Legia Warszawa v Aston Villa Pre Match

[Clampy]

The premier league should be our priority, but I suspect we’ll go with a decent team for this… tricky though

I reckon 1-1

Why? No chance of winning the league and if we are in top 6 we get chance of Europe……don’t mean to single your post out but I’m baffled as to why we bother qualifying if we are just wanting league position. It’s not like we are relegation fodder.

To be fair, I think Emery himself has said the league is priority but he'll no doubt be taking this seriously, he loves his teams  playing in Europe

[wince]

Just be nice to win something! Been too long

[rob_bridge]

Leggie Warmers 1.3 Villa

[KevinGage]

As a neutral, I could watch the West Ham v Fiorentina final last year or the Roma v Feyenoord game the season before. Both felt like an occasion.  I've had little interest in recent League Cup finals if Villa aren't in it.

Even if you get favourable draws in the latter, you eventually run into Citeh or one of the other petrodollar spunk bubbles in the SF or final. The ECL is in its infancy but still has the capacity to throw up more compelling ties.

[Risso]

Is Carlos going to be back for this?

If so I'd go:

Martinez

Konsa Carlos Torres Digne

Bailey Tielemans Luiz McGinn Zaniolo

Duran

[pauliewalnuts]

I’d play Moreno.

Good way to reintroduce him.

[Risso]

Is he fit enough to be starting do you think?

[pauliewalnuts]

He was on the bench at the weekend, wasn't he? Got to play at some point.

[Risso]

He was on the bench at the weekend, wasn't he? Got to play at some point.

I'm not sure under Emery that always means they're fit to play. Carlos was on the bench for ages and I strongly think he was nowhere near ready. I think Emery values getting them back into the squad for re-integration purposes, and anyway, we don't really have any alternatives.

[paul_e]

He was on the bench at the weekend, wasn't he? Got to play at some point.

I'm not sure under Emery that always means they're fit to play. Carlos was on the bench for ages and I strongly think he was nowhere near ready. I think Emery values getting them back into the squad for re-integration purposes, and anyway, we don't really have any alternatives.

Who knows with carlos, he was back on the bench at about the same time that we were on a run of conceding 8 in 16 to finish the season. Even if he was fully fit it would've been tough to bring him into that team ahead of Konsa or Mings.

[PeterWithesShin]

I've seen it suggested that there will be buses for Villa fans to and from the city center and the ground and that there's an expected 40 minute hold back after the game.

[AV82EC]

I've seen it suggested that there will be buses for Villa fans to and from the city center and the ground and that there's an expected 40 minute hold back after the game.

Not just suggested it was in the pre match briefing pack and FAQs we got sent.

[Smithy]

He was on the bench at the weekend, wasn't he? Got to play at some point.

I'm not sure under Emery that always means they're fit to play. Carlos was on the bench for ages and I strongly think he was nowhere near ready. I think Emery values getting them back into the squad for re-integration purposes, and anyway, we don't really have any alternatives.

The worst possible scenario is Moreno starts a game too early and breaks down. This was a big hamstring injury, that required surgery, on a player that relies heavily on his pace.  If Unai thinks he's fit enough for the bench, then by all means, let's give him 30 mins and let Digne have a bit of a rest before the weekend.  But from zero minutes in months, to starting a game feels like a risk?

I would expect to see five or six of our normal starting eleven at a minimum, but that most of them will be subbed off at some stage.  Almost certainly starts for Bailey, Tielemens and Carlos (if fit), maybe even Donk and Duran.

Does anyone know what the sub situation is in the ECL? Same as the premier league?  Obviously more subs is an advantage to clubs like us, but hopefully it's similar to the league.

[john e]

Is Carlos going to be back for this?

If so I'd go:

Martinez

Konsa Carlos Torres Digne

Bailey Tielemans Luiz McGinn Zaniolo

Duran

Carlos hasn’t been a disaster by any means but there’s nothing that’s impressed me about him so far
Although I wouldn’t say that to his face obviously

[Risso]

Is Carlos going to be back for this?

If so I'd go:

Martinez

Konsa Carlos Torres Digne

Bailey Tielemans Luiz McGinn Zaniolo

Duran

Carlos hasn’t been a disaster by any means but there’s nothing that’s impressed me about him so far
Although I wouldn’t say that to his face obviously

He's still only played 6(?) games for us and we're going to need him. He's never going to get bullied on the ball like Torres does though.