Aston Villa v HŠK Zrinjski Mostar Pre-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

Villa Park, Thursday 5th Oct. KO 8pm.

Needs to be a win otherwise we're putting ourselves in a crap position to qualify nevermind top the group.

[Risso]

I think a couple of changes for this one, max, as we need to win as PWS says. Carlos in for Konsa, Ramsey in for Zaniolo, then fuck about a bit more with subs once we're a couple of goals up.

[RamboandBruno]

Think it would just be the Ramsey change for me. Hopefully Diaby and Kamara are fit.

[AV84]

Any word on Diaby having an injury or not? He could probably do with a rest anyway.

If Bailey is fit I'd start him, give Ramsey a start too. Carlos could probably do with a run out too.

I've mentioned this before but Cash and Digne currently being our only options at RB and LB is a bit of a worry. Can we push Torres out to LB? Konsa to RB? (Not both at the same time)

I haven't seen Moreno in any of the training pics lately, so if he's not due back any time soon, finding a way to rotate the defense without f**king everything up is going to be important.

[UK Redsox]

Diaby was struggling after he collided with the Brighton keeper.

SJM also hurt his toe.....kicking the ball.
Dangerous things them footballs

[womble]

Martinez

Digne Torres Konsa Cash

Zanziolo Luiz Kamara McGinn

Diaby Watkins

Run the bench if we're winning bringing Carlos, Moreno, Ramsey, Bailey and Duran on if fit.

We can go max strength and need to make sure of the 3 points. We play Wolves next Sunday then it's an almost 2 week international break so rotation won't be as pressing.

[AV84]

Diaby was struggling after he collided with the Brighton keeper.

SJM also hurt his toe.....kicking the ball.
Dangerous things them footballs

Harvey Barnes is out for months after hurting his toe. Serious business, toes.

[Nev]

I agree with those who say start full strength, get into a decent position then make changes. I would certainly keep the same back four who are improving match by match in the league. No need to take chances.

2-0

[olaftab]

Zrinjski shocked AZ  by coming back from 3-0 down so we have to be careful. It is actually a must win game, so Mr Emery, it requires your full attention.

[AV84]

I didn't realise there was an international break again so soon. In that case I agree with starting as strong as possible, get the game killed off and then sub a few off as soon as we can.*

I'm sure Emery will have an idea of who will or won't be on international duty, and who will or won't actually play while away, so he can juggle some players accordingly.


* this was apparently the plan against Everton and look how that went, but we seem to have found our groove again so hopefully it works this time

[ChicagoLion]

I want us to win against Wolves more than beating this lot.

[PaulWinch again]

I want us to win against Wolves more than beating this lot.

I expect to win both.

[Martyn Smith]

Both of the games we lost going in as favourites to win this season have been knockout comp games.

I hope that we have learned our lesson from 2 weeks ago that these games will not be pushovers.

Villa to win a hard fought game against a smaller team who will come to VP and raise their game

[Ian.]

Diaby was struggling after he collided with the Brighton keeper.

SJM also hurt his toe.....kicking the ball.
Dangerous things them footballs

Harvey Barnes is out for months after hurting his toe. Serious business, toes.

I dislocated mine 12 years ago and it’s never been right since the bastard thing.

[Ian.]

We’re finally going to click on the cup. A comfortable home win.