Sheffield Utd vs Aston Villa Pre-match Thread

[eamonn]

Ah, Tom Fox and his False Narratives. On the road in the mid-west at the moment apparently, the band are gelling well, ten nights into the tour.

[PeterWithesShin]

Maybe we're pretending Bailey is injured, same as we are with Duran.

[Risso]

Is it stubborn though? I thought I heard Bailey has some back pain, hence him not starting.

It’s precisely what Emery said but it won’t fit the narrative.

No. He said that Bailey had a slight back issue before the Chelsea game, and then he (Emery) decided to start with the same team that started Chelsea. He didn't say that Bailey's still injured at all.

[Sexual Ealing]

Their manager is a fucking miserable twat. For this reason, I'd like us to win.

[Smithy]

I'd be very surprised if Bailey doesn't start.  Then we have the option of the Rogers wild-card from the bench - if he can't do 90 minutes.  Diaby needs a rest, or a run at a tired defence when we're a couple of goals to the good to get his confidence back.

[PaulWinch again]

I’d like us to win, because we really need to fucking win. We were so desperately poor, and weirdly for an Emery side looked unprepared and disorganised, on Tuesday. Hopefully that was the culmination of our ropey form and this is the start of the recovery. We absolutely must show much more intent.

[Nunkin1965]

Time to come to the party lads.
Big win please.
Their manager looks like he's swallowed a wasps nest.

[LeeS]

SU are 17/4 to win. I've got my usual £20 on. This proved to be a very expensive strategy during 2023. I'd like that to continue in 2024, please.

[VillaTim]

Torres coming back could be massive

[Baldy]

Bailey must start, even if he is not fit to play 90 minutes (which we don't know).

As mentioned before, we need to take an early lead against this lot to make the game more open. Bailey is more likely to assist/score than Diaby.

Up our tempo from the first minute, match their intensity and our extra quality should shine through.

0-3 the villa. Watkins (2) and Bailey.   

[Nev]

My optimism has all but run out so I fear this one. Not on any considered football ability or the relative strengths of either side but from a "this team are a pain in the arse and the managers a wanker" perspective. I've predicted wins and been wrong just lately. Hope I'm wrong again.

2-0

[WarszaVillan]

All teams, apart from those challenging for the title, go through downturns in form. Unfortunately, we are not yet ready to seriously challenge for the title and we have to get out of this rut of form (as Spurs have done recently) and get back to form that keeps us challenging for the top 5 or so. Losing the left side of our defense has left us a lot more vulnerable and teams seemed to have sussed us out a bit. But these things happen, time to get back on track.

[Holte L2]

Maybe a switch to 4231 or some variation of it required. Bailey will come in for Diaby anyway. Ramsey and Carlos might. Just hope we see something different tactically and a number of players getting their horror show efforts against Newcastle out of their systems.

--------Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Carlos, Moreno
-------Luiz, Kamara
McGinn, Tielemans, Bailey
---------Watkins

This is how I'd go as well.

[OCD]

Torres coming back could be massive

Is he back? I've not seen anything on this.

[eamonn]

Any idea how long Digne is out for?