Aston Villa v Stoke City - Pre Match Thread

[silhillvilla]

Scarey. Must win and these thugs always score late on. Diouf last season. Please do us proud at last, Villa.

I don't think they are as thugish as they were under Tiny Penis are they ? Or am I misinformed

[ozzjim]

Bit worried that a few on here think the way to go is essentially play 4-2-3-1 again. The lack of control we have in midfield has been untrue in the last few weeks. Even Man City play one in front of two holding midfielders and they've got much better players than us.

The 11 he picked last Saturday was fine by me, the fact we were so deep and didn't press was the problem.

The players look lost when we've played 4-2-3-1, there's a massive gaping hole in the middle of the park and the two exposed full backs get even less protection.

I'd play 4-3-3, with Grealish and Ayew either side of Gestede and a midfield three of Sanchez, Veretout and Gana.

this

Same here. We need to win the midfield battle to win the game, and we need the 3. Westwood, Traore, Gil all great options to bring on for tiring legs second half.

[Ian.]

I'd agree with that tom, so it would be...

                   Guzan

Hutton   Richards   Clark   Amavi

         Sanchez       Gueye

Traore        Grealish        Sinclair

                 Gestede

Looks good but I'd like to see Ayew in the first eleven, maybe instead of Traore as he's been out a while.

[TonyD]

Score draw, crap subs and we go again. 

[boboonthecorner]

I see Traore injured again.......?!? Probably too early to say but lets hope this isn't a sign of things to come. I'm going to be unusually optimistic and say 3-2 Villa. Ayew given a chance and opening his account and Rudy getting regular service with a brace UTV

[oswald funkletrumpet]

                  Guzan

Hutton   Richards   Clark   Amavi

         Sanchez       Gueye

Ayew        Veretout        Grealish

                 Gestede

[Clampy]

                  Guzan

Hutton   Richards   Clark   Amavi

         Sanchez       Gueye

Ayew        Veretout        Grealish

                 Gestede

I do like the look of that side, but i'd go with Bacuna instead of Hutton. He was awful last week.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

                  Guzan

Hutton   Richards   Clark   Amavi

         Sanchez       Gueye

Ayew        Veretout        Grealish

                 Gestede

I do like the look of that side, but i'd go with Bacuna instead of Hutton. He was awful last week.

I would be tempted to chuck Crespo in

I think Ayew gives us a good option down the right as against small heath he was dropping deep to collect the ball and helping the midfield out

Anyway I just know he won't pick this side 

[in exile]

I see Traore injured again?

Where did that info come from?

[AVH87]

I see Traore injured again?

Where did that info come from?

On the OS Sherwood saying he was limping for the U21s on Monday, sounds doubtful for tomorrow. Ayew should get a start wide right in front of either Bacuna or Hutton, picking between them two is like picking between two blokes to steal your mrs.

[LTA]

Lawro speaks:

Aside from Rudy Gestede, none of their summer signings have caught the eye yet and there is no way you can tell me they look a better team than last year.

The reality of the situation is that they are in a relegation fight. Sherwood has admitted it, but some of their new players will be thinking "I didn't sign up for this".

[Pete]

Lawro speaks:

Aside from Rudy Gestede, none of their summer signings have caught the eye yet and there is no way you can tell me they look a better team than last year.

The reality of the situation is that they are in a relegation fight. Sherwood has admitted it, but some of their new players will be thinking "I didn't sign up for this".

Amavi, probably our best performing new signing, hasn't caught his eye? Says it all about his punditry skills.

[in exile]

I see Traore injured again?

Where did that info come from?

On the OS Sherwood saying he was limping for the U21s on Monday, sounds doubtful for tomorrow. Ayew should get a start wide right in front of either Bacuna or Hutton, picking between them two is like picking between two blokes to steal your mrs.

Oh bugger, I didn't realise.
I see we share the same right back beliefs! 

[Jon Crofts]

Lawro speaks:

Aside from Rudy Gestede, none of their summer signings have caught the eye yet and there is no way you can tell me they look a better team than last year.

The reality of the situation is that they are in a relegation fight. Sherwood has admitted it, but some of their new players will be thinking "I didn't sign up for this".

Most supporters are thinking the same Lawro.

[VILLA MOLE]

Lawro speaks:

Aside from Rudy Gestede, none of their summer signings have caught the eye yet and there is no way you can tell me they look a better team than last year.

The reality of the situation is that they are in a relegation fight. Sherwood has admitted it, but some of their new players will be thinking "I didn't sign up for this".

Amavi, probably our best performing new signing, hasn't caught his eye? Says it all about his punditry skills.

He is up there with Savage , lazy looked up the results punditry , knows sweet FA