Aston Villa vs Liverpool Pre-Match

[TonyD]

It wouldn’t be such an issue but playing Olsen against Liverpool would be insane.
We need to kick start the season with the best team possible.
There are so many of us looking forward to this game. 
He has plenty of time to get back for Monday.

[Ian.]

Given how shite we all know Olsen is, if he doesn’t get back for the Liverpool game I’d sell him in January.

Really?

[Footy-Vill]

Given how shite we all know Olsen is, if he doesn’t get back for the Liverpool game I’d sell him in January.

You're insane.

Nope . We pay his wages he needs to turn up to work on Monday. 
We simply can’t risk Olsen against Liverpool.

So you'd rather risk Olsen for the rest of January? I'd rather pick Martinez, but your post is the most obvious example of cutting your nose of to spite your face ever.

All our players who didnt go to the World Cup had two weeks off after the Brighton game. Dendoncker, Bednarek and Cash were all given time off after their teams got knocked out. Brighton have given Mac Allister time off after the final.

It will be annoying if Martinez is unavailable, but players miss club games because of international duty all the time.

Never when they're playing against Villa, obviously.

But he is a keeper so shouldn’t be so knackered. 

Martinez would be exhausted emotionally as well.
The prestigious nature of the achievement affords him this special dispensation and also allows him to spend time with his family and friends in Argentina to celebrate.
I would personally give him Christmas and he can then come back for either Spurs or Wolves.

However, he is a professional, and as a professional employed by Aston Villa, if he is asked to return for game preparation, he does not need to return until Thursday as that is plenty of time.

It's Emerys' decision, so if he wants him back, he'll tell him.
But I'm sure they've already decided what they're going to do. Emery loves using his squad so I can see Olsen playing as he's had plenty of time with Emery over the last month.

[Toronto Villa]

I thought I saw somewhere Jed Steer was back training at the club. I’d much prefer him to Olsen

I'd much prefer you to Olsen.

I’m only 5’9, my back is fucked, my knees are fucked and I’m not the lean machine I was as young lad. But yes I agree. I’d concede less goals than Olsen.

[olaftab]

Even if Emi makes it back for Monday it would be unprofessional to play a jet lagged celebration fuelled goal keeper against Liverpool.
Not sure why we are so anti Olsen? Yes he’s mate couple of mistakes but no more so than our number 1 over the season.

[algy]

Maybe. But if all the other players have had time off with their families I could understand if he might think he'd like some, too. I'd rather he played, obviously, but wouldn't be rushing to castigate him if he isn't back. As for selling him and leaving us with Olsen as our best goalkeeper for who knows how long, there is no possible way that could be a good idea.

Yeah, this. If he wants to play & is able to, great. However, if he needs a few more days for whatever reason then fair enough. Can't say I'm relishing Olsen being in goal, mind.

[Drummond]

I just want to remind everyone that Liverpool has a game on Thursday away at Man City and then will have to come and face us on Sunday.
We have an advantage in preparation for this match and with Liverpool rotating the squad as well it's all positive signs for Emery and the team to be ready and take the victory.

They'll play the reserves in the League Cup and go full strength against us, I'd imagine. Still, can't be bad news for us that they have an extra game. Good spot.

Alternatively they will be more match-ready than us as a result.

[Dogtanian]

It’s not really worrying me that Olsen may be playing. Being the backup goalkeeper must be one if the hardest jobs as you don’t play for ages, you know you’re not going to play, and then suddenly you’re playing.

If he was a shit keeper he wouldn’t be here, so there must be a competent player in there and the coaching team and defence will have been working with him over the last month to get him ready.

[Clampy]

Given how shite we all know Olsen is, if he doesn’t get back for the Liverpool game I’d sell him in January.

How much eggnog had you drank when you posted that?

[Risso]

Even if Emi makes it back for Monday it would be unprofessional to play a jet lagged celebration fuelled goal keeper against Liverpool.
Not sure why we are so anti Olsen? Yes he’s mate couple of mistakes but no more so than our number 1 over the season.

But he's played a couple of games! It's not just the mistakes, his all round play is atrocious.

[cdbearsfan]

I'm hoping Olsen is better than he has showed so far if he's called upon. Has about a million caps for Sweden so surely can't be totally shite? The early signs haven't been encouraging, though.

[pauliewalnuts]

Given how shite we all know Olsen is, if he doesn’t get back for the Liverpool game I’d sell him in January.

Are you on crack?

[Risso]

I'm hoping Olsen is better than he has showed so far if he's called upon. Has about a million caps for Sweden so surely can't be totally shite? The early signs haven't been encouraging, though.

Unfortunately his performances and stats state that he's utterly shite. He only played about a dozen games for Sheffield United, but a mate of mine who's a Blades fan said he was crap there as well. He just doesn't seem to be any good at any single aspect of goal keeping.

[coreyfeldman]

if the club allow emi a bit of time off, it's not his fault we have a shite reserve, that's the clubs fault. Really glad some of you hysterical maniacs aren't making decisions around here

[Drummond]

We really do need the football to start again.