Aston Villa vs Blackpool Pre-match thread

[PeterWithesShin]

Has he come out with any quotes about how "we could do without the Cup" this year?

Are we on for a sub 20k crowd too?

Probably are on for sub 20K due to three home games in a week at this time of year. Not easy on the pocket and Blackpool aren't exactly much of a draw.

And this is what he said.

Paul Lambert has warned his players that Blackpool will come to Villa Park with real freedom.

Lambert says the Tangerines will be unburdened by the shackles of Championship survival struggles as they arrive in B6 for the third round encounter.

And the Villa boss says his team must be wary of that as they look for progress in the world's most famous domestic knockout competition.

Lambert has several injury and suspension problems affecting the likes of Ron Vlaar, Nathan Baker, Fabian Delph, Philippe Senderos and Libor Kozak.

But he promises he will go as strong as possible for the tricky tie with former Blues boss Lee Clark's men, who currently lie at the foot of the Championship table.

He said: "I think it's a good opportunity to get through. That's what we will try to do - we will go as strong as we possibly can to get through.

"It gives everyone a break from the league, which is really, really tough.

"It's been a hard period - the Christmas and New Year period is hard - but the Cup game gives us an opportunity to get through.

"I will go as strong as I can to get through. There was losing Ron and Fabian will still be out so there's still ones who will probably have to play again come Sunday."

Asked if he was wary of the Seasiders, he continued: "Yes. You have to be.

"There's nothing to lose for them. They will come out and give it a go.

"I am pretty sure they won't sit in.

"It's a Cup game so it will probably be a breather for them from the league.

"They are having a hard time in the league and Lee has gone in at a difficult time.

"It's a tough match. You'd like to think they will come and give it a game.

"I don't know Lee that well. I have spoken to him a few times but I know Alan Thompson really well. He's a good friend from Celtic.

"But for us, we just have to make sure we get through."

[London Villan]

Slightly better than last year's "rallying cry". We shall see tomorrow.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Has he come out with any quotes about how "we could do without the Cup" this year?

Are we on for a sub 20k crowd too?

Not exactly.

Yes.

[olaftab]

Has he come out with any quotes about how "we could do without the Cup" this year?

No but I hope this quote doesn't make players think it's going to be easy?

"It gives everyone a break from the league, which is really, really tough.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

"I will go as strong as I can to get through...we just have to make sure we get through."

Which makes it pretty clear what his intentions are...to do just enough to scrape a win and no more?

[Ron Manager]

Bit worried about Jamie O'Hara. When he was on loan to Portsmouth from Spurs he had a very good spell of form. I know that was some time ago and the bloke himself is a grade A tosspot but he has skill and a powerful shot on him. Probably not very fit though but we do need to watch him.

[ez]

Looking on the club site i see there are no tickets available for the upper trinity so i take it that bit is not being used tomorrow.

[olaftab]

No Upper Trinity is sold out. 10,000 B&B owners from Blackpool have bought the lot.

[silhillvilla]

the upper trinity so i take it that bit is not being used tomorrow.

Business as usual then .

[Lizz]

3-0 home win.

[Meanwood Villa]

Maybe we can bore our way to wembley. Comatoesing everything in our way.

Leeds game aside, it worked in 2000.

Quarter final was a good game.

[ChicagoLion]

All goes well with my flight I might just make it tomorrow.

Where we meeting for a pint?

[dave.woodhall]

All goes well with my flight I might just make it tomorrow.

Where we meeting for a pint?

Legends on South Wabash if you've any sense.

[ChicagoLion]

All goes well with my flight I might just make it tomorrow.

Where we meeting for a pint?

Legends on South Wabash if you've any sense.

Bartons it is then.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

I think we'll lose and I don't really care. I'd love for us to win a cup so much, but I've accepted we're never going to do that under Lambert. Let's just focus on the league and keeping our place in the Premier League until a super rich person buys us.