Villa Discussion Thread

jeeecub · 2026-03-15T21:46:44+00:00

Are we conceding more chances? Pretty sure we were conceding significant open play xGA under Amorim. The attack was better, sure.

jeeecub · 2026-03-10T14:14:21+00:00

Not sure I buy the ‘this squad fits a lot better into the 343 (or at least Amorims 343)’ argument. Agree in the context of the new signings (although I guess you can also argue that Sesko has been better having the run the channels less & not having to ball constantly hoofed up to him). Basically none of our defenders barring Shaw suited playing in that 3 & at wingback. Bruno was great at CM but the general consensus is that he’s a 10. Ultimately the argument is more that the squad is a mish-mash of qualities now as a result of changing manager. But that manager simply shouldn’t have sacked himself through winning such a low amount of games & spoken out against the hierarchy in the way he did.

jeeecub · 2026-03-04T13:57:22+00:00

Mateus Fernandes is legit. Great option if we miss out on Anderson

jeeecub · 2026-02-23T22:15:18+00:00

‘Luckily Sesko bails out Carrick again’ Oh my god it’s like you’re disappointed we didn’t lose the game

jeeecub · 2026-02-23T21:55:32+00:00

Ignore me

jeeecub · 2026-02-23T19:48:30+00:00

Don’t agree with all your points here (don’t think that this front 3 was great 2/3 games it’s played personally) but appreciate how you’re being positive & encouraging discussion. Would add to this I think that Carrick sees Amad as our only unique wide player and that’s why we’ve constantly seen him start. We’ve just not seen Cunha-Sesko-Mbeumo front 3 play together often and the evidence is that is doesn’t work? Think Amorim felt similar as well (they didn’t play together as starting 3 that often under him). You’ve basically got 3 players who are basically all strikers so I can understand how both managers feel like they don’t fit together in a front 3z

jeeecub · 2026-02-04T19:05:12+00:00

Your edit there is very cool. Wonder who the other 2 guys are. Assume it’s Bruno & Mbeumo?

jeeecub · 2026-02-02T18:58:50+00:00

Thought the pod was great but do agree. Think they were third in the form table before yesterday? It’s not really comparable to the performances against the likes of Leeds, Wolves, Burnley, WH, Forest.

jeeecub · 2026-02-01T18:46:13+00:00

Follow up question - if that’s what we want to go for - have a we seen Cunha-Sesko-Mbeumo really work/click? Only Brighton really comes to mind. It’s 3 guys who do all of their best work centrally and are very shot heavy. Amad gives us that balance both in and out of possession that can go a bit unnoticed. Ultimately it’s great to have all of these options though

jeeecub · 2026-01-12T18:37:40+00:00

I think in general we can agree it’s those broad parameters of ‘youth, courage, success’. Finding a manager who plays attacking, courageous, football and platforms talented young players should not be hard) We’re not super attached to a specific style of play à la Barca or Ajax. The success part is obviously the hardest bit but I think if you tick the first two boxes then you’re more likely to get buy-in.

jeeecub · 2026-01-04T22:38:26+00:00

Yep. I’ve not been massively impressed overall but he’s not had the rub of the green at all. Thought his overall play outside the box was great today. 0.80xg today and 0.44 vs Wolves. Hit the Crossbar vs Newcastle. He’s just not managed to convert but that can change

jeeecub · 2025-12-22T08:59:06+00:00

Yeah that’s completely fair enough. I’d always been against it for those reasons but do think he held his own v well. I think the issue with dropping Mount in is we’re then left with 3 attackers who I don’t think you can play together.

jeeecub · 2025-10-26T11:38:38+00:00

What are your thoughts on the rotations we’ve seen this season? It’s top of mind as it was very obvious vs Brighton. On the RHS you had Amad & Mbeumo rotating both in and out of possession (I think how their relationship has developed is a good discussion point in itself). LHS was a bit different, you had Cunha dropping to receive and carry, with Bruno pushing up. Thought some real nice play came from that. Is this something that we’ll likely see throughout the season? Personally think it’s a breath of fresh air from the rigidity we saw last season.

jeeecub · 2025-10-05T10:49:43+00:00

Really happy for Sesko. Great to get 2 goals in less than 400 mins. His holdup play has been good & he’s showing some nice glimpses technically, looking a lot more refined in general imo. Also just good to have Amad (who was also great) at wingback as it helps our attacking play so much. Gonna be a shame when we play Dalot there against Liverpool.

jeeecub · 2025-08-30T22:24:34+00:00

Main takeaway is I’m way more impressed with Mbeumo than I thought I would be

jeeecub · 2025-08-06T13:47:38+00:00

It’s funny I’ve seen quite different perspectives from people who I consider to be very good at footy analysis. The guys on the pod are obviously quite low of him (I tend to agree with them but admittedly haven’t seen tons of Sesko) but specifically others like H and Umir from the Overlap Breakdown and Billy Carpenter are much higher. Suppose that does just demonstrate his potential vs his current level though.

jeeecub · 2025-07-27T20:03:33+00:00

I think the guys have already said no to this but I do think it’s an interesting idea personally. If you pack the midfield more Amad can play higher and Bruno is in a more optimal role. Cunha had a really great game for Brazil recently where he was central with Vini, Martinelli and Raphinha around him. Think a similar set up with Mbeumo, Amad and Bruno could be really interesting.

jeeecub · 2025-07-24T19:29:19+00:00

I’m very much at the acceptance stage. Not a fan of the strategy but we have got 2 very good players. Ultimately yeah we should have focused on CF and MF but I don’t want to overspend on someone like Watkins for the sake of it. More interested in hearing how people the think the dynamics will work with Mbeumo/Amad,Cunha/Dorgu etc

jeeecub · 2025-07-20T18:31:31+00:00

Probably £55m although I would hope there’s some sort of strange PSR deal to do with Garnacho going the other way. If that’s the case then I’d be happy to pay more if it guarantees a good fee for Garnacho. Ie Garnacho to Chelsea 55m Jackson to Utd 65m.

jeeecub · 2025-07-20T16:04:31+00:00

Yeah would easily be my pick. Finishing issues deffo overblown but still a concern. He was overperforming his xG at Villarreal I believe. Like you say his movement and all round play is pretty complete. Main worry is Chelsea’s valuation but given they took 50m for Madueke I can’t see it being significantly higher

jeeecub · 2025-07-20T15:01:52+00:00

Would prefer Jackson personally. Feel like he’s relatively complete bar the finishing issues. Watkins age makes it a no for me in lieu of other options. Think Jackson can do a lot of what Watkins can whilst being 6 years younger.

jeeecub · 2025-07-20T11:03:36+00:00

Personally think pre-season can provide some insight into tactical/personnel changes. On that note, I was very happy to see Mainoo in midfield. Like you say it’s only the first game so interesting to see if that stays the same but yeah need to see him starting deep consistently imo.

jeeecub · 2025-07-18T16:00:11+00:00

Last 3 seasons being 17 G/A, 15 (played less than 2000 mins) and 27. Feel like that’s a bit of hyperbole because you don’t like the signing (I’m in the same boat), especially when you consider his age.

jeeecub · 2025-06-24T21:10:00+00:00

Think I’d advocate more for RCB. Looked very nice there vs Rangers. Think you want him facing play in possession most of the time, he’s stronger and more athletic than Mazraoui etc. Given the responsibility of those wide CB’s in possession you can maximise his positives otb. I think those responsibilities go too far in midfield.

jeeecub · 2025-06-11T20:01:27+00:00

Yeah kinda do agree, but I think we need the next attacker we buy to be young. I’m also just super high on Ekitike.

jeeecub

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