Man City are a very good team, regardless of who they put out on the pitch.
That’s the bleeding obvious out of the way and I suppose we should expect another spanking, similar to what should have happened against Leicester.
Fortunately, I called that game totally wrong, I suspect along with the vast majority of us and football did what it always has done, in saying no result is guaranteed.
Which is the total beauty of the game that sets it apart for me.
So while it would be fair to say we should be beaten fairly easily, I think if we set up right we can frustrate Citeh, just as we did Leicester.
Straight into squad news and little has changed.
Davis is still a couple of weeks away and all our long term injuries are just that; out for ages.
The interesting one is Jonathan Kodjia, who apparently hasn’t trained because of whatever illness (probably manflu) affected him on Wednesday.
I personally think that’s total rubbish and my money says he’s off, which is a massive indication of what Dean Smith thinks of him. Even if Smith doesn’t rate him, it says it all that he’d rather play without a striker than play Kodjia, particularly in our current position.
I suppose of course that Kodjia might genuinely be ill and there is a lot of it about, where I’ve personally seen very hardened grafters taking time off over the last couple of weeks.
As some of you know, I love a conspiracy theory and it just seems all too convenient to be ill right now.
As for Citeh, Kevin De Bruyne is fit after coming off against Utd midweek.
Aymeric Laporte is close, but not ready, same as Leroy Sane.
Will Drinkwater start?
I’d definitely think so as he has the ability to offer more than Hourihane and certainly Lansbury, in his overall game.
What does Pep think?
“It’s a historic club with a fantastic stadium. They changed their set-up, with five at the back rather than four at the back.
“Unfortunately, they had a big injury in the last week. We’ll try to maintain the dynamic we have.”
Not much about the game itself, then.
But the five at the back comment pleased me, as it backs up what I keep saying, in that we don’t play 3.
No doubt I’m just being pedantic, as we all saw how we played midweek, but it just bugs me.
And if we stick with the five, I suspect we might be able to get something out of the game.
Going gung-ho is definitely not the way to go, against a side like Man City, who will punish you on the counter.
I’m cautiously going for a 1-1.
Given that this should be a shoe-in on paper for Citeh, I’d definitely take that.
If we can nick one and hold them off, I’d be ecstatic.
But I think that’s pushing it.
UTV!
Comments
96 responses to “Villa – Man City; Yet another tough one. I’d take a point.”
Anyone got a sweep going for how many City will score. I’m in for 6.
You said it Holte goal 2 nil, we are frightened of City . Our goalkeeper kicks balls in their box, we hit balls into a defenders.
Just take a look at how we are playing 3 now . I’m turning it off.
Watching Keira Knightley – much more exciting 🙂
Drinkwaters not at the races. Substitute him now for goodness sake. We are all over the place!
Its pathetic losers tactics from dean smith. We will never get a shock result against the big teams because we cant pass and stick 11 men behind the ball. Its a joke even Norwich wouldnt do that. This could be worse than 0-9.
Smith OUT. Smith is a disgrace spent 130 mil on championship players. Konsa Hause all rubbish.
Keeps playing Hourihane who can’t run can’t tackle offers nothing one if the worse players at Villa.
Drops Guilbert best player against Leicester.
If Smith is a Villa fan he would resign.
Sack Smith now.
SMITH out.
Drinkwater, Luiz and Hourihane all lightweight. Non existent midfield without any forwards. We shouldn’t be shocked that we are getting hammered.
Who in their right mind thinks Drinkwater is the solution to our midfield!?? The guy has been a loose cannon for 2 years and barely kicked a ball. Our recruitment team need shooting.
Not good enough for Burnley but good enough for us!
Some of the body language is poor.
As in “what the fuck’s going on?”
We have the attitude I don’t won’t to be here, my advice to Jake Grealish get out of Villa, I don’t want to see a great player ruin his footballing life playing with shit players and management.
It’s not Drinkwater, It’s his first start.
Why is it so hard to see Hourihane does nothing?
Count how many times he is involved the guy is rubbish should never play again along with Konsa, Hause and El Ghazi.
This is all down to Smith if Bruce was in charge the boos and chants for the manager to be sacked would be echoing around the ground.
SMITH out
Mings had the ball at the back and made an arm movement to Elmo, as if to say “why don’t you move forward, so I can pass to you?”.
This is truly worrying, as the players don’t seem happy at all.
This game is going to destroy whatever confidence we have. Why is it teams like Norwich, Sheffield United and Watford manage to give the big six a game?
We appear to have a massive inferiority complex – it was the same in the Championship.
Expectations far too high.
Holte got it in one – we were promoted at least one year too early.
So a I agree with Ted – we should sack Smith for being too successful last season 🙂
Just poured myself another glass of excellent Gavi and Keira Nightley is just stunning. Why are you all still watching and getting hot under the collar?
Have you ever counted how many 2nd balls we win and how many the opposition win? We just ball watch all the time were always 2 steps behind never on the front foot all the time. Its lazy and i think the negative tactics is rubbing off on the team. Smith out its time for a change.
Jesus 4-0.
Can I change my sweep to 8?
Well that was entertaining wasn’t it. No one going to change my mind on Smilh, he’s had his chance times up. No don’t ask me who would you get, to be honest not a fucking clue.
What was the tactics before kick off? Defend, defend and defend. Smith said in interview about kicking long into spaces which is great if we have quick wingers or wing backs. Unfortunately he elected to play none of them so ball just keeps coming back.
Anyone who thinks this shower can get anywhere near 40 points is deluded.
I hope those fans were only going to get a cuppa when it went to 3…if they were leaving then don’t EVER return…….what the hell do we expect……our team at best only a few months old…..some less and Drinkwater new…I know he has had a nightmare but anyone would with a team that have10 years together……even if its 10 at the end its not as bad at Watford 3…….
I dont blame them for leaving. The least we would expect is the team to fight and go for it. We are in the relegation zone, draws are really no good. You wont score if you dont get the ball anywhere near the opposition box. Yet we think we can play 10 defensive players and 2 attacking midfielders and get a result?? What on earth is Smith thinking i really dont know? Its a shower of shit and the white flag was raised before kick off.
Unrealistic expectations. There’s a world class difference between the sides and then add our injury problems.
Smith, of course, is an easy target but I don’t know of any miracle worker looking for a managers role. And please don’t cite Southampton and Watford their squads etc. are significantly better and have played together for several seasons in the EPL
Maybe Pepe Reina can play up front?
We lack organisation, courage, determination. OK we have no striker but just keep the ball and move and pass. We are just rolling over, just as pretty much all of us knew we would. Hardly a ringing endorsement for any player considering a move to us.
We are deep in it. Watford reacted and decided to go for discipline, organisation and team spirit. Really not sure where we go from here.
Anyone expecting Smith to make half time changes! Do you think Citeh will try and buy back Luiz?