Aston Villa v PSG Pre-Match Thread

[ChicagoLion]

Please not Cash, Konsa at RB and Desassi CB.

[PaulWinch again]

Cash is fine and he will enhance our ability to attack down the right.

[Hookeysmith]

We need a last season Man City level of performance...we know we are good enough

We really need some blood and thunder and get into them from the start

[pauliewalnuts]

We need a last season Man City level of performance...we know we are good enough

We really need some blood and thunder and get into them from the start

We need at least one, and ideally two, early goals. One would bring the tie back to in-the-balance, two would seriously rock them mentally.

[VinnieChase84]

No idea why but havnt been able to shake this feeling


We get an early goal, they then get a man sent off for hauling watkins down when clear on goal. Hour to play with 10 men

[andyh]

I think the build up to the first game hurt us.
PSG were (rightly) touted as the best team in the competition and probably in Europe, and this affected our approach.
We gave them far too much respect and we tried to sit back and soak up their pressure for far too much of the game.

We have to change that.
We are so much better as a team when we play on the front foot and take the game to the opposition.

We know what we have to do. We have now played them so there is no fear of the unknown.

I feel we must get one in the first half, try and go in a goal up at the break and then see what happens.


You just never know.

[Nii Lamptey]

I came back from Paris thinking we had no chance, but after the weekend's performance, and seeing a distinct determination in Emery's interviews, I'm starting to change my mind.

Away end was LOUD on Saturday - Hopefully a precursor to an electric atmosphere at Villa Park tomorrow night (*hoping it's not half full of tourists).

Watkins HAS to start, with Rogers down the middle and Rashford on the left. I'd also definitely have Cash at RB - Watched the game back and didn't think he did that badly... We have to score 2 goals, so we'll need his attacking intent down the wing.

We can do this. UTV.

[aj2k77]

I feel a Tranmere brewing.

[London Villan]

It almost goes without saying that we need to still be in the game at 70 minutes - so it wouldn't surprise me if Unai goes quite cautious to start with.

[Rigadon]

It almost goes without saying that we need to still be in the game at 70 minutes - so it wouldn't surprise me if Unai goes quite cautious to start with.

He might well do that.  The obvious first thought is get an early goal, but losing an early goal would kill it stone dead. 

[PaulWinch again]

In the purest sense it wouldn’t. It would just mean we’d need 3 goals to take it to extra time rather than win it outright (assuming they only score 1 of course). I think it’s worth the risk to push for an early goal, because I think the only chance we have is if they get unsettled.

[Rigadon]

In the purest sense it wouldn’t. It would just mean we’d need 3 goals to take it to extra time rather than win it outright (assuming they only score 1 of course). I think it’s worth the risk to push for an early goal, because I think the only chance we have is if they get unsettled.

Yeah I think I'd do the same.  Unai will, of course, have a plan!

[VillaTim]

Sitting back cautious won't work, we need to push and defend well in equal measure.
Looks like heavy rain in Aston tomorrow night which will give the game a different feel too.

[Astnor]

Unai will have a plan that is for sure. Might try to take control of the game first half with us playing the ball between us in our half and try some counters and a boring 0-0 after first half, then put pressure on them and score three after 70 minutes; we have often done games like that. Might also go villa of earlier this season with front six of Kamara, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers, McGinn and Watkins. The forgotten Bailey to come on last minutes to make the third in 95th  with his left foot swing from the corner og the pen area box? (and they dont have a sniff at our goal whole game due to superb defending).

[ChicagoLion]

I would consider Bailey if fit,

EMI
Konsa Disasi Torres Digne
    Kamara Tielemans
Bailey sJM Rogers Rashford
         Watkins