Aston Villa vs Everton

The remote control that I through in frustration when we lost to Villa a few weeks after the Blackburn game has finally packed in - how did we not score in that game?

I actually travel to Birmingham tomorrow with great hope and even expectation of a good performance and a win. The squad seem to be saying different things this season and I feel a genuinely good season awaits.

As all us blues have been here before - someone pissing on our chips at any sign of hope - I really do feel that we will win tomorrow - Villa are ours for the taking. Come on Everton.

For the record other favourite performances under Moyes include Fiorentina at home, West Ham away in the League cup (recovering from an early goal down to totally control the game), and Monday night!

The West Ham league cup tie you mention, I was there for that in the West Ham end with my son who was 11 at the time. In the bloody West Ham end next to our fans with a young 'un and they were animals - after we didn't celebrate Zamora's goal - we had to be moved by some decent copper. So sweet when the Yak scored in front of us at the end. Felt so sweet after the way we were treated.

I thought DM was brave on Monday pushing Fellaini up, but you can see why he did it - Man U's defensive woes, and the fact that Felli could drop back more easily if the pressure was against us and fill in a defensive / more balanced role than, say, Cahill would've done.

I know he loves his utility players, but I think it's disingenuous to describe Fellaini as one, he can simply play both defensive and attacking midfield with confidence. Not uncommon in midfield.

In the past when having no option in positions like "the hole" or even up front, Moyes has had to make do. This season, I think he's given himself more options in the attacking midfield / support striker role than he's had in a while. Perversely, I think he and the team are under more pressure tomorrow than Monday - the majority of neutrals, and a fair few Blues (me one) expected a draw at best Monday. Now post-glow, and with Mirallas on board, expectations are understandably higher. I think Moyes' downplaying of Mirallas role is kidology - he'll be on the bench at least.

Villa are in a malaise that has dogged them for 18 months, tomorrow is the best chance in a long time to get in, get out, 3 points.

This to me is the acid test.
If we have what it takes to start the season well or not.
I have a strong feeling that this will be a draw, and if Neville starts in midfield we are in for a real fight.

Osman should take Nevilles role, and Naismith should take the right wing.

This will be a very different game then against United.
Darren Bent needs very little to score so we will have to go out and get the first goal to get the game in our right track.

Would be nice to be able to go for the kill from the off in every game but a small squad means at times we will probably be gambling on conjuring a result from a second-string line-up to give first-choices as much recuperation time as possible.

Villa seem more and more a second tier team, so hopefully we will be able to get the win without risking those nursing injuries.

Tell me that isn't more appetising than the line up last week. But I wont complain if he goes with the team that won... they do deserve another run out.. and Fella can do it again

They're 'unlikely to play' because of the injury/fitness worries Moyes has spoken of. It's just a guide though. You know more about your club than they do.

David @006

I fully agree. The team you've selected is spot on, although harsh on Ossie. I think Miralles will be on the bench anyway so Ossie will retain his place in the side, though I doubt it will be on the right.

There's a few talking about expectations being a bit high. They are high - but it's the players that are setting that level. They keep talking about the feeling that they can 'do something' this year. I don't see expectancy as a burden if you're putting it on yourselves. It means they're confident, and that helps win football matches

Howard
Hibbert Jagielka Heitinga Baines
Gibson Fellaini
Osman Naismith Pienaar
Jelavic

SUBS: Mirallas, Neville, Coleman, Velios, Anichebe, Barkley, Mucha

With Sky Sports reporting that Moyes has "pulled off a coup" by signing M'Baye Niang for 2 million, happy days are here !

Time to make a statement of intent tonight !

Plan B is... er, er, er.... we haven't really got a proper one, have we?

OK, Fellaini playing up front with Naismith behind him. Or Anichebe at CF. Don't fancy either of those options. Don't think Naismith ever played as the main striker did he? Velios won't start - Moyes doesn't fancy him.

After his testimonial strike, I suppose we could always stick HIbbo up front!

The obvious solution is to drop Fella back but I really think he is so effective in that role behind Jelly. Not just in an attacking sense either. Fellaini is our best presser of the ball and his closing down work in the opponents half when he is playing further forward see's us regain posession much more frequently and in dangerous positions which really helps us create chances. There's reason the team is doing so well with him playing there.

I reckon we'll see the same team as monday with possibly Johnny coming in to replace distin if not fit and Mirallas on the bench. Personally would love to see Junior given a game instead of Neville as when I have seen him he has been our outstanding young player and looked head and shoulders above Barkley and Rodwell in the reserves at times last seasons. Won't happen today though.

Tight game. Hoping for 2-1 to us but reckon it might be 1-1.

Naismith may play C.F. if Jelavic is declared unfit. Mirallas on the bench.

Villa are low on confidence and it may be our day if we are prepared to push men forward.

There is no way on earth that Moyes is playing Naismith at the apex of our attack. He likes his striker to win headers. That means Vellios or Vic if Jelavić is out. Even though Vic can't head, he just looks like he should be able to.

Should Jelavić be out we have no option but to use Fellaini like we did against Man U. At least then he can win the ariel balls and give it to the other forward.

I'm almost glad Jelavić is having fitness issues. Hopefully this dialemma will show Moyes just how badly we need another goal scorer.

Let's have a good performance and 3 points. COYB

Size of the squad means we are going to ask a lot of certain players, Jelavic, Fellaini, Ossie and yes, Phil Neville who incidentally, people need to start giving a break its getting old. In a well set up side that has options going forward he plays in front of the back 4 fine, is positionally superb and is a great barrier.

Hes played there for seasons now people need to get over it. He plays right back plenty as well and with the size of our squad if he got injured we would feel it big time. Having sold Rodwell, he plays in the system we have gone with, 2 deep lying mids.

With Fellainis development, Mirallas, Naismith & Ossies versatility we are fine for options behind the striker. When attacking we do move into 4-2-3-1-ish territory.

Maybe we can get away with the squad size, maybe. I personally doubt it and unless we have a freakish run without injuries the squad size is going to bite and certainly freshness at least will dip at times, I could understand an iffy finish for example.

Even though Rodwell was virtually a non playing squad member for 2 seasons his place in the squad is vacant. If fit he would have played a lot this year.

Wouldnt be the most popular signing but I think we need a deepish midfielder as well as the absolutely necessary lone striker cover. Long term, a young right back needed in the next year.

Jelavic the boy, he makes the whole system work, all our chips are on him at the minute.

Size of the squad means we are going to ask a lot of certain players, Jelavic, Fellaini, Ossie and yes, Phil Neville who incidentally, people need to start giving a break its getting old. In a well set up side that has options going forward he plays in front of the back 4 fine, is positionally superb and is a great barrier.

Hes played there for seasons now people need to get over it. He plays right back plenty as well and with the size of our squad if he got injured we would feel it big time. Having sold Rodwell, he plays in the system we have gone with, 2 deep lying mids.

With Fellainis development, Mirallas, Naismith & Ossies versatility we are fine for options behind the striker. When attacking we do move into 4-2-3-1-ish territory.

Maybe we can get away with the squad size, maybe. I personally doubt it and unless we have a freakish run without injuries the squad size is going to bite and certainly freshness at least will dip at times, I could understand an iffy finish for example.

Even though Rodwell was virtually a non playing squad member for 2 seasons his place in the squad is vacant. If fit he would have played a lot this year.

Wouldnt be the most popular signing but I think we need a deepish midfielder as well as the absolutely necessary lone striker cover. Long term, a young right back needed in the next year.

Jelavic the boy, he makes the whole system work, all our chips are on him at the minute.

My glass half full head tells me, a win today and they might as well just give us the trophy now.

If this is more than just a rumour, then we have basically matched AC Milan's offer and persuaded the player to choose us over them. Happy days! Now just need him to be as good as he has been tipped to be.

Team for today - will be happy with whoever is picked as long as they go out positively. Think rotating the likes of Naismith and Heitinga in makes sense, and if Jelavic is unavailable then Felli will definitely stay in his advanced position.

COYB!

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/clockwatch

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/clockwatch

Oh feck! I think Villa may have hugely improved their team simply by off-loading Collins.

We should get at least a point but go for 3. I was on the sky sports website eariler this morning and looked at the Villa side expected to play, it was awlful, whats happened to Villa?

(Alex, disgruntled Reading fan on text): "Sunderland can afford £12 million for Steven Fletcher but a functioning drainage system is too much?"

We will need to get a right winger more like Drenthe who can create a goal out of nothing.
Naismith is a long way off fitness.
Mirallas is more of a forward then a winger.
A player like Drenthe would just make this team a CL team, it is that simple.
Very good base in our squad we just need that extra trick in our sleeve, given it is going to be a long season I really feel a quality right winger is a must.

I want Cl and I think we are not too far from having a squad that can fulfill my dream.
I guess I got hooked on the goals Drenthe got out of nothing that saved our first half of last season.
Now that we have lost Drenthe I feel the need for someone like him to come and take over from where he left.