A perfect hat-trick, a 4-2 win, and Ched Evans up front for Manchester City
As we’ve just been drawn against Manchester City in the ol’ COC cup, it brought back memories of a bygone era, when we were arguably a bigger club than City, and how just over four years later things have changed dramatically.
They’ve always had top fans, but most would agree we were the bigger club at the time (some still might) and on that day at the start of the 2008/09 season, we thumped City. It was just over four years ago, and it seriously amazes me how much has changed since then, and shows you exactly what a cheeky billion pounds or so can do for you. We were on the ascendency, and came close to breaking the top four on a couple of occasions, and now we’re bottom of the league with a squad unrecognisable from that day.
Man City featured the aforementioned Ched Evans up front, and while he’s had a rough go of it in the interim, the changes elsewhere have been something else. Only Hart and Richards remain from the match day squad that day, and included were names like Etuhu, Gelson and Michael Ball.
It just goes to show how quickly things in football can change I guess. These days Gabby looks like he might struggle to get three a season, and in seven glorious minutes back in 2008, he scored the perfect hat-trick. Petrov is our only other player who played that day, and as we brought him up, we’ll once again wish our skipper all the best. Gone are players like Laursen, Ashley Young and Carew, and at the moment we look a way off (though in Lambert we trust naturally) challenging near the top of the league.
Even if City are kind and put out a reserve task it’s going to be a hard task. Maybe they’ll be nice and put out their next-gen team or something.
On to transfer talk and after the signing of Bennett hopefully we see a couple more new faces before the window shuts in just under 24 hours.
Anyone want to hazard a guess how Villa will be doing in 4 years time?
Betfair Sports: Betfair some of the very best prices on the market, and are well worth a look betting.betfair.com
UTV.
Aston Villa News 24/7
remember that milk advert ??? hahahaha
City fan in peace,
I reckon Mancini will field a fringe squad of substitutes and younger players for this fixture, usually there are a few senior players but with our busy schedule I anticipate a reserve team. We play some Premier league U-21 fixtures the same week so I would expect most of the younger guys to play then and not feature in the cup side (but what do I know, the best youth team players could be called up and others could fill in their U-21 spot).
Good luck this season
It will be interesting mate. I think we’ll probably go for it, unlike with Houllier when we did field one hell of a weakened side at your place. With your tough Champs League draw and league battle I’m doubting this will be top of your priorities.