Aston Villa (0) vs Nottm Forest (1) - EL SF 2nd leg pre match

[brontebilly]

We held back v Fulham too. Not to same extent v Spurs but another abject lifeless performance. McGinn was quiet in the first leg, really need him to set the tone from the off. Have a horrible feeling that this game has the end of an era feel about it.

[Nii Lamptey]

I'm still raging with bitterness at how abject we were on Sunday.

Unless we get at them from the first whistle, I think we're done for. Feels like our watershed moment which could go either way - Ageing squad combined with financial restrictions means we're going to struggle to reach these heights any time soon (*especially as it looks like we've failed to land the knockout blow to Spurs, and they'll be back challenging sooner rather than later now).

Team for Thursday:

Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne
Rogers (*McGinn), Tielemans, McGinn (*Onana), Maatsen (*Rogers)
Buendia, Watkins

Guessing Mr Glass (Onana) is out, but put alternatives in brackets in case he defies the odds.

Don't want to see Sancho, Bailey, Mings or Barkley anywhere near that starting lineup. Bogarde has a pass, but only if he comes on as night watchman around 80mins in when we're 3 goals to the good.

[aj2k77]

Bastard of an injury for MGW but means he will be playing unfortunately

Why does that mean he’ll be playing?

Midfield and defence need to be all over this bastard with hands, arms and elbows in his face all game long.

[Dublin Villa]

Olaftab re above i sent a nessage re spare is this Still avaiilable?

[Somniloquism]

21:00 CET - Birmingham (Villa Park)
ASTON VILLA FC (ENG)  - NOTTINGHAM FOREST FC (ENG) 
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Fourth Official: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX

[TheToffnar]

Think I might have been one of the few at VP that even mildly celebrated the goal on Sunday, not because I felt it was particularly well earned, but because taking no goals in 270 mins into a semi final would have been absolute poison.

I have few expectations as it stands. I'd have backed us to beat anyone and to an extent I still do, but I think Sunday has had more of an effect on fans then we yet realize. I didn't think this club could allow a performance like that to happen and I'd be lying if I said the spell Emery's had me under for almost 4 years hasn't lost it's vigor because of it.

Regardless, this team has surprised us all too many times to count them out of anything, got to get behind them.

[Somniloquism]

French VAR team, expect all the decisions to go against Martinez...

[walsall villain]

Bastard of an injury for MGW but means he will be playing unfortunately

Why does that mean he’ll be playing?

Midfield and defence need to be all over this bastard with hands, arms and elbows in his face all game long.

I can’t see him being risked

[eamonn]

I think Perreira said something about they'll give him every chance even if it means he doesn't head the ball but I don't know if he meant that.

[PaulWinch again]

Bastard of an injury for MGW but means he will be playing unfortunately

Why does that mean he’ll be playing?

Midfield and defence need to be all over this bastard with hands, arms and elbows in his face all game long.

I can’t see him being risked

I can see every chance he’s risked. Football and duty of care to individuals is always pretty flaky.

[martin o`who??]

You'd better pray we get through because if they go on and win it the media who really do have a major hard-on for Forest will go absolutely off the scale and we'll never hear the end of it - ever - not in this lifetime or the next.

[aj2k77]

He'll be risked, he's their talisman. He needs to be shithoused and roughed up non stop until he wilts.

[Mellin]

I don't care if he plays or not, but if they're daft enough to put him on the pitch in that condition, it's not going to take much to split that wide open.

[Olneythelonely]

He'll be risked, he's their talisman. He needs to be shithoused and rough up non stop until he wilts.

I’m not convinced we have a player capable or willing to do that. Maybe McGinn.

[martin o`who??]

Watch one of our lot go in studs up on one of theirs and get a straight red while Anderson got away with a potential season/career ender.