Team vs Villa

[Howard_lfc]

We are talking about Villa here, not Barca ffs !

If we are going to improve in the League we must win more and score more goals away from home. Assuming Masher is not ready...

Reina
Finnan
Carra
Agger
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Xabi
Kewell
Torres
Crouch

I'd put Voronin in ahead of Crouch from that line-up.

[WILF]

I'd put Voronin in ahead of Crouch from that line-up.

I have been impressed by Voronin so far, he has good movement and took his goals well. However I think that playing him and Torres, both with zero PL experience, would not be a good idea for the 1st game of the season. I think the combination of Torres and Crouch will cause problems for many defences

[Nicey]

I agree, Torres and crouch both very technical clever players, with Crouchinos Height and Torres speed any defense will have the hands extremely full

[WILF]

I agree, Torres and crouch both very technical clever players, with Crouchinos Height and Torres speed any defense will have the hands extremely full

Nice to see we agree on something mate

For a change

[Maestro]

Admit it though he is the chief. Name a better holding midfielder. If you saw the copa america you will know that there is not one (at least not since Makele degraded).



El Jefecito is well earned

Red_Chilli has only seen him on TV, so is in no place to judge...

[dww]

I would be shocked if we didn't start with Kuyt and Torres up front.

[Parr_Zee]

Personally, I dont think he will start with Torres - I think he'll give him some time to gradually get up to speed. I think the team for Villa will be:

-----------------------Reina-----------------
-Finnan----Carragher------Agger------Riise---
-Pennant---Gerrard--------Alonso----Babel---
-------------Kuyt---------Crouch------------

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Would we definately start with Torres? Or would we ease him into the premiership by putting him on for 30 mins?

[dww]

Personally, I dont think he will start with Torres - I think he'll give him some time to gradually get up to speed. I think the team for Villa will be:

-----------------------Reina-----------------
-Finnan----Carragher------Agger------Riise---
-Pennant---Gerrard--------Alonso----Babel---
-------------Kuyt---------Crouch------------

I think we will use pace upfront to exploit the gaps left by the fact Villa usually play 4-3-3. Which means one of our new boys will definitely play upfront - I can't see it being anyone but Torres.

I think his partner will be Kuyt as to me that is the most natural partnership.

[Taffy]

If we thought it was tough to predict Rafa's team selections last season I'm sure it'll be twice as hard this time around!

My guess is that it will be something like this:

--------------Reina
Finnan--Carragher--Agger--Riise
--------Alonso--Sissoko
Gerrard-----------------Benayoun
---------Torres--Kuyt

Subs: Carson, Arbeloa, Pennant, Voronin, Crouch.

We still have players like Babel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Kewell, Leto, Lucas and Mascherano to call upon too!

[SNFT]

We are talking about Villa here, not Barca ffs !

If we are going to improve in the League we must win more and score more goals away from home. Assuming Masher is not ready...

Reina
Finnan
Carra
Agger
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Xabi
Kewell
Torres
Crouch

That's my team......

[Pablo]

---------------Reina---------------

Finnan-----Carra---Agger------Riise

Gerrard---Alonso---Sissoko---Kewell

----------Kuyt-----Torres---------

Bench: Carson, Hyypia, Pennant, Babel, Crouch

The back five picks itself. No room on the bench for Arbeloa. And Aurelio still has to recover from injury.

We have an unbelievable midfield to select from now. Personally I will feel Pennant merits a starting birth but I just cant see where he fits in unless we play without a defensive minded midfielder. Seeing as we are away from home there is little chance of that. Babel will be on the bench for this to ease him into action. Benayoun doesnt even make my bench here. Mascherano, Lucas and Leto all miss out too.

Up front I wouldnt be surprised if Crouch gets the nod instead of Kuyt but I think Torres will be rotated the least of the four strikers so hes a certainty. Voronin doesnt even make it onto my bench here even though he looks llike a cracking buy on a free.

The squad is just so strong now its frightening.

[redblood]

..................Reina
Finnan....Carra....Agger....Riise
...........Alonso....Sissoko......
...Kuyt.......Gerrard........Babel
................Torres

I like that line up but maybe Benni on the right instead of Kuyt and possibily Dirk up top for Torres. I see 2 reasons for this one is EPL experience and 2 is Torres is not 100% fit but 2 weeks will tell a lot.

[SB]

Personally, I dont think he will start with Torres - I think he'll give him some time to gradually get up to speed. I think the team for Villa will be:

-----------------------Reina-----------------
-Finnan----Carragher------Agger------Riise---
-Pennant---Gerrard--------Alonso----Babel---
-------------Kuyt---------Crouch------------

Same but with Harry starting on the left and the newbies to be introduced off the bench. I've not seen (or more precisely heard ) anything to see why Babel will start this match.

[El Jefecito]

He is my current favourite player

Mine too and in the copa america he outscored Tevez