Aston Villa v Liverpool (FAC3) Friday 8th January 7:45pm KO - Pre Match Thread

[Jon Crofts]

All I remember is how crap our B team was against Stoke in the league cup.
I hope we go serious and go strong.

Can Lansbury come back into the reckoning for a cup game ? As long as Elmo isn't centre back again that would be an improvement...and sorry Henri but anyone else in midfield too

Lansbury's contract was terminated in October I thought?

[Meanwood Villa]

All I remember is how crap our B team was against Stoke in the league cup.
I hope we go serious and go strong.

Can Lansbury come back into the reckoning for a cup game ? As long as Elmo isn't centre back again that would be an improvement...and sorry Henri but anyone else in midfield too

Lansbury's contract was terminated in October I thought?

If only that were true. Still on our books according to t'internet. Will be hugely pissed off if he gets a look in.

[wittonwarrior]

For a lot of the FA cup is our holy grail.   Taking off my claret and blue specs we will not finish top 4   This is our big opportunity

[RamboandBruno]

The idea of not being excited and apprehensive in the build up to a 3rd against Liverpool feels a bit odd. But I think smith will pick his second string and we’ll go out with a bit of a wimpier. I really hope I’m wrong and agree with all the comments about picking a strong team.
Out of the reserves, I’d give Heaton, Elmo, Ramsey and Hause a run out and that’s it in terms of starting the match

[OCD]

I don't think there will be many changes.

[Steve67]

I want us to name the very best side we can and to take this cup seriously.  It's about time we won a proper trophy again, especially the FA Cup.

[cdbearsfan]

If Liverpool put out a side similar the one they played in last year's cup, our reserves should be good enough to win. Would definitely rest McGinn, Grealish and Watkins, but have all three on the bench in case we need them.

Expect it to be something like...

Heaton

Guilbert
Engels
Hause
Taylor

Elmo
Hourihane
Nakamba
Ramsey
Traore

Davis

Subs: Steer, Targett, Konsa, Luiz, El Ghazi, McGinn, Grealish, Barry, Watkins

Possibly Barkley/Trezeguet involved if back from injury.

[Gareth]

There is absolutely no reason to play a weakened side in this, it’ll have been a week since we played and then we have 5 days before we play again....go as strong as possible & get on that run to Wembley.

[cdbearsfan]

Watkins looked knackered against Man U. If anything happens to either him or Grealish we won't be winning the cup, and can give up finishing high up the league, too. For team spirit it is also vital to use squad players occasionally. Some of them will be vital in the long run.

If the players I've listed aren't good enough to beat a bunch of kids, they should be sold en masse. Save the vital players for tougher opponents.

[eamonn]

We don't know if Klopp will field a second string though. After the Southampton defeat on Monday he sounded in the mood for revenge at Villa Park.

[chrisw1]

If Liverpool put out a side similar the one they played in last year's cup, our reserves should be good enough to win. Would definitely rest McGinn, Grealish and Watkins, but have all three on the bench in case we need them.

Expect it to be something like...

Heaton

Guilbert
Engels
Hause
Taylor

Elmo
Hourihane
Nakamba
Ramsey
Traore

Davis

Subs: Steer, Targett, Konsa, Luiz, El Ghazi, McGinn, Grealish, Barry, Watkins

Possibly Barkley/Trezeguet involved if back from injury.

That is a shocking team, if it's anything like that I'll be fuming, and I don't get as misty eyed about the cup as some do on here.

[chrisw1]

Watkins looked knackered against Man U. If anything happens to either him or Grealish we won't be winning the cup, and can give up finishing high up the league, too. For team spirit it is also vital to use squad players occasionally. Some of them will be vital in the long run.

If the players I've listed aren't good enough to beat a bunch of kids, they should be sold en masse. Save the vital players for tougher opponents.

I think the club would love to sell most of those en masse if there was any chance of getting replacements in.  I'd think the only ones with any medium - long term future with us are Heaton (as No2), Ramsey and Traore.

[Martin Carruthers]

Be surprised if Heaton hangs around for long as a number 2.

[ChicagoLion]

Liverpool are already playing  second string due to injuries, form and fatigue.
We need to give Jack SJM Ollie. a rest as cdb says we won’t be doing anything if We are struck by injuries and fatigue. We also need to get some squad players game time.
Pack the bench if we need to change the game.

[robbo1874]

Tough call this, as there may be an opportunity to rest a few, if we assume Liverpool will be doing the same. Two things for me though with Smith: 1) he’s a Villa fan and won’t have seen us lift the FA cup; 2) he says that he sets out to win every game. On point 2, we can probably afford to rest a few, but not too many, if we’re seriously intending to win the match.

Who to leave out though and who to bring in? It’s hard to guess. I think Watkins could use a rest to recuperate. Does Keinan get a start? Davis scores never, but Watkins despite his best endeavours hasn’t been scoring either recently, but we’ve still been doing OK results-wise, so maybe not a huge gamble.

I don’t see the pint really in bringing Heaton in for this. Martinez is doing fine and Heaton’s been out for ages. Only way back for Heaton I see is if god forbid Martinez gets injured.

Kinda hoping Barkley is closer than they’re making out and he surprises us with a return. I reckon he’ll start a pretty strong side and know we can have an extra sub to change it up if necessary. Then again, I’m usually proved wrong so expect to see wholesale changes.

Still trying to decide whether to watch it with a Liverpool supporting fella I’ve got friendly with recently who has been going through a tough time with his mental health. Not sure I’ll be a big help to him for this one!