Aston Villa vs Bournemouth Pre-match thread

[DeKuip]

Just bought my ticket for this game. Let's just say I had quite a lot of choice of where to sit.

That's ok, me and you can sit and chuckle when all the fairweather fans moan on here about not being able to get Wembley tickets.

[olaftab]

He must play the best available team and stress upon them the importance of the FA cup. Anything else is NOT acceptable.

Would you care to uninvent the wheel while you're at it?

NO. The wheel requires optimising.

[PeterWithesShin]

Paul Lambert says he'd love to lead Villa to FA Cup glory - but he knows they will have to get past high-flying Bournemouth first to have a chance this season.

Lambert won a host of honours as a player - the Scottish Cup with St. Mirren as a 17-year-old, the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund and all the Scottish domestic honours with Celtic - including four Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups.

The manager says footballers cherish their medals when their careers are over and he's eager for the claret and blue stars to have accolades to look back on in the coming years.

Next up on the Road to Wembley are Championship table-toppers Bournemouth.

He said: "You want to progress. We will go as strong as we can.

"You only need five games now to get through to the final and do it. If we can have that good cup run, it will be great.

"If you are in something you try and win it. I have always said that.

"That's the way I always viewed my own career. You do as well as you can and try to get through.

"If we do get through and you get a favourable draw then you never know.

"You want to win something whatever club you're at. Football is all about winning.

"If you can look back at your career and see that you have won medals, it's more important than anything else.

"It's great for your memory and great to look back at. As a footballer you want to win something.

"The first year we were here we got to the semi-final of the League Cup and that was a major disappointment.

"Last year was not good enough in getting knocked out.

"This year is a chance where we can go further. I want to get through.

"The FA Cup - like any cup competition - I want to win it. Your career is always judged on your medals and what you won. For me that is the most important thing. That's why I want to get through.

"There's nothing better than getting to a final and winning it. There's nothing worse than losing it - but nothing better than winning it.

"We will do everything we can to get through. If we do what we did against Liverpool in that second half, we have a really good chance of progressing."

Villa must see off the Cherries on Sunday for a place in the fifth round of the competition still viewed as the No.1 knockout tournament in domestic world football.

Lambert is a big admirer of Bournemouth - who he saw lose to Leeds in their last game - but he still insists that Villa are favourites.

He continued: "I went up to watch them the other night against Leeds.

"Leeds were excellent. They were very, very good.

"Bournemouth have started the season really well. They are doing well in the league.

"But the expectancy level is on us to win a game of football.

"If Bournemouth were playing a team from League One, they'd have the expectancy level.

"We are at home and have a really good chance of progress.

"But Bournemouth are a good side and up at the top of the table on merit."

Veteran goalkeeper Shay Given was between the sticks for the third round win over Blackpool and could continue on Sunday.

Lambert spoke of his admiration for the shot-stopper on the eve of the latest tie.

He added: "Shay is excellent.

"His attitude to the game as a whole is superb. He has massive enthusiasm for the game. It's second to none.

"The two of them - Shay and Brad - are going really well.We are fortunate to have two top keepers.

"Shay is also a top guy and great to have around the place. He's a great professional."

[nodge]

                                 Guzan

Hutton            Okore              Clark           Cisshoko

                      Sanchez           Delph

Bacuna                          Gil                       Grealish

                                Benteke


We're blessed with one of the most lethal front men in the PL. Let's start trying to supply him with the ammunition he needs. Gabby can take the rest of the year off for me and hand the armband to Delph or Sanchez.

That would be my team too. Looks good on paper, what are the chances we will see it ?

I like that team too.  Two defensive midfielders protecting the back four and three creative players behind a focal point up front. Why play three forward players when two of them aren't scoring?

I'd love to see that team too but if I was a betting man I'd say our manager will start with Cleverley, Gabby and Andi instead of Gil, Bacuna and Jack. I'd love to be proved wrong but I doubt it.

[Legion]

I think Gabby might be injured and Grealish is on the naughty step.

[olaftab]

"You want to win something whatever club you're at. Football is all about winning.
"Last year was not good enough in getting knocked out.
"This year is a chance where we can go further. I want to get through.

<<like>>

[olaftab]

"Leeds were excellent. They were very, very good.
He added: "Shay is excellent.

I guess Lambert just says this as a matter of habit.

[nodge]

I had no idea we'd have to get past high flying Bournemouth to progress in the FA Cup.  I'm glad Lambert knows though.

[Stu]

Currently getting mullered by Watford.

[PeterWithesShin]

Currently getting mullered by Watford.

Bit harsh making them play on consecutive days! Unless you mean Blackpool are losing at Watford? *winky*

[spangley1812]

Currently getting mullered by Watford.

Bit harsh making them play on consecutive days! Unless you mean Blackpool are losing at Watford? *winky*

Watford have scored 6 in 28 minutes...........

[PeterWithesShin]

Edit: Wrong thread!

[N'ZMAV]

I think Gabby might be injured and Grealish is on the naughty step.

Currently getting mullered by Watford.

Bit harsh making them play on consecutive days! Unless you mean Blackpool are losing at Watford? *winky*

Watford have scored 6 in 28 minutes...........

we haven't score 6 in about 3 months.

[Stu]

Currently getting mullered by Watford.

Bit harsh making them play on consecutive days! Unless you mean Blackpool are losing at Watford? *winky*

Ooops! I do this with those two teams ALL THE TIME.

Imagine if I was going on holiday to Bournemouth? Christ almighty.

[Dominic22]

I know it is ridiculous to say with our form etc... but what a chance for a good cup run, Tottenham Chelsea and Man City out