Rafa wants more of the same against Villa

Rafa wants a repeat performance of last year at Villa park except this time he wants us to be more clinical:

"When we went there last season we played really well in the first half," Benitez added. "We had three or four clear opportunities but ended up with a draw, which wasn't the right result. It was our best away performance of the season, in the first half at least. "I'd like to see the same kind of performance again tomorrow, but this time for the full 90 minutes. If we can repeat that we can win. "Aston Villa are not in the best situation now, but in England all the games are difficult and things can change for teams very quickly."

Rafa now seems to be close to having a best XI and has hinted he will keep a settled side if the players keep to a high standard:

"I didn't make many changes from one game to the next between West Ham and Anderlecht. Only one player was different," said Benitez. "I think the players I've selected can now see there is an opportunity for them to stay in the side for a long period if they play well. "I was sure we'd play well against Anderlecht because I felt a change in the confidence in the players after the West Ham game. I could sense they enjoyed how they played and the attitude seemed different. "Although people talk about changes to the team, it should be said that before we played Anderlecht it was only the second time since I've joined the club I had every member of my squad fit. There was no-one in the treatment room. This makes a big difference to us. "First, it helps the competitiveness level between the players. It means whenever I pick a side now, the players know they must play well or I will change the team. If they don't play well, I have more options available because there are a lot of players here waiting for a game. "The reason I've changed the team a lot in the past is because I've had no choice. We've had a lot of injury problems. With all the best players fit, if they play well, you will see fewer changes. "I want to make sure they have the right energy levels from game to game because they need to be as fit as possible. "Because the side played well against West Ham, I felt it was right to stick by them against Anderlecht," said Benitez, hinting the same players are likely to feature in the Midlands. "There was only one change and we played well again. This gives me an incentive not to change the team, although we will see how the team trains before Aston Villa before making a decision. "Another factor is we also have one less competition now and more time to prepare the players, which will help us. "If you are winning games, then you can rest players during the game, which you saw when Steven Gerrard came off with the game already won. That's a situation everyone prefers."

Its encouraging that Rafa is keeping a settled side. This is the best way for us to improve quickly as the players get very used to their team mates and their positions.

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