Aston Villa v Malaga Hyperstupendous Thread (post-match from page 16)

[TheSandman]

Sylla, Delph and Westwood would be my 3 in MF. Delph can do his bursts forward now and again, Westwood can do his through balls and Sylla can be banned from going into the final third.

This for me. Unless we get somebody else I see us starting with the same midfield and front three that served us well towards the end of last season.

[tomd2103]

Sylla, Delph and Westwood would be my 3 in MF. Delph can do his bursts forward now and again, Westwood can do his through balls and Sylla can be banned from going into the final third.

This for me. Unless we get somebody else I see us starting with the same midfield and front three that served us well towards the end of last season.

I thought that as well, but after Sylla didn't even get on yesterday I'm now not so sure.  That is unless Lambert didn't want to show his hand yesterday to any onlookers.

[PeterWithesShin]

Maybe he just wanted to try a few other options as this is the last friendly?

[Monty]

And Tonev and others were further behind on fitness than Sylla.

I hope we play that midfield three as well, or maybe give Bacuna a debut as he's industrious and useful at both ends of the pitch. We should definitely try and close up that midfield at the Emirates though, and try and hit them on the break like we did last season when we nearly got something.

[UK Redsox]

Maybe he just wanted to try a few other options as this is the last friendly?

I've quite liked the idea of using the "Attack-Attack" formation of Tekkers, Gabby, Andi and The Gladiator at the end of the pre-season games. Should the need arise during the season and we have to chase a game, hopefully we'll have a vague idea how to play unlike we did under McLeish when he went six up front in one game and they didn't have a clue what to to*.


(* "to Blockbuster" !!)

[Salsa Party Animal]

we need to be able to switch to 4 men attack when we needed to to turn losing game to draw and draw to win. I hope we will find a new Martin Laursen from somewhere. I would love to see Baker and Okore partnership for long term. 

[silhillvilla]

Tonev could be worthy of a shirt just for the fact he seems to be able to whip in scary corners. Since Young left weve been awful with corners.

[PeterWithesShin]

Scary for the ball boys maybe, a few were closer to hitting them than a Villa player.

[silhillvilla]

Scary for the ball boys maybe, a few were closer to hitting them than a Villa player.

Ha ha, oh really !? Only saw the one that Vlaar connected with for the goal.

[supertom]

Scary for the ball boys maybe, a few were closer to hitting them than a Villa player.

I think 2-3 of his corners were very good indeed. I'll take those odds compared to the last few years where you're lucky for one good set piece delivery a game. I still haven't worked out whether he's a lefty or a righty either.

[PeterWithesShin]

It was a bit of a tongue in cheek post as he did put a few good ones in. One or two did go straight out of play though. I don't think Benteke standing on the shoulders of The Gladiator could have got his head on them.

[silhillvilla]

Who's The Gladiator ??

[PeterWithesShin]

Helenius, I call him The Gladiator because he sounds like he should be one.

[Monty]

Who's The Gladiator ??

Nicklus Helenius Maximus.

[supertom]

It was a bit of a tongue in cheek post as he did put a few good ones in. One or two did go straight out of play though. I don't think Benteke standing on the shoulders of The Gladiator could have got his head on them.

I think in fairness their keeper looked a bit ropey, so I can understand why he tried to whip it underneath his bar a few times. It worked with Rons goal anyhow.

Still, makes me reminisce about Stan Staunton scoring direct from a corner.