Best 11

[Ian.]

This is the first time for years this has been tricky. If we can have an injury free run as per the MON years we can tinker with the team a wee bit depending who we play. We might even be able to leave someone out if there form dips. Crikey.

Thinking about Lambert's reign, actually since MON left injuries have been a massive problem here. To think we have had Petrov's illness, Okore, Benteke, Kozak, Nzogia, Gardener and Bent with terrible long term injuries it's no wonder we have struggled. Then you have the cutting of the wage bill. What a nightmare.

[Steve67]

Guzan
Hutton. Vlaar Senderos Aly
Sanchez Delph Richardson
Cleverley gabby/Charlie
Bentekkers

Westwood, given, Bacuna, wiseman, okore, Kozak/bent on bench. Much better squad. I hope for at least a mid way finish.

[UK Redsox]

I don't think he will. He will be used as an impact sub.

If Lambert was planning to start Jack, he wouldn't have brought in Cleverley.

I just hope that Jack isn't sent out on loan.

[danno]

Home games

                     Guzan
Sissoku Senderos Vlaar hutton

                    Sanchez
     Richardson Delph Cleverley

                                   N'zogbia
                    Benteke

away games

                    Guzan
Sissoku Senderos Vlaar hutton

       Delph Sanchez Westwood

   Agbonlahor Benteke Weimann

 

[UK Redsox]

Why change the formation just because of the venue?

Play the best formation for the team

[danno]

Why change the formation just because of the venue?

Play the best formation for the team

I figured we have more of the ball in our home games, so go positive.

Away games I tried to pick a hard working team with pace on the break.

[UK Redsox]

Why should we have more of the ball at home than away?

Two teams playing each other on the same size pitch with the same size ball. The only difference might be kit colour.

I can't get my head around why teams think they have to play differently depending on the venue.

Was the game always like this or is this concept something that only came in with Sky?

[Holte L2]

          Guzan

Hutton Vlaar Senderos Cissokho

                Sanchez

        Cleverley     Delph

Weimann                  Agbonlahor

                Benteke

[danno]

Why should we have more of the ball at home than away?

Two teams playing each other on the same size pitch with the same size ball. The only difference might be kit colour.

I can't get my head around why teams think they have to play differently depending on the venue.

Was the game always like this or is this concept something that only came in with Sky?

Because some teams rock up at villa park and are content to play for a point?
In those games the onus is usually on us to break the opposition down.
Wolves at home a few years ago springs to mind.

[ozzjim]

Not many picking Richardson. He's been first class.

Could not agree more. First half at the weekend the number of times he was our furthest player forward, simply though making lung bursting runs from right to left was brilliant. It was the best example of an attacking midfielder really having a positive effect on the front line I have seen in a villa shirt in a while, and Delph was joining in too. Those 2 for me give us so much running and energy that they are very, very tough to drop right now.

Guzan

Hutton
Vlaar
Senderos (he has the shirt until form, injury or suspension allows someone in)
Cissokho

Westwood (Like Monty, I think he has started the season really well, almost in the form of the back end of his first season)
Delph
Cleverley

Richardson
Gabby
Benteke

Subs: Weimann, Kozak, Grealish, Sanchez, NZogbia, Okore, Given


Isn't it nice to actually have to think about the team you would pick though!

[AvFc4eVeR]

Hmmmm the smell of optimism is in the air.

Now that has been sorely missed around these parts in recent years, long may it continue.

[peter w]

Guzan

Hutton
Senderos
Vlaar
Cissokho

Westwood
Delph
Cleverley
Ricardson
Gabby

Benteke


christ, I had to think about this. Makes a change.

[edgysatsuma89]

Everyone to their own, but i just don't see how people can keep putting gabby and especially weimann out wide in an attacking 3 when we are choosing our best 11. Don't we all keep saying weimann is useless if not playing through the middle?
As Lambert doesn't do 'wingers' I'd personally go diamond.

------------Guzman-----------
Baldy---Baldy2----Baldy3---Bitoffuzz
------------Sanchez-----------
-------TC23--------Delph------
------------Grealish------------
-------Benteke-----Weimann------

Arguments could be made for jack being too young, so replace with cole/Zog or change formation and bring Richardson in/play TC23 further forward etc. Weimann could easily be replaced with Kozak depending on form although i think he links well with the beast. Gabby needs to go some way in proving to me he's still up to it. The Hull game was a very good start but I've seen it too often from him. Harsh on Westwood, come in for cleverley if he's shite, he's not strong enough to be our DM in my humble opinion.

We do actually have options and now actually have the opportunity to completely disagree with each other. Kushty.

[UK Redsox]

I am not liking all the hairist comments and blatant hairism regarding Villa's defence.

Having said that, I like Edgy's lineup.

Aly and the playerwhoisimpersonatingHutton can provide the width.

However, I think that the signing of TVC15 means that Jack won't be starting.

[RussellC]

One thing's for sure - when everyone's fit, there's going to be some fairly decent players not even making the bench. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see one or all of Lowton, Clark and Herd shipped-out on loan shortly, but I would also be concerned if I was Bacuna, Joe Cole and even N'Zogbia, unless he starts producing whilst he is in the side.