leffe186

That's exactly it, but it works for them when they play 4-5-1. I can't believe that he doesn't play 4-5-1 in every game. They could easily have lost if Liverpool had scored in that mad goalmouth scramble, but they found their feet and started playing the same way that was so successful last year. Keep it tight, give the ball to Young at every opportunity and try to win free-kicks and corners. If they score, there's more pressure on the oppo, they come forward which allows Villa to pick them off on the break. The main problem with the tactic is that it is predictable, and works best away from home. If it isn't working he doesn't have a clue.

Bloody hell. Was looking down when they announced Danny Wallace, saw the blonde woman in the wheelchair and thought "God, his illness has had a serious effect."

Bloody Arsenal. Every bloody time. Lucky, lucky bastards.

Shit, we're a minute or so behind you. Going to have to leave...

Really want to screw Liverpool and Arsenal up.

Sorry, I stopped listening, then heard blue & red groups, TV and computer draw. Eh?

Yeah, if you think cheating is OK. Boruc made it easy for him, but he still cheated. F**k him. EVERYONE cheats in football. Maybe not such obvious dives, but absolutely everyone cheats. Whether its shirt pulling, intentional fouls or completely over-exaggerating a challenge in order to win a free kick / penalty. Everyone. I glide serenely through games with a shimmering halo.

Butragueno looks even more like a Bond villain.

Mike, can you remember how long it took them to get to the draw last time?

Was looking forward to the Drogba eppy too

Never seen it before, usually working/don't care. Only watching now because I'm in the US and will watch anything footy.

Get on with it ffs.

We've got enough Shittu in the squad already.

He's fine, solid player, international - much like Heskey

When do players ever hold up an away shirt for their "omglookivesignedforyouuuu" picture? When it looks really cool I guess. The Man City away one is sweet.

Yeah, if you think cheating is OK. Boruc made it easy for him, but he still cheated. F**k him.

How exactly do you throw someone in gradually?

Read: dived like a big cheating cheater.

I thought he did very well last night. The whole team played well, but Friedel, Beye and Reo-Coker stood out for me. Villa were poor until the first goal (how did Liverpool not score in that scramble?!), then remembered what worked last year. Defended really well, kept men behind the ball then broke with pace. Not pretty, but effective - it amazes me that they ever changed from 4-5-1 last year. The massive gap for Liverpool was the wide play, Young worked hard to keep Johnson quiet and that was Liverpool's only wide outlet stifled. If they'd had, say, Pennant (don't laugh) I could see them getting back into it. That's one reason Liverpool are worse this year, the back-up, if Rafa wants to change the game he goes to.......Voronin. They tried to battle through the middle when Villa had three CMs. Villa will have the same problem at home as they did last year - their most effective formation is one that gets numbers behind the ball then looks to hit teams on the break. The fans get frustrated/bored, then there's no plan B.

Isn't that what the average Joe wants too?

Aye, but they did this time last year under Scolari. True. Maybe Ancelotti inspires a little more confidence.

Chelsea look the most likely on the season so far - I think they're stronger than Arsenal.

Maybe now people will let this thread die...

Owen. Absolutely brilliant move too.

Cleverley again. 2-1 GG.