Squad v CSKA Moscow

Squad v CSKA Moscow

I am once again baffled. Last time it was Ashley Young’s absence from the England starting 11, and now it is our squad for the game on Thursday.

Lets not forget that this is a tournament that we toiled for entry into all season long last year. And then after narrowly missing out, began our season a month early to gain entry via the Intertoto cup. Now we are
risking elimination from it by fielding a weakened side. Why oh why have we been subjected to such a hoorah about finally regaining a place in Europe, where we belong if we are prepared to, possibly, give it up so easily!? Why did the club give out thousands of flags to create a European atmosphere for a trophy which it clearly doesn’t value!?

I am not blind, I too can see that we have appeared jaded in recent games, but as I am constantly told by my mates at uni ‘There is plenty of time to rest when your dead!!’. If we don’t seize opportunities to try and gain silverware because the players are tired then I think something is wrong. These are young blokes at the peak of physical fitness, and in my opinion fatigue should be no excuse. We may not have the biggest squad, but thanks to MON we do have some quality replacements, and there is no reason why we shouldn’t be able to play another 20 games tops, which would take us to glory in the UEFA and to the pot at the end of the rainbow, I mean the Champions League!

Now to get away from all this pessimism (I know it is hard. We are, after all ,Villa fans!). We have given ourselves a reasonable chance of proceeding, even with a weakened side. The young lads have a chance to step up and I for one have seen enough quality there to think that maybe, just maybe, we can still do it!

Now all that’s left to say is COME ON THE VILLA, we can still do it, and if we fail we lets not go quietly! :o)

AstonVillaFC