Aston Villa v Leicester City - Pre Match Thread. Sunday 2.05pm.

[Drummond]

We've had a tough run but this is the perfect game to get going again. One game in a fortnight means training should have been good and players more up to speed and suitably rested too.

Let's not get back to the defeatist attitude of Villa over the past decade, we are a match for anyone on our day. We can do this.

[Baldy]

We have reached the crossroad. Settle for mid table mediocrity or challenge for the top 6?

Based on our last few performances some players think we have achieved our goal this season, cemented our position in the league and it is time for a holiday!!

Man City aside, we are a match for any team in this league and should be looking to end as high as possible. West Ham have got the 'bit between the teeth' and are going for it. So should we.

The Leicester match is pivotal. With hardwork, grit and our quality we can beat this lot. Trez and El Ghazi had fantastic runs earlier in the season and deserve another chance. Trez in for Traore (we need the cover for Elmo) and El Ghazi in for Barkley. We can't solely judge El Ghazi on his last 45 minutes and he does have the 'bit between the teeth'.

Deano, this match, your team selection and formation will tell us what turn we are taking at this crossroad. For me, it is:

                            Martinez

Elmo         Mings                   Konsa          Targett

Trez          McGinn                 Luiz             El Ghazi

                            Jack (floating)
                                           
                                           Watkins   

 Subs to include Barkley, Traore, Sanson, Engels, Nakamba, Heaton, Davis ....

No room for passengers or luxury players in this game. Just true grit. 1-0 to Villa (Barkley- Impact Sub).

[stubbsyandy]

Just win!! Not too concerned how just get this team winning and get our confidence back

[exigo]

We'll be 5 minutes more rested. Kick-off changed to 2:05 for some reason or other.

[Legion]

KO time changed to 2.05pm.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Oh no,  I've already registered my guess the goal prediction.

[TelfordVilla]

I would go with Baldy's line up, possibly Sanson for SJM, but I dont think Deano will drop Barkley.

[Bobby Boy]

I would go with Baldy's line up, possibly Sanson for SJM, but I dont think Deano will drop Barkley.

If Dean sold Villa to Barkley on the basis that he could get back into the England set up for the Euros then it would seem unlikely that he will bench him 3 or 4 months away from the tournament regardless of his form.

However all that should matter is Villa. I'm certain that Barkley will start on Sunday.

[ChicagoLion]

Starting Barkley will be a huge mistake. It will send out all the wrong signals and undermine what should be a meritocracy.

[Drummond]

Starting Barkley will be a huge mistake. It will send out all the wrong signals and undermine what should be a meritocracy.

Unless of course he's trained really well and shown what he can do.

[ChicagoLion]

Starting Barkley will be a huge mistake. It will send out all the wrong signals and undermine what should be a meritocracy.

Unless of course he's trained really well and shown what he can do.

He was awful last week and I have a suspicion that if any one else put in the last 2 performances that Barkley has, they would be benched. I think it’s very bad for team morale if he is treated as a special case.

[Marlon From Bearwood]

Leicester have picked a full strength team in Prague tonight.

I’m taking that as good news.

[N'ZMAV]

I thought it was good news to see all their best players starting.

Hopefully a few of them are tired for Sunday.

[Ads]

Apparently they were absolutely wrecthed too.

[RamboandBruno]

They took off Vardy and Maddison after 60 mins, presumably so their fresh for Sunday. They are a very good team, but Sunday is just as much about what we do. We don’t tend to play a really high line defensively and sitting deeper would make more sense against Barnes and Vardy’s pace. But that does mean the gap between defence and Watkins has to be bridged more effectively than it has been recently, lumping long balls to Watkins in the hope it sticks will just play into the hands of Evans etc and will allow their quality in midfield to hit us quickly on the counter. We have to play through the lines better, it’s been well said on here, but unless Smith and the coaches have seen a transformation in training this week, Sanson to come in for Barclay, just add more energy to the middle and don’t allow Maddison and Tielemans to dictate the play with ease. Jacks also been coming too deep to get the ball lately as well, always a sign we’re not playing well. Trez in for Traore. Having Traore and Barclay to come on when the game is more stretched, seems quite an attractive proposition to me.

                     Martinez
Elmo.      Konsa.     Mings.     Targett

              Luiz.         McGinn

Trez.                Sanson.       Grealish

                        Watkins