Aston Villa v HŠK Zrinjski Mostar Pre-Match Thread

[AV84]

Better hope Brighton get knocked-out so. Advertisers must realise that there are at least 67 times more Villa fans in Ireland than B&H Albiyun.

That was my thinking too. I know there's the Ferguson factor with Brighton, but I think Villa would still trump that. And neutrals will watch anyone.

[brontebilly]

We just can't keep playing the same X1 twice a week so we do need to make some changes. Carlos, Ramsey and probably Tielemans to be given another go. I'd like to see Zaniolo in a different role, give Diaby a break.

------------Martinez
Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne
--------Kamara, Tielemans
McGinn--------------------Ramsey
------Zaniolo, Watkins

[pauliewalnuts]

We do need to rotate, we play far too many games not to.

However, I'd like us to go quite strong for this one, just so we can get some points on the board. Then maybe do the same next match and we can rotate more once the table looks a bit more reassuring.

[TaxDodger]

I guess on paper this is our easiest game in the group so in theory it's the game we should be most comfortable resting players for, but annoyingly we can't afford not to win after the Legia Warsaw game, so we have to go pretty strong. Plus they obviously beat AZ and scored four goals in one half against them, so they're clearly no idiots. I'd go;

Martinez, Cash, Dignie, Carlos, Torres, Luiz, Tielemans, McGinn, Diaby, Ramsey, Watkins

Ideally we'll be able to take off Diaby, Watkins, Luiz etc. after 60 minutes if we're a couple of goals up.

[Smirker]

Aston Villa are currently ace. A classic FTF side.

Exactly.

Can't see anything other than a win by a few goals with none conceded. Which sets us up nicely for the game at the weekend.

[brontebilly]

Really Digne should sit this one out too, Neto has looked in top form for Wolves this season and likely to cause us lots of problems on Sunday down our left.

[RamboandBruno]

I think we should play our strongest team and if we get to a good/comfortable position make changes. There seems little point to me of having the euphoria of the charge up the table last season, to potentially blow it after two European games. We need to win this and the European campaign going.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Don't have to rest too many, as there's a break after the Wolves game.

Hopefully Ramsey starts, maybe even Bert.

[London Villan]

With Diaby and Kamara limping off I can't see either of them starting.

[Risso]

With Diaby and Kamara limping off I can't see either of them starting.

Good point. Tielemans in for Kamara I guess, either Duran or Zaniolo next to Watkins?

[Monty]

With Diaby and Kamara limping off I can't see either of them starting.

Good point. Tielemans in for Kamara I guess, either Duran or Zaniolo next to Watkins?

I'd like to see Zaniolo given the off-the-striker role to see what he can do when stationed further up the pitch.

[eamonn]

There's been a few posts saying no need to rest players cos it's still early in the season/there's an international break coming up etc.

Surely, it's the "loading" of players in a short space of time i.e every 3 or 4 days the moment, that's the issue. We've got a first choice XI that are used to that or getting there and then about 10 players on the fringes who aren't even used to one game a week. Emery has stated that the likes of Dendoncker need to keep getting minutes under their belts, so I think he'll continue to experiment on Thursday evenings between now and Christmas (ooh, err etc.). And I think that's fine as long as it's not over half the team being changed while we need to get points on the board in this group.

[Clampy]

Don't have to rest too many, as there's a break after the Wolves game.

Hopefully Ramsey starts, maybe even Bert.

There might be a break as such but a fair few players will be on International duty.

[TonyD]

We should hammer them. 

If they want to.   Again, depending on the agenda.   

[VillaTim]

Wolves A is the priority so -

------- Olsen --------
Cash Lenglet Torres Digne
---- Dendonker - -Tielemans
Ramsey ------------ Zaniolo
--- Duran -- Diaby -------