Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Risso on August 16, 2010, 12:09:19 PM
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Tricky game this - 1-1 I reckon.
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A continuation of Saturday for me, but only just. 1-0 or 2-1 i reckon.
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I'll go with 1-1 draw.
Cuellar to play if fit for the European experience and Gabby as his pace may be crucial for the break aways. Clark and carew to sit out.
I'd also play NRC if Milner is sold by then. Would playing make him cup tied for the group stages?
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2-1 to Rapid, but we'll comfortably do them at home
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A should win game for me, though a score draw would be a good result too.
I don't reckon we'll weaken the side too much - nor should we - but we might see Milner drop out, plus a couple of other changes? Perhaps Gabby or Emile for JC? Might be a good game for NRC to play.
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Score draw, then hammer them at home.
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More of the same
we will rip them a new orifice
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1-0 Villa win
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Without wanting to tempt fate I can't see anything but a Villa win.
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They've just lost their best player to Rangers and they're mediocre at best, Villa win.
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This game will see me legging it home from work to try and catch the kick-off.
I'll go for 1-1.
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They've just lost their best player to Rangers and they're mediocre at best, Villa win.
Not. Jelavic doesnt switch to Rangers.
It depands on whether Jelavic plays or not. Because of Rapids bad defense Villa will win 1-0 in Vienna.
If anyone needs anything (local knowledge...) contact me.
The atmosphere will be even better than last year.
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Villa win. 0-1 Albrighton shot from edge of box....
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1-1 Carew for us, I want to keep my 100% record so far this season
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I thought we would have an easy win last year and was proven horribly wrong, but I think we have more experience and won't make the same mistakes again, so I'm going for a 2-1 win, with us eventually going through 5-2 on aggregate.
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I think/hope it will be a draw - preferably a score draw
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Rapid Vienna 0-2 Aston Villa
Albrighton
Delfouneso
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A relatively young team will go to Austria and put on a performance to be proud of.
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I've gone for a draw but hope for a win.
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What'll the team be? I think a mix of youth and experience, but I'm not sure how it will manifest itself. Maybe Bannan and Weimann will come in?
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1-0 Vienna in this leg. Though another 3-0 romping for us in the home fixture.
Anyone on here going?
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It will be interesting to see if we play the kids, like O'Neill was planning to do.
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Away goal is vital, as we found out last year losing 1-0 away is a very bad result in Europe, whereas losing 2-1 is not too bad.
Having said that I fancy 1-1.
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I think it will be 2-1 to the villa with a.young scoring first and carew the second.
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must get a goal in the away leg.
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What team do we reckon KMac will go with? Nige, Delfouneso and Heskey to start?
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It'll be difficult seeing as their season satrted in mid-July so they will be ahead of us on the fitness stakes. but, its easy to forget that we were poor defensively twice against them last season and that was without Warnock, Young, Dunne, and whoever will play as centre-half next to Dunne. I expect us to win boith legs this one 2-0, or 2-1.
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3-0 to villa.
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What team do we reckon KMac will go with? Nige, Delfouneso and Heskey to start?
I can see Nige coming in for Milner and givng some exta bite in the away leg. Maybe even swapping roles with Stan
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Yep, 1-1.
Which should set us up nicely.
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Maybe a more straightforward 4-2-3-1, Stan and NRC genuinely holding the midfield for the away leg? Then we could perhaps play a couple of the younger 'uns in the 3, let's say Albrighton, Weimann and Bannan, with maybe Carew or Heskey offering them support and experience in that role? Probably not, I'd say Young will play.
One thing's for sure: it's nice not to know exactly what team and what system will play.
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Is this being shown on tv??
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Is this being shown on tv??
Yep itv4 5.30 pm
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Is this being shown on tv??
Yep itv4 5.30 pm
This means nothing to me.
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Is this being shown on tv??
Yep itv4 5.30 pm
This means nothing to me.
Woooooah Vienna!
I predict that I'll be full of pure Germanic beer by around 2pm in the afternoon.
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Can't see TM feeling he has the licence to play a team of kids andperhaps get us knocked out of Europe. I'm guessing:
Friedel - Young, Cuellar / Dunne, Clarke, Warnock - NRC, Petrov - Albrighton, Young, Downing - Heskey
Subs: Guzan, Beye, Cuellar / Dunne, Sidwell, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Carew
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The good thing about KMac being in charge at the moment is that he knows what his reserves are capable of. Somehow I don't think MON really did.
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Not sure about this game, they could still be a real handful, but think we'll do them at home and on aggregate.
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Revenge time. I'd expect us to put them away, but nothing's certain with KMac.
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Revenge time. I'd expect us to put them away, but nothing's certain with KMac.
Is anything in life certain?
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Is this being shown on tv??
Yep itv4 5.30 pm
This means nothing to me.
Woooooah Vienna!
Oh, "Shaddap You Face"
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Wouldn't it be good to silence their noisy support .............
Have to admit the atmosphere created by them last season was memorable
I've faith that KMac can set up a team to bring em back to VP and possibly progress on away goals
2-2 with Richie and Carew on target
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this will be my hope
2-0 Milner to score both and after match declare he is staying at Villa but only if Big Mac gets the job!
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I'm going for a Rapid 1-0 win, scored in the dying minutes.
Then we qualified for the group stage by thrashing them 4-1 in the return leg.
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1-1 for me, Carew to score.
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I think we'll win 1-0 with a mega impressive Friedel display.
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........................Friedel.....................
L.Young....Dunne....Clark....Warnock
Albrighton...NRC....Petrov...A.Young
..............Weimann...........................
..................................Carew...........
Subs: Guzan, Lichaj, Cuellar, Downing, Bannan, The Fonz, Gabby
I think again a nice mix of experience and youth. Give Weimann a start against his old club, I'm sure he'll be up for it. I think Luke should keep his RB spot, hopefully to make him realise where his future lays. Bring in NRC if Milner doesn't feature and hopefully Gabby will be fit enough to play some part.
I predict 1-2 Villa!
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Just depends how much we (The Club) wants this. I would be interested to know who is calling the shots for this game as in how we are treating this comp'. Kevin Mac all on his own? Or has Randy had a word in his shell like to the effect of "Oi, we actually wanna win this cup this time".
I think it will be a fairly strong team, keep the momentum going. Draw away, win at home...job's a good 'un.
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......................Friedel
Young....Dune...Clark...Warnock
Albrighton..NRC...Petrov..Downing
.................Young
................Carew
Basically the team from Saturday with NRC in for Milner
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I'd start Milner.
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We can't mess with too much inexperience in this round. We need to get through this into the group stage and then we will have a number of games where we can mix and match. I'd keep the same side as Saturday, or if Milner's gone, then play NRC as the holding midfielder with Petrov playing further forward.
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I'd start Milner.
If he's still at the club, I'd start him without a shadow of a doubt.
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Would starting Milner make him cup tied? And is anywhere in Brum showing this game on TV as I am due to get off a train about ten minutes before kick off.
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RV 1 AV 2
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We'll nick it 1-0. Milner 42.
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We'll nick it 1-0. Milner 42.
Might wanna rethink the scorer now....;-)
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We'll nick it 1-0. Milner 42.
Might wanna rethink the scorer now....;-)
Ireland 42 :)
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We'll nick it 1-0. Milner 42.
Might wanna rethink the scorer now....;-)
Ireland 42 :)
Not registered
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Milner won't be playing in this one unless of course he fails the medical
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The one thing for me that makes me feel confident about this and other European games is the style of football associated with KMac. It's all about keeping the ball, being patient when necessary and creating the chances, basically 21st century football. It'll be a good test, especially after West Ham and ideal preparation for Sid James Park.
MON's team may have been dull and one dimensional but they were excellent at grinding out results. My only doubt is when we are really tested can KMac get us to defend like lions for 85 minutes and still sneak a win.
I'll go for a 1-0 Villa win.
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The one thing for me that makes me feel confident about this and other European games is the style of football associated with KMac. It's all about keeping the ball, being patient when necessary and creating the chances, basically 21st century football. It'll be a good test, especially after West Ham and ideal preparation for Sid James Park.
MON's team may have been dull and one dimensional but they were excellent at grinding out results. My only doubt is when we are really tested can KMac get us to defend like lions for 85 minutes and still sneak a win.
I'll go for a 1-0 Villa win.
I agree, this is a big test. A lot of eyebrows have been raised after the weekend. MON teams were very good away from home, and found a way to get results. We can't play open football all the time, so I'd like for us to retain some of the counter attacking aspects of our game from the MON era.
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I don't think we'll need to defend like Lions against this lot. They weren't much cop last year don't forget.
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I wasn't referring to Thursday Ads, just in the future. I'm delighted Mike Bassett has gone and believe we'll finally start playing to our potential. It was great to see a Villa team turn up for more than 45 minutes on Saturday. The senior players seem to want to compete in the Europa League, I just hope we don't just use the competition for giving some of the younger players experience. It will be a tough game but I'm sure we'll have too much for them.
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I think if we can keep it tight early on (remembering last year!) then we'll be able to weather what they throw at us. Last year it felt like an FA Cup tie at their place. Their fans were well up for it too and the atmosphere built on the promise of their early goal.
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NRC in for Milner for this one I reckon.
Any news on the injury front? Collins and Gabby are presumably not match fit anyway?
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Just realised this is a stupid o'clock kick off. Is it being shown on TV anywhere?
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Just realised this is a stupid o'clock kick off. Is it being shown on TV anywhere?
ITV 4.
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Just realised this is a stupid o'clock kick off. Is it being shown on TV anywhere?
ITV 4.
Cheers.
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A "weakened" squad travelling to Vienna according to BBCWM on twitter!
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When is the squad announced? Can't be far off as they should be travelling out today.
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Carew and Young not travelling (plus also Dunne as he is suspended) according to 5 Live.
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Bugger thats a bit of a blow
Guzan
Young L
Beye
Clark
Warnock
Albrighton
Petrov
NRC
Downing
Bannan
Fonz
that is a pretty weak set up if that all we have
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That should be strong enough. Its a good team.
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Heskey and Fonz uptop I reckon.
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Good enough not to get hammered and to nick a goal. That's what counts as an away win in Europe, apparently
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Confirmed, no Dunne, Carew, Ashley Young or Petrov.
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I'd go for:
Guzan
Lichaj Davis Clark Warnock
Albrighton Reo-coker Downing Bannan
Weimann Heskey
Subs:Friedel, Beye, Baker,
Lowry, Osbourne, Hogg/Collins Jnr,
Delfouneso,
Spare: Collins Jnr or Hogg
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Hope the lads will take it seriously enough ...don't underestimate Rapid's power round the spirit of
Saint Hanappi even if the home leg will be an easy game.
Big teams and names failed there in history. Hope Weimann plays he'd score as he knows the ground ;)
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Confirmed, no Dunne, Carew, Ashley Young or Petrov.
Fucking ridiculous. Save everybody's time and effort and just tell UEFA we don't want to partake rather than mess the paying fans about....
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Just had a text from my mate to say that Luke Young has boarded his train to London at Birmingham International.
Perhaps they didn't tell him he wasn't selected until he got to the airport.
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Confirmed, no Dunne, Carew, Ashley Young or Petrov.
Fucking ridiculous. Save everybody's time and effort and just tell UEFA we don't want to partake rather than mess the paying fans about....
Dunne had a knock which he shook off for internationals and the opening day. The others, who knows, but we should have enough anyway. Disappointed about Petrov especially not playing, though, you'd have thought he'd be the key continous link in the team.
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I'm in two minds about this. Taking into account we have 3 games in the next 9 days, i can
understand the thinking behind it. Then again, the way we played on Saturday, i would
have thought he'd have wanted to keep the momentum going.
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So, who comes in for the missing players? NRC for Petrov is a natural change. Maybe a straight 4-4-2 with Fonz and Heskey for Ash and Carew? Sidwell for Milner isn't great, but I'd go with it. My main concern would be Dunne's replacement, unless Cuellar, Davies or Collins are fit it's Beye, and a CB pairing of Clark and Beye worries me.
This will be a good test of Kevin Mac's credentials if he can get a result with this weakened squad!
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A non inspriring but very efficient 1-0 win. Ash with the goal.
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A non inspriring but very efficient 1-0 win. Ash with the goal.
Ashley Young? If so he's not travelled with the squad.
We should have enough even though we have left a few behind but this could be tricky, again!
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It's taking the piss again. This is not right.
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Does anyone know if the game is being covered on the radio? Gonna be travelling... gutted!
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So, after all the debacle of Moscow, do we still blame Martin for it now it's happening again and he's gone?
Hard hat on and awaiting the barrage......
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BBC WM
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009d67y
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So, after all the debacle of Moscow, do we still blame Martin for it now it's happening again and he's gone?
Hard hat on and awaiting the barrage......
It was wrong then and if anything it's less acceptable now.
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Fucking load of shit. Let's just pull out of this competition now.
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A non inspriring but very efficient 1-0 win. Ash with the goal.
Ashley Young? If so he's not travelled with the squad.
We should have enough even though we have left a few behind but this could be tricky, again!
I didn't read above. I'm sticking by the uninspiring 1-0 bit but the scorer will be Downing.
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It was wrong then and if anything it's less acceptable now.
I could see the logic behind the Moscow thing, I can't in this.
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I thought we' put out a good side in the first leg to get the advantage, so this on is strange and a little concerning. I'm keeping an open mind, and KM obviously has a lot of faith in the players that are going. At least that's what I am hoping. We wanted squad rotation, this may be an early peek at the future.
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Last season's line-up against RV
Aston Villa: Guzan, Shorey, Beye, Cuellar, Davies ( Lowry, 80 ) , Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Milner, Young, Gardner ( Agbonlahor, 55 ) , Heskey
Subs not used: Friedel, Petrov, Delph, Albrighton, Delfouneso
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Its strange that the squad list is not shown anywhere. I cant understand resting players a week into the new season.
I heard the statement no young carew petrov and dunne on radio 5.
We need an announcement from the club as to exact squad. Come on Jack Woodward do something useful
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Can someone please post the squad and not just the absentees?
The difference with Moscow is that it's the first leg of the first round. There'll still be time to turn it round at home and play the big guns. In Russia we should have been playing our best team to try and stay in the competition.
Still, not ideal and a little disappointing.
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Its strange that the squad list is not shown anywhere. I cant understand resting players a week into the new season.
I heard the statement no young carew petrov and dunne on radio 5.
We need an announcement from the club as to exact squad. Come on Jack Woodward do something useful
Is Woodward a club employee or a sub-contracted broadcaster/reporter ?
If he's the former then he can only report what he's told to
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Confirmed, no Dunne, Carew, Ashley Young or Petrov.
Although pissed off we aren't going full bore for this one, of the one's left out;
Dunne - Collins / Cuellar / Davies (if all or any are fit)
Petrov - NRC
Carew - Gabby (if fit) / Fonz
Young - Downing or Albrighton to play that role, if sticking to formation.
Not ideal but shouldn't be fatal...
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In the interview K Mac gave at the airport he says it is important to try to stay in the competition for the squad players to play games and for the youngsters to develop.
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In the interview K Mac gave at the airport he says it is important to try to stay in the competition for the squad players to play games and for the youngsters to develop.
He used the phrase "so-called senior players", which will please Weimann, Fonz, Bannan et al (surely we now consider Albrighton a fully-fledged first-teamer?).
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009d67y
Thanks. Should have mentioned i'm travelling on/in the IOW and Hampshire. Any national radio have it? Or does BBC WM reach the south?
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Not on radio 5 or talksport
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The referee is Alain Hamer (Luxembourg)
He is an Elite list official, menaing he is one of Europe's best and is a Champions League regular.
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Hang on before we all run off on a " Its a fucking disgrace" theme
Moscow - clearly a contrived, deliberate plan to not send senior pro's - hindsight is maybe a wonderful thing but now realising just how petty MON could be maybe after being questioned why he did not rotate the squad did just that, lost the game (i am not suggesting on purpose mind) and then said to Randy - "see i told you the squad is not good enough"
THis is see as
Dunne - has been injured for a while now and was a doubt for Sat
Carlos - we know he is injured
Collins - as above
Davies - as above
Gabby - as above
Ashley - he was taken off on sat maybe he genuinely has a knock?
Luke Young - dont know
Carew - who can tell
lets not get all defeatist just yet until we hear from the club that we are saving players for ther league game - until then we have to assume they are not fit
Petrov - hardly ever misses a game so i would assume a genuine knock
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Full squad:
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Elliott Parish, Eric Lichaj, Stephen Warnock, Ciaran Clark, Curtis Davies, Nathan Baker, Isaiah Osbourne, Habib Beye, Nigel Reo-Coker, Barry Bannan, Stewart Downing, Marc Albrighton, James Collins Jnr, Nathan Delfouneso, Shane Lowry, Emile Heskey, Jonathan Hogg, Andreas Weimann.
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Source?
Full squad:
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Elliott Parish, Eric Lichaj, Stephen Warnock, Ciaran Clark, Curtis Davies, Nathan Baker, Isaiah Osbourne, Habib Beye, Nigel Reo-Coker, Barry Bannan, Stewart Downing, Marc Albrighton, James Collins Jnr, Nathan Delfouneso, Shane Lowry, Emile Heskey, Jonathan Hogg, Andreas Weimann.
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Hmm, a bit too many coincidences that five of our main first teamers are crocked at the same time Hookey - I do agree that it's not a direct comparison with Moscow though. If you're going to experiment in a European tie make sure it's in the first leg against a team who you are favourites to beat anyway.
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The OS. They also say that: "Richard Dunne is suspended for tomorrow's clash and has stayed behind at Bodymoor Heath, while MacDonald has rested Stiliyan Petrov, Ashley Young, Luke Young and John Carew."
Didn't know Dunne was suspended, that one escaped my notice. The "rested" is a little risky though.
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I have my worry Rapid are really taking it seriously as they're blocking Nikica Jelavic move to Rangers in order for a better chance of progression.
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Still no room for Salifou in a depleted squad :(
Bannan and NRC in the middle? Hmm..Sidwell must still be injured.
---------------------Guzan-----------------------
Beye---------------Davies----------------Clarke---------Warnock
Albrighton------------NRC-------------Bannan-------Downing
--------------Heskey---------Fonz/Weimann
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Full squad:
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Elliott Parish, Eric Lichaj, Stephen Warnock, Ciaran Clark, Curtis Davies, Nathan Baker, Isaiah Osbourne, Habib Beye, Nigel Reo-Coker, Barry Bannan, Stewart Downing, Marc Albrighton, James Collins Jnr, Nathan Delfouneso, Shane Lowry, Emile Heskey, Jonathan Hogg, Andreas Weimann.
Do we take Sidwell's exclusion as a sign of another imminent departure?
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Hopefully probably gone to join Shorey at WB! Gutted Habib Beye in the squad wish he was going too, there's still time.
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Agree on those players, but I don't think it'll be a 4-4-2. I think Downing will play in the deep midfield two with NRC and Bannan, Weimman/Fonz (probably Weimann) and Albrighton behind Heskey.
Sidwell is still injured, I'd guess. There's absolutely no mention of the reasons for his absence, though, so we can but hope.
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Full squad:
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Elliott Parish, Eric Lichaj, Stephen Warnock, Ciaran Clark, Curtis Davies, Nathan Baker, Isaiah Osbourne, Habib Beye, Nigel Reo-Coker, Barry Bannan, Stewart Downing, Marc Albrighton, James Collins Jnr, Nathan Delfouneso, Shane Lowry, Emile Heskey, Jonathan Hogg, Andreas Weimann.
Do we take Sidwell's exclusion as a sign of another imminent departure?
nah, just kev thinks the same as we do.... he is shit !!!
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yes it is a low key squad, but kev wouldnt of picked it if he thought they couldnt do a job. we dont NEED to win out there, just need to get a result and an away goal
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MacDonald has probably got a far better knowledge of the reserves etc than MON ever had and will pick his teams on merit. I have more trust in him when it comes to squad rotation than I ever had in MON.
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Given the way some of our existing senior players played in the new environment post MON, and the fact that our emerging kids are very good, shouldn't we be a little more confident? I think with the right formation (4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1) we can get a result out there tomorrow.
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I'm going to leave to Wien (1400 Km by car in 48 hours) and I'd be very, very disappointed if we underrated the game with Rapid, as I like the Europa League and I think that it wouldn't be impossible to win it, if Fulham reached the final in the last edition.
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Friedel
Warnock
Davies
Clark
Beye
Albrighton
Reocoker
Bannan
Downing
Delfouneso
Heskey
Not a bad line up I suppose….
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Friedel
Warnock
Davies
Clark
Beye
Albrighton
Reocoker
Bannan
Downing
Delfouneso
Heskey
Not a bad line up I suppose….
For different reasons I'd have my doubts about Bannan and Heskey, but other than that it's a decent enough looking line up and capable of pinching a goal.
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with the right coaching and system we can beat Rapid Vienna. I don't think 4-4-2 is the answer but I'm willing to be proved wrong.
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yea i agree ( even though i posted it ) but this is what i think he will pick.... i would put in weimann and osbourne in the middle, heskey and bannan out and play weinmann behind delfounsesso
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I wouldn't allow Osbourne near the plane, but that's just me. He needs to step down a level, along with Moustafa.
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I think the exclusion of our top players is great news.
It is saying from the start that our young lads will play in Europe and that we will rest and rotate our squad properly, hopefully resulting in a fresh competitive squad for the WHOLE season!
Just think if we had an extra 19 games last season would we have finished 6th playing our full squad in every round, swell as every league game!
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Bring it on. The young lads get a chance to shine. I'd go along with pmk 81's lineup. Though I'd have Fonzie dropping off.
I'd also be tempted to play 4-3-3
---------------NRC------------------
----Bannan--------Downing------
Albrighton-------------Delfouneso
---------------Heskey----------------
Fonzie playing like Henry, from left channel to inside, and Downing can peel off to the wing on such occasions.
But hopefully we play with the same freedom and movement we did against West Ham. There's enough quality in that squad to beat Vienna. A big onus is on Downing and indeed the much maligned Heskey. If he plays his role right, there's goals from that midfield I'm sure.
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I think the exclusion of our top players is great news.
It is saying from the start that our young lads will play in Europe and that we will rest and rotate our squad properly, hopefully resulting in a fresh competitive squad for the WHOLE season!
Just think if we had an extra 19 games last season would we have finished 6th playing our full squad in every round, swell as every league game!
I which case I hope you were arguing the case for MON when he did the same think in Moscow.
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That's sort of my thinking, Tom. You'd hope we'd have more of the ball, so NRC can do the combative/tackling stuff on his own hopefully.
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My team would be as follows
Friedel
Lichaj
Davies
Clark
Warnock
Albrighton
Downing
NRC
Sidwell
Bannan
Heskey
Subs
Weimann
Fonz
Beye
Guzan
Baker
Hogg
Lowry
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Sidwell's not in the squad, Loxton.
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What is all the fuss about this squad?
Our reserves won the league and deserve to play in Europe don't they?
*winky thing*
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At the end of the day hindsight will judge whether this is the correct decision.
If we get through to the league format and beat Newcastle then the squad decision is entirely correct.
Considering that these couple of games are K Mac's job interview I'm actually very impressed that he has taken the long view and left some of the senior players at home. Either K Mac know's what he is doing with these kids or he is nobbling his own chances of getting the biggest footballing job that he will ever get and risking some of his well earned reputation for the work he has done at the Villa to date.
Let's have some faith in him, the players who get their first opportunity to impress and the kids.
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1-1.
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What's the deal with Sidwell by the by? He injured or is there still a transfer in the offing?
I'm with K Mac on this one. Keep our key men fresh for the season where ever possible. Ash is essential for us now. Big John is not gonna be able to do 3 games in a week. I can't see us taking a pounding, so if needs be get the big guns in for the 2nd leg if we need to pull round a deficit.
Could all go horribly wrong, but I guess he feels the kids can do it. I get that sense, where-as I feel O Neill in Moscow had more or less written the game off, and had run our first 11 into the ground by that point and almost forced his own hand.
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I'm slightly shocked at the callow rawness of this squad (and by seeing Osbourne anywhere near it). My main concern is that - aside from NRC - the MF looks very light. Unless he plays Beye in there ... he cannot be thinking of Ossie surely? :o
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Well I am mightily pissed off. I am in Vienna staying with friends who are Rapid fans that I met at Villa Park last season when they were over and I have been telling them all week that we'll tonk them. Now I have seen the squad I have changed my prediction and having paid all that money to come here to watch the Villa I now have to watch the reserves and people like Isiaah Osbourne. Gutted.
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So, is Sidwell dead or something?
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So, is Sidwell dead or something?
Injured, supposedly. I hope it's just a cover for him leaving.
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I'm slightly shocked at the callow rawness of this squad (and by seeing Osbourne anywhere near it). My main concern is that - aside from NRC - the MF looks very light. Unless he plays Beye in there ... he cannot be thinking of Ossie surely? :o
Hope not. But then again Ossie might do well under K Mac. He is after all the new Patrick VierBANG...
Phew, missed me. But no, I think Nige can handle the physical duties by himself. Vienna weren't particularly bruising last year. If he needs to throw in some extra beef, Lowry, Warnock, Beye, maybe even Clark could play a holding role. Clarky certainly looks very comfortable on the ball for a defender. Hogg's a midfielder isn't he? Dunno if he's any good mind.
I do think however, first on Kevins mind is to play football and retain possession.
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I went to Hamburg and I can see a similar result happening here. So much for Europe for another season.
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Well I am mightily pissed off. I am in Vienna staying with friends who are Rapid fans that I met at Villa Park last season when they were over and I have been telling them all week that we'll tonk them. Now I have seen the squad I have changed my prediction and having paid all that money to come here to watch the Villa I now have to watch the reserves and people like Isiaah Osbourne. Gutted.
Exactly the same as me last season pretty much against Hamburg. When we saw the squad we made the most of the local hospitality, I suggest you do the same pal!
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Not too sure about the look of that squad at all. Whatever team he picks from that is going to be light at centre-back and centre-mid with absolutley no creativity from anywhere but the flanks and therefore hugely predictable. I'm amazed that he hasn't taken Petrov, Ash and Carew, even if only to bring-on should we find ourselves a couple of goals down by half-time. I'd take a nil-nil now.
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Not absolutely happy about a depleted squad being picked but it could be enough to get us through. It's not like Rapid are a near CL quality team like CSKA.
Just as long as Osbourne doesn't play.
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what if...KM has actually watched and scouted Rapid and along with Sid and Tony Mac devised a Baldrick like Cunning Plan for tomorrow night?
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I really feel like a lost dog at the moment. I feel for the fans who have been able to travel to watch the game, most are probably Season ticket holders who could go and see the reserves play for free if they wanted too.
I know that K Mac has a better understanding of these players than MON did but it looks like Villa are once again laying down in Europe (at the first hurdle this time). I only hope that these youngsters rise to the potential that we hope they possess. We all spoke so highly of the effect the fringe players had against West Ham and took much comfort that the 'interim' manager managed such a result. The fact is that the team had been preparing for the start of the season for weeks and even given the upheaval before the game, it would have been a dissappointment to not get a result against West Ham at home. I reserved judgement for the next game - I'm not confident..
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Gutted by that squad. PL prize money dwarfs Europa League prize money, and it seems that money talks. We should just offer our place to someome else if we are not going to take Europe seriously.
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I wonder what the reaction will be if we get a good result in Vienna. Will we see Kev Mac as a genius? I thought MON stated sometime ago that the fringe players would be given a chance in the cup games. I don't think the team that is picked will be expected to get beaten and I don't believe for one minute that the club want to go out of the competition at the first attempt. IMO Moscow was a completely different scenario.
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What a joke that squad is! What's the point of getting into Europe if you're not going to take the competition seriously? After the surrender two years ago in Moscow haven't the powers that be learned anything? Will take a draw now.
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I think that squad is good enough to get a result...
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I'm concerned that we are missing some key players, but I hope KM and the players that have travelled there have more trust and faith than some on here. Bloody hell, talk about waving the white flag. I bet you the players think they can win.
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If we can't beat Rapid Vienna with a few players rested we we won't beat the top sides full strength. Show some faith in our younger players.
Petrov needs a rest... he's too old to play in Moscow, Birmingham, Vienna and Newcastle in the space of 12 days.
Dunne's suspended.
Young is vital to us, but not undroppable as we have two good wingers in Downing (if he plays like he can) and Albrighton.
Carew was rubbish on Saturday but we still won, so we can do without him.
Lichaj has played well in reserve / pre-season and deserves a chance. It's a better chance to blood him and other youngsters than in the faster-paced Premier League.
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First 11 could very well be...
---------------------Friedel---------------------
Beye------Clark-------Davies------Warnock
Albrighton----Bannan----NRC----Downing
------------Heskey-----Delfouneso------------
Not a bad side, one that I think could get a result, even if it was just a score draw. The only real concern I'd have is playing Bannan in the middle, not too sure who else could go there though, definitely not Osbourne!
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The only comfort I can find from that squad is that Kevin Mac knows his players. Let's hope they don't let him down.
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For pete's sake - people are always saying that this youngster and that youngster are good enough for the 1st team and should be given a chance and then what happens when they "might" get a chance - all hell breaks lose!!
Wasn't Clark good enough against Fulham last year and West Ham on Saturday? Wasn't Albrighton good enough last saturday? Isn't Fonz worth a chance?
A defence containing possibly Friedel (or Guzan); Beye, Davies and Warnock should be able to hold their own in the PL so why aren't they good enough for this match?
I don't for one minute expect the team to contain all youngsters - give KM some credit please.
And all those coming on here saying it's a crap team and we have given up why not just wait and see 1) what eleven take the field, and 2) how they get on.
Personally I have faith in KM to know what he is doing and also faith in the team he selects to do a job for us.
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Its a brave selection I'll give him that. If MON had made it I suspect he'd be getting a slightly different reaction.
I personally can't get my head around the notion of fighting to get into a European competition for nine months and then sending a vastly weakened team out at the first stage but there we are. Good luck to them, as others have said KM knows the majority of those lads better than anyone.
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Anyone know why Dunne is suspended? Might be just me being stupid but i can't think of a reason.
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Have faith!
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I'm actually really looking forward to seeing some of those youngsters get a game tomorrow, remember they did exceptionally well in the Peace Cup last year.
Bearing in mind the formation we played against West Ham, i would like to see
Guzan
Lichaj
Clark
Davies
Warnock
Albrighton
NRC
Osbourne
Bannan
Downing
The Fonz
I think Bannan could play a similar type of creative role that Ash did at the weekend and I actually think Osbourne is a player with potential and would work well alongside NRC in a deep lying role. One of the reasons he often looked poor under MON was because he played him out wide rather than centrally.
Up the Villa
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We surely have to bring Carew seeing as Gabby is out. Oh well Heskey up front on his own it is then. Brilliant.
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The players arrive home in the early hours of friday.
I assume sometime saturday afternoon they travel to Newcastle for a 1.30pm kick off the next day.
I calculate its about 66 hours between walking off the pitch in Vienna and kicking off at Newcastle.
With the travel required, rest and recovery time so that the edge is not taken off players performance I would say he has got the balance about right to try to achieve good results in both games.
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I'm actually really looking forward to seeing some of those youngsters get a game tomorrow, remember they did exceptionally well in the Peace Cup last year.
Bearing in mind the formation we played against West Ham, i would like to see
Guzan
Lichaj
Clark
Davies
Warnock
Albrighton
NRC
Osbourne
Bannan
Downing
The Fonz
I think Bannan could play a similar type of creative role that Ash did at the weekend and I actually think Osbourne is a player with potential and would work well alongside NRC in a deep lying role. One of the reasons he often looked poor under MON was because he played him out wide rather than centrally.
Up the Villa
I dont see any potential in Osbourne I'm afraid. Not as a footballer anyway.
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Anyone know why Dunne is suspended? Might be just me being stupid but i can't think of a reason.
Goes back to when he was playing for Citeh.
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I will go 1-1 also with Dune scoreing from a classic set piece.
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There is a quiet confidence about Macdonald that makes me feel the players have a lot of respect for him and will give their all ....................
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Sure they will, espically if its largly a young side with much to prove. However these things are very rarely straght forward. A draw, as long as we score should stand us in good stand for the second leg.
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I will go 1-1 also with Dune scoreing from a classic set piece.
Going to be some set piece bearing in mind that Dunney's suspended for this one.
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Didn't know he was suspended, was he booked on Saturday or something.
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Didn't know he was suspended, was he booked on Saturday or something.
it's a European suspension so it must have carried forward from his time at Man City
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Of couse the team is good enough..
More or less 22 million in defence and 12 million and 8.5 million pound players in Downing and NRC...
MOM Albrighton ...
..and Heskey on 60k a week, of course they are good enough....
well other the last part..... lets say a young keen brummie striker up front raring to go...
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Hmm, doesn't fill me with optimism. I'm surprised we're weakening the squad like this. Playing youngsters is great, putting a load in at the same time together is more of a risk. Anyone know how bad Carew's injury is? What are the chances he and Gabby will be fit for the weekend?
I'd hazard a guess at:
FRIEDEL - BEYE, DAVIES, CLARK, LICHAJ - NRC, WARNOCK - ALBRIGHTON, WEIMANN, DOWNING - HESKEY
But I haven't got a clue really! Isn't Salifou a logical option for holding midfield? Doesn't seem to be in the squad?
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It seems that the club has decided that it doesn't mind too much about progress in the Europa League. Given the thinness of the squad and the importance of key players, I am not sure that I am too perturbed by it. We are poorly positioned to make a judgment on what is going on behind the scenes, and I'm happy for them to manage the squad.
What is less clear is when or if we will have a squad considered to have enough depth to have a dip in these kind of games. We've had a 'small squad' for quite a long time now. What is required before that level of investment will take place?
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I think normally we could make wholesale changes from saturday and still put out a decent side actually:
GUZAN - CUELLAR, COLLINS, DAVIES, LICHAJ - SIDWELL, NRC, DELPH - GABBY, HESKEY, FONZ / WEIMANN / BANNAN
That would be 11 changes from the team that played, and still no sign of Osbourne. I reckon that team would be fine too.
In terms of the side we will play, centre mid seems the trickiest area. Not sure if Bannan in a midfield two is right for this sort of away game?
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I remember Martin a few months back Saying Europe will be a good chance for the kids this season!
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Urgh, this is going to be quite a tricky test now that our star players won't be playing (although it'll be great to see the youngsters have a real go at it), but it's imperitive we score an away goal so we don't end up in the same position as we were against Rapid Vienna last year. Hopefully we can nick this 0-1 despite not having our best players available, but if we can get a 1-1 draw I'll be pleased enough.
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Just been to 3 Irish pubs in Vienna that are normally popular with away fans and seen NO Villa fans at all. We have apparently only sold 183 tickets and I have been all over the city today and seen no Villa at all. Gutted. Absolutely gutted.
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Just been to 3 Irish pubs in Vienna that are normally popular with away fans and seen NO Villa fans at all. We have apparently only sold 183 tickets and I have been all over the city today and seen no Villa at all. Gutted. Absolutely gutted.
183? How many Villa fans got tickets last season?
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Even though I am little concerned, the manager picks the players he feels best for the job at hand, so we have to have some faith in that. He can't consult fans on all team selections now or in the future, and neither should he. We wanted squad rotation and we've got it, so we have to trust KM, Sid and Tony McAndrew are making the best decisions given suspensions, injuries and other games coming up. We can't beat MON with this stick because he's gone, so whoever is now "manager" we have to have some faith in him about the choices he makes. We all to a man was heralding KM's efforts after the weekend, so by the same token we have to trust that he's doing the right thing here. This is nothing like Moscow and it's a declaration of faith in the players that he has with him.
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In fairness to MON, we got plenty of squad rotation in Europe with him as well.
It wasn't in Europe that it was the problem.
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Just been to 3 Irish pubs in Vienna that are normally popular with away fans and seen NO Villa fans at all. We have apparently only sold 183 tickets and I have been all over the city today and seen no Villa at all. Gutted. Absolutely gutted.
183? How many Villa fans got tickets last season?
Not many but slightly more than 183 I think. I asked a barman in one of the main pubs and he said there were only 6 Villa in there last year. I am staying with Vienna fans and have brought my missus to her 1st European away game and I am quite embarrassed at the number of fans. I know about the tough economical times and all that but surely we have more than 183 people with the means and time to come and support the team. Would Spurs, Everton or City take so few? I seriously doubt it. Just feels rather humiliating. Let's hope the result is not.
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In fairness to MON, we got plenty of squad rotation in Europe with him as well.
It wasn't in Europe that it was the problem.
You're right paulie.
This is a new era for all of us, and we have leave behind some of the fears we had about this squad. I honestly, for the life of me, having watched, like you, so many mundane home games, had no idea we could play so well and fluently as we did on Saturday with essentially the same group of players that bored the shit out of us for so long. I have a different feeling about things right now, and am willing to give the current management team every opportunity to have the team playing differently. We have some quality players at Villa, beyond what we think is our first XI. Maybe in the past those players would play one game in Europe or the Carling Cup and wouldn't be seen again for ages. It's not the case anymore.
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Just been to 3 Irish pubs in Vienna that are normally popular with away fans and seen NO Villa fans at all. We have apparently only sold 183 tickets and I have been all over the city today and seen no Villa at all. Gutted. Absolutely gutted.
183? How many Villa fans got tickets last season?
Not many but slightly more than 183 I think. I asked a barman in one of the main pubs and he said there were only 6 Villa in there last year. I am staying with Vienna fans and have brought my missus to her 1st European away game and I am quite embarrassed at the number of fans. I know about the tough economical times and all that but surely we have more than 183 people with the means and time to come and support the team. Would Spurs, Everton or City take so few? I seriously doubt it. Just feels rather humiliating.
Yeah, 183 is pretty bad... it'll feel even more embarrassing if Rapid take another 1000+ fans to VP again. tbh, you can't defend the such bad attendance of away fans we're bringing but I'm sure the culmination of MON leaving, Milner etc... has probably played an effect and has made fans not bothering.
Oh well, I hope all the 183 Villa fans can spur on the Villa boys tommorow.
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There's a good few flying out tomorrow or so I hear.
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Just been to 3 Irish pubs in Vienna that are normally popular with away fans and seen NO Villa fans at all. We have apparently only sold 183 tickets and I have been all over the city today and seen no Villa at all. Gutted. Absolutely gutted.
183? How many Villa fans got tickets last season?
Not many but slightly more than 183 I think. I asked a barman in one of the main pubs and he said there were only 6 Villa in there last year. I am staying with Vienna fans and have brought my missus to her 1st European away game and I am quite embarrassed at the number of fans. I know about the tough economical times and all that but surely we have more than 183 people with the means and time to come and support the team. Would Spurs, Everton or City take so few? I seriously doubt it. Just feels rather humiliating.
Yeah, 183 is pretty bad... it'll feel even more embarrassing if Rapid take another 1000+ fans to VP again. tbh, you can't defend the such bad attendance of away fans we're bringing but I'm sure the culmination of MON leaving, Milner etc... has probably played an effect and has made fans not bothering.
Oh well, I hope all the 183 Villa fans can spur on the Villa boys tommorow.
We will try but given that Rapid sold out a week ago for this game and taking into account their veciferous, noisy fans I think we'll struggle to make any impact at all on their 17,000 supporters. It is on their website that we have sold only 183 tickets of our allocation of 400 and that no more will be sold on the day.
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It's quite an early kick-off so would imagine a fair few might head up on the day knowing they can have a night on the town afterwards, and maybe enjoy Friday night too.
Plus the competition has become massively devalued.
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They will sell tickets for the game at the ground,they did last year.
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They will sell tickets for the game at the ground,they did last year.
They are not selling tickets at the ground and that is official. I doubt there would be anyone to sell them too anyway as the travelling fans would have this sorted by now.
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They will sell tickets for the game at the ground,they did last year.
They are not selling tickets at the ground and that is official.
They said that last year and I paid on the gate.The police from brum will make sure anybody without a ticket will get in.
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They will sell tickets for the game at the ground,they did last year.
They are not selling tickets at the ground and that is official. I doubt there would be anyone to sell them too anyway as the travelling fans would have this sorted by now.
Don't be so sure.
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They will sell tickets for the game at the ground,they did last year.
They are not selling tickets at the ground and that is official. I doubt there would be anyone to sell them too anyway as the travelling fans would have this sorted by now.
Don't be so sure.
Ok. But its a moot point even if thats not the case and doesn't disguise the number of tickets we have sold. Anyway, I hope the young lads can show what they are made of and get us back to B6 with a decent result. It'd be nice to get through and take the missus somewhere that Villa fans may be interested in going to.
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from the grauniad website
Carlos Cuéllar, Steve Sidwell, Gabriel Agbonlahor, James Collins and John Carew are injured while Richard Dunne is suspended because of a red card picked up playing for Manchester City in the Uefa Cup in 2009. MacDonald has, however, taken the rather surprising decision to rest Ashley Young, Stilian Petrov and Luke Young.
All of which leaves Villa with a weakened team made up of the past, present and future. Nigel Reo-Coker, Curtis Davies and Habib Beye, all frozen out under O'Neill, will start alongside a couple of regulars, Stephen Warnock and Stewart Downing, and a sprinkling of youngsters. Some Villa supporters will have concerns that the line-up bears a resemblance to the type of team O'Neill controversially selected in Moscow last year but MacDonald defended his decision.
"I'm not really looking at it from my point of view," he replied, when it was suggested picking a stronger team would have given him a better chance of getting the job. "I've been looking at it logically knowing that some of the players have played in internationals and been away and after tonight there's matches Sunday, Thursday, Sunday. Whether it's brave or whether it's calculated who knows? The result will dictate that.
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Rapid Vienna probable (4-2-3-1): Hedl; Kayhan, Sonnleitner, Patocka, Katzer; Heikkinen, Hinum; Kavlak, Hoffman, Saurer; Jelavic
Aston Villa probable (4-4-2): Guzan; Beye, Davies, Clark, Warnock; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Bannan, Downing; Heskey, Delfouneso
Referee A Hamer (Luxembourg)
again from the gdaurian
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hopefully the above will put a real effort in
there maybe a chance to impress the new/next manager as it will be broadcast all over the shop(as my ma would say)
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At first glance, it's a disappointing squad.
But then, when they played for MON, what exactly were they playing for? Some of the names on that team-sheet would never have gotten much of a chance under O'Neill.
Now they do. They know that, should they play well, doors will open for them. K-Mac knows MoN's off-casts better than anyone, he has a top record of getting results and I'll trust him with this.
Besides, see it as one really long game with unlimited subs. Should the lads fail in Vienna, we'll put in a full-squad at home and absolutely hammer them.
If nothing else, it'll be very interesting to see what K-Mac can get out of a 2nd string side that MON couldn't.
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Just read this in the Guardian and I'm feeling a bit better about the game:
Kevin MacDonald has yet to decide whether he is interested in becoming the Aston Villa manager on a permanent basis as he weighs up the effect that the job would have on his family life.
MacDonald has been installed as the favourite to replace Martin O'Neill in the wake of Saturday's impressive victory over West Ham United but the man who was in charge of the reserves before being promoted to caretaker at the start of last week is still struggling to adjust to the responsibility that comes with the post.
That he has concerns about taking over will come as no surprise to the club's owner, Randy Lerner, who, after talking up MacDonald's credentials at the weekend, questioned whether the former Liverpool midfielder "is comfortable with the idea of being Villa's manager".
He will have another opportunity to impress Lerner morrow night when an understrength Villa take on Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their Europa League play-off, but MacDonald has said he will not decide whether to throw his hat into the ring at least until after the Newcastle game on Sunday. "I still find it difficult to realise what it's about," he said, when asked whether management was growing on him. "I think I will know if it's what I want – and who is to say I am going to get the job – by the weekend or the middle of next week. But Mr Lerner might have other people in mind before then."
There is no indication that is the case at the moment, with Lerner prepared to give MacDonald a run of games because of the confidence he has in him as well as the absence of any outstanding candidates elsewhere. MacDonald said, however, that he has realised the job is all-consuming and he harbours concerns his family will end up feeling "excluded".
"I think if you are a manager of a Premier League club your life is not going to be your own," he said.
"I've got to look at that because, as much as I love football, we all have lives outside of football and that would be taken away if you became a Premier League manager. It is difficult for families and I don't know how they feel because I've not really had time to talk to them. The people on the periphery get pushed to the side very quickly and I would be careful of that because it's quite important to me."
Progress into the group stages of the Europa League would enhance MacDonald's case but Villa have arrived in Vienna, where they lost 1-0 at this stage last year before going out on away goals, with a shadow squad.
Carlos Cuéllar, Steve Sidwell, Gabriel Agbonlahor, James Collins and John Carew are injured while Richard Dunne is suspended because of a red card picked up playing for Manchester City in the Uefa Cup in 2009. MacDonald has, however, taken the rather surprising decision to rest Ashley Young, Stilian Petrov and Luke Young.
All of which leaves Villa with a weakened team made up of the past, present and future. Nigel Reo-Coker, Curtis Davies and Habib Beye, all frozen out under O'Neill, will start alongside a couple of regulars, Stephen Warnock and Stewart Downing, and a sprinkling of youngsters. Some Villa supporters will have concerns that the line-up bears a resemblance to the type of team O'Neill controversially selected in Moscow last year but MacDonald defended his decision.
"I'm not really looking at it from my point of view," he replied, when it was suggested picking a stronger team would have given him a better chance of getting the job. "I've been looking at it logically knowing that some of the players have played in internationals and been away and after tonight there's matches Sunday, Thursday, Sunday. Whether it's brave or whether it's calculated who knows? The result will dictate that.
"But the thing I would say is that when people say 'youngsters', these lads are 19, 20, 21-years-old, and they're two years older than they were in Moscow. Make no mistake, I want to stay in this competition. And I believe this group should be good enough to keep us in it."
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Well, he certainly interviews well, I'll give him that.
The more I look at that list of players, the more convinced I am that Downing will be playing centre-mid tomorrow, with Bannan on the left.
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Much as though I was a little surprised by the squad the more I look at it the more I think it demonstrates real managerial guts and excellent man management skills. Here's a few reasons why:
1. MON played favourites which saw players like NRC and Davies being frozen out. KM is showing that this is not the case anymore and is giving players a chance to play for their place. And he is doing it in a match that is important. Getting a run out in the third round of the League Cup does not fool anyone, it's not a real chance to show what you can do. Essentially he is saying that he is prepared to put his potential job on the line for them. If they don't deliver, he may not get the nod - "You wanted a chance, I'm giving you a chance. I'm giving you a fair crack at the whip boys, I believe in you, don't let me down" type of stuff. This is a gutsy move and shows real leadership.
2. Squad mix - seasoned pros and youngish pups. This also shows that the first team places are up for grabs. You play well, you'll make the team.
3. Tactical variety - one of the biggest moans last season was how predictable we were as a team. Most opposing managers could name our usual starting eleven then work out our tactics and how to shut us down (two men on Ashley and so forth). Opposing managers will now be less sure. Look at the teams posted on this thread so far, even we aren't sure what formation or personnel we will play. I'm sure that KM does though and that he has already briefed the team.
4. Lessons learnt from Saturday - flowing football can work for us but we had a few defensive lapses. Can these players adapt and play the same kind of exciting and effective football, this is something KM wants to see so he is putting it to the test. Defensively can Davies step up to be the player that he can be - remember how well he played at times when alongside Laursen? Can Davies act as a mentor to Clark? How good is Clark when Dunne is not alongside him ?
5. Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj etc - he has coached and watched these guys for a number of years, KM and Sid know them better than anyone. He is demonstrating his faith in them - again a great show of man management ability.
6. The so called unwanted six - take Beye as an example. Signed for us and played well in his first game if I recall. I'm sure he did not want to spend last season sitting on his arse barely getting a sniff. Now he is given a chance to play and either move up the pecking order or showcase his ability to other clubs. If he plays well then that's great, if he increases in value and gets bought then that also could be a positive in terms of our wage bill. If he plays like a muppet (which I don't expect will happen) then KM has confirmation of what to do with him and can move on to the next player situation.
Last season - same players, same tactics, moan moan moan by many of us on here (myself included on occasion).
This season - breath of fresh air, no favourites, everything up for grabs, exciting play (caveat - based on one game!), players being given chances and motivation.
I'm really warming to KM. He has done a great job with the academy and he talks sense in interviews. No big ego, open-minded and willing to experiment. He's clearly not one to play things safe, he's willing to take sensible gambles and to put his neck on the line for his players and his team.
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At first glance, it's a disappointing squad.
But then, when they played for MON, what exactly were they playing for? Some of the names on that team-sheet would never have gotten much of a chance under O'Neill.
Some of those players are virtually playing to save their Villa careers. I can see us getting a win tonight now.
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I think he will probably go for a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation and look to play on the break.
-------------------Guzan----------------
---Beye---Davies---Clark---Lichaj---
------------NRC---Warnock-----------
---Albrighton---Bannan---Downing--
-------------------Heskey-----------------
That is the line up I think we'll see.
However, if he does go 4-4-2 I think we'll see Warnock drop to Left Back, Downing into Centre Mid and Wieman play up front with Heskey.
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Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio. He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.
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This is the best game to rest players in. If needed we can play a stronger side for the home leg.
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Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio. He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.
Another dig maybe?
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Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio. He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.
Meeooww!
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Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio. He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.
Another dig maybe?
Do you think so? I don't think MacDonald is the sort to indulge in petty digs, seemed to me more sort of "in my day they were known as fringe players".
If it was then he'd go down in my estimation particularly after calling MON an "outstanding manager" on Saturday.
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I heard the comment and my 'take' on it was that whereas they had been almost diascarded as "fringe" under the old regime he prefers to refer to them all as a "squad". Classic psychology to bring togetherness during a crisis.
Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio. He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.
Another dig maybe?
Do you think so? I don't think MacDonald is the sort to indulge in petty digs, seemed to me more sort of "in my day they were known as fringe players".
If it was then he'd go down in my estimation particularly after calling MON an "outstanding manager" on Saturday.
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I'm pleased with the squad, shame Sidwell isn't fit though.
I'd go -
---------------Guzan
Lichaj - Davies - Clark - Beye
-----------NRC - Warnock
Albrighton---Downing----Delfouneso
----------------Heskey
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Sidwell injured???
Just wondering if Sidwell is injuryed nothing on PhysioRoom about it. Also when the squad was annnounced there was no mention of him being left behind there again gabby cuellar and collins weren't mention either. http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2126757,00.html
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1-0 rapid
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I'm going for a 2-1 win.
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last year's tie should have been put to bed at villa park in the first hour, but we were sloppy.
looking forward to seeing some hungry villa players tonight who want to prove a point. slender 2-1 villa win to bring back to villa park.
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Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio. He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.
Another dig maybe?
Do you think so? I don't think MacDonald is the sort to indulge in petty digs, seemed to me more sort of "in my day they were known as fringe players".
If it was then he'd go down in my estimation particularly after calling MON an "outstanding manager" on Saturday.
It didn't come across as a dig in any shape or form and during the interview he was very complimentary about O'Neill. I just took it as the fact that he was his own man and intended to use the squad more than was previously the case.
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Even though i know its going to happen it pisses me off loads every time i see how much we treat this competition as a joke
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sorry but could someone tell me what channels the game live on tonight ? cheers
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Even though i know its going to happen it pisses me off loads every time i see how much we treat this competition as a joke
I've just seen the squad for the first time.
Why are we even bothering ? I fully understand that Dunne is suspended and some others are injured but can't see why any available senior player needs to be "rested" at this stage of the season.
By all means play a few of the fringe players but Villa's attitude to the Europa League is ridiculous and just shows how lacking in quality depth the squad is.
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sorry but could someone tell me what channels the game live on tonight ? cheers
ITV4 at 5.45pm
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The youngsters in the squad who may play
Albrighton- England under 21 player and potential real find
Clark- composed , reserve captain and been around the squad for a while
Lichaj- signed a 3 year contract and decent pre season
Bannan- member of Blackpool Championship promotion Side
Fonz- Under U19 player and a first team villa squad member
If those play , they have ablity and now some experience against 2 years ago
Lowry- Experience as part of leads promotion squad
Weimann- Potential real find
Baker- England U19 player
So at least they get exposure to being in first team squad.
This could be an interesting night
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If you take the fact that certain players are injured at face value, then those rested are the 2 Youngs and Petrov. I find that perfectly acceptable and if MON had just left 3 out for Moscow he wouldn't have got nearly the same amount of stick for it.
However, given the amount of injuries to senior players, I can't agree with them being missing for this game. Ash, Gabby and Carew are our most potent attackers, so with two injured how can we afford to leave the third out?
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sorry but could someone tell me what channels the game live on tonight ? cheers
ITV4 at 5.45pm
If you're interested in the build up, the actual programme starts at 5.30pm.
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UEFA have made this competition a bloated drawn out and silly thing.
But I see no evidence to suggest we arent trying to compete in it.
In years to come some may look back and realise how strong this team was. How it was the stage that allowed Bannan, Weimann and Fonz etc to shine.
And in my opinion, until they restore this cup to its former UEFA Cup glory, it wont be taken as seriously as it should be.
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sorry but could someone tell me what channels the game live on tonight ? cheers
ITV4 at 5.45pm
If you're interested in the build up, the actual programme starts at 5.30pm.
5.45 it is then.
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sorry but could someone tell me what channels the game live on tonight ? cheers
ITV4 at 5.45pm
If you're interested in the build up, the actual programme starts at 5.30pm.
5.45 it is then.
"So, Andy, just how much are Aston Villa going to miss Martin O'Neill?"
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Did not realise Weimann was a Rapid Vienna player before we nicked him. That should be good motivationf for him tonight.
http://www.birminghammail.net/
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sorry but could someone tell me what channels the game live on tonight ? cheers
ITV4 at 5.45pm
If you're interested in the build up, the actual programme starts at 5.30pm.
5.45 it is then.
"So, Andy, just how much are Aston Villa going to miss Martin O'Neill?"
At which point the "mute" button will be pressed in numerous households across the country.
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Rapid regard themselves as the underdogs but have been given a boost by our line-up. The papers here in Vienna suggest that we're not taking the tie seriously. Personally, I think it's not a bad squad, good enough to get a win tonight. I'm just off to a biergarten with DC5 and villajk to get into the pre-match spirit.
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I hope they think we're not taking it seriously. Then they'll be in for a shock at how good some of these youngsetrs are.
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cheers Lads !
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I hope we get a manager in who will take this seriously. This is the sort of competition we can win! Resting 3 players after 1 game of the season because we play newcastle on Sunday is sh**
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Let's hope the reason K-Mac has selected this squad because he knows the players are good enough. and let's hope he's right.
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Jelavic not playing. SSN say he's signing for Rangers.
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Whilst all the teeth gnashing is going on lets look at some facts
Dunne - suspended
Cuellar - Injured - last thing he needs is to travel - he needs to get fit
Collins - as Cuellar
Gabby - obviously not fit as he confirmed to me on Sat - hamstring is the problem and with speed merchants like him you just do not take the risk with hamstrings
Now the "rested ones"
Petrov - an all action player that played Sat and will play again at lunchtime on Sun
Carew - played 90 mins (rarity for him) and we have Fonz / heskey /Weinmann as cover
L.Young - not played for so long due to MON that he is probably still feeling rusty after a full pres season and first game
A.Young - Played in most pre season games - had a full 1/2 for England 3 days before the game on sat.
Any players that go to Vienna will probably get on the plane back tomorrow morning - once back in UK home for a short while and then either fly / coach to Newcastle come early Sat pm in preperation for a 1.30 early kick off
I feel a totally justified decision by KMc - unless we get tonked tonight it is a 2 leg game and this is only the first leg
THis is exactly what the "big" teams do in Europe
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Cheer em on for me as I start work at 4pm and will no doubt not get near a tv to see any of the game.
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Whilst all the teeth gnashing is going on lets look at some facts
Dunne - suspended
Cuellar - Injured - last thing he needs is to travel - he needs to get fit
Collins - as Cuellar
Gabby - obviously not fit as he confirmed to me on Sat - hamstring is the problem and with speed merchants like him you just do not take the risk with hamstrings
Now the "rested ones"
Petrov - an all action player that played Sat and will play again at lunchtime on Sun
Carew - played 90 mins (rarity for him) and we have Fonz / heskey /Weinmann as cover
L.Young - not played for so long due to MON that he is probably still feeling rusty after a full pres season and first game
A.Young - Played in most pre season games - had a full 1/2 for England 3 days before the game on sat.
Any players that go to Vienna will probably get on the plane back tomorrow morning - once back in UK home for a short while and then either fly / coach to Newcastle come early Sat pm in preperation for a 1.30 early kick off
I feel a totally justified decision by KMc - unless we get tonked tonight it is a 2 leg game and this is only the first leg
THis is exactly what the "big" teams do in Europe
Spot on.
They players selected are good enough to beat Vienna in any case. Play like we did against the Hammers, and we'll win the game.
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Agreed Hookey.
Petrov - an all action player that played Sat and will play again at lunchtime on Sun
You just forgot to mention that Petrov played in Russia last Wednesday.
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When does the team get announced - is it an hour before kick off?
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Rapid regard themselves as the underdogs but have been given a boost by our line-up. The papers here in Vienna suggest that we're not taking the tie seriously. Personally, I think it's not a bad squad, good enough to get a win tonight. I'm just off to a biergarten with DC5 and villajk to get into the pre-match spirit.
It's all in the preparation!
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Its only Austria not the other side of the World, not against resting players but I'm sure they don't travel RyanAir and stop in a Hostel!!
I would have expected some players to go, if fit, and be on bench if thing go pear shaped!
Perhaps there is more substance in the Petrov and Young to Liverpool thing than we all thought!
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Its only Austria not the other side of the World, not against resting players but I'm sure they don't travel RyanAir and stop in a Hostel!!
I would have expected some players to go, if fit, and be on bench if thing go pear shaped!
Perhaps there is more substance in the Petrov and Young to Liverpool thing than we all thought!
Just wanted to say, that's a great login.
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Its only Austria not the other side of the World, not against resting players but I'm sure they don't travel RyanAir and stop in a Hostel!!
I would have expected some players to go, if fit, and be on bench if thing go pear shaped!
Perhaps there is more substance in the Petrov and Young to Liverpool thing than we all thought!
Just wanted to say, that's a great login.
yes, yes, I see what he's done there...He's cleverly combined Cheerio with O'Neill to form his moniker. Very clever.
actualy it is clever. Welcome aboard
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Any team news yet?
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Its only Austria not the other side of the World, not against resting players but I'm sure they don't travel RyanAir and stop in a Hostel!!
I would have expected some players to go, if fit, and be on bench if thing go pear shaped!
Perhaps there is more substance in the Petrov and Young to Liverpool thing than we all thought!
Well, for me personally, travelling is quite tiresome. Doesnt have to be much distance, before i start feel tired. Propably something mentally.
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Its only Austria not the other side of the World, not against resting players but I'm sure they don't travel RyanAir and stop in a Hostel!!
I would have expected some players to go, if fit, and be on bench if thing go pear shaped!
Perhaps there is more substance in the Petrov and Young to Liverpool thing than we all thought!
Just wanted to say, that's a great login.
yes, yes, I see what he's done there...He's cleverly combined Cheerio with O'Neill to form his moniker. Very clever.
actualy it is clever. Welcome aboard
Hehe, how should I read that post? Double sarcastic?
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Its only Austria not the other side of the World, not against resting players but I'm sure they don't travel RyanAir and stop in a Hostel!!
I would have expected some players to go, if fit, and be on bench if thing go pear shaped!
Perhaps there is more substance in the Petrov and Young to Liverpool thing than we all thought!
Funnily enough Hodgson said today that the league has to be the priority and that he'd use his squad accordingly particularly in view of some being involved in international matches the week before just as Petrov was.
MacDonald is just using his squad as was always the plan for European games this season. The team we put out should be good enough to get a result and there's always the second leg to put things right if we are behind.
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Well, for me personally, travelling is quite tiresome. Doesnt have to be much distance, before i start feel tired. Propably something mentally.
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I sppose you do alot of it, living where you do, Edvard!
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And actually it was Petrov and Warnock to Liverpool, Ash to Spurs or Everton (yeh, fucking right), Luke Young to wherever he can find a job, NRC (see Luke Young). None of those will happen.
The more I think about it with the young talent we have, the more confident I am of us getting at least a draw tonight.
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Travel tiredness aside Edvard - Physical or Mental!
2-0 down with 20 mins left could do with that all important away goal (last year anyone) and we bring on Isaiah Osbourne because Ashley Young has been left at home on his Playstation with those ridiculous Headphones round his neck!
All hyperthetical and I still believe we can get the right result with the squad who have gone but nice to have the option? You decide!
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It's a squad game. Only clubs in the Champions League can afford to have squads to be competitive on all fronts.
Which is why the amount of games in the Europa League is bollocks. I'm not overjoyed with the strength of the team, but he's left 3 or 4 players out - the rest are injured or suspended.
Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Citeh do it too. It's the right way to tackle the competition IMO... Even if it does see us out, these boys will have to play a big part in the group stages so they have to play now.
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I hope we get a manager in who will take this seriously. This is the sort of competition we can win! Resting 3 players after 1 game of the season because we play newcastle on Sunday is sh**
Don't cheer when we score then.
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I hope we get a manager in who will take this seriously. This is the sort of competition we can win! Resting 3 players after 1 game of the season because we play newcastle on Sunday is sh**
Don't cheer when we score then.
He won't if Heskey gets the goal.
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I hope we get a manager in who will take this seriously. This is the sort of competition we can win! Resting 3 players after 1 game of the season because we play newcastle on Sunday is sh**
Don't cheer when we score then.
He won't if Heskey gets the goal.
What's the chance of that anyway?
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I hope we get a manager in who will take this seriously. This is the sort of competition we can win! Resting 3 players after 1 game of the season because we play newcastle on Sunday is sh**
Don't cheer when we score then.
He won't if Heskey gets the goal.
What's the chance of that anyway?
Well, they said "the chances of anything coming from Mars is a million to on", and looked what happened there.
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Right, Im off from work..
See you lot at the game.................
UTV
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Team:
Guzan; Lichaj, Beye, Davies, Warnock; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Hogg, Downing. Bannan; Heskey
I bet none of us predicted that.
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That team will really struggle. Although I sincerely hope I'm wrong.
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I did not know Hogg was a midfielder. Shows me up dunnit.
I think the tactics are designed to counter-act the team's youthfulness. We've set up for solidity there, but also with attacking purpose as Downing, Bannan and Albrighton should be all interchangey.
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Hmm.. weak team
well if they play with anything like the energy of the other night
we may surprise them
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I am a little disappointed with the line-up. We need to take this game seriously.
That said, Rapid are not the side they were last year; they have lost a couple of good players and their 'star' striker has refused to play as his is moving to Rangers.
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16:45 – TEAM – Guzan; Lichaj, Beye, Davies, Warnock; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Hogg, Downing. Bannan; Heskey.
17:00 – Subs:Friedel, Clark, Weimann, Osbourne, Delfouneso, Baker, Lowry
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What the hell have we got against this competition?
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Well I see the sense at this stage, I wouldn't be happy in the quarter finals. Come on the Villa!
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I dont get this team at all.........Why play players out of positon ?? Clark and Baker are 2 recognised centre halves, both kids who need the experience and yet he plays Beye !!!! If MON had picked this team he would have been slaughtered.
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Heskey... urgh. I'd rather Delfouneso play instead and I'd also like to see Weimann instead of Bannan. I have nothing against Barry Bannan, but I feel he'll be targeted by some big 6'3 defender and I feel he'll be better used coming off the bench and making some sort of impact.
Oh well, I hope they can make a good go of it.
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Well at least they wouldn't have done their homework on our team we're putting out !
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I dont get this team at all.........Why play players out of positon ?? Clark and Baker are 2 recognised centre halves, both kids who need the experience and yet he plays Beye !!!! If MON had picked this team he would have been slaughtered.
Beye has actually played centre-back far more than right-back during his career.
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Well I see the sense at this stage, I wouldn't be happy in the quarter finals. Come on the Villa!
What is the sense in playing this team, to lose the leg and tie ???
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I dont get this team at all.........Why play players out of positon ?? Clark and Baker are 2 recognised centre halves, both kids who need the experience and yet he plays Beye !!!! If MON had picked this team he would have been slaughtered.
Im sure you are correct but why not play Baker or Clark, two good young kids who need the games
Beye has actually played centre-back far more than right-back during his career.
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Hardly an inspiring team selection, and one MON would've been hammered for.
However, I would've trusted MON's judgment and will do the same with Kev Mac.
Let's hope some of these players want to be playing Sunday and put a real shift in.
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Well I see the sense at this stage, I wouldn't be happy in the quarter finals. Come on the Villa!
What is the sense in playing this team, to lose the leg and tie ???
I don't see this at all as a guaranteed defeat. We all proclaimed KM on Saturday. Has he become an idiot all of a sudden? Let's trust him and see how it goes.
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I dont get this team at all.........Why play players out of positon ?? Clark and Baker are 2 recognised centre halves, both kids who need the experience and yet he plays Beye !!!! If MON had picked this team he would have been slaughtered.
Beye has actually played centre-back far more than right-back during his career.
Im sure you are correct but why not play Baker or Clark, two good young kids who need the games
Aren't you criticising him for not playing enough experienced players?
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Don't understand the thinking behind that team, I really don't, its not as though they are some obscure Welsh side playing in Oswestry.
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inb4 everyone starts being happy if we get a result 2night considering team selection.
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I can see us losing this 2 or 3 nil. But we'll see. I hope i'm proved wrong, but I just don't see the logic in treating this competition so badly. I really don't.
Peeves me no end.
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Well I see the sense at this stage, I wouldn't be happy in the quarter finals. Come on the Villa!
What is the sense in playing this team, to lose the leg and tie ???
I don't see this at all as a guaranteed defeat. We all proclaimed KM on Saturday. Has he become an idiot all of a sudden? Let's trust him and see how it goes.
Did we all proclaim him ??
I don't know anything about Vienna but this smacks of not taking the competition too seriously, unless Vienna have become a really poor side.
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Why no ginger ninja? :-\
He's not in the list of injured, rested, or suspended. Have we sold him? Or was he stopped at customs?
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He knows these players very well, let's see how they perform before we start having a go.
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Why no ginger ninja? :-\
He's not in the list of injured, rested, or suspended. Have we sold him? Or was he stopped at customs?
I heard he is injured.
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He knows these players very well, let's see how they perform before we start having a go.
That was my immediate reaction, too. If anyone at Villa Park knows what the likes of Hogg, Bannan, Lichaj and the others are capable of, it's Kev Mac.
He definitely gets the benefit of the doubt for what is quite a surprising line-up.
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Well I see the sense at this stage, I wouldn't be happy in the quarter finals. Come on the Villa!
What is the sense in playing this team, to lose the leg and tie ???
I don't see this at all as a guaranteed defeat. We all proclaimed KM on Saturday. Has he become an idiot all of a sudden? Let's trust him and see how it goes.
Did we all proclaim him ??
I don't know anything about Vienna but this smacks of not taking the competition too seriously, unless Vienna have become a really poor side.
There's an entire thread commending him for his efforts during a tough week, picking new players and having a role in the team playing some fantastic stuff. Some went as far as suggesting him as manager material. We have to trust him because he knows these players. What they can do. He's placed a lot of faith in them, and just because you or I don't know them well doesn't mean they can't play. We all wax lyrical when Arsenal or Man U blood new talent. We have as good a youth set up as both of those teams, so let's see what they can do.
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I'm very disappointed having seen the team the caretaker has selected.
I really really hoped we'd give this competition a go now that O'Neill had gone.
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People lets not abandon the Support from Supporters before a ball is even kicked. Every one of those players is a Villa player and wears the shirt with pride. Plus most of them have beaten Porto and Juve in europe before!!
C'mon on you Villa Boys...and men!!
UTV
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1-2 will be lovely.
Is it time to unleash the match thread?
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Interesting line up. We'll see how it goes eh?
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All that matters guys I that we get an away goal this time!
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Match thread unlocked chaps. See you all there.
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Have to admit I know nothing about Hogg so I'll be interested to see what he's like.
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Piss take out of the supporters who've made the journey, our opponents and the competition itself.
We deserve all we get, and we will.
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Piss take out of the supporters who've made the journey, our opponents and the competition itself.
We deserve all we get, and we will.
That's the spirit! UTV eh?!
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I'm going for a 0-3 Villa win!! C'mon boys!!
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That a strange side and looks incredibly week , here is hoping for 0-0!
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Nice bright start! Bannan's got his Brazil boots on!
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Good save Lil Brad!!
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At least we have Delfounso and Weimann on on the bench to send on in the unlikely event that Heskey isn't doing the business.