Aston Villa, build up and match thread

[Guest]

A boring 1-0 win will do me...

Sure but the fact that Rafa's not drastically changed our approach away from home is a bit worrying.

[Svennis]

****ing Riise at midfield. Benitez should have already noticed how **** he is.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Not happy Crouchy isn't playing.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

The pathetic Villa defence will be delighted that they are facing Kuyt

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Not happy Crouchy isn't playing.

Hasnt been great in pre season though, looked wll off the pace

[Tee]

Arbeloa at left-back I hope he does well, I really do.

[Laddsy]

we have a CL qualifier in 4 days so I assume the players left out are being kept fit for that

[Morten_nogamst_Pedersen]

Sure but the fact that Rafa's not drastically changed our approach away from home is a bit worrying.

Riise said today in a norwegian newspaper interview that LFC is gonna play less cautious away from home this season.

[redblood]

From .TV

Rafael Benitez's first team selection of the season is as follows:

Pepe Reina
Alvaro Arbeloa
Jamie Carragher
Daniel Agger
Steve Finnan
John Arne Riise
Steven Gerrard
Xabi Alonso
Jermaine Pennant
Dirk Kuyt
Fernando Torres

Subs:

Charles Itandje
Sami Hyypia
Andriy Voronin
Ryan Babel
Momo Sissoko

I have to say I'm surprised at the Left side selection Arbeloa started well but I'm not sure he's fully adapted to EPL yet, I would've preferred Riise at LB and Kewell ahead of him. I think all season we are all going to be surprised by Rafa's selections.
Having said that the team above is more than good enough to beat Villa.
Torres Kuyt could be a good pairing and Stevie and Xabi central.
Come on the Reds

[JPK]

Arbeloa at left-back I hope he does well, I really do.

Did very well there against Messi twice and scored last season playing there.
He will do well

[Morten_nogamst_Pedersen]

You're right Iain he is, i was looking for the crow not Andriy Voronin

Crow just scored for Coventry.

[kurtangle01]

Tough game today. Hope we win, obviously, but I would like to see a bit of adventure from us.

[kurtangle01]

Manu Petit is a pundit for Setanta.

[redblood]

Sure but the fact that Rafa's not drastically changed our approach away from home is a bit worrying.

2 Strikers up top is changing it. 4 across the middle with 2 attacking wide players and Stevie in the centre.

[Jayesh87]

Tough game today. Hope we win, obviously, but I would like to see a bit of adventure from us.

Doubt it