Does this still rate as probably the best weekend of the football season, the last weekend of the season apart?
It certainly does for me, as there are always plenty of shocks and surprises.
It’s what makes the FA cup, isn’t it?
It has lost a bit of it’s gloss because of the bigger clubs not caring about it too much and playing sides more with resting their best players in mind, as opposed to trying to actually win it and I can only say I despise them for it.
But it still makes for a great spectacle overall, I feel.
Will Unai Emery be looking to throw our chance of some silverware then?
I’d already guessed there would be no chance of that and indeed, he’s come out and said he’ll be playing the game with a view to winning the cup.
Good man.
So shocks aside, another reason I like the cup is because it proves a good payday for any small club that meets a Prem side and Stevenage have practically hit the jackpot having drawn us at home as much as they might have preferred to face us on their turf.
Gate takings are split 45%-45% and when you add in broadcast fees and prize money, there’s a good chance they might get more than £750k out of the game.
If they were to beat us, that money increases quite rapidly, but of course, that isn’t going to happen.
Suffice to say if Stevenage are having financial problems, it’ll help them out massively. If not, it’s a nice few quid in the pot so they can improve their facilities.
Whatever, I’m all for it.
So Emery has inferred that he’ll be going all out, but the reality is that you’d expect some players will be rested with a view to some of the squad who are not first choices getting a chance to show what they can do.
There’s talk that Martinez may be rested and Olsen will come in for the game. What the thinking behind that would be, I’m not sure. Maybe just so Olsen can keep his hand in?
Regardless, I’ve no problem with it. He looked okay against Spurs and while noone ever thinks about the number 2 goalie because he usually plays so rarely, it does make sense that he plays in these sort of games.
Jacob Ramsey should be available and if so, you can bet he’ll definitely feature, even if he doesn’t start. The one thing I do like about Ramsey is his driving runs and they’re something we’ve missed during his absence. They’re exciting, if not always productive.
John McGinn is unlikely to even feature.
I’d expect there to be other players rested, but the team should include enough to beat Stevenage.
The league 2 side had centre half Terence Vancooten taken off in their last game, so he might be unavailable. Michael Bostwick would probably replace him.
January signings Daryl Horgan and Jake Forster-Caskey are both cup-tied.
I know one of my big complaints recently has been about how Villa always manage to let us down when we least expect it. So much so, that it’s become almost the default position where we expect to lose to any side that is inferior to us on paper. Well, “expect” is probably a bit strong, but certainly I don’t get surprised anymore. It’s all part of being a Villa fan, it seems.
Because we’ve been predominantly a top league side for decades, you’d expect us to win the FA cup every, say, 25 years by the law of averages alone, but we’re at nearly double that.
I don’t believe we’ll win it this season, purely because as a club we’re not winners, but if we did, it would surely be about time.
That said, I don’t see us going out tomorrow either and am going for a 2-1 win.
Stevenage are currently 2nd in their league, so they’ll be confident.
But I think we should have too much for them, whatever team we put out.
Then again, I’m sure I’ve used that line before and it’s bitten me on the behind more than once.
Nah, we’ll win, no worries.
I hope.
UTV!
Comments
80 responses to “Villa – Stevenage; The good old FA cup, 3rd round”
If we lose, well, no doubt we’ll have deserved it.
I hope the 3000 Stevenage fans have a great day out.
But not too great, of course.
Badger – Villa, have for too long, made a habit of destroying their fans expectations.
It’s time for that to change and I honestly believe with the appointment of Emery we have, at last, a top European coach at the helm.
Emery has a fantastic (and I don’t use that term lightly) record in knock out competitions and I see no reason why he can’t bring that mentality to VP. We are overdue a good cup run – why not this year?
I’m going for a convincing Villa win, 3-1, acknowledging that Stevenage may well get on the score sheet as Emery is unlikely to start his strongest side.
Even though the first half against Wolves was disappointing, for the first time in years i’m actually looking forward to Villa games.
If Leicester could win the FAC two years ago, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be impossible for us.
I actually believe in the law of averages, and we’re well overdue.
In the end it’s down to the players & manager – I don’t go in for hoodoo’s (Unless of course, we manage to beat Stevenage but then draw ManUre again in the next round…)
Just watching the highlights from yesterday well played Wrexham and Sheffield Wednesday but I have to say this Alexander Isak signing by Newcastle £60m appears a very odd signing?
Wolves were robbed,how the f”+k is Salah onside?
And just how is that Wolves winner chalked off?
How similar was that to us at Man U when the officials took an age to concoct some bullshit reason to disallow a goal?
Just how many times do these decisions go in favour of the top six?
I’m starting to feel the game’s bent.
I havent watched the highlights show so this may have been talked about sorry. I only watched the game live. The Salah one was because the Wolves defender intentionally tried to clear the ball with his head which kindly fell straight to Salah. But he only tried to head the ball because Salah was there in the first place. So Salah is offside and interfering with play surely? So why was that not offside!? Joke decision or maybe i just dont know the rule fully. The Wolves goal, watching live I couldn’t believe it, but i think the corner taker was offside when the ball came back to him apparently! but they didn’t show any picture to confirm that during the match. Shame I wanted Liverpool knocked out.
Even Murphy couldnt believe them decisions…so cast iron balls up by officials…..while on the subject of VAR…surely if the FA Cup is a serious comp then why only a few allowed to have VAR…2 other off side goals in the Wednesday – Newcastle game and allowed because no VAR…..if not all games then no games.
VAR only available at Premier League grounds.
I agree with you VillaAway – there should be constancy throughout the competition which means that VAR should not be used – but then that would disadvantage the Sky 6 and that would never do!
It seems absolutely disgraceful, and beyond rationalising that you can have different refereeing rules applied to the same competition in the same round and same week.
Either VAR is applied to every game, in the competeition, or not applied anywhere.
Surprised that some lawyers haven’t already popped-up to intervene.
VAR should be scrapped totally. When it takes a couple of minutes to get to a decision, then it’s destroying the game. Let the on field officials decide and if they get it wrong then just accept it. Do we really need to ruin the excitement, the instantaneous moments when a goal is scored just so it can be scrutinised by dick and dom in a studio. The Wolves disallowed goal shows that it’s past it’s sell by date. The fact that there has been massive investment in VAR isn’t a reason to keep flogging a dead horse.
Put it back to the fans to vote whether it should be kept or got rid. I would imagine a unanimous verdict to say good riddance.
How about taking a leaf out of rugby unions book, get rid of VAR and introduce the captains challenge?
I totally agree about the Wolves disallowed goal. There was nothing wrong with it, to my mind.
I’ve just heard a great stat. Leeds played 6 games in 10 days in 1970.
And today’s wimps complain about having to play twice a week?
Talking of football of yesteryear Recently watched the 1970 Mexico world cup on the iPlayer and was so impressed by the quality of the football.
Made me think has football really moved forward so much?
Or is it all premier league hype?
Yep, it’s all hype.
Fitness and tactics have improved, but it’s still basically kicking a ball and trying to outscore the opposition.
I’d actually say the game is more boring than it was back then, especially with this constant back and side rubbish.
I’d agree with you totally, nowhere near as exciting.
Players run faster today but back in the day they appear to move the ball faster!
That 1970 world cup program, first game USSR, the gets the ball smashed straight into his head.
What’s he do?
Nothing, carries on although nothing happened. 😁
Can you imagine the hold up today?
The best rule change from yesteryear to now has been goalies not being able to pick ball up from a back pass. It still seems strange watching some of the games back then.
Well that’s not strictly true Holte, if you chest or head it?
Surprised more teams don’t do it.
God yes, the Italians started the back, back, back and then Pool copied it.
The footy was terrible to watch then.
If you remember back in the 70’s & 80’s, Italian football was generally known as being incredibly defensive and boring – I seem to remember that their top division used to consistently come bottom of the table for number of goals across all European leagues, for many years.
You are probably right but I can’t help but to view it through rose coloured glasses 🤓
Lots of changes for today’s game.
Olsen, Cash, Chambers, Bednerak, Augustinsson, Sanson, Dendonker, Luiz, Coutinho, Bailey, Ings (C)
Strength on the bench though including Ramsey, Watkins, Digne, Mings, Kamara, Martinez, Ashley Young and the 16year old winger Young.
Yes, lots of changes, but I’d like to think there’s still enough there to win the game.
Very interested to see how Sanson performs.
That team is still full of PL players, quite a few of them internationals; if they can’t beat Stevenage then there’s something seriously wrong!
Today’s winners will face Stoke away.
At least we avoided Manchester United but would have preferred a home tie
Was thinking exactly the same…
Courtesy of @TheVillaHome;
“Since our last FA Cup win, Villa have been relegated, spent 3 years in the Championship, been promoted, and had 6 different managers.”
Jesus 🙁
That’s match win, not cup win lol.
Quite pathetic really.
Unbelievable.
But saved by VAR
got away with one there……rubbish defending again….
Started poorly yet again – no energy and far too slow.
Stevenage are bound to sit in and try and hit us on the break and we look vulnerable.
Going from bad to worse.
Stevenage looking more likely
Leon bailly is absolutely usless
Bailey is a complete waste of space
78% possession and we’ve done hardly anything with it.
Dublin has just said we’re all very static.
No movement and no effort either.
No wonder I’m saying players need to go.
Sanson 1-0
I want to see the floodgates open now, because I haven’t been impressed at all, this far.
Cracking ball from Luiz then and Bailey slips again.
Villa fans not making much noise and no wonder.
There’s been very little to sing about.
I expect better in the second half.
Bailey is becoming a music hall joke. For his and our sake Emery needs to hook him and put Ramsey on
Putting that team out – a combination that has never been seen by paying spectators is an insult to the Villa Fans and the FA Cup. It seems to be a problem for foreign managers who are perhaps used to their home country’s cup being treated as a stiffs competition. Emery – this isn’t the effing Copa Del Rey. Don’t take the P!
Bailey is playing OLL. He must be taking it seriously 😏