Aston Villa v Manchester City Pre-Match Thread

[Villa in Denmark]

For how limited Gestede is, I'd have him upfront in preference to Ayew. Would play him left and Gil right of Gestede, who for me just doesnt seem fit. The game he played against Liverpool for Blackburn last, he was athletic and dynamic, albit one game. For us he looks like he's got his concrete boots on the wrong feet.

[Ron Manager]

I may be wrong ,as I have been before, but I think it is just possible that some of the home support may not take kindly to Fabian Delph showing his boat race inside Villa Park next Sunday. My guess is horrid horrid comments will be shouted at him by those behind the Man City bench. Ribald language may be heard and things may get out of hand.

Whatever will Remi make of it?

[Monty]

Gestede's inability to kick a ball makes the players around him worse. It might not work, but I'd much rather see if Ayew can play as a striker with creative midfielders supporting then just persevere with the Big Lump because he sort of looks like a striker.

[IAmTheOneIanOlney]

Probably already been said, but I think Remi Garde will be quite happy this is his first game - we're expected to lose, so anything other than that is a bonus. If we do lose, he can hardly be held responsible less than a week into his job.
I'm not expecting much in terms of a result, but I'm really hoping for something encouraging in terms of the team selection and the performance.

[The Edge]

I'm afraid that we're likely to get battered.  The defence will still be shit, the midfield pedestrian and the attack laughably bad.  However, I'd like to at least the emblance of a plan, a shape to the team and at least a hint that tactics are being worked on.

I'd go:

Hutton Richards Lescott Amavi
Gana Sanchez Veretout
Gil Ayew Grealish

That front three could really cause them problems, and with Gana (if he's fit) and Sanchez keeping things solid in the middle.  Gil and Grealish would be expected o put in a shift as well though.

I like your style but starting without a keeper even one as dodgy as Guzan is a bit risky!

[The Edge]

Off to see Sir Paul Mcgrath at the Irish Centre tonight. Reliving some past glories might cheer me up. Maybe I'll be looking forward to Sunday with less dread after a few beers and hopefully meeting the great man himself. Oooh aaahh

[PeterWithesShin]

Just got my ticket sorted, looking forward to it. Viva la revolution!

[aj2k77]

Off to see Sir Paul Mcgrath at the Irish Centre tonight. Reliving some past glories might cheer me up. Maybe I'll be looking forward to Sunday with less dread after a few beers and hopefully meeting the great man himself. Oooh aaahh

Give him an Oooh Ahhh Paul McGrath from me!

[TheWarlock]

Hard to see us getting anything out of a game v Man City even if we were having a good season never mind on a 7 defeat losing streak, loss no.8 unfortunately, hopefully we can keep it down to a couple of goals ill say 3-1 Man City with Gil to score a late consolation for us.

[QuintonVilla]

0-5. Delph to come on with ten minutes left when the ground is empty.

[Richard E]

We haven't had a draw for ages so this could be the day. A decent 1-1.

[Steve kirk]

We haven't had a draw for ages so this could be the day. A decent 1-1.

Yes its time for our 2nd draw of the season, I'm also going for 1-1, no rhyme or reason for this prediction just a gut feeling, Mods any chance of the return of the orange dot for Remi's first match?

[pauliewalnuts]

I'm afraid that we're likely to get battered.  The defence will still be shit, the midfield pedestrian and the attack laughably bad.  However, I'd like to at least the emblance of a plan, a shape to the team and at least a hint that tactics are being worked on.

I'd go:

Hutton Richards Lescott Amavi
Gana Sanchez Veretout
Gil Ayew Grealish

That front three could really cause them problems, and with Gana (if he's fit) and Sanchez keeping things solid in the middle.  Gil and Grealish would be expected o put in a shift as well though.

With the proviso of playing a keeper (and I'd seriously think about Bunn, as Guzan just looks more and more like Scott Carson every week), I'd go for that line up too.

The absolute last thing I want to see is Sanchez paired with Westwood. If I see that, I know we've got no chance.

[OCD]

Gestede's inability to kick a ball makes the players around him worse. It might not work, but I'd much rather see if Ayew can play as a striker with creative midfielders supporting then just persevere with the Big Lump because he sort of looks like a striker.

On the other hand, he's shown he'll score for fun with the right service. Presumably Amavi will be back in the team and possibly Bacuna, we would be getting players back in who can provide. Garde's philosophy and resolve are going to raise some interesting questions over the next few weeks. Our predicament might make it necessary to make some sacrifices.

[Monty]

Gestede's inability to kick a ball makes the players around him worse. It might not work, but I'd much rather see if Ayew can play as a striker with creative midfielders supporting then just persevere with the Big Lump because he sort of looks like a striker.

On the other hand, he's shown he'll score for fun with the right service. Presumably Amavi will be back in the team and possibly Bacuna, we would be getting players back in who can provide. Garde's philosophy and resolve are going to raise some interesting questions over the next few weeks. Our predicament might make it necessary to make some sacrifices.

I wouldn't exactly say 'for fun' - he missed a very easy chance the other day. And I'm not totally sold on the idea that the way to get the best out of our available players is to just go wide and cross it every time, all the time - that's been a big part of our strategy so far, and we can all see what it's yielded. He can head the ball sometimes, but the fact that he loses it so often should just disqualify him from starting alongside players like Gil, frankly, who need and deserve a good chunk of possession to make it count.