Aston Villa v Arsenal Match Thread

[PaulWinch again]

Win please Villa. Doug needed a rest.

[brontebilly]

I struggle with Barkley and Traore starting.
Not confident.

Agreed, that's two players contributing very little without the ball. Smith has his favourites like any manager.

[German James]

I'm glad Makamba's starting. Now to see how quickly Dean can react to events on the pitch. If Barkley and McGinn are sleepwalking again, he has to see it and make a change earlier than usual.

[Clampy]

I don't mind Barkley staying in the side. He's an extra goal threat and Watkins does seem to score when he's on the pitch. No, he didn't play that well the other night but not many did.

[Ads]

I think the midfield two will be a lot more disciplined today in screening the defence. Dougie was awful Wednesday and I didn’t think against Southampton or Burnley he played well either.

[JUAN PABLO]

Liked to have seen Morgan in for Barkley , Barkley was aboslute rubbish wednesday , maybe a few bollocking in there.  Not sure about dougie being dropped , I think Arse are the kind of team he will play good against.

Anyway come on Villa . 3 pts please and the first game with concussion subs .

[Diablo]

Can anyone help? I remember being at a match where there was a pre match or half time incident with people parachuting into the ground but it wasn't the one against Arsenal where the poor fella tragically hit the stand (as I didn't go to that match). Anyone got an idea? I can't remember if they just missed the ground or landed badly on the pitch? Pretty sure it was before 98 and the Dion 3-2 win game.

Apologies for the slight tangent I was speaking to an old friend who is an Arsenal fan and the incident/accident came up in the conversation.

[Ads]

It was half time during that game. Fella lost his leg.

[villa for life]

Glad Nakamba is in. Would have preferred luiz kept in side further up the field instead of Barkley

[Proposition Joe]

This is my least favourite kickoff time, after Friday night, but that's not a real one IMO. So much potential for a weekend to be ruined before it's begun.

Surprised at Nakamba for Luiz, thought that Kenny for McGinn was the more obvious. Nakamba doesn't improve our control in midfield really, given his knack of giving the ball away. Maybe we're going to sit deeper, soak up, and play long to the wings on the break.

[Ian.]

If it’s not working with Ross again, I’d bring Sansom on for him and move SJM into that role further forward.

[Small Rodent]

I’m not surprised at only one change in the starting line-up.

There’s more chance of the Mandalorian taking his helmet off than Deano changing his first XI.

[Clampy]

I’m not surprised at only one change in the starting line-up.

There’s more chance of the Mandalorian taking his helmet off than Deano changing his first XI.

He's changed it twice in the last two games and made a sub at half time on Wednesday.

[Mister E]

Barkley is a very lucky lad to be honest, he was dire on Wednesday. I'd have played Trez with Jack at number 10, but let's see how Ross does I suppose.

Yup, definitely

[Diablo]

It was half time during that game. Fella lost his leg.

Cheers Ads. Yeah I'm confused as I wasn't at that match. Didn't we have a few games prior to that accident in 98 where people would parachute into the ground?