please log in to view this image Sunday 16th February 2pm Premier League Villa Park The winter break is over and we're back to something resembling a Premier League schedule. Progress against Southampton in the cup was essential, but we made hard going of it. We'll have to perform a lot better to grab a win away at a side that really need the points, in my opinion. Dean Smith's side have been battling in the trenches all season and they're used to it. Can Mourinho drag us into firing range of Chelsea before their game on Monday or will Villa get a result? The Villans have had a pretty tough campaign so far, but with one major highlight. They've spent virtually the entire season in the bottom third, losing the majority of their games. Draws have been a rarity and beating sides around them has been vital, giving them a fighting chance. Norwich (x2), Brighton, Newcastle, Burnley and Watford have all lost to them. The only top-half side that they've beaten is Everton and that was early on when they too were struggling. Their form in the League Cup has been a stark contrast, though and they've reached the final. They largely faced Premier League teams too, so they've not had an easy run to get there. Crewe were the exception in the 2nd round, but they've since dispatched four top-flight sides. Brighton, Wolves, Liverpool and Leicester all fell to them, which will encourage them in the league. City will still be massive favourites, of course, but they look far from invincible at the moment. Our home match earlier in the season was very much a game of two halves, largely changing on a sub. The opening game saw a lot of our positivity drain early on, as the visitors took a quick lead. A fairly aimless long ball wasn't dealt with and John McGinn took advantage to fire Villa ahead. The first half offered little else, but we looked better after the break and took over after the hour. Eriksen's introduction lead to total dominance and a completely comeback with goals from Ndombele and Kane: There was no match between the sides last season, so have a goal highlight clip instead: Kane and Sissoko are still out and Davies has returned to training, but Lo Celso and Lamela were absent. Wesley, Heaton, McGinn, Davis and Steer miss out for the hosts. Neither side has any suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Tanganga; Lo Celso, Winks; Son, Alli, Bergwijn; Moura. Subs: Gazzaniga, Vertonghen, Dier, Fernandes, Ndombele, Lamela, Sessegnon. League form: DLLDWW. Villa: Reina; Mings, Hause, Konsa; Guilbert, Nakamba, Douglas Luiz, Targett; El Ghazi, Samatta, Grealish. Subs: Nyland, Elmohamady, Engels, Hourihane, Lansbury, Trezeguet, Davis. League form: LWLDWL. Ref: Martin Atkinson. VAR: Jonathan Moss. TV: Sky Sports. How would you like to line up for this one and what would you change from the Southampton game? Would you stick with much of the same lineup, make a few changes or go for a wholesale switch? Which system and tactics would you use and what are you expecting Villa to go with?
On the plus side, at least this time we won't be hearing any Narrative about Eriksen changing the game that ignores the switch in formation that actually had us in the opponent's half...
Davies straight back in the team, for me. It is crucial that he gets up to speed asap so I would start him and replace him with Tanganga/Jan/Sess when he tires. No Gio or Lamela by the looks of things so I'd like to see a 433: Hugo Aurier Toby Dave Davies Gedson Winks Tanguy Bergwijn Son Alli Subs: Gazza, Tanganga, Sess, Jan, Skipp, Lucas, Parrott.
Great news. Yeah I assume he'll only be on the bench at best so would give him Troy or Jan's spot in my pick.
Yes, the formation change did change the game, as suddenly there were players in the opponent's half we could pass to
Not this again Anyway Lloris Aurier Dave Toby JT Gedson Winks NDombele Son Alli Steve Assuming GLC and Davies only fit enough for the bench, otherwise they start. They’re both key players for us so I wouldn’t rush them back ahead of the CL games and other fixtures coming up. Parrott on the bench and getting minutes too please.
Davies will start. He has had plenty of time back in full training. The whole of the 'break' he was fully fit and therefore didn't have the 11 days off, but was getting back up to speed. Mourinho as opposed to Poch will put him straight back in. All IMO of course.
The Headline Alderweireld available for Villa trip despite developments in his personal life The Story Toby's wife gave birth to their second child Way to make it sound like his wife left him, guys...
Strong comments on Danny Rose Good to hear him talk about Jan, JT and Skippy in such good terms though. And he loves GLC almost as much as I do!
One of my favourite matches at white hart lane took place on October 1st 2008 when Villa played us in our 125th Anniversary match. At 4-1 down with 20 mins left all the memories of the prematch celebrations were fading fast while we were all crying into our commemoration flags as Villa fans mockingly sang "happy birthday to spurs". Agbonlahor was at his twattish worst arrogant self until Keane made it 4-3 from the penalty spot with just 2 minutes left. In the 3rd added minute Kaboooooooouuuuuuuullllllllllllll smashed in the equaliser and the party restarted big time. It was a seriously mixed night of footballing emotions.
The Portuguese boss explained his close crop wasn't intentional. "The reason behind the haircut is the barber was bad!" Mourinho joked. "He did a bad job and when I looked at myself in the mirror, I looked at him and said 'come on, bring out the one and shave it'. "I know it will take a little longer but it will grow and come back to normality."
