First of all, the reason for this title is, well, when we first got to the Premier League, we’d have gave a limb to beat Spurs away, therefore we’d be hoping the magic of the FA Cup would steer us to victory. But, unbelievably, many would now argue that the magic of the FA Cup would mean Spurs progressing to the next round against a Villa team that have lost 1 in 14 matches in all competitions whilst playing in the hardest and most competitive league in the world, the Premiership, with the only loss coming from top of the league. That is quite unbelievable, isn’t it!
The only thing we need now is silverware. I’ve said this time and time again, we cannot afford to waste having the best manager we have ever had. Yes, Emery is the best manager we have ever had. If we do not come out of the Emery era with a trophy, it is a huge, huge waste, because who knows what is in store for us when he leaves. The main man (and Grandad!) Badger always tells me one thing and I happen to agree, and that is that every manager inevitably gets the bullet at some point, with mere exceptions such as Klopp, Sir Alex etc. So, why not go for the FA Cup? Or can we not afford to run the risk of having too many fixtures and dropping off in the league? That’s the debate. For me, the best sides need to manage fixture congestion like such, but I know others would argue differently.
Now, before we go into the game, there is something non Villa related I would like to discuss briefly and that is the Liverpool game last Sunday. I just cannot see how that was not ruled offside for Wirtz. I said it before it gained attraction on social media, namely X, that the image generated from AI was completely different to the one we were shown live. You can clearly see by the marking of the pitch. I was in the pub having a pint with a mate, and the look we both gave each other when that goal stood was like something out of a film! I just cannot see how that was given and I’d like to hear other opinions too because we spend our days chatting about Villa so why not divert slightly.
Now, to the game. The first thing I’d like to say is that I couldn’t be more excited to visit Spurs beautiful stadium for the first time, as I unfortunately couldn’t attend our 1-2 victory in the Premier League due to being up in Scotland. Will be a good day I am sure, despite not much away pubs near the ground… for Arsenal last week, a Wetherspoons was home fans only… game is gone!!! Now, for team nows… Following a sudden half-time change at Selhurst Park midweek, Emiliano Martinez is not available for tomorrow’s clash. Furthermore, Tyrone Mings will again be assessed prior to the cup clash, while midfielders Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley continue to miss out due to injury. Guessand, to his credit, stays in Africa following Ivory Coast reaching the Quarter Finals to face Egypt. The one that instantly draws my attention, and the one I am hoping does happen, is new youngster Alysson potentially being involved tomorrow as confirmed by Unai, who “hopes” he will be involved. As for Spurs, they are without Mohammed Kudus and Cristian Romero, which I think suits us nicely. Kudus would win the individual battle against our defenders virtually every time, we’ve seen it before. As for Romero, he isn’t scared to put a challenge in, and would terrify Watkins every time he is in possession. On the whole, Spurs are to be without Solanke, Maddison, Kulusevski, Kudus, Bentancur and Romero, with Bergvall and Udogie as strong doubts. With all them injuries, and their current Premier League form, I am questioning as to whether they will be up for it at all tomorrow, but with our record in the FA Cup, I think the same about us… may not be the best game for the neutral.
I think this game could go either way, with Villa obviously wanting to focus on the league as well as Spurs. I just cannot see what has got into my head, but Tottenham Hotspur are a shambles, and I think the last thing they will be wanting to focus on is a cup when they won a trophy already last season and are underperforming in the league. They are without two aspects that always haunt Villa, speed and physicality, so I can see this being a win tomorrow, a convincing one. My prediction; 0-3 Villa. Let’s do this! I could be very wrong, but I have a nice feeling. The last FA Cup away game I went to last season, Preston away, which was also 0-3. Let’s keep it going!
UTV!
Gallagher made the right choice, he’s found his standard.
Reaction of Palace fans has really caused me to have a different attitude. What is a trophy if you cannot maintain it? Palace fans are furious with their board and management now.
I have sympathy with the Palace fans – having supported Villa for over 65 years now can I not?
We have been through exactly the same with Villa not just once but on multiple occasions – hope destroyed by poor management of the owners. And it still causes us older fans to fear a collapse from our current position – unfair probably; understandable possibly.
Crystal Palace have become a massive thorn in our side but the fans don’t deserve what’s currently unfolding at that club.
Enough and onto tomorrow – can we show, at last, an ability to perform when opportunity beckons?
*how can I not 😡
Arsenal drop points!
With results today we have a massive opportunity tomorrow – can we do it and beat Everton – AGAIN!
What a chance for villa tomorrow but will they bottle it again then chance to go 2nd and 10points from Liverpool
This is why should have kept malen till had a replacement, why not go for mateta now palace are in meltdown.
Like you hitch I’ve followed villa for 68 years now and seen it all. Remember the time when we had to bail club out with money which was converted to shares later it was a lot out of my pocket at the time especially when on the dole at the time.
Seen some ups and downs over the years
I do Roy – I was at Tommy Docherty’s first home game, 3 days after his appointment – 21st December 1968 against Norwich – standing in the old Witton Lane End with a big crowd, over 40,000 if I recall correctly, and a 2-1 win.
Pat Matthews, managing director of First National Finance led the take over, Deadly Doug came in and two days later Docherty was appointed. Later in my career, First National became a major client of mine including being involved in the construction of their new headquarters building in Harrow where I parked my car for the Wembley Cup Final against United!
Funny old World.
What a chance to go second maybe if that happens we will be told by the cheating, corrupt wankers at the fa and fifa that we have to sell 2 more players
Cheating faceless scum as corrupt at West Midlands police UTMV
“This time it will be different.” ranks as one of the most dashed hopes in English. Old time Villans on this blog know that after our two table-topping rivals have stumbled what usually happens in Villa fail to take advantage. You can see the reason for it happening again, Bogarde has to start because both Onana and Kamara are absent and he is not as good as either of them. Then there is the bench, only Digne and Mings are adequate changes. Malen sale this week makes no sense with that body count.