I don't know David Villa very well, but some have told me there's no problem about his ability to play on the left.
If it's true, we can keep the 4-2-3-1.
I think that Rafa's tactics are about a great defence and some players who can "explode" and score goals on their own.
If we want to win something, those players should be very efficient. We do need a guy like David Villa, able to move mountains, we can't only rely on Gerrard and Torres to score goals.
About Babel, I think Kuyt must be the right winger last year and babel the super-sub. If Babel improves enough, he would take the Kuyt position and Kuyt would become the sub. Babel is still too much irregular, and not very good when he has played since the beginning of the match.
Masch Barry ?
Gerrard
Kuyt Villa*
Torres
subs : ___, ___, ___, ___, Babel, Pennant/Benayoun, Voronin/Nemeth
I think Babel can play in all the 3 most forward positions, on the wing and as a forward. But if Torres gets injured and that Crouch is gone, we can rely on Villa. Nemeth, Babel and Voronin aren't guarantees to score. Villa is, I think (he has enough strength to adapt to the Premier League.)
*or other very good left winger.
As we don't attack like Arsenal, and the individuals are much more important for us, I think we have to follow the Chelsea and Manchester example. I want players like Lahm or Villa.
How I wish we had better owners...