Aston Villa v Norwich Pre Match Thread

[JUAN PABLO]

People talking Chester up must realise that he is not hugely experienced at this level.  Whilst more experienced than most, because we signed a load of foreign players, Chester has only played 60 Prem games.

Only 60 PL games? Way more than Mings.

probably more than Konsa, engels and Hause put together

[ChicagoLion]

People talking Chester up must realise that he is not hugely experienced at this level.  Whilst more experienced than most, because we signed a load of foreign players, Chester has only played 60 Prem games.

Only 60 PL games? Way more than Mings.

probably more than Konsa, engels and Hause put together

If Chester is fit enough and ready he should play.
We really need some sense leadership out there on Boxing Day, nerves are going to be shredded.
I am nervous just thinking about it, it is such an important game.

[baddowvillans]

Playing one of only two teams below you at home -. I don't think they can come more "must win" than that can they?

[Damo70]

2-1 Villa. We have scored five more goals than Norwich this season and conceded four less. Their goal difference is minus eighteen to our minus nine. We need to win this one because the next game away to Watford is looking more difficult than it appeared a couple of weeks back.

[Toronto Villa]

I'll stick my neck out and suggest Dean will put Jack in the middle and Kodjia up top in something radically different caused by injuries and circumstance and much improved performance and win. Because the alternative pushes him closer to the door. And I hope he realizes we all want him to do well and stay but he has to evolve. Lampard changed his system and outcoached Mourinho. If it's good enough for a very new manager like Lampard then it shouldn't be beyond Dean Smith vs Norwich.

[john2710]

I don't understand the desperation to get Grealish moved back into midfield. He's scored & created goals since he moved. Prior to that he had done very very little.

Our problems are at the back & midfield where we are far too lightweight & show little energy.

[Steve67]

Just man the fuck up and win the game Villa.  Concentrate, be strong, compete.  It's all we ask of you.

[aj2k77]

Can none of these fucking muppets gift the opposition a goal either!

[SoccerHQ]

I think Smith said that El Ghazi wasn’t supposed to be the one marking him. Was initially McGinn and then after the injury it was supposed to be Luiz but somehow the message didn’t get across. So not a great look for us as a team.

This is more weakness of game management for me. How can simple messages like who to mark at corners not be understood by those on the pitch? Really schoolboy stuff like seemingly thinking a player who strained a hamstring could actually play on in the match.

It's costing us goals so those on the bench need to shape up aswell.

[Villafirst]

Need to be well and truly up for the fight. About time these players stood up to a battle for once! Too many went into hiding last Saturday......show some bottle!!

[Toronto Villa]

The Norwich press conference has filled me with nothing other than immense concern that not a thing will change in terms of how we approach the game. Now I'm sure he isn't there to divulge his plans but making the point we beat Liverpool U9's in between 4 league wins shows me that he is clutching at straws. We haven't played well in large part because the tactics we have employed have been dreadful and the players either don't know what the fuck they are doing or don't believe in what they are doing. I am hoping that Dean Smith has taken a long hard look in the mirror since Southampton and realized he is a huge part of the problem abd if he doesn't evolve quickly as a manager he will be out of a job.

[brontebilly]

Chester struggled to manage 75 minutes against Liverpool youth team so don’t see him being ready yet unfortunately. I agree that we desperately need his leadership skills so maybe he could cope in the middle of a back 3?

Didn't he play at Hull on the right side of the three? If any way fit he needs to come in. That team collapsed like a deck of cards last time out. A new captain and formation would send the right message. I expect neither though.

[tomd2103]

Chester struggled to manage 75 minutes against Liverpool youth team so don’t see him being ready yet unfortunately. I agree that we desperately need his leadership skills so maybe he could cope in the middle of a back 3?

Didn't he play at Hull on the right side of the three? If any way fit he needs to come in. That team collapsed like a deck of cards last time out. A new captain and formation would send the right message. I expect neither though.

Always played on the right of the three for Wales when they played that formation.  Depending on how you play it, you either tend to put the biggest lump in the middle of the three with more mobile players either side, or its more of a sweeper role for someone decent on the ball (ie Southgate under Little and Gregory).

[wittonwarrior]

2-2 and we all trudge off home hands in heads

[ROBBO]

The fundamental need is to pick players who will give their all and not drop their heads that's why if he picks El Ghazi I will give up on Smith totally. I would be tempted to play Hause as defensive midfield as he will put a tackle in and he has strength to go with it. Up front if he plays Wesley he has to have Kodja with him that or Kodja by himself and hope he can rediscover his form.