No excuses now guys

[Clampy]

So with everyone fit, I reckon we're looking at:

                      Gollini

De Laet      Elphick  Chester   Cissokho

                 Jedinak    Tshibola

Adomah           McCormack      Ayew

                        Kodjia

Subs:  Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Westwood, Grealish, Gestede

Personally I'd swap Cissokho for Amavi and play Jack wide left instead of Ayew.

Agree and I'd put Bacuna in at right back instead of De Laet, at least for now anyway.

I agree with Clampy's amended team, but Ayew is really too good to be on the bench - a nice problem to have for a change and a great option to switch with any of the 3 attacking mids.

                  Gollini

Bacuna   Elphick  Chester   Amavi

                 Jedinak    Tshibola

Adomah           McCormack      Grealish

                        Kodjia


I also think there will be times when we need to play 3 in the middle and despite the general dislike of him here I think Westwood will play an important role for us this season.

I said this a while back to someone. Playing three in midfield, maybe Gardner further forward might be an idea away from home.

[Matt Collins]

I agree w 3 in midfield - tho not Gardner, Westwood - at least for some games. Would help to avoid us being overrun

Don't think McCormack gets in that team though

[SoccerHQ]

I hope we go 4411 now we've got Adomah. I don't like 4231 at all with McCormack, Ayew and Grealish, it's overkill and tends to become rigid because of the gaps between the 2 and the 3.

Means Ayew dropping to the bench though.

Aren't they minor variations on the same shape? Or do you mean the wide midfielders should play more conservatively - we adomah and someone on the left for ayew and grealish?

I've not seen enough full games to know, but I had the impression ayew was tracking back pretty thoroughly. And it was bacuna playing there v Bristol which is probably the league game we were most over run in midfield in?

I agree with JJ a bit...I too think the formation has a look of just shoe horning attacking players in for the sake of it because let's be honest Jack and Ayew are much better inside and central than out wide. It looks a bit lopsided to me.

Personally I'd like us to go back to playing 4-3-3 but I struggle to fit McCormack in then (bit like Warnock was saying).

Something like

                     Tshibola       Jedinak
                               Grealish
                    Adomah    Kodjia      Ayew

I'd be happy with.

[old man villa fan]

I do wonder whether they thought somebody would come in with a really high bid for Ayew that the Club and player couldn't turn down.  Alternatively, are we going to see RDM fully utilize his bench during the course of the game e.g. a bit like Ranieri did with Okazaki to counter our performances of two contrasting 45's.

[Pete3206]

Is it next Sunday yet?

[Toronto Villa]

I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.

*grumpy face*

[Keeno]

I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.

*grumpy face*

I'm kind of glad though, in the sense that I hope the extra week allows a lot of the new boys who aren't away with their countries to bed in and we don't see a repeat of Bristol City. Deferred gratification

[Toronto Villa]

I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.

*grumpy face*

I'm kind of glad though, in the sense that I hope the extra week allows a lot of the new boys who aren't away with their countries to bed in and we don't see a repeat of Bristol City. Deferred gratification

no for sure. They'll get a chance to work together. Hopefully they'll come steaming out of the blocks next week and get a much needed win.

[Jim Shoes]

I'll reserve my opinions until I've seen this team play several games as I still have concerns about every position.

I've not been impressed by anyone so far this season who we've brought in but I know it will take time. I'd love to see this team click and win promotion and I really want to buy in to the excitement but after last season I can't ......yet anyway.

[KRS]

Would you prefer Gabby leading the line by any chance...you know, that amazing skilful and dedicated striker that gave us his all for the last few seasons and scored countless numbers of goals whilst impressing with his creativity and vision to provide assists. Who would you have him playing alongside with...or may be he's that good that he could play up front on his own and guide us back to the PL.

[Jim Shoes]

Would you prefer Gabby leading the line by any chance...you know, that amazing skilful and dedicated striker that gave us his all for the last few seasons and scored countless numbers of goals whilst impressing with his creativity and vision to provide assists. Who would you have him playing alongside with...or may be he's that good that he could play up front on his own and guide us back to the PL.

Oh because I refuse to join in like one of the sheep and write "I hate Gabby" Baaaaa

My reasons are;
The keeper looks like a liability, maybe he's been unlucky.
De laet has never struck me a being good, maybe he'll improve.
Chester did well in the Euros however I want to see him week in week out before I believe the hype.
Elphick shouts a lot but is he good enough?that 2nd half against BC has given me doubts.
Tish? Injury prone player? Looks like it's going to be a while before we see him regularly enough to know if he's a good player.
Mile Jedinack is my bet for this seasons scape goat. He's not going to get quicker.
Mac, I'm hoping that it's just his fitteness but although he looks good in flashes he needs to do more.
The two latest signings we haven't seen play for Villa yet and although I have high hopes for both until they do I can't comment.

Just because I refuse to hate Gabby doesn't mean I think he should be in the team, I want our best 11 player's on the pitch which I doubt he is but I don't blame him for everything that's bad at VP.

[Dave]

Would you prefer Gabby leading the line by any chance...you know, that amazing skilful and dedicated striker that gave us his all for the last few seasons and scored countless numbers of goals whilst impressing with his creativity and vision to provide assists. Who would you have him playing alongside with...or may be he's that good that he could play up front on his own and guide us back to the PL.

Oh because I refuse to join in like one of the sheep and write "I hate Gabby" Baaaaa

You might want to reconsider your tone I you're planning on staying here with us long term.

[mike]

I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.

*grumpy face*

I'm kind of glad though, in the sense that I hope the extra week allows a lot of the new boys who aren't away with their countries to bed in and we don't see a repeat of Bristol City. Deferred gratification

no for sure. They'll get a chance to work together. Hopefully they'll come steaming out of the blocks next week and get a much needed win.

Villa coming steaming out the blocks... bloody hell, when did that last happen. Come out steaming, yes.

[West Derby Villan]

I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.

*grumpy face*

I'm kind of glad though, in the sense that I hope the extra week allows a lot of the new boys who aren't away with their countries to bed in and we don't see a repeat of Bristol City. Deferred gratification

no for sure. They'll get a chance to work together. Hopefully they'll come steaming out of the blocks next week and get a much needed win.

Villa coming steaming out the blocks... bloody hell, when did that last happen. Come out steaming, yes.

Hear hear

[KevinGage]

Our hands were tied at Derby away, with Tish injured and Jedinak's work visa not coming through on time.

Ayew operating largely as a central midfielder is not something I would have given much thought to prior to that, but he did well that afternoon. He was our biggest attacking threat, yet still had the engine late in the game to be getting back and making vital blocks and interceptions near his own penalty area. Almost Milner-like at times.

Workrate has never been a huge issue for him, so maybe it's something to look at again in the future. Jedinak and Tish sitting with Ayew slightly more advanced. There would be pace and physicality in that midfield.