UEFA Cup Match Prediction: CSKA Moscow in the final 32 of the UEFA Cup
Wednesday, 25 February 09, 01:57 AM · Comments (146)
It's -10.1°C at the moment in Moscow and if you haven't experienced that before, it's not that bad when you're wearing your three layers on top and a nice big coat, your long johns with some quite thick trousers, a pair of thick socks, some big boots, a nice hat, some very thick gloves and you've just drank eight pints of lager.
I wouldn't want to run around a football pitch at anything like that temperature with just my thermals on though and that is one of the reasons why this tie was always going to be one of the toughest, along with the fact that they're actually a very decent side, who have already qualified for the Champions League next season. Maybe this was actually the toughest tie we could have had?
On top of all that, when the manager decides to rest the majority of the preferred starting eleven, you've got to be a brave man to put money on us or even predict us winning tomorrow night and while some of you will likely call it stupid, not bravery, it's my job.
The decision to rest so many players has split supporters. Some are very disappointed and some are okay with it, citing the 'bigger picture'. I'm disappointed and very much in the camp that think you've got try to win the competitions you are in and while we might beat Stoke and Manchester City, nobody can say for sure it was resting the players that did it.
It's one of those things where it's actually fairly impossible to say 'that was the reason'. Remember in his first season, Martin O'Neill took the squad to Spain and on their return it seemed to have worked as we went on a good run. When he did it the second time, it didn't seem to have the same impact.
But, all those that are disappointed, frustrated, annoyed and angry accept and understand the decision, so this isn't about that any more. It's now about Thursday night and let's not forget, it's only a football match - anything can happen.
Okay, I went into the Hamburg match with the same optimism and we were given a lesson, but maybe the players have learnt from that and maybe that will be enough. I for one can't go into this game expecting a defeat. I can plan for it but you've got to have hope and I've got plenty of that.
I'm also not going to boldly predict a win, as if it's expected. The bookmakers are usually right and the odds do not favour an away win. The odds are currently 4/1 for us to win, from 3/1 yesterday and to get to the next round they're 12/5 - the bookies don't think we can do it.
But just because the bookies don't think we can do it, doesn't mean it's not going to happen. Nobody thought David would beat Goliath or that Gareth Barry would be an Aston Villa player this season, back in the summer.
I've got to back the club to win because it is possible and I usually go blindly into these matches thinking we will, I think most of us will with ten minutes to kick off, it's called optimism.
No doubt it will take a performance that will go into the history books as something special and the chances are not great, but everything is possible, so I'm going to stick a fiver on it and hope for the best.
I know you didn't expect anything else so you've got it, I'm predicting a win, because everything is possible and if it comes in, the proceeds will be donated to Acorns.
But before I go and if you are reading this from the UK you'll probably know that this match isn't going to be on TV, so you're going to have to find a stream on the net somewhere, well, if you've got £1.50 I can recommend this one.
Basically you download one application and then play a specific link - no configuring anything and all you have to do is maximise to full screen and you've got the match - it really is that good.
So, I've predicted a win, I'm given you a link and now I'm off to get some breakfast as there is very little else in the papers about us today.
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146 Comments · Add yours
That's cold, come on Villa...
Zico has claimed that Aston Villa are one dimensional, MON is not happy!
oh 1st by the way
Am I first for once?
Damn jonboyvilla i was looking forwar dto being the first to comment for once!!
Anyway to to posting:
We could still win, I havent seen most of these reserves play but I believe they will do a good job for us and who know we could still win
Good article Damian and fair play...giving the winning to Acorns!
I'm going to put a fiver on us winning too. I really do think we can pull something off tomorrow night. Call me crazy but I just see it as being a Villa supporter and a 'glass half full' kind of person!
Come on lads, you can do it!
I think that this team should fair better then a half and half team (regulars & reserves). The reserves are used to playing together and play well, mix in a G.Barry or A.Young and they play in their shadow. Still wide open and if these guys step up to the mark then we have a chance. Will be more likely CSKA win comfortably but it's definitely possible.
We get the game over here in NA
I think we could progress also. I just think if Carew and the fonz get enough service they could be pretty dangerous. I dont think you can compare this game too accurately with the hamburg game, as we had already progressed at that point, and it was more a run out for the squad players. Now those same players have to go out and perform for us to go through. And I think MON will have them raring to go after those comments he made to Zico.
It will be great to see what some of them can do in a pressure game. Id love to see Bannan start on the left. Hopefully MON will give Gardner a shot in the center but it will probably be Sidwell and Salifou if we play 4-4-2 (With gardner on the right).
It will no doubt be a very hard game. If we make the most out of what we create than we could just do it. like always utv
away win
when have the reserves ever let us down?
i am sure the players playing will really care seen as mon doesn';t give a monkeys?
does anyone know if mon is going to be in the dug out or is it going to be the reserve manager aswell?
We would have done well to go through even if we brought the first team to be honest. I can only see a CSKA win by a few goals at least. It doesn't matter anyway. If we were to get through would he not just play the reserves in the next round?
By the way im actually in agreement with MON's team selection. CL has to be the main goal this season. Its the lack of players brought in over the last 6 windows that has lead us to this situation that i'm annoyed at.
Good post Damian, I like your positivity mixed with the reality of the hill we've obviously got to climb. At the end of the day MON has shown the promise of his, (what sometimes appear as) insane decisions, but as you rightly pointed out the game hasn't even kicked off yet.
Good luck to the boys, I'm not optimistic we'll progress, but I wonder if MON at the back of his mind thought that was the likely outcome even with a full side, and didn't want to risk the blow it would cause our squad if we now squander our champions league spot...
Think of the devestation it would cause on the squad if we didn't qualify for CL next season? We've played so many games this season like a cup final, that it will have exhausted the players physically and mentally to the point where next season we wont have the strength to repeat that.... so we HAVE to qualify this season in order to attract the top players in the transfer window to be able to add the quality our squad desperately needs.
We have a good squad, who on their day will beat anyone, but they're not a squad of top end performers who can continue punching above their weight for seasons on end unless they get rested... I definitely see the method in MON's madness here. Up the Villa, and I hope we kick the russians off the park tomorrow night with a few young lads out to prove themselves worthy of the villa shirt.
Morninggg*
Righttt
well its going to be a reall hard match, but i still think they could pull it out the bag.
The CSKA squad i think wont be putting there heart into this as they have CL football now and they aint been playing that many matches. The main thing that will get our players is the cold, tight ham strings and stiff joints happen at like -2 if its still -10 i see a lot of injuries.
But the main thing is EPL sinple as that, If we finish 4th then we can bring in new players maybe not world class like but good players that can easy step in to the 1st team and play well.
All this talk about we should play are best over and over.. is total bollocks. What if we did play them and A.Young or Gabbs got injured? or Frield get injured we would be total stuffed. Half Half team runs the same risk. playing this team we have a smaller chance of winning, but a bigger chance of keeping 4th spot maybe pushing for 3rd/2nd if livershite and chels keep playing bad.
I can say we are going to lose until we do.
its not that im a possitive person (glass half full not me!)
But im Villa through and through my blood is clarinet and blue
WIN to the Villa - come on the Reserves!
Reply to jonboyvilla:
FAIL
Reply to Zidave:
Actually I do I clicked the wrong comment LOL.
Hmmm half or more of our first team isn't going, we are on turf, and it's in cold as hell Moscow... we can win with this! >.>... LOL good luck Villa. Anyways it will make for an exciting game to watch I guess, because CSKA at least now have a chance
Reply to Andr3_AVFC:
FAIL
1-1 extra time , penalties, guzan to pull off a stunning save , Bannan to win for Villa . Priceless hey Damo !!
Reply to Zidave:
thats if you find a good stream to watch it on. cant believe fucking channel 5 ! Ars holes.
Reply to Altan:
Altan
If that happens, I'm likely not to be seen for a few days while I think over my decision to cash in my tickets
I foresee a lot of pressure. High balls from the messers at the back. Carew's head, Delfouneso's feet, BANG BANG. Nice. 1-2 Villa.
Reply to jonboyvilla:
Wasn't Zico one of the Marx Brothers?
Moscow sounds as cold as my ex wife, and I wouldn't wish that on anybody.
I'm afraid that I can only see a routine 3-0 victory for CSKA. Makes you wonder why the club entered the Intertoto in the first place.
It's not always just about the actual game with european away days, I went to Odense away and although the match was rubbish it was still one of the best weekends away.
However,feel for the fans who paid over £1000 to fly with the players and could be sat next to barry bannan!!!
Match is also being shown in Rococo in brum.
1-1 with a late winner from John.
Up the villa
Anyone who thinks we have any chance, on current form, of beating the likes of Valencia, Dynamo Kiev, Hamburg or AC Milan to win the UEFA cup is the ultimate optimist, assuming we were to get that far anyway. Don't get me wrong, I'll take the League Cup, FA Cup, or UEFA Cup anyday but at present getting as high as we possibly can in the Premier League should be our Number One priority. Period. The rest will follow...
Reply to keefvilla:
ha ha brilliant!
Just been looking through the old blog posted and found this comment made me chuckle, its from a newcastle fan on a blog about joey B flicking Gabbis lip in november.
53. Dave Wrote: | 14.12GMT | Nov 5, 2008
Villa Big club?.....you've never won nowt for decades and decades. We are bigger. Your dropping down the table into your normal mid table non-existence already. The later stage of the uefa will see you gone too.
and there fighting for relegation lol.
Reply to Villa_Chris:
Thats pritty cold.
Reply to Pricey:
Our first team is more than capable of beating anyone in this competition. We play against sides that are equal to or better than these sides in the Premier League and we aren't doing too bad are we?
Reply to Andr3_AVFC:
Shnopee.
Just got this email back from channel 5 !
Dear Correspondent
Thank you for your recent enquiry regarding Football On Five.
There are two reasons why we will not be transmitting coverage of the
CSKA Moscow v Aston Villa UEFA Cup Round of 32 game on 26th February.
Firstly, CSKA decided that they would kick the game off at 5pm UK time
which makes it impossible to fit in our schedule with the disruption it
would cause to Neighbours and Home And Away. Secondly the Russians did
not want to sell highlights of the game even though we made them an
offer for this and therefore our hands are tied.
We sincerely hope Aston Villa progress through to the last 16 of this
year's UEFA Cup and will then look forward to their game at Villa Park
against Tottenham Hotspur or Shakhtar Donetsk live on Five.
If there is anything further we can help you with, please do not
hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your interest in Five.
Yours sincerely
Reply to Mlockey89:
I have to stream it anyways. I live in the USA
. I do have the Fox Soccer Channel, but a low key game like this isn't going to be aired.
Reply to Pricey:
These are the sort of teams we will have to beat to get into the Champions League group stage unless we finish 3rd. Our record against top teams is not great. We haven't beaten Man Utd for 14 years or Liverpool for 8 years. 4th place would be a tremendous achievement but by no means does it guarantee we will play in the Champions League groups next season.
Reply to keefvilla:
Agreed, but we seem to be lacking tht killer instinct at present that we would definitely need to beat some of these sides. Were we not full strength (minus Barry?)against CSKA at Villa Park? We couldn't find an equaliser against Chelsea, and I can't really see us taking three points off Man U. I think playing CL next season will attract that missing link. Then the sky's the limit.
I'm going for a 2-2 draw in the mould of the Arsenal Game at Xmas.
with regards to the weather for the Villa boys, its a sunny 27 degrees here in Bahrain. Poor fuckers
3-0 CSKA
Reply to Mac:
This is true, however the assumption is that if we got fourth spot, MON will spend the summer strengthening the squad with some players of good quality so that we can compete with the teams that we will have to face in the qualifying rounds.
i am not saying we are going to buy 5 or 6 world class players, but by reaching fourth i belive we would be able to attract a decent enough level of player to add to our squad, and lets not forget if we finish fourth we will be there on merit meaning we are a good enough team to take on some of the other big clubs we'l have to face.
though what would be a scary thought, if we finish fourth and the gooners win the champs league... robbing us!!, i dont think i would be able to take that.
My heart says yes, the kids can do it! Unfortunately my head says no, and that it will be a comprehensive victory for CSKA.
Who knows what will happen, the fact is if we win on the night we are through, also any draw except 0-0 will see us still in the comp so stranger things have happened!
What I do know, is that I'll be getting fully behind whoever plays on Thursday and getting totally wound up as normal!
2-1 to villa or 2-2...
We will certainly score two goals, one by Fonz and probably other by Sidwell..?
Who do you think he will play at the back? Will he risk both Knight and Davies?
In midfield i want to see Bannan gievn a full 90mins on the wing.
even if we get a CL spot at the end of all this (fingers crossed) MON won't buy anybody anyway (too expensive) and then come this time next year he'll be moaning about the size of the squad (again)
Altan... good to know thatshowing Home & Away is more important than Villa in the UEFA cup.
Pricey... do you think the lack of killer instinct is anything to do with our new star striker?
Anyone watching SSP is Rafa leaving Liverpool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????????????
Apparently one top bookies has stopped tacking bets on him leaving after receiing loads of big money bets .!!!!!!
Reply to keefvilla:
I think it's to do with the one that's been around for a while. I really would like to see Heskey and Carew start and Gabby coming off the bench.
Reply to Altan:
Why do channels pay so much money for footy rights then fucking play home & away instead. If sky had it they would have shown it, they wouldnt take no for an answer! so no fucking highlights either ?
thats just a load of bollocks tbh.
Why do people (not villa fans) just not take it that we are in the top fucking 4 and accept that ars HOLE! are fucking shite and we should get some limelight.
Same goes for MOTD they have only ever mention us once in a good way about pushing up the table. FUCKING ONCE! we have been top 4 for months now.
Ass holes.
Come on bannan! 3-2 Villa
Reply to Pricey:
Heskey and gabbi arent going tho.
LINK
Reply to Mlockey89:
Talking in general - not UEFA
Can I just give my heart felt condolences to a fellow Villa fan today. My thoughts are with you Mr Cameron.
Put’s arguing about what players are playing 90 minutes of football into perspective doesn’t it?
Reply to Mlockey89:
Tell Channel 5 you've got a mate Downunder who says this episode of Home and Away is crap (like the rest of 'em) and missing one episaode would matter anyway!
Reply to __AA__:
Here Here , RIP little man
Reply to Pricey:
yes but the britsh like to complain mate,
The bingo brigrade would be in uproar if home and away got cancled, or put to a later time, sometime after their bedtime!
Reply to __AA__:
Who?
William Hill and SkyBet have both suspended bets on Rafa leaving
Paddypower have even had money on him going today
Reply to Villa_Chris:
Be ashamed of yourself Chris..!
Reply to AVFCBlog:
The owners of Liverpool are probably wanting to make Rafa pay for his own mistake in signing a 20M flop in Keane by offering a shoddy contract to him!
And this is the club Barry wanted to commit to?!?
Chris..David Cameron's 6 year old son died over night..
How did you know he was a Villa fan? Should I have known this??
I have to say that while highly disappointed in the lack of an established squad, I'm also hoefully that some of those names included but have not graced the starting 11 in the past, will be given the opportunity to impress in a way that our supposed 2nd string players have failed to do on EVERY occasion - thus the need for MON to 'overplay' our main 11.
Reply to Altan:
so why did they not offer to show it on one of the other five, channels they have which are available on sky, virgin ntl and freeview, thats a bullshit fob off!
yours sincerely
the moaning twat!
I know because I know 'loads of stuff'. And yes you should.
Anyway, moving on. Are you going to be doing a text thingy on here Dmaian for those that can't get a link. I'm sure there will be loads of links anyway, especially as it's on Setanta Ireland, because I always seem to get the links when they broadcast the games.
Reply to hellboydce:
hate to say it but you're probably right.
I still think we have a decent chance to win tomorrow (although I would'nt be flying to Russia to find out.)
UTV!
as sad as it sounds i hope the govenment use the sad loss of mr camrons son as a catalist to combine the party's and bring the government together to help more children/people in the same position.
life is bigger than football and politics and however cruel it sounds that little boy should not have suffered in such a way. nobody does!
i could go on but im sure you all understand where im coming from and i appologise for briningh lif and politics into footbal!
UTV.
Reply to notsosilentbob:
bringing......ffs lol
Reply to Cavan:
Stone the flamin' crows! Tell them Sally leaves to do a porno -really (google Kate Ritchie Sex Tape) - she's quite the goer!
Chris...Here is an interesting article...Our next Prime Minister says there is only one football team...Makes you proud don't it..?
LINK
If you think about it, three of our most powerful men will be Villa fans!...Our next King, Prime Minister and Gov of Bank of England..!
Reply to __AA__:
Ok...Im ashamed of myself
Shame the game wont be shown on TV,lets just hope the young lads dont let us down.myp2p have been getting quite a few links up these days for the villa games.
Reply to __AA__:
Yeh, but there are the fuckwitts also, Amy Winehouse, Nigel Kennedy and i would not be surprised to hear Ozzy Osbourne (Aston Lad) is too.
Dont do Drugs, you could end up like these three
Reply to __AA__:
Why don't you all just get the boat over here to Dublin to watch it and go on the piss for the weekend?
Have I missed something? I thought Damian wasn't going and had cancelled his flights and tickets? What's he doing in Moscow?! Looking for Sputnik?
I just found this site for us Sheffield lads...Looks like I'm watching the game up here in Sheffield with aload of other fans...waaahhooo!
www.sheffieldlions.co.uk/
LINK
Reply to Pricey:
are sorry mate
Reply to Pricey:
Cool !!
Chanel FIVE should show that instead of home & away !
It's a shame chanel FIVE wont show the villa home & away !
Reply to Christian1983:
He's not...He wrote this earlier...
'If that happens, I'm likely not to be seen for a few days while I think over my decision to cash in my tickets'
Ah, that makes sense. Cheers AA.
Reply to SYMBAS:
AMY WINEHOUSE FFS lol i hate her....!
RIP Little Cameron. Not nice to here.
Anyways hopefully the Villa can pull out a win for the fans. If we do get thorugh i think we'll start playing the 1st team in all leagues. this is only a one off i reckon.
If the 1st team had came and lost then 4th spot would not stay. They need a rest to build them selfs back up and get the confidence running again. Little C.G should have spirts high.
Hope sidwell puts his finger out his ass ring tomorrow like.
Reply to Altan:
Villa home & away theme tune is so much ebtter then the Oz H&A Like.
Reply to __AA__:
That's a very decent site- tickets, travel, get-togethers, the lot! I almost wish I lived in Sheffield. Nothing as well organised down here
-10c. We have BBQs at that temperature in lake louise, Canada. -20 is a bit nippy but when it's -38 to -44 when your cross country skiing accross the lake or playing local hockey that's when it's cold
I think it'll be a comfotable 1-0/2-0 win for CSKA unfortunately
Unless Salifou turns the magic on but, as with Nii Lamptey, I'm still waiting to see some 'Zidane' evidence!
Hey dudes,
Completely off topic (Sorry, Damien, but if I start on about the weak squad I won't shut up) but can anyone recommend a decent Italian restaurant in Birmingham, one that's inexpensive ideally. I'm travelling down for the Stoke game this weekend and the wife's decreed that it's to be Italian.
Cheers,
Andy
__AA__
For you - we can bring bakc the live text thing if you wish - or would you rather we just updated on this type of page?
Pasta di piazza in St Paul's Square is very good- probably £10-12 a head for dinner + drinks.
Reply to odysseynumberfive:
LINK
thats a good one, went there once with my misses and family.
If we didn't intend to finish this competition strongly why the fuck did we start our season early to get into it? I am afraid MON has to take all the blame for the current predicament and I for one am also tired of hearing about injuries and small squads. The squad he's sending out there are going to get hammered, yeah I said it and for anyone that watched the first game at VP they will prob tend to agree.
Has MON finally cracked? Why would we not take Gabby and Ash and play them for 10 mins if we have to? What if after 80 mins it's 0-0 and they are looking leggy, just makes sense as far as I am concerned. He's sending a bunch of kids out to Moscow to get hammered in the cold, what kind of manager is that? I know that some people are going to come back with the top 4 argument but if you look at my first paragraph that was completely in his control.
Defoe went to Pompey for fucks sake and then back to Tottenham, SWP went for less than Milner to Man City the list goes on… I have no sympathy for the manager in this current situation we are in and I would go as far as saying that if we don't finish top 4 and crash and burn in the UEFA he should be sacked.
Just a thought, but what do you reckon Wilfred Bouma is thinking right now?
"Ive fucked a whole saeson and possibly my career for a micky mouse trophy MON dont care for??"
What dya think
Reply to Jimmy_Villain:
Apart from that last sentence about sacking MON, i wholeheartedly agree
The game should be on LINK
Jimmy_Villain whereas I don't give a rat's arse about the competition, I think you are missing the point. We entered the competition because by qualifying it gave us an extra edge in the transfer market and the opportunity to gain experience. Which we have. For the same reason we want to finish fourth - not for any perceived glory, or even the money, just the ability to compete for the top players.
Reply to Jimmy_Villain:
are you fucking thick in the head mate?!
you want to risk CL football for this match. Yes we should have more players but we dont simple as fucking that so he made a choice, push on in the EPL and wait till next season for cups! makes sense. you can have it all.
We entered this because who new we would get fucking top 4 ass!
MON is one of the best managers there is and if you think sacking him because of this your a twat mate.
if it gets to 80min and there looking leggy DEL will sort that out. also C.g and siddaz are fast. no way should we risk are best XI not a chance.
anyways its done now get over it and get behind your team!!!
Reply to Blitzballer:
if we did sack mon for this i HOPE! we get relegated! so show how fucking stupid we are. hes the best thing at VP!!
just because we have been playing well for a bit dont mean jack shit tbh.
Until we are top 4 consistant for 3/4 YEARS! thats when we can sack managers when they fuck up once. until then SHUT IT and surport your team and manager or you may aswell go fucking off to old trafford!
I'm seriously considering putting £500 on us getting beat. You wouldn't get a better return in any saving account in the world and its guaranteed!
Reply to Jimmy_Villain:
Have you lost the plot? Sack MON? Who do you suggest would do a better job?
Reply to AVFCBlog:
Wont be here Damian...I'll be watching it in the the pub now...I was just asking, as it seemed a lot of people seemed to be struggling to get the TV coverage and I noticed that for the last few games there was not the oleole live text thingy. Sorry Damian if I missed the live text thingy in the last couple of games or so...I may have been looking in the wrong place? Just thought it may be useful to those that did not realise that the facility existed on here, especially as we seem to have a few new users of late?
Reply to Jimmy_Villain:
I can't believe you are seriously suggesting that MON should be sacked?? He's the best thing that has happened to this club for a long, long time. Just look at where we where when he took over, we've finished 16th, 11th and 6th respectively. Now we are, currently in the top four and at the moment looking good to hold on to it (touch wood
) and you think we should sack him?
Now, I've stated before that I don't particularly agree with the selection policy for Thursdays game, however I can see the merit in it, I would like to see more 1st teamers there but giving Gabby and Ashley a complete rest is definately the RIGHT thing to do.
To suggest MON's Villa career is riding on this game is ridiculous!
Reply to Jimbo Daventry Villa:
Dare ya!
100- Bugger it!
Christian1983/Mlockey89
Thanks for your help fellas.
Jimmy_Villain......... He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot.
Reply to Mlockey89:
I knew that would ruffle a few feathers
Mlockey89 if you have a brain please use it and keep the personal insults on the playground you fucking muppet. Top 4 is a dif thing all together chaps, his tactics were wrong at the weekend playing 4 in midfield and taking kids to Russia is going to do nothing for us simple as that. Our small squad is his fault - fact. He is crap in the transfer market and has proved that over 2 seasons with the exception of Ashley Young and that swap with Baros. He's a great motivator and a nice chap, but a top 4 manager needs to attract top quality players and have a good scouting policy to keep us there, we don't seem to have that based on the transfer window lack of activity and looking at the players we have actually signed, Harewood, Shorey, Cuellar, Coker, Sidwell - I could go on but they are not players that would get into the first team of the so called top 4.
There are a lot of quality managers out there, and a few world class managers that can take us to the next level. I don't mind taking stick for saying that you should sack him, because I feel like he has everything to make us a top 4 and even top 3 team. I don't think he has spent well and other than motivation, has turned us into a hard team to beat, but also a pretty one dimensional side with long balls a big strong centre forwards.
Jimmy_Villain......... He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot.
Damien,
Can you not report some good news once in a while? Everything is always wrong in your book,
For a better outlook on life try this. www.astonvillablog.com everything on here is not like the world is about to end,
Cheers
Nick
Reply to notsosilentbob:
Contagious steven....
cant help the spelling mistakes lol
Reply to Jimmy_Villain:
'signed players who wouldnt get into a top 4 team'
2 points.
firstly, we are in the top 4, these players are in and around our team, so O'Neill has made them better?
secondly, you are a 'top 4 player' (as you put it) do you go to Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal? Even Citeh and the Spuds have more appeal at the moment. Who is he supposed to buy? This isnt football manager.
Also, look at how united built their success in the early 90's. look at what O'Neill is doing, can you spot anything?
and i dont want to make it personal, but please, please, please go support someone else. Chelski or Citeh sound about right for you.
Im still looking forward to the match regardless of who is playing whatever we think will happen most times doesn't go they way, i certainly wont be betting on this game whoever is thinking about betting 500 think wisely if you can afford to lose it then place it? If its the rent money don't do it
I think we'll get hammered 3-0 or 3-1 if thats anything! come on sidwell, salifou & Osbourne in midfield we have no spark sorry to say it but its true
We'll see 2mos
Damian please do the live football chat like on sats i know u said you don't do it alot because u cant watch the match aswell, not being funny but how new is your pc or is it a server problem anyways its good so put it on mate
You will be in so much trouble when teacher finds out!
i'm actually looking forward to seein wot some of the youngsters can do. if they play! at the start of the season, who honestly knew we wud be challenging for top 4 position? fair play, silverware is important, but for overall progression, champs league will do it for us. and for those moaning about not signin players, i guess the promise of champs league wil help us to attract top quality players.
the debate on here is seriously intense! lets take a break, give our partners (or palmela handerson) a good bashing and get rid of the pent up testosterone on here.
keep the faith. we are improvin!!
I don't really understand "he's crap in the transfer market" he signed virtually every player who plays and we have, what was it, 6 players in the England squad. Ask Spurs or Sunderland about crap signings. These "crap" players have, with 12 games to go, an outside chance of finishing second in the league and a great chance of finishing top 4. MON has always specialized in signing players who haven't lived up to their potential and getting the best out of them. At Celtic he took a bunch of EPL has-beens and turned them into UEFA Cup finalists and beat numerous top teams in the Champions League, although Celtic lost every Champions League away game. They did beat Liverpool at Anfield in the UEFA Cup though.
Reply to nik986:
CherChing.. Spot on.
think thats spamming :S naughty
So most people think we'll lose but the true villa fans are still backing a win.
UTV!!!
im going out on a lim and saying 3.2 Villa or maybe 2.2 Pens Villa
I just cant see us loseing. (never can tbh)
Its not in my heart to give up on my birth team. (unlike some)
Reply to Mlockey89:
Thats the spirit my son!
COME ON YOU LIONS
Mlockey
some villa fans have a brain & consider the facts. You say you are a real fan because you are saying we are going to win you muppet. We all want us to win.
I could say i am a true fan becaue i am upset the manager is more or less ready the throw the game chasing Pyrite.
I care more because i want to win something Wrong
The real fans are the ones giving up the Hols Etc to support the team no matter what.
Reply to Mlockey89:
Cant agrre with you there mate.
Just because I predict that Moscow will beat our reserves doesn't mean that Im not a true fan. Id love us to win as much as the next Villan, just cant see it.
Reply to Mac:
Well said. Like the "not top-4 players" comment when Villa players are, at the moment, top 4 players by definition.
Cmon the reserves! Earn your paychecks! If you think you're good enough to be Premier League footballers, surely you can get a result in Moscow...
Reply to FatKev:
at last someone else with a brain on this site, just because you want the best from your team does not mean you should fuck off and go support Man Utd. I love the Villa as much as anyone but that doesn't mean that I can't point out the fact that the manager has made some questionable signings and has screwed us with a small squad. Yes other teams have made shitty signings, but if you look at managers like Rednapp, he gets players in. We are toothles up front preferring to have a whippet with no control and a tall donkey lead the line, what i'd give for a player like defoe, Keane who both were sold in the last 6 months and we could have been in the market for.
Reply to Jimmy_Villain:
Good points but we can't do nothing until july 1st so it is what it is till then
keane then for 15m would have been off the planet we pay'd 12m for you know who
Reply from our friends @ five
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Date: 25th February 2009
Dear
Thank you for your recent enquiry regarding Football On Five.
We were sorry to read that you are unhappy that we will not be
transmitting coverage of the CSKA Moscow v Aston Villa UEFA Cup Round of
32 game on 26th February. There are two reasons for this.
Firstly, CSKA decided that they would kick the game off at 5pm UK time
which makes it impossible to fit in our schedule with the disruption it
would cause to Neighbours and Home And Away. Secondly the Russians did
not want to sell highlights of the game even though we made them an
offer for this and therefore our hands are tied.
We sincerely hope Aston Villa progress through to the last 16 of this
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I haven't read the whole thread, but I like Alton's pick. 1-1 and the Villa go through in a penalty shootout!
If you want to watch the game on your computer via Setanta Sports U.S. please do the following.
1. Make sure you have downloaded SOPCAST
2. Go to this site: uktvsport.webs.com
3. Click on the P2PTV player
4. Click on the gray box that lists all the channels
5. Click on channel 91 (it may take a minute or two to load)
6. Cross your fingers and thank me later (I hope)
I am a Villa supporter. I want us to win. I think we may lose. I will, nevertheless, have a fiver on Villa to win. I am not a muppet. I want my local bookies to carry on taking their Caribbean holidays at my expense.
the KINGFISHER GREAT BARR will be showing the match tomorrow if you live around north birmingham
Reply to vogra:
Prick
i feel proper sorry for you Villa fans in England... thanks to them greedy Russian pr**ks the match isnt televised and true Villa fans cant watch the team in Moscow.
Looks like a drunken trip to Dublin boys!
or,
the simpler option of "p2p" of course.... "myp2p.eu" won their court case which means they will be providing links for the match! get in!
UTV!!!
Reply to Pricey:
no, we werent full strength, lol laursen, bouma, milner, and i think cuellar were all out...
I am a muppet.
I don't know what will happen tomorrow.
Any muppet can sign a player. Then you gotta fit em into a team with a plan and make them play beyond their ability. Now that is quite hard.
MON is quite good at it, but he needs the right player. Rafa did a good job with Keane didn't he? Defoe has set the world on fire hasn't he?
the games on setanta Ireland whether its gonna work or not i don't no but it is advertised on that channel.
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
I agree with you on that but would not then say that surely a full back was a necessity purchase in Jan so that we no longer had to play players out of position and get our shape back. Kyle Naughton would have done nicely as can play on both flanks.
I cant wait for next season, we qualify for champions league, but as MON could not buy enough average English players we decide not to go for it, in case it ruins our chances of re qualification in the league!
dont care wot anyone says or thinks, this is fuckin stupid! we are tired because we started our season early, to qualify for this, now we dont care.
we get knocked out of cups, easily, so basically we challenge for top for only, no silverware
MON look at european players to bolster the squad and stop moaning we are too small a squad after several transfer windows
its nice to see ads to watch man city online is on this villa blog when we cant see the villa
IN MON I TRUST.
IN MON I TRUST.
IN MON I TRUST.
IN MON I TRUST.
IN MON I TRUST.
IN MON I TRUST.
IN MON I TRUST.
IN MON I TRUST.
IN MON I TRUST.
Reply to Mlockey89:
Do you actually understand English?
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
yeah but you have to sign them which is the point, and both Defoe and Keane will score more goals than Gabby given the right environment. Keane was brilliant at Tottenham, Raffa has lost the plot so that's a poor comparison. Both will shine back under Rednapp…
"As for any muppet can sign a player" - I think that should read "any muppet can sign a shit player" we have signed plenty of mppets and regardless of the earlier post saying we have made them better - Sidwell is poor and remained poor, Shorey the same, Harewood the same. You can polish a turd but it's still a turd.
Reply to TrueVillan:
Exactly, he has the money apparently so why don't we have the players? There are too many sheep on this site that see the progress over the last 2 years but are blind to the next step and us getting there.
Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:
Sensible as usual, Nan...
And I just want to add after today's CL round...Given how the EPL's top 4 compare against Europe's very best, to say that merely finishing among them at season's end doesn't show ambition, or is somehow not an accomplishment, is stunning.
Villa looked far more dangerous and likely to score against Chelsea at the weekend than Juventus ever did today. And I daresay that Villa pose more of a threat to Liverpool than Real Madrid.
Some fans really need a reality check. Villa are trying to climb to the top of toughest league in the world. And are giving a rather good account of themselves.
Obviously lots of room for improvement. But that's why fans should be optimistic overall, and not sour. MON is getting them there.
If you're criticizing Villa, and the quality of our squad, then you really should have issues with any team in the world except Manure.
Reply to kohoutek:
And that's why MON shouldn't be criticised for ditching the UEFA Cup. Being one of the best 4 teams in the toughest league in the world, on merit, should be enough...for now.
id go for
Brad Guzan
Luke Young
Curtis Davies
Zat Knight
Nicky Shorey
Craig Gardner
Steve Sidwell
Moustapha Salifou
Barry Bannan
John Carew
Nathan Delfouneso
how bad really? lowry orborne and harewood to come in if required
Reply to fizzycasey:
I don't think it's actually that bad a starting line up!
At the moment , some could say it's our 1st choice back 4.
Sidwell has a lot of critics to prove wrong.
Sally wants to sell himself [to anyone, not just MON]
Bannan and Gardner will run their nuts off for us.
The Fonz WILL score tonight and JC will be a right pain in the arse to defend against [even though he isn't 100% match-fit]
All in all, I don't think we'll be the pushover that many of you are predicting.
yEsWeCaN
Reply to FatKev:
i have gave up my hols many times to go see them play. and yes i see the facts im not stupid but i still think Villa can win this, or if we do lose it wont be by as much as some fans are saying.
MON has done the right thing simple as if we were to push we would drop out the top 4, get top for this year expand the squad in the summer then next season push for everything we can.
UTV!
Reply to TrueVillan:
the reason we went intertoto was because we wanted the cup yes. but who though we would get to feb and be top 4? with the strength to push on till may? no one! thats why hes doing it, what he think (i agree with it) is that if he putts cups on hold this season then goes all out in the EPL and get CL then he'll be able to attract loads experiance players plus youngsters, hes not a thick man, he knows what hes doing, (it is a risk tho) but if we do get CL football then next season come back with a bigger squady and stay top 4 and push on in cups you wont be complaining?! what is a risk is we give up on these cups and drop out the top for, Waste of a season? maybe, maybe not its all a game, MAN U are a world class team becuase they perform year after year, this is pritty much or first season (not even over yet) as being top 4, we have to do this for atleast 3 years before we are classed a thret for the title.
i agree with MONs desision to concentrate on the EPL. CL would bring in the DOSH and next season we can play in all cups.
UTV
Tonights a win 0-0, pens villa!
Reply to Zidave:
haha thanks man
-10 C it does't matters for us (russians). You will see men naked trunk on the stadion today.
Reply to jonboyvilla:
Go go CSKA!
Reply to Jimmy_Villain:
Sheep that see progress, that;s interesting. Like others on this site, you contradict yourself, by saying in one breath that you applaud what MON has done for the club, then slate him for not buying loads of players in the transfer window.
ak_27 went on about us 'losing' Defoe to Pompey. No, he wanted to play for his chum, 'arry. In the same way Milner wanted to come back and play for MON. It's disappointing that some of the signings have not lived up to their reputation; yet. Still, 4th place and the club gaining high profile status in a couple of seasons isn't bad. MON has massively over achieved and been recognized for it.
I trust MON to keep progressing this club. This summer's transfer window will be his first that he can really attract the big signings as we are proving ourselves not to be one hit wonders. The club is being run morally and efficiently. The ignorance of some of the people on this site astounds me. More or less suggesting MON doesn't know what he's doing at times. Nobody really knows just how hard he works or how close he has been to signing players, because he keeps it private. His stats for this club speak for itself.