Your team for Villa?

[Commy]

With our different formations and all these players the opposition tactics talk will be interesting . They will be turning up not knowing what to expect.

[dougcollins]

There's some weird team selections on here.

God bless uptheclarets.

[FCBurnley]

From what I have seen in the PL over the last few seasons, distribution by goalkeepers is vitally important.
Also from what I have seen Muric is head and shoulders better than Trafford in this department. He also seems superior in caching crosses. Both keepers are good shot stoppers but the level of finishing in the PL is so high that most goals are unstoppable even by the best keepers. None of City’s 3 goals against us were Traffords fault.
I would play Muric every game ahead of Trafford until he he has had time to improve his catching and distribution
In the long term Trafford could well be the better keeper but right now it’s Muric for me but we are in the fortunate position of having two excellent keepers

[ClaretTony]

There's some weird team selections on here.

Probably because none of us have a clue

[dcunningham27]

No pictures of Jordan beyer at all on the latest training video

[123EasyasBFC]

No pictures of Jordan beyer at all on the latest training video

He’s defo got a knock but he didn’t do his ACL against Dundee because he didn’t play

[Swizzlestick]

There's some weird team selections on here.

There are, but I imagine if anybody came up with the first XI we started with against City it would also be seen as a bit odd.

[dcunningham27]

He’s defo got a knock but he didn’t do his ACL against Dundee because he didn’t play

Yeah hopefully nothing too bad

[123EasyasBFC]

Yeah hopefully nothing too bad

We have had a 2 week break then this game at weekend and another break, unlikely he will be risked

[dcunningham27]

We have had a 2 week break then this game at weekend and another break, unlikely he will be risked

yeah exactly, especially when we have plenty of backup

[BleedingClaret]

Probably because none of us have a clue

True
And the options keep growing

[Anthonini]

Maybe - I’ve posted similar thoughts on the transfer thread…

I do believe though that Amdouni has a lot of quality and will be a good player for us - Berge adds another touch of class as well.

Unfortunately that about sums it up. The rest are more transfers for squad depth. Lots of young guys too like Odobert Koleosho and Trafford.

Still hoping to see more actual reinforcements 2 or 3 at least. I do think from what I've seen and without really knowing the player that Ramsay can be a reinforcement with his vision and work rate.

But so far I doubt this will be enough for the PL. Maybe to stay up and fight relegation it will be.

[Anthonini]

Probably because none of us have a clue

I don't even know what formation it will be. Good thing is the opposition probably doesn't know either

[ashtonlongsider]

I couldn't hazard a guess at the line up or formation. However my main concern is we're getting bloated and the squad needs trimming significantly imo.

[BigGaz]

I’d like to see

Muric
Roberts Ekdal Beyer Al Dakhil
Berge Cullen
Benson Brownhill Foster
Amdouni

I’d like to see a bit more of Foster come in off the left. His best game for us v City so worth another try

[BigGaz]

I couldn't hazard a guess at the line up or formation. However my main concern is we're getting bloated and the squad needs trimming significantly imo.

Same. We can field an outfield 10 that can play on the wing (or play from an advanced attacking role on the left).

Benson
Zaroury
Redmond
Amdouni
Koleosho
Laarsen
JBG
Odobert
Ramsey
Churlinov

That’s if you don’t include those who can and have played there in a pinch like foster, Obafemi, Vitinho.

It’s unsustainable for a club of our size.



Simply unsustainable

[RVclaret]

With Beyer looking likes he out I’m wondering if he’ll want Al-Dakhil’s pace in the middle up against Watkins and Diaby.

I was pretty happy with how we played against City so wouldn’t mind that same system:

—————————Trafford
———Al-Dakhil—O’Shea—Ekdal
Roberts ——Berge—Cullen——Larsen
———Redmond——————Foster
—————————Amdouni

[jojomk1]

More than likely Bailey will play wide right for them
Whoever covers the LB position will have a busy game, and if we play a back three they are going to be stretched
Back four seems a better option against Watkins and Diaby through the middle for them
This will be a real test and a benchmark for whatever formation VK puts out

[equinox]

..................................Either......................

..........Ekdal...............Beyer........Al Dakhil......

Roberts.....................Cullen...................Taylor.....

...................Benson..................Zaroury....................
.
....................Amdouni........Koleosho.....................

All sorts of movement and inter changing going on, Villa won't know how to deal with them

[CryerBFC]

..................................Either......................

..........Ekdal...............Beyer........Al Dakhil......

Roberts.....................Cullen...................Taylor.....

...................Benson..................Zaroury....................
.
....................Amdouni........Koleosho.....................

All sorts of movement and inter changing going on, Villa won't know how to deal with them

Zaroury suspended.

[jojomk1]

..................................Either......................

..........Ekdal...............Beyer........Al Dakhil......

Roberts.....................Cullen...................Taylor.....

...................Benson..................Zaroury....................
.
....................Amdouni........Koleosho.....................

All sorts of movement and inter changing going on, Villa won't know how to deal with them

Have we signed another goalkeeper now

[wbfc]

I think a point would be good... they are a good team with a good manager...need to score first

We have signed 13 players and I cannot really see any improvement upfront...

I would play Muric and let Trafford play at Forest ...still no attacking left back

Worries me all the money spent ....I think Matsen, Bellis and Tella would all be in first 11..

Points on board ASAP

[wbfc]

I think a point would be good... they are a good team with a good manager...need to score first

We have signed 13 players and I cannot really see any improvement upfront...

I would play Muric and let Trafford play at Forest ...still no attacking left back

Worries me all the money spent ....I think Matsen, Bellis and Tella would all be in first 11..

Points on board ASAP

[Newcastleclaret93]

With Beyer looking likes he out I’m wondering if he’ll want Al-Dakhil’s pace in the middle up against Watkins and Diaby.

I was pretty happy with how we played against City so wouldn’t mind that same system:

—————————Trafford
———Al-Dakhil—O’Shea—Ekdal
Roberts ——Berge—Cullen——Larsen
———Redmond——————Foster
—————————Amdouni

I would be very very surprised if that’s close to our team.

I am adamant the team will look something like:

Trafford
Roberts, Al Dakhil, O’Shea, Vitinho
Berge, Cullen, Ramsey
Koleoshi, Amdouni, Foster

[COBBLE]

I wish him well but I am worried about Vitinho and would sacrifice his creativity for a more defensive and pacy defender left side.

[OssyClaret]

Trafford

Roberts O’Shea Beyer Al Dakhil

Brownhill Cullen Berge

Benson Amdouni Redmond

Foster and Ramsey to make a big impact from the bench

Ekdal in for Beyer if injured

[CryerBFC]

Personally I’d like to see

Muric
Roberts Al Dakhil Ekdal Taylor
Berge Cullen
Koleosho Amdouni BruunLarsen
Foster

Probably be something more like

Trafford
Roberts Oshea Aldakhil Vitinho
Cullen Berge
Redmond Brownhill Foster
Amdouni

I think regardless who starts, we have actual squad depth and should the game not be going how we intended, we’ll have great options off the bench. Let’s just hope Diaby on the RW for Villa has a shocker as our weakest spot in the team, without doubt is LB.

[Funkydrummer]

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

If we can't cope with Diaby on the ball, then cut out the supply to him.

Piece of cake - can't hurt us without the ball.

[BleedingClaret]

This is so frustrating
Oh for the days when we knew the team, the formation and could guess who was coming on for who to within 5 minutes

[Anthonini]

All respects to Vitinho and I'm perhaps one of the few that thinks he's done fairly well against City showing good work rate. He's a tough lad that's improving steadily. But I see him more as a rotation player on the right back he shouldn't be starting on the left.

I feel we have a big weakness here in our team and we need even 2 LB's and it can't wait too long anymore either. With a Maatsen or Gomez there and another good one on the bench we would be more at ease and also more dangerous ourselves. The opponent would have to defend overlapping runs and crosses on the left wing. Now this is non existing.

[Hurstwood_Claret]

Is Zaroury suspended??

[Anthonini]

Maybe if Delcroix is fit and proves to be faster, better at training he could fill in that role better being left footed naturally. Of course also not his best position. He's best at defending and building up from the back. Winning headers and recovering balls. Not a guy that runs on the ball and goes past defenders trying to get a cross in.

Not an ideal situation and it's weird that so far down the window there's not even a substitute left back. Hopefully will be arranged soon.

[BleedingClaret]

None of us seem to be considering Dodgson
Fits our profile of signings, he’s young and good on the ball
It feels like if we sign them then they get a shot if we bring them through in the youths & U21’s they don’t

[BleedingClaret]

Is Zaroury suspended??

3 matches I believe

[claretandy]

Is Zaroury suspended??

Yeah, 3 games.

[RVclaret]

Maybe if Delcroix is fit and proves to be faster, better at training he could fill in that role better being left footed naturally. Of course also not his best position. He's best at defending and building up from the back. Winning headers and recovering balls. Not a guy that runs on the ball and goes past defenders trying to get a cross in.

Not an ideal situation and it's weird that so far down the window there's not even a substitute left back. Hopefully will be arranged soon.

Thing is Ake, Akanji and Gvardiol are all natural centre backs but in Pep’s system they slot in at ‘left back’ really well. I say left back but the role is often a left sided centre back when in possession.

[Anthonini]

In that system we would probably play Beyer O'Shea Al Dakhil then and use no wingbacks?

But are we trying to play the same way? Delcroix could fill that LCB perfectly though. That's his natural position.

Could be yes that that's the reason why we bought so many center backs and extra wingers to run up and down and help defending.

In that case

-----------------Trafford
--Al Dakhil-----O'Shea-----Beyer
------------Cullen
--------------------------Berge
------Brownhill------------Ramsey
Benson-----Amdouni-------Redmond

But do we have enough center backs in that scenario? Or are we using Vitinho Delcroix Roberts and Taylor as subs?

[CrosspoolClarets]

I am expecting this to be the team:

Trafford
Roberts O’Shea Al Dakhil Taylor Vitinho
Cullen Beyer
Foster Koleosho Andouni

Taylor for Beyer the only change, as a left footed “out ball” if Vitinho is under pressure and has to play it back inside, plus for height to combat Watkins in the air

[Roosterbooster]

I'm expecting us to utilise pace

Trafford
Roberts O'Shea Al-Dakhil Vitinho
Cullen Berge
Koleasho Redmond
Amdouni Foster

[andyh]

Arghhh. No one could have predicted the team.