Play Off Final 26/05/2018 - Match Thread

[smetro]

Well the date is a good one for us:- !!!

2 ways for villa to win this game

1.A wolves type performance

2.Keep it tight and try and poach a goal as and when....

Pretty sure the second is more likely - should we win - it would be a reasonable bet that it is 1-0.

First goal is vital IMO - Who ever gets that wins the game IMO.

[Dazzle]

The way Fulham approach games is far different to Boro and Pulis. I don’t think we’re quite as boring as some would like to make us sound, and we’re very capable of doing to Fulham what we did to Wolves, there will be spaces behind Fulham’s FBs. I’ve been quietly impressed with what appears to be a growing resilience and team work ethic in us of late, they do all seem to be focussed and committed. For sure we’ll set out to not concede, again the first goal will be important to the outcome of the game. I think that should we score first we will go on to beat Fulham, this is a massive game and we have some massively experienced players whereas Fulham will have a host of players who have experienced nothing like this playoff final atmosphere.

[De Kuip]

1-0 villa from a Hourihane screamer.

[smetro]

1-0 villa from a Hourihane screamer.

Hes due one !

Got an inkling for Snoddy or Chester !

[FoxyAV]

They'll be well drilled on what our players do but Hourihane is a definite wild card. He's quick and sharp to the rebounds, deflected saves and so on, a proper midfield poacher lurking on the edge of the box. We have some serious firepower in our wingers, striker (whichever one it is) and in Grealish and Hourihane. We gave Boro's defence and goalie a lot to think about at the end of the second leg, if we can get forward like that we could have a bit of fun.

If it were me and he was fit I'd have Gabby on the bench for a final hurrah. He'd work his arse off for 20 minutes at the end and give Fulham to think about whether we're in the lead or not!

[Fpuppys]

Waiting for this game is like being on death row, just want it over and done with now.
Sorry @FoxyAV but Gabby?

[Saunders82]

For me only a Wolves type performance will do, this is the game that will tell everyone we are ready to take our place back in the top league, we have stuttered at times this season which is why we are in this game otherwise we would already be on holiday. We need to own the game most people will be rooting for Fulham, lets prove em wrong. UTV

[AstonThriller]

I've had days when I'm extremely confident about the result and cannot see any way that we can mess this up when I look at their defense and lack of experience. Then I have moments when dread takes over me. Like others I just want this thing over with. It is interesting though that we appear to be the "home team" in the final? And also it's on May 26th which is obviously a massive day In our history.

When I think about it though who from the Fulham team would you guys take over ours? Sessegnon? No question, Cairney? Over Hourihane? Not sure. Johansen over Grealish? NO CHANCE, Mitrovic over an in form Kodjia? Nope.

The key for me will be experience and making sure we exploit Odoi. He's short, and he's reckless at times and we need to get crosses into the box and force him into one on one situations. We saw how great we can be at the back at against Boro, But Fulham looked all over the place against Blues and Derby away!!..and that's what I'm hanging my hat on. I genuinely believe we can score two or three here.

[Wookster]

We need to be on the front foot from the whistle, we can't cope again a team when we sit deep

[avfc85]

I had a dream we lost 1-0, I hope i'm very wrong

[danclare82]

So who's going then? Didn't think i would but sorted tickets yday. Buzzing now and nervous

[AstonThriller]

Is this the official match thread or will I need to start one before Saturday? anyway, just watched both of our games against Fulham this season and a few things stood out.

1. a lot of people like to say they "outplayed" us at Craven Cottage, but when you look at the highlights we had at least four decent chances to score and this was without Adomah, Grealish and Kodjia whilst Grabban didn't start either.

2. Like I've mentioned before they are very vulnerable from set-pieces but they are also very ropey when you break on them. We created a lot of chance on the break against them this season. Adomah got in behind time and time again in the game at VP.

3. We've got to stop Fredricks, he got far too much space in both games.

4. Kodjia bothers them. His hold up play drew a lot of fouls and also allowed our midfielders to get forward. His skill on the ball also creates panic and I think his added height would cause Odoi and Laggert all sorts of problems

5. Hourihane's late runs also cause them problems. In both games when he ran beyond the striker he had chances.

I also think Jack could really be instrumental here. Fulham don't have a typical "defensive midfielder" who can track a number ten like we do in Jedinak. Mccdonald id more of a possession guy. I can see Jack drifting into those little pockets and causing all sorts of problems for Fulham. He'll also drift out wide and double up on Fredrick with Adomah I think as he's obviously one of their more talented offensive weapons.

[smetro]

Is this the official match thread or will I need to start one before Saturday? anyway, just watched both of our games against Fulham this season and a few things stood out.

1. a lot of people like to say they "outplayed" us at Craven Cottage, but when you look at the highlights we had at least four decent chances to score and this was without Adomah, Grealish and Kodjia whilst Grabban didn't start either.

2. Like I've mentioned before they are very vulnerable from set-pieces but they are also very ropey when you break on them. We created a lot of chance on the break against them this season. Adomah got in behind time and time again in the game at VP.

3. We've got to stop Fredricks, he got far too much space in both games.

4. Kodjia bothers them. His hold up play drew a lot of fouls and also allowed our midfielders to get forward. His skill on the ball also creates panic and I think his added height would cause Odoi and Laggert all sorts of problems

5. Hourihane's late runs also cause them problems. In both games when he ran beyond the striker he had chances.

I also think Jack could really be instrumental here. Fulham don't have a typical "defensive midfielder" who can track a number ten like we do in Jedinak. Mccdonald id more of a possession guy. I can see Jack drifting into those little pockets and causing all sorts of problems for Fulham. He'll also drift out wide and double up on Fredrick with Adomah I think as he's obviously one of their more talented offensive weapons.

Bree is a concern for me. I don't think he is very good at all - and looked very nervous v Boro.

What is a worry for me is we seem to been drying up goal wise - Snoddy hasn't scored for ages, Grabban is starting to morph into hogan , and Adomah isn't in the form he was. Kjodia looks like like a gamble and I don't think he will start.
Pretty sure we will keep it tight the first 15 - Equally Fulham will know if they score early, that we struggle when we go behind. I wouldn't be surprised to see them dominate the early exchanges. Key minutes for me are 20-45 & 45-60 - that IMO (no analysis done though) is when we are most likely to score.

But to be honest this could pan out so many ways - when you are expecting a tight game sometime(s) you get goals galore - Ive been calm all week, but the nerves are kickin in now !

[Dazzle]

Fulham will play exactly as they have done all season, nothing will change from them as I don’t think they’re capable of doing it any other way. That gives us a big advantage as we’ve proven we can do it two or three ways, winning in different styles. Sessegnon will be planned for much like Traore, as will Mitrovic. If we stay mistake free we win.

[AstonThriller]

Fulham will play exactly as they have done all season, nothing will change from them as I don’t think they’re capable of doing it any other way. That gives us a big advantage as we’ve proven we can do it two or three ways, winning in different styles. Sessegnon will be planned for much like Traore, as will Mitrovic. If we stay mistake free we win.

Great point and I've been thinking about this over the last few days as well. We've shown we can have a real scrap with a team like Cardiff, we've shown we can grind it out and shut down a team like we did against Boro, we've shown we can outplay a team like we did against Wolves etc. And we can go long or play the ball short if we like. But Fulham will be exactly who they've been all season. Pass, pass, pass!!. What is their plan B?

The truth is IF we choose to we can make this game a very scrappy affair and simply break the game up and not allow them to get a flow going. Or we could go toe to toe with them and let the best attack win. I honestly believe we have the better defense and we have more weapons going forward than they do. There is one clear weakness that Fulham has against crosses and set-pieces. So it's up to Bruce to ensure that we exploit that to the fullest on Saturday.

[Saunders82]

Once Fulham get a goal they play expansive passing football, when you stop them in their tracks ala Blues they really don't know what to do, so therein lies our answer IMO, keep it tight smother them (Brucie loves to do that) and when the chance or chances come snap em up, and we could end up with a game like the Wolves game. UTV

[Dazzle]

3-1 Villa.

[FoxyAV]

I wonder if Adomah and Snodgrass not scoring is down to Grealish and Grabban. It feels like (I may be wrong!) the full backs are hanging back more and play is coming either lumped over the top for Grabban to lose or going through the middle with Jack. I don't know the answer but it does seem like the way we play has changed. Have the wingers been told to get the ball in the box for Grabban rather than turn in and try to score themselves? Have the full backs become more defensive and not ventured forward so much?

For me it still has to be Kodjia starting. Bruce played hoofball - completely unsuccessfully - against Boro and I think he'll do it again. In the second half of the second match against Boro we seemed to play it more through Jack and put them under more pressure. Kodjia can do both but I'd rather if we're going to lump it almost aimlessly down the pitch Kodjia was there to collect/hold up the ball and if we're going to play the ball on the ground through Grealish we use Grabban. So start Kodjia and bring on Grabban in the second half, if that's the plan. I don't want to see hoofball with Grabban because we're playing with fire by giving the ball straight to Fulham's passing and front line.

[Dions_Bald_Head]

I wonder if Adomah and Snodgrass not scoring is down to Grealish and Grabban. It feels like (I may be wrong!) the full backs are hanging back more and play is coming either lumped over the top for Grabban to lose or going through the middle with Jack. I don't know the answer but it does seem like the way we play has changed. Have the wingers been told to get the ball in the box for Grabban rather than turn in and try to score themselves? Have the full backs become more defensive and not ventured forward so much?

For me it still has to be Kodjia starting. Bruce played hoofball - completely unsuccessfully - against Boro and I think he'll do it again. In the second half of the second match against Boro we seemed to play it more through Jack and put them under more pressure. Kodjia can do both but I'd rather if we're going to lump it almost aimlessly down the pitch Kodjia was there to collect/hold up the ball and if we're going to play the ball on the ground through Grealish we use Grabban. So start Kodjia and bring on Grabban in the second half, if that's the plan. I don't want to see hoofball with Grabban because we're playing with fire by giving the ball straight to Fulham's passing and front line.

Interesting point. I watched the game with someone who hadn't seen Villa for years (sometimes interesting to get a fresh pair of eyes) & his take was that Uncle Albert was great at getting himself into good positions with the ball but lacked confidence with the final ball - he was surprised that he had been such a big goal-scorer for us.

[Dazzle]

The shirt is freshly washed and ironed, the bags are packed ready for half term holidays tomorrow. Excitement is building as is confidence. Come on boys, make this weekend a euphoric celebration in our history and go out there and do the business. Come on you Villa boys UTV

[AstonThriller]

OK GUYS I'M GONNA ASK AGAIN. IS THIS THE OFFICIAL MATCH THREAD OR SHOULD I START ONE CONSIDERING I HAVE THE RECORD FOR WINS THIS SEASON? I DID BOTH THE BORO GAMES, DO WE REALLY WANT TO CHANGE THINGS NOW?

[NARLA24]

Tight nervey start but we will win no doubt about it.

[Terry Derry]

Tight nervey start but we will win no doubt about it.

Good bit of inside info there. What went wrong?

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