20 Aug 2021 12:17:28
So no Watkins or Traore this weekend and Bailey unlikely to start :- (

Guess this is the team?

Martinez

Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett

McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey

Buendia, Ings, El Ghazi.

1.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 13:49:33
Bk don't think you i will be too far away with that selection, l personally wouldn't agree with Deano if that's where he goes, as many of us think he should show players a ruthless streak after last weeks performance . I personally would replace Bailey for Elghazi, Tuanzebe for Cash and Hause for Targett, won't happen but would definitely like to see changes.

2.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 14:35:35
Cash and targett were thrown under the bus by Young and El Ghazi.
Nakamba was just in his little world.

Cash Konsa Ming's Targett
Tuanzebe Luis
Buendia McGinn (JPB or Chucky1)
Ings

Gives buendia the role he's pp layed for Norwich and McGinn what he did for Scotland.
If it screws up you got El Ghazi to prove it (like he does well coming off the bench) and Bailey.

3.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 15:16:02
Spot on Scotty, apart from verbal reminders, team changes are the only way to get your point over.

4.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 17:07:15
At this point I think it’s 50/ 50, Smith doesn’t NEED to do anything because there’s no right or wrong answer it’s all opinions.

Cash and Targett were both awful against Watford, attacking wise and defensively, dropping them sends a clear message that if you aren’t up to par you won’t automatically get in. On the other hand you drop them and it sends a message to the rest of the camp, there’s no loyalty, which as the gaffer you can see two ways, ultimately it’s his head on the block if we don’t get results, but then you lose the dressing room and you lose your job irrelevant of results. Then you look at who’s coming in for them, they take the opportunity and all of a sudden we have brilliant competition for this two positions and all is rosey. But how often have we seen our back up players come in cold for cup games in recent seasons and get turned over, so they don’t take the opportunity, where does the gaffer go from there? Flip a coin, work out who did the least worst out of the four and select them?

In my opinion, Cash and Targett get another game, they don’t perform then you look to change it, they do then they keep their spot. But that’s all it is, my opinion, Deano gets paid a hell of a lot for his, and whether he does or doesn’t drop someone after a bad opening game of the season doesn’t determine how good he is as a manager.

Player I would want to see dropped is Nakamba, as I think he’s in a different situation to the other two, he’s never shown extended form over more than one isolated game, and he was also awful against Watford. But again, just my opinion, there are no absolutes in this game and he could play Nakamba Saturday and he could be the difference, who knows.

5.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 17:49:23
Cash and Targett were both excellent last season and I agree they shouldn’t be condemned on the basis of one poor performance. As you said in a previous post Chris, probably just a bit of rustiness. The only way to get rid of that rustiness and improve that match sharpness, is to get games under their belts. Hopefully they’ll both have blinders against the barcodes.

6.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 18:09:12
Fingers crossed mark!

7.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 18:45:51
Targett was sensational last year, he was undropable and one poor game (against Sarr who will have a lot of full backs in his pocket this season) should not define him. Think Cash is most at risk, especially against the top sides, Konsa was immense when deployed on the right and we now have Tuanzebe to cover. Plenty of options.

Midfield is the only area that worries me, I see Spurs are after Sarr (DFM) now, wouldn't be overly surprised to see us move for Winks if so. I know a lot of Villa fans don't rate him but a midfield of McGinn, Luiz and Winks would absolutely do me, 100%.

8.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 19:30:07
We have been linked to a lot of midfielders over the transfer window the likes of JWP, Cantwell, and Winks to name but a few, a rumour which is resurfacing and personally I think is credible is the link to the American midfielder Weston McKennie. Ourselves and Southampton were linked with him this time last year however he chose Juve unsurprisingly, now Juve having signed Locatelli are prepared to let him go. In fairness I haven’t seen much of this guy but apparently he can play either as a defensive or box to box midfielder has two good feet and is deceptively quick. As I say I don’t know that much about him however Brad Friedel thinks he has the ability to play for a top premiership side and in fairness he should be able to judge given his premiership experience.

9.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 19:33:23
According to French sources the deal is for 30 million euros and Spurs will loan him back to Metz for this season, presumably to get round the work permit problem. If that’s the case then, I doubt Spurs will be overly keen on selling Winks this season. It’s just a harmless acronym for Villa fans.

10.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 19:53:20
McKennie would be a really good signing as well John, if he's available then you'd imagine we may be interested, especially after scouting him previously. Fingers crossed.

Big 2 games coming up lads, after that we have a horrible run of games, need points on the board before the international break.