This game is being shown on ESPN, which is just as well, because I’m currently sunning myself in a lovely apartment in Barbados, which means I’ll be able to watch it.
Actually, it’s this one here. (Click to view) and I can highly recommend it.
The good news is it’s owned by one of our posters and I got a very decent discount.
The even better news is that any readers of this site can also get a similar deal. Just contact me and I’ll put you in touch.
Do not book through that site if you want the discount.
Anyway, straight to squad news and for Villa, Mbwana Samatta could make a start tonight.
Well, I say could, but surely it’s a certainty, given we have no alternative?
Kienan Davis is training, but I’d be surprised if he came in for this one, although he’ll possibly get minutes, depending on how the game goes.
Danny Drinkwater is ineligible because he previously played for Burnley in the cup. Some might say that’s not a big loss, but I actually think he does at least add a bit of grit.
Otherwise it’s no change for our long term injuries.
As for Leicester, the big news is that Brendan Rodgers has said that Jamie Vardy will definitely play some part tonight, which is bad news for us. Lets hope he doesn’t start eh?
Wilfred Ndidi is also fit, but Nampalys Mendy and Wes Morgan are both out.
Logic tells me that this should be a quite comfortable win for Leicester.
But it doesn’t always work like that, as our comeback against Watford and indeed, the draw in the first leg have proved.
It’s a massive game for Samatta to step into and I’m playing down any expectations I have of him as quite frankly the £8.5 million we paid for him is peanuts for a Premier league striker.
You never know though and he might prove to be one of those hidden gems that can sometimes be found.
We don’t often get lucky though, do we?
The rules for the Carabou cup are that there is no extra time and a draw would mean we go to penalties, where anything can happen.
I think I see this as our best possible bet, because while I don’t see us winning the game, I can envisage a draw.
And that’s what I’m going for.
1-1
If we can get a result here, it would rank as high as the Bolton and Tranmere semis, which were truly magical.
Here’s hoping and UTV!
Said that because us two didn’t think we would get their.
Hopefully this will give us some confidence going in to the next few league games.
My mind is totally blown.
What a great win!
Down the bar and a few rums Badger?
Phew! And I was thinking hold on for penalties. Two games running now we have won in added time.
Come on Man Ure tomorrow. You can do it.
I would fancy us against Manure…
Great performances from Nyland and Nakamba – both excellent. Really pleased for Nyland.
And a word for Elmo – what a cross!
Really pleased for Nyland
Me too Hitch! Elmo’s always had that in the locker and he seems to come up with the goods in the big games with his deliveries. A very valuable player! Well done!
Get in there. We need to start showing faith in this squad of players. I notice from comments after they scored that they would go on and win it which is understandable. But my god those players never gave up and for that i commend every single one of them. The confidence the team and us as a club should take from this should give us the boost we need to try and push up the league. UTV . GET FUCKING IN THERE !!!!!
Top comments Tekkers – we need to show more faith in this side. What they lack in quality they make up for with guts – can any fan ask for more.
But there are good signs – Luiz and Nakamba played well – Targett has gone two games without falling down injured and Samatta / Davis provided that striker link that’s been missing; Nyland has shown he’s more than a decent keeper (even though his distribution is …. well …). With McGinn to come back there’s room for optimism.
Bet Sawaris is happy – the Egyptian connection and a claimed 4million Tanzanians watching Samatta – 4 million shirts – wow!
Agree with pretty much everything but if you think 4m Tanzanians would be wearing legit Villa shirts you couldn’t be further from the truth. Knock off ones, yes, but no money for Villa there. Least of our problems at the moment though.
Not meant to be taken literally DS – will have to work on my humour skills 🙂
Yeah fair enough!
When the team fight like they have recently, of course the fans have faith. It’s when they don’t try, like against City and at Watford, that the criticism flies, and rightly so. They’ve proved that they can complete. To be successful, you can’t pick and choose the games; winners put a shift in EVERY game. If they can do that, who knows with a few class additions?
Well done to all the players. Much as Leicester were the “better team” they weren’t ahead of us at any point in the tie. We rode our luck a bit but we put the ball in the net 3 times.
would love Man U in final…get revenge for the last time…
As long as Phil Dowd doesn’t come out of retirement!
Massive congratulations to Smith for holding his nerve after the rocky Christmas period. Also to Purslow and the owners for staying cool. Yes, I was unhappy with Smith before the New Year, but only for apparent tactical limitations, but he’s shown that he can adapt, albeit a little late, and now we’re seeing a massive difference.
Seeing Smith and Purslow congratulating the players in the tunnel with beaming smiles was a great sight; there seems to be a togetherness and trust among them all. This is the foundation of success.
A word of warning; the players can’t give less than 100% in the league to save themselves for Wembley; it happened in ’94 with Big Ro, but this time we can’t afford a string of defeats before the final. They’ve got to keep it up and Wembley will take care of itself!
UTV!!!
Hope Mr Mings will bollock anyone who tails off.