Aston Villa v Man U pre-season friendly thread

[TonyD]

Let’s see if Buendia starts the first game.

[cdbearsfan]

In justification of the two up front, everybody wants Archer involved and we need Ings and Watkins up to fitness, too. The only way to do that is to play two up front at times.

So, I'm hoping, two up front is just a way of keeping our strikers involved and getting them up to fitness in pre-season.

We better not be daft enough to persevere with it in proper games.

I was going to post something whinging about playing Ings and Ollie together again, but this makes sense. So fair enough.

I will join you in whinging like fuck when I'm proven wrong and we start two up front at Bournemouth! 😁

[cdbearsfan]

Let’s see if Buendia starts the first game.

Can we get away with Coutinho, Buendia and Bailey together? I'd be excited to try it.

[Toronto Villa]

The manager’s comments are spot on

https://twitter.com/avfcofficial/status/1550816559576522752?s=21&t=Gwdy94hm1dsoqazZiuYaPw

[eamonn]

The depressing thing is that in all likelihood Gerrard's first XI for the opening league game will be predominantly the first half team from today. I just don't think he's flexible enough when it matters and the way he wants to play is the high full-backs exposing the midfield with Coutinho and McGinn to start regardless of form.

[Legion]

The depressing thing is that in all likelihood Gerrard's first XI for the opening league game will be predominantly the first half team from today. I just don't think he's flexible enough when it matters and the way he wants to play is the high full-backs exposing the midfield with Coutinho and McGinn to start regardless of form.

That is how I see it as well. More of the same from last season. Hope I'm wrong.

[Matt C]

Some encouraging performances in that second half, squad is shaping up pretty well. Will be interesting to see if we can add anyone else in the next month - we don’t need any filler now, but if we could land some top quality in midfield and possibly attack, we’d look like a very decent squad.

[Holte Antipode]

Once Bailey & Buendia came on we kept  & moved the ball better. Offered a threat going forward & Kessler who looked really useful.

Agree Bailey and Emi 2 definitely moved the ball better, even in the deteriorating mud.  Interviewed on Aussie TV at game's end, Steven admitted that if the Premier League started tomorrow he would have to keep Bailey in his starting XI.

Kaine H-H was a willing accomplice for Bailey to run riot down the right flank, think he may have ruined Freddie G's backup RB hopes on that performance.  Luiz also made us more solid, the only decent effort I've seen from him on tour.

Really hard to know what to make of that first half.  The pitch, weather, and our shape were a mess. Their second goal looked like an unlucky OG in the middle of a freak hailstorm that distracted half the players.

Interesting that Bailey and Sancho each arrived from the Bundesliga a year ago, struggled initially for different reasons, but looked the two most dangerous players out there tonight.  This might be the season they both start to justify the hype (very pleased for Leon, less so the other one).

[VILLA MOLE]

The depressing thing is that in all likelihood Gerrard's first XI for the opening league game will be predominantly the first half team from today. I just don't think he's flexible enough when it matters and the way he wants to play is the high full-backs exposing the midfield with Coutinho and McGinn to start regardless of form.

That is how I see it as well. More of the same from last season. Hope I'm wrong.

he did say afterwards the second half was more his style he wanted to play so hopefully the team selection will follow that

[ChicagoLion]

Let’s see if Buendia starts the first game.

Can we get away with Coutinho, Buendia and Bailey together? I'd be excited to try it.

This is what I want to see as a front 3.

[cdbearsfan]

I dunno I reckon maybe bring back 4-2-3-1, have  Coutinho and Bailey wide, get Buendia fulfilling the role that Barkley did in the half dozen or so really good games he had for us, and you can still have a centre-forward. I can see that bringing out the best of Watkins.

[olaftab]

The manager’s comments are spot on

https://twitter.com/avfcofficial/status/1550816559576522752?s=21&t=Gwdy94hm1dsoqazZiuYaPw

I agree football is a game of two halves. Being too lazy to click I am presuming that’s what he said.

[olaftab]

Very strange. 700 posts and never noticed him before. Then out of nowhere, that nonsense.

Some play the long game when coming on here to win “I was banned” badge. I noticed earlier that his first post was in 2006 and a  golden muppet in 2013.

[Brazilian Villain]

The manager’s comments are spot on

https://twitter.com/avfcofficial/status/1550816559576522752?s=21&t=Gwdy94hm1dsoqazZiuYaPw

I agree football is a game of two halves. Being too lazy to click I am presuming that’s what he said.

Just said pre-season has gone well, was pleased with the 2nd half response, that Bailey made more than an impact in changing the game and that JLR make some of the finest vehicles in the world. Other than that not much.

[Toronto Villa]

The manager’s comments are spot on

https://twitter.com/avfcofficial/status/1550816559576522752?s=21&t=Gwdy94hm1dsoqazZiuYaPw

I agree football is a game of two halves. Being too lazy to click I am presuming that’s what he said.

Just said pre-season has gone well, was pleased with the 2nd half response, that Bailey made more than an impact in changing the game and that JLR make some of the finest vehicles in the world. Other than that not much.

The Bailey comments were very positive. Not just about this game but overall. I think he has forced his way in now for Ings. And I don't know that Mings is assured of a spot now either,