We ran a quick question yesterday simply asking which strikers name should be the first name down on the team sheet and nearly 90% picked John Carew.

It wasn't a surprise that Carew won, I was surprised by the return though. I fancied Gabby would get a few more votes, but it appears the general feeling is he does need a break.

The next question, which I'm not going to put up as a new one is just up, is should Carew start as a lone striker or with a partner. I'll let you comment on that below, but you all know my preferred formation, although I have to admit that I though Gabby was excellent in that role earlier this season.

It's good news for Carew too, as Martin O'Neill is happy that Carew is back to full fitness.

The great thing about it is that John Carew now is getting really properly fit. He played nearly a full game up at Everton. Now, in the little training sessions that he has been doing recently, he has been really sharp. He is really raring to go, which is great.

The two goals he has got after coming on as a substitute will also have given him a big boost of confidence. It is great to see him back when, in actual fact, you probably thought that it might have been really hard work coming back from the injury.

John coming back and firing and going well with confidence high is great. I think that will be a major boost to us.

Martin O'Neill, March 19th 2009

There you go. I think it a fair bet that Carew will start on Sunday and I fancy it might also be five in midfield, although you can never predict what Martin O'Neill will pick.

Comments (62)

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Andrew Murdoch said:

... The other 10% are wrong!

Comment 1, made on March 20, 2009 at 12.39 pm

Anthony Laud said:

... I hope you are right damian. if he doesnt start carew its a joke! I just dont see him dropping Heskey though. I can even see he doing something like heskey wide right just to accomodate him! whats everyones thoughts on the champs league draw? would of hoped arsenal got a tougher draw as if they somehow managed to win it even if we snatch 4th it doesnt matter. can u imagine if we come 4th then having to watch them in the final after to find out our fate!

Comment 2, made on March 20, 2009 at 12.42 pm

Damian said:

... I'd like to see an all England final - United v Liverpool would be great. I know this is going off topic - but it is sort of allowed for now only becasue we all support Villa, but we're football fans too and there is something getting added soon, which will be focused on other football, so we'll let it slide for today

Comment 3, made on March 20, 2009 at 12.47 pm

Chris Harper said:

... I would like Carew to play as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation. I find it hard to imagine that O'Neill would drop both Gabby and Heskey for the same match don't you??

Comment 4, made on March 20, 2009 at 12.48 pm

Adam Reeson said:

... Plus Heskey is his bum boy!

Comment 5, made on March 20, 2009 at 12.56 pm

adam curley said:

... i still think push milner inside and stick gabby on the wing and big john up front with gabby and ash joining the front when needed

Comment 6, made on March 20, 2009 at 1.06 pm

Jonny said:

... "I can even see he doing something like heskey wide right just to accomodate him!" I hope this doesnt happen! Carew has to be on the teamsheet, he just looks like the only player capable of finding the back of the net for us at the moment. But at the same time I think MON will persevere with Gabby - to drop him now would be seen as giving in to the pressure. But then wont we get ripped apart by Liverpool if we play then both up front with 4 in mid? One solution could be to put Gabby on the wing, maybe shift Jimmy to the centre, and have big John on his own... Then again, its Heskey's old club, MON likes him, so wouldnt be surprised if he plays.

Comment 7, made on March 20, 2009 at 1.22 pm

Jonny said:

... Great minds adamskin... I see the Arse have got the easier CL draw again. I'm really starting to hate those bastards

Comment 8, made on March 20, 2009 at 1.24 pm

Simon said:

... oh ye wicked. lets play carew up front by himself, thats gonna win us the game. If I was Rafa Benitez, I'd just push my defence up to the half way line, and play the game in the villa half. we wont be able to keep the ball to play our way out, or hit anyone fast enough to push them back. plus carew has touch of a lamp post. that is a recipe for disaster. no matter how low he is on confidence, agbonlahor is the focal point of our game. thats why its suicidal that some fans boo'd vs spurs. I was there looking at the holte stunned. if we dont get 4th this season, it will be as much the fault of the fans' behavious on that day, as the team and manager. some of the fans need to man up and admit that they may have put the final nail in our champs league coffin themselves!

Comment 9, made on March 20, 2009 at 1.30 pm

adam curley said:

... fans are fans no matter who they support. we pay good money year in year out for tickets and merchandise(even now in current climate)to watch overpaid egotistical players doing fuck all sometimes which is frustrating. did you hear alex ferguson slagging the minority of fans at old trafford the weekend who booed me thinks not.

Comment 10, made on March 20, 2009 at 1.36 pm

adam curley said:

... oh and im not one of the boo brigade btw

Comment 11, made on March 20, 2009 at 1.38 pm

TheColonel said:

... Carew has to start, with gabby preferably

Comment 12, made on March 20, 2009 at 1.40 pm

Michaell Lockey said:

... Heskey on the bench with jc alone. then if we get 2-0 up drop a cm for harewood!!

Comment 13, made on March 20, 2009 at 1.41 pm | url

Simon said:

... you watch them doing fuck all? Since I ve been a season ticket holder the only one player I think I have seen not try his best was Stan Collymore. Everyone else has tried their best in every game; and they need our support and encouragement not our abuse. and to be fair, they still try even when being abused. lesser men would just think fuck it i've signed a fat contract, I dont need this shit, but we are lucky agbonlahor wont. I just hope he doesnt hold it against us when he comes back stronger.

Comment 14, made on March 20, 2009 at 1.46 pm

Michaell Lockey said:

... & they say real news is dead... [quote Villa boss O'Neill: I love singing in shower 20.03.09 | tribalfootball.com Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits he loves to sing in the shower! He says: "My daughters gave me a few modern CDs. I sing along to the Killers, Kasabian, Snow Patrol... bands these days are pretty good." Love it that was on a full page of news!!

Comment 15, made on March 20, 2009 at 1.47 pm | url

adam curley said:

... i dont agree every pl ayer has tried his best every game thats madness no one has been anywhere near as collymore,i agree with that but come on. gabby has an air of arrogance about him which i dont think helps his cause but ffs since the new year hes been dire.

Comment 16, made on March 20, 2009 at 2.29 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... I didn't attend the Spurs game, on way back from London, but watched the game on Sky/Setanta (whatever it was on), and I thought there were ironic cheers when Gabby got subbed, which I thought were aimed at MoN actually making a decision and taking off "golden buy"? I may have been wrong, perhaps the Stella was kicking in but I didn't hear boos - or was that at the end of the game, but then not necessarily aimed at Gabby?

Comment 17, made on March 20, 2009 at 2.52 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... read "golden boy" not "buy"

Comment 18, made on March 20, 2009 at 2.52 pm

Iwan said:

... Has anybody seen the photo on Liverpool's BBC page? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/default.stm

Comment 19, made on March 20, 2009 at 3.14 pm

croni said:

... i'd put carew up front on his own Howvever i'm not too sure whether it's better starting milner on the right, or have gabby on the right hand side, drifting in and behind carew but basically 5 in midfield and drop heskey

Comment 20, made on March 20, 2009 at 3.33 pm

fastbackace said:

... i agree with ademskin, but maybe go this way formation! the brad l young, night, king c, shorey milner, reo, petrov, barry, ash CAREW!! what u think damian?

Comment 21, made on March 20, 2009 at 3.50 pm

Michaell Lockey said:

... Brad F L.Young Davis/Cull Zat Shorey Milner Reo Barry A.Young Gabbi Carew

Comment 22, made on March 20, 2009 at 3.58 pm | url

McParland said:

... Carew should start every game when fit... Fact!

Comment 23, made on March 20, 2009 at 4.10 pm | url

Adey Stuttard said:

... Prefer the fastbackace team to be honest. Chances are Alonso and Mascherano are out so we can boss the midfield, start with JC and bring Gabby on last 20mins when Carragher and Skrtel are fooked!!

Comment 24, made on March 20, 2009 at 4.13 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... Bouma in with a chance of a return? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7937107.stm

Comment 25, made on March 20, 2009 at 4.17 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/h...937107.stm even

Comment 26, made on March 20, 2009 at 4.18 pm

TheMachine said:

... I would go with JC, yes. I think we need to soak up a bit of an early onslaught though so for this reason only, given the recent results of Liverpool, I would drop GA - but only to accommodate a deep pair of midfielders in NRC and SP. Given the game, I'd give GB a bit of a freer role. I'd see GA playing a big part - say, half an hour even if we are ahead to stretch them. That'd see NRC drop to RB if we were chasing the game in a 4-4-2 or playing a Dalian Atkinson type role otherwise, with JM on the outside of him (though I understand the guys who say play JM centrally.

Comment 27, made on March 20, 2009 at 4.30 pm

Greg said:

... drop heskey , go back to 4-5-1 Friedel L.Young Cuellar Davies Bouma/shorey Petrov Milner Barry Agbonlahor A.Young CAREW Subs: Guzan, Knight, Gardner, Sidwell, Delfouneso, Heskey

Comment 28, made on March 20, 2009 at 4.30 pm

TheMachine said:

... i mean GA would play the Atkinson role, not NRC

Comment 29, made on March 20, 2009 at 4.31 pm

Headologist said:

... Methinks we need Carew up front as our most likely scorer and NRC in midfield. NRC will stamp on SG the way he did Ronaldo at VP, and without him their fooked.

Comment 30, made on March 20, 2009 at 5.40 pm

Patrick said:

... First post on the blog after reading for about a year. Think the imputations of laziness addressed at Mr Agbonlahor might have something to do with the sleepy/stoned image of him that appears on the big screen at VP. He looks like he's been doing wacky bottles in the park with his mates! In all fairness I imagine that Gabby is very tired and his confidence has taken a knock. He does have a tendency towards anonymity in recent games but our style of play has altered and he is no longer the "star" and has been forced to adjust. Ultimately, reduced reliance on Gabby chasing everything is a big step in the right direction for the team but it will take him time to become truly effective as part of 4-4-2. I'd go as far as to say this is true of a number of players at the moment. On Sunday I'd like to see JC start as part of a 4-5-1, leaving us with the option of Gabby terrorising Skrtel and Carragher like a pilled up pac man after those pesky ghosts. Definitely don't want to see any bizarre position changes, especially Milner as a right back. Sorry for waffling on, the 4th place dream is still alive!

Comment 31, made on March 20, 2009 at 5.56 pm

George Templeton said:

... Good to see the new blog up and running, Damian. Can we play 4-5-1 with Carew? I am not sure. We know 4-5-1 works with Agbonlahor and even though he is struggling that is the formation I hope to see. No to Heskey as well. My lineup: Friedel Shorey, Davies, Cuellar, L. Young A. Young, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Reo-Coker Agbonlahor Come on Villa don't let the Champions League dream die!

Comment 32, made on March 20, 2009 at 6.13 pm

aka/runner said:

... I think we should go with Carew upfront with Marlon and then maybe with the last twenty mins to go throw on heskey or the Fonz, NRC and Barry in the middle with Barry takeing the free role with A Young on the left and Milner on the right(if after half time we are pushing for a goal then throw Gabby on the right but he does need a rest) Bouma at left back if fit or Shorey if not with Cuellar in the middle with Curtis and L Young at right back and big Bradd in goal. hope everything goes ok Damian up the villa

Comment 33, made on March 20, 2009 at 6.24 pm

Goldie 7 said:

... I'd like to see --- ----- Friedel------- --- -Young-Knight--Cuellar-Shorey- -Young-Milner-Reo-Petrov-Barry- --- -- --- Carew --- --- --- Think about it? Young & Milner could become fantastic right next to each other playing some good 1-2s they'll be thinking twice when marking young knowing Milner is right there to PASS IT to carew!!! So hopefully slot home all the hoofing to heskey needs to stop, i say heskey because i have no doubts in saying both AG & EH will both start sun?? I can pick the team now Friedel,Cuellar,Knight,Davies,Young,Milner,Barry,Petrov ,Heskey, Gabby. If he doesn't make any kind of positive change sorry but we'll lose 3-1

Comment 34, made on March 20, 2009 at 6.42 pm

Brian Kavanagh said:

... the way i see it carew is our most inform striker, and thats from coming off the bench! gabby needs to play off the bench to give him an incentive. Just like martin Jol used to do with robbie keane. Drop him for a few games and he came off the bench raring to go. 5 in the middle is a must for next 2 games even if it is just to contain the opposition.

Comment 35, made on March 20, 2009 at 7.50 pm

daniel wheeler said:

... carew must start. gabby wide right and milner in the middle with barry and petrov.

Comment 36, made on March 20, 2009 at 8.36 pm

SammyVilla said:

... I reckon O'neil should play gabby out of this bad streak. Lets face it, Heskey is no JC. When Gabby plays with Carew he plays a long way better than he does with Heskey I firmly believe that Heskeys place in the side corrolates directly to Gabbys lack of form side for liverpool ... ----------- Friedel ---------- NRC -- Davies -- Cuellar -- L.Young Ash -- Barry -- Petrov -- Milner ------ Gabby -- Carew -------------

Comment 37, made on March 20, 2009 at 8.56 pm

SammyVilla said:

... one more thing, does anybody have any stats on the teams form this season realting to the formatation we play? i seem to remember we had a great streak playing a 4-5-1?

Comment 38, made on March 20, 2009 at 8.57 pm

Alistair said:

... Did this work?

Comment 39, made on March 20, 2009 at 10.00 pm

Alistair said:

... Right carew and reo coker should start carew as lone striker maybe abit of the delboy

Comment 40, made on March 20, 2009 at 10.01 pm

Ramon Maklouf said:

... Sorry I haven't read every reply as I could not really be bothered after a while so if this is repeating someone else then my apolgises. I'm very tempted to say play Carew as a lone striker but the one thing that strikes me is that Carew and Gabby are like chalk and cheese. They are no where near the same type of striker, as such I fear that maybe the 451 formation won't be as effective if we use a bigman instead of a fast striker? I don't think it would be ineffective in the long run, I think it could be an awesome formation by using the wings to get good balls in the middle for Carew, I just think if we were forced to adapt to not only another change in formation, but in the way we applied the formation [instead of providing Gabby through balls or what not, use Carew as a holding man more to supply to wingers] we may struggle against a tactically astute Liverpool defence. I'd be tempted to play Gabby wide but I just feel he needs a rest full stop. He is a great player, and IS A STRIKER but the kid just needs a breather. I know he gets played to play and whatever but he needs a break. If not, I'd play Gabby wide, push Milner in [leaving NRC on the bench] and then if the 451 is not as effective as intended push Gabby forward to partner Carew and push Milner wide again. I hope A Young has a good game. I think he is due. Just to get an idea, anyone's thoughts on a Heskey-Carew front line to start with to weaken the Liverpool defence then letting Gabby rip into them for 20 or so minutes? I don't like it, but I could see MON doing it. For all MON's good, and I love the guy, he gives the impression he has his favourites to me? It would explain a reluctance to change a starting line up even when the chips are down and his persistence to play players who maybe should be rested. Whatever team MON selects, I hope they go out there and belt the Merseryside bastards! YES WE CAN ... pull a few upsets ?

Comment 41, made on March 21, 2009 at 12.03 am

Ramon Maklouf said:

... Lets face it, Heskey is no JC. When Gabby plays with Carew he plays a long way better than he does with Heskey I firmly believe that Heskeys place in the side corrolates directly to Gabbys lack of form I

Comment 42, made on March 21, 2009 at 12.04 am

Ramon Maklouf said:

... Lets face it, Heskey is no JC. When Gabby plays with Carew he plays a long way better than he does with Heskey I firmly believe that Heskeys place in the side corrolates directly to Gabbys lack of form Ok sorry second [maybe third] time lucky. I find some truth in that satement. I think you have a valid point SammyVilla. Gabby seems to flourish when playin with Carew [explains his 9 goals in the first third of the season] but the team seem to prosper when we have one striker? It is a difficult decision. I think Heskey was a dud signing in the end [Yes yu told us RSamVilla]. As I've said, for the first time in a while, MON has sacrificed the way the team plays for the sake of one player. More damage has been done by I think MON tryin to push Heskey back to accomdate for that missing midfielder too. I think a lot of people are slagging MON for his lack of activity in January. I'm probably upset he went an bought someone. If it aint broke, don't fix it. We don't need new signings in my opinon. We were unbeaten when playing 451 I think Sammy. And probably won more games then any other peroid when Sidwell was in the team LOL !

Comment 43, made on March 21, 2009 at 12.11 am

Anthony Laud said:

... Ramonicus - "I'd be tempted to play Gabby wide but I just feel he needs a rest full stop. He is a great player, and IS A STRIKER but the kid just needs a breather. I know he gets played to play and whatever but he needs a break" are u kidding mate! oh poor gabby he played 80 minutes not doing a fat lot against spurs and you are saying he needs a break. prior to that he has had a fk;ing 2 week break and a holiday in Dubai. FFS gabby is just lazy and if he needs a break after he can fk; off in the summer!

Comment 44, made on March 21, 2009 at 6.04 am

David Tyler said:

... Ramonicus, Sorry, not sure if you had any good points - couldn't be bothered to read

Comment 45, made on March 21, 2009 at 9.30 am

rockyvilla said:

... would like to see friedel reo davies carlos luke gabby petrov milner barry ash carew think this would take goalscoring pressure of gabby and give milner the chance to feed off carews scraps.if that didnt work we could swap milner and give ash the free role behind carew.barry and petrov could break up their attacks and feed ash milner or gabby. would give them something to think about by taking game to them.zat too slow for their forwards so would pick davies.will need reo last ditch tackles carlos looks uncomfortable at rb.

Comment 46, made on March 21, 2009 at 9.58 am

Nik Skilton said:

... 4-5-1 - bring back shorey and Carew. 2-0 Villa, followed by a 1-0 at United next week and a 3-0 against the toffees. YES WE CAN

Comment 47, made on March 21, 2009 at 10.34 am

Michaell Lockey said:

... nik986 You the man!!!

Comment 48, made on March 21, 2009 at 11.07 am

James said:

... As it is a new blog, does that mean my self-imposed ban is lifted. Did we lose some of the manic depressives during the move?

Comment 49, made on March 21, 2009 at 11.18 am

Anthony Laud said:

... no nan but we did lose another game!

Comment 50, made on March 21, 2009 at 11.25 am

James said:

... Yeah I noticed that. We are are a bit crap at present to be fair.

Comment 51, made on March 21, 2009 at 11.28 am

James said:

... But hey, the sun is out and there's lager in the fridge.

Comment 52, made on March 21, 2009 at 11.29 am

Keith said:

... Welcome back Nan

Comment 53, made on March 21, 2009 at 11.30 am

James said:

... Cheers Keef. Good to be back.

Comment 54, made on March 21, 2009 at 11.41 am

peter haworth said:

... Just found the site,nice to see it back,have missed it.I would like to see Carew start on his own upfront with Gabby and Heskey on bench. 5 in midfield with Davies/Cuellar centre of defence and Shorey given a chance to work with Ash,Young and Milner on the right would give a nice balance.Be nice if we could nick a 0-1.Up the Villa.

Comment 55, made on March 21, 2009 at 12.46 pm

Michaell Lockey said:

... Stuck at work till 4 but i have juswt got given a ticket to go watch the newcastle match so after work i'll have a work up to St James and have a few drinks. may as well go see how the rivals are playing! Hopeing Newcaastle get atleast a point so we have a better chance tomorrow.!!!

Comment 56, made on March 21, 2009 at 2.08 pm

George Templeton said:

... Good to see everyone coming back! I think you are spot on about Carew in the 4-5-1 Ramonicus. Not sure he could be as effective as Gabby has been in that set up.

Comment 57, made on March 21, 2009 at 3.11 pm

celtic_villain said:

... cant see him dropping gabby after the reaction he got. if the fans at the game wanted him to be dropped i think an ironic cheer was the worst thing that could be done. milner in the middle worth a punt? id go for friedel young cuellar/davies(if fit) knight shorey petrov barry milner gabby ash carew but itll prob be friedel reo coker zat cuellar young milner barry petrov ash heskey gabby hope im wrong and we get something from the game!

Comment 58, made on March 21, 2009 at 3.26 pm | url

Martin Clabon said:

... If it's good enough for Nan it's good enough for me! There's still people on the Ole site who haven't located you yet Damo, don't know if you are allowed to do a blanket email or if OLE will sue your ass if you directly approach with data collected on their site? I had to rely on a geordie to tell me what was going on which is always dangerous (thanks Mlockey) I would hate to think we had lost the likes of VillaBiker and Churchill for ever. Nobody tell taglor though!

Comment 59, made on March 21, 2009 at 6.38 pm

Damian said:

... SidCowanslovechild I'm not going to pro-actively step on what O****e are doing now - while they might like slagging me off and promoting that, I think it a little childish and immature and very unprofessional. Basically, this is a blog and if people want to be part of it, read it, contribute they can. What is going on over at O****e now is embarrassing and well, I'm glad they terminated my agreement now.

Comment 60, made on March 22, 2009 at 10.20 am

Martin Clabon said:

... Damo, fair play. The playground stuff going on is ridiculos but to be honest as I'm sure you've seen there are plenty of "your regulars" posting pretty immature stuff on Ole. Still, takes all sorts I gues - will die down soon no doubt

Comment 61, made on March 22, 2009 at 1.59 pm

Damian said:

... SidCowanslovechild It will die down soon enough, but I dont want to get involved in it. I'll leave it to those at O****e that feel it's good for their business to act like that.

Comment 62, made on March 22, 2009 at 2.07 pm

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