Aston Villa vs Southampton Match Thread

[Villa Lew]

Any chance of a Bailey goal today?

[amfy]

I just think that weather wise it's a day for no nonsense defending rather than anything clever or subtle.

[enigma]

Emery has clearly thought, "fuck it. It's only Southampton"

Surprised Barkley didn't get a start though in that case.

[eye digress]

The 3 centre halves have played together plenty, it's not like it's a brand new defence

Totally.

Also, let’s not get carried away with Wednesday being the blueprint for the future. We did well and got the points, but the quality of our game was (for me) substantially on a par with other recent fixtures (that we should have also won), the main difference being that we got the rub of the green and were perhaps a bit more clinical.

Oh, and Torres remains one of our most important players.

[Rigadon]

Emery has clearly thought, "fuck it. It's only Southampton"

Surprised Barkley didn't get a start though in that case.

I'd be horrified if that was the case!  The next game is always the most important one.  If we don't win today it will backfire massively.

[coreyfeldman]

Emery has clearly thought, "fuck it. It's only Southampton"

Surprised Barkley didn't get a start though in that case.

I don't believe it to be this way at all. Everyone needs minutes, have to manage load and also Duran and maatsen need a start for us to really see how they are and integrate them further

[Steve67]

This is an opportunity to get back into the top 6 and turn the negative goal difference around, not fuck it up, give yet more stupid goals away and play like benevolent nice guys.  We are not at home to Mr Fuck Up.

[Brazilian Villain]

This is an opportunity to get back into the top 6 and turn the negative goal difference around, not fuck it up, give yet more stupid goals away and play like benevolent nice guys.  We are not at home to Mr Fuck Up.

Let's see how the game pans out first.

[Brazilian Villain]

I know we need to rotate the squad and what not but I made Watkins captain of my FPL team this week so this is really disappointing news. #EmeryOut

You weren't the only one. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy47n8pk8nvo

Just to clarify, I don't play Fantasy Football.

[eye digress]

Emery has clearly thought, "fuck it. It's only Southampton"

Surprised Barkley didn't get a start though in that case.

In his presser, Emery was underlining how he needs both players for each position to play themselves into form. So for example, it’s not enough for Digne to be on it, Maatsen must be too. And they can’t do that without games.

[Percy McCarthy]

Wasn’t that our first choice defence against Bayern?

[eye digress]

Wasn’t that our first choice defence against Bayern?

Digne started, no? But get your point.

[enigma]

Emery has clearly thought, "fuck it. It's only Southampton"

Surprised Barkley didn't get a start though in that case.

I don't believe it to be this way at all. Everyone needs minutes, have to manage load and also Duran and maatsen need a start for us to really see how they are and integrate them further

That's kind of my point. Everyone needs minutes except Barkley apparently. He must be a little pissed off seeing the rest of the supporting act get a start whereas it's just business as usual for him.

[Risso]

Wasn’t that our first choice defence against Bayern?

Nope.

[brontebilly]

Oh and konsa at right back always works.

Statistically proven or something. No need at all for the Konsa/Carlos axis of chaos to be selected at home to Soton.