Aston Villa (0) vs Nottm Forest (1) - EL SF 2nd leg pre match

[Bully2345]

I'm not expecting anything out of the ordinary or untried for the semi final. If there is to be a variation, I'd look at what we did against Burnley earlier in the season where McGinn was wide right out of possession but then in possession, Bogarde moves into full back, Cash bombs on and McGinn tucks into play centrally. It means less pressure on Bogarde to be on the ball a lot as McGinn becomes the central midfielder

Anything like Lindelof in midfield won't happen. I don't think we'll see much of Douglas Luiz either, judging by recent weeks. Maybe later in the game and offers penalty taker option with Abraham and Sancho.

[TheToffnar]

Think you're forgetting that Malen did a fair bit of the heavy lifting in that scenario...

[Bully2345]

I can remember who scored the goals. Rogers would play in that second striker/number 10 role, like he has done a lot

[ChicagoLion]

We have 9 positions covered, it’s what we do about the other 2, all are not perfect options.

Perm 2 from Bogarde - Sancho-  Buendia- Luiz -Bailey- Lindelof.

[VinnieChase84]

Either Mcginn has to be next to Youri in the middle. Or we bring Doug in - 100% Bogarde cant play

I'm more inclined to play Konsa at RB, Lindelof with Pau + Digne

Then have Cash, Rodgers and Buendia behind Ollie

[ChicagoLion]

Either Mcginn has to be next to Youri in the middle. Or we bring Doug in - 100% Bogarde cant play

I'm more inclined to play Konsa at RB, Lindelof with Pau + Digne

Then have Cash, Rodgers and Buendia behind Ollie

I would do the same, it has the added benifit of closing out their left.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If Emery does not solve the central midfield problem then the tie is gone.

Sadly yes, can’t go with Bogarde on his current form.

Worse is Tielemans on current form, somebody Bogarde has had to carry, at least in part in the last couple of games. Of course Youri will start but we need him to really get back up to speed tomorrow.

Dougie? It's a risk but if he can't put in a top midfield performance in such a huge game, at Villa Park, against a team who rejected him and where things didn't go well for him, he may as well hang up his boots. Tomorrow night is the night to shine. Lack of game time? The occasion should be enough to get him through. Maybe fitness wise he can only do 75/80 minutes but that should be enough. The fans can certainly help him settle and let him feel loved again.

Linderlof? An option in defensive midfield but not tomorrow night.

Harvey Whatshisname: It's so long since he played, it's difficult to judge him. Even if we were to drop SJM back into a more central role and move Harvey W to his favourite role, I'd prefer we make the fewer changes possible, no square pegs in round holes.

Bogarde? He's done more than okay and there's a player there but not tonight. Maybe off the bench when we need fresh legs. He already has too many fans on his back, let's not feed the trolls.

So based on that, it's Dougie. It's a risk but whoever we put there will be a risk. Dougie has the chance to set the record straight and shove those Forest boos down their throats. Just don't get yourself sent off. Time for skill, effort and maturity.

[Ads]

I don't understand why people want to play defenders out of position in midfield. It may as well be Bogarde if we're shoehorning centre halves in or our full backs.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Cash would still be playing in the lower leagues if he was still a winger. Let him do what he does best, defend and support the attack when possible. If he could cross a ball it would be a more serious consideration.

I prefer we play to our strengths and for once let the opposition worry more about us.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The only other option would be to play Tammy as a deep 9 behind Watkins with Rogers on the left, SJM on the right. It may give Rogers less attention thus more freedom. Unfortunately we've never bothered trying it out despite talking about it and tomorrow isn't the day unless we go behind.

[Monty]

I'd rather start Lindelof in midfield and keep it simple than shove Cash about, stick Rogers in goal, the two Emis up front and have Emery pilot the team zeppelin.

[Richard]

I don't understand why people want to play defenders out of position in midfield. It may as well be Bogarde if we're shoehorning centre halves in or our full backs.

Anything to avoid starting Bogarde and Buendia.

[PaulWinch again]

Whilst I understand the desire for it, I would not be tearing things up and trying materially new things in this game. Tweaks like Doug instead of Bogarde make sense, but stuff like Cash as wide right would concern me.

[Beard82]

Whilst I understand the desire for it, I would not be tearing things up and trying materially new things in this game. Tweaks like Doug instead of Bogarde make sense, but stuff like Cash as wide right would concern me.

Im with PWA. 

Its all about getting the right midfield which might be as simple as Luiz over Bogarde.

[eamonn]

Unai didn't namecheck Bogarde when asked about Onana's replacement, he did last week. Please, Luiz!