Manchester City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[The Man With A Stick]

I'd rather have Cardigan Bay and Neil Warnock in the side than either of those pair.

[Dr Butler]

Villa have not knocked out City since a 3-2 triumph in the 1938 quarter-finals.


just seen this on the BBC site !  so it's about time we did it again !!

UTV
The Doc

[Oscar Arce]

I'd rather have Cardigan Bay and Neil Warnock in the side than either of those pair.

Delph's never played left back in his life, whatever your reservations on either of them, they at least can play in that position.
I know Houllier has fallen out with both of them, but you can't go from being in England's World Cup squad to being crap in one foul swoop.
It's just that I think if he plays there, clearly out of position, it will be our achilles heel in the biggest game of the season.

[garyshawsknee]

I'd rather have Cardigan Bay and Neil Warnock in the side than either of those pair.

Delph's never played left back in his life, whatever your reservations on either of them, they at least can play in that position.
I know Houllier has fallen out with both of them, but you can't go from being in England's World Cup squad to being crap in one foul swoop.
It's just that I think if he plays there, clearly out of position, it will be our achilles heel in the biggest game of the season.

I think Beye has proved that he can't play in that position. Warnock's a different matter,but if he's so out of favour with GH,i cant see anyway back for him. Is Luke Young ready? He's usually pretty steady in that position.

[Michel Sibble]

I know Houllier has fallen out with both of them, but you can't go from being in England's World Cup squad to being crap in one foul swoop.

You can if someone cannot clearly be arsed to perform the absolute minimum for the club that pays you. I do not want to see that petulant cnut anywhere near the first team.

Rather a committed Delph try his best there, if he gets ripped apart I'm sure GH will change things and offer him some sort of protection there.

I've heard L Young is on paternity leave but cannot confirm it.

[WikiVilla]

Did anyone see Delphs pass down the line to Albrighton on Satdee

[Merv]

Hmmmm. City are a bit light on width, with Johnson out, SWP rubbish/out of favour. I wonder if we, in our mini full-back crisis, could get away with this:

                                           Friedel

                      Walker           Dunne       Clark
                                           
                                           NRC
          Albrighton        Petrov           Delph      Downing

                                          Young

                                          Agbonlahor

Subs: Guzan, Warnock, Bradley, Bannan, Herd, Heskey, Delfouneso     

[Mazrim]

Beye and Warnock are a pair of useless minges.

I'd play Luke Young at left back though with Delph in midfield.
But I'd rather Delph at left back than either of those two bed wetting parasites.

[WikiVilla]

Downing can play LB worst case scenario

[eastie]

Walker has played left back and is competent there if needed , I think if lichaj had been here he would have gone with him at right back but this is a tricky one , I was hoping luke would play but if not have we anyone in the reserves who could step up to the plate?

[Dave P]

Lichaj was completly and utterly roasted up there a few months ago.  Even if he was here, I wouldn't have played him in this game.  Keep Delph there, he'll be ok.  he's athletic, can tackle and can pass, he'll do fine.

[eastie]

It looks like delph is the only option , he will be tested by them and I hope he avoids an early booking , city look like they are going to put out a very strong side so it's a good test of how far we have come- it's the cup and anything can happen in these one off cup games- let's hope the result goes our way.

[Dave Cooper please]

It looks like delph is the only option ,

Ciaran Clarke?

[eastie]

Collins, baker and cuellar are out though dave, so Clark will need to play alongside dunne.

[abc123cox]

leaving in 1hr, it's going to be a close match!

COME ON VILLA!