Oh yes! An FA Cup tie, banana skin, on the TV & all whilst we are on a club defining period of consecutive losses. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, I’m an optimist (honestly) & this has to be a welcome break from the league fixtures. With our Premier League hopes all but dashed, a 3rd Round tie against a side who we’ve faced in recent seasons is a welcome distraction.
The week has seen subtle changes starting to appear amongst the playing staff, with a number of faces being in the process of moving on (Cole, Ilori, N’Zogbia & possibly Agbonlahor + Senderos). Villa have also been swift to send out players on loan, with taxis for youngster Callum Robinson & recurring sick note Gardner, sent out for yet more first team action.
Arguably a side like Villa’s should be using the opportunity to blood youngsters & fringe players; but given our situation, a professional, strong side can be reasonably anticipated.
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A win, in whatever fashion would be obvious a change of tone and therefore will presumably not left to chance. Also, one would like to think that Remi Garde might consider winning a football match?
The real worry is our sapped morale & that this fixture is a no lose scenario for the opposition. A tasty combo. We have also got very poor modern history against lower league opposition in the cups in recent seasons; a stat that we wouldn’t want to cement.
Further, Wycombe are in decent form, sitting in the League 2 play-off spots having enjoyed a good spell over the festive period which has yielded 9 points from 12. The less said about our results, the better.
So both sides fortunes, whilst of course at different levels, differ greatly. From a selfish Villa perspective, we really shouldn’t be concerned about going to League 2 opposition. It is not an arrogant stance, but surely amongst our squad there is the quality and composure to effect the game over 90 minutes. Surely??
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Again, our biggest worry has to be our confidence and perhaps our inexperience of both leading and winning a game of football. A laughable but sad state of affairs. I would be concerned if we went behind, as there is much to be done to convince me that we have the aptitude to get ourselves back into a game of football.
On the flip side, with players like Carles-Gil in the team you feel that you always have a chance. Further, you hope that the likes of Adrissa Gueye would have the legs and quality to dictate the midfield over 90 minutes. I won’t mention the defence…
With that said, this is a cup fixture with all of the ingredients for avoiding the newspapers the next day….has it really come to this?? Yes; yes it has.
Prediction: 2-0 to Villa
Up the Villa!
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