I wrote about this when we played Crewe in the previous round, but it says it all when you have to be reminded that we have a game tomorrow.
Other web sites were talking about Brighton and I was wondering what they were on about until it clicked.
Does this game matter in the slightest?
I guess many would say not, but I actually think it does, particularly now, where it’ll probably prove very handy in giving players valuable playing time. I’d like to win it too, for what it’s worth.
I fully expect Smith to change things up as much as he possibly can , so he and us fans can get a look at what sort of shape the rest of the squad are in.
There’s a big incentive too, I’d suggest, as I’m guessing places in the first team will be up for grabs over the next few Prem games, as Smith tweaks things.
Fortunately, Brighton are in a fairly similar position to us. They won’t care too much about this game, although they’d obviously like to win it and I’ve no doubt they’ll get as many of their players in too.
I’ve always said I don’t like mass changes for cup games, but for this one, it won’t affect much on either side, so I won’t mind.
It’s a good time to be facing Brighton, as you’d expect they’ll give us a tough test, which is exactly what we need and is probably better than facing the likes of Colchester, where maybe we wouldn’t learn as much.
As it happens, I’ve just heard Colchester have knocked out Spurs via penalties. It is indeed a funny old game.
I’m going for a 1-1 at full time.
And then of course, anything can happen
Wolves must be spitting feathers, so to speak
Taken from another Post
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Really sad news that Dr Barrie Smith Villa’s
club doctor for more than 30 years has died. Interviewed Barrie many times during my days on Birmingham Mail about how he used to patch Paul McGrath’s knees up to ensure the big man kept playing
Still saw him in Trinity stand most home games
RIP to an absolute legend
I remember him well RIP Barie.
Wolves at home and apart from Burton v Leicester…all ties are either Prem teams playing each other or lower teams playing each other
So if we can get past Wolves, good chance of a lower team in the next round and more progress!
Nice to open my iPad after 11 hours on a plane to see a good win for us. Did anyone see the game?
We just got to our hotel and they’ve only gone and put us in the Presidential Suite – you have to laugh – could get half the Holte in here 🙂 only downside is we’re only here one night!
And no, I didn’t pay for it 🙂
Just watched the extended highlights of Wednesdays match and it looks like the supposedly second-string played very well!
BFR, would you include any of the players such as Hourihane and Targett for Saturdays game? Also not sure why Lansbury wasn’t in the squad against Brighton. Assume that he was injured (again)
Lansbury was injured, apparently.
I saw something on Twitter about Conor’s body-language after the mach; apparently, he was very downbeat. The fact is he was in the team that got promotion, and we were 1-0 up at Spurs when he was subbed for Luiz. So you could argue it’s been down-hill since then. In other words, he didn’t deserve to lose his spot and offers plenty to the team, not least from set-pieces. Targett also looked busy in the final third on Wednesday, so at home, he’d be worth a start if Smith wants us to start on the front-foot, which he should.
So yeh, I would give both Conor and Targett (assuming his match-fit for PL) an start tomorrow…still fancy the 3,4,3 with Targett on the left side of midfield! Then it’s one from Conor, Luiz, or Marvellous in the middle with McGinn. Ain’t gonna happen though.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49845993
Interview with Micah Richards. Worth reading for his own view on his time at Villa.
Good read DS, we never get to know or understand why things like that don’t get out to us, I’d like to hear Abonglahor version of event’s on his last few years at Villa. He started off well then went gits up in the latter years.
i predict we are gonna see a dominate villa over 90 minutes in the league very soon.over the last 6 games we have been good in patches, but not consistently good over the 9, heres hoping this happens today.
burnley are no mugs and this will be one of the hardest games we will have faced this season. they will play two up front and they will go direct if they need too,our defenders will need to be up for the fight.
trezeguet form has picked up and he will be important today, he carries the ball well and if villa can pin burnley back, trez will be one of our best players, who could unlock their defence.
3 1 villa
Like your thoughts Nath, from the offset I’ve been believing that one day Villa will be seen as one of the big six in the league. I believe we can play against anyone and give them a good game. Our problems of late is referees three games we was given the wrong divisions, yes looking forwards to today’s game, not giving the score as seemed to be bad luck if I do.
i believe we can give anybody a good game except pool and city. the rest we are a good match for. but bill like we said last week, the players have to believe too. some are falling short in self belief area, but that wil change once they click and thats soon very soon
We definitely have quality players and are having our moments in all the games we have played this season. Against Arsenal we were better playing against 11 than 10 or was it 12 than 11 (with officials)
Today if we are doing well and leading, please stay positive and don’t bring on Elmo for a winger! Lesson should have been learned by playing to our strengths, which is on the front foot.
holte that is a little harsh, when we subbed elmo for trezeguet was because trez spent, he had run himself into the ground. he was up and down his wing all game. elmo is well capable of doing a job the manager asks him to do. the players on the pitch decided to play in extra defensive mode, i don’t believe manager subbing trez and elmo made much difference as the game had already turned before this happen
no trezeguet in today, hourihane and mcginn with nakamba in midifeld probably means grealish and el ghazi wide and targett gets a start at left back
Here we are lads…
https://www.facebook.com/238353153028162/posts/1219749508221850/
Hope it comes out right.
Interesting lineup. No Trezeguet or Jota but Targett and Hourihane get deserved call ups. Grealish possibly out wide? Or maybe a 4-4-1-1? Not long to find out.