Match Thread: The Greatest v Preston North End

[achilles]

Well as we seem to be discussing line ups for this game I thought I would create the appropriate thread.

On the assumption that Grealish and Adomah are still out and Elmo has now got himself injured this is the team I would like without too much disruption:

...............................Johnstone..................................

....Tuanzebe..........Chester.........Terry...........Hutton.......

................................Jedinak....................................

...Snodgrass.........Hourihane.......Landsbury.....Bjarnason.....

.................................Davis......................................

These are as few changes as possible and as far as I can see it unavoidable with certain players injured and no U23 players being involved because of Bruce's aversion to playing/trying them.
I would play Davis instead of Hogan, only because he can hold the ball up so much better, which allows our midfield to get involved as without Grealish we have no playmaker so we resort to hoofball again unfortunately. It is a shame for Hogan as he gives 100% in effort but in that lineup he is not going to get any crosses or any service so he just becomes a headless chicken which is just a waste of a good player.
If Davis tires in the second half then bring on Grabban and see what he can do.

I think we will be fortunate to get a point tomorrow night as I just can't see us breaking them down, Preston seem very, very resilient especially in defence and we have nobody capable of breaking down those sort of defences, it will take something extraordinary to win the game (i.e. Snodgrass last goal).

[FoxyAV]

That starting 11 looks familiar! My only worry is do we need Tuanzebe at RB if he's not so good getting forward to help Snodgrass and if Preston's right wing isn't as strong as Fulham's, or to put it another way if he's fit would we be better off sticking to Elmo on the right if only because he, Snodgrass and Hourihane all know how each other works? Tuanzebe was great in defence against Fulham and especially Sessegnon but didn't we suffer in attack?

Either way I think this 11 is the strongest we can put out but whatever we do hopefully they've been training hard at it yesterday and today because this match has the potential to be another big banana skin.

[achilles]

That starting 11 looks familiar! My only worry is do we need Tuanzebe at RB if he's not so good getting forward to help Snodgrass and if Preston's right wing isn't as strong as Fulham's, or to put it another way if he's fit would we be better off sticking to Elmo on the right if only because he, Snodgrass and Hourihane all know how each other works? Tuanzebe was great in defence against Fulham and especially Sessegnon but didn't we suffer in attack?

Either way I think this 11 is the strongest we can put out but whatever we do hopefully they've been training hard at it yesterday and today because this match has the potential to be another big banana skin.

I have made the assumption that Elmo is injured, if he is fit I agree with you.

[FoxyAV]

I suppose with Elmo (good at attacking) or Zebe (good at defending) we have all bases covered, just not both at once which is what Hutton gives us at LB. It's a nice luxury to have and we can always start with Elmo and Tuan can come off the bench and cover defence or DM.

I can't help think De Laet would have been good at both had he not been injured. Shame really.

[Guest]

That line-up is absolutely void of creativity.

[Guest]

I don't know what the line-up should be, but I'd consider Gabby for the pace alone. Maybe instead of Bananason.

[Guest]

Notice Bruce is letting O'Hare play for the U23 tonight. 

That's ridiculous. We have both Ado amnd Jack out and the only player close to being creative wont even be on the bench. 

Another reason why I think Bruce is effing shite.

[De Kuip]

I think it will be 2-1 tomorrow. Pretty sure they'll score but I also think we'll be stung into action after Saturday.
Just beggars belief the lack of usage of the u23s.

[FoxyAV]

That line-up is absolutely void of creativity.

And? We can't play O'Hare or seemingly anyone else from the U23s. Gabby hasn't played for months and I bet Thor would run circles round him and give Hutton decent cover in defence. Lansbury and Hourihane looked good against Brighton at the end of last season and Jedi can hold the fort, plus both Lansbury and Hourihane have goals in them. Look at it a different way, everyone's in position. But it's all wishful thinking, what are the odds on Onomah starting as AM?

[De Kuip]

Can't be sure from the reports I've read but possibly Grealish could be available tomorrow- I bloody hope so.

[Guest]

Anything but a win will be unacceptable

[NARLA24]

Villa win no probs 3-1

[Army villain]

Hopefully a 2-0 win

[Saunders82]

I think the boys will be smarting about Saturday, 2-1 Villa for me, if Grealish is available then 3 nil to us.

[FoxyAV]

If Grealish is available we're going to be ok. Sure, not the threat on left wing Albert poses but Thor can do a good job and Jedi and Hourihane can cover the middle.

[achilles]

If Grealish is available then I would consider playing Hogan up front as we might actually play some football.

[AstonThriller]

TEAM NEWS IN...

..................Johnson.......................

Tuanzebe...Chester...Terry...Hutton....

................Jedinak...Hourihane........
.....................Onomah........
.........Snodgrass..........Thor..........
........................Hogan..................

Subs: Lansbury, Elmo, Davis, Grabban, Bunn, Taylor Whelan

This is the team I would have picked and it makes total sense. The bed wetters are moaning about Onomah of course but hey, why start a kid who is currently our FOURTH TOP SCORER!!..anyway will be interesting to see if Thor plays left or Onomah!!..I hope it's Thor. Bar Adomah, this is nearly the same side that outplayed them away from home, so let's hope for a repeat performance..

COME ON VILLA!!

[Guest]

Awful line-up. It's on twatter. 

Bjarnason on the wing, shit spurs wanker playing and 451 at home when Grabban and Davis is ready. 

Loss incoming. Bruce out.

[De Kuip]

TBH once it was clear no U23s considered I'm not sure what else he could put out for tonight. Im very hacked off about the injuries but I'm sick to death of not seeing ohare get a look in.

[FoxyAV]

I don't seem to recall Hogan scored much with Onomah behind him, I suppose there's a first time. Interesting Elmo isn't playing. If it were me I'd have tried to keep the majority of the settled, winning team in place and not disrupted it more than necessary. We have replacements for Adomah and Grealish so I can only assume Preston have someone decent on their left wing...

[De Kuip]

Oh and I still think that team should be too much for Preston on paper but it needs the right tactics and the right attitude. Get one or both wrong and it could be a frustrating night.
Still think we will win though.

[Guest]

Hoooooooof

[Guest]

Why we cant play with two strikers at home vs Preston is hard to understand

[Guest]

With OnOnomah on the pitch we are a 10 man team. He is just pointless

[Guest]

Boring. Poor poor football.

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