[Archived] Villa Semi Final Match Preview

[Mr. E]

..it's official. He has left Hoilett, Di Santo and McCarthy on the bench and started 4-5-1.

ADIOS SAM.

[Exiled in Toronto]

We are offensively set-up with CHimbonda and Jacobsen on the backs.

No team with Slagadoo and MGP on the wings can be described as offensive, although I find it pretty offensive myself.

So Sam abandons the approach that got us past Chelsea for an allegedly safety-first approach. Pity he can't be sacked before kick-off and a gung-ho team be quickly picked

[imy9]

4-5-1 at home again with Salgado on the wing over say Hoillet?

*bangs head repeatedly off table*

They have two very quick wingers, Salgado should help out defensively. I like the fact that Kalinic is starting and Emerton is playing the middle with NZonzi.

Come on Rovers 2-0 win tonight!

Edit: Sam will live or die by his decisions but I think it is a positive that he dropped the two biggest weak links from the City game in Givet and Andrews. How do you drop MGP after he scored?

[MarkBRFC71]

Hoilett not starting? Salgado on the right wing?? Only one striker???

Do you think Sam wants out?

Any confidence or optimism just evaporated with that team selection.

I'm saying 3-1 Villa.

[rebelmswar]

They have two very quick wingers, Salgado should help out defensively.

That is a paradox.

[imy9]

That is a paradox.

Better than the other guy though isnt he?

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

We HAVE to stop Milner and Downing. Hoilett isn't defensive enough and Diouf is suspended so it makes sense to play Salgado or Emerton on the right and Pedersen on the left as they can both defend.

And we played so gung-ho against Chelsea because it was one game. This is two. It's a totally different ball game.

[rebelmswar]

Better than the other guy though isnt he?

Emerton would help with defence on that side more.

Have Salgado in the middle behind Zonzi.

[ClaretBlueMahoney]

Greetings from a Villa fan

Kick off in about 45 minutes! Shame I'm about 6000 miles away from Lancashire and B6.

Judging by the comments on here, most of you Rovers fans appear a bit nervous about meeting the best team in the Midlands!

Here's to hoping for a fair game from the ref, and an entertaining one from both sets of players. Hopefully we see a lot of passion for wearing the clubs kits (it seems some of you don't think your players are doing enough of this at the moment) and good voice from the supporters.

Good luck to you lot, but not too much of course!

UTV SOTC.

[brfc4ever]

ROVERS: Robinson, Jacobsen, Samba, Nelsen ©, Chimbonda, Salgado, Emerton, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Dunn, Kalinić.

Sub: Brown, McCarthy, Reid, Olsson, Hoilett, Di Santo, Jones

1 - 3

[Rovers_4_life]

Not best pleased looking at the team, playing for a 0-0 by the looks of it.

[B.R.F.C]

They have two very quick wingers, Salgado should help out defensively. I like the fact that Kalinic is starting and Emerton is playing the middle with NZonzi.

Come on Rovers 2-0 win tonight!

We're playing 5 in midfield at home...we need some sort of attacking threat!

The only small positive is that our Julie isn't playing centre of the park.

[savage8]

looks quiet ....

[ClaretBlueMahoney]

I imagine MON will play:

Guzan

Young Cuellar Dunne Warnock

Young Milner Petrov Downing

Gabby Heskey

Hopefully Albrighton gets a chance to play. We may possible see Delph get a start ahead of Petrov, but who knows what MON is thinking. We've been using a fringe selection for most the CC but this game is a bit more important So I could see him fielding a stronger team, probably a bit like the one in the FA cup, but keeping Guzan in goal. He's been outstanding.

[youaremyturkíshdelight]

we'll not win with that team. The man clearly has no idea.

[Iceman]

Im off to bed, good night.

[sam_rovers]

4-5-1??? Oh for ###### sake... why are we throwing this game away?

He has lost the plot..

[Amo]

It's not far off my starting line-up, except Givet is injured, and Pedersen takes Hoilett's place. However, I would not play Salgado on the wing.

[rebelmswar]

but keeping Guzan in goal. He's been outstanding.

I knew he would be. That keeper is going to be outstanding for you.

[philipl]

That lot are going to have to defend as though their lives depend on it because Sam's does.

A bit more Keystone Cops stuff at the back and boy the crowd will get restless if Rovers don't pull it back straight away.

[G Somerset Rover]

Olsson and Hoilett looked the part when they came on Monday evening so why aren't they starting?

Happy Andrews is nowhere near the squad, but the two guys I've mentioned should have started tonight.

Too defensive YET AGAIN by Big Sam. Say what you like but it's still 4-5-1 at home.

[Miker]

Hey guys... WE'RE IN THE SEMI FINAL OF THE LEAGUE CUP!!! Cheer up, will you. Go ask your daddies for a hug or something.

[PAFELL]

..it's official. He has left Hoilett, Di Santo and McCarthy on the bench and started 4-5-1.

ADIOS SAM.

Good subs to bring on once Villa start to get tired- villa haven't had a game for a few weeks, could tire early - we hope.

[Alex Rover]

looks quiet ....

I'm sure Sky just said we'd sold 11,000 tickets.....that can't be right

[LeChuck]

It's not far off my starting line-up, except Givet is injured, and Pedersen takes Hoilett's place. However, I would not play Salgado on the wing.

Same here...I'd definitely play Salgado in the middle with Emerton on the right hand side.