I have absolutely no faith in the Villa getting a win when we’re facing Premier league opposition lately, but surely we can beat a League two team, can’t we?
I wouldn’t be so sure.
Wycombe aren’t doing too badly this season and they currently lie in 6th position, but this is a side that lost 2-0 at home to Morecambe last week, so with all due respect, this is a game we ought to be winning at a canter.
But it’s the FA cup, which we all know isn’t called the great leveler for nothing.
I won’t even mention our recent cup history against lesser clubs.
So given that I won’t be surprised at whatever happens when it comes to the result today, the more important thing for me, is how Remi Garde is going to approach this.
Normally, I’d be expecting a few players to be rested so we can give a few of the second string a run out, but I think this is something we definitely shouldn’t do.
Why? Because a win would do the first eleven a world of good and can only boost confidence, which has been shot to pieces.
I suppose there is an argument in saying that if we were to lose, confidence will take an even bigger dent, but I still think we should go all out to win.
With Alan Hutton being injured, the other interesting point is who is going to play at right back?
The Evening Mail ran an article where Garde was asked about Micah Richards playing there and the response was that the manager had been thinking about it for a few weeks.
Seeing as many fans have been calling for exactly that to happen for months, I’m really beginning to wonder about our manager and what his thinking is.
It’s simply something that should have at least been tried a long time ago.
I’m not going to go into Wycombe’s squad as I doubt any of us know much about them, but it’s noted that their goalkeeper is out because of a suspension and this means their 46 year old coach is on the bench.
As for us, Hutton and Sanchez are both out, but the good news is Jordan Ayew is back and I’d expect him to start, along with Gestede. If the latter can’t batter a second division defence we might as well just give up totally.
Prediction time then and I’ve said nothing would surprise me.
Can anyone see us keeping a clean sheet, even against such lowly opposition, for instance?
I can’t, so expect Wycombe to get one.
I’ll go for a 2-1 win.
