Newcastle United vs Aston Villa pre match thread

[OCD]

Think we also surprised Newcastle by playing a more direct style than we normally do under Unai.

Quickly moving it from Defence to the Forwards, rather than short passing through Midfield.

They were set to press us because as Howe said in his press conference, 'that's how we play every week'. So we flipped it and Martinez was bypassing the defenders and their press by playing it out to McGinn/Ramsey/Watkins and they were never able to adjust to it.

[coreyfeldman]

I think he might start with the 4 MF across the middle SJM Tielmans Doug Camara.

I think Emery will go that way too but not sure it will suit Tielemans out on the left where Ramsey played last season. Think Buendia will start playing off Watkins with Diaby held in reserve.

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, McGinn, Tielemans, Buendia, Watkins.

Bench - Olsen, Chambers, Torres, Archer, Diaby, Bailey, Donk, Coutinho, Carlos

Unavailable - Ramsey, Moreno

starting with 10 will definitely surprise them.

There's absolutely no way emery isn't starting our best attacker and record signing

[paul_e]

I think he might start with the 4 MF across the middle SJM Tielmans Doug Camara.

I think Emery will go that way too but not sure it will suit Tielemans out on the left where Ramsey played last season. Think Buendia will start playing off Watkins with Diaby held in reserve.

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, McGinn, Tielemans, Buendia, Watkins.

Bench - Olsen, Chambers, Torres, Archer, Diaby, Bailey, Donk, Coutinho, Carlos

Unavailable - Ramsey, Moreno

starting with 10 will definitely surprise them.

There's absolutely no way emery isn't starting our best attacker and record signing

Agreed. I think 8 spots are set in stone with 3 places potentially up for grabs:

Martinez

Cash
Konsa
Mings
Digne or Torres

McGinn
Kamara or Tielemans
Luiz
Buendia or Philogene

Diaby
Watkins

for the 'ors' I think they come as sets as well, if Torres starts we'll want more natural width so Philogene gets the nod but it also means we can be slightly more progressive in the middle so Tielemans comes in for the extra passing rage and to provide another threat shotting from distance.

[PaulWinch again]

I think we’ll lose this one. Not because I don’t think we’re going places, or that Unai is doing the right things, I just think it’s a really difficult game. If we do lose we’ll just need to bounce back quickly. Obviously I hope I’m wrong!

[Clark W Griswold]

I think he might start with the 4 MF across the middle SJM Tielmans Doug Camara.

I think Emery will go that way too but not sure it will suit Tielemans out on the left where Ramsey played last season. Think Buendia will start playing off Watkins with Diaby held in reserve.

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, McGinn, Tielemans, Buendia, Watkins.

Bench - Olsen, Chambers, Torres, Archer, Diaby, Bailey, Donk, Coutinho, Carlos

Unavailable - Ramsey, Moreno

starting with 10 will definitely surprise them.

There's absolutely no way emery isn't starting our best attacker and record signing

Or indeed with 10 players.

[brontebilly]

I think he might start with the 4 MF across the middle SJM Tielmans Doug Camara.

I think Emery will go that way too but not sure it will suit Tielemans out on the left where Ramsey played last season. Think Buendia will start playing off Watkins with Diaby held in reserve.

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, McGinn, Tielemans, Buendia, Watkins.

Bench - Olsen, Chambers, Torres, Archer, Diaby, Bailey, Donk, Coutinho, Carlos

Unavailable - Ramsey, Moreno

starting with 10 will definitely surprise them.

That version of Luiz is long since gone!

[brontebilly]

I think he might start with the 4 MF across the middle SJM Tielmans Doug Camara.

I think Emery will go that way too but not sure it will suit Tielemans out on the left where Ramsey played last season. Think Buendia will start playing off Watkins with Diaby held in reserve.

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, McGinn, Tielemans, Buendia, Watkins.

Bench - Olsen, Chambers, Torres, Archer, Diaby, Bailey, Donk, Coutinho, Carlos

Unavailable - Ramsey, Moreno

starting with 10 will definitely surprise them.

There's absolutely no way emery isn't starting our best attacker and record signing

On the basis of a few friendlies?

[Toronto Villa]

Diaby is definitely starting. He’s made us instantly look better and a great partner for Ollie when he pushes up. I think Tielemans earns his spot also. I reckon we play a steady back 4, mid of SJM, Tielemans, Luiz, Kamara, Diaby tucked in behind Ollie and playing out wide as needed.

[RamboandBruno]

Diaby is definitely starting. He’s made us instantly look better and a great partner for Ollie when he pushes up. I think Tielemans earns his spot also. I reckon we play a steady back 4, mid of SJM, Tielemans, Luiz, Kamara, Diaby tucked in behind Ollie and playing out wide as needed.

This is the team i think will start.

[coreyfeldman]

I think he might start with the 4 MF across the middle SJM Tielmans Doug Camara.

I think Emery will go that way too but not sure it will suit Tielemans out on the left where Ramsey played last season. Think Buendia will start playing off Watkins with Diaby held in reserve.

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, McGinn, Tielemans, Buendia, Watkins.

Bench - Olsen, Chambers, Torres, Archer, Diaby, Bailey, Donk, Coutinho, Carlos

Unavailable - Ramsey, Moreno

starting with 10 will definitely surprise them.

There's absolutely no way emery isn't starting our best attacker and record signing

On the basis of a few friendlies?

What else could I possibly base my opinion on?

[eamonn]

FootyV insight?

[D.boy]

It will be interesting how we play the high line as I think Newcastle will try and use the pace of Barnes to try and beat it.

[coreyfeldman]

I'd guess both teams tactics will be quite different this time, expecting a very tight game

[brontebilly]

I think he might start with the 4 MF across the middle SJM Tielmans Doug Camara.

I think Emery will go that way too but not sure it will suit Tielemans out on the left where Ramsey played last season. Think Buendia will start playing off Watkins with Diaby held in reserve.

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, McGinn, Tielemans, Buendia, Watkins.

Bench - Olsen, Chambers, Torres, Archer, Diaby, Bailey, Donk, Coutinho, Carlos

Unavailable - Ramsey, Moreno

starting with 10 will definitely surprise them.

There's absolutely no way emery isn't starting our best attacker and record signing

On the basis of a few friendlies?

What else could I possibly base my opinion on?

Lets wait for a handful of games that matter to see if he's a better player than Watkins for starters.

[Beard82]

I think he might start with the 4 MF across the middle SJM Tielmans Doug Camara.

I think Emery will go that way too but not sure it will suit Tielemans out on the left where Ramsey played last season. Think Buendia will start playing off Watkins with Diaby held in reserve.

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, McGinn, Tielemans, Buendia, Watkins.

Bench - Olsen, Chambers, Torres, Archer, Diaby, Bailey, Donk, Coutinho, Carlos

Unavailable - Ramsey, Moreno

starting with 10 will definitely surprise them.

There's absolutely no way emery isn't starting our best attacker and record signing

On the basis of a few friendlies?

What else could I possibly base my opinion on?

Lets wait for a handful of games that matter to see if he's a better player than Watkins for starters.

Bench looks strong - though I guess it is helped by only playing 10 players