John McGinn

[Monty]

I thought Diaby was pretty good on Saturday, by his standards. He's not quite wriggling away into space like he was in his first few games. Positioning, early passing, off the ball movement, all of that was there of course.

[chrisw1]

I noticed in his interview after the game SJM mentioned that the Villa crowd always let you know if you're not playing well.  I've heard him mention this before.  It's obviously rattled him in the past and it's not great to hear tbh.

[paul_e]

So long as they keep alternating who is scoring and who isn't I'm happy for things to carry on as they are. Both of them add loads even if they aren't scoring goals so we don't need them to be 'on it' every single game. The movement and pace they add to us is why we're the 2nd highest scorers in the league and is why I'm confident that this season we'll have 4-5 players (Watkins, Diaby, Doug, Ramsey and then maybes for Duran and Zaniolo) pushing for double figures in the league.

[LeeB]

I noticed in his interview after the game SJM mentioned that the Villa crowd always let you know if you're not playing well.  I've heard him mention this before.  It's obviously rattled him in the past and it's not great to hear tbh.

Risso's voice does carry unfortunately.

[Clampy]

I noticed in his interview after the game SJM mentioned that the Villa crowd always let you know if you're not playing well.  I've heard him mention this before.  It's obviously rattled him in the past and it's not great to hear tbh.

That's a common thing that players say about their own fans, I've heard it loads of times.

[OCD]

I think Zaniolo's position may be as a 10. Once he's found his feet and looks the part, it would be interesting to see him there and Diaby's pace used on the flank.

[paul_e]

I think Zaniolo's position may be as a 10. Once he's found his feet and looks the part, it would be interesting to see him there and Diaby's pace used on the flank.

In my head Zaniolo is a bit of a unicorn in that I think he'd be a good alternative to Ramsey, McGinn, Diaby or Watkins depending on the game situation.

[Monty]

I think we might see McGinn play in the middle with either Kamara or Luiz should the need arise (I'm thinking of Luiz's inevitable yellow cards suspension), with Ramsey left and Zaniolo right.

[brontebilly]

I noticed in his interview after the game SJM mentioned that the Villa crowd always let you know if you're not playing well.  I've heard him mention this before.  It's obviously rattled him in the past and it's not great to hear tbh.

That's a common thing that players say about their own fans, I've heard it loads of times.

Andy Townsend mentions it a lot about Villa Park in commentary. Likes of Hourihane in the past have done aswell. Either a player can cope with that kind of atmosphere and thrive or they can't and are at the wrong club. Bailey comes to mind in the latter camp, couple of mistakes/kicks and he goes into his shell.

[Drummond]

He is very good (amongst other things) at passes that completely switch direction of play. The ball for Ollie’s third being a good example.

It's why he's better on the right - he can find more natural angles for those passes from there.

The trouble for us is that Zaniolo also only really looks comfortable on the right too, cutting in onto his left foot, so how to play both of them? Nice problem to have I suppose!

I think the answer to that conundrum is Jacob Ramsey

Absolutely. Our best 11 at the moment is:

Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne

McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Ramsey

Diaby Watkins

Zaniolo can cover for either McGinn or Ramsey, or Diaby at a push.

That team can beat anyone. If we could field it every week we'd be in the Champions League.

With Moreno close to being fit it will be stronger still.

[Percy McCarthy]

He is very good (amongst other things) at passes that completely switch direction of play. The ball for Ollie’s third being a good example.

It's why he's better on the right - he can find more natural angles for those passes from there.

The trouble for us is that Zaniolo also only really looks comfortable on the right too, cutting in onto his left foot, so how to play both of them? Nice problem to have I suppose!

I think the answer to that conundrum is Jacob Ramsey

Absolutely. Our best 11 at the moment is:

Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne

McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Ramsey

Diaby Watkins

Zaniolo can cover for either McGinn or Ramsey, or Diaby at a push.

That team can beat anyone. If we could field it every week we'd be in the Champions League.

With Moreno close to being fit it will be stronger still.

A bit left-field I know, but I’d put a keeper in as well.

[Smirker]

Well done Wee John. 

[Beard82]

He is very good (amongst other things) at passes that completely switch direction of play. The ball for Ollie’s third being a good example.

It's why he's better on the right - he can find more natural angles for those passes from there.

The trouble for us is that Zaniolo also only really looks comfortable on the right too, cutting in onto his left foot, so how to play both of them? Nice problem to have I suppose!

I think the answer to that conundrum is Jacob Ramsey

Absolutely. Our best 11 at the moment is:

Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne

McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Ramsey

Diaby Watkins

Zaniolo can cover for either McGinn or Ramsey, or Diaby at a push.

That team can beat anyone. If we could field it every week we'd be in the Champions League.

With Moreno close to being fit it will be stronger still.

A bit left-field I know, but I’d put a keeper in as well.

Typical negativity

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Loved the comment from SJM when questioned on playing every league and cup game, the Euro Conference games plus Scotland and whether he needs a rest. SJM basically replied he's loving every minute, he feels blessed and he's on an amazing journey since joining us in the Championship and it wasn't so long ago he was being relegated in the Scottish Premiership.

[dcdavecollett]

Two great crosses from SJM on Sunday, both of which could easily have resulted in goals. Was surprised at how close his long shot was as well.