I like White's position a lot in the e5 line. But why a5? Black has seriously weakened h6/f6 by playing BOTH g6 and e6. Using that, why doesn't white try Nh2, with the idea of Nh2-g4-h6 or f6 at some point.
Either that or white provokes something like h5...and now that g5 square is weak and a knight is on it too...
White should just go for a nice, classic positional squeeze...
It seems like what you are searching for is a solid opening that white will have to work very hard to break down, but you also want counterchances.
If so, then maybe you wana look around in the Sicilians. Maybe the Kan or something. Or possibly Scheveningan...
"But why a5?" - I meant h4, just put the wrong move in. Thanks for pointing that out.
Perhaps this might work better for that line...
LavaRook - I normally play the Scheveningan (with an a6) and love it! I was looking into this to see if I could come up with something similar but different in terms of solid with counterattcking potential. Not as a main line - but as a diversion.
I've been toying around with trying to see if there was a way put together a combination of the Pirc and St. George (the extended q-side fianchetto) for a defense against e4, and it looks like it can be done. It may not be the strongest, but it seems to be solid enough and offer decent chances and it might appeal to those looking for something a little different.