Palace...the Replay.

Stiliyan Petrov is a doubt for the FA Cup fifth round replay with Crystal Palace after picking up a virus.

The skipper was sent home from training today (Tuesday) and could miss out on the clash with the Eagles.

Manager Martin O'Neill is waiting to see if Gabby Agbonlahor is fit for the tie, but says the striker is keen to play.

Agbonlahor has been suffering from a slight calf problem which he sustained in training before the 5-2 victory over Burnley.

The Villa boss said: "At this moment, the immediate concern would be Stiliyan who is feeling pretty unwell and has been for a couple of days now.

"We sent him home today and if the game was in the next couple of hours he'd be struggling.

"We'll see what he is like tomorrow. At this minute, he would probably be a doubt for the game.

"But in general I know the rest of the players want to play and we are going to have to be very strong tomorrow night to try and win the game.

"Gabby is feeling his calf a little bit but again I thought he was excellent for us on Sunday, particularly at a time where we weren't playing so well.

"He showed for it, he went down the channels and was causing them problems when we weren't playing so cleverly, and I'm delighted he got a goal as well.

"It allowed me to get him off the field for the last 20 minutes. But he is keen to play anyway and that is always a very encouraging sign."

Jay.P.A wrote:Hmm

Who would he play...

If he sends out a different team 2mo, I think it would probably look like this:

Guzan

Beye Davies? Cuellar L.Young
Albrighton Delph Sidwell Downing
Carew Delfouneso

..Would that be a strong enough team to take us through though?

villanfromluton wrote:Friedel
Cuellar Collins Davies L Young

Young Sidwell Delph Downing

Delf Carew

Malachite wrote:

villanfromluton wrote:Friedel
Cuellar Collins Davies L Young

Young Sidwell Delph Downing

Delf Carew

Friedal............thats a massive call. and would you pick him for the final.

ADRIAN_1976 wrote:wouldnt play gabby young or milner.. need all three in the final

esp now that united wont have giggs nani and rio..

ADRIAN_1976 wrote:Mal it is a tricky one but surely we must have enuff to beat a championship dise at home?

I think we may well ahve to play one of Young or Milner.. but i would prefer if all three were rested.. with Rio out now too we have a real chance to win it.. esp seeing Vidic is shit scared of anyone with pace......

Malachite wrote:

ADRIAN_1976 wrote:Mal it is a tricky one but surely we must have enuff to beat a championship dise at home?

I think we may well ahve to play one of Young or Milner.. but i would prefer if all three were rested.. with Rio out now too we have a real chance to win it.. esp seeing Vidic is shit scared of anyone with pace......

By fair means or foul Vidic seems to stifle Gabby.
I think we give it a good first 45, try to put the game away, I'm sure Palace will be thinking if we can get to half time.......so couple of early goals and then ease back, think of Sunday.

Problem will start if we are up against it and have to work to get a win IMO that will be a disaster, take to much out of us.

Also the FA Cup is looking brilliant for us.

QBVILLA wrote:

Malachite wrote:

ADRIAN_1976 wrote:Mal it is a tricky one but surely we must have enuff to beat a championship dise at home?

I think we may well ahve to play one of Young or Milner.. but i would prefer if all three were rested.. with Rio out now too we have a real chance to win it.. esp seeing Vidic is shit scared of anyone with pace......

By fair means or foul Vidic seems to stifle Gabby.
I think we give it a good first 45, try to put the game away, I'm sure Palace will be thinking if we can get to half time.......so couple of early goals and then ease back, think of Sunday.

Problem will start if we are up against it and have to work to get a win IMO that will be a disaster, take to much out of us.

Also the FA Cup is looking brilliant for us.

i totally disagree with that.Gabby has given vidic a torrid time in every game he's played against him.3 goals in 4 games I think and the game he didn't net vidic should've been red carded for dragging him down when clean through

Avfc_4eva_Sotc wrote:Guzan

Cuellar Davies Collins l Young

A Young Delph Sidwell Downing

Carew Delfuenso

Thats my team for tonight.

ADRIAN_1976 wrote:I would leave Milner out and play Sidwell and also rest Dunne.. Dunne Milner Gabby and Young are key to us winning the Cup IMO.. but i suppose you have to use one of them tonight so would leave Ash Young in the team..

villanfromluton wrote:I thought Albrighton was injured, happy to see him play instead of Ashley if so. Would play Downing on left as his confidence has got a boost and let it increase more.

QBVILLA wrote:

ADRIAN_1976 wrote:I would leave Milner out and play Sidwell and also rest Dunne.. Dunne Milner Gabby and Young are key to us winning the Cup IMO.. but i suppose you have to use one of them tonight so would leave Ash Young in the team..

I think we underestimate Palace at our peril.If we beat them then it's just a Championship side between us and the semi.It's not too outlandish to think we can make the FA cup final as well.Also it'll be a lot better for the team if we go into sunday's game on the back of a win tonight.For me we need to play two of the three from A Young,Milner and Downing.i'd opt to rest Downing as he was looking in need of a rest in recent games.That said he seemed to have an extra spring in his step after netting against Burnley.I'd expect O neill to start tonight's game with at least 5,possibly 6 of the team that will start the final.