Aston Villa (H) 12/12 Build-Up & Match Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

--------------------------Patricio---------------------

Semedo-----------Coady----------Boly--------Marçal

-----------------Neves----------Moutinho--------------

----------Traoré---------Podence-------Neto----------

---------------------------Silva------------------------------

2019/20: W 2-1 (H), W 1-0 (A), L 1-2 (A, LC)
2017/18: W 2-0 (H), L 1-4 (A)
2016/17: W 1-0 (H), D 1-1 (A)
2011/12: L 2-3 (H), D 0-0 (A)
2010/11: L 1-2 (H), W 1-0 (A)
2009/10: D 1-1 (H), D 2-2 (A)
2003/4: L 0-4 (H), L 2-3 (A)
1995/6: L 0-1 (A, LC)

 

[PuntsWolf]

Donck for Neves. Rest picks itself.

Please no return to 5 at the back, that’s all I ask.

 

[Tredman]

Rui
Boly - Coady - Kilman
Semedo - Moutinho - Neves - Marcal
Traore - Silva - Neto​

 

[Deano]

Donck for Neves. Rest picks itself.

Please no return to 5 at the back, that’s all I ask.

Yeah this for me.

We need to find a way to get the best from Neves. Don't think he's been bad particularly but he has so much more about him than we have got so far. Not sure if this is him or the system and role he's asked to do in it.

 

[Johnny75]

Donck looks out of form at the moment so I would go with DW's team and give him a rest.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Yeah this for me.

We need to find a way to get the best from Neves. Don't think he's been bad particularly but he has so much more about him than we have got so far. Not sure if this is him or the system and role he's asked to do in it.

Nothing against Neves for me. Just think We need more mobility with the 4 at the back, a better aerial presence from defensive set pieces and hilariously Donck is probably more of a goal threat.

So then it’s Neves vs Moutinho and I think Moutinho offers more with the ball and without the ball as well.

 

[pacamac]

Pattricio
Semedo Boly Coady Kilman Marcal
Dendoncker Moutinho
Traore Silva Neto

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Nothing against Neves for me. Just think We need more mobility with the 4 at the back, a better aerial presence from defensive set pieces and hilariously Donck is probably more of a goal threat.

So then it’s Neves vs Moutinho and I think Moutinho offers more with the ball and without the ball as well.

We could always put Saiss in midfield. He was on the bench at Anfield.

 

[pacamac]

We could always put Saiss in midfield. He was on the bench at Anfield.

I was debating Saiss in midfield as Dendoncker a little out of form of late but think we need something different than Neves, kept faith with Donk in the end always seems better in a 2 anyway.

 

[Lycan]

Patrício

Boly Coady Marçal

Semedo Dendoncker Moutinho Aït-Nouri

Adama Podence Neto

We were completely unthreatened by villa in a 3-4-3 formation last season so would go with the same this time.

 

[Freddeno]

Yeah, I wouldn´t mind Saiss instead of Neves, other than that.. DW´s team

 

[Premier Quality]

Deutsch’s team for me - Donk is out of form so neves and moutinho. Marcal deserves his spot as he was great against Liverpool, and I think the front three work better with Silva to link with.

if we go with that, I think it will be a good, attacking game.

 

[PuntsWolf]

I’m not sure Donck is “out of form” I just think he struggles becuase were making him play a role he’s not suited to.

We’re asking him to be an attacking presence when he’s a career DM. It’s a bit like asking Eric Dier to play #8. Both neat and tidy on the ball facing the right way, both physical and can get around the park, both got a decent strike on them If the opportunity arises. Playing in tight spaces around the opposition box with their back to goal, finding killer passes, no, can’t do it.

 

[lemonjelly]

think Silva's intelligence could mean he's useful against villas defence. I'd be inclined to start him (probably go with DW's team tbh).
Aim to be 2 goals to the good after an hour, and can then withdraw him.

I'd like to see more of Ait-Nouri too, but can't justify dropping Marcal after his last few games. Impressed with his passing out of defence, think it could be an asset.

 

[prawnking]

Not sure about Saiss as a top 7 PL midfielder TBH. He'll do a job, of course, but I wouldn't be putting him in there when everyone else is fit.

 

[Jinky]

Deutsch’s team for me - Donk is out of form so neves and moutinho. Marcal deserves his spot as he was great against Liverpool, and I think the front three work better with Silva to link with.

if we go with that, I think it will be a good, attacking game.

Big fan of Marcal, but Tim Spiers has him at fault for two of Liverpool’s goals on The Molineux View podcast, which I thought was slightly harsh. Although looking back, I think Matip is his man for their third (the free header).

We also had multiple discussions only a few weeks back on this board about Neves & Moutinho not being able to play together, so Donk was one of the first names on the team sheet. I don’t really buy in to him being “out of form”. I agree with Punts in that he’s being asked to play a role he’s not really comfortable with. If we are playing a midfield two with four at the back and four attacking players, I think Donk has to start. Not fussed who it’s with, either Neves or Moutinho as they’re pretty similar.

 

[sycophantia]

Donk is useful for his mobility and his height but if we're playing 4 attackers, would we miss him less? I'd keep Marcal in for now...I wouldn't be against Kilman replacing Boly, we've got cover in our squad, why not use it?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

The biggest issue on Liverpool's third is us leaving an easy two on one on a short corner, like we did a week previously at Arsenal. That wasn't Marçal's fault. Don't see how any of the other goals were his fault!

 

[Premier Quality]

I’m not sure Donck is “out of form” I just think he struggles becuase were making him play a role he’s not suited to.

We’re asking him to be an attacking presence when he’s a career DM. It’s a bit like asking Eric Dier to play #8. Both neat and tidy on the ball facing the right way, both physical and can get around the park, both got a decent strike on them If the opportunity arises. Playing in tight spaces around the opposition box with their back to goal, finding killer passes, no, can’t do it.

So I agree with some of this - he’s not an attacking presence, we know that and he doesnt have the technical ability to do it.

but over the last few games, he’s also not been doing the defensive side as effectively either - lots of running next to people or slightly behind them, noticeably less actual getting the ball from them.

at his best, he has a great engine, has a strong tackle without diving in, wins lots of headers and plays good simple passes, but at the moment his engine is still good, but he’s not winning the ball, he’s not winning big headers as much and he’s passing backwards too much.

id give him a break and play Neves, I think he’s done okay recently.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Patricio

Semedo Coady Boly Marcal

Neves Saiss

Neto Moutinho Podence
Silva

In reality Podence and Neto would swap around. Moutinho playing higher up the pitch allows him to be more creative. Traore and Donk drop to the bench. Saiss gives better height and defensive protection making the midfield more fluid which it needs to be with Grealish diving all over the place. He also gives better defensive height at set pieces. He can score himself too. I would not pick that team if Raul was fit, but hes not so you play to the strengths of the players that you have. Traore crossing to Silva is a waste. Better to have him in reserve if we need something different later on.