Mazzy

I'd be fine with Krafth starring this. No way can Trippier start every game for the rest of the season.

I'd like to see us finish 3rd and Forrest 4th. Couldn't give a shit other than that. Actually no, I'd like to see Chelsea finish 5th and then get banned from Europe.

Shame one of them is against Palace. Always absolute horse shit games against them. More faith that we'll beat Man U than Palace.

Does mean we've got a better chance of catching Forrest though. Win at Leicester and we're only four points off them and a game to spare. Realistically, we could win the next three and be 3rd, won't be easy but it's do able.

Second worst defense in the league, only a few goals of being the worst. They've conceded more than one goal in eight of their last ten games. They are at home, they aren't going to be playing with 10 men behind the ball, so if we only manage to score one it doesn't fill the team with much confidence going into the next couple of games. We need to be getting 3/4 and going into Man Utd with some momentum and confidence.

That scoreline would genuinely have me concerned for the rest of the season.

I don't like expecting to win games but this is one I am expecting a big win. Need to get our GD up in this one. Anything less than 3 - 0 is disappointing quite frankly.

Next three are absolutely critical. I think we actually need to win all of them to be in with a shout at the end of the season. After the next three it gets much much tougher.

Match cam....

Extremely good win that is. Nicely set up for the next one.

Villa are going to have their January business to thank if they finish top 5 this season.

They do and then they'll add another minute or two on just for the thrill of it.

Pope redeemed.

Probably not Høijlund in fairness to him.

I absolutely agree. But taking the one game at a time approach, I'm happy to see whichever team is closest to us on points at the time lose.

They were level on points with us before this game weren't they? I know it's against Villa, but the more sides around us lose, even against other sides around us the better it is.

Well Wilson doesn't drop as deep as Isak for a start nor does he drift out wide. Plus Willock coming on at the same time could well see a move to 442, with Barnes moving up alongside Wilson.

Isak off. Not sure about that. Hopefully not precautionary and just tactical.

Really need to get back into this now. Bournemouth and Brighton both losing. Need to take advantage.

Damn.

Takes a lot away from their midfield though. He's not exactly going to be helping their defence. Much trickier for our defenders now though.

Fuck yeah!

Was everyone expecting this to be an easy game or something? I think it's going alright, we've had good chances, we've limited them in attacking areas and it's not even HT yet. Plenty still to come. Shame about the bench options though. Perhaps Willock could shake this up a little in the second half.

Half hour gone and the stats suggest we're heavily on top. Doesn't really feel that way though.

That's what Brentford defenders were saying before KO.