Aston Villa v Young Boys Pre-Match Thread

[Monty]

Qualify in top 8 first, then rest players. The competition is too important to mess around.

Once (assuming) we've confirmed top eight then it'll be a sharp pivot to "we need to finish top two to get home advantage in the second leg of the knock-out stages".

I can't imagine people will be willing to sack of the last match against Fenerbahce if that is still at stake.

And if we try and play (what people would describe as) our best eleven in every match because it's all so important, our best players will be on their knees by April when we will really need them firing.

Agreed. We can't do the MON approach, and when our squad is as good as it (theoretically) is there's no need to either.

[AV82EC]

Yep we need to manage minutes. All we need to do is win 3 of the last 4 games, finish on 18pts which will be fine for top 8 and take it from there. I’d be happy with three boring 2-0 style Maccabi wins playing half a team each time.

[ChicagoLion]

Agree, it is also about getting game time into the legs of the squad and trying to get them up to First choice level.
You don’t do that by not playing them.

[eye digress]

I'd deffo rest Cash and Konsa and/or Torres,  positions where we're not well stocked with ready-to-go replacements, especially with an eye of the upcoming PL games.

As an aside, it's interesting to compare our very strong form with how imperiously those three have been performing. It's what has been driving us, I think.

After that, starts for Bizot, Bogarde, Guessand, Malen, Tielemans, please. Is throwing Sancho in there too much rotation?

[Brazilian Villain]

After that, starts for Bizot, Bogarde, Guessand, Malen, Tielemans, please. Is throwing Sancho in there too much rotation?

Barkley has played well when he's come on in recent games. I wouldn't mind him starting as well.

[eye digress]

After that, starts for Bizot, Bogarde, Guessand, Malen, Tielemans, please. Is throwing Sancho in there too much rotation?

Barkley has played well when he's come on in recent games. I wouldn't mind him starting as well.

Yes, forgot him. Plus, he's an experienced hand.

[Dave]

On the "rotation or not?" thing, looks like Man City are using a complete second eleven against Leverkusen.

[eye digress]

Jaudis and Chelski going full pelt, though. Probs not a big deal for Chelsea, but I don’t think the Jaudis have enough of a squad to keep that up and challenge for the top 6.

[JUAN PABLO]

Maybe Elliot gets a game , now Ive seen him in  a Villa Christmas jumper.

[PeterWithesShin]

On the "rotation or not?" thing, looks like Man City are using a complete second eleven against Leverkusen.

Doesn't seem to be working out too well for them so far.