Aston Villa - Nottingham Forest

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

To be played on Saturday 5th April 2025.

At Villa Park in Birmingham.

Kick off is at 17:30.

COYR!

[McDurban]

Elanga at wing back?
Discuss...

[Fumanchew]

As some one else has pointed out morato played LWB for Benfica last season 

   

I think this could be the way to go and maybe have moreno at rwb against Man City in the cup if Aina isn’t back

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Moving Morato to wing back would mean having to bring in a CB either Boly or Abbott. That is a lot of fiddling about. Can't play wing backs with only 2 CB's.

[Username]

I know I will likely be in a minority of one but the mentality of having a small squad is beginning to cause some issues now.

We need to manage those that are available as well so that the position doesn’t worsen. That’s my real concern.

I don’t like the phrase “free hit” but I would genuinely be looking at benching the likes of Elanga, MGW, Yates and Anderson for this game to keep them fresh.

My starting eleven would be:

Sels
Williams
Toffolo
Morato
Murillo
Milenkovic
Sangare
Dominguez
Sosa
Danilo
Awoniyi

[Fumanchew]

Moving Morato to wing back would mean having to bring in a CB either Boly or Abbott. That is a lot of fiddling about. Can't play wing backs with only 2 CB's.

I don’t think the role we’d ask of him playing LB would be any different to what neco is doing, the heat map shows he can be as advanced as neco can in a back 4

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Moving Morato to wing back would mean having to bring in a CB either Boly or Abbott. That is a lot of fiddling about. Can't play wing backs with only 2 CB's.

I don’t think the role we’d ask of him playing LB would be any different to what neco is doing, the heat map shows he can be as advanced as neco can in a back 4

That is not my point though.

My point is having to bring in another CB.

Our defence is normally very settled and personally I think minimal disruption would be better.

Also the issue for me is more at right back V City.

I am sure Williams and Toffolo will play at Villa which is balanced and fine but V City we will probably have no right back available.

[Marinakis Red]

Boly is so reliable that I've no issue with him coming in and Morato at left back.

[The reds]

I Just can't see Toffolo starting. He has played 255 minutes the whole season, 210 minutes in the FA Cup, 45 minutes in the Premier League.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

I know I will likely be in a minority of one but the mentality of having a small squad is beginning to cause some issues now.

We need to manage those that are available as well so that the position doesn’t worsen. That’s my real concern.

I don’t like the phrase “free hit” but I would genuinely be looking at benching the likes of Elanga, MGW, Yates and Anderson for this game to keep them fresh.

My starting eleven would be:

Sels
Williams
Toffolo
Morato
Murillo
Milenkovic
Sangare
Dominguez
Sosa
Danilo
Awoniyi

Whilst I get your point about a small squad, we could have a 50 man squad and Nuno would probably still play only 18 of them.
We played nearly 4 hours of football in 4 days this week.
In the cup despite extra time he still only made 4 subs one of which was Morato on 120 mins
In those 4 hours Sangare and Sosa both played a grand total of 10 minutes
Jota got 30 mins
Moreno 50 and only because enforced

I think I would rotate too but its not Nuno’s way. Do agree Anderson in particular probably needs a rest though

[Username]

I know I will likely be in a minority of one but the mentality of having a small squad is beginning to cause some issues now.

We need to manage those that are available as well so that the position doesn’t worsen. That’s my real concern.

I don’t like the phrase “free hit” but I would genuinely be looking at benching the likes of Elanga, MGW, Yates and Anderson for this game to keep them fresh.

My starting eleven would be:

Sels
Williams
Toffolo
Morato
Murillo
Milenkovic
Sangare
Dominguez
Sosa
Danilo
Awoniyi

Whilst I get your point about a small squad, we could have a 50 man squad and Nuno would probably still play only 18 of them.
We played nearly 4 hours of football in 4 days this week.
In the cup despite extra time he still only made 4 subs one of which was Morato on 120 mins
In those 4 hours Sangare and Sosa both played a grand total of 10 minutes
Jota got 30 mins
Moreno 50 and only because enforced

I think I would rotate too but its not Nuno’s way. Do agree Anderson in particular probably needs a rest though

Doubt that will work in the Champions League though. 

We will be competing in four competitions next year. 

Emery did a great job in January realising he needed reinforcements and has kept them going in three competitions.

[ozzyten10]

Those reinforcements are out of our league finance wise!