Burnley v Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

As much as we all want pretty possession football and attacking tactics much of this game will be down to desire. Our players didn’t have the stomach for it against Watford. We need to be up for this. I just fear we don’t have what it takes and that we will be sent out again with the same type of personnel to play the same way ending in the same result. We all knew it when we saw the team sheet vs Watford. And someone like Dyche who has operated at this level now for a while will have identified our weaknesses and will expose them.

[VinnieChase84]

Fuck it, I’m feeling positive. 3-1 Villa. We get a response from the players

[KRS]

This could be the kind of game where we’re all expecting to get turned over but we pull a scrappy win out the bag to paper over the cracks and the manager keeps his job. We’ve seen this story a few times particularly with Lambert.

[villa `cross the mersey]

What a ridiculous kick off time - no one gives a feck about the fans

[Bad English]

What a ridiculous kick off time - no one gives a feck about the fans

It could be a blessing. I will be having New Year's Day lunch with SWMBO's family so I won't be allowed to watch.

[eamonn]

SWMBO FTW!

[Dr_Fegg]

I discussed elsewhere that I think we've lost all semblance of coherence and structure both on and off the ball. There was no time between the ugliness of Norwich to Watford to change anything tactically.

For me, if I were Smith I'd see this as a must not lose, as if we do, I think he'll be sacked with the cup game giving two weeks before the next league fixture and enough time for Poch (it could happen!) or not Poch (boooo!) to add to the squad, given the new structure we have.

I think the absence of two leaders in McGinn and especially Mings has added to the bewildering muddle on the pitch.

For me I'd go 352 as it would let us keep a balance between how many men we commit forward, letting the full backs/wing backs push on without fear and also provide support up top;

Heaton

Hause
Mings
Konsa

Taylor
Grealish
Nkamba
Douglas
Guilbert


Kodjia
Wesley

If Davis was fit, I'd drop Wesley. I've gone with Douglas over Hourihane as Connor is seldom visible away from home, while Douglas has mistakes and can be lightweight, yet he is quick and picks a pass. As one of the two 8s with Grealish, I think attacking is more suited to him. He never hides at least.

The system gets Jack on the middle too.

Smith ought to be telling Nakamba to clear his mind and really identify to him his roll; you're to sit in a pocket of space no more than 15 yards in front of that defence. You compress space and when in possession you find Doug or Jack and if not, you hit it long into the channel, where one of the front two will be expecting it, along with the wing backs.

It's always been a hard place for us to go and the confidence and form being shot to pieces doesn't give much hope.

Someone close to Dean should print this and put it in his hand. Right system, balanced with square pegs in square holes. Surely if we can work it out why not him....

[Villafirst]

B'ham Mail reckon Taylor will return at Left Back with Mings returning alongside Konsa, meaning Hause misses out? I sincerely hope not! I hope Smith remembers how Rodriguez out jumped a weak Taylor for Burnley's first goal at Villa Park. With the likes of Barnes and Chris Wood upfront,  we need height and strength at the back. But Smith will probably opt to put Taylor back in. He has a habit of not doing the obvious!

[Clampy]

B'ham Mail reckon Taylor will return at Left Back with Mings returning alongside Konsa, meaning Hause misses out? I sincerely hope not! I hope Smith remembers how Rodriguez out jumped a weak Taylor for Burnley's first goal at Villa Park. With the likes of Barnes and Chris Wood upfront,  we need height and strength at the back. But Smith will probably opt to put Taylor back in. He has a habit of not doing the obvious!

He's the only other left back though, unless he plays Elmo over there or Hause.

[ChicagoLion]

I would be playing Haus at LB.
Some extra aerial ability might be useful.
Don’t know why any one would have Taylor as a wing back.

[clash city rocker]

Think this is a banker for Burnley.  Something seems to have happened during/ after the Leicester game which has sent us into a downward spiral.

[Uknowthescore]

0-0 Heaton to have a blinder. Onwards and upwards

[Ian.]

2020 will be the turning point of our away form and leaking of late goals in each half so we’ll be winning this one 1-0.

[Toronto Villa]

With Targett out and Mings seemingly available it makes sense to have a back four of Guilbert, Hause, Konsa or Engels with Mings. So I expect Hause to be dropped for Taylor or Guilbert to play LB with Elmo on the right. I mean why go with what makes most sense right?

[Bad English]

OK Bouma.*

*Clever AVFC defender meme pun (probably already done).