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!
