Aston Villa vs Arsenal pre match thread - Feb 6th 12.30pm

[Toronto Villa]

I’m starting this now so we can push on mentally to the next game and quickly put tonight behind us. This won’t be easy but we will up against an Arsenal side lacking a couple of key players and not setting the world alight. I’m confident we won’t be the as were tonight come Saturday and also expect a couple of changes to the line up.

A bounce back win 3-1 - Ollie, Sanson and Konsa.

[cdbearsfan]

I'd love a double against these. Mon Villa, don't be shit.

[Ads]

Martinez

Targett
Mings
Kinsa
Cash

Morgan
McGinn

Grealish

Traore
Watkins
Trez

[aj2k77]

Freshen the midfield up please Smith. Barkley has been missing a lot since his injury. El Ghazi has played himself out of contention and Luiz needs a break.

[Risso]

Martinez
Cash Konsa Mings Targett
Luiz Sanson
Traore Grealish Trez
Watkins

[PeterWithe]

Just Ramsey in for Barkley for me, McGinn pushed further on.

Tried to keep an eye on Sansom and think he'll need a little longer

[cdbearsfan]

Ramsey for Barkley, Traore for El Ghazi. Maybe Sanson for whichever of McGinn or Luiz played worse. Dunno which as I didn't watch it.

[SoccerHQ]

Would leave out McGinn and Barkley.

Sanson needs to start and Trez coming back given he's had a few sub games makes sense as he usually plays well v Arsenal and we'll need him on the right if Tierney is back as he's rapid going forward with Saka so I wouldn't be having Traore out there (would play him centrally).

It might not work but I don't think the only change of Traore for AEG will work either given we have much less rest for this than we did for tonight's game.

DS done well this season but still the nagging doubt he'll just cross his fingers SJM and Barkley will do better than last time.

[brontebilly]

Just Ramsey in for Barkley for me, McGinn pushed further on.

Tried to keep an eye on Sansom and think he'll need a little longer

That's the way I see it too on Sanson. Huge increase in pace and physicality from the pedestrian French league. Will take a while to get up to speed I suspect.

Ramsey is a fine athlete and Arsenal don't have the greatest midfield. Would also give Trez a go on right wing. It's time a few of our players learned that graft comes first. I'd like to drop Luiz too, poor for a while...maybe Nakamba for him.

[Nev]

McGinn to be pushed further forward with Ramsey coming in. Keep Bertie in as well.

One more game before we have a decent few days break, one big push to knock these over. The whole team played below par last night, even if half step up to the plate it will be an improvement and give them something to worry about.

2-1

[Legion]

0-2.

[Bobby Boy]

Got to freshen things up for this one:

Martinez
Cash Konsa Mings Targett
McGinn Sanson Nakamba
Grealish Trezeguet
Watkins

Obviously Dean needs to remove anyone who is tired. We have very little recovery time from the West Ham game.

Arsenal aren't pulling up any trees but they are fairly solid so we need to compete with them in midfield. Party and Xhaka give them a base.

I know he's not a world beater but I am a fan of Nakamba and thought he was excellent against Newcastle recently. He will put himself about and Arsenal will know he's there.

I'd give Luiz a rest and Barkley was poor last night. Give McGinn license to play further forward where he's more effective.

[ADVILLAFAN]

When was our last League double over Arse?

[PaulWinch again]

A couple of changes and a complete shift in attitude/application from last night please.

[in exile]

Bounce back time - a 2-1 Villa win.