Pre Match Pre Match - Villa (A) - Weds 19:30

[Brizzle]

Endo will play a big part in this title race. Shame he wasn’t brought on against Everton.

*Endo should play a big part in this title race.

I think his lack of minutes and the over reliance on 4 midfielders across 3 positions **could** be Slot's downfall. Although you also have to argue that it is what has gotten us to where we are. It just doesn't feel sustainable. Its like those memes of people putting elastic bands around a watermelon - every 90 mins we add is just prolonging the inevitable.

 

[Hansern]

*Endo should play a big part in this title race.

I think his lack of minutes and the over reliance on 4 midfielders across 3 positions **could** be Slot's downfall. Although you also have to argue that it is what has gotten us to where we are. It just doesn't feel sustainable. Its like those memes of people putting elastic bands around a watermelon - every 90 mins we add is just prolonging the inevitable.

Agreed, and should is better worded. It just feels like his contribution when coming on is something we will need.
Wolves had 9 shots before he came on in the second half yesterday, but only 1 after.

 

[binomial]

That said, Slot and the players have identified the problems and one hopes they actually sort them out.

Nothing's changed from yesterday to what we saw against Ipswich on the first day, we're still only capable of playing anywhere near our best for 45mins. A bad habit this squad has looked like it's carried over from last season.

 

[mark1975]

Nothing's changed from yesterday to what we saw against Ipswich on the first day, we're still only capable of playing anywhere near our best for 45mins. A bad habit this squad has looked like it's carried over from last season.

I think that's just the nature of how we play though and I don't think it paints the whole picture. Klopp's side ran out of steam and still chased the game even when it was won, we've been a lot more controlled this season until the last two weeks where things have gone flat and at it's best, chaotic again. That level of control has gone, but we know we have the quality to damage in 45 minutes, so that's where it largely works. The compromise on expecting full flair for the majority of the game is that you would have to change the nature of how you control and win matches. We were shite against Everton but scored with probably our only two chances.

We were rash in both games, giving the ball away instead of keeping possession, that's what we have to get back to again. I know playing against pressing sides can be difficult, but we have to be intelligent and take the sting out the game, I don't believe half the team look capable of that at the moment.

 

[bluebell]

I think we are under utilising Lex. We need him to become advance. So lets try a double pivot of Endo and Grav with Lex in a more advance position.

---------------Ali-------------
Trent----Konate---VVD-----Tsimikas
---------Endo-----Gra------
---------------Lex--------------
Salah---------Jota------------Gakpo

 

[MomoWASright]

Premier League ball: Nike release remake of iconic ball for title run-in starting with Aston Villa vs Liverpool​

Nike release updated version of iconic T90 Aerow I to be used in the Premier League; Puma are set to become the official ball supplier of the top flight from the 2025-26 season, marking an end to Nike's 25-year reign; It will be used on Wednesday when Aston Villa host leaders Liverpool

 

[rurikbird]

I think we are under utilising Lex. We need him to become advance. So lets try a double pivot of Endo and Grav with Lex in a more advance position.

---------------Ali-------------
Trent----Konate---VVD-----Tsimikas
---------Endo-----Gra------
---------------Lex--------------
Salah---------Jota------------Gakpo

Who the hell is Lex?

 

[Buddha]

Premier League ball: Nike release remake of iconic ball for title run-in starting with Aston Villa vs Liverpool​

Nike release updated version of iconic T90 Aerow I to be used in the Premier League; Puma are set to become the official ball supplier of the top flight from the 2025-26 season, marking an end to Nike's 25-year reign; It will be used on Wednesday when Aston Villa host leaders Liverpool

Brilliant…why not trial a new ball that might have some weird flight pattern just as our title run in starts to bite…ffs

 

[MomoWASright]

I think it is the same ball just with a different print on it.

 

[bluebell]

Who the hell is Lex?

aLEXis Mac Allister

 

[Dreambeliever]

I think that's just the nature of how we play though and I don't think it paints the whole picture. Klopp's side ran out of steam and still chased the game even when it was won, we've been a lot more controlled this season until the last two weeks where things have gone flat and at it's best, chaotic again. That level of control has gone, but we know we have the quality to damage in 45 minutes, so that's where it largely works. The compromise on expecting full flair for the majority of the game is that you would have to change the nature of how you control and win matches. We were shite against Everton but scored with probably our only two chances.

We were rash in both games, giving the ball away instead of keeping possession, that's what we have to get back to again. I know playing against pressing sides can be difficult, but we have to be intelligent and take the sting out the game, I don't believe half the team look capable of that at the moment.

The big and recent shift for me is that we here reversed the halves. At the start of the season we were average to poor first half and came alive second half. Last two games have been the opposite.

 

[Hansern]

Arne Slot:

“I want to take into account that these players are not tired. Not at all. They are able to play every three days in the highest intensity but you have to take the mental part into the occasion as well.”

 

[Dreambeliever]

Arne Slot:

“I want to take into account that these players are not tired. Not at all. They are able to play every three days in the highest intensity but you have to take the mental part into the occasion as well.”

I’ve said that for years. The mental aspect of challenging on 4 fronts is extremely exhausting, even if the physical numbers mean we a should be capable.

 

[The Nomad]

Brilliant…why not trial a new ball that might have some weird flight pattern just as our title run in starts to bite…ffs

Arsenal don't like flighty balls. May actually benefit us.

 

[Modo]

Arne Slot:

“I want to take into account that these players are not tired. Not at all. They are able to play every three days in the highest intensity but you have to take the mental part into the occasion as well.”

Yep. This is what I'm seeing too. It's all in their head. Here's where the veterans like Van Dijk, Salah, Robbo and Alisson needs to step up.

 

[darkstarexodus]

aLEXis Mac Allister

It's simply absurd that you'd call acAlli that.

 

[Fabio]

I just want to see a reaction. That performance the other day was just poor, and villa after no mugs.

 

[Fabio]

 

[Brizzle]

Agreed, and should is better worded. It just feels like his contribution when coming on is something we will need.
Wolves had 9 shots before he came on in the second half yesterday, but only 1 after.

This is why i think it would work well to start him too. Why not start solid and avoid giving away chances leaving the attackers to do their thing.

It’s quite a big case of philosophy vs reality.

 

[Hansern]

Looks like Kamara is out for Villa. Big blow for them if he misses out.

 

[Brizzle]

seeing some Arsenal fans speculating that Emery hates Arsenal so much he might rest a load of players.

I would love the fume if he did this

 

[MomoWASright]

seeing some Arsenal fans speculating that Emery hates Arsenal so much he might rest a load of players.

I would love the fume if he did this

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

I’d have a wank or eight

 

[Brizzle]

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

I’d have a wank or eight

I hadn’t noticed Villa’s schedule

Wed - Us
Sat - Chelsea (H)
Tuesday- Palace (A)
Friday - Cardiff (h) FA Cup

So strong argument for them to save legs against us (maybe start Asensio or Rashford) and rest Watkins / Rogers.

I can’t imagine Tielemens has that run in him either.

This would be so hilarious.

 

[MomoWASright]

They requested the game be moved because of the schedule. They’re fucked. I’d love them to throw it out of spite.

 

[SummerOnions]

They requested the game be moved because of the schedule. They’re fucked. I’d love them to throw it out of spite.

When? Like when it was announced or now?

 

[MomoWASright]

When? Like when it was announced or now?

Very recently. Basically told no.

Aston Villa vs Liverpool match request rejected by the Premier League

Aston Villa and Liverpool are due to face off during a busy February for both clubs, though Unai Emery and Arne Slot will both enjoy a quieter time of things in March

www.mirror.co.uk

 

[Squiggles]

I swear we were fearing playing them last year, but they didn’t turn up at all—it ended up being one of the easiest games of the season. More of the same, please. They’re struggling with the schedule.

For reference, Villa had 49 points after 25 games last season. They’re 11 points worse off this time around. That’s not to say it won’t be a tough game—Rashford and Asensio are wild cards—but it wouldn’t shock me if it’s not as difficult as it is in our minds. In reality they’re below Fulham and have only one win in their last five. We just need to stop playing like fuckheads for 45 minutes every game. I’ll take us playing like fuckheads for 30 minutes and be happy it’s heading in the right direction.

 

[Brizzle]

They’re fatigued and don’t have any options to rotate in midfield or defence - so it would make sense to make that our advantage.

I guess it’s a given that Jones will play but let’s see if any other fresh legs get a go too.

 

[Hansern]

They’re fatigued and don’t have any options to rotate in midfield or defence - so it would make sense to make that our advantage.

I guess it’s a given that Jones will play but let’s see if any other fresh legs get a go too.

I think having the possibility to rotate and get fresh legs in is key here. Jones, Bradley, Tsimikas, Endo and Darwin.

 

[Buddha]

I hadn’t noticed Villa’s schedule

Wed - Us
Sat - Chelsea (H)
Tuesday- Palace (A)
Friday - Cardiff (h) FA Cup

So strong argument for them to save legs against us (maybe start Asensio or Rashford) and rest Watkins / Rogers.

I can’t imagine Tielemens has that run in him either.

This would be so hilarious.

That Chelsea game is a real top 6 six pointer for them too…so a good chance they might well rotate a little tomorrow night..