I don't know much about what the best formation is, but I do know what tactics to employ. Grealish needs to be battered as soon as possible. End of team talk. Whenever I've seen Villa, Grealish runs the show. He doesn't look too fast but he runs at people and plays the ball into space created (you know, like our midfield only in the opposite direction). I don't know who else they've got but he seems to be the main man. No predictions from me but I'm not expecting much, that's as positive as I can get these days.UTS
McCarthy Cedric - Yoshi - Bednarek - Bertrand JWP - Romeu - Armstrong Boufal - Ings - Redmond Bring on the likes of Long, Djenepo, with 30 mins to go if necessary.
I'd go this but Djenepo in for Redmond. Think he desperately needs a spell out of the side and could have more impact from the bench.
Funny init how tables have turned? Just over a year ago I was the one saying drop Redmond, then Hassenhuttl came in and Redmond’s form improved, and you reminded those of us who criticised him every time he scored. So this time I’m gonna stick by him and later remind you of this chat every time he scores. Seriously though, I see Djenepo as a luxury we can’t afford right now. He’s a wildcard, and his defensive play is scarily risky. He gives away needless free kicks and doesnt link up very well with the full back. You can see the other players constantly telling him where to go, and it just shows an inability to read the game. Definitely a weapon though, but I think he is best suited to the final 30 mins when the game becomes more stretched and defenders are tiring.
Oh yeah I'd forgotten about Nathan 'no goals and assists' Redmond, I wouldn't expect anything less btw I do kind of agree with you on Djenepo for what it's worth but Redmond just seems to be getting worse and worse at the moment and I can't see him snapping out of it without a short spell out the team. Obvious to say, but we're in the unfortunate position of lots of players being horribly out of form. Maybe we could even give someone else a run out wide? Having the option of a Redders and Djenepo double sub could be nice if it's a tight game.
Future Good king William looked out On his beloved Villa When Saints players are about He knows he's in for a thriller Brightly shone Danny Ings that day Making William jealous Southampton left with all 3 points William cried back to Kensington Paalace
I've always had doubts that he's good enough but maybe we've reached the 'Sims will save us' stage of the season? Can't say that I'd be against it tbh.
ASTON VILLA V SOUTHAMPTON Saturday 21st December 2019 15:00 KO Referee: Craig Pawson. Assistants: Lee Betts, Ian Hussin. Fourth official: Darren England. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: Simon Beck.
I think we'll see big rotation tonight. The next game got so much bigger after what happened at the weekend.
Grealish has been playing on the left wing recently, cutting inside. Meaning he'll be up against the defensive wall of Cedric.
I hope it's just me but I'm fast reaching the point where I wonder how much I give a crap about what happens when Saints play. The constant wheeling out of an endless number of Saints players doing the 'we must do better' and 'we need to be more clinical' speeches, following yet another ****-show of a match is eating holes in my head. Villa are more of an easy target than we will get from here on in but I just can't see beyond a draw or narrow defeat. The only way Cedric will deal with Grealish is to drop kick him in the head on 3 minutes. Then we would be down to 9 zombies and Danny Ings so that should be fun. It would be nice to win but my guess is we will struggle on with the same depressing give away performance and hand one half to Villa before desperately trying to salvage something.
If Cedric tries to kick Grealish into touch, he’ll probably deliver him perfectly into that zone between the penalty spot and the 6 yard box!
