Aston Villa v Everton Pre-Match Thread

[AV84]

Brighton are one of the teams we'll presumably be competing with for position all season, so taking 3 points off them at any point should he considered important.

That said, I'm not sure what point in the season resting players becomes a necessity. We're only a few weeks in, although there's been internationals too, but does prioritising Brighton mean playing form players midweek to keep building momentum. Or does it mean taking these "extra" games to try and bring the other players into form, try new combinations, tactics etc. while keeping certain people fresh for the weekend?

[Clampy]

I do still  think 'absolutely huge game' is a tad over the top. It won't define our season if we were to either win or lose.

[pablo_picasso]

Martinez

Cash
Konsa
Torres
Moreno

Kamara
Luiz

Diaby
Zaniolo
Ramsey

Duran

I think we should go strong to get a few players used to each other for the sake of consistency.

I think we are early enough in the season not to worry too much about tiredness.

Maybe bring on the likes of Kellyman, Young, Feeney or Wilson, late on if we are doing ok in the game...

[Meanwood Villa]

Hope we don't change the team too much because it never seems to work

[Aldridge Villa]

All day long Meanwood

[VillaTim]

Hope we don't change the team too much because it never seems to work

it's a long season. Squad rotation is key.

[john e]

With five substitutes allowed now teams are rotated more than they’ve ever been

[RamboandBruno]

Hope we don't change the team too much because it never seems to work

it's a long season. Squad rotation is key.

If we play the team your suggesting earlier in the thread and Everton do play closer to a first team, however shite that first team seems to be, we stand a chance of getting knocked out. Everton are poor but still managed to beat Brentford on Saturday and hardly anyone does that at their place.

So suggesting we play a really weakened team is either huge over confidence or disregard for this cup, i don’t understand either, but the latter especially, I was 22 when we last won something, I turn 50 in 5 months.

[john e]

Yep anyone 30 or under can’t remember Villa winning anything ever

So sacking cups off for whatever reason is just a nonsense
Plus the fact you’re trying to finish as high in the league as possible to enter into cup competitions

[Risso]

I think we'll probably see Lenglet and the Donk starting, plus Tielemans. Possibly even Chambers too, but in the centre of defence this time rather than right back.

[VillaTim]

Hope we don't change the team too much because it never seems to work

it's a long season. Squad rotation is key.

If we play the team your suggesting earlier in the thread and Everton do play closer to a first team, however shite that first team seems to be, we stand a chance of getting knocked out. Everton are poor but still managed to beat Brentford on Saturday and hardly anyone does that at their place.

So suggesting we play a really weakened team is either huge over confidence or disregard for this cup, i don’t understand either, but the latter especially, I was 22 when we last won something, I turn 50 in 5 months.

Happy 50th relax .
Everton aren't going anywhere near full strength trust me

[womble]

Olsen

Moreno* Lenglet Carlos* Cash

Tielemans Donk Kamara

Ramsey Duran Bailey

* if fit, Digne and Chambers respectively if not

Bring on McGinn for Kamara and Zaniolo for Ramsey regardless of the score and go  4 4 2. McGinn and Kamara need more playing time, both havent reached their peak yet. Zanziolo is playing well and needs to be rewarded. Ramsey should be eased back in.

If things are going badly bring on Dougie and Watkins.

If things are going well bring on Feeney and Kellyman to get some experience.

It's a different CB pair but they both need minutes. Even Chambers needs time if Carlos isn't fit.

[pauliewalnuts]

He won't play Moreno, from what he said at the weekend, they're giving him a couple more weeks.

[ChicagoLion]

He won't play Moreno, from what he said at the weekend, they're giving him a couple more weeks.

Do we have any one but Digne  that can play LB?

[chrisw1]

We have to rotate with the amount of games we have.  And it should be to our benefit generally to get more minutes into the likes of Duran, Tielemans and Dendonker.  Much as I think Lenglet was a poor signing, we need to get him up to speed too.