Aston Villa vs Chelsea pre match - March 4th 7.30pm

[Demitri_C]

I think Bogarde deserves a start. The Onana Dougie is just not working.

I would drop buendia  go bogarde in the defensive role and have luiz a little  more forward  as thats where he is at his best.

[Toronto Villa]

FFS. Shoot the damn ball Villa. Just getting in some practice.

[PaulWinch again]

If you look at pragmatism given our injuries. The way to be pragmatic against Chelsea is to prioritise attack, Chelsea’s weakness is in central defence and goal keeper. You have to pressure them. If we don’t pose a threat they’ll comfortably beat us.

[PaulWinch again]

Any references to Alysson starting shows how much we’ve been struggling. That’s not a criticism of him, but he’s had the smallest of cameos where he’s shown a bit of promise. That’s great, but that translating to him starting a game of this importance shows it’s been really poor.

[BoVillan esq]

We have to think about this,we still have 30pts to play for, of course we can't lose this but a draw isn't all that bad, one things for sure we must stop this losing games now we are into the run-in, we have to cling on to 4th spot, if Liverpool win and we draw we are still ahead of them by a point, still 4th, we also deny Chelsea progressing any further.

I'm going for a win, a draw isn't a disaster and probably a good thing.

[PaulWinch again]

I think one big tactical thing we need to do is get the two midfielders playing more defensively much closer to Rogers. At the moment the gap between them is really hindering fluidity of play. It basically means Rogers ends up very isolated.

It brings a risk and is demanding, but we have to address it. If we leave a big gap in the midfield for Chelsea they’ll completely dominate us.

[Ozzjim]

Rogers is too careless with the ball to be a 10 with Luiz and Onana. For me, Barkley 10, Onana at 6 and Luiz floating between, Rogers left side, Sancho right. Abraham up top. Buendia should be benched for his petulance. Watkins because he’s been beyond shit for too long.

Lindelof and Torres at the back too. Konsa needs a wake up call. Give big Vic the armband.

I expect the same side. With the same result. The stubborn goat will then say the same thing. And I will continue to be thoroughly depressed on the drive him.

[ChicagoLion]

Midfield, Chelsea’s strength and our weakness, fail to address this and we lose.

[Mister E]

                                 Martinez

          Cash          Konsa     Pau        Maatsen

                  Bogarde              Luiz

      Rogers               Barkley            Watkins

                              Abraham

Onana and Alysson to come on for Barkley and Watkins (or Abraham, depending on). Poss get Big Vic on at some point.

[PaulWinch again]

Rogers is too careless with the ball to be a 10 with Luiz and Onana. For me, Barkley 10, Onana at 6 and Luiz floating between, Rogers left side, Sancho right. Abraham up top. Buendia should be benched for his petulance. Watkins because he’s been beyond shit for too long.

Lindelof and Torres at the back too. Konsa needs a wake up call. Give big Vic the armband.

I expect the same side. With the same result. The stubborn goat will then say the same thing. And I will continue to be thoroughly depressed on the drive him.

I don’t think he’s careless on the ball, he’s just trying to do difficult things most of the time. Also if that’s your complaint about him then Barkley is an odd choice as an alternative - he often gives the ball away trying to play progressive passes. Again understandable, but he does the same thing.

[ChicagoLion]

             Martinez
Cash.  Konsa Pau Maatsen
            Lindeloft
      Onana.   Luiz
Rogers              Sancho
         Tammy