Aston Villa Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2025/26

Bounty Hunter · 22-03-2026 02:47PM

Cash back, Torres starts (nothing against Mings but this is positive for me as maybe Pau can start moves off better), perhaps Barkley getting another start can also do the same plus Sancho has actually been finding some semblance of form before being unable to play against Man Utd - Youri on the bench, a bench which also includes the likes of Tammy, Maatsen & Luiz.

That’s my positive spin on the starting line-up but tbh if I was a West Ham fan I’d be going into this game targeting all 3pts and expecting at least 1 given both teams recent records.

After results elsewhere a win here would be massive

Patser · 22-03-2026 02:53PM

Digne instead of Maatsen only criticism I'd have. Great to see Youri's name on the team sheet, even 15 minutes at the end he could influence ir, and Cash back (nothing against Bogarde) offers a lot more going forward

Patser · 22-03-2026 02:58PM

West Ham fans online being negative about their selection, especially the stacked defence in a match they want to win.

Also a couple of report ls Todibo injured in warmup, so possibly missing one of their 1st choice in that back 5. Can't see it confirmed yet

fullstop · 22-03-2026 03:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124332215#Comment_124332215

Todibo is out. Replaced by Potts

Patser · 22-03-2026 03:08PM

Potts (according to Google) is a midfielder, so have they had to change formation?

Bounty Hunter · 22-03-2026 03:31PM

McGinn… what a difference the captain returning has made

listermint · 22-03-2026 03:31PM

Get in! Super mcginn

artanevilla · 22-03-2026 03:32PM

Great finish meatball.

circadian · 22-03-2026 03:33PM

Beautiful finish. So happy to have him back.

Patser · 22-03-2026 03:33PM

Oh we've missed him!!

Looking composed and in control, and now in the lead!

Bounty Hunter · 22-03-2026 03:39PM

It's like they have suddenly remembered how to play and have confidence again.

A win here and the returns of McGinn and Youri and there could be such a change in feel / positivty around Villa park… way too early for such talk though

listermint · 22-03-2026 03:43PM

Definitely a peno

artanevilla · 22-03-2026 03:43PM

Peno, we are all over them.

Panrich · 22-03-2026 03:45PM

Hopefully we don't regret all these missed chances.

artanevilla · 22-03-2026 03:48PM

Probably not a peno, but Rogers should be burying that when it comes to him. We are so profligate.

Patser · 22-03-2026 03:48PM

On odds, not a peno but still should have been a card, possibly even a red for the 1st challenge/grappling oustide the box. Ollie was away but defender was on his back, there's been reds for that in a few recent games

Patser · 22-03-2026 03:50PM

Would really like a 2nd and 3rd goal while we have them under the cosh here.

Goaline clearances, last ditch tackles, reaction saves - we should have at least 2

Bounty Hunter · 22-03-2026 04:05PM

It is nice to say that Villa deservedly lead. They have easily been the better team and Martinez hasn't really had any saves to make / Bowen has barely touched the ball.

You would worry that we are only a goal to the good but so many positives can be taken from that first half compared to recent performances.

I feel more positive about Sancho every time I see him recently and our attack has been much more positive in general. Rodgers far more involved for example and of course the return of McGinn continues to lift everyone. Onana too seems far more assured than in recent games where tbh he disappointed me a bit.

12 shots to 2 the commentators said near the end of the half (think they had 1 or 2 more after that)... Maybe Tammy can take advantage of some opportunities if he gets on in the 2nd half and I am still hoping for at least a cameo from Tielemans.

CSF · 22-03-2026 04:05PM

Top performance, should really have killed the game though, incase West Ham find a different 2nd half.

Play like that again and will be fine though.

Patser · 22-03-2026 04:13PM

Yeah, all is looking good and West Ham a poor. The lack of the killer touch, the 2nd goal is always worrying.

Cash and Sancho tearing them apart on right wing - in centre we have control.

Ollie has had at least 4 chances - I drew a great save, another was a long shot that almost found top corner, but again when he was in with time to shoot he dragged shots wide. I feel Rogers has actually been disappointing, for all the space West Ham are offering, he's not picking out passes or finding space to shoot well enough.

Also frustrating that once or twice we've put balls into their box after decent build up only for no-one the there. Digne in particular had time oin left corner to put in a great cross that bounced near peno spot, but bar Ollie running to front post no-one else came in.

I see we're going the Arsenal corner routine approach

Bounty Hunter · 22-03-2026 04:13PM

I like Emi Beundia but honestly I think we look better without him too. Maybe him and Rodgers take up the same spots or something but even though I thought he was great as an impact sub at the start of the season now that our starters are returning (except Kamara) maybe that is the roles he will return to now.

CSF · 22-03-2026 04:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124332382#Comment_124332382

He’s a good squad player, no more

LeBash · 22-03-2026 04:16PM

Im out at the moment but by the looks of the stats we have them well pinned back.

Patser · 22-03-2026 04:39PM

Much mor eeven game this half, although more in a cancelling each other rather than both sides making chances. All that space we had in 1st half is gone.

artanevilla · 22-03-2026 04:41PM

Need to keep working as West Ham are getting more into the game. Time to start slowing it down and start to control the game.

Tielemens coming on which is a great boost.

Patser · 22-03-2026 04:42PM

Oh Youri coming on!

And Dougie and Bailey - hopefully we can regain momentum

Bounty Hunter · 22-03-2026 04:42PM

Honestly surprised Bailey is getting another chance from Emery here but it really is great to see Youri coming on.

2nd half obviously has not been as good but it never would be. West Ham have to go for it and yet Martinez hasn't had to make too many saves.

Patser · 22-03-2026 04:42PM

Jesus Pau, what was that. Almost a gift

artanevilla · 22-03-2026 04:43PM

Bed time.

listermint · 22-03-2026 04:44PM

Jesus didn't see that going in. Hard angle

Aston Villa Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2025/26

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