Villa–Spurs: Match Thread
Not much to say. Marv’s back and on the bench, Ings is back, too, so guessing we’re doing the 4-4-2 again. Usual suspects starting, make of that what you will.
Leeds vs Aston Villa: Desperation versus Progress
Given Leeds’ precarious position, Bielsa’s demise comes as no real surprise and only made sense. And it will no doubt have a heavy influence on tonight’s game. Leeds desperately need something, and Jesse Marsch is convinced they’ll see the same Villa set-up that beat Brighton and Southampton. Can’t say I disagree.
His key to the game is bottling up Coutinho, of course, but that’s easier said than done if he’s on song and carries its own risks if it takes more than one player. It also means everyone else needs to help create space and options then do something with it.
Brighton-Aston Villa Match Thread
Both Watkins and Ings will play, but with Coutinho in the front line, while Emi Buendia goes to the bench. Whether the two strikers are actually settling into the 10 slots or this portends a more flat 4-3-3, we’ll soon find out.
Aston Villa-Watford Match Thread
A week after that desultory loss to Newcastle, Steven Gerrard has indeed made changes. Ollie Watkins makes way for Danny Ings.
A Depressing Familiarity in Villa’s Brentford Failure
I didn’t enjoy Sunday at all. But I wasn’t necessarily surprised. The team is reverting to norm. You can have all the expectations you like, but some are more reasonable than others. The squad is the squad, and despite pressure from above to achieve more now, Villa are still mid-table quality. You can tweak the system a bit, set different standards, emphasize different things, but you’re still working with the same clay.