Brighton v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[brontebilly]

I expect Emery to leave Tielemans out for this one. Maybe Maatsen to get a go at left back too. Easy decision to drop Malen but likely he would get a lot more space to run into away at Brighton than at home to Wolves.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Easy decision to drop Malen? You're mad. It's more a question of where Malen plays and whether it's worth the risk of bringing back Watkins as somebody will have to be dropped. My guess is Buendia, at least until half time. The real problem of bringing back Watkins is it would lead us short in midfield. At Villa Park I could just about see it but not Brighton away. They're a very tidy footballing side and the midfield battle will be decisive.

[London Villan]

Can’t see McGinn lasting 90 mins either. Unai’s usual tactics in games like this is to suffocate it for 60-70 mins then go for it.

Can see onana starting and us being very solid for most of the game.

[Clampy]

I'm not sure whether I'd start Onana tomorrow or keep him until Saturday. If he plays both, he'll probably pick up another knock.

[Drummond]

               Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Digne
          Kamara.  Onana
Rogers.             Tielemans
         Malen.     Watkins

[brontebilly]

Easy decision to drop Malen? You're mad. It's more a question of where Malen plays and whether it's worth the risk of bringing back Watkins as somebody will have to be dropped. My guess is Buendia, at least until half time. The real problem of bringing back Watkins is it would lead us short in midfield. At Villa Park I could just about see it but not Brighton away. They're a very tidy footballing side and the midfield battle will be decisive.

I didn't see the game at weekend but reports here and elsewhere suggest Malen had no impact leading the line. In that sense I think it's an easy decision to swap Watkins in for Malen again. I don't think away at Brighton is the time to go with two up top from the start. McGinn and Rogers will definitely start. One of Buendia or Tielemans I guess for the other spot.

[dorsetvillian]

Malen had little impact against Wolves because of the low block. It would have been the same for Watkins. Malen is in form and should start against Brighton.

[London Villan]

3 big games in a week will naturally mean some rotation. Both tactically and to manage fatigue.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Malen had little impact against Wolves because of the low block. It would have been the same for Watkins. Malen is in form and should start against Brighton.

Plus if we want to retain the ball it's a no brainer.