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Team for Villa

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[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=38154.msg1022438#msg1022438 date=1262051306]
[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=38154.msg1022435#msg1022435 date=1262050777]
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=38154.msg1022433#msg1022433 date=1262050102]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=38154.msg1022070#msg1022070 date=1262003899]
Rotation time? We've got a very short period for recuperation from the Wolves match, but then Villa have one day less - and are less likely to rotate.

I think it's inevitable that Kuyt will be picked. Assuming Riera is fit, I'd also like to see him start, as Yossi is wasted on the left and probably tired from the last match, so may make more impact as a sub. Riera will also make us more solid defensively on the left.

Here's my team. I generally prefer Aurelio to Insua at LB, but the latter played very well against Wolves so it would seem perverse to drop him now.


Reina

Magic - Carra - Agger - Insua

Lucas - Aquilani

Kuyt - Gerrard - Riera

Torres
[/quote]

Don't really disagree with the lineup Bunny but I'll be stunned beyond words if Aquilani starts after playing so long against Wolves. He'll be on the bench IMO, Lucas will be in the centre with, I fear, Spearing. I think Aurelio will be on the left of midfield with Kuyt on the right. Gerrard will be his seemingly fixed position and, I suspect Ngog will be up front while Torres has a break.

That will mean that Gerrard will be isolated in a way rarely seen; almost no creativity happening behind him and very little to work with in front of him.
[/quote]

If that happens and we play with a midfield of Auerlio-Spearing-Lucas-Kuyt.. really, we may as well not turn up. That's 2 defensive midfielders, 1 defender, and 1 defensive forward.. to surmise - an awful midfield.
[/quote]

That's probably true but it's based on two main points:

1) I can't, for the life of me, see Rafa moving Gerrard into midfield at this point. Can you?

2) I can't imagine Rafa playing Aquilani twice in quick succession after being out for so long. Can you?


About the only real change I can see is if Riera or Yossi are played on the left instead of Aurelio.
[/quote]

I don't know, this is a big game. At this point in the season, I really think Rafa has to gamble and play Aquilani so long as he can walk. Else, put Gerrard into the midfield and go with Rieira AND Yossi on the wings with Kuyt foraging upfront behind Nando.

Really, that midfield you posted almost guarantees a loss and if Rafa plays it, he'll be one game closer to the sack. Villa will simply murder us in midfield with their far greater pace and creativity.
 
Not worth a new thread but I'm curious on what people think about this game.

If we get beat by Villa then we'll be 8 points off fourth in January. Can we get to fourth from that position given I still expect Villa to fade as the finish line approaches?

Will Spurs or City (I can't imagine Brum, who are ahead of us just now, in the CL) be good enough to hold us out or will they fade as well?
 
[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=38154.msg1022440#msg1022440 date=1262051931]
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=38154.msg1022438#msg1022438 date=1262051306]
[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=38154.msg1022435#msg1022435 date=1262050777]
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=38154.msg1022433#msg1022433 date=1262050102]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=38154.msg1022070#msg1022070 date=1262003899]
Rotation time? We've got a very short period for recuperation from the Wolves match, but then Villa have one day less - and are less likely to rotate.

I think it's inevitable that Kuyt will be picked. Assuming Riera is fit, I'd also like to see him start, as Yossi is wasted on the left and probably tired from the last match, so may make more impact as a sub. Riera will also make us more solid defensively on the left.

Here's my team. I generally prefer Aurelio to Insua at LB, but the latter played very well against Wolves so it would seem perverse to drop him now.


Reina

Magic - Carra - Agger - Insua

Lucas - Aquilani

Kuyt - Gerrard - Riera

Torres
[/quote]

Don't really disagree with the lineup Bunny but I'll be stunned beyond words if Aquilani starts after playing so long against Wolves. He'll be on the bench IMO, Lucas will be in the centre with, I fear, Spearing. I think Aurelio will be on the left of midfield with Kuyt on the right. Gerrard will be his seemingly fixed position and, I suspect Ngog will be up front while Torres has a break.

That will mean that Gerrard will be isolated in a way rarely seen; almost no creativity happening behind him and very little to work with in front of him.
[/quote]

If that happens and we play with a midfield of Auerlio-Spearing-Lucas-Kuyt.. really, we may as well not turn up. That's 2 defensive midfielders, 1 defender, and 1 defensive forward.. to surmise - an awful midfield.
[/quote]

That's probably true but it's based on two main points:

1) I can't, for the life of me, see Rafa moving Gerrard into midfield at this point. Can you?

2) I can't imagine Rafa playing Aquilani twice in quick succession after being out for so long. Can you?


About the only real change I can see is if Riera or Yossi are played on the left instead of Aurelio.
[/quote]

I don't know, this is a big game. At this point in the season, I really think Rafa has to gamble and play Aquilani so long as he can walk. Else, put Gerrard into the midfield and go with Rieira AND Yossi on the wings with Kuyt foraging upfront behind Nando.

Really, that midfield you posted almost guarantees a loss and if Rafa plays it, he'll be one game closer to the sack. Villa will simply murder us in midfield with their far greater pace and creativity.
[/quote]

Again, I don't really disagree with anything you've said there but I can't imagine Rafa playing Aquilani - and with some justification too, I might add. This is a big game but there will be more big games in the next 5 months so risking him now would be questionable.

I've said for some time I think Gerrard needs to go back to CM just now cause we're just not coping in that area but he hasn't been there all season. I don't really expect that to change in this game. I also think Torres looked ruined at the end of the Wolves game and can see him starting from the bench.
 
Didn't Gerrard play CM against Wigan? I reckon Aquilani will be on the bench, don't know about Torres but I expect

Yossi Gerrard Lucas Aurelio
Kuyt Ngog
 
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=38154.msg1022441#msg1022441 date=1262052166]
Not worth a new thread but I'm curious on what people think about this game.

If we get beat by Villa then we'll be 8 points off fourth in January. Can we get to fourth from that position given I still expect Villa to fade as the finish line approaches?

Will Spurs or City (I can't imagine Brum, who are ahead of us just now, in the CL) be good enough to hold us out or will they fade as well?
[/quote]

City won't fade - they have a huge squad which will almost certainly be further strengthened in January. Spurs might, although they've looked ominously resilient so far in a very un-Spurs-like way. Villa probably will, just because their squad is weaker and O'Neill seems never to rotate.

If we lose to Villa today, it'll be even harder than it is now to qualify for the CL, but not impossible. We've got two of the best attacking players in the world, and if we can keep them both fit, get a solid, settled defence and a midfield that combines steel with skill (ie Mascher and Aquilani both fit and on form) then we can beat anyone and everyone. Big ifs though.
 
Gerrard was played at CM against Wigan was he not?

I guess depending the way you look at it, you could say that it's a credit to his character that everyone still thinks he'll be sticking to his guns as opposed bowing to the pressure. It is times like these that managers really do need to show that they've got a pair and stand by their convictions.

That said, I don't think Rafa is stupid enough to start Spearing at Villa park in what is certainly a six-pointer. Aurelio maybe as he's at least a senior player, but I still struggle to see it. If Aquilani doesn't play, he simply has to play Gerrard there.

A loss at Villa would see me lose hope almost completely. It wouldn't be so bad if we were just looking to overhaul one team - as Arsenal were last season when they were 10 or so points behind Villa - but this year it's completely different and we're facing three pretty strong teams so we have to expect at least one of them to last the distance. We're now past the halfway line and there is little room for error anymore.
 
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=38154.msg1022515#msg1022515 date=1262083259]
City won't fade - they have a huge squad which will almost certainly be further strengthened in January. Spurs might, although they've looked ominously resilient so far in a very un-Spurs-like way. Villa probably will, just because their squad is weaker and O'Neill seems never to rotate.

If we lose to Villa today, it'll be even harder than it is now to qualify for the CL, but not impossible. We've got two of the best attacking players in the world, and if we can keep them both fit, get a solid, settled defence and a midfield that combines steel with skill (ie Mascher and Aquilani both fit and on form) then we can beat anyone and everyone. Big ifs though.

[/quote]

My opinions exactly, hoping for three teams to fuck up just to get fourth is a sad state of affairs though.
 
[quote author=FoxForceFive link=topic=38154.msg1022529#msg1022529 date=1262084935]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=38154.msg1022515#msg1022515 date=1262083259]
City won't fade - they have a huge squad which will almost certainly be further strengthened in January. Spurs might, although they've looked ominously resilient so far in a very un-Spurs-like way. Villa probably will, just because their squad is weaker and O'Neill seems never to rotate.

If we lose to Villa today, it'll be even harder than it is now to qualify for the CL, but not impossible. We've got two of the best attacking players in the world, and if we can keep them both fit, get a solid, settled defence and a midfield that combines steel with skill (ie Mascher and Aquilani both fit and on form) then we can beat anyone and everyone. Big ifs though.

[/quote]

My opinions exactly, hoping for three teams to fuck up just to get fourth is a sad state of affairs though.
[/quote]

It's up to us now to make them fuck up, by putting the pressure on and by beating them in the head to heads.
 
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=38154.msg1022537#msg1022537 date=1262085877]
[quote author=FoxForceFive link=topic=38154.msg1022529#msg1022529 date=1262084935]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=38154.msg1022515#msg1022515 date=1262083259]
City won't fade - they have a huge squad which will almost certainly be further strengthened in January. Spurs might, although they've looked ominously resilient so far in a very un-Spurs-like way. Villa probably will, just because their squad is weaker and O'Neill seems never to rotate.

If we lose to Villa today, it'll be even harder than it is now to qualify for the CL, but not impossible. We've got two of the best attacking players in the world, and if we can keep them both fit, get a solid, settled defence and a midfield that combines steel with skill (ie Mascher and Aquilani both fit and on form) then we can beat anyone and everyone. Big ifs though.

[/quote]

My opinions exactly, hoping for three teams to fuck up just to get fourth is a sad state of affairs though.
[/quote]

It's up to us now to make them fuck up, by putting the pressure on and by beating them in the head to heads.
[/quote]


is the right answer... lets fucking do em all.... crocked midfield or not.
 
I'll be gutted to see Spearing start, he's nowhere near the required level to be playing in such an important match. Although he was bought on against Wolves so it's possibility I may have to accept.

Gerrard has to be moved back, there's no question about it. Put Kuyt upfront where he actually finds the net and looks more comfortable. Play Yossi on the right where he thrives and if Aquilani isn't fit then Lucas will have to do.

It's very simple shit. Watch Benitez do something mental.
 
Villa are a decent side, they play to their strengths, being quick fast attacking, get a goal soak up and break.
Im not confident of anything (they dont lose at home) in fact im expecting a humping. They are a better team than us.

-----------------------------------Reina--------------------------------------
Johnson-------Agger-----------------------Carragher-----------Insua
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------Lucas-------------Gerrard---------------------------
Kuyt-------------------------------------------------------------------Riera
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------Benayoun----------------------------------
-------------------------------------Torres----------------------------------.
 
----------------Reina
GJo-------Agger-Carra----Dossena

-----------Aqua-Gerrard
Kuyt--------------------------Riera
-------------Yossi
-----------------Torres
 
I think the brakes will be off tonight and we'll go for it with Gerrard in CM with Lucas, Kuyt, Aurellio midfield

if its noit working aquilani can come on

my main concern is Kuyt breaking attacks down and Johnson's defending
 
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=38154.msg1022441#msg1022441 date=1262052166]
Not worth a new thread but I'm curious on what people think about this game.

If we get beat by Villa then we'll be 8 points off fourth in January. Can we get to fourth from that position given I still expect Villa to fade as the finish line approaches?

Will Spurs or City (I can't imagine Brum, who are ahead of us just now, in the CL) be good enough to hold us out or will they fade as well?
[/quote]

We are a good team but we've hidden it masterfully so far this season bar the odd flash of brilliance. IMO it is Citeh we need to watch, they now have a much better manager, a proven winner, add that to the extra cash they will flash in the January transfer window and they will be stronger in the second half of the season. Spurs (6th due to their bigger squad) & Villa (7th - smaller squad, will tire same as last year) will plod along but eventually fall by the wayside.
 
.................................Reina.....................................

Johnson........Carra.........Agger......................Insua

.................Lucas..............Gerrard...........................

Kuyt....................Benayoun............................Babel

.......................Torres..............................................

We will win.

PS No matter how many of you guys will claim that Villa are a better team than us doesn't change the fact they are not. Tonight will hopefully prove so as I'm sure the final Premiership-table will.
 
Likely Line Ups

ASTON VILLA

The suspension of Ashley Young and Carlos Cuellar and the groin injury to Emile Heskey forces Martin O`Neill to change his starting line up for the first time in 5 games.

Goal: Friedel
Defence: L. Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock
Midfield: Milner, Petrov, Sidwell, Downing
Up Front: Carew, Agbonlahor

LIVERPOOL

Mascherano is still suspended which could see the second start for Aquilani and Dirk Kuyt should be recalled the starting line up following his rest on boxing day against Wolves.

Goal: Reina
Defence: Johnson, Agger, Aurelio, Carragher
Midfield: Aquilani, Benayoun, Lucas, Kuyt
Up Front: Torres, Gerrard


Treatment Table

ASTON VILLA

Davies (shoulder)
Heskey (groin)
Bouma (toe)

LIVERPOOL

Zhar (ankle)
Kelly (ankle)
Mascherano (medial ligament)
Riera

Suspensions

ASTON VILLA

A. Young
Cuellar

LIVERPOOL

Mascherano
 
[quote author=the_khl link=topic=38154.msg1022641#msg1022641 date=1262098026]
.................................Reina.....................................

Johnson........Carra.........Agger......................Insua

.................Lucas..............Gerrard...........................

Kuyt....................Benayoun............................Babel

.......................Torres..............................................

We will win.

PS No matter how many of you guys will claim that Villa are a better team than us doesn't change the fact they are not. Tonight will hopefully prove so as I'm sure the final Premiership-table will.
[/quote]

I agree, though I wouldn't have Babel anywhere near that side.
 
[quote author=the_khl link=topic=38154.msg1022641#msg1022641 date=1262098026]No matter how many of you guys will claim that Villa are a better team than us doesn't change the fact they are not. [/quote]

What makes you right and the others wrong?
 
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=38154.msg1022647#msg1022647 date=1262098497]
[quote author=the_khl link=topic=38154.msg1022641#msg1022641 date=1262098026]No matter how many of you guys will claim that Villa are a better team than us doesn't change the fact they are not. [/quote]

What makes you right and the others wrong?
[/quote]


a misplaced sense of faith. tonight he shall behold the truth
 
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=38154.msg1022647#msg1022647 date=1262098497]
[quote author=the_khl link=topic=38154.msg1022641#msg1022641 date=1262098026]No matter how many of you guys will claim that Villa are a better team than us doesn't change the fact they are not. [/quote]

What makes you right and the others wrong?
[/quote]

To be fair, with much the same squads measured over the course of a season, they finished well off our pace last year. So saying they're a better team is based on current form rather than assessing overall quality, proven over the course of a full season.

Yeah they're a good side, yeah they've got some really good players, but better than a team with Gerrard, Torres, Mascherano, Agger, Carragher, Johnson, Aqauilani and Kuyt?

No fucking chance.
 
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=38154.msg1022656#msg1022656 date=1262098936]
I probably agree Mark, it just seemed an odd method of reasoning.
[/quote]

Fair enough 😉 and adding Babel didn't help the argument (sorry khl!)
 
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=38154.msg1022647#msg1022647 date=1262098497]
[quote author=the_khl link=topic=38154.msg1022641#msg1022641 date=1262098026]No matter how many of you guys will claim that Villa are a better team than us doesn't change the fact they are not. [/quote]

What makes you right and the others wrong?
[/quote]
Well we're only sharing opinions right? Who's right and who's wrong will be clear at the end of the Season I reckon.

In my opinion we are a better team than Villa.

Fact.

Better?
 
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=38154.msg1022660#msg1022660 date=1262099271]
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=38154.msg1022656#msg1022656 date=1262098936]
I probably agree Mark, it just seemed an odd method of reasoning.
[/quote]

Fair enough 😉 and adding Babel didn't help the argument (sorry khl!)
[/quote]
Ha ha I know Babel is a fekking long shot mate but after his well-taken goal against Lyon and his promising first 15 min against Citeh I actually thought we was about to discover something good.

I've not written him of completely just yet and with Riera still out and us playing away from home I'd be tempted to throw his pace into the mix.
 
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=38154.msg1022650#msg1022650 date=1262098637]
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=38154.msg1022647#msg1022647 date=1262098497]
[quote author=the_khl link=topic=38154.msg1022641#msg1022641 date=1262098026]No matter how many of you guys will claim that Villa are a better team than us doesn't change the fact they are not. [/quote]

What makes you right and the others wrong?
[/quote]

To be fair, with much the same squads measured over the course of a season, they finished well off our pace last year. So saying they're a better team is based on current form rather than assessing overall quality, proven over the course of a full season.

Yeah they're a good side, yeah they've got some really good players, but better than a team with Gerrard, Torres, Mascherano, Agger, Carragher, Johnson, Aqauilani and Kuyt?

No fucking chance.
[/quote]

Aaaaaaagh !! Hold head in hands - why did I just create another thread on just this subject matter whilst you were posting this 🙁
 
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