Fulham v Aston Villa FAC3 Pre Match Thread

[Demitri_C]

Looking at the youth maybe archer ir sea will get a start. But i think kodjia will play. Personally i wouldnt risk kodjia as we need him for cup. Give archer or sea a start.no pressure on them at all for a meaningless fa cup game

[Legion]

I personally wouldn't call it meaningless, but would definitely like to see some of the U23s involved.

[dave.woodhall]

I personally wouldn't call it meaningless, but would definitely like to see some of the U23s involved.

Any of them in particular?

[Legion]

Archer and Ramsey.

[Border villan]

Like many Villa fans the FA cup remains the holy grail, but in present circumstances we need to keep the first team wrapped in cotton wool and give the youth/fringe players a run out.

[walsall villain]

Like many Villa fans the FA cup remains the holy grail, but in present circumstances we need to keep the first team wrapped in cotton wool and give the youth/fringe players a run out.

I’m sure they will do and it’s a must this year yet again

[Sdwbvf]

District line is closed between East Ham and Earls Court. It's still running from Paddington and Earls Court to Putney Bridge. Otherwise, get the Piccadilly line to Hammersmith.

*Bing bong*

Sorry, confused. How do I get to Putney Bridge without using a replacement bus? Stupid TfL site doesn't give you the option to avoid replacement bus.

Try Euston to Vauxhall on Victoria line then South Western Railway from Vauxhall to Putney. Travelcards  oyster and contactless all  valid. Walk across Putney Bridge to ground.

[Sdwbvf]

Cheers. TfL site is confusing (or possibly I'm just thick!).

So, from Euston. Victoria Line to Green Park. Then Piccadilly Line to Earl's Court, then District Line from EC to Putney Bridge and I'll be unaffected by any closures?

See my post above. Stay on vic line to Vauxhall and change to main line to Putney. 10 min walk to ground across and along river. There are about 6 trains an hour from Vauxhall but there are some 15 minute gaps.

[Luke8]

Think Smith might go back to 4-3-3 for this given the need to give some players a rest, give certain players minutes and lack of availability due to injury. Possibly something like; Nyland, Elmo, Chester, Engles, Taylor, Marv, Lansbury, Hourihane, El Ghazi, Jota, Kodjia. Imagine we are fairly likely to see some U23 forward players on the bench which will be nice.

[Richard]

Think Smith might go back to 4-3-3 for this given the need to give some players a rest, give certain players minutes and lack of availability due to injury. Possibly something like; Nyland, Elmo, Chester, Engles, Taylor, Marv, Lansbury, Hourihane, El Ghazi, Jota, Kodjia. Imagine we are fairly likely to see some U23 forward players on the bench which will be nice.

Hope he sticks with the 343 personally so the whole squad get more used to it.

Kalinic or Nyland

Chester
Engels
Hause

Elmo
Lansbury
Hourihane
Taylor

AEG
Jota
Kodjia

So 9 changes from Burnley game

[john e]

i hope he plays a decent side

i'm old enough to remember when top league games weren't the be all and end all as they are today

[Demitri_C]

I personally wouldn't call it meaningless, but would definitely like to see some of the U23s involved.

Carabao cup and league have to take priority this really is a game we could do without.

[Luke8]

Think Smith might go back to 4-3-3 for this given the need to give some players a rest, give certain players minutes and lack of availability due to injury. Possibly something like; Nyland, Elmo, Chester, Engles, Taylor, Marv, Lansbury, Hourihane, El Ghazi, Jota, Kodjia. Imagine we are fairly likely to see some U23 forward players on the bench which will be nice.

Hope he sticks with the 343 personally so the whole squad get more used to it.

Can understand that (and it may well happen) but we have just come off a run where some of those players have played five games in 18 days and we have some big fixtures coming up.

Also, my issue with Smith’s 4-3-3 was it being our only system despite not currently working for some of our players and against some opponents. I want us to be flexible so would have no issue with it still being used at times.

[Drummond]

i hope he plays a decent side

i'm old enough to remember when top league games weren't the be all and end all as they are today

Yep. FA Cup is the one I want to win more than any other.

[hilts_coolerking]

i hope he plays a decent side

i'm old enough to remember when top league games weren't the be all and end all as they are today

Same here.  The FA Cup used to be an event in itself, not an unnecessary distraction from finishing 4th or 17th.