UEFA Cup Match Prediction: CSKA Moscow at Villa Park
Tuesday, 17 February 09, 02:46 AM · Comments (101)
Not wanting to state the bloody obvious or to use copy exclusively reserved for the official club site, but we really do need to see a different Aston Villa tomorrow night, but here goes; we need to bounce back.
The thing that surprised me about the Everton defeat was that Everton seemed to want it more and that isn't usually something you associate with a Martin O'Neill team, but I fully expect to see a little bit more bite when the Russians come.
Again, not wanting to state the obvious but European football is also different and while there is a chance the players had one eye on this match when trotting out at Goodison Park on Sunday, Martin O'Neill is fully aware of the differences and I'm fairly sure we'll see a different game at Villa Park.
Because the match is over two legs it's also going to be important that we don't concede, or concede that many so I wouldn't be surprised to see us revert back to five in the middle although I'm also aware that Martin O'Neill might like to stick with two up front, regardless of how many Moscow play in the middle.
It's certainly going to be interesting to see how Martin O'Neill lines up his players, knowing that there is a second leg; he might risk the two up front, hoping that we just score more than they do, but it would be quite difficult having to chase a game in Moscow if we've conceded at home. I think I might be happy with a goalless draw at this stage.
But you know that's not my prediction although if that is what we end up getting, I'd be happy. I really do think we'll steal this with a cheeky goal and a very spirited defensive display and I think the emphasis tomorrow night will be on getting the ball back when we haven't got it and closing them down quickly, not giving them time to play.
So, it's a 1-0 home win for us, which I think will be enough to take to Moscow and with them chasing the game there, I think our pace will be enough to steal a cheeky goal their too.
Tomorrow is about playing to our strengths and I think our biggest, at the moment, is our work ethic. Everyone works and I think tomorrow night, all will be called upon to give everything, which I think will also be a nice warm up to the match on Saturday.
So, a win, but you knew that. Before I go, don't forget that you can order a Paul Birch t-shirt here just in time for Paul Birch Day on Saturday and if you didn't know, £5 of the £9.99 you pay for the t-shirt is going to the Paul Birch Trust.
So, your predictions below please and tomorrow afternoon we'll open up a post for all the latest team news and pre-match banter, but until then, I need to go get some breakfast and a big coffee.
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101 Comments · Add yours
I think you worry unnecessarily, there will be a different perfomance, of that there is no doubt. But, i agree a must win game.....no pressure then!! lol
I'm looking for a good performance after Sunday, and Im sure the players will want to make up for their poor display (except Petrov who was immense).
It will be interesting to see what players will walk out due to injury and the Chelsea game in mind.
Agreed. But there as in Moscow is spelt as that, there not their....
i'm expecting absolutely zero from this match
i'm getting pretty anxious about saturday and its only tuesday
Reply to croni:
I'm with you, I think Chelsea is the bigger game, and I think a result there would set us up nicely.
I'm coming up from southampton and bringing my 5 year old son for his first taste of proper footie tomorrow night, so for the future of our own fanbase and my peace of mind (can't handle a chelsea fan in the house) let's hope we win!
Just read on some site linked off news now that Reo Coker is in the Squad, will be very happy if this is true, he's been missed a lot. I'm kinda expecting them to play it like a home game as away goals count so I think they will come at us more than your regular visitor, which would suit the counter attacking football we play so well. Because of this i'm predicting a 3-1 with Gabby getting back on the score sheets, maybe i'm over hopefull but i'll be there and over the years we only ever lost once (to barnsley!) when I was in the stands. Come on the Villa!!!!
These 2 games are literally going to be the defining moment of our season. I know thats stating the obvious but is so very true. We get 2 positve resuls and who knows how high we can finish. Two poor results or more importantly two poor performances (like sun) and everything we have worked hard 4 could be slipping away.
But we have 2 have faith in the players and MON and support whoever pulls on the Claret and Blue no exceptions!!!
UTV
ozvillan I agree... arsenal will be bouyed by the return of eduardo. they'll come at us pretty hard over the next few weeks I think. fingers crossed.
I think villa will bounce back hard
they had a couple of good chances at everton tho... But i suggest a strong 3-1 win and a massive part of the game we will pressure them. 
cheers
As for that it will give us a big boost of confidence against chelsea thats goin to be beaten 2-1
UTV
and creds to damian that writes nice articles all the time
Good News to hear we are keeping the Fonz,
What do you think of this:
Sunday Monday Delfouneso
Tuesday Wednesday Delfouneso
Thursday Friday Delfouneso
Saturday What a day
Scroring all Week For you
I don't care about this game but we do need some momentum again and for that reason alone I would throw the kitchen sink at CSK.
The way our back 4 played on sunday its very hard to see us keeping a clean sheet tomorrow,However overall i can see us progress we will score
1 or 2 out in moscow.Martin will have the lads fired up for this one,Remember celtic at home in europe when he was in charge awesome.C"mon
the villa
I hope we pull are fingers out and go for this but, I have a feeling it is going to be like the Everton game as players will be saving energy for Chelsea.
If we turn up an go for it I think we'll be comfortable 2-0 winners if not I think we will lose this 2-1.
Lets hope we see the Villa play like they did against the Arse for the next few games.
UTV
I just hope we are still in with a shout come the second leg...especially having forked out to travel next week.
I'm thinking MON will do one of two things. Either play cautiously, rest a few players, fill the midfield, try and sneak a goal on the break but generally just still be in it come next Thurs. Safe full team for Chelsea, and then do the same in Moscow and go for it on second leg (or would he already have an eye on Stoke and want to rest a few?)
Or as suggested in a recent interview. Go for it, play three up front and batter them like that second half at Wigan. There can't be many teams that would be used to that or sustain a battering like that. The Ruskies won't like it up em. And then play a more cautious team in the return leg. Kill the game, give us the odd squeeky bum moment and hang on for a one goal advantage. Strangely enough when you look at who he could play in a 4-3-3 if he went for the first leg, he could even concieveably rest Gabby and Ash ready for Chelsea. Play Ivanhoe-Carew-Fonz, Barry - Petrov - Milner/Gardner, and a back four with Brad senior (do goalies need to be rested?).
And then 4-5-1 versus Chelsea....
But I know squat anyway... I trust over the next three games he'll do the right things.
team for tomorrow. guzan, gardner, davies, knight, shorey, reo-coker, barry, osbourne, milner, delfounso, carew.
Milner will come off after around 60mins. The UEFA cup is gonna be let go. we have to play ten games at least if we wanna go all the way. n even then may not win it. he will rest the first team and also preserve their confidence. we want champ league next season.
Talking of travelling to Moscow....
Anyone else going to be staying at the Cosmos on evening of weds 25th and fancy meeting up for a beer? I should be getting there about 7-8pm local time.
And also, anyone travelling straight from SVO airport after the match or very early the next morning? As my flights at 6am next day, I haven't bothered with accomodation and was thinking of going straight from game to airport (maybe via the centre and a bar or two (or to the bar at SVO airport) as there should be time), and wondered if anyone else is doing the same and would fancy sharing taxis etc.
Let me know if any of the above matches your plans, either contact me via website which is hopefully linked above (LINK)
Where were people thinking of going during the day before the match?
Reply to Swin:
Haha great attempt at a song Swin, but no offense but it's bloody awful!
Reply to Simon:
Couldn't agree more! UEFA Cup is out the window as it was 5/6 weeks ago when we broke the top 4. For financial reasons and the future growth of the club it is more important that we qualify for the Champions League than win the UEFA Cup.
I just feel sorry for all those fans that have bought Moscow Tickets! But I did warn you it would happen months ago!! Kick me if you want, I'm already down
Reply to villadam:
Being a bit fickle arn't we?
This match is not as important as the Chelsea game on Saturday. A win then will put us clear of both Chelsea and Arsenal.
For those who think winning a cup is more important than a top four finish I would ask you to consider Arsenal. They have consistantly qualified for the CL in recent seasons, however they have received criticism from their supporters for not winning a major honour for 5 years. Would Arsenal supporters take an FA cup win and fifth place over finishing fourth and not winning a cup?
I don't think so.
Carew looked a bit dodgy on Sunday but i think he'll be better at home because the home support will be singing his name. the more this happens the better i reckon he'll play
Reply to Villa_Chris:
Sorry Chris, but how did you come to the conclusion that Petrov was immense?
I had the displeasure of going to everton on sunday, and honestly, i thought we were wank!!!
Anyone know why Bouma didnt play in the reserves las night like he was supposed to?
Is there a chance that he may have been saved for the squad on Wednesday?
My last prediction was terribly wrong so i'm sayin nothin this time. However, i do expect a tight game with only 2or 3 goals and do not think we will keep a clean sheet.
Reply to keefvilla:
We dont need to beat Chelsea, but they will want to beat us. That is a great psychological advantage so we could sit back and hit on the counter like an Ali rope a dope
Reply to philbob88:
I thought petrov got found out without his mate bazza by his side but sometimes it works the other way, nobody played well because we got shut down big brad kept us in it but we fluffed our chances and that was that!
Uefa time and all i care about is getting a result at home on saturday hopefully 3 points(unlikely *anelka is on form but i hope we have a go) for the game 2mos oneil will put out a good squad but i don't think it will be the best possible team
Rest Gabby and play harewood if NRC is back play him christ sake...
Agree that Saturday is more important- a win or a tie will do tomorrow.
2-1 Villa
SYMBAS....I agree that Chelsea need to attack and could play into our hands.
ronvilla....Bouma wasn't picked to play, no explanation, no recurrance of the injury. Surely too soon to play for the first team, but maybe or problems at centreback will be answered by a certain dutchman?
Goldie7.... as much as I hate to agree with damian on this but I think Petrov has been found wanting in 4-4-2 formation and is more suited to a 4-5-1 system.
SidCowansLoveChild....everything cool now mate. We will have to agree to disagree on a certain youngster.
some people are reading this thinking ''We haven't started playing football in july to throw it all away by playing a weakest side
''my reply to them is shut your manhole up'' none of us knew we would be in the top3 at nearly the end of Feb with only 10 or so games minus our rivals matches thats why
We can't do both the squad isn't there plus there are some solid teams still left in uefa and it would take 8 or so games to get to the final its not worth it? Qualify and we can attract better players and have a better future
Anyone else only see 14 posts, but it says more have been made...Or is it just mine?
COME ON CHELSEA COME ON CSKA MOSCOW
Reply to BCFC 4EVA:
knob head
Posted this link on another article but figured it would be appropriate to post here:
LINK
It's highlights of CSKA beating Nancy away from home earlier in the competition. Vagner Love scored a great hat trick and he's clearly one we need to mark tightly. It looks like they're more than capable of scoring away from home which is a bit worrying.
Reply to BCFC 4EVA:
COME ON COVENTRY COME ON CRYSTAL PALACE
- your equivalent game, enjoying the big time? well are you?
Reply to DanWilson82:
Ha ha ha ha
Message from PROJECT ENGLAND
To day we are linked again with Stuart Downing----not sure about him as he is pretty slow----and Micah Richards To attract these players we need top 4 slot,so Chelsea are more important.The man.city youngster who is out of contract wants £60000 a week so I assume he will not be coming
Sorry but I can't agree about the UEFA cup. We should be all out to win it, otherwise whats the point in taking part in the first place. Bolton were a disgrace for playing the young guys in the quarter final last year and they are still considered a disgrace for it. I don't want Villa mentioned in the same breath as that.
We need to think about the 'now' rather than be hung up on 'ifs' and 'buts' about finishing in the top 4. If we are good enough to finish top 4 we will, regardless of our exploits in the UEFA cup, in fact if we don't finish top 4 this season we never will. If we come up short for the top 4 this season its because we are not good enough not because other games made us tired.
Each game should be taken as it comes without worrying what the next game is. So what if we play Chelsea on Saturday, doesn't bother me, our next game is against CSKA and we should be going all out to win!
hurry home wilfy bouma,so we can get young back at RB and gardner cutting the grass....sorry he get 10 out of 10 for effort but it just aint there.
Reply to KG2006:
That's why I'm the manager and you're not...!
I've got a funny feeling it's two losses 1 win this week for us (Chelsea win).
Reply to Chrisodon:
We're only playing CSKA and Chelsea this week...
I can't help but regard the UEFA as a kind of annoying side issue now. Chelsea might just get their shit together under Hiddink, and Arsenal have a bunch of awesome players coming back from injury right now. Bugger the UEFA cup, it's like the "most improved' prize for the retarded kid at school. We should be getting a scholarship to the university of CL with all the money and recognition that goes with it.
We've got too many players out to be able to afford to play cautiously. We'll play our best possible side because they are the only fit players we have. If we had the kind of subs that other top 4 teams had then I'd be more than happy for us to put out a bunch of teenagers, but we don't. If we get a result then great, but if we don't then all the focus can go on getting 4th. win win.
I'm sure we've all been Villa supporters for some time and therefore don't do confident very well, we're just not accustomed to it. As a result I am beginning to revert to my old fearful nature. This is a must game - for me as much as for the club. I hope to see a clean sheet, as Damian says; a goalless draw would be acceptable.
KG2006:
"If we are good enough to finish top 4 we will, regardless of our exploits in the UEFA cup,"
guh? there's a whole load of games between us and a uefa final. How many? 6 or 7? It's nowhere near the 5th round of the FA. We really don't need the extra games with our squad. We're feeling the pinch already. Honestly, if we won the uefa nobody would really give a toss except us lot. If we break the top 4 everybody will sit up and take notice.
Reply to __AA__:
Yeah something funny happened right when i made my last post it was messing up the other day aswell its not just you mate its the bugs i suppose i did restart thinking its was my lappy
i see old roman will be at the match tomorrow,is he coming to watch his fellow comrades or the new force of english football who will beat the russians on wednesday then his little toy at the weekend
,as long as we keep a clean sheet i,ll be a happy chappy tomorrow.UTV!
a goaless draw would be very good. but we are capable of giving moscow a good beating. it wont be the greates game of the year but there are a few talented players to keep an eye on. wagner love is very good.
seeing as the holte end (kinda the north stand lower aswell) is the only stand that sings, they best have their voices ready because the loudness of the holte will be a major factor to endure victory on the night.
im just pissed off that it aint sold out yet and no where near being so. villa fans have prayed to bring back european football to villa park, and when it comes, no one turns up. Ajax are a great european team and we only got 36,000 people. moscow are a much better team in my view so we shud be filling the stadium.
LINK
Why do people slag off players playing out of their position Gardner will get better at the moment i'd play him instead of sidders anyday
Theyre is a rumour doing the rounds about richards coming for me he's lost all form from the previous year and looks like a different player this season, he has beefed up making him slow which is not what we need
Why can't villa go in for lescott him and Laursen in defence sounds very strong indeed. This summer we'll need quality not quantity
Basically petrov is saying IF BARRY GOES I GOING TO
Well frig him the guy acts like he been immense (chris's words) for years well petrov you only found your way this year and the end of last you can easily be replaced so go on go walk out the door..........
Some players of ours seriously need a reality check
Goldie7,
I agree, Barry and Petrov are not irreplacable. There is no room for people at Villa Park who don't want to put their heart and soul in to the club. Barry has been a terrific servant, but if he wants to go in the summer; let him.
I'm really looking forward to the game tomorrow, especially the potential partnership of Carew and Fonzy. If we put on a show, I'll forgive the latest performance.
its not just the fact he is out of position its even in midfield like i said 10 out of 10 for effort,but come on be serious,if we are really going to finnish in top 4 and progress,he will be 1 not to play..
Why can't Villa do both. Are we a little stretched at the moment, yes. The players that are hurt won't stay that way forever. I hope we see Delfuenso up front with Carew and Gardner in the middle (where he should play) along with Barry and Sidwell (give him one more chance in the UEFA Cup). Shorey at LB and Young at RB. Don't know who will partner Zat Knight in the middle if Cuellar isn't fit (but it shouldn't be Davies I think he should rest that shoulder).
Sidwell is banned for tomorrow isn't he?
I too hope he comes good,unfortunately it will not be tomorrow,he was sent off against Hamburg and is suspended for this one.
Reply to Ipbopmalik:
That Petrov story is utter bollox.
Nowhere does it say he's going to wait to see what Barry does.
I've been trying to post about this on the Daily Mail site, where I first saw it and they aren't having any.
Read the actual words, not the stupid headline.
Don't forget, Petrov said he was happy very recently and was open to contract talks.
What did my head in was the Evening Mail got on it shit hot.
Typical bastard cockney press trying to shit-stir, imo.
Don't fall for it
Reply to Badger:
Was thinking exactly the same when i read it!
We will know what MON's priorities are the very second that the starting 11 is anounced.
My feelings are that we won't be at full strength and therefore MON's hunger is for the top 4.
..and why not!?
yEsWeCaN
Was there a decision on Paul McGrath t-shirt winners?
Badger,
I hope you're right, they are both immense players who also add valuable experience to a young team. I expect Sidwell (if selected) to score tomorrow, just to annoy the people slating him.
Reply to Ipbopmalik:
Sidwell is banned!!
Reply to avfcjonny:
jonny,say it a bit louder,no one seems to hear!!!!
Reply to Ipbopmalik:
Sidwell's out, after a sending off against Hamburg.
As much as I like him, he's been awful up to now and I think he won't be featuring in any important games this season, unless it's a must.
I think his confidence is shot.
Reply to marmite61:
Tell me about it!
Petrov is alrite but doesn't come close to Ian Taylor in anyway shape or form
OOPS!
The Petrov story is absolute bollox. If anything he would get more chances to play in his preferred position in CM going forward if GB were to leave, and possibly hold out for more wages. Lazy journalism, writing what they think people want to read as opposed to the truth.
Tomorrow should see us play 5 in the middle, probably Gabby alone up front. That ought to see us keep the clean sheet, which is our number one priority. Who do you reckon will be in goal? Brad has started all the Uefa games thus far. If MoN replaces Brad with Brad I would be a bit disappointed if I were Brad.
Reply to BCFC 4EVA:
Can't end your obsession with us can you!!
Just focus on getting promoted cause i seriously doubt you will!!
Forever in our shadows!!
COYL!!!!!!!!!
Reply to Lord Lichfield:
Sorry, thats my point I see the UEFA cup as seperate from our league campaign. I don't agree that our squad can't cope with the two competitions and if its not, then whats the point in taking part in the other competitions. If thats the outlook, then next season lets not enter the league cup, fa cup or Champions League (if we get there, heres hoping
) as it might distract from finishing in the top 4 again?
Not taking the competitions seriously is defeatist. The whole point in entering a competition is to win it, winning breeds a mentality of not losing, see Man Utd if you want confirmation. They are going to win four trophies this season, and two of those with their reserve squads (and I don't stand for the argument that they have huge strength in depth, they don't there reserve team is full of youngsters like Evans, Wellbeck and the da silva brothers its just that SAF and their fans have faith in their players). You don't get that kind of success without starting somewhere, and as far as I'm concerned the UEFA cup is winnable this year and I think its possible for our boys to doth both this year.
PS excuse the name change, I wasn't logged in before
Reply to MON:
Fair point, well made. I bow down to your superior knowledge
i know this is abit late but i jus wanted to say sidwell is crap and without barry playin iwould have prefer to see petrov attacking more the ball through to gabby for the penalty is the kind of ball we dont see enuff i think it shows a lack of quality that is very much needed at vp this isnt a gripe im very happy with the team but i think that barry and petrov could possibly be the only centre midfielders that could stand the test at the highest level the champions league sidwell reo coker gardner are really going to have to improve massively to make the grade CSKA are going to be a hard game but i believe they will come to VP with a defensive attitude and our problem will be brealing them down without getting countered lets hope im wromg and its not another wigan result
Reply to Timmy_Ra:
not a chance of that being the team for 2 reasons
osbourne played a full reserve game on monday
sidwell is banned for this game after being sent off in europe last time out
Heading over in the morning to Villa park from Éire with three other Villa boys. Up at 5.30am. Plane at 8.30am. Birmingham at 9.30am. Villa Park 5.00pm. Villa win priceless. Come on you boys in claret and blue!
I can't sleep... Too excited... I feel like a dog with two mickey's!
Reply to keefvilla:
How old are you?
Have you been waiting for me to write something so you could get that one in.
Also very original from a man who chants a player from the stands for his performances then demands an apology on a website.
Reply to philbob88:
Have a look on an other Villa website and see the MOTM results. Says it all really....
Although I think that the competition should be taken seriously, I think some fringe players will (and should) play tonight. Even taking this into account I still think we will be too strong for CSKA and will win 3-0.
I dont think we're kidding ourselves here thinking this is going to be easy tonight. I believe we need to come out of this game with at least a clear two goal lead to have any chance in going through. I think we've been very average in Europe this season compared to us in the Premiership. If we play like we've been playing in the last month we have'nt got a pray tonight or in Moscow, CSKA before the draw was the only side i didnt want to face. I hope i'm wrong but i can see us getting turned over tonight.
Reply to vogra:
Not to suggest tonight is going to be easy, however I think we should win. I agree that we have only been average so far in Europe but we have only needed to be. Thats the point about the UEFA cup, I think you only need to be average to get to the semis as the overall quality is quite poor (look at Zenit and Rangers last year).
Reply to KG2008:
I don't fancy us at all tonight. We are not suited to European football as we just continuoesly give the ball away. That is ok in the Premiership as often the other team does the same but as we have seen already this season European teams do not give the ball back so easy. The one thing going in our favour is that Moscow might be a bit rusty after their winter break. As usual the centre of the park will be vital. I would go with 3 in there except we don't atually have enough CM left to play there so i expect 4-4-2. Moscow to control the ball for large periods of the game but a 1 nil win for the Villa.
Let us sing loud and proud tonight against CSKA Moscow, don't want to state the obvious but I do believe this game is vital for our UEFA cup chances as I can't see us getting much of a result away, although you never know. If we can hold out a 2-1 or 1-0 lead going to Moscow then maybe a 1-1 draw would be perfect!
I've been told it's not a sell out.. YET at villa tonight but I hope we at least get close to it. We need a good loud crowd tonight!
Come on let's show these russians what a big club ASTON VILLA are!!
UTV
oh and btw.. anyone get a little bit annoyed at the ever present quiet fans/people sitting in the holte end who really should be in the doug ellis or trinity? Not to mention any particular people "cough" familys and children.
I know I can't force fans to sit else where but can't the Holte End be for the more let's say.. louder fan!
I'm not havin a dig just a discussing
The good thing about O'Neill is that he's been there and done it when it comes to the UEFA Cup. He reached the final with my team, Celtic in 2003 and knows how to win these two-legged games.
On the way to the final we were drawn at home on most occasions but we never gave ourselves a commanding first leg lead. In fact we drew at home with Blackburn and Liverpool and had to go away and win in the 2nd legs to progress.
So don't be too down if the result doesn't go your way tonight. MON has his Villa side set up to do well on the counter in away ties, again very similar to the Celtic side of 03.
For what it's worth I think you can win tonight. Good luck!
Selectabet
Reply to ak_27:
I'd agree that we are not particularly suited for European football at the moment (especially at home) because of our counter attacking football. I'd definately go for the 3 in the middle as its been proven that its our best formation this season but as you say the problem is we are limited at the moment. Maybe go with Barry, Petrov and Milner in the middle and stick Gabby or the Fonz out wide right?
But I think you are right, he'll go 4-4-2 with Carew and Delfouneso up front.
Whatever happens, lets all get behind the boys tonight, should be a good one!
Reply to villadam:
Admit it you dont know what fickle means do you?
Regarding Barry (I will try and explain 1 last tme) I said I think he is a very good player who, for whatever reason, attempted to engineer a move away from Villa and later publicy criticised MON for playing him at left back in 1 match. He then did an interview stating that he didn't try to engineer a move away and when the move didn't happen he did nothing to upset the dressing room. Both a load of rubbish!
You stated I was fickle to dare to criticise Barry yet you are allowed to criticise the players for their poor performance against Everton. I was merely showing you how hypocritical you were being. As previously explained I have been a loyal supporter of Villa since 1977 and to call me fickle is ridiculous. Now I hope you will take the time to read this post properly and not have a go at anyone who dares question the wonderful Mr Gareth Barry.
Reply to Villa_Chris:
I wouldn't say Petrov was immense but he was our best player by a long way. However he didn't get forward and try to dictate play enough for a central midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation. Too happy to sit in front of the back four in my opinion.
Reply to jonboyvilla:
Good idea jonboyvilla. As the Holte is one of the cheaper stands and taking a family to a match is very expensive nowadays, i trust you will be offering to pay the difference in ticket to every family who will be barred from the Holte?
Reply to keefvilla:
Ok I understand where you're coming from but you can't dictate play in a team that is being outplayed for most of the game, not to mention the complete lack of support from Sidwell, who once again was almost non existent.
Maybe immense is too strong a word, but he did very very well in the situation he was in. That's all
Reply to keefvilla:
Yes maybe the trinity and doug ellis upper centre areas are the more expensive but what's wrong with the north stand and other areas of the stadium?
North Stand Upper/Family Stand is cheaper then the holte end any way and I'm talking more of the Upper Holte, where the chants and songs start. Holte upper is cat 2 so how is that be among the cheapest?
i know everyone talks about the magic of the FA cup, but do you not think that the everton game maybe showed how unimportant it is for the players, i know it is for me beforw the game i said i would rarther us loose then have to replay with the small squad we have challenging on 3 fronts would just be to much to ask, now we have the two important ones left, the europen games act as a shop window to intrest players for next year and raise the profile of the club, and finnishing in the top 4 is paramount to the club moving forwards, so i dont see the everton game as a negative just something we had to get out of the way
Villa_Chris....as I said mate Petrov was my MoTM. Just think nobody played well.
jonboyvilla....I know what you saying, I was just being a bit feciscious. But I do think tha you should remeber that kids are the future support and shoving them into the corners of the Trinity Road Stand might not encourage them to want to go to more matches. Also I think that the atmosphere is enhanced when people that sing are spread out a bit. The Lower North Stand being given to Villa fans has made Villa Park more intimidating.
Reply to keefvilla:
I can certainly agree on that mate
Reply to Simon:
Sorry mate but if that team go's out to play Moscow we'll get done good and proppa, the team we should go with is, Guzan, Reo-coker, Davies, Knight, Shorey, Gardner, Barry,salifou, Milner, Carew, Harewood.
Maybe Barry Bannen should get 30 minutes aswell as the Fonz. 2-nill to the villa
To be honest, im glad we're out of the FA Cup, (Arsenal are still in it) and if we get knocked out of the Uefa Cup this round it's no great loss. CSKA Moskow are a strong side and have already qualified for next seasons Champions League. We need to focus on Chelsea and getting the results in the League.
Team for tonight for me would be:-
Guzan
Young
Shorey
Knight
Davies
Gardner
Young
Petrov
Barry
Carew
Delfouneso
Friedel
Clark
Lowry
NRC
Salifou
Milner
Agbonlahor
Reply to keefvilla:
Villadam,
Keef and I have been squabbling over you like a couple of cranky old men (in the priacy of our home pages) and have decided to bury the hatchet and not waste energy any more. It was foolish of me to get involved as none of my business but I guess I fancy myself as Koffi Annan (no idea of spelling).
Anyway - you upset Keef, he's upset you but the club needs us together not fighting each other. If you reach out and say you want to put this behind you I reckon peace can break out
If not, I will no get involved again and will let you fight it out between you - but is it really worth the effort when there's bluenoses, scousers and cokneys we could be laying in to?
Reply to keefvilla:
I do think though if you arein the Holte you should be making noise and not complaining if thee is swearing. I have taken my 6 year old in the Holte, I make enough noise for both of us and I want her to fall in love with the atmosphere
We will play to win tonight....MON will not rest anybody, He will play the bext team he can from the squad of fit players he has!
And lads, bit more positive tonight......or have all the doom and gloom merchants crawled out from under thyeir stones because of the result on Sunday???????????????
Use it at your own peril, viruses a plenty.
You have been warned.
Damian - you should remove this link
Reply to Badger:
correct