AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa pre-match thread

[VillaTim]

Watkins doubtful for the game .

I'd play Zaniolo in the false 9

[Risso]

I would go:

Martinez

Cash Konsa Torres Digne

SJM Luiz Tielemans Ramsey

Diaby Watkins


Please, please, please for the love of god Emery, do not fuck about with Cash wide right.

[Risso]

Watkins doubtful for the game .

Ah bugger, just noticed that on Twitter.

If he's in anyway not 100%, rest him and get him right for Man City. If he is out, I'd probably go 4-5-1 with Diaby up front, and Bailey/McGinn assisting him as appropriate.

[Rigadon]

What’s up with Watkins then (not on twitter)?

[pablo_picasso]

He's 50 / 50 according to Emery.

If he's out, then its a coin flip between Duran & Zaniolo...

Might be an idea to start with Zaniolo & if he's not doing the job by half time, bring on Duran...

[Somniloquism]

What’s up with Watkins then (not on twitter)?

From BBC website on the manager pressers.

The big news coming out of Unai Emery's news conference - for Aston Villa fans and fantasy league players alike - is that Ollie Watkins is a doubt but "not completely unavailable" and will be assessed before Sunday's match at Bournemouth.

[PeterWithesShin]

Only thing I saw about Ollie was that he was suffering some pain. I don't remember it mentioning where the pain was.

[Somniloquism]

He's 50 / 50 according to Emery.

If he's out, then its a coin flip between Duran & Zaniolo...

Might be an idea to start with Zaniolo & if he's not doing the job by half time, bring on Duran...

I would reverse that and have Duran start. He showed some good movement and runs last night in the match. The other option is no direct number "9" and have JJ, Diaby and Bailey as a front three. They might not be able to hold the ball but can definitely run with it. This is mostly based on Zani maybe carrying a knock as well.

[VillaTim]

That's probably Watkins out til Jan knowing our luck with injuries

[pablo_picasso]

He's 50 / 50 according to Emery.

If he's out, then its a coin flip between Duran & Zaniolo...

Might be an idea to start with Zaniolo & if he's not doing the job by half time, bring on Duran...

I would reverse that and have Duran start. He showed some good movement and runs last night in the match. The other option is no direct number "9" and have JJ, Diaby and Bailey as a front three. They might not be able to hold the ball but can definitely run with it. This is mostly based on Zani maybe carrying a knock as well.

Good point about Zaniolos fitness.

Not 100% sure if he is 100%...

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Tinpot club, tinpot stadium. Lets send them back where they belong

Thoughtful as ever.

they are though  .

Quite right.  The bloody cheek of these clubs with small grounds thinking they can be allowed to be part of our Premier extravaganza, it really does take the shine off. There are plenty of much bigger stadia in the championship which would improve our customer experience...Elland Road, The New Den, The Hawthorns, St Andrews .

[VillaTim]

He's 50 / 50 according to Emery.

If he's out, then its a coin flip between Duran & Zaniolo...

Might be an idea to start with Zaniolo & if he's not doing the job by half time, bring on Duran...

I would reverse that and have Duran start. He showed some good movement and runs last night in the match.

honestly don't think Duran is ready for the big league (other than brief cameos)

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd rather play Duran than risk a half fit Ollie as he won't give us what he usually does if he's not fit, and we risk him doing more damage and being out for longer. If you're going to rest a player rather than risk them a week where we play Bournemouth and Mostar seems about as good a chance as you'll have.

[VillaTim]

I'd rather play Duran than risk a half fit Ollie as he won't give us what he usually does if he's not fit, and we risk him doing more damage and being out for longer. If you're going to rest a player rather than risk them a week where we play Bournemouth and Mostar seems about as good a chance as you'll have.

I'd either play Zaniolo as a false 9
or Diaby and push an extra midfielder in there - eg. Bailey

[Somniloquism]

I'd rather play Duran than risk a half fit Ollie as he won't give us what he usually does if he's not fit, and we risk him doing more damage and being out for longer. If you're going to rest a player rather than risk them a week where we play Bournemouth and Mostar seems about as good a chance as you'll have.

I'd either play Zaniolo as a false 9
or Diaby and push an extra midfielder in there - eg. Bailey

Duran has started less games and played a lot less minutes then Zani, yet he has 4 goals for us with two against prem opposition. I would state he is as ready for the big league as Zaniolo. Especially against Bournemouth where physicality might be needed.