Watford vs Aston Villa pre match thread - Dec 28th - 3pm

[four fornicholl]

Is it on Amazon prime again?

[Lastfootstamper]

I know we're still a bit fragile, and yes, this is exactly one of the games they'll be looking to get something from if they've any hope of staying up, but they've won 2 all season and scored 12 along the way.

And I have to say I don't know where Pearson's football picked up a "bullying" type stripe, his sides have always played with culture rather than agriculture. It would be a bit off of Watford to abandon a good few years of developmental progression in favour of a gamble on a quick fix, up and at 'em approach. The incident with the journalist at Leicester and his somewhat sergeant-majorly appearance is all I can assume. Yes, I fully expect them to be wholehearted and energetic, as I do with us, but certainly not looking to kick lumps out of us.

[Pete3206]

Is it on Amazon prime again?

No

[Axl Rose]

Stop Deeney and we'll win.

[DB]

If we can win, it will be huge to the relegation battle

[Bad English]

Stop Deeney and we'll win.

You've spelt 'Deano' wrongly.

I'll get my coat™

[robbo1874]

Probably just jinxed it, but I’ve gone for a Villa win in this one. 2-0 or 2-1.

[RamboandBruno]

They’ve just had 2 very good results in beating Man U and drawing away at Sheffield, so this will be a tough one and they’ll fancy their chances. I’d take a draw.

If Mings is back he has to play but not at the expense of Hause who has been very good, I put Hause in at left back. Two games in 2 days maybe too much for Elmo so I think Guilbert will be back. He can’t play both those wingers again, both are off form but I think he’ll keep AEG in. Nakamba has been really poor last two games so should drop out imo.

                    Heaton

Guilbert.      Konsa.  Mings.        Hause

                         Hourihane Luiz

       
AEG.                 Grealish.             Jota

                           Wes

[CT]

If Tyrone isn't ready, I'd go with Chester and put Hause at left back.

[AsTallAsLions]

If Tyrone isn't ready, I'd go with Chester and put Hause at left back.

I wouldn't. I do love Chester but would give him more mins in reserves or cup games before sticking him back into a league game. He's yet to make it through 90 competitive minutes so it'd be too soon for me

[Bad English]

This is on RMC Sport France channel 'Live' 6 at 9pm on Saturday. Once again it is phone off between 4pm and 11pm CET.

[TheMalandro]

We'll get tonked by Watford.

[Ads]

There's huge pressure on Watford. Lose and they're as good as relegated if they're on 13 points and 8 or 9 shy of safety, past the half way point.

They've scored just 12 goals all season, half of what we have. I think it makes scoring the first goal key.

I'd be considering Hause left back and Mings coming back in, which ought to combat their height. To balance that  Freddie ought to come back in for Elmo, whose delivery was very poor yesterday.

Wesley will start, Jack will be in that 10 role close to him, while Hourihane will earn a spot as an 8.

The issue is that none of the widemen did enough to earn their spot and Kodjia is unlikely be trust wide in a 3. Smith wont change the system.

Lansbury may well feature as the other 8 if we change to a 141 as the front 6 and I think Douglas will sit regardless. He blows hot and cold, but he's young and gifted, if rash and prone to the issue of inconsistency.

Leaves us a bit lightweight perhaps,  but given Nkamba has been so off the pace for weeks, then does it make much difference.

Seems likely Trezuguet and AEG will play in a 433, is my gut feeling given the absence of time between the games.

First goal is key. Get it and we're unlikely to lose the game.

[Damo70]

I am not sure what has gone wrong at Watford. On paper they are a decent side. They do seem to have picked up a little bit lately.

[danno]

Thought Elmo did fine yesterday. But unfortunately Delefeou will have him on toast.

Guilbert does have pace on his side it's whether he can play disciplined enough and not continually get caught really high upfield.