The Thriller In Meh Villa

I predict quite a lot of Ally McCoist.
Villa boss possession in the opening stages but without creating any real chances. 'Villa have to take these chances when they're on top or it could haunt them'.
Forest don't really threaten and then score with their first real attack. 'Forest have been threatening that and that's what they can do. They can hurt you'.
Forest finish the half strongly but without looking like scoring again. 'Forest should be looking to put this one to bed by half time'.
For 25 minutes of the second half Forest balance defensive shape with sensible forays forward - just like they did in the last 20 minutes last week. 'Great game management from Forest. We didn't see that last week'.
With 15 minutes left Villa scramble in a set piece equaliser. 'We've got a real game on our hands noo'.
McCoist then spends the last few minutes insisting that every Villa cross, corner, free kick or throw in could be their last chance. Every time it's cleared he insists he has a gut feeling there will be one more chance.
Villa get a 94th minute corner. 'I think they deserve something from this for their attacking endeavour, I really do.
Forest clear. Full time. 'For me, I think Forest deserve this, I really do'.

Meh Villa 1 (1) Forest 1 (2)

I'd add that Glenn Hoddle will appear crest fallen like some sort of bemused hobo who's been forced to have a bath and dressed by a volunteer at a local charity shop.

Feels like we know the team he'd like to play but there are obviously question marks over Aina (with no obvious replacement that allows Williams to play left back), Sangare (would be replaced by Dominguez), Murillo and Gibbs-White (presumably would be replaced by McAtee or Bakwa).

Wondering whether the full-back issue (and having a lead to defend) will mean a switch to a back 3/5 - even if Murillo is unavailable, Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato doesn't look awful at the moment.

Villa, meh nil-a

Girl you know it's true.

Yes, I can't see anything other than a back 3 if Aina is injured (and I assume Zach is out).

Are we presuming Zach is out ? He was trying to come back on the pitch !

He definitely was a concussion sub, so unless they decide it wasn't really that, I don't think he can play on Thursday.

I suspect that may have been why he was so gutted to come off. He maybe knew that was his involvement at Villa Park gone.

The whole process around it seems quite confusing. Is there an independent Doctor that comes into the pitch whenever there is a clash of heads and makes a fairly instant diagnosis that it's concussion?

Maybe it’s for the players club to make the call.. with the restriction on playing for a while partly acting as a deterrent against taking the piss?

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgqlnk5jl1vo

I read that article yesterday but doesn't really clear things up does it?

Rugby have a formal HIA assessment that can take 10-15mins and there are temporary subs. Which takes time pressure off. Football should do this.
Football is less formal has an pitch side screen: red flags (loss of consciousness, clear neuro symptoms, confusion etc) and then screening questions/observations (orientation, balance, Maddocks questions*). If in any doubt, you take them off.

• the famous “tell him he’s Pele and send him back on…”

Yes. As much as I want MGW to play on thursday I want him to be 'well' more than I want that. I've been wanting George North to retire from rugby for over five years because of the amount of concussions he's had, and that's not because he's very good and plays for a rival team, it's because sporting careers are fleeting, life family and friends aren't. I personally think head injury assessments should be carried out by 3rd party impartial medical teams, definitely not appointed by PGMOL, who have no skin in the game.

There is a suggestion on Murillo's Instagram that he might very well be available on Thursday? So with Aina ailing are we going three at the back with Cunha, Murillo and The Serbinator. Now I know Morato has been decent in the last two games but I don't trust him at all.

Having said that, is Murillo healthy enough to last the whole game. It's a tough decision. If MGW is unable to play (I think he will be with his mask on), then Jesus can play the 10.

Is this a game for Ryan yates if Sangare isn't available? i love Dom, so he will have to take a part. I thought Yatesy was great against Chelsea. Cutting out passes. Niggly. Shithousing (kind of like McGinn). I think Our Ryan should be on the field to kick the Scotsman. There are doubts McGinn will play but quite sure he will be. He is their danger man. He gets Morgan Rogers to tick. If the supply line to Watkins and Rogers is cut off then we win. It's going to be horrible watching this game especially when i cannot watch it actually live because I have too much work but we have a chance.

Fuck Villa. Fuck Emery. Fuck McGinn. Let's get physical Olivia Newton John!

Over to you Vitor...

Chicago: A tad nervous.

As much as I agree with the sentiment of this I can't see how it can be practically applied, and I've tried. Is it quicker to treat the player on pitch or immobilise them and get them off the field? If you start moving injured players without following safety protocols you are just giving lawyers more money. Then managers will start using it to give a player a 5 minutes sit down.