Well, yes it matters massively to Norwich, as they can still be overtaken should they lose to us and the Blades win at Stoke.
A point would be good enough for the Canarys, but I definitely can’t see them playing for a draw, so they’ll be looking to win which might play into our hands.
Depending which team plays of course, although Dean Smith has already emphasised that we’re not allowed to change things up too much.
So no second string team then although you’d expect a couple of players to be rested.
First is John McGinn and we already know he won’t be playing, as we can’t risk him getting another booking.
I’d also expect Jack Grealish to be subbed quite early if he actually starts. While I wouldn’t expect Norwich to target him specifically, it makes sense to just be careful, as losing him for the play-offs would be a major disadvantage.
Jonathan Kodjia, Kortney Hause and Lovre Kalinic are all fit.
As is Tammy Abraham. I’d expect him to start and be swapped out for Kodjia.
Does Hause walk straight back in? Tough call, that one, as Tuanzebe has done very little wrong.
It’s a shame we can’t have five subs for this game.
So how do I see this game going?
Frankly, I don’t have a clue.
Dean Smith will want the players to win, so we maintain momentum going into the play-offs, but ultimately the players will be thinking that it doesn’t really matter and I can’t see them going all out, as they won’t want to risk injury.
To be honest, apart from the fact that keeping momentum would be nice, this game doesn’t really matter, does it? Certainly, if we weren’t in the play-offs, there’d be very little interest at all apart from the carnival atmosphere you always get for the last game of the season.
I think I’m going to go for a hopeful draw, but wouldn’t be surprised if we lose, as they’ll want it more.
That’s not to say that I don’t think we could beat them if we went all out.
It’s just that we don’t need to.
Did anyone else catch the fact that we haven’t won a final game of the season for the last seven years? That surprised me, although we have been poor for a fair while now.
It would be nice to end that run.
Comments
84 responses to “Villa – Norwich; Does this game matter?”
i can’t say I’m too fussed about the result here.
They need it more than us, so good chance the unbeaten run will end. I’ll be very happy with a draw, although of course, we play to win. Psychologically, it’s important to go into playoffs still unbeaten…
I guess players will be rested. I’ld be happy with a draw but with a weakened team it will be tough.
Any player who gets himself injured should be fined a month’s wages. I don’t care if Norwich win 7-0.
Barca just played Celta Vigo and basically played their B team. They lost but that’s not going to affect their CL game against Liverpool.
If I was Smith I’d play the U19s if I could.
Ah, but you can’t, as Smith pointed out.
So you’re saying that we should basically throw the game, Pat?
There’s no way I could agree with that.
You should always play to win, although I do accept that the usual motivation won’t be there.
Yes I’d happily throw the game if it increases our chances of getting through the play offs. We have nothing to gain and everything to lose if someone gets injured.
If we play to win and Jack and McGinn get crocked then what good does that do us?
McGinn definitely isn’t playing and as I said, I’d expect Grealish to only play a short while, if he starts at all.
I see where you’re coming from, but it just goes against the grain with me.
It’s that thinking that has devalued the FA cup and made the League cup a joke.
I just believe there’s more to the game than pure money.
With that, I’m off to bed.
I look forward to your inter-match comments tomorrow 🙂
Jack saying he’ll be off if we don’t get promoted –
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-star-jack-grealish-16227169
Can’t say I’d blame him if he did.
its one game their is no need to throw the game and disrespect the league and our pride. smith will manage his squad, resting if needed and thats all we need to add on this.
norwich are a good countering side and they also throw many men forwards leaving themselves open to the counter. in that regards they are similar to leeds . so it good game to practise our countering. leeds smothered us in the second half with their high press, also we are used to dominating the ball and when we play leeds and norwich we have to learn to play more without it, but hurt them more when we get the ball back.
these two games against two good sides leeds and norwich have kept us on our game and perfect form for the playoffs. other teams in the playoffs are searching for their form. i can see a draw today but if norwich go looking to win the game and villa sharpen up their attacks. we might beat them and hand over the championship to sheff utd
I disagree with playing a weakened team. You have to stand the logic on its head. If Villa were heading for promotion or relegation, and win for our rivals in the last game elsewhere would scupper us – what would you think of our rival’s opponent’s manager if he put out the 2nd string and gifted them a win?
I agree with you OLL and so do the EFL. It’s an interesting debate but the rules don’t allow playing a deliberately weakened team and evidence would seem to suggest it backfires anyway.
We have to play to win; again evidence suggests players are more likely to be injured if they don’t play at their normal level of intensity and, after all, you normally get injured by the opposition – don’t you?
Interesting article in the Mirror (yes – it’s the Mirror!) but there are three claims made – 1. if we don’t get promoted then Grealish will have to be sold to meet FFP rules; 2. He has a buy out clause of £60m (eat your heart out Levy!) plus he’s on £70k per week and 3. We only met FFP rules this year because of a contribution from HS2 over Bodymoor Heath land.
Now to me that all adds up and answers a whole heap of questions …… but it is the Mirror
Losing today might not be critical but a winning mentality is important, so avoiding defeat will keep confidence high as we go into the playoffs.
Having said that I would rest as many players as we are allowed to. I’m not sure how many we are allowed to leave out without breaking rules but McGinn is a must. Grealish, Mings and Tuanzebe are equally important. Abraham can be rested even if he is fit because he didn’t play in previous games. I would like to see Lansbury, Hause, Chester and Hutton get action particularly Hutton for his swan-song.
Norwich will want a result to guarantee title so I expect them to go hell for leather right from the off. Even with resting players I still think we have enough quality to put in a performance. There is no pressure on today’s team other than to entertain 40,000 fans.
Prediction wise I will continue to refrain until results go south. UTV!
Don’t want us to go into ‘any’ game not wanting to win, especially so because we have a full house at VP. Wouldn’t it also be good for moral and confidence if we beat the the league leaders? How good would that be going into the play-offs?
I expect Lansbury, Hause and Hutton to play, Jack to be on the bench with Ramsay and I suspect that Abraham won’t feature at all!
Holte, we must include 10 outfield players (i.e. excluding GK’s) in today’s team sheet that featured on the team sheet for the Leeds game. Excluding GK’s there are 16 outfielder players on a team sheet so we could ‘rest’ up to 6 players that were featured against Leeds.
McGinn will be one and I think Hause will be given time today so maybe Mings or Tuanzebe could be rested along with Elmo; Hutton starting for his last VP appearance?
Motivation is probably going to decide this. Norwich need to win to be champions. It’s their last game so they will play their strongest team and go all out. Villa will rest some, and except for players who might want to put on show to try to get into the team for the play offs the rest will want to avoid injury or suspension. The result makes no difference to our league position so much as I would love to see us beat Norwich (and with a full team and a need to beat them maybe we would) I just don’t expect it.
Oops. Norwich only need a point. Draw it is then 🙂
Hutton captain, Grealish not playing, Mcginn in , didn’t catch the rest.
Bill….McGinn is definetely NOT in! DS confirmed that after the Leeds game! Where did you get that info from?
Grealish, McGinn, Mings all rested. Hutton captain. Elmo and El Ghazi on bench
Steer, Hutton, Tuanzebe, Hause, Taylor, Lansbury, Hourihane, Bjarnasson, Adomah, Kodjia, Green,
H60, Bjarnasson is a sub, not in starting eleven!
Oops – memory lapse – down to old age!
Should also note that the EFL rules on team sheets also applies to Baggies and Derby!
Good point Hitch. Let’s hope that it’s a blood and thunder game!
That’s exactly the team I said earlier other than Jack isn’t on the bench!
Good call CharlieAitken, and I think it is a sensible team selection, with enough quality and players trying to stake a claim for being picked in playoffs to try and achieve a result.
If any of you guys subscribe to IPTV the game is on ESPN Plus 5
Looking forward to seeing Lansbury play. I know DS rates him highly. Could be a big player for us next sesson (if he stays fit)!
Great to see Hutton get a good send off! One of the few to show that he really cared in our relegation season. Although a limited footballer I have immense respect for him. Thanks for your excellent service and good luck for the future!
Norwich take the lead, 1-0 and I’ve no stream on AVTV!
I have the match live, Norwich have a few fans at Villa, we’ve not chance of winning this our backs a slow and Norwich want it more, comments are We have a gaping hole down our defence.
Kodjia 1-1!
Hutton going forward to much , even now he’s goal kodji
Now that came from the left side , green played a part in that
Derby just scored against the Baggies. Hope they win and then beat Leeds.
I’d love us to face a team in the final against who we’ve scored seven goals and kept two clean sheets
Derby 1 up against the baggies.