Pre-match thread: Rapid Vienna v Aston Villa

[SteveN]

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.

[Jimavfc]

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

[DANNYG]

sorry but could someone tell me what channels the game live on tonight ? cheers

[UK Redsox]

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.

[D.boy]

sorry but could someone tell me what channels the game live on tonight ? cheers

ITV4 at 5.45pm

[richardhubbard]

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

[Concrete John]

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? 
 

[Concrete John]

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.

[Mazrim]

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.

[Mazrim]

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.

[Fingers]

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?"

[richardhubbard]

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/

[D.boy]

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.

[frank]

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.

[Mazrim]

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.