c1982

Bernard, Richarlison and Iwobi. Kean coming on for any one of them depending on how the game’s going.

The only change I’d entertain today would be Delph for Walcott and us setting up at a 4-3-3 rather than the usual set-up. This is the system I sense Silva wants to play and a midfield 3 of Delph, Gomes and Davies should dominate anything they’ve got but also give us plenty going forward. We’re awful away from home - tactically, something needs to change.

If the rumours are to be believed then this isn’t too far from the truth.

Mina was class... probably our best player this season in my opinion. Gomes showed how important he is and I loved Davies’ performance beside him. Together they really helped the tempo and having Iwobi in the middle made us so much more threatening from all areas. Special mention for Sidibe who deserves to keep his place. Bernard and Richarlison too... just a much better performance altogether and actually a pleasure to watch!

Are you suggesting we play 3 at the back or 4 and no keeper?

Arteta would be my choice. He would instantly have the fans onside. He has been working with the best coach in the game for the last few years having ‘turned down’ the chance to replace Wenger. It seems people in the game can see something a bit special in him. Every appointment is a gamble and this would be seen as a massive one on the basis that he’s not managed before. It’s a gamble I’d love us to take but sadly don’t think he’d leave City. His profile is only getting bigger there and he’s even been talked about as Pep’s successor eventually.

No thanks. He was excellent with the resources available at the time but that time has long passed.

I didn’t vote originally but think it’s time for him to go now. We have had such a kind start to the season on paper - to take so little in terms of points is awful. Not one performance this season has made me feel that we’ve got a real game plan that’s going to help us kick in and do something positive. We’re still toothless in attack, we’re shipping far too many goals. We only play one system. Subs are general reactive to an injury or goal conceded. We had the perfect opportunity to really make a positive start this season with a kind set of fixtures - we’ve blown it and I think Silva’s the one who deserves most of the criticism. I don’t actually like it when we sack managers (bar Big Sam) but I actually think now is the time. We need to be decisive.

Didn’t Mendy tweet something about KDB throwing his kid in the pool and Mendy said the kid was Zinchenko? Don’t remember much fuss about that.

Maybe the loss of his assistant has had a detrimental effect... not sure how much influence he had. More likely be the loss of Gueye and Zouma though. Zouma and Keane looked to have a real understanding - we need to do all we can to get that back. I see Zouma further down the pecking order when James and Rudiger are fully fit as I think Lampard will give James a chance and move Azpelecueta (however you spell it!) into a 3 man defence where he’s done well previously.

It depends on how Gbamin settles when fit and maybe how quickly Davies can get up to standard but I’d have him 100% or John McGinn. We need more drive from midfield. I’d still happily get rid of Schneiderlin and fear that Sigurdsson doesn’t fit a preferred system (however good he is) long term.

He certainly had the same underwhelmed reaction from many fans when signing. Could (will) prove to be a great bit of business.

We seem to have done worse at home in this competition in recent years - losing to Norwich and Southampton at Goodison stand-out. It may help being away and hopefully just go through under the radar.

Wednesday, not United.

I felt completely different about Holgate - I wouldn’t feel comfortable with him starting in the league. He had a few good moments (in my opinion) but the stand out moments were the shaky ones - I’d love him to develop into a top player but he doesn’t always fill me with confidence.

1. Win the league. 2. Win any other trophy. 3. Qualify for the Champions League. 4. Quality for the Europa Cup. 5. Finish as high up the league as possible.

It’s not to do with the assists though (for the umpteenth time!) - he regained possession to start attacks when teams weren’t/aren’t set - that was/is his main quality.

Exactly, 65% possession playing in front of an organised Villa team - far too easy for them to defend. Teams ‘set traps’, giving the opposition possession and nicking it when they are in their attacking shape - this is where Gana is/was priceless.

Gana’s not about assists as such. His main quality was regaining possession when the opposition weren’t set. This allows us to catch teams. Too often, on Friday night, we were faced with 9 of their players and a goalkeeper to get past... this is a Villa team who must have the weakest full-backs in the league - we hardly exposed them all game - part of this is due to slow turnover allowing them to get into position comfortably.

McGinn is really impressing me - his energy/engine is incredible and he’s got a bit of magic too. Dare I say, our midfield needs Delph in it.

It means against the rest of the ‘big six’.

Let’s see how Kean copes then... I expect he’ll create more chances for himself.

Exactly - he doesn’t take enough shots. See the stats I’ve just posted - he needs to back himself more... if you don’t buy a ticket blah, blah, blah!

Not entirely true... Here’s some random goals/shots conversion percentages from last season: Kane 17/102 17% DCL 6/52 12% Salah 22/137 16% Aguero 21/118 18% Lukaku 12/55 22% Vardy 17/79 22% Kane missed 11 ‘big chances’ and Calvert-Lewin missed 7.