It has been 21 years since Aston Villa fans last saw their team win at St James’ Park.
Unai Emery’s side managed to end their run of zero wins on Tyneside just under three weeks ago.
Now Aston Villa fans will be hoping for a first FA Cup win against Newcastle United in more than 25 years.
A place in the fifth round of the FA Cup is on the line when the two teams meet on Saturday at 5.45pm.
A number of widely differing opinions were expressed by Villa supporters ahead of the clash with United.
Aston Villa fans respond via their Villa conversation notice board:
“Howe’s thuggish approach has already caused us one major injury, so I would like Rogers to rest.”
‘After a series of poor performances at home we need a reset. We have other priorities this season, so this is not an important match for us.”
‘I would reassure Buendia, he has played a lot of football, and use Elliot instead. As poor as Buendia has been lately, he has won us few games on his own this season. He’ll undoubtedly play a crucial role in a game or two, but I’d rather not risk him against this bunch of cloggers.
If Mings has now become our first choice, he also needs rest, three games in seven days is too risky.
Think Sancho and Rogers will start, Emery is taking the FA Cup seriously and they look our most threatening duo at the moment. Sancho just has to keep playing now, because he seems to be getting better, but very slowly. Rogers… if he is fit enough, Emery will start him.”
‘It’s strange because I don’t think it would be a bad thing to go out as it would give us a few free weekends in early March and April, just before the Europa League midweek games. It’s one of those rare games where I’d be happy to leave Villa Park if I’d won and not be too disappointed by defeat.”
‘Newcastle don’t need this game either as they have their ECL match next.
I want us to win, but rest a few players. Rogers on the couch. Onana too.’
‘If we beat Newcastle and then draw comfortably (there are plenty of weaker teams left) we could easily be in the quarter-finals to be played in April. We should have Tielemans and SJM back by then.
I don’t want to lose any more players due to injuries, but that can happen in any game. “It’s just speculation on my part, but I think Emery has half an eye on winning both the FA Cup and Europe and finishing in the top five.”
“I would say that both sides will not take unnecessary risks when there are still games ahead. Newcastle is still trying to get back into Europe by finishing in the top 8 and in the Champions League, so he can’t go all out here either. Bruno is also injured again for them.
We will still be strong, but since last night against Brighton I see a lot of changes.”
‘Go strong or go second 11???
IMO going 5 regular starters (current injuries are taken into account) and 6 second choice (or something close to that)’
‘I don’t think we will see big changes as some are suggesting, although I would like to see some rotation and rest from Konsa, Martinez and Rogers. We have a full week’s rest before Leeds, and six days before Wolves, which will certainly play a role in Unai’s thinking.”
‘It would be nice to rotate and win with an easy draw in the fifth round. Not a priority in the grand scheme of things, but this is a trophy opportunity.”
“There’s no chance of Emery throwing it away, but I think he’ll rotate as much as he thinks he can, to be honest. Europa League and CL qualification are a priority…’
“I don’t see Guimaraes playing, which would be a big plus for us, but I do see this being decided after penalties.”
‘Bruno G is injured, it seems. They rushed him back. A mistake by How.’
‘I saw the Spurs match on Tuesday. He limped a little with ten minutes to go, but now that they were winning it seemed like a case of just keeping him on the sidelines until his body gave out and then his hamstring gave out as stoppage time approached.
So no chance of him playing tomorrow. Newcastle had all of Hall, Tonali, Wissa and Woltemede on the bench the other day, so it feels a bit like they had one eye on our game.
I think they will beat us tomorrow.”
‘We don’t have another match for the next week, so we can afford to be a little strong.’
‘They miss Bruno G, Joelinton and Miley from the middle. Tonali and Ramsey need to start there – or risk not doing so with CL in mind.
You would think that even if we make a few changes, we would still have enough to move past this, no matter how exhausted and cautious they are.”
‘I have the feeling that Onana will play, because we need his height for set pieces. Newcastle is very big…’
“Given that Newcastle don’t have many fit midfielders, I wonder if they might go with a back three, as they have done that a few times this season.”
#Aston #Villa #fans #react #ahead #Cup #clash #Newcastle #United