Your team for Villa?

[CoolClaret]

Still no recognised out an out leftback at the Clarets- well bar Chaz

Villa are often listed as a 4-2-3-1 but it regularly more looks like a 4-4-2/4-2-2-2 that has their players quite rigid in positioning with a box midfield and try and congest the middle of the pitch heavily and regularly drop their wider
players back to form a 6 at the back out of possession.

Watkins is really good at running the channels and winning their out ball, bringing others into play - it’ll be interesting to see how Kompany plans to play against Villa if we go man for man again similar to how we did against City.

They do like to hold a pretty high line and I think we can exploit that - Pau Torres whilst a good ball player is quite slow on the ball and that was very noticeable when he came on against Newcastle in place of the injured Tyrone Mings…

They made light work of Everton today who looked toothless - but the Toffees didn’t have what we have and that is pace (and erm Pace)

I’d be tempted to play 3 at the back again without having an out and out left back, but I much prefer to play 4 at the back.. here’s my attempt at a team:

—————-——Muric
Roberts-O’Shea-Beyer*-Al-Dakhil
———————-—-Cullen
Koleosho—Berge-Brownhill-Redmomd
—————————-Foster

Unsure of Beyers purported injury, if injured put Ekdal in instead.

Opted for Brownhill because I think we need his legs in there - Berge clearly has quality but I’m not sure him and Cullen is enough in there battling against Villa…

All the space to get at Villa is on the flanks - I want Koleosho, Redmond and Foster running the channels hard, Benson and Amdouni to come on around 55 (maybe with a change of shape) and I wouldn’t be against Jay coming on with 20 minutes or so to go looking to score a header.

Will be a very tough game but I think we can get at them.

[ksrclaret]

Really not sure on this one. At present I don’t like the look of the team and I don’t think we’re balanced properly. Villa will present a very tough task, despite their result at Newcastle they’re a very good side and as you say very strong in midfield.

I’d probably go for:
Trafford
Roberts O’Shea Beyer Al Dakhil
Cullen Berge
Amdouni Brownhill Redmond
Foster

Ekdal for Beyer if not fit.

We need to be at our strongest in the midfield area. I’d feel better if we were to get a LB and MF in before Sunday.

[CoolClaret]

Really not sure on this one. At present I don’t like the look of the team and I don’t think we’re balanced properly. Villa will present a very tough task, despite their result at Newcastle they’re a very good side and as you say very strong in midfield.

I’d probably go for:
Trafford
Roberts O’Shea Beyer Al Dakhil
Cullen Berge
Amdouni Brownhill Redmond
Foster

Ekdal for Beyer if not fit.

We need to be at our strongest in the midfield area. I’d feel better if we were to get a LB and MF in before Sunday.

Yup, it’s very hard to select a team right now.

I’d like to see our fullbacks coming into midfield to try and nullify Villas midfield and our wingers really working hard both ways.

******

Just to add/edit to the OP (can’t edit now) - meant to write ‘Pau Torres is quite slow off the ball’

[Newcastleclaret93]

Trafford
Roberts, O’Shea, Al Dakhil, Vitinho
Cullen, Berge
Koleoshi, Amdouni, Redmond
Foster

[Nonayforever]

Trafford
Roberts, O’Shea, Al Dakhil, Vitinho
Cullen, Berge
Koleoshi, Amdouni, Redmond
Foster

No Brownhill ?

[Newcastleclaret93]

No Brownhill ?

Didn’t start against city and I think the way Villa will set up we will want to break quickly on the counter.

That attacking four of Amdouni, Redmond, Koleoshi and Foster has to start.

I could see an argument of dropping Berge potentially.

[RVclaret]

————————Trafford
Roberts—O’Shea—Beyer—Al-Dakhil
——————Berge——Cullen
Redmond——Amdouni———Koleosho
————————Foster

Roberts into DM in possession, Berge pushes forward, Al-Dakhil LCB in possession.

[jojomk1]

No Brownhill ?

He didn't start the first game

[equinox]

No Brownhill ?

He's allowed to not pick Brownhill, that's how these sort of threads work.

[Newcastleclaret93]

————————Trafford
Roberts—O’Shea—Beyer—Al-Dakhil
——————Berge——Cullen
Redmond——Amdouni———Koleosho
————————Foster

Roberts into DM in possession, Berge pushes forward, Al-Dakhil LCB in possession.

I’m pretty confident that’s the starting line up or mine if Beyer is injured

[CoolClaret]

————————Trafford
Roberts—O’Shea—Beyer—Al-Dakhil
——————Berge——Cullen
Redmond——Amdouni———Koleosho
————————Foster

Roberts into DM in possession, Berge pushes forward, Al-Dakhil LCB in possession.

Happily go with that as well .

(I still prefer Muric but I’ll concede there)

[ksrclaret]

I’ve noticed I’m the only one so far not to include Koleosho in the team. I can see the lad clearly has talent but I really wasn’t sure about him. Very raw.

Do people think he’ll be a regular starter this season?

[Newcastleclaret93]

I’ve noticed I’m the only one so far not to include Koleosho in the team. I can see the lad clearly has talent but I really wasn’t sure about him. Very raw.

Do people think he’ll be a regular starter this season?

Currently yes. But I suspect once Benson/Odobart are up and running he will feature less often

[DCWat]

Are we thinking Benson isn’t fit to start?

[CoolClaret]

I’ve noticed I’m the only one so far not to include Koleosho in the team. I can see the lad clearly has talent but I really wasn’t sure about him. Very raw.

Do people think he’ll be a regular starter this season?

I dont as the season goes on but he’s fit hasn’t had an injury and has been with the side for a few weeks now - I just think he’s got the legs to get up and down and cause a few problems that’ll help with Benson coming off the bench to do his thing

[Newcastleclaret93]

Are we thinking Benson isn’t fit to start?

That’s certainly my thoughts right now

[BigChaCha]

What worries me, is that the team we had in its prime last season, beats all of the team formations mentioned on this thread!

[CoolClaret]

What worries me, is that the team we had in its prime last season, beats all of the team formations mentioned on this thread!

Maybe - I’ve posted similar thoughts on the transfer thread…

I do believe though that Amdouni has a lot of quality and will be a good player for us - Berge adds another touch of class as well.

[ClaretsPadiham]

Muric
Roberts Al Dakhil Beyer Taylor
Benson Cullen Berge Zaroury
Brownhill
Foster

*** edit, I forgot about Zarourys red

[ksrclaret]

What worries me, is that the team we had in its prime last season, beats all of the team formations mentioned on this thread!

Yes sadly we’re still at this stage. Hopefully we’ll be saying something different by September.

[DCWat]

What worries me, is that the team we had in its prime last season, beats all of the team formations mentioned on this thread!

It’s a bit of a concern, considering just how much we have spent. Close of play next Friday will give a clearer picture.

With a few quality additions (left back, striker and another central midfielder, and dare I say it, another winger) we’ll look much, much healthier.

[COBBLE]

No Mings, no Buendia and probably no Coutinho. For the taking

[JohnMac]

Muric
Roberts Al-Dhakil Ekdal(Beyer) O'Shea
Berge Cullen Vitinho
Amdouni Foster Kolesho

[BigChaCha]

by CoolClaret

I do believe though that Amdouni has a lot of quality and will be a good player for us - Berge adds another touch of class as well.

Yes, Amdouni is the one signing that excites me and is one of the few new signings that I think has actually improved the first team!

[Hedontplayforyou]

————————Trafford
Roberts—O’Shea—Beyer—Al-Dakhil
——————Berge——Cullen
Redmond——Amdouni———Koleosho
————————Foster

Roberts into DM in possession, Berge pushes forward, Al-Dakhil LCB in possession.

Flip the wingers around on this one and you’re probably bang on.
With Foster, Amdouni and Redmond being quite fluid, allowing Foster to come in from the left on occasion that looks about right for what he have at the moment .

Bailey and Diaby both left footed coming in from the right/ inside right and extremely quick and dangerous. Villa were brilliant to watch today, I suspect a good watch for the neutral on Sunday.

[willsclarets]

Presuming everyone is fit I'd make 3 or 4 changes I think. Vitinho and koleosho I would leave out in favour of Benson and El Dakhil. I know he was very dangerous but I'd also be tempted to use Amdouni as a sub, have him do a bit of a watching brief and start Redmond. I'd probably start with a back 4 too

Trafford

Roberts
O Shea
Beyer
El dakhil

Cullen
Berge
Brownhill

Benson
Foster
Redmond

[taio]

Trafford
Roberts, Al Dakhil, Beyer, Taylor
Cullen, Berge
Benson, Amdouni, Larsen
Foster

[claretspice]

--------------------Trafford
Roberts O'Shea Bayer Al Dakhil
--‐-----------------Cullen
------------Berge Brownhill
Redmond Amdouni Foster.

Koleosho did OK against City but looked raw as anything to me. That front 3 can interchange and cause Villa's high line a problem. Benson ideally comes on around the hour mark but you can also make a case for him starting in place of Redmond, or even Amdouni if its felt the key to the game is raw pace in behind.

Unless we are going to play something much more skin to a 442 than we did played previously under Kompany, or Amdouni is more defensively minded than he appeared versus City or was described as being when he signed, I don't really see Amdouni playing as part of an effective front 4 with 2 wingers and another forward. That looks too open to me.

The real problem with picking a team at present is the absence of a viable option at left back. That is going to become a real achilles heel before long.

[StayingDown4Ever]

Muric
Roberts, Al Dakhil, Beyer, Taylor
Cullen, Berge
Benson, Brownhill, Larsen
Amdouni

[CoolClaret]

--------------------Trafford
Roberts O'Shea Bayer Al Dakhil
--‐-----------------Cullen
------------Berge Brownhill
Redmond Amdouni Foster.

Koleosho did OK against City but looked raw as anything to me. That front 3 can interchange and cause Villa's high line a problem. Benson ideally comes on around the hour mark but you can also make a case for him starting in place of Redmond, or even Amdouni if its felt the key to the game is raw pace in behind.

The real problem with picking a team at present is the absence of a viable option at left back. That is going to become a real achilles heel before long.

Koleosho is raw but if it’s raw pace that you’re after then I don’t think there’s many quicker in the league.

I’d be happy with that front three as well -

Seems to be a bit of a consensus forming around every other position (bar keeper) and our obvious lack of a left back.

We will learn a lot from this game imo, I think a point would be a good result.

[claretspice]

Koleosho is raw but if it’s raw pace that you’re after then I don’t think there’s many quicker in the league.

Good impact sub then. Not questioning his potential, but more his readiness.

[Boss Hogg]

Muric
Roberts OShea Beyer Al Dakhil
Cullen Berge
Redmond Brownhill Foster
Amdouni

If Beyer isn’t fit then Ekdal. Benson and Koleosho to be brought on from bench. Koleosho is raw but fast. Larsen has looked good too in games to date. Surprised we havn’t signed a left back yet.

[SalisburyClaret]

Trafford

Roberts
Ekdal
Beyer
Taylor

Cullen
Cork
Brownhill

Benson
Foster
Redmond

[Vegas Claret]

What worries me, is that the team we had in its prime last season, beats all of the team formations mentioned on this thread!

the team that were crap and lost 2-1 to QPR ? The team that got absolutely battered at City, we've improved massively over the summer but the level of opposition is way better. We played very well in chunks against the best team on the planet, we just need a bit of time to figure it out and get the new lads up to speed, we have to win our mini league down near the bottom and continually build.

[Iloveyoubrady]

Trafford
Roberts Beyer Al Dahkil Taylor
Cullen Berge
Benson Amdouni Koleosho
Foster

Think that side is a left back away from being very balanced and complete with the squad depth to add. I’d imagine redmond and Odobert as well as Zaroury may well slot in ahead of koleosho depending on the game.

[FCBurnley]

Muric
Oshea Beyer Ekdal
Roberts Cullen Larsen
Benson Berge
Amdouni Foster

AD if Beyer unfit

[123EasyasBFC]

Everyone seems to have foster back playing up top when he clearly had his best game he has had for us coming from the left

Trafford
Roberts O’Shea Beyer Al-dakhil
Cullen brownhill
Redmond berge foster
Amdouni

[RVclaret]

Everyone seems to have foster back playing up top when he clearly had his best game he has had for us coming from the left

Trafford
Roberts O’Shea Beyer Al-dakhil
Cullen brownhill
Redmond berge foster
Amdouni

That’s a fair shout re. Foster. I’d be happy seeing him on that inside left role again. Albeit with your team no Brownhill in the double pivot please… Cullen as the central 6 with the other 2 either side of him.

[BleedingClaret]

………………… Muric…………………….
…….…...Beyer….Al Dakhil…………
O’Shea….….Cullen…….…Koleoshi
Redmond…..Berge………...Larson
……..…Amdouni….Jay Rod…………

Subs to utilise:
Benson
Brownhill
Roberts
JBG
Foster

……………………Muric……………………
…….…..O’Shea……Beyer…………….
Roberts…..Brownhill……Al Dakhil
Benson……….Berge……..…....JBG
……..…Amdouni….Foster…………..

[Carwin261]

………………… Muric…………………….
…….…...Beyer….Al Dakhil…………
O’Shea….….Cullen…….…Koleoshi
Redmond…..Berge………...Larson
……..…Amdouni….Jay Rod…………

Subs to utilise:
Benson
Brownhill
Roberts
JBG
Foster

……………………Muric……………………
…….…..O’Shea……Beyer…………….
Roberts…..Brownhill……Al Dakhil
Benson……….Berge……..…....JBG
……..…Amdouni….Foster…………..

Don’t think there’s much chance of Cullen being left out.

[BleedingClaret]

Don’t think there’s much chance of Cullen being left out.

He’s not!
He’s in my starting line up
I’m trying to avoid the ‘Emma Heys’ Double Pivot
I thought early on last season that Cullen and Cork occupied 1 position and that was over cautious, and detracts from an added attacking threat.
I can see this happening again if you try to accommodate all your best players then Cullen, Berge & Brownhill all start but I don’t think they should and I think that, and I hate this modern jargon, in a Single Pivot in the Premier League you’ll be massively tested and so I’d like to see the workload shared over the duration of the game, rather than 2 players preventing a further attacking option, in what is likely to be a 100 minutes plus

[CoolClaret]

Everyone seems to have foster back playing up top when he clearly had his best game he has had for us coming from the left

Trafford
Roberts O’Shea Beyer Al-dakhil
Cullen brownhill
Redmond berge foster
Amdouni

There’s just absolutely 0 width on the left side there - swap berge with Brownhill and have berge drifting out wide putting crosses in and it may work.

[Marty Dobson]

Seems there's a 50-50 breakdown for the goalkeeping position. I dunno how anyone can pick Trafford over Muric. Muric vastly improved during last season and is a big unit while Trafford looked anonymous between the sticks against Citeh.

[BleedingClaret]

There’s just absolutely 0 width on the left side there - swap berge with Brownhill and have berge drifting out wide putting crosses in and it may work.

Pearl’s a singer
But
Berge’s not a winger

[CoolClaret]

Pearl’s a singer
But
Berge’s not a winger

No he isn’t - but one of his best strengths is splitting wide and putting first time crosses in to the box ‘De Bruyne’ esque if you will

[vinrogue]

Thought I would have a go at this and write it as I think it.

Muric
Beyer Al Dakhil
Cullen Brownhill Berge
Amdouni Foster
So 3 places up for grabs
Roberts, O'Shea and any one from Koleosho, Benson, Redmond, Larson, Vitinho, JBG and JayRod

Great to be a Claret when you haven't really got a clue who will play....of course he will keep Trafford what am I thinking!!! Start again ..UTC

[Newcastleclaret93]

Seems there's a 50-50 breakdown for the goalkeeping position. I dunno how anyone can pick Trafford over Muric. Muric vastly improved during last season and is a big unit while Trafford looked anonymous between the sticks against Citeh.

Isn’t it strange football opinions.

I thought Trafford was excellent against city. His distribution was top level and he could do nothing at all for all the goals.

I think we will see more of his ability against Villa but I can’t see any reason at all to drop him.

[burnley007]

. Trafford
. Oshea - Beyer - Al Dakhil
.Roberts Vitinho
. Berge - Cullen
.Redmond Foster
. Zeki

[CoolClaret]

Isn’t it strange football opinions.

I thought Trafford was excellent against city. His distribution was top level and he could do nothing at all for all the goals.

I think we will see more of his ability against Villa but I can’t see any reason at all to drop him.

He was perfectly fine as a keeper but I wouldn’t say his distribution was ‘excellent’

Noticeably slower and needing of an extra touch than Muric - far less ping on his passes as well (can’t teach that imo)

[burnley007]

Surely Foster is one of the 1st names on the team sheet after last week's performance?