Coming thick and fast.

Not sure whether I’m turning out for this yet.

More intrigued about the side we can get out which rests players who are playing Saturday. Although with an international week following will Evatt not be as concerned?

                      Southwell 

          #AP  Santos/Toal  Inwood

Matheson    Matete  Arfield    Williams

                           Lolos 

                 Mcatee     Collins

That would rest a fair few. Presumably Vic/Charles start Saturday so top 2 can rotate. Matate and Arfield with Lolos in front could function as a midfield 3. Can Matheson play like he was part of League Cup squad? Williams natural swap for Schon. I’m hoping we can get a couple of young academy lads (*AP) either side of Toal/Santos who could share a half.

 

1 hour ago, TrickyTrotter said:

In

No Southwood, so presumably Coleman in goal.

It is pretty stupid that this game is played over an International break.

It is made worse by the rules of playing a weakened team, so we play Saturday and I think we have to play at least 4 of that team, but say we have 4 away on international duty. It would make more sense if the 4 called up could respect off-set the need to play people from last game. 

8 minutes ago, Ani said:

It is pretty stupid that this game is played over an International break.

It is made worse by the rules of playing a weakened team, so we play Saturday and I think we have to play at least 4 of that team, but say we have 4 away on international duty. It would make more sense if the 4 called up could respect off-set the need to play people from last game. 

I think it's 4 players that meet a certain criteria (percentage of games played, experience etc) rather than 4 from the last game.

18 minutes ago, frank_spencer said:

I think it's 4 players that meet a certain criteria (percentage of games played, experience etc) rather than 4 from the last game.

Think you are right but if it is an international break and we have 4 'qualified' players missing seems unfair that we have to find 4 more 'qualified' players. 

2 minutes ago, Ani said:

Think you are right but if it is an international break and we have 4 'qualified' players missing seems unfair that we have to find 4 more 'qualified' players. 

It's so easy to hit the criteria for eligible players and you only have to play 4 of them, that realistically you can play a complete second string. 

Any player who has 40 senior appearances counts, so Arfield counts and he won't be starting league games. Williams and Lolos could probably do with a start after injuries and they will count also. Beyond that we need 1 more player who has started the previous game/will start the next game or another 40 appearance player. 

Otherwise the other 7 you can do what you want with. Shouldn't need to play anything like a first team.

8 minutes ago, Stig said:

It's so easy to hit the criteria for eligible players and you only have to play 4 of them, that realistically you can play a complete second string. 

Any player who has 40 senior appearances counts, so Arfield counts and he won't be starting league games. Williams and Lolos could probably do with a start after injuries and they will count also. Beyond that we need 1 more player who has started the previous game/will start the next game or another 40 appearance player. 

Otherwise the other 7 you can do what you want with. Shouldn't need to play anything like a first team.

So Baxter then.  Also hopefully a couple from CMG, Forrester and Jones.

Also Matete, Collins and McAtee assuming none start on Saturday, that's virtually the 11 starters.  No game for ages after so its going to be very much a team full of 1st teamers, I'd be surprised if any youngsters get a look in other than from the bench.

Forgot about Matheson too, certain starter if eligible as suggested by @desperado

48 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

So Baxter then.  Also hopefully a couple from CMG, Forrester and Jones.

Also Matete, Collins and McAtee assuming none start on Saturday, that's virtually the 11 starters.  No game for ages after so its going to be very much a team full of 1st teamers, I'd be surprised if any youngsters get a look in other than from the bench.

Lolos will have a run

Never seen him, but young Inwood seems to have been in the 1st team squad recently so it should be a chance to give him a game. 

Lolos & Matete could both do with playing.

On 03/10/2024 at 12:23, gonzo said:

That phrase originated in the nautical world apparently. And was later made more of a common phrase by it beinf used in Popeye cartoons.

And a song . 

Southwoods going to be away, Baxter and Coleman are injured so looking like Hutchinson in the sticks too. 

Great opportunity for Hutch

Great opportunity to get knocked out 

48 minutes ago, victor meldrew said:

Great opportunity to get knocked out 

It's the group stage, and we're joint top.

1	ACA	Aston Villa U21	1	1	0	0	0	3	2	+1	3	Advance to Round 2
2	L1	Bolton Wanderers	1	1	0	0	0	3	2	+1	3
3	L2	Barrow	1	0	0	0	1	2	3	−1	0
4	L2	Fleetwood Town	1	0	0	0	1	2	3	−1	0

I hate saying (or even thinking) this, but I hope Villa win this and their final group game.  Don’t think I’ve ever wanted us not to win before, but let’s get out of this competition sooner rather than later. Might just might help make a difference in the league after Xmas.

The losing/getting knocked out debate isn’t an issue for me yet. 

The moment we start to play our strongest 11 amongst a set of important league games then yes. 

While we can select squad players, players who need game time, players who are being rotated and hopefully some academy players then there’s more to  gain by playing and winning. 

That team I posted at the top of the thread  could still pretty much go out as it is, just CBs that are an issue

Losing to an academy side as a professional outfit shouldn't happen.

If our 2nd string can't win this then they shouldn't be here.

1 hour ago, Bertie said:

I hate saying (or even thinking) this, but I hope Villa win this and their final group game.  Don’t think I’ve ever wanted us not to win before, but let’s get out of this competition sooner rather than later. Might just might help make a difference in the league after Xmas.

Slightly different opinion. I don’t want us to lose, but I would like us to use the likes of Hutchinson, Matheson, Inwood and other fringe players. Let’s see what they can do.

On SkySports red button 

2 hours ago, Steejay said:

On SkySports red button 

REAL fans only use the red button for away games.

Apparently Matheson can play tonight

Gomes has been back in full training over a week maybe get some mins in.......

Couldn't care less about this one tonight to be honest.

1 hour ago, desperado said:

Apparently Matheson can play tonight

He was on the bench at Arsenal, as well. Surprised he wasn’t used, as Cogley is our only fit RWB (and not ripping up trees, either).

The squad applies to league games only. Matheson will be eligible for the FA Cup, also.

I'm going, more out of habit than anything else. Games like this are another reminder of why we need to get out of this division (in the right direction!)

How long is Baxter out for?