Basel vs Aston Villa Match Thread

[brontebilly]

Does this last week or so mean the starting left-back role has officially transferred from Digne to Maatsen?

Think so, Maatsen was very good v Arsenal.

[usav]

Does this last week or so mean the starting left-back role has officially transferred from Digne to Maatsen?

Think so, Maatsen was very good v Arsenal.

Agreed, and he started at Brighton as well.  I don't remember Digne having a stinker at any point, so Emery obviously saw something he wanted to tweak.

[paul_e]

I'm ok with that team, frustrating that we haven't got a centre half on the bench but Kamara and Bogarde are both decent as cover and I guess Pau is just being rested.

I hope Guessand and Sancho can push on after each have put in better performances in their last games.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Taken me 18 months to just about figure out this new format. if it's not complicated enough we now have the pre match thread and match thread running in tandem.

[usav]

Taken me 18 months to just about figure out this new format. if it's not complicated enough we now have the pre match thread and match thread running in tandem.

Not really, this one just hasn't been pinned to the top yet.  The pre-match thread hasn't been posted in since the lineups came out - that's the trigger for the match thread.

[DB]

I'm ok with that team, frustrating that we haven't got a centre half on the bench but Kamara and Bogarde are both decent as cover and I guess Pau is just being rested.

I hope Guessand and Sancho can push on after each have put in better performances in their last games.

Yeah, especially Guessand, had high-hopes when he was signed, but so far not great. Hope he turns it on tonight.

[dave.woodhall]

I'm a bit worried about that line-up. They're good at home, while all of our Big Three midfielders out often ends in tears.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

I'm a bit worried about that line-up. They're good at home, while all of our Big Three midfielders out often ends in tears.

I'll take a draw now.

[Smirker]

They're shit.

3-1 Villa FTF 

[usav]

I'm a bit worried about that line-up. They're good at home, while all of our Big Three midfielders out often ends in tears.

Agreed.  I doubt he sees this a free hit necessarily, but it may have to be in the context of so many games.  Win our next two in the Europa and we would still get top 8.

[Somniloquism]

Although one of the two we would need to win is Fenerbache away. Win tonight and we are joint top with two other teams but probably on lesser GD, lose and we could be 12th.

[SamTheMouse]

That's some proper squad rotation. Fair enough, but I worry this isn't going to be a pleasant night.

[Dave]

I'm a bit worried about that line-up. They're good at home, while all of our Big Three midfielders out often ends in tears.

Agreed.  I doubt he sees this a free hit necessarily, but it may have to be in the context of so many games.  Win our next two in the Europa and we would still get top 8.

14 points was enough for top eight last season, so one win from our last three would see us on 15 and probably there.

[Villa Lew]

Roger Federer in the crowd

[usav]

Roger Federer in the crowd

GOAT