Wes would have probably been rested anyway and Norfolk Cafu can go RB, especially if Turner is back. I say play Howson in Hoolahans role. Not sure if we go with Holty or maybe start with Morison and see how it goes.... Tough one to call. Probably start with Morison. Villa won't play full strength either and were woesful at Wigan with full strength anyway. It is the cup however so anything could happen and probably will
I think Lambert will want to win and will go for it. I think we should have enough to overcome them but as with all cup games you want to size up your opponent and do just enough. I'd be happy with a 1-0 and a good defensive performance than a "stick it up lambert" thrashing. Not interested in any rivalry. It's all Hughton now.
i'm trying not to get my hopes up too much. cup football has a habit of kicking you right in the balls when you feel you have a great chance of actually winning something. we norwich fans know that better than most. the draw has really opened up and as chances go, this is a belter to get to at least a semi final and possibly wembley, but villa have been on a decent little run themselves, four unbeaten i believe, and from what i gather are starting to look a much tighter outfit, so this is going to be tough, especially with all the knocks we have.
I can't stand the next 2 games. They are very tough and winning both is achievable but we'll have to see. I remember the cup game against Leicester last season and the moaning involved with that, what a bizzare situation! Some people were literally broken at the news Norwich had gone out of the cup! Never bothered me any other season! I trust hughton to make the right calls, thats the key I think.
I think both will be rested with Saturday in mind. I'm in the "Howson for Hoolers" role camp as I think he'll do ok just sitting off the lone striker (probably Morison - he may rest Holty as well). Difficult one this - it will be a tight game me reckons and Villa will be up for it as Lambo will see Wembley and the chance for glory as a way to endure himself to Lerner.
The fact is, that even if we beat Villa, in all probability we will be playing Swansea, Chelsea or Arsenal next and we won't have a great chance against any of those (Although we did beat two of them!). I'd personally rather play a mix of first team and fringe players and play a full strength squad vs Wigan because I am attending the latter match!
The league is far more important than the cup, thats the overiding fact. It's nice to do well in the cup but 70m+ in money next year is just a little bit nicer at this stage. Some people seem to forget you get another go in the cup next year.
I'm half tempted to stick a decent sized wedge on Darren Bent scoring at some point tomorrow, I'd be amazed if he didn't start at least.
It does seem like destiny doesn't it, although Villa do struggle for goals a bit at the moment, and we are supposed to be hard to beat!
You have to remember, Villa did dump out Man City so this is no easy contest and Villa are on a 4 match unbeaten run BUT we have only lost once at home this season and we're on a pretty good run aswell so theres no reason why we should'nt win tomorrow and saturday... except the dreaded manager of the month gets announced tomorrow and Hughton is listed for it along with Clarke, Pulis and SAF! He wins that then we are doooooomed...
You'd have thought would rested anyhow I hope one of turner or basong plays, and BJ has the legs to play, so we have some steel If he goes for a vastly changed team, at least have a VERY strong bench with nobody getting the night off
....that's a bit of a defeatist attitude. i would back us against both Swansea and Arsenal who are are likely to play a second string team. Chelsea may be a little tougher.
lets face facts - arsenal HAVE to win this competition this season. for me, it is the only way wenger will still be their manager next season is by winning a trophy and this is his best chance. benitez HAS to win a trophy to get the fans off his back. those two are favourites but then they would be anyway, even without those factors. after that though, the draw is wide open and even then, we've already proven we can beat arsenal and chelsea are also very beatable if not on their game. cup football can throw up anything so absolutely no need to be defeatist.
