Aston Villa v West Ham - Pre-Match Thread

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I know we have really important champions league and premier league games coming up and they will be more of a priority than this for Unai, understandably so. I also realise me being 50, means Im the demographic who cares about the cup more than younger generations.
However, I do think a sell out crowd, on mainstream TV, however much its marketing bullshit, the whole 150 year thang, Unai will put himself under unnecessary scrutiny if he makes 5 or 6 changes, including the goalie and we lose.

For me, Onana hasnt played a full 90 for weeks, so no reason for him not to start, Ramsey needs to get a full 90 in, Barklay can come on for Tielemans at some point and Rogers had a rest at the weekend.

Ive always like the tenacious little fecker that is Emi B, but at the moment he’s sub at best standard.

I hope this is the team:

Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Mings
Maatsen
Kamara
Onana
Rogers
Watkins
Tielemans
Ramsey

You’re reasoning makes sense and that would be a good strong team to field but I just can’t see it with the Everton / Arsenal / Monaco games in quick succession then 4 days rest and another 3 games in a short space. Something has got to give in some of those games. I suppose if we can get a few players in that line up might be more likely.

[villadelph]

Cheap beer, praise Heck!

[Brazilian Villain]

Cheap beer, praise Heck!

People have been praised for less.

[Martyn Smith]

It never used to be the case, I distinctly remember Staunton and one other (possibly Ehiogu) deliberately getting themselves booked at Anfield so they'd miss the upcoming league game and be guaranteed to be available for the League Cup Final.

And I have a feeling that it was precisely this kind of tactic that caused the rule change. Beckham did the same a little later IIRC

[tomd2103]

I know we have really important champions league and premier league games coming up and they will be more of a priority than this for Unai, understandably so. I also realise me being 50, means Im the demographic who cares about the cup more than younger generations.
However, I do think a sell out crowd, on mainstream TV, however much its marketing bullshit, the whole 150 year thang, Unai will put himself under unnecessary scrutiny if he makes 5 or 6 changes, including the goalie and we lose.

Sadly (and I mean that as I feel the same as you), I doubt there are many at the club who share that opinion.

[lovejoy]

Have those predicting a full strength team ever seen an Emery cup selection before?

[Rigadon]

The pecking order is clearly league then CL then everything else.  I’d be amazed if he doesn’t rest some of the key players with the games we have coming up.  If this wasn’t on the telly and wasn’t being badges as the 150 year thing, it probably wouldn’t cause so much of a stir. 

[RamboandBruno]

The pecking order is clearly league then CL then everything else.  I’d be amazed if he doesn’t rest some of the key players with the games we have coming up.  If this wasn’t on the telly and wasn’t being badges as the 150 year thing, it probably wouldn’t cause so much of a stir.

The last couple of lines are exactly my point. Because of those things, the boss will inevitably come under more scrutiny than he would normally, if he does make loads of changes and we lose.
Anyway, its going to be a cold one tonight on the Holte.

[Rigadon]

Agreed Rambo.  Wrap up warm!!

[cdbearsfan]

Have those predicting a full strength team ever seen an Emery cup selection before?

Martinez, Cash, Carlos, Lenglet, Moreno, Kamara, Luiz, Bailey, Tielemans, McGinn, Watkins.

That was the last FA Cup team he put out. Pretty strong.

Still lost, of course. It's Aston Villa in the FA Cup. But I wouldn't say he chucked it like he did the League Cup.

[Nev]

Have those predicting a full strength team ever seen an Emery cup selection before?

Martinez, Cash, Carlos, Lenglet, Moreno, Kamara, Luiz, Bailey, Tielemans, McGinn, Watkins.

That was the last FA Cup team he put out. Pretty strong.

Still lost, of course. It's Aston Villa in the FA Cup. But I wouldn't say he chucked it like he did the League Cup.

With the Cups I find that the team plays almost within itself, reflecting the attitude of the Manager. We've never put in any sort of performance that would be worthy of his time with us, and it will be starkly different when we go to Monaco and host Celtic.

It's churlish to criticise Emery looking at where we are, and the Club itself will prioritise the PL and CL because of the revenue it creates but I'm an old fashioned football romantic at heart and just feel a great sadness about both our domestic Cup competitions.

I'm not relishing tonight, as I said in my prediction, the 150 thing, too many away fans to ignore if they prevail, Friday night and freezing cold. It has all the makings of a furious march up the Whitehead Road, head down, hands thrust into pockets, furrowed browed profane mutterings and the whole 3rd Round weekend rendered unwatchable.

God, I hope I'm way off the mark.

[Astnor]

If the Fa cup is not top priority for us/Emery and they come with a new manager and give it their best we will loose. They have Bowen out I think which will help if we want to win.

[john e]

Competing in the premier league and as of now trying to get into the major European competitions are the priority for Villa now

no matter what they say winning trophies hasn’t been a priority for 28 years, actions speak louder than words

[Demitri_C]

Surely onana needs to be starting tonight along with maatsen?

Dont know whats going on with onana but 50m and cant even get a sniff of game time recently.

[DB]

Any chance it will be postponed? Not for the pitch but for the surrounding areas with the ice etc?
I am travelling for 2 hours so want to get up there and find it’s off.