Aston Villa v Leicester City (FA Cup) - Sun 15 Feb 2015 Pre-Match Thread

[Chris Smith]

I just can't shake the feeling that because of everything that has been going on I can't give a shit about this game. We have bigger fish to fry and I want just to get on and sort out the league form. This to me is a bloody distraction. And it's the 5th Round of the FA Cup. And we're at home .

I welcome the distraction. Getting back to a game of football instead of all the manager crap, you never know we might even get to score a goal.

[Damo70]

As much as I want us to progress I see this as a 'free game' in that we have a weekend where we cannot drop any points while looking for a new manager. I would have stuck BFR and Stan Boardman in charge for this game to boost morale. Nige could have come and played his fiddle in the dressing room before the game too.

[Damo70]

Nigel Pearson currently reminds me of Monty Python's Mr Creosote from The Meaning Of Life. He is one wafer thin mint away from exploding completely.

[SoccerHQ]

No idea what we'll get tomorrow. I have a feeling it will go to a replay. Just interested to see what the Marshall brothers do with regards team  selection and formation and there's anything different, Vlaar and Benteke have to be back in the team now surely?

[SoccerHQ]

Should the Marshalls be the ones taking over? They always look pretty glum on the bench...where is Sid?

Given one is the defensive coach and the other the keeper coach, both are out on the training field most days interacting with the players

As much as a legend Sid is, he's back coaching the youths full time so out of the loop with the first team squad. It's the right decision.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I just can't shake the feeling that because of everything that has been going on I can't give a shit about this game. We have bigger fish to fry and I want just to get on and sort out the league form. This to me is a bloody distraction. And it's the 5th Round of the FA Cup. And we're at home .

I welcome the distraction. Getting back to a game of football instead of all the manager crap, you never know we might even get to score a goal.

This.

We can forget about the relegation battle for 90 minutes and get behind the team that isn't Lambert's.
Which, if I've read things correctly, is what the vast majority wanted.
I'd love us to win this for many different reasons.
UTV!

[SoccerHQ]

Above all you'd like to think the players will want to have a bit of pride about things and at least get us through to the quarters which hasn't happened much in the last 15 years.

This is also against opposition where with a good performance we can win and score a goal or two like we did in December confidence can flood back which is crucial.

Of course the opposite could happen. With a lack of direction we'll come out flat, concede after 20 minutes and play clueless for the rest of the game with the players hiding behind the lack of a manager.

We'll see.

[supertom]

I can see us trouncing Leicester 5-0, suddenly the thought will linger in Villa fans heads..."what if we kept the M&M team in charge?".
Sherwood signs.

We lose every game after.

[dave.woodhall]

Has anyone else noticed that when this one was announced as a TV game the general thought was "WHY?" but now we're the week's big story?

[Gregorys Boy]

Has anyone else noticed that when this one was announced as a TV game the general thought was "WHY?" but now we're the week's big story?

Good point. And this is a funny sort of game which either could be seen as a bit of turning point in the future or just another dire footnote in a depressing season.  At least now it is a game where there is not much to lose.  Before Lambert got the sack I was thinking that going out of the cup could really do him in.  I get the mixed feelings about this game.  But I do see it as a nice destraction and having a little run in the cup when you have nothing else to cheer about should be seen as a positive.   Now winning the cup (doubt it will happen, but still) and going down would undo this argument, but winning the cup and staying up by the skin of our teeth I would take that.

[Boz]

Apparently Scott Marshall will talk to Lambert before the game. What on earth would be the point of that unless he is looking to maintain our outstanding goal scoring record this season.

Scott's obviously full of self confidence then.

I imagine he's thinking he's out of a job when a new manager arrives with his own coaches, so he's not got a lot to lose one way or the other on Sunday's result and he's said he doesn't want the managers job.

[Drummond]

If Sherwood is involved, I reckon he'll get off to a flyer. 4-1.

[SoccerHQ]

Must win tomorrow, West Ham already out and Stoke potentially going the same way with them losing and being down to 10 men.

Geoff Cameron also suspended for our game now.

[PeterWithesShin]

The first 3 teams into the QF are Blackburn, Bitters, Reading.

[Pete3206]

2 more Prem teams out and we're 90 minutes from QFs. Please do it Villa