Your selection for Aston Villa (M) Strongest 11 this season.

[Clark W Griswold]

I’ll always be a fan of Mings and never forget how brilliant he was helping us get promoted. It’s just that I can’t help thinking there are 2 better CB’s at the club now but we’ll see. Maybe it’ll help him improve too, which was the other point of bringing another good CB in.

[chrisw1]

I've been surprised how little gametime Sanson got this pre-season.  I've assumed he's almost certainly on his way, but every time I've seen him play he's been pretty good.  I still think we'll move him on but I'd like to have seen more from him.

As for starting line up I would like to see the same line up as Hooky (although I'd prefer Ings but can't see it happening):

                               Martinez

  Cash       Chambers        Carlos          Digne

                        Luiz            Kamara

          Bailey         Coutiniho   Buendia

                              Watkins


But I just can't see him dropping McGinn or Ramsey, so would be surprised if we don't start with this:

                     Martinez

Cash       Carlos       Mings          Digne

   McGinn        Kamara      Ramsey

       Bailey (Buendia)       Coutiniho   

                     Watkins

[London Villan]

The Christmas Tree formation is just so narrow - pin the full backs in their own half and we have no attacking threat.

4231 for me as per the above.

[chrisw1]

The Christmas Tree formation is just so narrow - pin the full backs in their own half and we have no attacking threat.

4231 for me as per the above.

You say that but I'd expect Bailey in particular to move out wider as opposed to playing as a 10.

[mrfuse]

                        Martinez
Cash    Carlos              Mings      Digne
                      Kamara   
          Buendia            Ramsey
Bailey           Watkins         Coutinho

I'd definitely go with this choice.

Bailey and Buendia deserve starts from what I have seen so far.
Ramsey deserves to keep his place but must add more consistency which im sure he will to keep his place and I think Mings deserves to keep his place for now.

Ings doesn't really impress me and if he doesn't score he can go missing and Watkins will be under pressure from Archer hopefully.

[Drummond]

The Christmas Tree formation is just so narrow - pin the full backs in their own half and we have no attacking threat.

4231 for me as per the above.

You say that but I'd expect Bailey in particular to move out wider as opposed to playing as a 10.

That's the thing. With Bailey and Watkins, we have plenty of pace to stretch defences. Buendia and Coutinho should be able to exploit that space with Ramsey doing a lot of running forward too.

[Drummond]

Looks like McGinn needs adding to a lot of teams!!!

So....

                 Martinez
Cash   Carlos     Mings      Digne
              Kamara
     McGinn        Ramsey/Luiz/Sanson/Buendia
Bailey                         Coutinho
              Watkins

Given we feel Kamara gets a game, and McGinn too it leaves a lot of competition for the remaining one of three.

[Risso]

The stats you posted earlier Drummond show that he's good at tackling, so stick him in a two next to Kamara, with orders not to try a pass any longer than two feet.

[ldavfc4eva]

SJM plays much better in an advanced role for Scotland, but I can’t see how he can play that role for us when we have the likes of Bailey/Buendia/Phil.

I think it will be back to the 4-3-3 we saw last season, with the starting midfield of Kamara,SJM and JJ.

My only worry with this is that it is Kamara’s first season, so may be throwing him at the deep end somewhat if he has to hold on his own.

[Dave]

Unless anyone gets crocked against Rennes, I expect Bournemouth to be:

Martinez
Cash
Carlos
Mings
Digne
Kamara
McGinn
Ramsey
Bailey
Coutinho
Watkins

[villa_cads]

I think one of the key things will be the five subs, it's going to allow a lot more tactical change in a game (that idea of starters and finishers). So the concept of a rigid best eleven starts to become mute. I recall Gerard talking about players been adept at tactical change during the game, which we've struggled with over the recent seasons (moving Luis mid game for example). All in all, serious competition is no bad thing, just something we're really not used to.

[brontebilly]

Unless anyone gets crocked against Rennes, I expect Bournemouth to be:

Martinez
Cash
Carlos
Mings
Digne
Kamara
McGinn
Ramsey
Bailey
Coutinho
Watkins

You are probably right but I think it's bonkers that we arent building our attacking play around Buendia.

[Drummond]

The stats you posted earlier Drummond show that he's good at tackling, so stick him in a two next to Kamara, with orders not to try a pass any longer than two feet.

That makes sense.

[wittonwarrior]

I 'd be pissed off if Mings doesn't start, definitely one of the best two centre half's we possess.  Plus he can move the ball out.

[chrisw1]

McGinn captain seems to take away a lot of the flexibilty I was hoping to see.  I guess that means no double pivot, Luiz and Sanson fighting over scraps and no chance of seeing Bailey & Buendia in the same team.