Aston Villa v Chelsea FAC4 Replay Pre Match Thread

[VillaTim]

few rotations required as Sunday is Priority
 

Really?! You'd deprioritise the Chelsea game, when we have a fairly plum draw against either Leeds or Plymouth waiting for us and the chance to sail into the quarter finals??

You'd take winning Tottingham's '4th place trophy™' over a trip to Wembley and the chance to win arguably the most coveted domestic cup in world football that the large majority of our fan base have NEVER seen us lift in our lifetimes?

We shouldn't be deprioritising anything - We're getting into the business end of the season now. Play to win every game, and hopefully we come away with at least one bit of silverware at the end of it.

Yes 100%. Champions League is top priority. A trip to Wembley isn't that special anymore.

[Drummond]

I knew you weren't a Villa fan.

[AV82EC]

About 1500 left so another 1000 gone today. If Chelsea have sold out should be a good night with a decent 40k plus crowd. Can’t wait….

[VillaTim]

Champions League is far more important to the club.
We are likely to draw Liverpool or Ci$y in the QF or SF so need to be realistic .
Probably still not over the 2015 wembley debacle

[olaftab]

Is troll a noun or a verb?

[Nii Lamptey]

Honest question - If a trip to Wembley to watch your team's captain climb those steps and lift a domestic trophy competed for by 729 other British clubs doesn't float your boat, what's the point?

We get 3 opportunities (*maybe 4 with Europe) to lift a trophy each season. If you don't savour and long for those moments, why bother?

The last 20/25 odd years have breezed by, and being honest, I couldn't tell you what happened in any of those seasons... but what we CAN all remember are the '94 and '96 league cup wins like they were yesterday.

We all obviously want Champions League football, but a winning mentality to compete in EVERY competition breeds success. Start winning consistently and success will follow surely. For a club like Villa to have not won that cup in 67 years is an absolute travesty.

Personally, I think we've had our seasonal blip - Newcastle have rebooted us again, as they did first game of the season. I'm pinning my hopes on FA Cup winners, Euro Conference champions AND 4th in Prem this season. What's the point in playing competitive sport if you don't go into every match to win? 🤷🏼‍♂️


 

[VillaTim]

Honest question - If a trip to Wembley to watch your team's captain climb those steps and lift a domestic trophy competed for by 729 other British clubs doesn't float your boat, what's the point?

We get 3 opportunities (*maybe 4 with Europe) to lift a trophy each season. If you don't savour and long for those moments, why bother?

The last 20/25 odd years have breezed by, and being honest, I couldn't tell you what happened in any of those seasons... but what we CAN all remember are the '94 and '96 league cup wins like they were yesterday.

We all obviously want Champions League football, but a winning mentality to compete in EVERY competition breeds success. Start winning consistently and success will follow surely. For a club like Villa to have not won that cup in 67 years is an absolute travesty.

Personally, I think we've had our seasonal blip - Newcastle have rebooted us again, as they did first game of the season. I'm pinning my hopes on FA Cup winners, Euro Conference champions AND 4th in Prem this season. What's the point in playing competitive sport if you don't go into every match to win? 🤷🏼‍♂️

sounds like you answered your own question so crack on . For me Sunday is by far the bigger game . Beat them and the gap is effectively 12 points

[astonvilla82]

Champions League is far more important to the club.
We are likely to draw Liverpool or Ci$y in the QF or SF so need to be realistic .
Probably still not over the 2015 wembley debacle

Beat Chelsea and pump anyone else after that

[ADVILLAFAN]

Had a bet on them to win, so we should get through.

[Nii Lamptey]

Honest question - If a trip to Wembley to watch your team's captain climb those steps and lift a domestic trophy competed for by 729 other British clubs doesn't float your boat, what's the point?

We get 3 opportunities (*maybe 4 with Europe) to lift a trophy each season. If you don't savour and long for those moments, why bother?

The last 20/25 odd years have breezed by, and being honest, I couldn't tell you what happened in any of those seasons... but what we CAN all remember are the '94 and '96 league cup wins like they were yesterday.

We all obviously want Champions League football, but a winning mentality to compete in EVERY competition breeds success. Start winning consistently and success will follow surely. For a club like Villa to have not won that cup in 67 years is an absolute travesty.

Personally, I think we've had our seasonal blip - Newcastle have rebooted us again, as they did first game of the season. I'm pinning my hopes on FA Cup winners, Euro Conference champions AND 4th in Prem this season. What's the point in playing competitive sport if you don't go into every match to win? 🤷🏼‍♂️

sounds like you answered your own question so crack on . For me Sunday is by far the bigger game . Beat them and the gap is effectively 12 points

Erm?!

We should be playing the strongest 11 we can muster in BOTH games, not giving Chelsea a bye into the next round.

Deal with Chelsea first, then send those Manc pricks packing back to Essex on Sunday evening.

[N'ZMAV]

just win. Doesn't matter how. Just win.

[olaftab]

Honest question - If a trip to Wembley to watch your team's captain climb those steps and lift a domestic trophy competed for by 729 other British clubs doesn't float your boat, what's the point?

Aston Villa football club should be making regular trips to Wembley in cup competitions. That's the way to win trophies. I am not ashamed by our thrashing in 2015 final however I am ashamed by the fact that we did not go past the 3rd round for many a season until now.

[Nii Lamptey]

Honest question - If a trip to Wembley to watch your team's captain climb those steps and lift a domestic trophy competed for by 729 other British clubs doesn't float your boat, what's the point?

Aston Villa football club should be making regular trips to Wembley in cup competitions. That's the way to win trophies. I am not ashamed by our thrashing in 2015 final however I am ashamed by the fact that we did not go past the 3rd round for many a season until now.

Amen to that!

[chrisw1]

As it's only the 4th round I kind of agree with Tim, Sunday is the bigger game.

I'd LOVE an FA cup win, but qualifying for the CL could theoretically be the difference between retaining or losing the likes of Martinez and Luiz.  It's also potentially the launch pad for long-term success that we all hope will bring more trophies (and usually does if you ignore the serial bottlers Spurs).

So yeah, if you offered me the actual FA cup then I'd take it.  But 4th round against putting another 3 points between us and potentially our biggest rival for 5th - that's a huge game and a harder decision.

Either way, I hope we go strong on Wednesday.  We can compete in both.
 

[VillaTim]

We'd not have that many rotation options with Rogers cup tied , Zaniolo injured. If Konsa isn't 100% he should be rested for Sunday, same with Torres .
Diaby can start Wednesday and rest Bailey , perhaps irogbunam can play a part .