Its a shame for such a player, who clearly wanted to play some part at the World Cup, and probably more than most do. He’s a true legend and always will be in my eyes.

Now onto the rumours, Villa have been linked with a move for Fenerbahce striker Dani Guiza. The striker has made it clear he wants to quit Turkey, but he has been rumoured with wanting to return to his homeland Spain.

The striker has scored 19 goals in 45 appearances in Turkey and has a record of scoring where ever he goes.

Now Thomas Kuszack is another apparently on Martin O’Neill’s radar and the Daily Star are today suggesting that Martin O’Neill will try to persuade the unsettled goalkeeper to move to Villa Park, and become the number 1 goalkeeper.

The 27 year old has played second fiddle to Edwin Van De Sar since he signed from West Bromwich Albion and he recently stated that he may have to quit Old Trafford if he is to fur-fill his Premiership ambitions.

I would welcome the move for Kuszczak who i rate very highly and would love to seem him take over Brad Friedel in the Villa goal.

Villa, are currently on a high after getting there one foot in the Wembley door after Thursday’s win over Blackburn at Ewood Park although Villa havent won in two league games after defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal.

Brad Friedel will be recalled after sitting out Thursdays nights game, and Luke Young could replace James Collins in the side as Carlos Cueller will move back into the center.

West Ham on the other hand will be looking to avoid there fourth defeat on the bounce away from home. Zola has no first team strikers at his disposal so Freddy Sears and Frank Nouble are both on line for starts.

This is a big game for Villa, its important we get three points in the league after seeing Liverpool and Tottenham both drop points in the league today.

Avillafan Prediction: Home win.

It has witnessed us defeating the likes of Cardiff, Sunderland and Portsmouth in high scoring fashion.

The first match of the competition was at Villa Park, playing Championship side, Cardiff City and despite decent football from the opposition, we comfortably sailed through the next round with a trip up north to Sunderland already pencilled in my calendar.

I was frustrated to see no goals in 90 minutes in this next league cup encounter against Sunderland, but was also proud and optimistic about our youngsters, when reserve keeper Guzan heroicly saved three penalties over the course of the match.

Hopefully, he will learn how fellow american, Brad Friedel keeps himself fit, and will be playing for Villa in many years to come.

We finished the match 3-1 on penalties and despite ex blue Steve Bruce’s sour grapes, we deservedly went through to the next round!

It was against Portsmouth and was perhaps the easiest tie in the group but still had a job on our hands, in more ways than one, as we visited Fratton Park!

This was the highest scoring game so far in the League Cup for Villa as we manage to smash 4 past the Premier League opposition but unfortunately, still conceding 2.

It was my favourite game of the competition so far and left me raring for the semi-final tie against Blackburn, thanks to goals from Heskey, Milner, Young and Stewart Downing on his first start for the club – which was pleasing to see.

If I were being picky, I’d ask the question why are we letting in 2 goals against strugglers, Pompey? But I’ve decided not to moan simply because of the possible chance to play at Wembley in a long awaited cup final!

However, we had to wait a bit longer due to the country’s big freeze resulting in the Ewood Park clash being postponed to Thursday 14th January.

So do we have a chance of winning it? Well many people have automatically assumed that we are already in the final, stating that Blackburn aren’t really a match for the mighty Villa. But I myself, am looking at each game as it comes and trying not to focus on the potential cup final as should the Villa players. I believe complacency would be the only obstacle in our Wembley attempt and as long as we look to avoid that, we should be fine.

And then, who’s to say we can’t defeat Man United or Man City? Believe!