Will we qualify for the CL?

[Demitri_C]

You’d say he does what? Weakens them? Yeah, me too. Not massively, because he’s really good, but he obviously does, otherwise he’d start the games instead. Presumably.

The question wasn’t whether our subs can win games, it was whether they’re weaker than our starting XI. Of course. But that’s true at every club.

Would you say mings coming in for pau weakens us?

Would you say duran for ollie weakens us? Sometimes its not about the player being better - its about what that specific player adds against the opposition.  So for example mings would be better against teams that pose a more aerial threat than pau for example. But for more possesion based and playing from the back pau is far superior. Just one example.

Dont think we will agree on this one something tells me 🙂

[Olneythelonely]

You’d say he does what? Weakens them? Yeah, me too. Not massively, because he’s really good, but he obviously does, otherwise he’d start the games instead. Presumably.

The question wasn’t whether our subs can win games, it was whether they’re weaker than our starting XI. Of course. But that’s true at every club.

Would you say mings coming in for pau weakens us?

Would you say duran for ollie weakens us? Sometimes its not about the player being better - its about what that specific player adds against the opposition.  So for example mings would be better against teams that pose a more aerial threat than pau for example. But for more possesion based and playing from the back pau is far superior. Just one example.

Dont think we will agree on this one something tells me 🙂

I don’t think you understand what point I’m making or what and who you’re disagreeing with.

[TelfordVilla]

Will we qualify for CL? Yes we will. Top5 will qualify this time and we will be top5. We desperately need to qualify to keep the turnover high with the riches of the CL helping us retain and recruit. Can't see anything other than a massive injury crisis stopping us.

[VillaTim]

Touch and go.
1) we without doubt need a couple of reinforcements in January, even if they are short term loans. RB and Pacey Winger .
2) no key players getting long term injuries .

[edgysatsuma89]

You’d say he does what? Weakens them? Yeah, me too. Not massively, because he’s really good, but he obviously does, otherwise he’d start the games instead. Presumably.

The question wasn’t whether our subs can win games, it was whether they’re weaker than our starting XI. Of course. But that’s true at every club.

It's a bit mad that this conversation is even being had.

[ChicagoLion]

Is everyone who convinced themselves after Forest that we're definitely finishing somewhere between 7th and 10th still sure that top five is impossible?

After yesterday? No. We were that good. Do I think we will definitely achieve it? No.
But that was the first time I have seen us play like the Winter of 2023 vintage.
One thought I had as the game continued, was who can we bring on without weakening the team?

Watkins, Bailey, Mings, Ramsey, Maatsen.

And in the right circumstances Barkley, Carlos and Buendia.

Watkins not as good as Duran, Ramsey not for 2 seasons now, Carlos is at best unconvincing, last seasons Bailey yes this seasons no. Buendia nope. Mings to see out a game yes , Barkley no where near that Midfield.
Maatsen can do a job but there is a reason why he isn’t starting.
So my point is that it’s difficult to see how we don’t weaken the team from the bench.

Now name any team in the world that wouldn’t be weakened by playing their less good players.

That was sort of my point, that team and specifically the midfield combination of SJM Rogers URI Kamara Onana is as good as it gets and if we could play that midfield until the end of the season we would have a very good chance of CL qualification.
The problem is that we won’t be able to because of fatigue and injury and I do not see any of the potential replacements not weakening us quite a bit.

[dcdavecollett]

Ramsey and Barkley aren't too shabby, though.

[jwarry]

In my very humble opinion we should not rule ourselves out of the top 4.  The ‘in form’ teams have all beaten us  at their place in recent weeks - albeit we were a wee unlucky against 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' and Forest, but we were weakened by injuries too and now (fingers crossed) we have found a winning midfield combination  and I would back us to beat all of  then  at VP

[ChicagoLion]

Ramsey and Barkley aren't too shabby, though.

Ramsey back to his best would be a great option when or if that ever happens, Barkley hasn’t shown that he is up to it yet.

[Clampy]

I think Barkley has been ok and weighed in with a couple of goals.

[Dave]

His winner against Leipzig has probably made the entire signing worthwhile on its own, given the money it will have been worth.

[Rigadon]

Yeah, Barkley is a solid back up signing.  The problem would be if he was signed as a first choice (the kind of signing the old Villa would've made). 

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

I think Barkley has been ok and weighed in with a couple of goals.

Three goals in his last six appearances, a very handy return.

[rob_bridge]

Too early to tell. I'd say we need mid 60s for 5th and high 60s for guaranteed.

Looking at it now. Liverpool are nailed on and Arsenal and Chelsea look as if they will also get there.

The other 2 places are gettable - if we win next 2 we would look very good at halfway mark. If we lose the next 2 we will look upwards from mid table

[brontebilly]

Is everyone who convinced themselves after Forest that we're definitely finishing somewhere between 7th and 10th still sure that top five is impossible?

After yesterday? No. We were that good. Do I think we will definitely achieve it? No.
But that was the first time I have seen us play like the Winter of 2023 vintage.
One thought I had as the game continued, was who can we bring on without weakening the team?

Watkins, Bailey, Mings, Ramsey, Maatsen.

And in the right circumstances Barkley, Carlos and Buendia.

Watkins not as good as Duran, Ramsey not for 2 seasons now, Carlos is at best unconvincing, last seasons Bailey yes this seasons no. Buendia nope. Mings to see out a game yes , Barkley no where near that Midfield.
Maatsen can do a job but there is a reason why he isn’t starting.
So my point is that it’s difficult to see how we don’t weaken the team from the bench.

Now name any team in the world that wouldn’t be weakened by playing their less good players.

That was sort of my point, that team and specifically the midfield combination of SJM Rogers URI Kamara Onana is as good as it gets and if we could play that midfield until the end of the season we would have a very good chance of CL qualification.
The problem is that we won’t be able to because of fatigue and injury and I do not see any of the potential replacements not weakening us quite a bit.

Bailey was very good playing on the right last season. Id have faith he will catch form again in the second half of the season, can't really be as bad again... Ramsey fit would be a huge addition but there's huge doubts on that