Southampton v Aston Villa Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

Could give Benteke a kick up the arse he needs.

Tonight could give us a kick in the nuts we really don't need.

Benteke playing in recent games wasn't making a difference to the result. In fact he was either insignificant or affected the results negatively in that he might have done better for any number of reasons. Had he been rested while being in top form we might have been scratching our heads. Although all players should be rested time to time. I want to see the Benteke of old. He would never have thought he was droppable so when he comes on I want him to remember who he was and not the shell of the player he has been of late.

[Ron Manager]

Kozak at least will work very hard. I should think it will be very very cold on that bench!

[darren woolley]

Come on Villa three points please.

[cheltenhamlion]

No issue with dropping Benteke for me.

[Legion]

Come on Villa three points please.

I'd be happy with 1 at the moment.

[danlanza]

1 would do 3 will be fantastic

[aj2k77]

I'm not concerned with Benteke getting dropped, he deserves it but i'd feel more confident if we didn't replace him with a carthorse.

[Legion]

Kozak isn't a carthorse and who else is there anyway? Helenius seems to be right out of favour and Weimann is off form.

[Morten]

Before the last couple of games, I have been thinking, "now Lowton must be back in the side", but no, still not in. However in a 3-5-2, there is not room for him and Bacuna. It will be interesting to see Kozak and Gabby as the two strikers. But I am not convinced by Baker and KEA, but of course I hope they prove me wrong.

Come on ! Up the Villa !

[Ian.]

I thought Kozak played well for us in his last match, unlucky to be dropped last Saturday.

[SheffieldVillain]

One thing you certainly can't accuse Paul Lambert of is lacking the courage of his convictions. There are a fair few managers who wouldn't have had the guts to drop Benteke. If it works in giving him a kick up the backside, then this could well be a key moment in our season.

[PaulWinch again]

Five at the back is a concern to me, but I think Benteke deserves to be dropped. Please win Villa.

[PeterWithesShin]

5-0 win with a Kozak hat-trick.

[SO Villa]

No problem with Benteke being benched. More concerned that we don't end up with five at the back, three holding midfielders and Gabby and Kojak 50 yards away.

[Mike Jeffries]

Benteke on the bench is just logical after Saturday for me.