Aston Villa v Rotherham United Match Thread

[Legion]

Available Wednesday evening @6.45pm.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Steer, Vlaar, Okore, Bennett, Bacuna, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Delph, Benteke, Weimann.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Subs: Guzan, Clark, Helenius, Herd, Sylla, Tonev, Lowton.

[not3bad]

Can't accuse us of not taking the League Cup seriously.

[eastie]

Much stronger team than I expected - although with no game for 17 days its fair enough.

[Dave]

Yup.

I'd have given Gabby a rest and played Tonev, but I've got no real complaints.

[eastie]

Yup.

I'd have given Gabby a rest and played Tonev, but I've got no real complaints.

Agreed, would have given sylla a run too.

[SoccerHQ]

Going to up the prediction to 4-1, didn't expect to see that front three.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Good team selection.

I hated MON when he just threw in the rest of the squad to get a game. Players need to be integrated into the system, understand how we play week in, week out, otherwise how can you bring them in to the first team when you really need them. Not that MON ever thought about using the anybody except the same eleven every week.

I expect we'll see a few subs today but hopefully without changing the complete shape of the side.

5-1 Villa. Obviously no clean sheet.

[Mister E]

Steer, Vlaar, Okore, Bennett, Bacuna, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Delph, Benteke, Weimann.
Subs: Guzan, Clark, Helenius, Herd, Sylla, Tonev, Lowton.

I like the fact that he's giving the two CB another run-out together. And that Bacuna is playing RB, a role that looked more comfortable for him on Saturday. Giving Bennett a run-out makes sense as well.

I'd rather hope that Tonev, Sylla and Helenius get at least 40 minutes; and maybe also slot Herd in at Rb for a half, too.

[Irish villain]

I'd have put Sylla in for Westwood. I think Westood has been sluggish and that Sylla was the piece of the jigsaw that made us tick on our good run last year.

[Dave]

Sylla was the piece of the jigsaw that made us tick on our good run last year.

I disagree - I think it was the formation change rather than the personnel. I think that Delph pushed up further forward to do the job that Sylla did in those games, with El Ahmadi further back is more fluid.

[Toronto Villa]

Let's a decent lead early enough into the second half so we can get Benteke, Gabby and Delph off and give some other lads a run.

[Chipsticks]

Would've preferred to perhaps see Helenius starting over Benteke and for Tonev to get a game, but I'll trust Lambert's judgement. I reckon tonight's a big night for Weimann, it'd be great for him to get a goal and lift his confidence as he's missed a few decent chances recently. 

[Toronto Villa]

I think that's exactly what it is for Andi. He needs a little boost to his spirits. He's got into the right positions. Just needs one to go in