Oscar Cardozo and Champions League or Cup Success?
The Sun are today reporting that Villa are one of a number of clubs including Tottenham and Everton who are keeping tabs on Benfica striker Oscar Codozo.
First for those who dont know anything about him, he is 26 years old and from Paraguay. His goal record at Benfica is pretty impressive to with 47 goals in 72 games. I haven’t seen a lot of this player, however hes a top player on Football Manager, which many football fans sweare by.
Champions League or Cup Success?
After yesterdays result we now play Crystal Palace the Wednesday before the Cup Final, just three days after we play Burnley. Now i know that everyone will want to beat Palace for a potential tie with Midland rivals West Brom, so is it worth resting players against Burnley which could backlash in the long term?
At the beginning of the season i would of chosen Champions League everyday of the week but we are in our first Cup Final for ten years and i would be lying if i didnt say im desperate to see Stiliyan Petrov lifting that trophy on February 28th.
So for me, I would say Cup Success but at the same time I wouldn’t make major changes for Burnley. Maybe rest James Milner who looks dead on his feet at the moment?
On the march with O’Neills Army..
.. Were all going to Wem-ber….. No we are not quite there yet but Villa head into the crucial Semi Final clash against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow with a 1-0 lead from the away leg.
I say crucial, but some might say whats important to one man, isnt so important to next. Blackburn Rovers are bringing just under 2,000 supporters with them tomorrow despite FREE travel. Blackburn have returned 4,000 tickets. Quite shocking really and for this reason i really hope Villa give them a beating.
So for all those who havent already read the official website, there are now a limited amount of seats available in Block P of the Doug Ellis Stand – usually wear the away supporters sit.
Im sure we have all been reading the papers of the players and the manager saying what they are going to do, and how they really want the final but we all know talk is cheap, and the only talking the players can actually do is on the pitch underneath the famous lights of Villa Park tomorrow night.
The club are treating it special with free flags to help boost the atmosphere inside Villa and limited edition matchday programmes.
Villa have a full side to choose from, and i have a feeling we might see the return of Young, who will replace Collins with Cueller moving back into the middle.
One thing i know will be certain tomorrow is a electric atmosphere with the claret and blue faithful behind the lads. Come on the Villa!!
New date for Blackburn Semi-Final
As we expected a new date has been confirmed for the away fixture in the Semi-Final of the League Cup. The new date is Thursday 14th January with a kick off time of 8pm.
For all those looking for tickets, Check out avfc.co.uk for news on new tickets now available.
And not to forget, as we told you yesterday, Avillafan.com are running a coach to this fixture with seats sold on a first pay basis. For more information please click here.
Weather wins as games called off!
The weather won today in the battle at Ewood Park has ternential snow conditions prevented the Semi Final 1st leg between Villa and Blackburn going ahead.
There was always a small possibility this would be the case, and it was confirmed by Blackburn Rovers this morning.
Although the pitch was very much playable, the fans safety was the problem. With snow continuing to fall heavily the surrounding roads and the stands, the police in Lancashire and the club decided it would be best if the game was postponed.
Blackburn will make a official announcement tomorrow morning about the new date when the fixture will be played. The word we are getting though is that it will be Thursday 14th January.
Suppose one good thing was to come out of this… James Milner should now be fit for the game.
