I think the two main issues we’re all thinking about are which team Dean Smith will pick and how he’s going to set them up against a very decent footballing side, in Swansea.
The first part is anyone’s guess, as we have a wealth of options in the middle and up front. The defence is another question, but I’d think the manager won’t be going with Jedinak in the centre, as he’ll surely be massively aware of how we’ve complained about the Aussie in that position.
Chester and Tuanzebe makes most sense,then.
Otherwise, I’m not convinced Smith will change much around, as he won’t have seen much or had time to work with a lot of the squad, because of international duties.
I think he’ll be more interested in seeing how players take his instructions on board, mostly, but even so, there’s still a myriad of choices. What we can be sure of, is that there won’t be any favouritism.
And it’s those instructions that will prove most interesting. Smith will have seen videos of us and he’s probably spotted a few problems, with our main one being a lack of intensity and pace.
Whoever gets picked, they’ll be playing for their shirts and I do expect a performance from them, especially when buoyed by a massive home crowd. But it’s that frailty in the defence that worries me.
Does that mean Smith will go all out attack to counter this? It’s a nice thought, but one that could see us punished, hence I don’t see it.
Without doubt, the manager will have had plenty of food for thought and I’m not going to try and guess the side or even our formation.
Which makes my prediction a pure guess.
Villa to win, 2-1, mainly because of our home advantage.
I really hope so anyway, as we need a result.
I’ve no chance of watching this, as my internet connection won’t be able to handle a stream. I’ll be paying close attention though.
Not much confidence their then Badger, I’m just hope full that them Villa players get stuck in knowing that jobs are on the line, its time for our young guns can now see hope coming to whoever plays to win, let me go on holiday Sunday with a win under the belt, after that I’ve no chance knowing how we doing in the middle of the ocean. Utv.
It’s not so much me not having no confidence, Bill.
It’s more about me downplaying any expectation of a sudden change in anything.
I think even if we were on top form, this would be a tough game.
All I want is to see how they perform, I don’t expect a miracle but want to see determination, I’m a flounder member of the festival league and ran two teams, I know times have changed but I can spot a player thats swinging the lead, have to say we have one or two thinking they done enough. I cannot wait till Saturday I expect to see efforts all ove the pitch.utv.
The level of expectation is enormous – so no pressure then! It wouldn’t surprise me if we lost because of it (expectation) which can play with your mind. We will need an early goal to settle us down. Based on our dodgy defence and the fact that Smith has had very little time to work with the squad, I’m sticking with a draw – although predicting the result wasn’t really what your post was about Badger.
I agree, Tuanzebe to partner Chester; Taylor to come in at left back (as a real surprise Adomah at left back – don’t laugh!). Bree or Elmo right back and Bolasie to start. Bjarnason as the holding mid. I suppose he has no option but to play Nyland. The other change for me would be to play Hogan alongside Abraham – I haven’t been impressed with Kodjia this term.
So i’m going for some real changes over the way Bruce set up the team.
Hitch, I’d prefer my nan to Nyland. If he plays, we won’t win. 100% guaranteed to make a mistake. It’s harsh but I hope he doesn’t start again for us. It’s Gollini all over again. How many points did he lose us before we ditched RDM? NOT NYLAND!
Can’t argue with that BFR but Bunn was pretty poor against Preston and Moreira is untried even at this level. We’ll just have to score more goals than Swansea?
1. Bunn or Moriera
2. Elmo
3. Hutton
4. Chester
5. Axel
6. Thor
7. McGinn, Hourihane, and Jack (2 of 3)
8. McGinn, Hourihane, or Jack (2 of 3)
9. Kodj or Abraham
10. Bolasie
11. El Ghazi
433 formation, like Klopp’s Liverpool. But can’t do this away from home! Would have to drop the 7 or the 8 for Jedi or Whelan. But with 6 quality attacking players there, we should have enough if everyone puts a shift in!
UTV
While the defence is suspect we should still have far too much up front especially as every player knows that their future at the club is hanging in the balance.
I’m going for a 4-2 Villa win, we’ll leak a few but score more.
UTV
Agree Pat. I’m hoping for a 3-2 win. Fingers crossed!
That’s the very thing I’m getting at Pat, some of our players think I’m in next match don’t need to do much more, its time to fight for that shirt. I’m going for a win but by 1 goal, utv.
VP sold out for Saturday – 41,000 capacity. Come on lads give the fans a game to remember UTV
Dean will only have had the players back for ‘get to know you’ session on Thursday morning and perhaps only one tactical change could be made. The one I would chose from Brentford is using the throw in as an attacking weapon.
If you see fewer balls thrown up the line, more in-field and some backwards – but always to to a player volleying or half volleying the ball on – then I have made a good guess.
An outstanding opportunity to kick start a new era in front of a full house. It will be noisy for all but one minute.
I wonder who Terry will select to model into a replica of himself?
Hopefully one of our youngsters!
Nasty stuff about Dalian https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-45902739
Long overdue. “Other uses of force” sounds particularly wrong, given they’d already tazered him! :/
Is Chester not still suspended? My worry is if he is, who replaces him.
No, he only got a one game ban – apparently shouldn’t even have been sent off under the new rules!
TJ, it was only a one match ban.
That’s why he never appealed against it.
Thanks, glad to hear that. I’m flying home to the motherland this afternoon and will be driving by VP on the way up north! Wish I could make it to the game tomorrow.
Ha, beat me to it Hitch 😀
We could call it a draw Badger – in keeping with our season so far LOL
Nice jester from the Villa,
The arrival of Dean Smith as the new Aston Villa Head Coach has had ticket sales surging – so much so, that we’re now running an offer for three of our home matches over the next few months.
This weekend’s encounter with Swansea City is a complete sell-out, while the Second City Derby with Birmingham City and the Christmas fixture against Leeds United are also likely to return full houses.
As a result, we’re now offering a combination package for the remaining games of 2018, against Bolton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Stoke City, meaning like Smith, fans can come home for the new era this autumn.
Adults can get a three-match pass for just £45 – an average of £15 per game that saves you more than 25% compared to three single match tickets.
U18s can also save more than 50% and attend the treble of Villa Park matches for £12.
Reports Birmingham mail.
Be really interesting to see who he picks tomorrow. Tough call after a few days training.
Hopefully the occasion and sell out crowd is enough to get us to 3 points. If we can start well under Smith, then we’ll snowball all the way back to the Premier League!!
players i think will get more game time now under smith, Bree Lansbury and Hogan all where really good at their last club and all where not given a chance to show their worth. Hogan was made to play the lone man and was starved of any decent service. Lansbury and Bree both never given a good run of games and a system they needed.
Smith will not be crossing the ball from the byline thats not his game. unless he decides to change this to play to our supposed strengths. if he sees Grealish and Hogan as key, he will try to work openings down the middle, neat one twos balls which Hogan as proved he loves. Smith uses the wingers to stretch the opposition but instead of crossing a hopeful ball onto a forwards head, they usually feed it back inside on the floor, to a Grealish type who will find Hogan who darts inside or a Lansbury running from deep.
its a style which is very different but once the players get used to will be very exciting, fans will need to be patient as we wont be throwing balls into the box hopefully like before. they will switch play over and over looking and probing. with our players this is the correct way to play. hopefully wont take long to implement
3 1 to villa today
I read that Houllier was the last Villa manager to win his first game. Hopefully this means we are overdue a win for Smith today. Let’s hope he plays players in their favoured positions. For me it would be Chester and Tuanzebe at CB. I would like to see Bree get a chance at RB. Question is Taylor or Hutton at LB? I would have two holding players in Bjarnasson and Hourihane with McGinn LM, Grealish CM and Bolasie RM leaving either Abraham, Kodja or Hogan CF. I would keep Abraham for tomorrow but I would like to see Hogan given an opportunity because he is our player whereas Abraham will be gone after this season most likely. I would love to have gone today but will make do with radio commentary. I’m forecasting a 2-1 win but whatever happens we need to be patient because until January our defence will be dodgy.
Forgot to name my choice of goalkeeper. Erm can we play rush back? Is Spink still available?
I feel a win coming today. the crowd and the feel good factor will drive us forward. Fingers crossed.