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

[Toronto Villa]

Watford have some decent players but the one thing you can guarantee is as limited as it is long term Pearson will have them very fired up for this game. We will need to compete at that level as well as technically outplay them. I don’t know how much faith I have in us raising our game on both counts. A draw might actually be a decent result as much as a win would be massive right now.

1-1

[dorsetvillian]

We will get bullied. Despite 3 points today, I'm not confident of even a draw at Watford.

[Steve67]

Can't see us getting anything from this game, when we need it most.  Massive game which could turn our season.

[Legion]

D 1-1. When is it?

[KRS]

This is a DO NOT LOSE. A win is always needed but a draw would be acceptable given the state of the table. We need to start getting more points on the board, and our performances will get better with confidence from not losing week in week out.

[aj2k77]

Overwhelmed. Not enough iron or backbone and we won't pose a threat up the other end with Emile Wesley.

If Mings is back I'd go:

Heaton
Hause
Mings
Konsa
Guilbert
Hourihane
Luiz
Nakamba
Grealish
Jota
Kodjia

[Legion]

You mis-spelt Wesley. Guaranteed to start.

[Legion]

Saturday 28.12.19 3pm KO.

[AsTallAsLions]

Disaster coming our way. Pearson has Watford working hard and very well organised. I actually fear we'll be not just beaten but well beaten.

[PaulTheVillan]

I really hope we don't get beat. Deeney will be up for this one.

Heaton
Guilbert
Hause
Konsa
Targett
Luiz
Hourihane
Nakamba
Grealish
Jota
Kodjia

[Rudy Can't Fail]

This is a DO NOT LOSE. A win is always needed but a draw would be acceptable given the state of the table. We need to start getting more points on the board, and our performances will get better with confidence from not losing week in week out.

Indeed. I'd bring in Taylor for Targett as he's better defensively and more suited for away games where we're more likely to be under pressure.

[achilles]

Team for me (and DS lol):

                             Heaton

       Elmo       Konsa         Hause    Taylor

     Guilbert    Douglas     Hourihane    Targett

                             Grealish

                        Wesley/Kodjia

Think that side gives us defensive stability while offering us attacking options out wide with Grealish having a totally free role, I would like to see Kodjia play but it won't happen unfortunately!

Hope for a win but at least a draw, MUST NOT lose!

[brontebilly]

Team for me (and DS lol):

                             Heaton

       Elmo       Konsa         Hause    Taylor

     Guilbert    Douglas     Hourihane    Targett

                             Grealish

                        Wesley/Kodjia

Think that side gives us defensive stability while offering us attacking options out wide with Grealish having a totally free role, I would like to see Kodjia play but it won't happen unfortunately!

Hope for a win but at least a draw, MUST NOT lose!

That's the kind of team Alex McLeish might have picked. Four full backs !

If Mings is fit he comes back in. Targett to come out with Hause shifting over to left back for me. Given he got the winner, Hourihane will probably come back in but I'd move him further forward on the left of a 3 with Grealish and maybe Jota for a change. Drop AEG and Trez.

[JJ-AV]

I do think Targett LW might be worth exploring. He’s done it well for Southampton and keeps him close to Jack (and they have a good understanding).

Also keeps Hause in the team who was immense today

[BoVillan esq]

These 3 games over the Christmas period, I have the Watford game to be the most difficult, they always seem an awkward side to me, that said, we've come a long way today, we won, we got the 3 points, you can see looking at the table another win will move us up the table and out of this mire, its that close, for me this is where its vital for the manager to really work out his strategy, his game plan, implement that plan and make it work, I'm going for an outright Villa victory, we've tasted blood and we should  be hungry for more and of course we have the Jack Grealish factor, we have the Heaton safeguard and we have the newly inspired Hause to lead the vanguard from the back.

Villa 3-1.