Aston Villa vs Burnley Pre-Match

[Monty]

Hopefully Torres is fit because Carlos needs dropping. Ramsey too, needs to be reintroduced gradually because he's been at about 30% of his usual ability at best.

Martinez

Cash Konsa Torres Moreno

Bailey Luiz McGinn Zaniolo

Diaby Watkins

Risso recommending we start Zaniolo, now I've seen everything 

[Smithy]

I don't think anybody is calling for route one football or banging it forward, but there has to be some sort of ability to correct things in game when it's clear things are going badly wrong, as they were against Man U. They had a midfield of Mainoo and
Eriksen and yet they dominated us completely second half.

They mainly bypassed the midfield by putting the ball in behind us quickly. To me it seemed the problem was us not retaining possession in vital areas and not dealing well with the turnovers.

Yep.  They didn't "dominate us in midfield", they just got it forward as quickly as possible getting the ball out of the midfield at the first possible opportunity.  There was no "midfield battle" to speak of.  They got the ball, and they released their wide forwards as quickly as they could.

At 2-0 down they just went for it, almost gung-ho style.  But they had to.  We did not play well in that second half, but if McGinn puts his piss-easy chance away, I still think we win that game as it knocks the wind out of their sails.

We need to have a better plan for teams that get it forward quickly like that, but Garnacho IS a good player, and he had an excellent second half.

[Brend'Watkins]

I don't think anybody is calling for route one football or banging it forward, but there has to be some sort of ability to correct things in game when it's clear things are going badly wrong, as they were against Man U. They had a midfield of Mainoo and
Eriksen and yet they dominated us completely second half.

They mainly bypassed the midfield by putting the ball in behind us quickly. To me it seemed the problem was us not retaining possession in vital areas and not dealing well with the turnovers.

Yep.  They didn't "dominate us in midfield", they just got it forward as quickly as possible getting the ball out of the midfield at the first possible opportunity.  There was no "midfield battle" to speak of.  They got the ball, and they released their wide forwards as quickly as they could.

At 2-0 down they just went for it, almost gung-ho style.  But they had to.  We did not play well in that second half, but if McGinn puts his piss-easy chance away, I still think we win that game as it knocks the wind out of their sails.

We need to have a better plan for teams that get it forward quickly like that, but Garnacho IS a good player, and he had an excellent second half.

We win the game if Carlos doesn’t make a ridiculous misplaced pass. That was the catalyst for them getting their tails up.

[eamonn]

Yeah, why have so many folk got Zaniolo starting? Great header against t'Blades - like a leaping Cascarino in his heyday (i.e not his spell at Villa) but his cameo at OT was no better than Diaby's. I never have confidence that he'll retain possession when he has the ball.

[Monty]

His cameo at OT was a lot better than Diaby's! Nobody set the world alight but Diaby looked like he'd never played football before.

[Smithy]

I don't think anybody is calling for route one football or banging it forward, but there has to be some sort of ability to correct things in game when it's clear things are going badly wrong, as they were against Man U. They had a midfield of Mainoo and
Eriksen and yet they dominated us completely second half.

They mainly bypassed the midfield by putting the ball in behind us quickly. To me it seemed the problem was us not retaining possession in vital areas and not dealing well with the turnovers.

Yep.  They didn't "dominate us in midfield", they just got it forward as quickly as possible getting the ball out of the midfield at the first possible opportunity.  There was no "midfield battle" to speak of.  They got the ball, and they released their wide forwards as quickly as they could.

At 2-0 down they just went for it, almost gung-ho style.  But they had to.  We did not play well in that second half, but if McGinn puts his piss-easy chance away, I still think we win that game as it knocks the wind out of their sails.

We need to have a better plan for teams that get it forward quickly like that, but Garnacho IS a good player, and he had an excellent second half.

We win the game if Carlos doesn’t make a ridiculous misplaced pass. That was the catalyst for them getting their tails up.

Also true.  It's also a pass he doesn't need to make if Bouba is playing and in his normal position.  Lots of things conspired against us.

[Risso]

His cameo at OT was a lot better than Diaby's! Nobody set the world alight but Diaby looked like he'd never played football before.

Agreed. Ramsey has also been desperately poor since coming back from injury, and if nothing else Zaniolo has been OK at keeping things tight. I still wouldn't be buying him permamently unless he drastically improves in the second half of the season, but at the moment I think he'd be the least worst option there until JJ gets back to anything like what he's capable of.

[VillaTim]

Guys we are playing Burnley not Barcelona. The team managed by a guy who thinks combining a 3 piece suit and a baseball cap is cool. Prick.
I'd drop Irogbunam in , he's ready. Zaniolo is playing like Vinicious Junior compared to Diaby.
I agree McGinn needs a rest but that can wait for Boro

[AV84]

We've lost to Nottingham Forest, and drawn with Sheffield Utd in our unbreachable fortress. I for one am not in favour of taking the "it's only Burnely" approach to this game. As strong a team as possible until we've killed the game off.

[Axl Rose]

Dendoncker isn't very good. We need a bit better to be honest, but maybe he'll suffice against Burnley.

I think the suffice against Burnley argument could be used in favour of starting Iroegbunam in place of  Dendoncker.

Good call.

Get him in.

[VillaTim]

This would have been a good game to play Archer and rest Watkins but alas that ship has sailed

[steamer]

When Carlos gave it away, we had been pissing about for awhile.
I would not dream of criticising ,but if the ball is up the other end they can not score.
Maybe different tactics against teams that press, Newcastle at home last year a good example. we did not let them sit on the ball and harried them all the way.
I accept being Knackered and having some key players out (as they also did) did not help.

[Richard]

This would have been a good game to play Archer and rest Watkins but alas that ship has sailed

So you keep telling us.

Watkins and the likes of McGinn will get a proper rest between Burnley and Everton (15 days) and then Everton and Newcastle (16 days), assuming they are not on FA Cup duty.

[VillaTim]

When Carlos gave it away, we had been pissing about for awhile.
I would not dream of criticising ,but if the ball is up the other end they can not score.
Maybe different tactics against teams that press, Newcastle at home last year a good example. we did not let them sit on the ball and harried them all the way.
I accept being Knackered and having some key players out (as they also did) did not help.

wrong thread chap

[Mister E]

They mainly bypassed the midfield by putting the ball in behind us quickly. To me it seemed the problem was us not retaining possession in vital areas and not dealing well with the turnovers.

Agreed - ball-retention and movement were the problems we had on Tuesday