Small Heath Alliance v Aston Villa League Cup Quarter Final Pre-Match Thread

[Merv]

I like that team Merv, might be tempted to put Hogg in for the Fonz though as they play quite narrow and we might need to beef the midfield up a bit.

I know what you mean, but I like then we'll end up being solid, and the game will drift into a stalemate. I think if we can take the game to them and test them defensively, that's the key: get the first goal and we'll control the game, they'll have to come forward, which doesn't suit them.

But Houllier hasn't tended to go with two out and out strikers often, so I wouldn't be surprised to see an extra midfielder in there.

[richard moore]

I think i'd put the fonz in ahead of Carew ,especially with him being a local lad and up for it,and Carew looking well past it.

Agreed, Carew was absolutely awful on Saturday.

Carew wouldn't ever don the shirt again for me given his attitude these past few months. This is not the sort of game to be carrying someone like him...

[JJ-AV]

I dunno, if John wants to stick two fingers up to Houllier and get fans back on side if he gives us a mammoth performance tonight it'll forever be remembered...

He knows that, it's his sort of game... I'd start 4-5-1 personally, but I'd go with John ahead of Fonz.

[mrbrightside]

Big John has been awful for so long but I would still start him tonight. He is a complex fellow but I think he knows tonight could be a big chance for him to get back in the fans good books and destroy the Blose defence.

I would play Gabby in the sort of role MON used to give him where he just played everywhere wing/striker/full back.

[Bosco81]

If we do play 5 in midfield, we need to get numbers forward supporting the lone striker a bit more than we have done recently.

Our circumstances haven't really changed much since we played them in the league when Gerard left the hand brake on for 75 minutes, I can't see tonight being much different.

As poor as our defence has been recently I would back all of them in a scrap against the noses tonight.

[Ger Regan]

I dunno, if John wants to stick two fingers up to Houllier and get fans back on side if he gives us a mammoth performance tonight it'll forever be remembered...

He knows that, it's his sort of game... I'd start 4-5-1 personally, but I'd go with John ahead of Fonz.

Problem is that he patently can't play as a lone striker, his complete and utter lack of mobility means that balls have to be absolutely pinpoint, otherwise we'll be gifting them possession (like on Saturday).

And he's had numerous chances to get us back on side, it just looks like he either hasn't got it in him, or just can't be arsed any more. His comments in the press smacked of something who feels that he has nothing to prove.

[pedro25]

Definitely Fonz with Gabby, if Gabby was in hot form he may do ok on his own, but he's still finding his fitness so will benefit from the help up top, plus we only have Pires or Herd to fill in as the 5th man in midfield so no thanks.

[Blackcountry Villa]

Nervous. Exciting. Buzzing. Shitting it. Freezing but warm and fuzzy inside. Can't wait but also don't want the game to come.

Please Villa don't let us down, go out and fight, scrap, kick lumps out of them if we have to and win at all costs. I can't even comprehend standing there having to listen to them taking the piss, it's a horrible feeling and i hope we're 2 or 3 nil up so we can party properly.

[Villa'Zawg]

Is it too early to be thinking about heading out to find bluenoses to taunt?

[Ger Regan]

Is it too early to be thinking about heading out to find bluenoses to taunt?

I'm never a man for tempting fate!

[MadJohnnyC]

Due to finish work in 15mins. Buzzing now. I work in town though and the snow is rather heavy here. Game better go ahead!!

[Oscar Arce]

If anyone had any doubt about what to expect this evening, read the articulate comments from a typical Scum fan here:


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2920/league-cup/2010/12/01/2237649/its-utterly-hatred-driven-nobody-on-the-outside-will-ever?

[Villa'Zawg]

Is it too early to be thinking about heading out to find bluenoses to taunt?

I'm never a man for tempting fate!

I can do it for hours on end without mention or reference to tonight's game. In fact you can have those clowns at it without even mentioning the Villa. Put this on your phone to show them and watch the tears well up in their eyes...

[dave.woodhall]

And well done to goal.com for letting that bit of bile through.

[tarzansbrother]

Gabby,Bannan,Clarke,Young,Downing would be my midfield 5 supporting Carew. Downing has to be played on the left where has done very well this season.