Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth pre match thread

[exigo]

Word from inside the Network Rail matrix is that there will be a football special as usual, and a couple of extra trains stopping at Witton, after the match.

[j66acd]

I disagree...I don’t think Dean bottled anything and made wise decisions with his team selection against Spurs.

Clearly Elmo and Taylor are experienced heads in this team, and more defensive minded than both Guilbert and Targett. Away at last seasons Champions League finalists and 4th best team in the Premier League on the first game of the season, it has to be about containing them and playing on the counter. It could have been a cricket score with Guilbert and Targett playing in an unfamiliar defence, and they will be introduced over several games until they are ready to start and play 90 minutes.

Similarly, Marvelous and Luiz only joined up with the squad a couple of weeks ago so they both need to settle and be introduced slowly into the team game by game. Throwing them into the firing line at Spurs would have been a mistake. Like you say, Luiz isn’t ready to start yet and clearly it was a step too far to have both new midfielders as options from the bench.

I think we’ll see a few changes to the starting lineup against Bournemouth and may be more game time for a couple of the new players depending on how the game plays out in the second half. If Dean plays the same starting XI then he clearly thinks they aren’t ready yet and we just have to be patient for them to get up to speed.

The most sensible and realistic thing I’ve read about the game all week. Playing 3 out of the 4 of last seasons defence was definitely the right thing to do rather than start with a completely new back 4. It wasn’t the defences fault we lost last week, it was the midfield for not getting a hold of the ball and Wesley not holding it up.

[Dogtanian]

Buzzing for tomorrow! 

I know people think a lot about the game and what they would do and what they don't agree with and all that, but at the end of the day there's something to be said for just relaxing, letting the manager worry about all that, turning up, cheering them on, and seeing what happens.  Ya never know, you may just enjoy it!

[Risso]

Buzzing for tomorrow! 

I know people think a lot about the game and what they would do and what they don't agree with and all that, but at the end of the day there's something to be said for just relaxing, letting the manager worry about all that, turning up, cheering them on, and seeing what happens.  Ya never know, you may just enjoy it!

Agreed, cannot wait.  The atmosphere will be electric, and hopefully the team will put in a performance to match.

[SoccerHQ]

Think Brooks was injured for their first game of the season.

He's out for three months.

Their main strength is Calum Wilson, King and Fraser on counter attack. Keep those three quiet and I reckon we'll win the game as rest of team is as good if not better in other areas plus 40k VP crowd in bouncing mood which always helps.

Think Bournemouth had joint worst defence away from home last season so certainly a side we should be scoring a couple against.

I’m sure Harry Wilson will be involved this week too, I do like him, but not tomorrow

Decent player but will need time to adapt to the prem, we kept him quiet in play off final. Would be good idea not to concede free kick 25 yards out with him on the pitch though, scored some great ones last season.

[somec]

Buzzing for tomorrow! 

I know people think a lot about the game and what they would do and what they don't agree with and all that, but at the end of the day there's something to be said for just relaxing, letting the manager worry about all that, turning up, cheering them on, and seeing what happens.  Ya never know, you may just enjoy it!

Agreed, cannot wait.  The atmosphere will be electric, and hopefully the team will put in a performance to match.

I remember going to the first home game in the Championship against Rotherham and the atmosphere was superb.

Surely out first game back in the Premier League can top that!

[Risso]

Is that footyskillz sneaking back in?!  🤫

[chrisw1]

Bournemouth played a 3-5-2 system against Sheffield United  . That is a change from last season where they played more  4-4-1-1 to 4-4-2.
From what I saw vs Sheffield United they were largely prevented from counter attacking play and their one goal came from a set piece.
After Liverpool,(30 goals) Bournemouth are the second most effective team in scoring goals from set pieces.
So will expect to create some goal opportunities as they do score a few (22 goals) from penalties, corners and free-kicks since the start of last season.
Their key man in attack is Scotlands Ryan Fraser who was unbelievable last season. He made so many assists 14 , second only to Hazard 15 and created the most big chances  in the league. They can play attractive football, play out from the back and this season look like they use  wing backs. With Calum Wilson and Fraser in particular they have a lot of pace, and goal instinct , Josh King is effective in support up front too.

So that being noted by Dean Smith and Aston villa it will be a intriguing contest if , as we expect , Villa use a fluid attacking  4-3-3  and move to 4-1-4-1 without the ball.

Certainly I  would start with playing 2 very advanced wide forwards that gives opportunity to stop the threat posed by Bournemouths full-backs. And give clear intention to win the match.
I would like to see a far more tactically aggressive forward thinking team for the 90 minutes set out to win the game the Dean Smith way . So lets have our 2 wide forwards keep high in very advanced positions, to cause a problem against Bournemouth 3-5-2 backline. For this game a more defensively minded player who knows the role be it Douglas Luiz or Marvelous Nakamba is best selected  to deal with the energy that Bournemouth have in their counter-attacks.
With a more expected front foot attacking style by villa then a protection of the back 4 is needed by our new 'Glenn Whelan' but also someone who will help start or attacks and allow Grealish on average positions to be deployed  further up the pitch.

Villa will only have Wesley as a central striker against a back 3. We don't want him isolated. And with Wesley shy in pressing ,one of their defenders can bring ball in to midfield. I think the Brazilian will be instructed to show the energy and press from the front more and we should see McGinn , playing and pushing high up the field in support of Wesley and pressing. Hopefully I also get my wish of the 2 wide forwards though I'm not averse to Jota playing I like some pace up front and also whoever do play LW and RW be seen to be attacking and a high position.


A lot is needed from Wesley to be able to hold the ball up , link play more and be more robust , certainly needs to be better than in first match where he showed glimpses but was ineffective for me.

I can see this contest having it all as  a footballing  mixture. A real mixed bag of premier quality fused with 'not so much to see here'. Basically what we have here is  when the football tempos good it's really good
Will see the patient football possession around the back by both teams, but also some quick counter attacks , fast passing and flowing football , quick and tricky set pieces .

Ideally I want  a great 90 minute match by Villa  with attacking intent though I think with caution be levelled at the main dangers of Bournemouth set pieces , quick build ups and counter attacks. I feel at times Villa be lacking in possession but otherwise competitive and creative.

There could be an openess in the  match where counter attack vs counter attack will occur. I think this depends on Smith selection and were villa to concede first and be behind for a long period.

One thing to note is that Bournemouth were far more successful in matches at home last season. Away they are a different.
Bournemouth seemingly learning and adapting to their new 3 at the back formation (generally they were known for 4-4-1-1/ 4-4-2 ) they do still seek out counter attacks but perhaps their real danger is the major threat from set pieces.

I will take a 2-0 or 2-1 inspired by the crowd and support .
Wesley with a Pen and Grealish.
 

Nice post but I think you have accidentially randomly clicked the 'bold' button.  After years of Alftitimus' postings a lot of us are attuned to just skipping any posts with too much animation.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

Buzzing for tomorrow! 

I know people think a lot about the game and what they would do and what they don't agree with and all that, but at the end of the day there's something to be said for just relaxing, letting the manager worry about all that, turning up, cheering them on, and seeing what happens.  Ya never know, you may just enjoy it!

Agreed, cannot wait.  The atmosphere will be electric, and hopefully the team will put in a performance to match.

I remember going to the first home game in the Championship against Rotherham and the atmosphere was superb.

Surely out first game back in the Premier League can top that!

And the weather forecast looks decent tomorrow too. Cant wait either!

[Chris Smith]

Buzzing for tomorrow! 

I know people think a lot about the game and what they would do and what they don't agree with and all that, but at the end of the day there's something to be said for just relaxing, letting the manager worry about all that, turning up, cheering them on, and seeing what happens.  Ya never know, you may just enjoy it!

Agreed, cannot wait.  The atmosphere will be electric, and hopefully the team will put in a performance to match.

I remember going to the first home game in the Championship against Rotherham and the atmosphere was superb.

Surely out first game back in the Premier League can top that!

Every time we get expectation like that it tends to fall flat so I hope this is the exceptiion.

[Dogtanian]

Every time we get expectation like that it tends to fall flat so I hope this is the exceptiion.

I dunno, I was buzzing for matches loads end of last season, including the play-off final, and I think the lads soaked up the pressure and enjoyed the buzz themselves.  Not just my buzzing of course!

[Border villan]

Big long screed on Pravda about the increased variety of food available tomorrow. We can only hope that the service has also improved.

[Clark W Griswold]

I disagree...I don’t think Dean bottled anything and made wise decisions with his team selection against Spurs.

Clearly Elmo and Taylor are experienced heads in this team, and more defensive minded than both Guilbert and Targett. Away at last seasons Champions League finalists and 4th best team in the Premier League on the first game of the season, it has to be about containing them and playing on the counter. It could have been a cricket score with Guilbert and Targett playing in an unfamiliar defence, and they will be introduced over several games until they are ready to start and play 90 minutes.

Similarly, Marvelous and Luiz only joined up with the squad a couple of weeks ago so they both need to settle and be introduced slowly into the team game by game. Throwing them into the firing line at Spurs would have been a mistake. Like you say, Luiz isn’t ready to start yet and clearly it was a step too far to have both new midfielders as options from the bench.

I think we’ll see a few changes to the starting lineup against Bournemouth and may be more game time for a couple of the new players depending on how the game plays out in the second half. If Dean plays the same starting XI then he clearly thinks they aren’t ready yet and we just have to be patient for them to get up to speed.

The most sensible and realistic thing I’ve read about the game all week. Playing 3 out of the 4 of last seasons defence was definitely the right thing to do rather than start with a completely new back 4. It wasn’t the defences fault we lost last week, it was the midfield for not getting a hold of the ball and Wesley not holding it up.

Although i agree with your point if we had to point the blame at our own players, why can't we just admit that the main reason we lost the game was because Spurs were so good? We don't have a divine right to think that we should go to champions league finalist on the open day and get something after 3 years in the wilderness.

[Villa75]

13 teams managed to beat Bournemouth, when playing them at Home, last season.

Bournemouth finished 14th last season.

We have just spent £130 million, and spent it well according to most.

We will be at home in the top division, with a full house, for the first time in years.

If we can't be expected to win this game, then I'm not sure who we can be expected to beat.

Home win for me. It's needed for many reasons. Not least, as going forward, the players need total confidence in putting teams to the sword when at Villa Park.

2-0 or 3-1 to us.

[Walmley_Villa]

I took one of my lad's down to VP earlier.....looks fantastic, best it has looked for years. I won't spoil it by divulging anything but note Football Focus is live from there tomorrow in case you want to record it...