Aston Villa v Chelsea Match Thread

[Skerra]

DS said earlier in the week that he would stick to his “tried and trusted” 4-3-3...I think he’s the only one of us would call it trusted.

[SoccerHQ]

I really, really cannot understand why Smith persistently uses probably the most gifted central midfield play in the league where opposition managers would want to see him... out chalking his boots on the left touchline.

Bloody clueless.

I doubt many managers would deploy Grealish out wide.

If he moves to Man. United he'll be playing out wide given what they have centrally.

I get what people are saying but he's contributed many goals and assists from a wide position this year. He played as a pure 10 in August and September yet we struggled to win and even score and Jack was struggling for his best form aswell.

It would also mean Trez or Jota probably starting aswell if we moved him back centrally.

Saying that I'd like to see him in a free role behind a front two of Samatta and Davis. I think we'll see that in the near future as last throw of the dice and it could very well work.

[Nii Lamptey]

If we don’t win/get a performance today, Smith needs a roasting. A Steve Bruce Newcastle side have just smashed the team we stole a point off midweek (who are also a game further on fitness wise than Newcastle).

Glaringly obvious that Grealish is wasted out on left, and both Keinan and Ally offer nothing going solo up top. Should have played both up top today.

[CT]

If anybody wants to kindly send me an alternative to hesgoals I'd greatly appreciate the gesture.

Rudy, I’ve got a ST code I’m not using if you want it??

[paul_e]

I really, really cannot understand why Smith persistently uses probably the most gifted central midfield play in the league where opposition managers would want to see him... out chalking his boots on the left touchline.

Bloody clueless.

I doubt many managers would deploy Grealish out wide.

Does he actually play wide? I don't care where his name is on the teamsheet, is he actually out getting chalk on his boots?  Looking on the heatmap from wednesday I see no evidence that he doesn't have as free role to wander and find space but with a responsibility to look after the opposition right back when we're defending.

[PeterWithesShin]

We didn't steal a point and they didn't smash them until the red card when SU coallpsed. Newcastle hardly looked much cop before that. 

[SoccerHQ]

So annoying we're not on Pick considering they're showing the other two Sunday games. I think that's the case when we play Palace in two weeks and we're the middle game of the three on the Sunday that isn't shown.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If anybody wants to kindly send me an alternative to hesgoals I'd greatly appreciate the gesture.

Rudy, I’ve got a ST code I’m not using if you want it??

Cheers, fella. PM sent.

[Mister E]

I really, really cannot understand why Smith persistently uses probably the most gifted central midfield play in the league where opposition managers would want to see him... out chalking his boots on the left touchline.

Bloody clueless.

I doubt many managers would deploy Grealish out wide.

I think that was the point of Lam's post.

That’s why I was agreeing with him. Is that not allowed?

That's fine - it wasn't obvious from the way I read it.

[David_Nab]

We didn't steal a point and they didn't smash them until the red card when SU coallpsed. Newcastle hardly looked much cop before that. 

This

It was a crap game with little chances then the red card came and Shef United fell apart starting with Enda Stevens cock up for the first goal.

[Nii Lamptey]

We didn't steal a point and they didn't smash them until the red card when SU coallpsed. Newcastle hardly looked much cop before that. 

Fair point. But regardless of what happened, on paper, we drew 0-0 against Sheffield Utd at home, one of our close competitors (managed by a guy we slaughtered!) have just played them a few days later, and won 3-0.
God, I want him to succeed as much as any villa fan, but he’s come back, and second game in, doesn’t appear to have learnt anything.... same team, replaced like for like off the bench in the first game (65th minute standard affair).
Hope he turns it around, but fucking hell, he’s not helping himself really?!
Biggest highlight from the Sheffield game was Luiz’s performance. Hopefully that continues today with the addition of a few others.

[Big Ming]

Looks like the limit of ambitions is to be hard to beat.

Again.

[ChicagoLion]

I really, really cannot understand why Smith persistently uses probably the most gifted central midfield play in the league where opposition managers would want to see him... out chalking his boots on the left touchline.

Bloody clueless.

I doubt many managers would deploy Grealish out wide.

Does he actually play wide? I don't care where his name is on the teamsheet, is he actually out getting chalk on his boots?  Looking on the heatmap from wednesday I see no evidence that he doesn't have as free role to wander and find space but with a responsibility to look after the opposition right back when we're defending.

yes his starting position is and as you say he has defensive responsibility out there which means he is not as free as many of us would like to see.

[DB]

El Ghazi again?

[SoccerHQ]

Davis already introducing himself to Chelsea backline.