Aston Villa v FC Salzburg Pre-match

[ChicagoLion]

I think it’s clear we’ll see the youngsters and it’s difficult to argue that’s a bad thing.  We can’t afford any more injuries.  Get through the next month with positive results and you’d have to be confident of a really good end to the season.

Looking at our fixtures, we need to take a lot of points in February.

[Drummond]

I literally  have no idea who plays this one if we leave onana out.  Bogade and ? Hemmings might get a start but i think this may have  to be a game we use elliot. We literally  have no choice

No choice except the one you mentioned in the previous sentence. And the other options mentioned since. Calm down dear.

[Smithy]

If ever there was a time to give some of the youngsters a decent run-out, now is that time.  We can't play any of the new signings, and we've qualified for the knockout stage already.  The only thing to play for is whether we have the second leg at home, or not, from the QF onwards. 

Yes, that's a nice to have, but it's a long way from being a 'must-win' scenario that necessitates risking first-teamers.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a decent chunk of minutes for Hemmings and Alobah, as well as Bogarde starting, plus maybe minutes for Kadan Young from the bench.

If he plays a side close to full strength, and we get an injury, I fear this place might go into meltdown...

[PaulTheVillan]

Shame Garcia is injured. Would have been the perfect match to start him tonight

[Richard]

Shame Garcia is injured. Would have been the perfect match to start him tonight

Agreed as Cash needs a break. Other options there are Konsa Lindelof Bogarde or even Guessand? A youngster?

[caster troy]

Bizot
Bogarde Lindelof Mings Digne
Young Elliot Hemmings Jimoh
Guessand

Either that or play a young centre back and put Bogarde/Lindelof in midfield ahead of Young

[Ads]

Bizot

Cash
Lindelof
Mings
Digne

Bogarde
Hemmings

Sancho
Guessand

Watkins

[Sexual Ealing]

Bizot

Cash
Lindelof
Mings
Digne

Bogarde
Hemmings

Sancho
Guessand

Watkins

I'm sure we can field 11 at a push.

[Bully2345]

Predicting what I think Emery will go with.

Bizot

Lindelof
Konsa (splitting game with Cash, either 45/45 or 60/30)
Mings
Digne

Bogarde
Hemmings

Guessand
Buendia
Sancho

Watkins

Subs: Martinez, Wright, Maatsen, Cash, Pau, Onana, Elliot (but won't be used), Rogers, K Young, Jimoh-Aloba

Bit of rotation but a recognisable team. Unai doesn't do Moscow XIs. Onana and Rogers will see minutes to keep them ticking over.

[cdbearsfan]

I'll be surprised if Rogers doesn't start. Rogers always starts.

[dorsetvillian]

Would try to put this to bed early. Then take players off.

[brontebilly]

I'll be surprised if Rogers doesn't start. Rogers always starts.

Going to look like idiots if he pulled up tonight with an injury. Same for Cash and Onana. Tough one for Emery as we have no real alternative at RB. Lindelof was awful there.

[Richard]

I'll be surprised if Rogers doesn't start. Rogers always starts.

Going to look like idiots if he pulled up tonight with an injury. Same for Cash and Onana. Tough one for Emery as we have no real alternative at RB. Lindelof was awful there.

Agree with Bronte and dont care at all if we dont finish top 2 and have to play second legs of the Europa away.

[cdbearsfan]

I'll be surprised if Rogers doesn't start. Rogers always starts.

Going to look like idiots if he pulled up tonight with an injury.

I don't disagree, I was just saying what I think will happen rather than what I would do.

I would go with:

Bizot

Konsa
Lindelof
Carroll
Digne

Hemmings
Bogarde

Guessand
Buendia
Broggio

Jimoh-Aloba

And I would replace Konsa and Buendia after no more than an hour.