[Pexbo]

I'd drop Wilson or Fellaini personally. Straight swap for Wilson or drop Fellaini and put Rooney in the middle of the park. Tip of a diamond.

Fellaini? That's ambitious.

Carrick
Rooney - Mata
Falcao - Wilson - Van Persie
​

14-5

 

[Roosney]

Who do all those people who want Falcao to start plan on dropping? I don't think anyone deserves to be dropped, unless someone needs a rest.

You said it yourself. We will play 4 games in 11 days. I'd be surprised if he doesn't start on Saturday or on Boxing Day, van Persie is not going to start more than two out of those four games and Rooney should rest one at least I think.

 

[Sied]

Fellaini? That's ambitious.

Carrick
Rooney - Mata
Falcao - Wilson - Van Persie
​

14-5

No problem - Carrick and de Gea will have it covered.

You said it yourself. We will play 4 games in 11 days. I'd be surprised if he doesn't start on Saturday or on Boxing Day, van Persie is not going to start more than two out of those four games and Rooney should rest one at least I think.

Fair point. I forgot how thick and fast the fixtures are coming up.

 

[Red_Manc_M15]

Fellaini? That's ambitious.

Carrick
Rooney - Mata
Falcao - Wilson - Van Persie
​

14-5

That'll work.

 

[Dies Iray]

Do we have a fit back four? If we play a four then Carrick will play the anchor with Fellaini the link man. If we stay with a back five and Carrick as the central defender in the three then Fellaini will play as the anchor.

If we do play 352 then it will be interesting to see how Fellaini copes as I don't think Villa press all that hard in the final third. He should get plenty of time to play himself into the game.

 

[Trizy]

Do we have a fit back four?

Should have Rafael, Jones, Evans, Blackett, McNair and maybe Rojo, more than enough for a back 4.

 

[Dies Iray]

Should have Rafael, Jones, Evans, Blackett, McNair and maybe Rojo, more than enough for a back 4.

Fair enough, I'd say with a four we'll play Carrick in the anchor with a link man (Herrera or Fellaini). Either way the Villa team hold shape and aren't excessive pressers when Benteke plays up front so it should be pretty easy to play out from the back I'd say.

 

[Avfc82]

We are missing Hutton, Cleverley, Richardson and Westwood so will be struggling a bit.

Think we will go for this-

Guzan

Vlaar Okore Clark
Bacuna Cissokho

Sanchez Delph

Weimann

Agbonlahor Benteke

Expect to see you lot beat us convincingly, Falcao will destroy us if he starts.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Carrick
Herrera - Di Maria
Rooney
Falcao - Van Persie


That looks fantastic ! Please let us see it soon Louis!

Big Dave will have to have another blinder if we play that!

 

[vodrake]

We are missing Hutton, Cleverley, Richardson and Westwood so will be struggling a bit.

Think we will go for this-

Guzan

Vlaar Okore Clark
Bacuna Cissokho

Sanchez Delph

Weimann

Agbonlahor Benteke

Expect to see you lot beat us convincingly, Falcao will destroy us if he starts.

What sort of form are your forwards in? I can see they aren't scoring many at the moment, but is it due to lack of chances being created or poor finishing? Against our defense I can see them getting quite a few opportunities on goal.

 

[Avfc82]

What sort of form are your forwards in? I can see they aren't scoring many at the moment, but is it due to lack of chances being created or poor finishing? Against our defense I can see them getting quite a few opportunities on goal.

Weimann has got 3 goals this season,
One against Stoke in the first game of the season
One against Hull at the end of August
One against Spurs in the middle of October

Agbonlahor has also got 3 goals this season
One against Hull at the end of August
One against Liverpool in the middle of September
One against Southampton in the middle of November

Benteke has only got 1 this season but he has been injured or suspended but for 4 games this season and he has been by far our best attacking player and if someone is going to cause you problems it will be him. Remember how he barged Smalling off the ball a couple of seasons ago at Villa Park? which then led to a goal for us.

On how we haven't scored many it's a mixture of both, our midfield doesn't scream creativity apart from Westwood who is injured and quite a few of our goals have come from opposition mistakes. But our forwards are not exactly good finishers either, Agbonlahor and Weimann are appalling and Benteke missed a few against Leicester the other week.

The only problem your defence you should have is Benteke bullying your backline, but if you play three at the back you will be fine as he cannot do it all on his own. Weimann and Agbonlahor will not pose much threat to your wing backs either as they are very predictable.

Hope that helps

 

[Dies Iray]

The only problem your defence you should have is Benteke bullying your backline, but if you play three at the back you will be fine as he cannot do it all on his own. Weimann and Agbonlahor will not pose much threat to your wing backs either as they are very predictable.

This is probably my only worry. Aggy's pace in behind and Benteke winning ball and bullying our back four. Which is why I think Fellaini will play. We must dictate play and keep a lid on the service.

 

[Sied]

Is this news? Not sure what the latest is on Shaw

 

[Offside]

If Di Maria and Herrera play we will twat them.

 

[dichinero]

What sort of form are your forwards in? I can see they aren't scoring many at the moment, but is it due to lack of chances being created or poor finishing? Against our defense I can see them getting quite a few opportunities on goal.

Teams do not need to be on form to trouble United this season. That AV team has pace outwide and upfront.

 

[sunama]

From the last XI, Wilson can swap. Falcao for 60, Wilson for 30.

This would make the most sense.
But I'm not sure if Falcao is fit enough to last 60 minutes.
LvG doesnt want to risk Falcao and a week or so ago, he stated that he can't play for more than 20 minutes.

 

[speedily21]

This will be my team;

De gea

Valencia Jones Evans young
Carrick

Fellaini Di Maria

Herrera

Rooney Van persie

With carrick dropping back to make it a back three when need be, and young and Valencia giving width

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

Is this the first season that this fixture has not been on live?

I think the match in that Scholes has scored the volley goal from a corner was a 3.00 pm kick-off too

 

[Longlivekeano]

-------------------------De Gea--------------------


---Valencia---P Jones-----Carrick-----Rojo----


----------------fellaini------Herrera-------------


--------Januzaj---------------------J Mata-------


--------------Rooney-----------------------------

-------------------------------RVP--------------

Prediction:0-3 Rooneh 3

 

[gasmanc]

Lots of positivity surrounding this one, whereas last season
The match day thread shows just how far we've come in regards to confidence etc, it's very close to year ago.

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/aston-villa-vs-manchester-united.380753/

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

Benteke apart I see no reason why we shouldn't get all 3 here, like the post above says the positive vibes are plain to see in comparison with last season and that's half the job done.

 

[Havak]

Reckon we're in for a very similar line-up to what played against Liverpool. Why change it much?

de Gea
Valencia Jones Evans Young
Carrick
Fellaini Herrera
Mata
van Persie Rooney​

Just drop Herrera into midfield for Wilson, hopefully keep the winning run going. Players will get game-time soon, but none of the players returning from injury will be fit enough to start I expect. Hopefully we could see Rafael and Di Maria on the bench. Rojo could return if he's fit, but I think we'll see Evans even though I'd rather he be dropped if possible.

Going to say 0-2 as I can't see Villa scoring, but at the same time I'm unsure if this is the time when we put four or five past someone (I think that'll come at Old Trafford in the next few weeks though)!

Would love us to be able to finish the game with this kind of line-up:

de Gea
Rafael Jones Evans Young
Carrick Fellaini
Di Maria Herrera Rooney
Falcao​

 

[Adisa]

Whenever this fixture comes along I remember how Benteke just brushed off Smalling like a small boy.

 

[waza7111]

We've won the last 7 matches against Aston Villa.

1-3

 

[Neil67]

A few of us are going to Birmingham tomorrow for a few Christmas beers around the City Center does anyone know if there's any pubs/bars that will be showing the match?

 

[Trizy]

Is this news? Not sure what the latest is on Shaw

If he trains today then we might seen him boxing day the earliest but I doubt that, so we're talking 28th or the 1st.

 

[Galactic]

We are missing Hutton, Cleverley, Richardson and Westwood so will be struggling a bit.

Think we will go for this-

Guzan

Vlaar Okore Clark
Bacuna Cissokho

Sanchez Delph

Weimann

Agbonlahor Benteke

Expect to see you lot beat us convincingly, Falcao will destroy us if he starts.

Who's your "play destroyer"? Sanchez? He any good?

 

[prateik]

Weimann is going to score after a De Gea mistake. It happened on FIFA so it's true.

 

[dwd]

A few of us are going to Birmingham tomorrow for a few Christmas beers around the City Center does anyone know if there's any pubs/bars that will be showing the match?

Try The Shakespeare just off Broad street where the Christmas Market currently is.

 

[Andre Kagawa]

Who's your "play destroyer"? Sanchez? He any good?

He's been shite every time I've seen them. Slow, rash and picks up yellows like it's nobodys business. Di Maria would have a field day if he's back. Benteke, on the other hand, scares me as feck. Great player.

 

[SirAF]

Villa is shite and our record at their place is pretty good, I'm still a nervous wreck though! I just hate away matches..

 

[Amethyst]

Independent reporting Di Maria and Rojo in contention. This please:

 

[poisson]

Independent reporting Di Maria and Rojo in contention. This please:

I would also like to see that, but I think he might opt for Fellaini in place of Herrera.

 

[Brightonian]

Who's your "play destroyer"? Sanchez? He any good?

Christ he's been terrible whenever I've watched them. Very slow, not particularly bright, gives away free-kicks left right and centre. Doesn't even look fit to my eyes. In the three games or so I've watched from him he's looked a good shout for worst buy of the season.

We need Jones on the pitch if Benteke plays. And Carrick can't be at CB - he excelled against a small, pacy 'false' forward in Sterling but a big guy will bully him.

 

[Paul the Wolf]

Is this the first season that this fixture has not been on live?

It's live here in France , problem is I'm out all day and will have to tape it

 

[Amethyst]

I would also like to see that, but I think he might opt for Fellaini in place of Herrera.

He may even opt for a 3-5-2 again and if that happens I'll be disappointed, despite us winning against Arsenal and Southampton with it. Villa play a 4-3-3 but often it turns into 4-5-1 when they're under pressure. Do we need 3 centre backs for one striker? I don't think we do.

Christ he's been terrible whenever I've watched them. Very slow, not particularly bright, gives away free-kicks left right and centre. Doesn't even look fit to my eyes. In the three games or so I've watched from him he's looked a good shout for worst buy of the season.

We need Jones on the pitch if Benteke plays. And Carrick can't be at CB - he excelled against a small, pacy 'false' forward in Sterling but a big guy will bully him.

Sanchez was actually one of their better players on Saturday weirdly enough, but Westwood is way better in that holding role.

 

[Browniee]

It's live here in France , problem is I'm out all day and will have to tape it

VHS?

 

[Browniee]

Unleash El Tigre for the of God!!

 

[Chaky_Best]

Rafael is sitting on the bench since Valencia's recent performance. Shaw and Rojo are out, so Young will play.

Since we have no fit full backs, we'll definitly play 3-5-2

I would prefere us playing with the diamond, controlling the game, but I’m sure we’ll play again this crap 3-5-2


-------------------------------------De Gea------------------------------------

---------------Jones--------------Carrick-------------Evans-----------------

Valencia-------------------------Fellaini------------------------------Young

-------------------------------Rooney-----Mata------------------------------

------------------------------Van Persie-----Fat-ao--------------------------


I would love to see

-------------------------------------De Gea------------------------------------

Rafael-----------------------Evans---------Jones--------------------Young

--------------------------------------Carrick------------------------------------

--------------------------Herrera---------------Mata-------------------------

---------------------------------------Rooney-----------------------------------

---------------------------------Van Persie-----Fat-ao------------------------

Aston Villa will be shorn of eight players, with Alan Hutton and Kieran Richardson suspended and the ineligible Tom Cleverley also serving a ban.

--------------------------------Guzan-----------------------------------

?????-------------Okore---------Clarke-----------------Cissokho

-----------------------Sanchez------Delph----------------------------

Weimann-------------------Agbonlahor-----------------N’Zogbia

---------------------------------Beneteke------------------------------

 

[Mr.Kaya]

I really want too see Carrick together with Herrera and hopefully Di Maria in our midfield, they're close to a perfect combation imo. Herrera who runs and runs and runs, which
gives Carrick more space and time with the ball, while Di Maria is the most offensive one of those 3 who he also runs alot. Could probably compare it to Juves midfield combination, where you have the maestro Pirlo as the deeplying playmaker, with Vidal and Pogba around him. I don't think Fellaini should play as our deepest midfielder, because he doesn't have Carricks calmness nor does he read the game as good as Carrick does.