Whether Ross Barkley should be dropped has been the topic doing the rounds, lately, and Smith seems to have seen enough after defending him in the build-up to this evening’s match against Leeds United. As many Villans suggested, he’s gone with a fresh and fast side. Except for Elmohamady, who stays in for Matty Cash.

Getting the start in the middle is Jacob Ramsey, and it will be no easy job. Douglas Luiz, who’s also been off the boil lately, has made way for Marvelous Nakamba. With Jack Grealish unavailable for the second straight game, Ramsey will be flanked by Anwar El Ghazi and Bertrand Traoré.

So, Deano has freshened up about as much as he can, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Sanson make an appearance before Barkley. But naturally that will all depend on the situation in the second half. McGinn has made the squad again, and I’m guessing it’s because Smith didn’t want to swap out the midfield entirely. Not like Ramsey, Nakamba, and Sanson have played a lot of matches together.

If everyone does their job, there should be more than one or two knackered players after 60 minutes, and McGinn would likely be one of them. We could well see Sanson and Barkley introduced for McGinn and Ramsey, and then Luiz for Nakamba. Basic instructions: Run yourselves into the ground for 60 or 70 minutes, then we’ll get you off.

We all know what Leeds bring, which is essentially unlimited running and hounding. They can be had, it just has to happen quickly, and that’s where the game will hinge. Dally or misplace passes in the middle, and you’re looking at a tidal wave coming at you. Villa need to be cautious about committing too many forward. You want corners, throw-ins, even goal kicks down at their end to finish phases of play and get the shape back without setting up a bunch of counters.

The flip side is creating and taking advantage of turnovers, which Leeds will make, to get out them as they’re rushing forward.

Don’t know how much high pressure we’ve got in us, and if it were me, I’d be inclined to clog things up rather than try to play their game. Despite the scoreline in our first meeting, we almost made that work, but we’ve seen week in, week out, that even being 3 or 4 up does not leave you sitting comfortably in your seat. Elmo’s going to need Traoré to give his all getting back, as Bielsa’s side love to use the wide spaces behind the wingers/forwards. But they also use whatever part of the pitch is left open by not keeping up with them.

Tough game. But I think Smith’s made the right calls, however it turns out, and it’s really good to see him making tough calls, too. I doubt Barkley’s pleased, but if he’s being honest, he knows he doesn’t have the legs for it today, and maybe he’s even secretly a bit relieved.

So here’s to Ramsey getting his chance to shine, and let’s hope the rest of the side step up and put in the necessary graft. Fingers crossed we’re clinical with the chances we do get.

Over to you.

Share On:
Facebook
Google +
This entry was published on / John Clark. Posted in Aston Villa Blog, Match Previews and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Author

Profile Photo
John Clark
John is co-owner of AVL, and has followed the Villa since the '70s. A journalist by trade, he is, by most accounts, a very nice person. You can follow me on Twitter @JClarkKohoutek. It's an astonishing experience. Or a complete waste of time.

Comments 196

  21. Mark King

    Makes me wonder how the fuck I played for 40 years on what amounted to sloping ploughed fields every week, one actually had tractor tyre tracks across it about 5 inches deep 🙂

  34. Frem

    Generally a decent half.

    Leeds will make changes at halftime and bring Harrison on.

    Need the second goal because I can’t see Leeds not scoring

  36. Frem

    Mark Marvelous is excellent. He’s soy much more aggressive than Luiz is.

    Again Mcginn not doing anything to warrant a start.

    Ramsey pressing well unlike Barkley

  38. Frem

    Sometimes I wish Watkins would just chill and stay central. Bt the time hw comes to finishing he must be so tierd. I wish hed save some energy for when he gets chances to score

  39. John Clark

    You’d have to back them to score, Frem.

    But so far, the energy has been good from us. Ramsey covering much more ground than Barkley, Marvelous much fresher than Luiz. Ghazi and Traoré putting in shifts, Ollie, too.

  40. Frem

    Will be interesting to see Wesley back. I don’t rate him one bit but he might improve with this team.. I think Davis would have done just as well last season with the run of games Wesley got

  41. John Clark

    Frem,

    There is that idea about strikers, but in this system, he’s asked to do more, and the three behind him are expected to score, as well.

    He’s doing a lot of defending, and it’s crucial today.

  43. Frem

    Sanson must be useless in training not to get ahead f mcginn recently

    John. I understand that but I’m sure Watkins would have scored more goals if he wasn’t so tierd in games.. He’s missed an awful lot of chances where he has just struck the ball like a guy absolutely shattered.

  44. Frem

    Marvelous and Ramsey though added so much energy and mobility and aggression in the midfield that we just haven’t had this year really

  46. John Clark

    Yeah, they’ve been a big boost, Frem.

    And maybe Deano was listening. We did press early, and came in and out of it after, got a goal, then got more compact. Along with putting out a team with running in it.

  48. John Clark

    But we’ll see what the second brings. Don’t think there’s any way of telling what Smith thinks of Sanson, but they wouldn’t have bought him if he didn’t like what he’d seen.

    This just isn’t the kind of game to start him. Understandings are vital today, and apart from Ramsey, who’s been in the setup a while, everyone else has played together quite a bit.

    I’d expect to see him come on for fresh legs, if nothing else.

  49. Frem

    Our ball retention has to be so much better.

    We just don’t retain possession on midfield ever

    Watkins needs to hold the ball up so much better

  50. Mark King

    Frem look at the pass count we are not looking to keep the ball but suck them in then be at there end in 2-3 passes , it’s a tactic many teams have used to beat Leeds

  52. Frem

    Mark its just not against Leeds. Our ball retention against everyone is poor

    That’s what I like about Potter.. They have a really high Xg with a bunch of average players. He’s doing a very good job there. Imagine what we’d create and we’d actually score more

  53. Frem

    Fucking hell Ghaizi what the fuck was that. Ramsey is a baller

    It’s now on games Watkins should come off for Davis l.. He is lost tbe ball every Time.. Davis is fantastic at holding it up and that’s what we need now.. Give the lad a go

  78. Ian

    I expected a draw. El Gazi is going to play himself into a starting role. I mentioned him as a striker a few weeks ago and I’m thinking why not? Sitting Barkley and Luiz should wake them up for next week.
    And…yippee!

  79. John Clark

    Yeah, really can’t say enough.

    I never for the life of me thought I’d end up feeling comfortable only 1-0 up. But apart from fearing an ‘inevitable’ fuck-up, there wasn’t much to worry about. Just the one chance for Raphinha.

    Also want to give Targett a shout-out. He may have gotten a wee bit lucky (as did Klich), but was nasty and got stuck in. Loved the way he went straight through Hernandez. No respect.

  80. John Clark

    Frem,

    It’ll be interesting. Being a midweek game, Smith will just have to see where everyone’s at.

    But they did well, and I can certainly see the case for sticking with them if they’re good to go.

    Luiz, I think there’s a fatigue issue, more so than ‘form’.

  81. Mark King

    JC that was like attacking an OAP 🙂

    I never thought Leeds would score, no real invention and their shooting was very poor. We had them rattled and thats the can’t win without Jack off their backs.

  83. Haggis

    Keep slagging off Watkins Frem :-). You slagged off El ghazi and he was brilliant today. You slagged off Targett and he is now in of the best LB in the league. You e slagged off Marvelous and he was rick today.

    Well done Villa proved that we are not a one player team.

  85. John Clark

    Ha, MK.

    Could’ve been booked for assault on the high street, yes.

    He cleaned up his game, but some of the Hutton’s fouls/challenges were criminal. We need a bit of that, and Targett’s doing it more and more, and virtually always fairly.

    Leeds get away with a lot of running people over. Loved seeing the frustration.

  86. Frem

    I’m not really sagging Watkins off. I get he starts games but he needs to be bought off sometimes. He was pointless last 20 minutes. We should have put Davis on to freshen it up and front and give us a target. I like Watkins but he shouldn’t be playing every second. He can come off with 15 to go

  89. John Clark

    Frem,

    Two things with Davis. He’s not very fast, and he seriously cannot find the back of the net.

    A knackered Ollie covers more ground than a fresh Davis.

    Don’t get me wrong. I like him. Big, strong, holds it up well, as you say.

  90. John Clark

    Frem,

    Agreed. Everyone looked very comfortable. A really composed and disciplined performance. Which points to great coaching from all the staff.

    They knew when to press, when to back off. When to waste some time, catch their wind. When to foul, which lanes they wanted to cover. That was ‘professional’ football.

  91. Mark King

    I have come to the conclusion that Frem will find whatever negative he can even when the evidence says otherwise, Frem you need a women to moan at you so you know what it feels like 🙂

  92. Paul Pears

    Excellent performance from the team, with a MOTM performance from El Ghazi up front. He and Ollie did a superb job between them, with a little help from Traore. The 4-3-3 attacking formation with a defensive 3-5-1 formation worked superbly.

    The midfield did a great job too, with Nakamba being outstanding, and earning his place once more, Very impressed with Jacob Ramsey, he can only get better. Mings martialled his defence superbly, with Elmo and his positional play, earning another clean sheet.

    I am so pleased for Dean, his coaching team, as well as the players. I am sure this team and this formation can hold us in good stead until Jack is fit enough to return.
    I must mention Trez, although he only came on for a few minutes, he actually was back to his best, beating players and carrying the ball well. I am sure we will see more of him in the near future, and Sanson slotted in well. There is going to be a lot of competition for places this season. No room for passengers.
    Dean sent a text thanking us for pointing out about the overlap for corners, well done Anwar!!

  93. Haggis

    Barkley must be fuming DS put Sanson on instead of him. So glad a 19 year old showed him how to play that role.

    Frem there is a lot more to Watkins game then being a goal scorer.

  94. Mark King

    JC- 1st half they pushed up hard and got the goal, 2nd they sat in more and countered, Bielsa made changes to counter the 1st half but we had switched. As Dion said it was great game management not something we were used to not so long a ago and from such a young side.

  99. VillaMD

    PP,

    Great comments. I’d give my MoM to Nakamba. I think we need to rotate Nakamba, Douglas and SJM more to keep them fresh, as that role is tireless running.

    Shout out for Targett and Elmo. Also Mings back to his best.

    My only complaint, I thought Watkins was shattered for last 20 mins. Surely we need to bring Davis on with his great hold up play to see out games.

    Glad Barkley got a kick up the ass. I don’t think we need him with the squad that we have

  100. VillaMD

    I just wrote that I feel we don’t need Barkley, even as a sub. Do I support Aston Villa or am I dreaming, as that would have been a crazy comment less than a year ago…..progress, and not baby steps! UTV

  101. Paul Pears

    Too true MK,
    I am sure Bielsa didn’t see it like that, but the team probably did, especially after beating us 3-0 at Villa Park.
    I am glad that Dean managed to put a good team together that gelled well, and did the job.
    I am sure that Trez, El Ghazi and Traore have a lot more to offer going forward, and they will perform well with Ollie Watkins.
    One day Frem may actually wake up and appreciate their worth.

    I hope that most of us appreciate how good Elmo is at his job too. You cannot replace experience, and he has it in abundance.

  102. Paul Pears

    VillaMD,
    I appreciate your comments, and maybe in the future Dean will consider Ollie Watkins situation, but at the moment, I think he feels that he will run all day, and then quickly recover.

    Interesting Dean’s comments about getting in early and then steadying down because of the state of the pitch, which may also have been in Dean’s thinking about who could survive more easily on such a treacherous surface, and he did not want to risk any fresh injuries with the squad.

  103. John Clark

    VillaMD,

    Where he’s at currently? No, we don’t need Ross. At his best, he’s a net plus.

    I don’t think we’ll be making a bid to keep him. Guess we’ll see how he responds when he gets another chance.

    It does feel good to say we don’t need him going forward.

  106. VillaMD

    JC/R0bb0,

    I think Bielsa’s smug comments that he wants to play Villa with Jack and our best players shows what an arrogant twat he is. So he can go fudge off.

    I wonder when Cash will be back? Elmo is great, but Cash is a different level going forward. What I noticed today is Elmo was great defensively and covered across the back four.

    Konsa is my favorite Villa defender by far, but I thought the other 3 defenders were better today.

    We’ve been through so much hardship as Villa fans. Let’s milk this time 🙂

  107. Frem

    VillaM. Absolutely. Watkins needed to come off on 70 min mark. Davis is perfect to bring on when we are winning.

    John I think he’s quicker than you give him credit for. Watch the Sheffield game again from last season lock down return.

    PP. They need to earn credit by producing. They haven’t produced really.

    Would love us to get get Neto of wolves in the summer and Saint Maximum from Newcastle. That’s the level of quality forwards we need. Grealish behind the striker

  108. Frem

    Konsa is unbelievable. He’s absolutely brilliant. He never makes a mistake. Ever. Very quick to.
    Mings finally looking good again. He’s gone back to basics. He’s also pretty quick and becoming more commanding and not fannying on the ball

  109. Frem

    Both Mings and Konsa are royls royces when they want to be.

    I’m also glad Barkley wasn’t bought on. He needs to up his game and show more fight and energy. He can’t just walk around a pitch.

    So if he plays Wednesday he has to show why we got him

  112. VillaMD

    Hi Frem,

    Good comments. Agreed with everything that you wrote.

    I was a huge Barkley fan when he joined, but now I couldn’t care less about him. He’s not good enough in my view. He seems to have an attitude problem, and we don’t need a player over 38 games that cannot motivate himself.

    Nakamba, Ramsey and Sanson to start next match?

  113. VillaMD

    I’m watching the match again. After 20 mins, Watkins passed the ball to El G just outside the box. Watkins ran for the return and would have been 1-on-1 with goalie. Instead El G hit a hopefull shot wide.

  115. VillaMD

    PP – yeah, a lot of little details in a game that could make a big difference. Having watched the match twice, my new habit when we win, I definitely think it’s between Nakamba and Mings for MoM. Nakamba is absolute quality, his energy is amazing.

    On a different note, I think the great thing about us as Villa fans is we’ve been through hard times, including almost going out of business. That’s why now is special. Being safe from relegation and looking at top 8 in a hugely competitive league. I’m savouring every win. It’s a shame with covid, hopefully stadiums will be full before the end of the season.

    I’m watching the relegation teams. Ideally I would enjoy it, but after last season and our plight I cannot wish any team to lose.

  116. Mark King

    Well time will tell with Barkley whether its mental or physical. As DS pointed out some teams require a different approach and we certainly did that, Wolves are a different proposition and Jack might be back.

  117. Frem

    Sanson was a baller when he came on.

    Marvelous can’t be dropped for Wednesday. Or Ramsey. They deserve to start. Barkley and Luiz benched again.

    I still can’t believe how well we suffocated Leeds yesterday.

    If Grealish is back I hope we play him behind Watkins in the KDB role. Look what KDB does in a free role.. He will be even better back in the middle

  118. Mark King

    Frem- What exactly did Sanson do mate? thought he had energy and looked to get forward quickly but can’t say he had any real effect in the time, looked like a player unused to his team mates play to me.

    We did a real number on Leeds and its great to see their fans moaning about the likes of Mings Diving when they had players play acting and have done so umpteen times in games against us, revenge is sweet.

    If Jack plays either Ramsey or ElGhazi doesn’t, I cannot see McGinn losing out, thought he played a very underrated role yesterday breaking up play and riling Leeds.

    I thought Trez looked back to fitness and would play him next game. Traore didn’t quite do it for me, he tried hard defensively but was mostly anonymous, wasn’t surprised with Leeds press.

  119. Frem

    Mark.. He made a couple of good tackles, one nice slide tackle and I think he kept the ball every time he got it which nobody else did yesterday really. I’d like to see him start at some point

    Really would love Saint Maximum in the summer. His ability is unreal.

    Any chance of us slipping up against Sheffield? My worry is we just won’t have the quality to break them down and I also believe there pitch is very poor

  120. Frem

    Mark He won’t start Trezeguet over Ghaizi or Traore. Traore has already proved his so much better than Trezeguet.

    I think the fact Traore played 90 minutes shows now he’s also tracking back. Its a pitch you can’t play football on and we didn’t

    Against Sheffield we need Traore to break them down, Trez doesn’t have thr quality to.. He just runs into opposition players

  121. Mark King

    Frem- When did Traore go past his man yesterday? think he did a few things defensively but also bullied at times. Sheffield may well suit him better with more time on the ball but we will see. Didn’t do enough for me, I think if Elgahzi had not tired he would of been off second half.

  122. Paul Pears

    So pleased for Nakamba, he can become our Kante. No need to rush Jack back, we need him to be fully fit and on it. The Wolves game is soon enough for Jack, but only if he is fully fit.
    Like you say VillaMD, a great time to be a Villa fan after years of struggling, really exciting times, actually looking forward to games, and hopefully continuing to climb the table.
    Can hardly imagine what Villa Park will be like when we are allowed back in, giving the Holte End roar and singing our heads off!!

    Imagine the joy on the players faces when they score and runto the Holte in celebration!!

  123. Paul Pears

    I don’t envisage any changes for the Sheffield game, as the whole team did so well from the start.
    Dean likes to keep things as they are, and there was no tiredness for most of the game, and he can still substitute Ramsey, Traore or El ghazi, if he needs to.

  124. Mark King

    PP- I like Nakamba his only flaw is he plays the ball back to players in tight positions sometimes as he is not the greatest at turning out and retaining the ball, which is why Luis has been better. Surprised that Leeds didn’t really press him but then he doesn’t hold onto the ball long even if his choice of pass is sometimes suspect. Really happy for the lad though as he is a proper team player.

  125. Mark King

    Thought I’d post this as its full of little moments you can’t see on tele. One fact is Villa had not only Ramsey playing but we had Under-18 goalkeeper Filip Marshall, Carney Chukwuemeka and Jaden Philogene-Bidace all travelled to leeds in the squad and Kaine Kesler actually made the Bench. That speaks volumes for how the youth team are valued by Smith.

    https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-teen-stars-shakespeares-19932548

  126. Paul Pears

    Nice to see Ashley Preece picking up on Craig Shakespeare making the difference with his call outs to the players, referencing the one to Mcginn to drop back and cover for the centre backs, saving what would have been a difficult situation. He is certainly making a difference to Villa.

    Liked the touch of Terry playing with Davis in the warm ups.

    ALSO great to see Lange sat with our youngsters in the director’s box watching the game.

  127. Plug

    I’m well and truly stoked after this great result. I think Deano got his shape and set up right to deal with the way Leeds play. It also shows we can win without Jack.

    We looked solid at the back and the revised midfield players did well. No way back just yet for Barks. Thought Naka had a good game and as always, Watkins ran his nuts off.

    Maybe Leeds were a bit lethargic by their standards. Perhaps the midweek game caught up with them or maybe it’s just that time of the season when their players are beginning to feel knackered and run into the ground.

    Don’t care, we got the 3 points.

  128. Paul Pears

    Wow!!
    Bale back on form with two good goals, helping Spurs to a 4-0 hammering of Burnley. Didn’t see that coming, or them leap frogging us!!
    Need to step back up to the plate on Wednesday and push them back where they belong!!!

  131. Mark King

    Paul Merson thinks we will be fighting relegation without Jack next season? One we won’t be without him, two if he left we would have a huge amount to spend on recruitment so nobody knows, three, we just beat Leeds away, Four we have only played 4 games without Jack so how would you know the potential of this very young side without them playing without Jack extensively?

    I like Merse but he’s not the sharpest tool in the box.

  133. Heroes-and-Villans

    again

    Matthew Targett.

    I don’t think ive seen such an improved player in my time as villa fan. I loved him last season and didn’t understand the negativity against him. But this season. just wow. He has added so much aggression to his game. You don’t mess with him back there now. Has to be called up to england

  134. Heroes-and-Villans

    frem

    I think my only take from your comments is passing of the ball. Now against sheff utd we need to be soooo much better on the ball and creating.

    But that against leeds fair enough. 0 interest knocking it about

  135. Heroes-and-Villans

    at last barkley on the bench. And he wasn’t brought on. And justice for nakamba. should never of been dropped after the arsenal game.

    Funnily enough I wouldn’t mind barkley playing against sheff utd!! lets see if he has a reaction and its the kind of game we need him to be at his most creative. Id be looking at rotating mcguinn and ramsey tbh

  136. Paul Pears

    Nice to see all the accolades for Elmo from Villa fans, after he stopped on the M! to let Raphinha out, as he did not realise he still had him in his back pocket.

    Not bad for our 33 year old back up right back. I am sure he will retire and hopefully find a home at Villa Park at the end of the season.

  138. Heroes-and-Villans

    I have always thought top 10 would be an unlikely and insane achievement. But the next 5 games for me will tell us exactly where we may finish.

    We are in the business end of the season now. The so called big name clubs usually all produce now and go on a run.

    watch arsenal and spurs go

  139. Mark King

    H&V I don’t think Its Ramsey or McGinn as Ramsey is really an attacking mid, Barkley is his main opposition in the team. Thought McGinn did a great job of being a pain to Leeds.

  140. Paul Pears

    Absolutely H&V,

    The big boys are all coming into form now, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool, will all have squads capable of seeing out the rest of the season.
    I am just pleased that we are doing ok, and making sure that we keep clean sheets and win games.
    I wonder if Sheff Utd will be able to play with the same intensity against us, as they did against Liverpool, if only they could score goals, they would not be where they are. Let’s hope that we are in better shape and can get a good solid win.

  142. Heroes-and-Villans

    paul

    wont be easy at all against blades.

    Last season was a false position but I also think there not as bad as this season suggests. Id go trez for his work rate. They create lots of overloads down the channels with there weird style of play

  143. Mark King

    H&V looks ok to me mate but I can’t see that many changes and also will Luis be brought back in to provide a more ball playing DM. Depends on what DS thinks Sheff utd will do and how he wants to approach it . Their possession stats are about 43% but get very low against the better sides. We are a little better at 49% average.

  150. Frem

    I’m pretty sure we won’t be signing Barkley so I’d like us to go get Eze from Palace. Kid has msd ability.
    Or get Loftus cheek
    Lookman from Fulham as a wide forward

    And berge from Sheffield. We need more height desperately in this team. It would improve us bih time if ee can score more goals from set plays

    We are to small in midfield and berge is huge ans a very good footballer

  151. John Clark

    H&V,

    Traoré did seem to be trying to do too much when he had the ball. But I thought he put in a reasonable shift getting back. Once we dropped back, there wasn’t necessarily a lot for the attackers to do, tbh.

  153. Mark King

    There just seem to be games that Traore just is not effective in and that was one for me, the vast majority of the games he does well in we are generally on top, just doesn’t do as well when there isn’t much space. If he could use that space down the line he might find more joy but currently he just looks to come inside on his left. on the defensive side yes he has got back more but its often just that bit to slow or he eases up once the player he is pursuing gets to our full back instead of getting beyond him and with his back to our goal.

    Sheffield might just suit him

  154. Frem

    Random but I hope our pitch has improved since our last home game l. It looked pretty poor.

    I’ve just watched Middlesbrough highlights ( christ I don’t miss the championship by the way) anf there pitch looks amazing. Maybe we need to head hunt there groundsman

  155. Frem

    John l.. He has his price.. We have the money. The kid is going to be a real top player. He’s got phenomenal talent. We should have signed him in the summer

    Mark I can see him resting Traore on Wednesday but I think it’s a game that will suit him more as keeds play 5 at the back so when they have possession he doesn’t have to track back ans when he attacks will be narrow against centre backs.

    I’d like to see Watkins wide and Davis start one game

    I hope Barkley is benched again

  156. Mark King

    Frem- I don’t think the tracking back is the biggest problem for Traore (other than its not quite there yet) its the quality of the defenders he faces in any one game and the space allowed. Give him space and time he’ll deliver, keep him out wide and on his Right foot he’s buggered.

  161. Frem

    Why does Smtih never tell us the truth about injuries?

    He lied with Barkley and now Grealish.. He said he had mild discomfort and now he’s saying hes out for tomorrow and might train later in the week?

    We all know he won’t.. He won’t be bsck this month

    Just tell us

  163. Mark King

    Frem- Hate to say it mate but Smiths not putting out detailed info for your benifit, he is probably hoping himself that jack will be fit and also does not want tell the opposition how to set up, that would be stupid, its a form of mind games, why do you think managers send spys to watch training etc?

  166. Mark King

    Heres a couple of stats, we have scored more goals in the 1st 9 games (20) with Trez playing than in the remaining 15 but conceded the same amount (13).

    We have also not conceded a goal in the games Nakamba has started in.

    I love a stat me.

  169. Paul Pears

    Seem to be a big problem being hidden at the moment over the England players involved with the Vodka, champagne and sleeping pills issue. It is now apparently three players who are affected, and the first guy who came to light was general dressing room chat. Not sure how much long they will be able to keep this under wraps. Just hope none of our players are involved.

    Almiron will be the biggest loss to the Toons, as he is one of their hardest workers.

  171. John Clark

    The clean sheets have been nothing short of amazing. The difference betwee where we were and where we are is astonishing. It’s been tightened up all round, but with Konsa and Mings gelling, adding Matty Cash, Targett really pushing and and adding Emi (which can’t be understated), it’s been such a transformation.

    Naturally Luiz/Nakamba have a lot to do with it as well, but that’s some turnaround.

  172. John Clark

    We score first, it’s basically been game over. Need to work on when we concede the first, but Villa actually know how to play with a lead now. Which is also astonishing.

  173. John Clark

    For those wondering about Sanson (and Traoré), here’s this from Sanson in case you haven’t read:

    “In terms of intensity and volume of work, here it is far above (France) and I would even say that next to training, in gym work, prevention work, strengthening, it’s a world above. I thought I worked quite hard in France, but I was surprised here!”

  174. Mark King

    JC- That does not surprise me, warm up is a coffee and a croissant in France, afternoon is a 2 hour nap or a visit to your neighbour’s wife 🙂

  175. Heroes-and-Villans

    john/paul

    yeah it is madness the clean sheets we are getting and the wins away from home. Don’t think ive ever seen it this good so drink it in as it may not always be like that!

    Wonder how much the no crowds are effecting things

  176. Heroes-and-Villans

    even anyone missed it there was a nice bit on mnf last night. carra was singing our defensive praises. He loves Konsa.

    Last season our clean sheets was the worse in Europe.

    this season the best!

  178. Plug

    I’m quite enjoying Spud’s take on the current situation up at the Wai Ayes. Time to batten down the hatches, put a shift in, go again and it’s the business end of the season when the daffodils are coming up. He’s paid millions for coming out with that schitt.

    I feel sorry for their fans. They have an owner that’s milking them dry. A manager that’s tactically barren and because the fans are barred from attending, they can’t even launch any cabbages.

    Tough one tomorrow. Not as easy as some may think. Wilder is saying he should be talking to the owner about future planning but those talks are not happening. That should only help us.

  182. John Clark

    Frem,

    On purchases, just remember: Player has to want it; club has to want it (at their price unless player wants and puts in a request); club valuation or release clause has to be met; personal terms agreed; buying club must agree with the price.

    So, yeah, everyone’s for sale, but.

  183. VillaMD

    Why change a winning team, same again tomorrow.

    If I was DS, my ONLY change would be Traore for Sanson. Otherwise leave as is.

    So cool reading Lange comments that we aimed for Sanson this Summer but got him in Jan

  185. Heroes-and-Villans

    I didn’t realise bidace was 19. When you think saka, greenwood, foden, martenelli, Sancho, neto and many others are all getting good game time at same age you wonder if he needs to start playing 1st team footy soon

  186. Frem

    H and V. It’s something that really annoys me about Villa. Other clubs will play youngsers if they are good enough. We don’t. 19 he should be playing first team for us now but Villa just wait until they are 21/22 and then release them without any first team football

  187. Frem

    Smith will drop Marvelous and Ramsey tonight. He won’t drop Barkley and Luiz again. It’s extremely unfair on Marvelous and Ramsey but we all know he will drop them

    He has a thing in watching Barkley, Mcginn and Luiz alll struggling but keep playing them, and marvelous and Ramsey playing well but dropping them

    We can’t slip up tonight. If we can’t underestimate Sheffield. They aren’t bad but we need this win to make up for some poor results against Burnley and Brighton at home

  189. Heroes-and-Villans

    I think id play barkley or sasom tonight, or both!

    we should have more of the ball and will need to create.

    it is a massive game if we want a top 8 finish.

    Like Carra said on mnf we haven’t really pushed on enough to get right up there. Need those back to back wins.

    But cant complain its insane talking about top 8! come on villa!

  191. Mark King

    The answer to why are we not playing the youngsters is that we are the youngest team in the League, Players like Foden are not the average and Youngsters (including our Squad) have ups and downs and we cannot be more up and down than now.

  194. Frem

    If that lad they signed from Liverpool score I’m flipping. He’s absolutely shit.

    Anyone have a betting account with William Hill on here?

  195. Frem

    I want to put a bet on say Targett and Elmo both to get booked

    But it doesn’t let me do it as a combined bet? Like it doesn’t combine both the odds together?

    Just does singles

Leave a Reply