Chelsea vs Aston Villa Match Thread

[john e]

Very positive first half display even though we are losing
Problem we’ve got now is that too Tuchel is a master tactician And he could make changes to win the game from here

We have options aswell. El Ghazi, Bailey and Traore all there.

This is what DS didn't have for most of last season.

Important we see two of them on the pitch when it's 1-0 rather than 2 or 3-0.

That’s true we have
Second-half will be decided on who Gets it right tactically

[itmustbe_it is!]

Maybe its my claret and blue glasses but apart from the goal I think we've been the better side

[SoccerHQ]

I’d take Axel and Ings off, go 4-3-3. Ollie up front, Bailey out wide.

Change the formation that's been working so well?? Excellent idea!

Did the formation work really well for their goal? What would we have lost if Tuanzebe hadn't been playing and, say, Bailey had been in the team instead?

Well we had a back 4 at Watford and of course were 3-0 down by the hour with some comedy defending.

With what our squad is looking like now I honestly think based on this 45 minutes it's going to suit this squad more than others although DS can obviously tweak and play 4-3-3 in other games but I like it v the top 6 otherwise we get too exposed in central midfield.

[DrGonzo]

I’d take Axel and Ings off, go 4-3-3. Ollie up front, Bailey out wide.

Change the formation that's been working so well?? Excellent idea!

Did the formation work really well for their goal? What would we have lost if Tuanzebe hadn't been playing and, say, Bailey had been in the team instead?

For 43 1/2 minutes we created more chances and controlled their midfield.  A 4-3-3 will just allow Havertz and Ziyech more freedom to drop into the spaces between Luiz/Cash and Ramsey/Targett and invite more pressure on to the two centre backs.  The defending for the goal was poor all around, Konsa should have been in position, Axel should have stayed on his feet and Steer should have put pressure on the ball.  3 individual errors that had nothing to do with the shape.

[Bobby Boy]

We really should have taken advantage of Saul's shocking debut though.

No way is he starting the second half.

[cdbearsfan]

Is there anything more pathetic then offering each other out for fights on an Internet message board!

Who's doing that?

[cdbearsfan]

We really should have taken advantage of Saul's shocking debut though.

No way is he starting the second half.

Lottery numbers, please.

[FrankyH]

Will the ref grow a pair and actually book a Chelsea player second half.

[Dante Lavelli]

Fuck it.  If we are still in it after ten minutes, go 433
axel and Ings off, Bailey and Traore on.

[cdbearsfan]

I'd be tempted to leave Ings on, get Bailey and Watkins playing wide. Bailey on for Ax-T.

[Lastfootstamper]

I’d take Axel and Ings off, go 4-3-3. Ollie up front, Bailey out wide.

Formation is working really well though ......plus you've only brought one sub on ....

Agree about the formation (sorry, cd). Bailey for Ings feels like it might pay dividends.

[SoccerHQ]

No messing from Tuchel as usual, Saul off Jorginho on for them.

[cdbearsfan]

We are gonna score here.

[Goldenballs]

Is there anything more pathetic then offering each other out for fights on an Internet message board!

Who's doing that?

Someone further up, "meet and say it my face" type stuff.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Just wish that chance that fell to Watkins had gone to Ings
it would be 1-1 now

Indeed. Said earlier, Ollie always needs two touches. That said he's brilliant at running the channels. Great team focus and performance especially since Chelsea scored.