Aston Villa v Leeds Utd Match Thread - Struijk starts in defensive midfield

[1964white]

I thought someone would find Jack dribbling round the corner flag amusing

[1964white]

Hi guys,

Visiting Villa fan here. I would say good luck tonight, but I don't mean it

Should be a good game later, do you think you guys will miss Phillips? Always been impressed with him when I've seen him. Shame Gareth can't seem to find a way to play both him and Grealish in the same side, especially when they seem to be good mates.

Anyway, happy to answer any questions on Villa. Be great to see us both up there at the end of the season.

Hi Villa_fan01, welcome to MOT

Having McGuin back must be a big plus for Villa this season

I take a point now bearing in mind our injury crisis at the back, should be a good game

[CHAPELALLMAN]

Imo another factor may be how Villa approach it.

Do they follow the Wolves tried and tested sit back, be defensively solid and slowly grow into the game approach?
Are they able to do that? Very good start defensively this season but last season they were all over the shop whereas Wolves have perfected that style over 2 seasons.

Or do they try and fight fire with fire like Man City and Liverpool?

I still think if it turns into a sort of basketball end to end match we are as good as anyone in the league and better than practically everybody. An open game suits us because of our fast paced one touch attacking football.

I think that sort of game would see Villa in trouble and maybe given the history and the fact they are at home we may he able to tempt them in to that?

I think that's spot on Cjay. Plus our wingers generally perform better in an open game.

[visitingvillan]

Pretty excited for this game. But I can't really call how it will go.

[visitingvillan]

I can’t see why Phillips and Grealish shouldn’t be able to play in the same team for England, their games should complement each other bearing in mind Phillips is a DMF and Grealish an AMF (i.e. equivalent of Klich). I think it is a question of not having played enough together to develop a proper understanding. I think Southgate should persist with them together in the same team because in their respective positions they are as good as we’ve got for England!

I fear our makeshift defence could be the difference tonight. Anyway Villa_fan, good luck for the rest of the season but not tonight!

They definitely should be starting together but Southgate is relatively clueless i think. (and looks like they get on really well judging from some recent England squad photos)

[andrewjohnsmith]

If Cooper isn't fit, why not give Oliver Casey a go?
He's a big lad and looks decent from what I've seen.
You never know, he might move seamlessly into the first team the same way Struijk has.

I don't think Casey is quite ready yet. Strujik is a beast, but Casey still has a bit of bulking up to do. He'll probably be on the bench because we're thin on options. And interestingly, he plays both DC and DMC so nice option if Bielsa needs the backup.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I can’t see why Phillips and Grealish shouldn’t be able to play in the same team for England, their games should complement each other bearing in mind Phillips is a DMF and Grealish an AMF (i.e. equivalent of Klich).

Totally believe this could happen. I really wish Southgate would play a bit more attacking. Put Phillips at DMC, like at Leeds, Henderson in the middle, and someone like Mount or Grealish or Maddison as a 10 behind the 3 forwards. (Instead, he ditches that 10 role and adds another CB or DMC)

[andrewjohnsmith]

Ayling at CB

Alioski at LB

[andrewjohnsmith]

Meslier - Dallas, Alioski, Ayling, Koch - Strujik, Klich - Costa, Harrison, Rodrigo - Bamford

Casilla, Davis, Shackleton, Hernandez, Raphinha, Roberts, Poveda

[andrewjohnsmith]

Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, McGinn, Trezeguet, Barkley, Grealish, Watkins

[paddy parrott]

Go & get 'em boys.
Matching on Together.

[1964white]

Alioski at LB

Surprised

[gessa]

Pretty excited for this game. But I can't really call how it will go.

Bookies don't fancy our chances, we're going out in the betting

[Irish Ian]

So much for two defenders in the bench.

We get anything out of this game and it will be a miracle.

[Irish Ian]

Will there be any.... Ahem.

[Carrick Dave]

I hate the sight of Grealish, but if he played for Leeds, I'd love Grealish.

Says it all I think, great player.

[White Riot]

I thought Casey would at least make the bench?

Davis should start before Alioski!

[Carrick Dave]

How tall is Davis? Just wondering if he is both our defenders on the bench?

[White Riot]

How tall is Davis? Just wondering if he is both our defenders on the bench?

Kiko is the replacement CB?

[andrewjohnsmith]

I thought Casey would at least make the bench?

Davis should start before Alioski!

Davis is the only one who can play CB on the bench. But Strujik could drop back if needs be. I'd have put Casey on the bench just as insurance