Arsenal v Aston Villa match thread

[The Edge]

I think we're suspect down the left. El G and Taylor don't fill me with optimism. If we come away with a draw i'll be well happy. C'mon you Villa boys. Just noticed Wolves done what we should have if it wasn't for that fucking twat K.Friend. They equalised on 90+5.

[ChicagoLion]

There has never been any indication that he will change the formation.
He is a 4 3 3 Manager, we better get used to it.
I don’t see why he does not play Jack instead of one of the wingers though.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Smith has never given any indication that he wants to change the way we play.  He has faith in his philosophy and it’s served him (and us) pretty well so far

His stubbornness to change is my biggest concern. I love his philosophy of all out attack but when it's not giving points you have to question his decision. The old chestnut about first you have to win the midfield doesn't seem to register with Dean. I fear it's going to be a very long afternoon.

I'll be watching El Ghazi closely today. Until now all I've seen him do is pass the ball back to Taylor. It's like playing with 10 men. Obviously Dean sees something I don't.

[Edvard Remberg]

Hoping no slaughter

[Risso]

The front three have really got to up their game, starting with today. 

[AVH87]

It said in the preview on BBC that Targett was fit now, seemingly he still can't get a look in, if he's good enough to justify an £11-14m fee, we need to be using him. Not sure what's happened to Luiz to not be in the 18. Tough choice which one to drop out of AEG or Jota.

[ChicagoLion]

Why can’t I get this in the USA ?

[PaulWinch again]

We’ll lose I suspect.

[Risso]

It said in the preview on BBC that Targett was fit now, seemingly he still can't get a look in, if he's good enough to justify an £11-14m fee, we need to be using him. Not sure what's happened to Luiz to not be in the 18. Tough choice which one to drop out of AEG or Jota.

Based on Monday's match, the answer perhaps should have been "both".

[Axl Rose]

Weird obsession some of our fans have with the genitals of some of our black players.

Morons aren't they.

[garyshawsknee]

Would have preferred an extra body in midfield as I think we can get at their midfield and over run them.

Yes, 12 players would give us a slight advantage.

Do the refs do a headcount before kick off still?

[AVH87]

It said in the preview on BBC that Targett was fit now, seemingly he still can't get a look in, if he's good enough to justify an £11-14m fee, we need to be using him. Not sure what's happened to Luiz to not be in the 18. Tough choice which one to drop out of AEG or Jota.

Based on Monday's match, the answer perhaps should have been "both".

Could quite easily have done. Would have meant a change of system I think with Luiz or Hourihane coming in though.

[nick harper]

This may be a chastening afternoon if we can’t get hold of the ball in midfield. Would prefer us to match up with Arsenal as I think we will be outnumbered with just the three. They are a bigger threat through the middle than out wide, but we’ll see.

[Drummond]

If ever there was a match to get Grealish forward it's this one. With Luiz at the back for them, Jack could be drawing fouls left, right and centre.

[Malandro]

It said in the preview on BBC that Targett was fit now, seemingly he still can't get a look in, if he's good enough to justify an £11-14m fee, we need to be using him. Not sure what's happened to Luiz to not be in the 18. Tough choice which one to drop out of AEG or Jota.

I'm sure Targett is just not fit enough.

Weird about Luiz, I can only think he's been carrying a injury.