Pre-match thread: Rapid Vienna v Aston Villa

[DANNYG]

cheers Lads !

[stevenjos]

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**

[bob]

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.

[Fingers]

Jelavic not playing.  SSN say he's signing for Rangers.

[Hookeysmith]

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

[D.boy]

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.

[supertom]

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.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

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.

[Concrete John]

When does the team get announced - is it an hour before kick off?

[Simon Ward]

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!

[CheeriOneill]

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!

[pauliewalnuts]

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.

[Toronto Villa]

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

[PaulTheVillan]

Any team news yet?

[Edvard Remberg]

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.