Villa (Away) Saturday 4th Jan 3pm (Match Thread)

[Nalis]

Relying on a one man masterclass from Bilal

[foxfanazer]

1 minute ago, Sly said:

Bizarrely I read 4:45 and thought that’s what I’ve just spent that on a hotdog at Ikea

No it's the formation we'd have to play to stand any chance of winning this game

[oxtonfox]

Just now, CWLCFC said:

Honking line-up, Ayew over Buonanotte is shocking.

Maybe there’s a cunning plan? 

[FrankieADZ]

meh

Ayew isnt a starter; clear to see to everyone but RVN

[Sunbury Fox]

2 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Extremely disappointed in how he's handling Bounanotte, just bizarre. I wouldn't mind if this was because Fatawu or a competent right winger was keeping him out but I presume it's the defensive issue which Ayew is equally as poor at helping out as he can't run.

Every manager we have makes decisions that are unfathomable to fans. Sick of Ayew starting. 

[Bluearmyfox28]

1 minute ago, Ric Flair said:

Extremely disappointed in how he's handling Bounanotte, just bizarre. I wouldn't mind if this was because Fatawu or a competent right winger was keeping him out but I presume it's the defensive issue which Ayew is equally as poor at helping out as he can't run.

I just don’t understand it at this point, our attacking movement looked the best it’s looked all season, so why change it?

 

I could understand if Bounanotte was a luxury player, lazy in the press but he sets a better pressing tempo than Ayew does. All I can think at this point is Ruud thinks Ayew is a better defensive option to support JJ for obvious reasons.

[Silva Fox]

Does Ayew's contract include a clause that he must be selected to play when fit or something?

[foxile5]

How do you look at Bouanotte against Man City and think 'yeah, we need Ayew back'.

 

I couldn't care less if he's going back to Brighton at any point. This is a game we MAY scratch something out from. We need him on the pitch.

[stu]

 

[Spiritwalker]

RVN will quickly lose support if he keeps picking shit lineups.

[SafewayFox]

4 minutes ago, UniFox21 said:

To be fair, Mads, Fatawu and Ndidi are all injured. 2 start straight away. 

Not disputing that but we HAD to get our re recruitment spot on in the summer and Cooper’s obsession with bloating the squad with aging/overpriced PL dross, we have a weaker squad than this time last year.

[Wycombe Fox]

Back to the Benny Hill theme tune in my head all game and hoping for a 1-0 sh*thouse yet again.

 

It’s the hope that kills…

[StanSP]

Ayew straight back in, despite how well Facundo worked with the side last weekend. 

 

Horrible line up in spite of the lack of options. Thomas is going to get absolutely rinsed. 

[honeybradger]

I was actually feeling positive about the game before this. What is the obsession with Jordan Ayew?

[Guest Bilo]

Nice of Ruud to do Emery's team talk for him with that line.

 

4-1 loss minimum. 

[FoxOnWheels]

Honking sh!t team

 

[Muzzy_no7]

Should’ve moved Justin to LB and The Plonker or Skipp to RB.

 

Playing Thomas is like playing with 10 men. 

[winteriscoming]

Arguably played our best this season against Man City. Granted we lost but what sense is there changing Bounatte for Ayew?
Shocking decision imo. I’m seriously questioning RVN team selection. 

[Finnegan]

7 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Extremely disappointed in how he's handling Bounanotte, just bizarre. I wouldn't mind if this was because Fatawu or a competent right winger was keeping him out but I presume it's the defensive issue which Ayew is equally as poor at helping out as he can't run.

 

I assume the perception is that Mavididi and Ayew will work harder defensively and be stronger than FB. 

 

If this was a home game against a bottom half side I'd be surprised if Facundo wasn't starting again. 

 

I assume the plan is the same negative stuff, stay in the game until the final third and make changes. 

 

Edited 4 January 2025 by Finnegan

[supernuk]

Is there anyway of listening to this as it looks like radio Leicester is covering the tigers? Cheers 

[lcfcsnow]

No Duran or Rogers. Mings in the back four, no excuse to be negative

[foxfanazer]

So we're expecting to keep both Édouard and Buanonotte despite neither of them playing and it hamstringing us from loaning anyone else. Make it make sense 

[CrazyKopCorner]

8 minutes ago, adam said:

The midfield worked well against man city. Shame to have ayew in there slowing things up.

Bizarre - what is his problem with Buononatte? I don’t think Ruuds going to last the season unless we get some major reinforcements 

[honeybradger]

Just now, Finnegan said:

 

I assume the perception is that Mavididi and Ayew will work harder defensively and be stronger than FB. 

 

If this was a home game against a bottom half side I'd be surprised if Facundo wasn't starting again. 

 

Ayew is horrible defensively though. He gets gassed after 25 minutes and cant keep up with his man.

[Long Eaton Fox]

Best attacking play all season last week. Cowardly decision to play ayew instead of bounanotte.