Match Prediction: Leicester in the Carling Cup
Tuesday, 25 September 07, 04:29 AM · Comments (7)
If we were going to come unstuck against anyone in the early rounds of this tournament I wouldn't be surprised if it was Leicester; the team Martin O'Neill won the competition with, twice, but I don't expect it tomorrow night.
I don't expect it because we're at home, Leicester are struggling in the Championship and mostly because Martin O'Neill likes this tournament so won't be taking it easy.
Although we've not had confirmation from the club it looks like Carew is not available so we'll probably start with Harewood, who if you remember, was signed specifically as a squad player and possibly for when John Carew got injured or needed a rest.
Martin Laursen will also probably get a rest and you never know Shaun Maloney might start, especially after he got two in the last round and it appears it doesn't matter what he does he probably won't start a game for us in the Premier League again.
There might also be a rest for Scott Carson, who was left out of the last Carling Cup game and Petrov might get a look in for either Barry or Reo-Coker, although if he did I'd fully expect whoever makes way for him is on the bench.
Osbourne also got a look in last time and this might be the type of match Martin O'Neill wants to play him in as often as he can and the manager was full of praise for the youngster after the victory at Wrexham.
Whoever is picked, I expect it to be a home win and just cant see it going any other way. I know, famous last words, but surely if you're having a bet you can only pick Villa for this.
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7 Comments · Add yours
Bouma could well be out too. O'Halloran and Salifou look like they'll make the team.
I wonder if Zoltan Steiber or Shane Lowry will make the bench? I hope so.
I don't think Zoltan and Shane are that ready just yet
Curtis starting plus osbourne, gardner and o halloran, that salifou isnt even in the country yet so i doubt he will play. He had trouble with his work permit or something so has not even trained with the boys!!! Villa through to next round no question then hopefully another home tie!! Wembley ere we come...
My team prediction is-
Taylor
Gardener,Davis,Knight,Barry
Maloney,Petrov,Osbourne,Berger
Harewood,Moore
Bench-Sorensen,Melberg,O'Halloran,Reo-Coker,Agbonlahor
I definatly think Barry needs a rest since he will definatly feature for Villa and should play for England in the internationals so it would be better to rest him now. I hope Maloney starts and i think Petrov should get a game. I hope Davis gets his debut aswell ive been dying to see what the lad can do. I think we should rest Carson aswell and perhaps give a game to Sorensen. Also i hope Harewood gets a start, i think he can really step up and if he grabs a goal or two against Leicster i think he can go on a scoring run in the PL.
I think we will win it about 3-0. We should be fairly comfortable the whole night.
UTV
looks like we all have to eat our words now. I thought we would beat them but it sounded like a pretty tight game.
I dont know what team he put out but our 2nd side should have been capable of beating them.
Still at least we wont suffer as many injurys as we potentially could have, this lets us concentrate harder on the league (little conserlation i know.)
I guess the F.A cup is the one for us this season :D
Its just a blip we are still looking good in the league!
UTV