Aston Villa (A) Build Up and Matchday Thread

[Parkins left foot]

Bournemouth tried to treble up on him during the week - still didn't work for the whole game.

Not sure that it matters who they use there he will still create a couple of chances.

As to Hutton keeping him quiet in 2018 - Traore has improved massively since then so good luck with that.

 

[jd1981]

Villa know they can’t draw their way to safety, a real conundrum for Dean Smith. Personally I think he’ll try and stay in the game as long as possible and push on towards the end. Best scenario for us is to take an early lead and force them out.
Centre of midfield will have a huge deciding factor if Neves and Moutihno get the better of Grealish and McGinn it should make life a lot more comfortable for us.

 

[YoungWolf]

An early goal would of course be ideal and suit us brilliantly but judging by the pace of the games and the general trend (about 80% of goals have been in second half I think?) it may be quite unlikely.

I know Grealish didn't play last time but as you say we were quite comfortable in midfield in the home game with just two midfielders, so be interesting to see what Nuno's approach will be. Again, very different circumstances so maybe that will have no bearing

 

[Parkins left foot]

Our first half scoring record is not that great - Nuno wants to get control of the game first - but fitness wise this squad is looking good on the restart so will come on strong at the end of the game.

We also have options on the bench who can impact which we haven't always - 1st goal (whenever it comes) will be important as if we score it AV will be forced to come out as even a draw doesn't really help them.

 

[Gonby's Games Gone By]

I don't see us slipping up here. Nuno's side has doesn't get overawed by big games and an empty Villa Park is just like a full Villa Park without the moaning.

https://gonbys.com/aston-villa-1898/

 

[t3ch]

didn't realize it was on so early. no way I'm waking up in 4 hours. :icon_lol: maybe I'll just pull an all nighter, haven't done that in a few months since graduating

 

[Paul]

I'll accept annihilation, if there is also some humiliation thrown in I wont be upset

 

[jd1981]

Today reminds me a bit of when England play away to Scotland, you know pound for pound we’ve got the better side and you know if you play near your best you’ll win, but there’s that underlying feeling that you always know the opposing side will raise their game for it.
Just want this game out the way so we can concentrate on the rest of the season.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Not sure they will really raise their game with no fans there, and without the fans it’s a faux rivalry.

It should be the easiest game on paper out these last 9. I reckon they’ll play really negatively, which I doubt they’d have done if there was fans in the ground.

 

[jd1981]

I agree on its very artificial rivalry created by a certain local broadcaster and a few on twitter.

 

[Norman Deeley]

I'm going to take a guess at 352 but with Raul & Adama up top

 

[Deano]

I'm going to take a guess at 352 but with Raul & Adama up top

You'd hope not. Traore doesn't work well in the front 2.

 

[sycophantia]

You'd hope not. Traore doesn't work well in the front 2.

Apart from second half at City

 

[Deano]

Apart from second half at City

Yeah but I very much doubt the game is going to turn out like that where we need him exclusively up there as an outlet. In general when we have tried it in the past Traore as part of the front 2 hasn't worked out too well.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

3-4-3 for me. Just a question of whether it is Neto or Jota on the left. We should have plenty in the tank to win this but complacency is our enemy. I would expect Nuno to absolutely eliminate that and I do expect a win, but we will have to fight for it.

 

[sycophantia]

Yeah but I very much doubt the game is going to turn out like that where we need him exclusively up there as an outlet. In general when we have tried it in the past Traore as part of the front 2 hasn't worked out too well.

Yeah I know, just messin, think it will be 3-4-3

 

[Norman Deeley]

352 with Jota & Raul up top

Like Jinky, slightly disappointed but makes 0-0 at HT a decent bet

 

[Jinky]

Two up top. Raul and Jota.

Adama on the bench.

Slightly disappointed Traore isn’t starting but trust Nuno.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Rope a dope then and unleash Adama when they are knackered.

 

[sycophantia]

Ah well, shows what I know, our best combo for 2 up front I think...maybe Nuno is expecting Villa to pack the midfield and Neves/Moutinho will need some help