During our defeat to Southampton I couldn’t help but think that keeping the same starting 11 made Aston Villa to predictable and very easy to play against. Prior to games, opposition teams will send out scouts to analysis their opponents style of play. With Sherwood sticking with roughly the same starting 11 for several consecutive it was inevitable that one team would find a flaw in Villa’s game and expose it. That is exactly what had happened, playing a high line was not effective versus the pacey Mane.
With survival assured I think that Sherwood will be using the game against Burnley as a testing ground for Villa’s big FA Cup final against Arsenal, a game that has huge implication for Villa’s future and more importantly, Benteke’s future.
In order to do this Sherwood needs to change the formation and give different players a chance in the starting 11. If I was the manager this is how I’d design my starting 11 against Burnley.
Given
Hutton-Senderos-Vlaar-Lowton
Delph-Cleverly
Bacuna—Grealish—Sinclair
Benteke
I made a few significant changes to the build up of the game, firstly I changed the defensive line. I remember in the beginning of the season when Hutton, Senderos and Vlaar all played very well. It could be worth a shot playing Senderos and Vlaar together. If Sherwood is not keen on Senderos, Baker and Vlaar play very well together. Okore and Baker would make a poor partnership because neither are a natural leader and often play better alongside Clark/Vlaar. Should Richardson be fit, he’d fill in the left-back spot but Lowton plays really well on the left hand side. I thought it Sherwood was mad to play Hutton in left-back ahead of Lowton in our game against Southampton. Lowton has often been mismanaged and never really given a fair chance in my opinion.
Midfield is straight forward, Delph and Cleverly have been superb all season long and they have the fitness and energy to run that midfield. It might be a little light against Arsenal but changing things up will make Aston Villa a little more difficult to scout and analysis come the FA Cup final. I think it would be a good idea to push Bacuna further upfield, Bacuna is currently leading the assist table and that’s come from playing at right-back! What could happen if he played in midfield. Who knows but it’s definitely worth a shot, I certainly believe that he’d be more affective than N’Zogbia who is yet to score and hasn’t created nearly as much as Bacuna. Sinclair has just signed a permanent deal and we have not seen to much of Sinclair recently. I’d say give Sinclair a chance against Burnley and see what kind of impact he can have.
Lastly the attack, there is no question or doubt that Benteke will start against Burnley. Hopefully he doesn’t pick up an injury. But should Sherwood be keen on mixing things up, I’d like to see Kozak making an appearance of the bench, he has had a very difficult season due to injury and I think fans can agree that it would be great to see Kozak on the pitch at least once this season. Should that not be the case, Agbonlahor would surely play a part in the game against Burnley.
I think he will mix things up totally, so many Villa players carrying knocks and needing rest, I think we will see a completely different team, with most of the 1st team getting some time off.
Interesting team selection Adam; could work and I agree Hutton, Vlaar and Senderos looked good together with Sisoko (sp?) who I believe is fit so why not play that original back four? You’re also right about Lowton but wonder if he has an attitude problem?
TS may put Guzan back for this game although I think he’ll stick with Given for the Final. We might also see another of academy players on the bench.
See BBC is going to cover the FInal for the whole day – just like the good old days!
Interesting but I’d like to see some of the younger players blooded and rest some of the senior players, especially those we don’t want to see getting injured before the cup final.
I know we’d all like to win the last game of the season but personally I’d sooner win the cup.
UTV
Agree now we are staying up priority has changed and fa cup win more imp than a win v burnley
Well, although it’s not very ‘sporting’ – here’s hoping that Sunderland can at least inflict some ‘damage’ on Wenger’s very injury-prone players tonight…!
I really dont care about the result in this game. We need as many fit players as possible for the Final.
When Delph goes up to lift the FA Cup,
We’ll be there
Come on you Wembley Wizards…..we fear NOBODY, did you hear me? NOBODY
Bring on the Arsenal or United
Bring on the Spaniards by the score
Barcelona, Real Madrid
They will make a gallant bid
But they wont beat the Villa anymore
*******does anyone remember the Holte singing this in the 60s/70s?********
Yes, I was one of those singing.
OLL…we may know one another then?….used to go to every away game from Stockland Green…..never missed an away match, some of which will stay with me always!
BP……morning, yes I’m on Tetleys extra strong t bags…cant stand weak, milky tea 🙂
You in the Stockland? I’m shocked. I had no idea it was a gay bar.
Hows your clamydia these days 🙂
HI Just put new post might be good for you as you live in London. Looking for Villa fans for Claire Balding show but in London.
That tea bags a bit strong today Langford, and I agree nothing to play for against Burnley and should at least show other talented young players, I’m not so sure on Adams full back line! 4 of them I’d show the door too, I’m one of many at the game Sunday under them cameras watching who putting in a full days work even though cup match next week. Burnley will show no quarter’s they will go for it mark my words.
Birmingham Mail suggesting TS may include academy forward Andre Green (17) in the squad Saturday who has been training with first team and impressed. Think we might see some youngsters given a run out but also think TS will want to look at some who may or may not be here next season.
Do you think he might rest Grealish and possibly Delph / Cleverley and bring Sinclair and Gabby into the side?
Who remembers the BGs….Brian Greenhalgh and Brian Godfrey? 🙂
Jimmy macEwan, John Sleewenhoek, Mick Wright, Keith Bradley, Dave Pountney, Colin Withers,even John Dunn,and good old Chico Hamilton, Fred Turnbull, Brian Tiler, Langford good days.Oohah loved them as well.
Yeah remember the BG’s well and Andy Lochead, Pat McMahon, Charlie Aitken, Jimmy McEwan (sp) the list goes on. Happy, happy days.
Gordon (Ada) Lee 🙂 Alex Cropley, Willie Hamilton, Barry Hole? Harry Burrows, Willie Anderson (Villa’s George Best). Tommy Mitchinson, Harry Gregory (he was good fun)!
Where’s Phil Woosnam? and Bobby Thomson A and good old Brian Little , Brendan Ormsby.the fans never seen the likes of them Villa players, ……
Peter Broadbent, Stan Lynn, Derek Dougan….the original Mohican hair do (I remember when he floored Johny Prescott, the Brummie boxer)! Didier Six, Oscar Arce, George Curtis (hard as nails)……. So many great names from the past BP
Oohah has placed me in moderation again!
Now what you done? Oohah leave my mate alone,Langford I’ve told you Oohah buying a season ticket next year so don’t upset him.
Just put a new post up if anyone wants to be on TV next week
Went over my positive posts limit (1)….. 🙂
Sherwood admitting that our defenders were’nt 100% fit probably didn’t help either! They just came at us with pace and we couldn’t keep up!
I would play the starting XI that we intend to field in the FA Cup.
After the Southampton debacle, we have to show that we can be competitive and Burnley should be there for the taking.
I have no issue blooding three young lads second half once we have the game under control.
I don’t think that players who have played a game a week all season need a rest at all.
If he wants to play a reserve type side guarding against injuries, I think that is taking a huge chance by putting out a side at Wembley that haven’t played for over a fortnight, and when they did, got hammered !
as its the last competitive game before wembley i say drop benteke, delph clevely and grealish and tell the rest that they are playing for there place in the team for the cup final