Tottenham vs Aston Villa Match Thread

[AsTallAsLions]

As surprised as everyone else, but trusting Dean Smith and his coaching team.

Guilbert was great in pre-season though not to be on the bench might point to an injury.

Elmo didn't feature that much in the warm-up games given his involvement for Egypt (which was more than decent). Maybe Elmo gets the nod to help settle and support Trez.

Taylor is a surprise, though the grief he gets from some is over the top.

We signed 12, and six are starting and another four are on the bench. Away at Spurs first up and you could make a case for being defensively conservative particularly with Jack and the front three, so that might explain why Taylor gets the nod. UTV.

If Neil Taylor is our best bet when we want to adopt a defensively conservative approach, god help us against the rest of the top 4 is all I can say.

[PaulWinch again]

Yes I don’t get the Taylor selection at all.

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[Clark W Griswold]

To be fair I'd got Elmo in to start the season as first choice right back until I saw Guilbert play and then changed my mind. I'm not massively surprised though, he does have a lot more experience so not too upset. Thought Hourahane would start as well, the only big surprise was Taylor but again he is more experienced, Targett will get his chance. A little surprised Trez is in but pleased about that.

[JUAN PABLO]

bench looks good

he obviously fancies Henri this season

He really does, which is just plain odd to me. Only explanation I can think of is he's improved his attitude and stepped up for extra work when perhaps Birkir wouldn't - hence the decision to let go. Entirely speculation on my part but if not I can't how you'd choose between Henri and Bjarnason as the man to provide depth. Flipped a coin maybe

Also where's Nakamba? Did I miss a late injury udpate? On strike maybe?

Marvelous must be match fitness .

[Dazvillain]

Unbelievable, since May, all the “in Deano we trust” has disappeared before we’ve even kicked a ball !?!

We’ve all got opinions, and this site is for posting them but lay off Deano, he’ll have his reasons, either dealt with illness or injuries , or just simply his choice
As he’s just said, 3 of our back 4 were on a very long winning run last year

[Villa Lew]

Looking at the Spurs team Eriksen out, new £55 million signing Ndombele starts, trying to keep positive, Wesley to score a last minute winner!

[hilts_coolerking]

Unbelievable, since May, all the “in Deano we trust” has disappeared before we’ve even kicked a ball !?!

There's someone who more or less said in Dean we trust just a few posts above.

[AsTallAsLions]

Unbelievable, since May, all the “in Deano we trust” has disappeared before we’ve even kicked a ball !?!

We’ve all got opinions, and this site is for posting them but lay off Deano, he’ll have his reasons, either dealt with illness or injuries , or just simply his choice
As he’s just said, 3 of our back 4 were on a very long winning run last year

More hysteria because people are having their say. This is a discussion forum. Suggesting Targett might have started ahead of Taylor doesn't mean we're all suddenly turning on the manager!

[Axl Rose]

Come on you Villa boys!

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[CJ]

Assume Guilbert is ill or injured. Can't understand Taylor at all, especially as Targett is on the bench.

[Steve67]

Unbelievable, since May, all the “in Deano we trust” has disappeared before we’ve even kicked a ball !?!

We’ve all got opinions, and this site is for posting them but lay off Deano, he’ll have his reasons, either dealt with illness or injuries , or just simply his choice
As he’s just said, 3 of our back 4 were on a very long winning run last year

No-one is sticking it to Dean, we are sticking it to Taylor!   The side is for consistency and away to Spurs, he's gone for fewer changes, more cohesiveness. Just win.

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[Russ aka Big Nose]

As surprised as everyone else, but trusting Dean Smith and his coaching team.

Guilbert was great in pre-season though not to be on the bench might point to an injury.

Elmo didn't feature that much in the warm-up games given his involvement for Egypt (which was more than decent). Maybe Elmo gets the nod to help settle and support Trez.

Taylor is a surprise, though the grief he gets from some is over the top.

We signed 12, and six are starting and another four are on the bench. Away at Spurs first up and you could make a case for being defensively conservative particularly with Jack and the front three, so that might explain why Taylor gets the nod. UTV.

If Neil Taylor is our best bet when we want to adopt a defensively conservative approach, god help us against the rest of the top 4 is all I can say.

As Dean Smith has just pointed out - he was one of three in a back four that conceded very few goals in the last 15 games last season (after leaking loads).  He (Smith) is obviously keen on a fair degree of continuity. UTV.