Sunderland v 'The Mighty' Aston Villa Match Thread

[supertom]

We might as well go for it. In all honesty Westwood, though not bad in the last few games, has been somewhat anonymous. It doesn't surprise me to see him sacrificed after Timmy said something to the effect of wanting to notice players on the pitch. Players who try to influence games rather than merely just being there. Cleverley has risen to that more so than Westwood.

They're flimsey and I admire the bravery to really put out a side to have a go. Obviously Benteke comes in and it would be harsh to drop either Zogbia or Sinclair at the moment. Zoggy will only last 60-70 anyhow so if needs be there will be a plan B should we need more grit in the middle.

[villa_cads]

We can't have it both ways. We have all been agitated about the lack of goals, negative thinking and lack of belief.

Sherwood is sorting all these. He's after a win!

This. Glad to see wingers and strikers! We can go more defensive when we're three up at half time...

[Nelly]

Afternoon everyone, up the Villa!

[Monty]

We might as well go for it. In all honesty Westwood, though not bad in the last few games, has been somewhat anonymous. It doesn't surprise me to see him sacrificed after Timmy said something to the effect of wanting to notice players on the pitch. Players who try to influence games rather than merely just being there. Cleverley has risen to that more so than Westwood.

They're flimsey and I admire the bravery to really put out a side to have a go. Obviously Benteke comes in and it would be harsh to drop either Zogbia or Sinclair at the moment. Zoggy will only last 60-70 anyhow so if needs be there will be a plan B should we need more grit in the middle.

I disagree. I think Westwood was every bit as important to our performances as the other midfielders.

[Boz]

We're playing Sunderland who have a marginally better goal scored record than us. They are also crap at home and like us in many ways get nervous quickly in front of their home fans. We need to get into them, get the first goal and kill any little bit of belief they have. That line is fine and great to see Benteke in there.

Their home form may be crap but have you seen our away form? We absolutely need to "get into them" but as they play very narrow I worry Delph and Cleverly will be outnumbered in midfield.

At the risk of sounding flippant, I am completely dismissing anything we "achieved" this season under Lambert. Yes our form home and away has been poor which is why we are where we are. But last weeks home performance was better than anything this season under Lambert and I expect the away form to improve too. That starts with pressing and not being afraid to attack.

I agree, Timmy sets up to play attacking football and there are critics about the team he's picked. If he cocks it up he's at least brought some brighter football than the Lambert style.

He's seen these guys in training so hopefully they'll respond well with Wembley on the horizon.

UTV

[Tuscans]

At least someone else has a go on set pieces instead of Westwoods floaters

[Lastfootstamper]

We can't have it both ways. We have all been agitated about the lack of goals, negative thinking and lack of belief.

Sherwood is sorting all these. He's after a win!

This. Glad to see wingers and strikers! We can go more defensive when we're three up at half time...

I feel like I should remember this word.....

[supertom]

We might as well go for it. In all honesty Westwood, though not bad in the last few games, has been somewhat anonymous. It doesn't surprise me to see him sacrificed after Timmy said something to the effect of wanting to notice players on the pitch. Players who try to influence games rather than merely just being there. Cleverley has risen to that more so than Westwood.

They're flimsey and I admire the bravery to really put out a side to have a go. Obviously Benteke comes in and it would be harsh to drop either Zogbia or Sinclair at the moment. Zoggy will only last 60-70 anyhow so if needs be there will be a plan B should we need more grit in the middle.

I disagree. I think Westwood was every bit as important to our performances as the other midfielders.

I've barely noticed him (aside from poor set pieces). That may be a good thing in some ways, but I think Cleverley is someone who does a lot of what Westwood can, with more mobility, and in recent times a little more grit.

I would fancy Delph and Cleverley to dominate a midfield of Rodwell and Bridcutt. I think the third man was more important against a team of thugs like West Brom. Against Sunderland (I hope), a 2 man is enough. For me Westwood is the one to sacrifice of our first choice 3.

[Matt Collins]

I do think Tim is a 442 man

But we've lost both games when we played a variant of that and won both with three misfielders and three strikers - whether 433 or nzogbia behind the front two

Not the side id have picked but it should make for some attacking threat

[CJ]

Early corner!

[beness]

Great start good attacking

[Tuscans]

The wingers are going to have a cracking game...watch.

[Toronto Villa]

We've played attacking teams with Lambert. The difference with Sherwood is he actually wants to attack whereas Lambert played to survive.

[Monty]

Zog is actually central, with Gabby and Sinclair looking like they're wide of Benteke early on. That's good!

[CJ]

Early yellow for Bacuna