Aston Villa - pre match thread

[KrefelderFox666]

2 hours ago, trabuch said:

Oh **** it. I'm back on the optimistic bus (taking me to the madhouse). We'll win by 3.

Gonna be difficult as we don't kick off until 3.

[FoxinNotts]

31 minutes ago, Shane said:

Brendan won't drop KDH he loves to shoehorn him, Youri and Maddison into the starting 11.

 

He will drop Mendy and play KDH in the pivot. Not sure any other team in the league plays without a DM but oh well 

 

Have we had any evidence that BR would play without Ndidi/Mendy/Soumare, if any of the three were available? 🤔

[moore_94]

Just now, FoxinNotts said:

Have we had any evidence that BR would play without Ndidi/Mendy/Soumare, if any of the three were available? 🤔

Did it vs Roma away with both Hamza and Soumare on the bench

[FoxinNotts]

1 minute ago, moore_94 said:

Did it vs Roma away with both Hamza and Soumare on the bench

Thanks, I was trying to think.

Do we think a double pivot of KDH and Tielemans both deep lying, is enough not to have a DM of either Mendy/Ndidi/Soumare ? I’m personally not convinced, especially away from home 

[lanefox]

Evans and Soumare back next week, Vardy back in training, Ricardo to get minutes next week and Ndidi out with a personal issue

Edited 2 February 2023 by lanefox

[moore_94]

Brendan Rodgers Pre-Match Press Conference vs Aston Villa

 

Injuries?

“The team’s looking well. We’ve trained well. We’ve got one or two to look at to see on availability. Jamie hasn’t done so much but he’s now out on the field. We need to see his reaction. Some guys will be next week, like Bouba and Jonny. They’ll train next week. Ricardo will play in a game next week. He’s looked great in training.”

 

Tete?

“Delighted. Very talented young player. Done very well at Shakhtar and Lyon. Very strong and very committed. He’s settled in very well. He’s shown his qualities already.”

 

Souttar?

“Delighted. Seeing Harry as a young player and with the trauma of coming through a bad injury. I spoke to a number of people I respect about him. He’s on the way up. He did very well at Stoke and I saw him in Scotland as a young player. He gives us that stature but you’ve seen in the World Cup he can play as well.”

 

Souttar fit?

“We just have to see about his hip issue. He trained today with the squad. He’s one I need to assess. He’ll certainly be ready to go for the following weekend.”

 

January window?

“Very happy. It’s been a long time since the club signed players in January. Definite need for it. Delighted with the business. We’re preparing going forward. Got players out of contract, so important to get a centre-half in. Victor is going to be a big hit with the supporters. Adds real competition. Really pleased to bring in fresh faces.”

 

Albrighton?

“In terms of Marc, he’s got another year. He’s a legend of the club. Been brilliant. Off the field, he’s so professional. I made a promise to him, it’s about him getting games. He wants to play. It’s difficult. He wants game-time. He has young kids who have not see him play so much. It’s about getting him game-time and assessing it in the summer.”

 

Perez?

“He’s played his last game for the club. He had offers to go to other PL clubs. It was his dream to go to Spain and he will finish his career in La Liga. He was fantastic for us. Big part in two 5th places and FA Cup, his big block in the final. Great lad to work with. He’ll play with Manuel at Betis.”

 

Harrison?

“It was surprising that the player was going to be available. I met him and spoke to him. It’s something that didn’t happen. Other than that, I’m really happy with the players we brought in. We’ll go with the players we have.”

 

Villa?

“Unai has made a great impact. It’s not a surprise. His body of work has shown he’s an outstanding coach. The problem sometimes in the PL, you can get written off as a has-been after two months. It’s a derby game. It’s a great stadium to play at. We want to play our football but also know we have to fight.”

 

Ndidi?

“He’s been training well. He’s had a personal issue this weekend that won’t see him involved.”

 

Braybrooke?

“I spoke to Sammy last night. We’re bitterly disappointed for him. Following on from Will’s injury. He was a young player who had committed to being here. Possibility of a loan. It was unfortunate for him. It was worse than first feared after the scan. Being a footballer is about dealing with trauma. He will recover and be stronger when he gets back. He’s ready for that fight.”

 

Souttar profile?

“It’s about hunger as well. He was available and affordable for where we were at. If it wasn’t us, he’d have gone to another good club. He’s got experience but is on his way up. If you have the ability and thirst to learn. We’ll see great improvements in him. He fits the model.”

 

Tete brings Brazilian flair?

“We’ve got Coventry flair as well! He plays outside, where I like wingers to be. He’s good in one-v-ones. He secures the ball very well. His touch is immaculate. He’s got a great idea of football. He threatens the back-line and has an eye for goal. The club did great. He’s tough too. Any Brazilian I’ve worked with, they have that love of football.”

 

Short on wingers?

“We had a really positive window. We tried to get another in to provide competition. Marc I’d made a promise that he could go. We have options. Praet has played there, James has played there. I’ve been impressed with young Wanya. He’s a winger as well. He’s shown up very well in training. I’ll look within. I’m confident we have the squad we want.”

 

Owners writing off debt?

“There’s been lots of criticism of myself and the board. But that tells you about that commitment to the club. I’m not sure there are too many owners who would do that. I don’t think there is a greater commitment. It’s fantastic news.”

 

Debt decision affect you?

“I haven’t spoken so much about that. I’m pretty sure we will do and what that means. It’s great news for the club.”

 

Tete freshness?

“If you bring that freshness into the team, it’s natural. Current players want to show they are good players. If you drop in one or two new faces, it always helps. It’s a freshness. You can see the difference in the guys being in. Kristiansen has made a great impact as well. It’s players that want to prove a point. If you have hunger aligned with quality, it will help existing players.”

[LVFox]

Glowing about Tete isn't he! Shame souttar sounds like he won't play this weekend and hope Wilfs alright...something has just been off with him all season.

 

 

[lanefox]

1 minute ago, LVFox said:

Glowing about Tete isn't he! Shame souttar sounds like he won't play this weekend and hope Wilfs alright...something has just been off with him all season.

 

 

I think a lot of people forget that players are humans too and have stuff in their personal lives that will effect how they play, we all know Wilf is a shadow of himself lately , hopefully he comes back like his old self

[Ric Flair]

23 minutes ago, LVFox said:

Glowing about Tete isn't he! Shame souttar sounds like he won't play this weekend and hope Wilfs alright...something has just been off with him all season.

 

 

I can't think of any creature other than those horribly aggressive llamas that spit at people that wouldn't be glowing about Tete. He's phenomenal.

[SecretPro]

Just now, Ric Flair said:

I can't think of any creature other than those horribly aggressive llamas that spit at people that wouldn't be glowing about Tete. He's phenomenal.

If he's sh*t Ric then you are never going to live it down!

[Richard]

The most positive I’ve heard Brendan speak for months 

[kingkisnorbo]

Quite astounding to hear him be so positive. I'd forgotten what it felt like to read a rather heartening press conference transcript.

[Spudulike]

"There’s been lots of criticism of myself and the board"

 

So, they do hear and take note. Not that it will have had much effect on top level decisions but it seems they do read the mood. 

[Ric Flair]

11 minutes ago, SecretPro said:

If he's sh*t Ric then you are never going to live it down!

I live and breathe these moments son. You don't go through the pain and trauma I have gone through since Mahrez left, to then when finally be presented with pure mustard not be bullish about what's about to come.

 

Enjoy these moments, this is the holy grail of football artistry, the mercurial and magical left footed winger. 

[KFS]

1 minute ago, Spudulike said:

"There’s been lots of criticism of myself and the board"

 

So, they do hear and take note. Not that it will have had much effect on top level decisions but it seems they do read the mood. 

Surely he understands why. Been shitting all over our precious club for months. Today the only time he’s sounded positive. 

[SemperEadem]

3 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

"There’s been lots of criticism of myself and the board"

 

So, they do hear and take note. Not that it will have had much effect on top level decisions but it seems they do read the mood. 

But there wasn't actually that much either. A lot of talk online but real term actions or voices it was limited.

[jerry]

11 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

I live and breathe these moments son. You don't go through the pain and trauma I have gone through since Mahrez left, to then when finally be presented with pure mustard not be bullish about what's about to come.

 

Enjoy these moments, this is the holy grail of football artistry, the mercurial and magical left footed winger. 

🤔

[Stadt]

There wasn't really any unwarranted criticism of the board or Rodgers. We're in a relegation battle less than 2 years after finishing 5th and winning the Cup, 1 point in 15 (?) in the meantime the we've had 2/3rds of the squad on expiring contracts, very few incomings, financial difficulties, loans.

 

The last week has been a reprieve but any complacency will relegate us - there's not really any excuse now.

[cruzFOX]

I hope we can look back at the end of this season and say wow lessons learned to never flirt with danger again. Yes we are too good of a club and team to just throw it all away but it can happen to anyone if complacency sets in. 
 

wasn’t looking forward to this game against villa but I’m well up for it now. COYF! Vamos! Let’s go! 

[Happy Fox]

I still want Rodgers out and do think a re-set come the end of the season amicable parting of ways is best.

[Fox92]

He's sounding positive. Season starts here...

[Ric Flair]

22 minutes ago, jerry said:

🤔

Don't be so negative Jerry, come on pal.

[1972 Fox]

35 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

I live and breathe these moments son. You don't go through the pain and trauma I have gone through since Mahrez left, to then when finally be presented with pure mustard not be bullish about what's about to come.

 

Enjoy these moments, this is the holy grail of football artistry, the mercurial and magical left footed winger. 

I love your in depth knowledge Ric, you really do know your players in Europe and beyond.

 

We'll just have to gloss over your assessment of Daka when he signed, that he would become one of the world's best strikers. He still has some way to go! Even the great managers like Clough, Ferguson and O'Neill signed some duds.

[FoxinNotts]

Feeling a bit negative today tbh. We could/will probably be in a shite place after the next 4 games.

Saturday really needs to be three points. 

We're not in a good place for Saturday, in terms of injuries.

Looking better for Spurs, but we could be well in the mire by then.

[CosbehFox]

Speak to Villa fans, it depends which version of them turns up. 

 

Their upturn in form has been similar to our winning run pre-WC. They are semi-competent rather than really good. 

 

Yet there's been games recently like Southampton away where they were wretched.