Team for Villa

[Barry the bird boggler]

Federici

Mills
Ingimarsson
Bertrand
Griffin

Kebe
Sigurdsson
Howard
Tabb
Gunnarsson

Long


Only 3 places to debate I think; which 2 alongside Howard and Church or Long up front. If Sigurdsson fails a fitness test think Henry will get a start.

[TBM]

He'll play 4-4-2

[Ark Royal]

No way Long will start. It will be Church.

[rob the royal]

Would he drop Church for Long... I guess it's the Cup so he could justify it that way, but I can't see it either.

I'd probably go for 4-5-1 myself and try to shut down the threat from what is a gifted set of midfielders.

If not I'd be tempted to bring Long back in up front with Church and get them both to put a shift in closing down and defending from the front. Shame to drop Rasiak though after his two goals, I might be tempted to play him actually... but I still would prefer Long and Church just so they can get in Villa's faces and try to pressure them into making mistakes...

Personally I reckon BM will leave Long on the bench, the question is will he play Church on his own or Rasiak and Church? Despite Rasiak impressing me the other day I'd still prefer to go into this with 5 midfielders...

[PEARCEY]

No way Long will start. It will be Church.

Why drop Church when he's putting the ball in the back of the net at the moment?

[Ian Royal]

..............Federici
...Griffin, Ivar, Mills, Bertrand
Kebe, Tabb, Howard, Sigurdsson, HRK
...............Church

Hamer, Pearce, Gunnarsson, Matejovsky, Long, Rasiak, Henry.


Assuming every one is fit of course. If Sig, Griffin or Mills aren't fit we are in big trouble.

I don't see any reason to think McD will play 4-4-2. I can't see Sig being played wide in a 5 man midfield. So I think HRK will get his chance. Howard may lose out to Gunnarsson in the centre if that is the case though.

[PEARCEY]

..............Federici
...Griffin, Ivar, Mills, Bertrand
Kebe, Tabb, Howard, Sigurdsson, HRK
...............Church

Hamer, Pearce, Gunnarsson, Matejovsky, Long, Rasiak, Henry.


Assuming every one is fit of course. If Sig, Griffin or Mills aren't fit we are in big trouble.

HRK starting? I'd be surprised.

[Ian Royal]

More likely than Henry IMO, and as I edited above... I couldn't see Sig being used as the sort of wide player that would be needed in a 4-5-1 formation.

[07RFC]

-----------------Federici-----------------
Griffin-----Mills--------Ingi----Bertrand
---------Gunnarsson---Tabb-------------
Kebe------------Howard--------------Sig
------------------Church (or Long)------

[PEARCEY]

More likely than Henry IMO, and as I edited above... I couldn't see Sig being used as the sort of wide player that would be needed in a 4-5-1 formation.

I wouldn't rule out Gunnar starting

[Ian Royal]

More likely than Henry IMO, and as I edited above... I couldn't see Sig being used as the sort of wide player that would be needed in a 4-5-1 formation.

I wouldn't rule out Gunnar starting

On the wing!?

[Boyband]

Feds
Griffin
Mills
Ivar
Bertrand
Kebe
Howard
Gunnarsson
Tabb
Sig
Church

[PEARCEY]

More likely than Henry IMO, and as I edited above... I couldn't see Sig being used as the sort of wide player that would be needed in a 4-5-1 formation.

I wouldn't rule out Gunnar starting

On the wing!?

Obviously not although the run and cross against Liverpool showed theres life in the old dog yet.
I think he may play central midfield with Siggy played wide.

[PEARCEY]

Feds
Griffin
Mills
Ivar
Bertrand
Kebe
Howard
Gunnarsson
Tabb
Sig
Church

Thats the team for me.

[silas]

Feds
Griffin
Mills
Ivar
Bertrand
Kebe
Howard
Gunnarsson
Tabb
Sig
Church

Thats the team for me.

And me

[peterroyal76]

Feds
Griffin
Mills
Ivar
Bertrand
Kebe
Howard
Gunnarsson
Tabb
Sig
Church

Thats the team for me.

And me

And me

[Ian Royal]

I wouldn't rule out Gunnar starting

On the wing!?

Obviously not although the run and cross against Liverpool showed theres life in the old dog yet.
I think he may play central midfield with Siggy played wide.

Fair play. I could be wrong quite easily. I just don't see Siggy as a wide man in a 5 man midfield. He doesn't stay wide enough and isn't quick enough for me. If Gun plays I'd expect Howard to miss out (or just maybe Sig if he isn't fully fit) as I said already.

[PEARCEY]

You may be right Ian.... I just think that for such a big game HRK is unlikely to start.

[leww_rfc]

Feds
Griffin
Mills
Ivar
Bertrand
Kebe
Howard
Gunnarsson
Tabb
Sig
Church

Thats the team for me.

And me

And me

[RobRoyal]

-----------------Federici-----------------
Griffin-----Mills--------Ingi----Bertrand
---------Gunnarsson---Tabb-------------
Kebe------------Howard--------------Sig
------------------Church (or Long)------

I'd say this, with Church over Long. If Sig's out, then Tabb to go left and a senior central midfielder to come in - Matejovsky or Cisse, if he's back in training. There's no way BM will play anything other than the strongest possible side for a game like this, and I think that rules out a start for HRK and Henry.