Written by Damian Saturday, 02 January 2010 12:59
Morning all and happy new year. Nothing was posted yesterday as the only news doing the rounds was that of Martin O'Neill talking about Ashley Young diving and I for one agree with the manager - Young doesn't dive. He does however go down easy and quite a few times when he is down he has an injury which is miraculously gone a few moments later.
He also likes to act the big lad and go face to face with other players and he isn't he big lad and actually if he did that outside of the protected environment of a football match, the little rascal would get beaten up. He does certain things he doesn't need to do and yes Martin, he does have a reputation for feigning injury and going down easy, but he does it well and it is an art.
FA Cup Saturday
I'm going to predict it now; boring game. Naturally, now I have predicted that I will be completely wrong, but I just fancy that both managers will have an eye on Tuesday and that both managers will quite possibly be resting players specifically for Tuesday.
Now, I'm old fashioned and think you should go all out to win every match, but I also know that even if we beat Blackburn we will go out in the next round or the one after. I also know that the chances of us reaching a final this season are very high, if we do things right and when you are in a final, absolutely anything can happen.
However, this isn't just me guessing, the manager has as good as said he will be resting players, so it really is a case of who gets rested? We will know in a few hours and we will publish the team as soon as we get it, but expect Collins to start I think.
We will also be adding a few links to a few other places closer to kick off and will be running a sort of commentary here and from Twitter. I say sort of, because chances are you will be watching it or listening to it so you don't need detail from me on the cross that never came in.
It will mostly be banter, but hopefully a laugh. So, until time for team news, your predictions please. I'm going to say a 2-1 home win and a fantastic performance from Albrighton.
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Damian
said:
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... ay those three - good call i mean, o'neill isn't taking this tournament seriously, he has as good as said so, so we might as well ... |
dave210
said:
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... I reckon the team today should be Guzan, Beye, Collins, Clark, Warnock, Albrighton, Delph, Sidwell, Coker, Delfouneso, Gabby |
jc_villa
said:
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... does anyone know whether it will be on tv anywhere? I know villa streams havnt got it today. Im going for 1 - 0 to villa. |
Sam Vicary
said:
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... Lets hope we're back to winning ways today so we are full of confidence for the CC and EPL coming up,,,so important these few games, it could define our season. 1-0 Villa, Gabby coming off the bench to score! |
Damian
said:
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... Nanwasafan because o'neill has as good as thrown in the towell i know some that are not going becasue of this ... why should they bother if he cant be |
Adey Stuttard
said:
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... I'm snowed in so can't get to the game - 2 tickets in the Lower Holte anyone? dave210, agree with the team but would go for Young in a 5 man midfield, give the Fonz a go on his own upfront. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Is it such a bad thing if we aren't really interested? I know it's the FA Cup, but we have to look at the bigger picture. We're already in the Semi Final of another cup competition, so that represents a far better chance of success. We're involved in a very tight race for 4th and currently the squad is still too small to go all guns blazing in 3 competitions. MON has to prioritise, and in my opinion it's hard to argue with the decision he's made. |
Damian
said:
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... vivavilla we can all see what he is doing and we know why i think the point that annoys some people is that this is his 4th season and we are still doing this when did aston villa football club become bigger than the FA cup? |
Adey Stuttard
said:
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... viva, People on here are always arguing that the like of Delph and Delfouneso should be given a chance in the Premier league - every league game is massive, and we can't afford these "gambles". Today is the time for MoN to say to the fringe players that this is their competition and to give them a run, and rest the main players for the Carling Cup. As mentioned above, I would like to see a few bench players today, shame Gardner is still injured. |
Adey Stuttard
said:
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... Damian, A lot of clubs disrespect both the FA and Carling Cup and have done for many years, so why shouldn't we when there are more important games to concern ourselves with? |
Damian
said:
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... 1874AVFC personally, i would prefer there was a more structured approach to giving fringe players a chance, as in; give them 30 minutes towards the end of a match or rather than make wholesale changes to a team, make them one at a time, for example, one match out of every two give webcam or downing a rest then play albrighton. basically the young lads gets games but the more senior players get a rest - with an opportunity to come on with 30 minutes to go same could be said for other players. it appears to be all or nothing with o'neill - which i just think is very blinkered |
Michael
said:
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... guzan young collins dunne warnock downing delph petrov young carew gabby bouma to cum on at half time for warnock albrighton to cum on in the 85th minute for downing reo-coker to cum on in the 90th minute for delph 2-1 villa with gabby and delph scoring for us and roberts to score for them |
Damian
said:
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... 1874AVFC yes, i know. my point is, when did we become to big for it? if we were playing in the champions league semi final or really competing for the league, i'd understand ... but we are not |
Adey Stuttard
said:
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... Damian, I see your point, but we never have the flexibility to bring on fringe players during the league do we? Every game is a nail biter that can go either way, and bringing on an Albrighton or Delph will not improve the 11 on the pitch. If we were winning 3-0 or so with 30 mins to go, then yes I'm sure MoN would make the changes, but we never have that domination. |
scott harwood
said:
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... disagree damian.mon has said he is desperate for us to stay in the competition.where have u heard hes not interested? |
Damian
said:
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... Guzan; Beye, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock; Downing, Delph, Reo-Coker, A Young; Delfouneso, Heskey. Subs: Dunne, Friedel, Sidwell, Carew, Albrighton, Petrov, L Young. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... It's not a case of being too big for it, MON would probably say you couldn't be further from the truth. It's about prioritising. If we weren't in the Carling Cup, we'd field a stronger side. It's all well and good saying play the youngsters more often, but it's too big a risk. You might say, how will we know if they're any good if they don't play? Well, you're right, but that still doesn't detract from the fact it's a big risk that we can't really afford to take. I'm sure in a perfect world MON would have the youngsters playing regularly, but as things stand we need our best players on the pitch as often as possible. |
oldvillan
said:
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... mon never bothers with subs for prem games and when he makes changes for cup games everyone thinks he is throwing in the towell,proves one point our squad is not strong enough to compete at a serious level. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... I quite like that side, though I'm baffled he's put Young back in and not gone with Albrighton. Good to see Dunne get a rest and Collins come back in though. Also great opportunity for Delph & Delf. |
Michael
said:
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... nice to see dafonz and delph starting - would have been good to see albrighton instead of young tho |
James
said:
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... I'm quite sad about it really. 3rd round day used to be one of the big ones in the football year. However, I understand that we need to use our squad. |
Steve Clayton
said:
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... I like the changes and think they we're needed. Petrov looked heavy legged against Liverpool, Milner will run all day so needs a rest for his won good and Gabby has shouldered the movement upfront on his own for most games this season. It will be interesting to see how well Cuellar plays alongside Collins. |
Sam Vicary
said:
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... I like that team, should be interesting. Also, by playing fringe players in games like this should actually work in a more positive way as you'd expect the ones stepping in would want to make a real impression, and give their all where as the 'favourites' may go through the motions. Shame Albrighton didn't get the nod to start, i really think the lad has potential as he's quick and has an awesome delivery! |
Mike Carter
said:
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... I think if we all put hand on heart we'd probably still expect even this side to beat any Blackburn side. As it turns out it looks like Allardyce is prioritising exactly the same way as O'Neill, so it should be a weakened Blackburn side. |
Adey Stuttard
said:
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... Nan, I agree, it is quite sad, but the starting eleven and bench is good enough to win any tie, so MoN hasn't really thrown in the towel on it, and some of our senior players do need a rest, big month ahead. |
Greg
said:
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... We need to rotate our squad at some stage. This is a good opportunity to give the young lads a run out without much pressure. Plus blackburn are doing the exact same so we will also play an understrength b'burn side and 3 days later a full strenghth so i really hate all this negative inneundo against the manager 'throwing in the towel' i think talk like that is bollox |
Damian
said:
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... vivavilla i hear what you are saying and i know exactly what o'neill will say and i know it will all 'feel right' but this is his 4th season and playing kids, not all at once, but putting faith in them to come in and make an impact, is all part of football management - if they don't get given the chance they will never be good enough as for having best players on the pitch - i'll just revert back to my 'this is his 4th season' line again - i could understand someone saying that in his 2nd season, but not his 4th we will always disagree, or there will always be disagreements on this subject and both arguments will stand up well but its just about what you want. it might be that blackburn beat us today and they get to the final of the league cup - then resting players today would have been a mistake or, even if we rest players and get through we could lost the league cup or hell, we might lose in the final - my point is, in his 4th season - he shouldn't be making wholesale changes - he should be bringing in players to give other players a rest throughout the whole season - if that is even needed |
stephen
said:
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... i still maintain this team is pretty good Fonz hattrick  followed up by a brace by the mule |
Sam Vicary
said:
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... Just noticed its pretty much the team i wanted him to start with bar just 2 - Albrighton for Ash and Clark for Cuellar.... Little Brad Beye Collins Clark Warnock Albrighton NRC Delph Downing Heskey Delforneso I think Ash will have a good game tonight!! |
Damian
said:
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... Greg Davillain1887 dont think you will get a link - not on tv 1874AVFC yes - i think it is isn't it. or have i lost it? |
Michael
said:
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... yea its his 4th season - also randys 4th season - when was the last villa manager to make it past the 4th season? iv never been a fan of fa cup weekend. i only get excited when its the final but thats lost its excitement now its on itv. |
Mark
said:
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... Blackburn are supposed to be resting their best players too. The Carling Cup semi final is of greater value to us. By resting our top players shows we are taking a minor cup seriously. I still think we'll beat Blackburn convincingly. |
Damian
said:
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... blackburn team: 32 Brown 05 Givet 21 Olsson 27 Salgado 28 Jones 39 Chimbonda 08 Dunn 16 Reid 18 Diouf 22 Kalinic 26 Di Santo |
Greg
said:
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... damn thats a pity, i still havent seen delph play a full match, i was really looking forward to this, aw well il have to get up out of bed now and head down to the pisser!! talk to ye later dudes |
Damian
said:
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... every single player today apart from two are martin o'neill signings. albrighton and delfouneso interesting |
stephen
said:
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... pretty good for a manager who is shite in the transfer window (i'm joking, before i get abused  ) |
Michael
said:
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... could say that about most teams having only 2 players that there manager hasnt bought in, not just MON's team. |
chrisb
said:
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... Damian-remind yourself that we have been playing the same 11 players (pretty much) for a while now. Even multi millionaires become tired especially after 2 energy sapping and deflating defeats against Arse and red scousers. With a massive game on tuesday its fully understandable. Why not give Randy a call if you think you've got some wisdom to offer MON? |
Damian
said:
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... chrisb yep - i am well aware of that, christ, all i've said is that you might actually think that in his 4th season he'd have more than 11 players to pick from |
fastbackace
said:
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... no, stream, hell not even audio. sad day for me, hopefully villa can pull out a win. |
fastbackace
said:
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... special note, im from the states, its hard normally to get villa, let alone anything with real football. not that pigskin crap my country watches.  |
(to villa)
chrisb
said:
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... Damian. Tbh i dont think you really know what your original point was. BTW i am not Christ but thanks anyway! |
Car Frost
said:
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... My god we've had almost 70% posession so far .. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/h...433987.stm Craigy1874 - I agree with you.. thought we really missed him against Liverpool and looked flat. I dare say there's 2 marking him today which should free us space for others. |
Damian
said:
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... chrisb so you are one of them that just list to score points. my original point is quite clear. 4th season and wholesale changes instead of using the squad. fantastic management |
Michael
said:
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... soz craig - thought u were just talkin about this game. he isnt as good as the past 2 seasons tho now his style has been sussed. |
Damian
said:
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... Like this from the BBC live text: 20:18 Ashley Young takes a shot. Jason Brown makes a save. |
Oli
said:
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... Yes the main man Fonzy has scored again...everytime hes on the pitch i feel as though hes going to score. Another Young assist aswell, yes he may not be skinning players left right and centre, but thats three assists in the last 5 games if im correct. and all three could be match winning crosses. |
Car Frost
said:
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... Bobby Zamora anyone? I always had him down as Harewood mark 2, maybe I was wrong.. |
George Templeton
said:
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... I don't know Damian to me Ashley Young does dive and he needs to stay on his feet. To me when he is trying to score or set someone up instead of playing for a free kick or penalty then he is a better player. |
Craig Elliot
said:
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... damo villa website put it more like this "Great work from NRC - breaks up play and moves forward. Finds Ash Young - one-on-one with goalkeeper Jason Brown, but can't finish. So, so close to 2-0. |
Michael
said:
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... if the game is as one sided as it sounds then these are the games teams usually lose and is followed by people saying they should have been 4-0 up at half time but instead they have lost 2-1. |
Damian
said:
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... Craigy1874 that is better ... George Templeton i dont think he dives like say gerrard or rooney dive without contact - i think he makes the most of it .. which i dont like. i also dont like the feigning injury all the time or going face to face with someone thinking he is had as nails |
Michael
said:
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... every time u see young hes always pulling his scks up and re-adjusting his tongue on his boots and his shinpads. |
George Templeton
said:
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... Damian I certainly agree with you about that. But to me its still a dive. And you are dead on about squaring up to people too! |
Steve Clayton
said:
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... Considering we score alot of goals from set-pieces we haven't got anyone who can consistently put a decent ball in. If we did, we would score far more goals - not great to watch though. Young maybe one decent cross a game but that's not good enough, he overhits most dead balls. |
longman
said:
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... Damo, on BBC it says NRJ and he got booked for it too. Nevermind tho, Guzan saved his a$$ and now super Carlos has done the job! 2-0! |
Damian
said:
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... 1874AVFC against ten men - in a match we were not that really fussed with .. surely we can bring on a couple more players now and rest maybe young and downing?? |
Chris Platt
said:
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...im from the states, its hard normally to get villa, What the hell are you on mate-you don't get FSC, Setanata or ESPN2? Both the games against Arsenal and Liverpool were on?!?!?! |
longman
said:
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... Damo, not wanting to start a row, but do you still think bad management by MON, seems to be going swimmingly so far... |
Villa4Life11
said:
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... Not so fast Damian....Remember how Blackburn scored the winner against us with 10 men before? If we pull Young and DJ really early and Blackburn get lucky and somehow score a goal or 2 we might be in trouble. I'd wait til the 60-70 minute mark |
Damian
said:
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... longman i dont necessarily think it is bad management - like i've said above - i can fully understand why he is doing it my frustration is that he has to do this in his 4th season - and lets not forget blackburnn had made 9 changes to their team - so they were not taking it seriously either but, you must agree that now would be a good time for o'neill to bring on albrighton for 45 minutes and give maybe downing a little rest? or maybe even do it for 2 players ... |
Michael
said:
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... theers only albrighton to bring on now tho. no point bringin on sidwell as he will replace 2 players who dont need resting (delf and coker) and bring carew on for heskey. mon should have put a few more youngsters on the bench. |
jc_villa
said:
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... hope mon brings on albrighton at some point. Maybe for downing hes looked a little tired in the last few games which is understandable |
Adey Stuttard
said:
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... Damian, I get your point, need the 3rd really don't we? Then bring on Sidders and Albrighton, or Young at LB, move Warnock to LM? |
Damian
said:
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... Villa4Life11 but - blackburn have made 9 changes to their team today (so not taking it seriously) and they are down to 10 men. i'm not talking about making huge changes or formation changes - maybe just one player for one player who plays the same position dont get me worng - if we were taking the tournament seriously or balckburn had a full strenght team (even just 10 of them) i'd not be suggesting it - but we are not and neither are they or do they .. |
fastbackace
said:
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... cleveland- only espn 2 but i think next year i might pick up fsc. but normally, i have to use the Internet to watch my games. my brother hates how i cut into his world of warcraft time. |
George Templeton
said:
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... Well this first half couldn't get any better. Get the third and then like you said 1874, start subbing some players off. |
Steve Clayton
said:
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... Young having 1 good game doesn't change the fact he is having a poor season and his delivery has been largely disappointing. Stick most players on the wing and they wil eventually get a good ball in. I hope he rediscovers his form and think he will but I stand by my original post. As for his diving............ |
Chris Platt
said:
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...only espn 2 If you pick up the sports pack with FSC, you get Setanta, and Setanta extra. You get at least 4 live games every Saturay, and the 2 or 3 that are played on Sunday, plus FSC is going HD in a couple of weeks |
Michael
said:
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... weve only made 3 major changes in delph, delf and guzan so cant see why we aint taking it seriously. and guzan isnt gonna play in the leageu when we have friedel, delph cost us 6million so was bought in to play atleast the cup games an ddelf proved last season that he is a talented goal scorer - we wanted players rested, players have been rested and tehers still people moaning. Poor MON - who'd be a manager. |
Mark
said:
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... Can we please rest Gabby for a few more games and leave the Wonderkid FONZ to do his stuff. He looks a natural goalscorer. |
jc_villa
said:
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...Can we please rest Gabby for a few more games and leave the Wonderkid FONZ to do his stuff. He looks a natural goalscorer. I agree with you to an extent. I think gabby should start but if we go behind and the opposition arn't pushing, gabbys pace becomes useless. Thats when we need to put the fonz on to try an change the game slighly |
scott harwood
said:
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... typical just found out our first leg is on sky and manutd/cities on bbc1.ive only got espn!do u reckon the return legs will swap round?how are we playing?missed the 1st half,got shit loads of revision! |
Michael
said:
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... not another change to our team - were definitely not taking this cup seriously...... |
Mark
said:
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... Provided we don't draw one of the Top 2 next round I reckon we might get a good run in this cup too, especially if we get a home tie for a change. |
Michael
said:
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... we dnt need a replay - i cant be arsed to watch villa v blackburn 6 times in 1 season. |
Mark
said:
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... Villa4Life11 said: ... Told ya Damian. Blackburn are deadly with 10 men Eat some garlic and put a cross yourself!! |
Michael
said:
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... Villa4life - blackburn couldnt be called deadly even if the grimreaper played for them! |
Oli
said:
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... ah i knew it man..everytime we bring sidwell on things go pearshaped. same thing happened against liverpool. its like the middle of the park parts like the red sea when hes on and the opposition has a free run on our defence. |
mikey18
said:
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... I think the team we are playing is strong. Guzan, Collins and NRC are more than apt replacements for Friedel, Dunne and Petrov. I also think Beye, Delph and Delf deserve a chance to show what they can do. |
Damian
said:
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... mikey18 i agree with you - i think collins could come in at any time and give cuellar or dunne a rest and reo-coker could do the same with stan petrov but i also think that beye can replace young at right back and the likes of delf and albrighton should be given opportunities with 30 minutes to go normally or when a player (young in the last game) is suspended - change players rather than formation |
Gallie
said:
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... Have we ever kept a clean sheet with Collins in the team. Not saying I don't rate him as I do but I just believe that all our clean sheets this season have been without him |
Simon
said:
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... Just got in and missed all the action so far. What have i missed, are we on top or are 10-man BB looking good for an equiliser |
Greg Hill
said:
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... Why aren't all your posters down the game! couldn't go today but surprised how many don't actually go. So never like commenting but generically: But Squirrel on Young Stick most players on the wing and they will eventually get a good ball in. No they don't. Without Young's crosses this year we would have seriously fewer points and be mid table. Man Utd/Chesea? His whipped in ball is the best in the league and he's still the first name on our team sheet. |
mikey18
said:
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... Damian it could be said that MoN is abit unorthodox in his methods, but I would say that he watches the players week in week out in training and in the reserves and he knows the demands of football at the highest level. If he doesn't think Albrighton is ready then i'm not going to argue with it. But then again it might not be a issue of ability for the younger lads but maybe they don't possess the physical presence or something like that. What I think is the biggest message from todays game is that Gardner isn't even on the bench, which I think spells the end for him. This is a shame because I think he has a lot in his favour a great shot and a tenacity which can't be taught. |
Villa4Life11
said:
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... We really can't afford a replay. I wonder if a team has ever played another team 6 times in a season?? How are we looking? Anyone have any idea? I don't get how Sunderland v Barrow has a link, but a matchup of two PL teams doesnt |
Steve Clayton
said:
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... Greg1981 - If you watch the highlights then Young will look good, watch the whole game and 9 times out of 10 his final ball is poor and normally floats over everybody for a goal kick. |
Sam Vicary
said:
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... Greg - I'm also in the middle east as my name sugests...bit of a trek for a mid-week, 3rd round FA cup game  |
mikey18
said:
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... Gallie we have kept 7 clean sheets all season. Collins has been at the club for 6 and played 90mins for 2, against Birmihgham and Portsmouth. He also played for 29mins against united. I personally think Collins could be are best centre back. |
dave210
said:
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... I am a season ticket holder, just haven't gone today, going to Ewood on Tuesday though so that'll be good |
Sean
said:
 |
... Villa's attendance is always pretty poor if you ask me. How often do we actually fill it. Whats the point expanding it? |
Michael
said:
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... i did question the signing of collins but have been impressed with him - i think any of our 4 central defenders are very strong. |
henrydouble
said:
 |
... BBC live text: Steve Sidwell takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar. You've got to love him haven't you... haha |
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