FA Cup Semi-Final: Aston Villa vs Liverpool Pre-Match Thread

[Dave]

Sturridge a big doubt for them apparently, not playing tonight. You look at the team they have out tonight and you think 'we could seriously do this'

Even at full strength they don't have a player as good as Benteke. I reckon that if the QPR version of Benteke turns up then we'll go through. Any other version and we probably won't.

Saturday's version at Spurs was pretty good.

It was, I just don't see Skrtl being as accommodating as Chiriches or Coutinho being as toothless as Townsend though. So I think he'll still need to be better.

[exigo]

The Shunammite will be in attendance:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/11532742/Aston-Villa-owner-Randy-Lerner-to-make-Wembley-appearance-for-FA-Cup-semi-final-against-Liverpool.html

Gloryhunter. Doesn't do it on a cold, wet night in Stoke.

[exigo]

I've gone for a villa win. If we don't, i hope we get a goal for the fans to enjoy. I heard somewhere that we haven't scored in our last 5 fa cup semi finals, or something like that.

I've been to Wembley four times, only goal I've seen Villa score is Milner's pen in 2010 (not including Bolton penalty shoot-out).

Was at the Bolton and Chelsea games in 2000, and Chelsea in 2010. But not the Man U final in the same year, or Leeds in 96. It's depressing to think that I haven't seen us score a normal time goal at Wembley since 1994.

[Risso]

I shall be there as well.  I've got a 100% record of seeing us win at Wembley too.

[PeterWithesShin]

I shall be there as well.  I've got a 100% record of seeing us win at Wembley too.

My record is 2 wins, 3 draws (won on pens) and a defeat.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Really looking forward to this!

[l_mckay]

Though liverpool looked very average tonight but still a lot depends on who we have available. Think this could be a great game going 3-2 villa win.

[Holte132]

Is this an omen? The initial letters of the four semi-finalists are:

A     (Arsenal)
AV   (Aston Villa)
L     (Liverpool)
R    ( Reading)

Those five letters can be rearranged to make the word VLAAR!

It must be our year!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Vlarr own goal it is then.

2-0 to the Cheating Scum.

Seriously, I have serious doubts Sherwood will sort out a decent midfield, even though the worst player in the world is banned. More seriously, we have too many missing and it will probably go to extra time. If they don't get a penalty I'll watch Des eat another hat.

[DeKuip]

Stuff all these modern formations and tactics - and worrying about the opposition - we won (and lost) the English Cup more times than anyone a century or so ago.

                                                   ASTON VILLA   
                              (claret shirts, white knickers & stockings)
   
                                                    GK - Given

                                     RB - Hutton             LB - Baker

                    RH - Cleverley            CH - Vlaar            LH - Delph

OR - N'Zogbia           IR - Gil        CF - Benteke       IL - Cole        OL - Grealish


              Subs: None         



   

[tomd2103]

Really looking forward to going down there on Sunday.  Gabby has caused them problems with his pace in recent seasons, so it would be good if he is fit.  I think we will need to play someone just in front of the back four to deal with Sterling and Coutinho when they drop in there.  Apart from that, I'd go with pretty much the same as last weekend, with maybe Sinclair replacing Grealish in the free role if he is fit.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Is this an omen? The initial letters of the four semi-finalists are:

A     (Arsenal)
AV   (Aston Villa)
L     (Liverpool)
R    ( Reading)

Those five letters can be rearranged to make the word VLAAR!

It must be our year!

Could also be:

A (Arsenal)
R (Reading)
A (Aston Villa)
L (Liverpool)

[Rudy65]

Really looking forward to going down there on Sunday.  Gabby has caused them problems with his pace in recent seasons, so it would be good if he is fit.  I think we will need to play someone just in front of the back four to deal with Sterling and Coutinho when they drop in there.  Apart from that, I'd go with pretty much the same as last weekend, with maybe Sinclair replacing Grealish in the free role if he is fit.

I think Gabbys over hyped reputation outside the midlands means Liverpool will be worried if he plays

[Toronto Villa]

Is this an omen? The initial letters of the four semi-finalists are:

A     (Arsenal)
AV   (Aston Villa)
L     (Liverpool)
R    ( Reading)

Those five letters can be rearranged to make the word VLAAR!

It must be our year!

Could also be:

A (Arsenal)
R (Reading)
A (Aston Villa)
L (Liverpool)

That spells Lara backwards, great cricketer who played for Warwickshire, home ground in Edgbaston, which is in Birmingham. It must be our year!!

[ciggiesnbeer]

Completely winnable and we are in a no lose situation of being able to fully enjoy the day.

I have a feeling this one could come down to the ref (like our last visits to new wembley) hopefully this time it will be in our favour.