FA Cup semi-final v Liverpool

So a brief break from the trials and tribulations of league life. I'd love to win the FA Cup, and I sure as hell don't subscribe to the theory that involvement in the cup equals relegation. Balls to that.

Still, I'm glad we won today because it does make it much easier mentally knowing that whatever happens elsewhere, we still won't be in the bottom three next week.

I fear the worst here, but then I did against Spurs so I'm quite happy to keep that approach if it helps 

According to Sherwood, both Clark and Gabby are out, as of course is Sanchez. That's less than ideal.

As I'm sure many of you know, Steven Gerrard has his birthday on the day of the FA Cup final and that of course would be his last game; it feels a little like the footballing Gods are conspiring against us.

But hey, we're looking good going forward so we might just go and bloody win 

So, what do we think folks? Do we keep marching on, or is it the end of the road?

If we lose I'll be disappointed but not upset, I wasn't expecting a trip to wembley this season.

That said, fuck it. I'm rocking up to Wembley full of faith that we can win

According to physioroom.com we have Gil, Sinclair, Westwood, Hutton, Cissokho and Senderos returning. That'd be handy.

This is the team I'd play, although I suspect it will be Weimann up front with a diamond, or the shape I've picked but with Sinclair instead of Gil. Gil isn't playing whatever happens is he. Even with all the injuries, even if some of the others aren't returning this week, Gil still won't even get in the 18.

I also think Richardson will probably keep his place even if Cissokho is fit.

If Westwood isn't fit, I'd genuinely consider Okore as the defensive screen in midfield.

Liverpool will feel the pressure to make the final, due to a misguided sense of self importance and the notion they simply have to win something every year.

Whereas we will, in our current state of survival mode, see this as a bonus. On the back of a great result and a rosier looking league table, this will be an opportunity to enjoy the occasion and go for it.

We will, and we'll wn.

Im not sure about this. And I thought Spurs were gonna beat us yesterday!
If we go out, attack, play proper football, then who knows? We are capable of winning. Just go for it!

I need us to win, this is the only trophy i haven't seen us win , and to beat Liverpool in the process would be priceless !

Sherwood has obviously changed the mentality of the lads , we are now playing pro active football rather than the reactive football we witness earlier in this campaign !

Liverpool will start favourites and of course there is the Gerrard press wankfest to listen to , i hope we dont let thus opportunity slip, but under Sherwood , I am confident we will go for it !

PS; i have booked next Monday of work , I hope it is not a day of mourning !

COYVB

We have had some of our best performances the last few seasons against Liverpool, lets hope this Saturday is more of the same. They will be cock sure that this is their easy route to the final, its up to us to prove em wrong, get into their faces, keep on the front foot and who knows, the beast is back and firing.

we are well overdue a cup win over the scousers, our last win was in 1897 a 3-0 victory. Since then they have racked up 7 consecutive cup wins, law of probability says we have to win one eventually, so why not next Sunday, come on you villans.

I don't think we've got the quality to win it but given the performance against Spuds, we certainly have the heart!

But the injury list is just too great, I feel. If Clark and Gabby are back then maybe, just maybe, we can do it. If not I think we're fucked.

If Gabby does not play , it will be interesting to see Wiemann in what i regard as his best role , he should play as part of a two in & around Benteke , i would expect him to thrive !

I dont know how Sanchez played Saturday , but he has been pretty dreadful in the home games i have watched , his absence may be a blessing in disguise ?  

Clarke has improved greatly , but Baker or Okore are adequate deputies , if Sinclair misses out i fully expect us to play 4-4-2 (diamond) with Grealish at the sharp end , if Sinclair is fit , expect to go traditional 4-4-2 !

With Liverpool deploying three at the back , i hope we play the latter and exploit the wide areas !

Feed the Beast & he will score !

What a brilliant weekend, Baggies beat, QPR losing in the last couple of minutes of the game, the might Villa beating the spuds. What will next weekend have to offer, I have booked the hotel on the Saturday, I may well have a glass or two of weak shady and then the walk down Wembley way. To make it better and to get the icing on the cake we beat the pool. Come on you villa boys lets get to the final. VTID UTV

If Paul Lambert can manage to beat Liverpool twice and draw once at Anfield over 3 seasons, then I believe we have every chance of winning on Sunday.

Liverpool don't handle pressure well

Villa_Dan wrote:If Paul Lambert can manage to beat Liverpool twice and draw once at Anfield over 3 seasons, then I believe we have every chance of winning on Sunday.

Liverpool don't handle pressure well

I said yesterday I wish we were playing it at Anfield 

I really hope he's fit, much rather him be up top than Weimann. But I certainly wouldn't be impressed if he's rushed back and then misses league games. Hopefully he'll just be okay and have no complications.

I know Sherwood gets a lot of praise lately for Benteke's return to form but I think Gabby is another player who has improved. Against QPR he turned a defender simply but better than he would've months ago and was unlucky to hit the post against Spuds

Gabby looks like he's rediscovered his appetite. Let's hope his injury is a minor one.

Villa_Dan wrote:I know Sherwood gets a lot of praise lately for Benteke's return to form but I think Gabby is another player who has improved. Against QPR he turned a defender simply but better than he would've months ago and was unlucky to hit the post against Spuds

I agree Gabby is looking much happier, whats impressed me is he is making intelligent runs off Benteke now knowing that that big man is going to get service and he'll win the flick ons

We are going to beat Liverpool. No worries. UTV

NARLA24 wrote:We are going to beat Liverpool. No worries. UTV

Totally agree with that statement, everyone thinks the Wembley final will be Gerard's swan song, he can start singing Sunday.

Looking at Liverpool last night, they don't look unbeatable. Newcastle got in there face the second half and they hated it. I feel that we could win this. UTV
So tactics unsettle them in the tunnel, offer sterling some nitrous oxide at the start of the game, then get royally stuck into them. Simples this football management lark

Think we could all do with the laughing gas if it's as hairy as the QPR game.

All I can focus on is getting points in the league, so this game is a stress free one for me (apart from worrying about more injuries).

villabromsgrove wrote:All I can focus on is getting points in the league, so this game is a stress free one for me (apart from worrying about more injuries).

Same. I'm going to go, and really want us to win, but if we lose it won't ruin my weekend like losing in the league does.

Win or lose it a day out stress free, enjoy it