Aston Villa v Brighton pre-match thread - Sat 20 Nov 3pm

[Risso]

I just hope he doesn't play it safe and start with Ashley Young anywhere in the team.

[yammers]

I’m taking the middle boy for his very first game on what will be his 10th birthday.  I was worried at first that he was going to follow Liverpool at first like his best mate but he’s Villa and in particular Ollie mad!
Hoping for a home win!

[VILLA MOLE]

I just hope he doesn't play it safe and start with Ashley Young anywhere in the team.

hopefully he has re watched a few of our games to know that is a non starter

[PaulTheVillan]

Villa win.

Potter who?

[sickbeggar]

I'm going for:

Emi M

Cashy M
Ezri K
Mingie T
Matty T

Johnny M
Dougie L
Marvelessly N

Leon Bailey
Watty K
Emi B

[achilles]

Have to be positive with his first game in charge and think it will be hard to break down Brighton so going for a 1 - 0 win.
Don't think that Gerrard will have any surprises in store but will play it safe and steady.
That means Bailey won't start games until his defensive attributes improve as Gerrard likes players who work hard, with and without the ball!

The defence picks itself in a four:

Martinez

Cash
Konsa
Mings
Targett

The midfield is slightly difficult with doubts about the invisible man (Sanson, will he ever start), is Luiz fit and whether we really need a DM at home to Brighton, so going for Nakamba only playing if Luiz isn't fit;

McGinn
Luiz / Nakamba       
Ramsey J

Next the three up front, think Gerrard will go with El-Ghazi on the left for his work rate (as long as he cools down) and Buendia on the right with Ollie centre, Ings I have discountered due to him being injured or at the very least not being fully match fit;

El-Ghazi
Watkins
Buendia

That is a fairly safe selection until Gerrard finds out more about his squad, a tough hard game!

[ChicagoLion]

El Ghazi , no way. Will be gone in January.

[Risso]

I'm going for:

Emi M

Cashy M
Ezri K
Mingie T
Matty T

Johnny M
Dougie L
Marvelessly N

Leon Bailey
Watty K
Emi B

It's been reported that Marv has picked up an injury on international duty.

[VILLA MOLE]

El Ghazi , no way. Will be gone in January.

I think he is more likely to go with Bidace

[sickbeggar]

I'm going for:

Emi M

Cashy M
Ezri K
Mingie T
Matty T

Johnny M
Dougie L
Marvelessly N

Leon Bailey
Watty K
Emi B

It's been reported that Marv has picked up an injury on international duty.

Ah well. Cursed again.  Another 3 points gone,

[Skerra]

Apparently a thigh muscle injury for Marv. Don’t think I’ll lose too much sleep if that’s our only injury.

[Villa Lew]

Will be interesting to see if Sanson makes the bench and even gets some game time. He's one player, who's probably not too unhappy to see Dean go.

[KRS]

A tough first game. Does new manager bounce cancel out the if you haven’t won in ages then who would you like to play next jinx? Saying that, we’ve lost 5 on the bounce so we’re due a win more than them.

[brontebilly]

El Ghazi , no way. Will be gone in January.

If you can ignore his idiocy in trying to get sent off v Southampton, I thought AEG was decent with the ball. Some nice touches and shots at times.

Wouldn't be against him starting on the left wing anyway. No way can Bailey start there after his 'effort' last time out. Replace AEG at about 70 mins.

Nakamba out isn't exactly a huge blow. Ramsey, Luiz and McGinn should be a strong trio with Sanson in reserve. Wouldn't be against Sanson starting in order to free McGinn up a bit more either.

This might not be the worst first game for Gerrard, getting Brighton at possibly a good time as others have said. 

[algy]

El Ghazi , no way. Will be gone in January.

I'm not so sure. Part of me thinks he's thrive as a left sided 10.