Aston Villa v Manchester United .... Friday 14th August 7:45pm kick off.

The eyes of the world will be on Aston Villa on Friday night. This unique fixture has come about due to a political rally being held in Birmingham on Saturday, which will fully occupy Birmingham police.

Next season there will be regular Friday evening matches in the Premier League, so SKY will no doubt use this match as a trial run. There should be a big build up for this one, and Villa Park should be buzzing.

How will we fare against Man U? Will we roll over like we did against Arsenal in the cup final, or will our new signings take it to the Mancs and make us proud?

Our first home game of the season usually attracts a moderate crowd due to holiday commitments etc. Will the fact that it's being televised on a working day mean it will be a smaller crowd?

What will our starting eleven be, and will we start better than we did against Bournemouth in the first half?

I've got more questions than answers about this match, what do you think guys?

My head says we will lose by a goal but my heart and wallet tells me a draw with Gestede scoring at anytime...

Gestede, Amavi, Clark, Richards, Guzan, Gueye, and Veretout pick themselves.

Grealish (if fit) for Sinclair.

Sanchez for Westwood (more physical).

Gil (if fit) for Ayew.

I'd probably stick with Bacuna but only because Hutton hasn't been better.

So that's a 4-3-3 of:

Guzan
Bacuna Richards Clark Amavi
Veretout Sanchez Gueye
Gil Gestede Grealish

Subs - I'd still keep Gabby, as the late sub for Grealish, although I still think Sinclair can have a good game.

I don't think Gestede will start, as Sherwood made the point that prior to the Bournemouth game he only had 45 minutes match fitness in the bank. Useful sub though.

I've gone for a loss on the poll, but if we really battle for 90 minutes who knows? Trouble is we don't tend to play for 90 minutes, and that's something we need to improve on.

I can see another 1-0 courtesy of Rudy coming on as an impact sub and predict 6mins of extra-time. There will be lots of exploitation down our right side.

VTID85 wrote:I can see another 1-0 courtesy of Rudy coming on as an impact sub and predict 6mins of extra-time. There will be lots of exploitation down our right side.

Young will be looking for the perfect dive! All joking aside, he's going to be a real nuisance.

villabromsgrove wrote:

VTID85 wrote:I can see another 1-0 courtesy of Rudy coming on as an impact sub and predict 6mins of extra-time. There will be lots of exploitation down our right side.

Young will be looking for the perfect dive! All joking aside, he's going to be a real nuisance.

Agreed, I would hate for our first red and penalty to be picked up as a result of a rash response to some clever manipulation.

Trying a new positive outlook and went for the win by us.

Manure didn't look that special against Spuds so I am hoping we catch them at the right time.

I think Rudy will not start but will get a full 45 minutes if we are losing at half time. I think JG will be on the bench along with Gil. Sanchez may have earned a starting stop to stop the likes of Depay/Young? Right back worries me as Bacuna and Hutton are both prone to rushes of blood to the head. I would suggest a minefield is installed the wide areas?

I think we need diff setup vs manu............. maybe a game that both westy and sanchez start, they can help our weakness at RB,  I'm going for a Gestede start to give them something to worry about them gabby  on 60mins......TS to go for....

Guzan

Bacuna....Richards....Clark....Amavi

........Sanchez.........Westwood

...Veretout........Gana.........Sinclair

.....................Gestede

I'd change a few based fitness or personal choice but I think TS might see it like this....... I know its fantasy football, but its fun

Draw. 4-4-2
Guzan

Bacuna (purely because he won't try to kill Young like Hutton)
Richards
Clark
Amavi

Gueye
Vertout
Westwood
Sanchez

Sinclair
Kozak

Gestede, gabby, Grealish to come on with 20 to go when we're 1-0 down.

4BetLite wrote:I think we need diff setup vs manu............. maybe a game that both westy and sanchez start, they can help our weakness at RB,  I'm going for a Gestede start to give them something to worry about them gabby  on 60mins......TS to go for....

Guzan

Bacuna....Richards....Clark....Amavi

........Sanchez.........Westwood

...Veretout........Gana.........Sinclair

...............Ayew

.....................Gestede



I'd change a few based fitness or personal choice but I think TS might see it like this....... I know its fantasy football, but its fun

You picked 12. Could be worth a try though

Stratfordvilla wrote:

4BetLite wrote:I think we need diff setup vs manu............. maybe a game that both westy and sanchez start, they can help our weakness at RB,  I'm going for a Gestede start to give them something to worry about them gabby  on 60mins......TS to go for....

Guzan

Bacuna....Richards....Clark....Amavi

........Sanchez.........Westwood

...Veretout........Gana.........Sinclair

...............Ayew

.....................Gestede



I'd change a few based fitness or personal choice but I think TS might see it like this....... I know its fantasy football, but its fun

You picked 12. Could be worth a try though

Yep, edited already, got exited

I wonder if we will have a Chairman at the game?

Same team. Keep running 4-3-3. Get Grealish in for Sinclair.

I'd be tempted to pack the midfield just to stifle them. Can gestede play 90? I'd love to know what Kozak has done to not even make the bench

I think Kozak is a bit too continental too be a success in the EPL. He isn't very quick, and isn't very tough. Not sure what he can contribute with. While being at the right place at the right time is an important trait, you often need something more. Anyway, he will probably get his chance soon.

Man U played a high line against Spuds so I would hope we would look to exploit that. Also I think that Man U's defence may struggle against an aerial threat so I would like Guestede to start.
Young was utilised well at the weekend and I would rather Hutton use his experience in marking him rather than Bacuna.
Having said that I think our record against them is poor so the usual hard fought performance with them nicking it from a misplaced pass or dodgy ref decision giving them a free kick or penalty after Ashley flies through the air as if a scud missile has hit him when Guzan rushes out.

We all know that Ashley will go down in the box even he is given a long hard stare. We just need to watch for it. UTV

South London Villan wrote:Man U played a high line against Spuds so I would hope we would look to exploit that. Also I think that Man U's defence may struggle against an aerial threat so I would like Guestede to start.
Young was utilised well at the weekend and I would rather Hutton use his experience in marking him rather than Bacuna.
Having said that I think our record against them is poor so the usual hard fought performance with them nicking it from a misplaced pass or dodgy ref decision giving them a free kick or penalty after Ashley flies through the air as if a scud missile has hit him when Guzan rushes out.

In the seventh minute of time added on!

I'm going for the win because the law of average says were well overdue a victory over the Manc scum at Villa Park.

Stratfordvilla wrote:Bacuna (purely because he won't try to kill Young like Hutton)

Spoilsport.

1995 has been too long, we must be due a win , its defo the best time of the season to play them & as we already have 3pts on board, its a free hit, I have feeling TS will go for it!

Cant wait till Friday, Villa Park should be rocking !

I would love it and I mean love it if we beat the Mancs. Going all dewy eyed just thinking about it.

Pretty sure they will use Rojo against us. Blind won't cut it against Gestede. And I think Jones is injured.

Is there any news on the Gil injury? Would love to see him playing the David Silva role.

Ripped The Baggies a new one!