Leandro Bacuna - Sold

[oldtimernow]

Has had a fair share of stick but has played out of position(not sure what his best is)

Turned in his best performance yesterday in my opinion at right back such that Hutton may even find it difficult to displace him

[PaulTheVillan]

Was impressed with Bacuna v Sunderland. Hutton might struggle to win his place back.

Sherwood likes attacking full backs, which means we'll see less of Cissokho.

[Concrete John]

I would still worry about him defensively against better sides than Sunderland.

[Toronto Villa]

Leandro Carlos Bacuhino played like a Brazillian full back from the 70's yesterday. Long may it continue!

[supertom]

Yesterday and in the second half against West Brom in the Cup, Bacuna has done well. Yesterday was his best game since joining. The key thing is getting him to attack. Lowton stays reasonably disciplined on the left, which gives Bacuna more freedom on the opposing side. But that is how to get the best out of Bacuna. Get him attacking, pushing the opposition back and using his pace.

I think we could well see a good future for him there. Defensively too he was also pretty solid yesterday, that one silly yellow card aside. When Leandro plays with a bit of confidence he looks a good player.

Perhaps we could play Leo against the mid-bottom half opposition and Hutton against the top 8 sides.

[villan from luton]

Leandro Carlos Bacuhino played like a Brazillian full back from the 70's yesterday. Long may it continue!

More like Cafu according to Sir Tim

[Concrete John]

Perhaps we could play Leo against the mid-bottom half opposition and Hutton against the top 8 sides.

I think the key is working with him on the training ground to get the defensive side right.  Do that and we really would have a player on our hands.

[Rudy65]

Think you are all getting carried away. He had one good 45 mins. There have been plenty of dire performances over the last 18 months. I prefer Hutton for his defensive strengths

[Concrete John]

I'd agree right now, but there is certainly a player there in Bacuna and, if he's to be a RB, working with him to become more defensively solid is worth a try.

[PeterWithesShin]

I've always liked Bacuna, and it's worth remembering he is still only 23.

[Toronto Villa]

Leandro Carlos Bacuhino played like a Brazillian full back from the 70's yesterday. Long may it continue!

More like Cafu according to Sir Tim

We already have Cafu on the books

[PeterWithesShin]

Mail yesterday

Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood: We've almost had to teach Leandro Bacuna to play right-back - and it's worked!

Leandro Bacuna has completed a video crash course in becoming a right-back - and passed with flying colours, according to Tim Sherwood.

With Aston Villa down to just Ciaran Clark, Jores Okore and Matt Lowton in terms of specialist senior defenders, Bacuna has deputised at the back for the FA Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion and the Premier League win at Sunderland.

Bacuna has played there before under the previous management regime, but Sherwood acknowledges that it is not the Dutch utility man's natural position.

However, the new boss has been impressed with how Bacuna has taken tactical advice on board after watching footage of his own performances - and believes he could thrive at right-back in future.

"I thought Bacuna was excellent bearing in mind we have three fit defenders at the club," said Sherwood.

"Bacuna isn’t one of them. We’ve almost had to teach him to play right-back.

"Him being a stodgy, stay-where-you-are right-back isn’t his game so we’ve shown him some videos of how he plays and how we want him to play.

"He’s enjoying it and he could be a very good right-back for the future of this club."

With Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos, Nathan Baker, Aly Cissokho and Kieran Richardson injured and Alan Hutton suspended, Sherwood had to again draft rookie left-back Lewis Kinsella into the matchday squad at Sunderland.

Hutton will be available for next weekend's home match against Swansea after serving a two-match suspension, while Sherwood is hoping at least one of the backline casualties recovers to return to contention.

[peter w]

Think you are all getting carried away. He had one good 45 mins. There have been plenty of dire performances over the last 18 months. I prefer Hutton for his defensive strengths

Undoubtedly true but Hutton isn't as good in the attacking third as Bacuna showed he could be. Maybe Hutton should play in certain games but I think Sherwood targeted their left flank giving Bacuna licence to get forward as much as possible. You can't drop anyone from yesterday so it'll interesting how Bacuna responds against a different question against Swansea.

[paul_e]

Think you are all getting carried away. He had one good 45 mins. There have been plenty of dire performances over the last 18 months. I prefer Hutton for his defensive strengths

I've liked Bacuna from the start, he does need to work on his concentration in defence but otherwise he's ideal for a fullback, he can run all day, he's fast (both over a couple of yards and longer distance) he's willing and capable with the ball at his feet, he's got a decent cross and scores the odd goal.  Add in the fact he'll get 2-3 free kicks a year and he's definitely worth sticking with, I think he's a better long term option than Hutton who I still think is a liability because he loses his temper.

[nigel]

The two best right backs I've seen at the Villa, Gidman and Swain, were both wingers turned fullback.
If he turns out half as good as that pair we'll have a wonderful attacking right back.

I've been impressed with Hutton this season, but he doesn't seem to have the pace to attack a full back and get a cross in.