,with Baker switching to left back,and no Bowery.

Seems He's counteracting the way they play,rather than looking at us to impose our game on them.Risky to me.It just illuminates the paucity of our options,there's no height or physicality in Centre Mid,Scylla's not ready yet and so far has been played as the forward one of the three.

The key today,apart from the obvious set piece defending,is to frustrate,and always threaten on the counter.Make them wary of losing the game.Benteke had his hardest game at VP against Huth/Shawcross,we'll see if his learnt much mentally this season today.I think you beat these by controlling the game,I worry we're not set up for this today.Cmon me lions

[Monty]

Delph in for Bannan makes sense. Bowery in for Sylla makes no sense. To be honest, Bowery in for anyone makes no sense, the kid's just not good enough at all, and Sylla has shown that he is a cut above the likes of him in every game he's played. It is a mistake, and I'm sorry, but Lambert has made too many first-team selection mistakes this season.

[VillaAlways]

Is Holman really that bad to not get a game in midfield

Yes

[Steve R]

It's the wrong team. I hope it doesn't cost us.

We are trying to match Stoke up, we should be playing our own game. Bowery I assume will be on the right with Weimann in centre mid. Neither has demonstrated any great aptitude for the roles.

I hope it doesn't end up like the dying minutes of the LC semi.

[aj2k77]

Has it come to playing a 4th division player in the team just because he is taller than other options? 

Has there been any games where Lambert has shown this supposed tactical nous this season?