[Archived] Villa Semi Final Match Preview

[duffbear]

Gutted I have tickets for the game and was going to go on the orignal date.

Wanted to go on the re-arranged date but My mate cant make it it didnt fancy the 200+ mile journey on my own.

Decided against getting a refund as have faith in the lads to make the final and should be able to get tickets

[A cup of beans]

Those people you speak to are obviously not fans then - no excuses tonight, its not the league, its a Semi Final - Make all the excuses all you want

apologies, hughesy...

no they are not fans... they're pretty fairweather supporters who have been season ticket holders for over 20 years!

im not making excuses for anyone... it's their choice. the premiership away performances... alone! under sam have been unacceptable... the ones we have won we played well (hull, fulham, last season and bolton this season...) but the others (with the exception of sunderland away) have hardly been contested by us.

i'll be there as i am almost every week... i go home and away... and have for decades... But i can understand those who chose not too. were you at city on monday, with us ????

[CrazyIvan]

Had tickets for tonight for weeks now. Also got the away leg ones with the free coach travel booked!

[booth]

I will be there but I'm less than optimistic about our chances. Though I wasn't when we played Chelsea and the lads did us proud that night so it may be a different team from the weekends debacle (although I will be VERY annoyed if he doesn't play Kalanic from the off when he's one of the key players who has got us to the semi's).

And please people don't boo, it doesn't help the team. If you really must please do it after the final whistle

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I'm going yes, I wasn't going to bother but my son wants to go.

I can't believe I was considering not going, but I’ve no faith in the manager and I’m sick of watching complete and utter rubbish week in week out.

I agree, it's got so bad I'm seriously considering wether I even watch the game on T.V.or not ! Before you shout band wagon jumper I saw my first game in 1961, so I've seen some crap in that time. It's not that I don't care , I just care too much. I can't bear to see us play so poorly. The guys out there, with one or two exceptions, haven't got 1/10 th of the desire to win that I had.

[Hughesy]

apologies, hughesy...

no they are not fans... they're pretty fairweather supporters who have been season ticket holders for over 20 years!

So in 20 years they havent seen worse football or worse times at ewood?! Im sure they have!

[Dan]

So in 20 years they havent seen worse football or worse times at ewood?! Im sure they have!

I reckon we are playing our worst football since the premier league began, which is 18 years? We have been direct in the past, but it's generally worked for us. I don't remember us playing as ugly football the year we went down. We had Ashley Ward, so I'm sure it wasn't that great! :-)

Wish I could get to the game tonight! I become a daddy last week, 8 weeks earlier than expected, so am visiting everyday as well as working an early shift. Having a good day today, my little boy(who has been named Jack :-) ) is doing really well, a Rovers win and a good performance would make it a perfect day! I'm suddenly having a good feeling, no idea why. I hope I end up suprised and delighted in the performance like the Chelsea game.

[Mr. E]

from the official site:

One particular aspect the manager is hoping to avoid this evening at Ewood Park is facing Villa with just ten men.

Rovers have only twice seen a man sent off this season, but on both occasions it was against Martin O'Neill's side.

"We can't have a repeat scenario in the semi-final of the cup because Villa are hard enough to beat with 11 men," said Sam.

advise for Sam if he doesn't want to play with 10 men:

DON'T START WITH ANDREWS.

[Hughesy]

I reckon we are playing our worst football since the premier league began, which is 18 years? We have been direct in the past, but it's generally worked for us. I don't remember us playing as ugly football the year we went down. We had Ashley Ward, so I'm sure it wasn't that great! :-)

Wish I could get to the game tonight! I become a daddy last week, 8 weeks earlier than expected, so am visiting everyday as well as working an early shift. Having a good day today, my little boy(who has been named Jack :-) ) is doing really well, a Rovers win and a good performance would make it a perfect day! I'm suddenly having a good feeling, no idea why. I hope I end up suprised and delighted in the performance like the Chelsea game.

Ah thats nice - congrats!

Now leave the missus to deal with him and get down to Ewood

[Paul]

BUT WEDNESDAY -> 1900 The One Show ... -> 1930 Villa v BLACKBURN ROVERS

Sod it. On the strength of that post I just booked three tickets for next week. I sahll be round your house if we lose tonight!

Incidentally it took the TO 12 minutes to answer my call. The lady said they were really busy. The free travel is still available for those interested.

[LeftWinger]

Sorry if it’s already been posted – but I’m assuming tickets will be on sale tonight?

[CAPT KAYOS]

Tonight is about Blakburn Rovers, not how good or sh!t Sam is.

Correct Hughesy , but about the only thing you are probably correct on on this moot point.

Tonight is about Rovers , but tonight is not about being a Rovers Fan.

Would we be correct in saying the majority of those not going are maybe just not Glory Hunters and rightly have a concern?

Do not try to judge others you do not know - I would hazard a guess some have seen far worse performances and team lines ups than you have had hot dinners.

For the record , I won't be there tonight for my own personal reasons - its biting at my heart but c'est la vie.

[Paul]

Those people you speak to are obviously not fans then - no excuses tonight, its not the league, its a Semi Final - Make all the excuses all you want

You do post the most irrational rubbish of anyone on this board. Your posts of the last few days have proved just how valueless your opinions are.

[Ossydave]

Can anyone advise what time you you can pick tickets up from the collection point up until? Is it right up to KO? Never done it before.

[broadsword]

You do post the most irrational rubbish of anyone on this board. Your posts of the last few days have proved just how valueless your opinions are.

One day he's saying Adenoidgripe is taking us in the right direction, the very next day it seems, he's got two games left to save his hide!

[rebelmswar]

To the football Gods in all their merciless wisdom.

Please allow the manager the good sense to play a good formation.

Please allow our players to play with the passion that fans feel.

Please temper our players and make them the hero’s we wish them to be.

Please give the players quick feet and sharp minds.

Please allow us space where there is none and time when pressed.

Please forgive us our big headedness and allow us to remember league position and victories are not rights, but hard fought accomplishments.

Please allow every penny of money made tonight to go to something of value.

We ask you this in all who have shed sweat and tears for this club.

[Gav]

So in 20 years they havent seen worse football or worse times at ewood?! Im sure they have!

I'm really struggling to think of a time when we've seen worse than is being served up at the moment, over the past 20yrs.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Judging by Sam's interviews it's going to be a cagey affair - ie one up front and not lose policy. He dooesn't make life easy for himself.

[philipl]

Judging by Sam's interviews it's going to be a cagey affair - ie one up front and not lose policy. He dooesn't make life easy for himself.

If that is his plan, he's going to need divine intervention for his defence to deliver on his plan and not fold like they did away at City, Chelsea and Villa.

[Plastic Head]

According to a recent survey, Scotch Eggs are the most stolen foodstuff taken from the Spar chain of convenience stores in the North West. Pound for pound I would suggest the Scotch egg is also the most densely calorific savoury in the chiller cabinet too.

My research shows that Hollands Meat pies have at least 30% more calories than a scotch egg.

[LeftWinger]

My research shows that Hollands Meat pies have at least 30% more calories than a scotch egg.

But they are bigger. Thats like saying Pacquiao is pound for pound best fighter in the world - but saying Valuev punches harder.

[cletus]

Hughesy.

I know you like to show how good & loyal & 'in the know' kinda fan you are at every available opportunity.......& good on ya

but you shouldn`t judge people you don`t know. If they cannot attend the game or plain just don`t want to, it is no business of yours.

I`ve said this countless times on this board, don`t tell people how to spend their money. It`s got #### all to do with you. January is a tough time for a lot of people. Christmas still has to be paid for & it can be a long month.

We (my better half & i) have decided to attend tonight, but it was close run thing. I was teetering on the 'can`t be arsed' ledge. But if i had decided to watch it at home or from the pub, it`d be absolutely no business of yours

[JAL]

Right off to the game, looking forward to it.

Rovers have no inhibitions going into this one, none whatsoever so it should be an interesting one.

My only concern is Paul Robinson or Mrs.Bobbins son, i've no faith in this guy, but hey, so long as we are still in the tie come the end of this evening then it will be the away leg that the big, big, performance is required.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Setting off shortly.

I can see Sam sticking with the 4-4-1-1, playing a tight game to make sure we don't lose the game in the first leg. If he goes with that there is a lot riding on Dunny, problem is he hasn't really looked sharp since he has returned from injury.

Hoping that Kalinic starts, on evidence so far he offers far more of a threat than all our other strikers. Olsson on the left wing could be a decent option, looked decent last game when he was on.

Going there with a plan to just watch the game, support the team and see what happens. Not expecting a win whatsoever.

[Plastic Head]

I feel a cracker coming on tonight...

Iv'e got some Double Goucester, a bit of Mature Cheddar and some Crumbly Lancashire with Cranberries so they will go nicely with a Jacobs and a wine at supper time.

Not sure what to predict...(well a defeat is the likeliest outcome at present) but I know I'll need a stiff drink before passing through Turnstile T tonight.

Better crack on...