Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth pre match thread

[Border villan]

He was framed!

[FrankyH]

Really looking forward to the game now.One thing that pisses me off more than it should is the thought of them f*cking half and half scarfs . It's been great not seeing any for the last three seasons.

[Sexual Ealing]

Reading this thread has made me think twice about having an argument with my other half the next time the opportunity arises.

[algy]

We have to place trust in Dean and the staff. It’s all well and good for us to be sat here saying Guilbert and Targett should be playing ahead of Elmo and Taylor based on preseason, but you also have to put those preseason games into perspective as they were against weak opposition and mainly used for fitness.

I do still have questions marks over Targett...he seems to be the exact opposite of Taylor in that we got exposed at LB numerous times as he Targett was pushing up, and we complain that Taylor doesn’t get forward enough. I’ve said it before but I think LB will remain to be our achilles heal this season, however Taylor should play in games where we need to be more defensive and Targett when we need to attack more with our fullbacks pushing on.

Guilbert was the pick of the new players for me in preseason...he looks very good, and confident he will be first choice RB in a few weeks. He clearly developed a good understanding with Jota down the right and there’s no reason why he wouldn’t do the same with Trez. Similarly I think Guilbert will play in games where we need to attack more and Elmo when we’re more disciplined defensively.

Both players need time to settle and prove their value in training, and Dean will pick the best team to win the game based on tactics and player performance. There will be no room for sentiment and Dean will manage that.

I agree with all this.

I don't know if this is the case or not, but not changing the entire matchday squad on week 1 of the season seems to be a reasonably sensible idea to me.  It's also about putting together a team that'll get the best result we can away against Spurs, which isn't always going to be as simple as picking the 11 most skilful players and hoping it works out.

[ldavfc4eva]

Targett and Guilbert to come in to the defence, Douglas as a deep lying midfielder and let Jack,SJM,AEG and Trez get forward.

Hopefully we win some corners so Bjorn and Tyrone can get on the end of some of them!

2-1 to us

[Dogtanian]

Reading this thread has made me think twice about having an argument with my other half the next time the opportunity arises.

Must be nice to have a choice.   

[Oscar Arce]

Really don't know how this season will go until we see a few more games.
Smith hasn't normally changed the side too much, so I think he'll still start with Elmo and Taylor at full back, the only change maybe Luiz if he feels he's up to speed but I have a feeling we will be unchanged.
Bournemouth are a funny side, I think they gave a few tonkings to teams last season in away games, and similarly took a few.
They have dangerous players but we must look at this as one of the games we have to win, and go on the front foot which I'm sure we will.
I'm going for a very optimistic narrow victory.

[Risso]

If it's an unchanged side I think we'll lose again.

[Wiggz]

So, I'm actually a bit nervous about this, but I've tried to sanity check my own feelings.

I think the issue here is I'm conditioned to Villa struggling against opposition, conceding space, making mistakes, and ultimately under-achieving. Whilst we did great for 10 games last season, we still had a few issues.

So, I think a pre-season for Deano, the same mentality sprinkled with new blood, might actually see a more calm, clinical and well drilled side.

So, whilst my gut suggests a scrappy 1-1, I'm going over onto the optimistic side and suggesting a 3-1 Villa win with Goals from Engels, McGinn, and Trez.

I'd go with the same line up as Spurs, but with Guilbert in for Elmo.

I am wary of the Bournemouth team though. In Fraser and Brooks they have some serious dynamism splitting the lines, and Wilson is as good as any striker in the Prem imo on his day, and with service.

Let's see!

[Wiggz]

i've only got one point

that is we should play our best 11 players for every game in this league

that might change depending on the opposition, but i didn't think Taylor was good enough for us in the Championship so i certainly dont think he should be holding down a premier league birth
i suppose it all comes down to how high you rate him, Smith obviously thinks he's good enough so we have to go with him for better or worse

Smith has to weigh up the team he's facing, look to negate their positives, as well as pick a fluid, balanced team ourselves. I think this means we're going to use players that, on paper, stat for stat, aren't as good, but that will deliver more for the team in and the tactical solutions Deano is looking to deliver against a given opponent.

I honestly don't think there is night and day between Targett and Taylor, or Elmo and Guilbert. Experience, tactical awareness and work rate is a good top-up to lacking talent too.

It's a big melting pot of things isn't it.

[john e]

i've only got one point

that is we should play our best 11 players for every game in this league

that might change depending on the opposition, but i didn't think Taylor was good enough for us in the Championship so i certainly dont think he should be holding down a premier league birth
i suppose it all comes down to how high you rate him, Smith obviously thinks he's good enough so we have to go with him for better or worse

Smith has to weigh up the team he's facing, look to negate their positives, as well as pick a fluid, balanced team ourselves. I think this means we're going to use players that, on paper, stat for stat, aren't as good, but that will deliver more for the team in and the tactical solutions Deano is looking to deliver against a given opponent.

I honestly don't think there is night and day between Targett and Taylor, or Elmo and Guilbert. Experience, tactical awareness and work rate is a good top-up to lacking talent too.

It's a big melting pot of things isn't it.

i'm hoping there is night and day between the two because i don't think Elmo /Taylor are good enough for us in this league

[Dazvillain]

Targett and Guilbert to come in to the defence, Douglas as a deep lying midfielder and let Jack,SJM,AEG and Trez get forward.

Hopefully we win some corners so Bjorn and Tyrone can get on the end of some of them!

2-1 to us

I know it was a Baptism of fire for Luiz coming on but he looked completely way off  pace and positioning as opposed to Connor who played well I thought .
 Bit more integration time and then let all other newbies loose in caraboa cup I’d suggest

[ROBBO]

Even at this early stage it's a big game as far as confidence is concerned, win well and we will get a huge boost.

[Reuben]

Even at this early stage it's a big game as far as confidence is concerned, win well and we will get a huge boost.

Yes, early wins for Watford and Burnley in recent times have pretty much set the tone for their seasons.  Hope we can get a similar impact win.  I now suspect Brighton will do ok based on their decent win last week plus a winnable next fixture. 

[Dogtanian]

I don't think anything is clear at this point 

https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2019/8/15/20804010/assessing-aston-villas-squad-depth-ahead-of-bournemouth