A common attitude to take regarding league cup matches is to play a weakened 11, with most clubs treating the league cup as either beneath them, or an unwelcome distraction for clubs with smaller squads.

Last night, we saw the PR implications of fielding a weakened team as Manchester United were beaten 4-0 by MK Dons, a club that have only been in existence for 10 years or so.

So, with that in mind, do Aston Villa play some of the fringe players and hope that they have enough to dispatch Leyton Orient? Or do we play it safe and wheel out the big guns to try and get the job done?

In a sense, these early games provide little but unnecessary banana skins for Premier League clubs. Win the game and you’ll be told that’s the expectation, lose it and you’ll be destroyed by pundits.

Being candid, Villa’s track record in recent times has been less than stellar. Not only did Villa get humbled by Bradford City when they were within touching distance of the final, they’ve struggled in the league, leaving a cup run a somewhat dangerous outing to pursue.

Why? We’ve seen with clubs like Wigan Athletic that winning a cup can be your downfall – would Villa trade a cup win for a relegation?

Of course, there is the chance that we can go on a cup run and not succumb to the impact it can have on a team. That said, believing such an idea would imply progress of some kind, no matter how small.

So, as we kick off against Orient this evening, questions will be asked about how the side turns out. Too many youngsters and Villa risk a humbling. Too many experienced players and there’s the risk of injury.

In a game where either option guarantees nothing, Villa will need to walk the tightrope if Paul Lambert is wanting to avoid a public grilling by fans who are less than impressed with his tenure.

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Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.

Comments 94

  1. steamer

    Hello Matt,
    We have a playing staff of over thirty pro’s, if Lambert can’t select a team to beat the O’s then i suggest a parting of the ways. Possibly he is only a caretaker until December anyway, they’re going to be the longest few months in our history.
    Some debate on here about low crowds, JL may correct me here but if i’m right, in 1967 we had just over 7,000 versus PNE, then we were taken over and the next game 28,000 turned up followed by 35,000 for the next home game, the point being that, if fans can see some progress aligned with optimism then Villans will turn up in numbers, they just don’t see it with our current admin and manager, in fact most, even the attendees, think they are a waste of skin, lets hope history repeats itself.
    Narrow win for Villa.

  5. daveyb

    its important to win well tonight and try 3 5 2,,,,,, bent up front with weinman or cole behind and lots of crosses in from the flanks

    just go for it,, give cole and grealish a start with bacuna and richardson the full backs

    and lets get some goals

  6. rogermuffin

    I think there will be strong team out and a 10-0 win ( or at lest (2-0).

    there will be another clean sheet or at most 1 goal conceded.

    we better win though, as i only just got over summer ending and don’t need another to fell crappy

    i am getting projector,pc set up and getting away from the missues for 2 hours, well i say away its only the next room and shes bound to come in and start talking when it gets good.

  8. rogermuffin

    Dave welcome to the site, unless you already been here (lol)

    thats not a bad line up

    if not 352 it may be 1-4-1-3-2

    given
    hutton vlaar deross cissko
    sanchez
    westy cole deplh
    wieman bent

  13. steamer

    Bundesliga star clueless over £3m Aston Villa link

    Is that his name or his ability ?

    Also linked with Bologna CF Robert Acqufresca, who has a bit of ability and can head a ball, £1m.

    In three weeks Cole has gone from the number ten Lambert’s been looking for to “a good impact sub” do i smell something fishy ?

  14. steamer

    Still no width, Grealish absence is not only a disgrace but an indication of Lamberts intent towards our academy, fuck me if he can’t get a game against these !!! Lambert BS again about how highly he rates him, just fuck off tw@.

  24. Frem

    Just heard the Steward say there is only 18 thousand expected tonight. I’m guessing 3 thousand of those are orient fans

    Sign of the Times Randy and Lambert

    YOUR SHITE

  25. daveyb

    yes hello every one,,, team line up ok but bent needs crosses,,,,

    i think he has taken a sensible choice of selection if above is true

    and if we get a couple of goals up i suppose he can always change it

    and momentum is the key,,,,

    maby we need to walk a bit before we run,,,

    and we should have a lot of possession tonight

    something we are not used too

  27. Mark King

    Given, Baker, Bacuna, Cole, Senderos, Westwood, Richardson, Bent, Hutton, Sanchez, Grealish. #AVFCLIVE

    subs Guzan, Clark, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Delph, Herd, N’Zogbia. #AVFCLIVE

  34. J.P. Wilson

    hey everyone!!!!
    dammit from I come back for one second and ur still here!!!!
    jk jk. hope everyone is doing well, ive missed you all, been busy as all hell for me, and a little lack of passion for villa, but it was renewed when I went to see them in Texas play in Dallas. It was great!!!

    Steamer- u go off on lambert for not starting greanlish… but he is starting… im confused. lol

  39. J.P. Wilson

    uni?
    Well I looked little around TbaR website, they had some good leads on transfers, but I was also tied up with work and stuff. Just busy.

    Started to ride my motorcycle a lot too, took up time, but Villa is still my team, and I love them dearly.

  41. Frem

    It’s absolutely shocking

    Orient had the two best chances. Never seen a team so clueless trying to pass out the back. Never seen a bunch of players so static. No movement of the ball what so ever

    When Grealish gets it everyone just stands and watches. You can see he has ability though. Benched for Sunday then. Cole can find a pass. Bacuna is useless. Need a winger in

  42. Archie

    Good evening each, first post
    I’m an old hand like few of you guys, late sixties (not in years, first attended VP) , so seen it all.
    Used to have a pre match bevy in the Imperial hotel Upper Temple Street in the old div three days, the crew I was with later relocated to the Aston Tavern mid 70’s and remained ’til it closed mid 80’s I think.
    Anyway enough of that, love the blog and the banter, still 0-0 as I speak.
    I don’t read that much into Vlaar not playing, I think he’s inclined to be a bit injury prone, seems to make sense to me to save him for the weekend. The side he’s fielded should be too strong for the O’s.
    To be honest I’m no fan of PL but the playing philosophy of the last two seasons has obviously been reappraised and a new plan applied and I’ll watch with interest. I think the best case scenario is mid table finish this season and although we all have great expectations being fans of our great club, on the current resources, thats about as good as it gets.
    What does everyone thing, mid table or better and a bit of a cup run, do we give PL a new contract, (assuming he wants one) or appoint a new manager?
    Of course we may have new owners by then, (I’m not so sure about that one) so we may have a new manager anyway.
    Anyway to conclude, would a moderately successful season, (mid table, cup run) earn PL a new contract,
    Over to you.

  45. steamer

    Archie, welcome, that was one of my watering holes too in that era, does your surname begin with an H ?, if it does then i have to ask, who the fuck are you ?, just kidding, i think i know you.

  48. Archie

    Steamer, starts with a G
    some of blokes in the crew at that time were Goldie, Kleptoe, Goddard, Roscoe and many more
    post match was usually the Hole in the Wall. During the 80’s we were regulars on Premier coaches which picked up back of the Retunda for the aways matches. if you were part of that generation, everyone new everyone, and who was doing what and where. Those really were the best times to be a fan IMO. So I’m sure we’ve met at some time.

  51. Mark King

    steamer

    he’s been listening to the new album with the band mate,
    80% possession no gabby no weiman grealish and cole! what you got to moan about now? at least we know why bents not been playing fatter than gabby 😉
    hows grealish and sanchez played?

  56. Frem

    When will the media destroy Lambert for how shit he is?

    Needed Zoggy and Delph on 30 mins but no

    God we better do something before Monday

  60. daveyb

    needed to win tonight,,, looks like that final ball or finish was missing,,, rather than being crap

    creativity eh,,, where we going to get it,,,

  62. steamer

    Wasn’t he talking about getting Zog fitter yesterday ? sitting on yer arse for 90 minutes doesn’t get you fit dummy. At least its wiped the smile off the smug gits dial.

  65. steamer

    Damn, i thought we’d be unbeaten at home this season.

    Did anyone read about the woman who put a bet on Untied to win 4-0 last night and buggered it up by marking Dons down to win 4-0, wonder how much she got ?

  72. Gareth Stevens

    Can’t score from open play, can’t defend from open play… can’t score from set pieces , can’t defend set pieces… can’t cross, can’t defend crosses…

    You carry on like this and you will never win a game of football!!!!

    And my boss is an O’s fan…

    I’M FUMING!!!!!!!!!

  73. steamer

    I’ve NEVER known any manager keep his job after producing such poor results and even worse performances, how does he get away with it ? These results are knocking the stuffing out of our supporters.

  77. Frem

    Never seen a team so shite at crossing either

    You watch Lambert say we deserved to win.

    We won’t break through Hull that’s for sure.

    Need to splash the cash.

    What’s that, 1 shot on target in our last two home games

    Okore is a sick note ain’t he.

    Thought Keane would change something but our uses of subs the last two have been disgraceful

  84. B6toBrasil

    An effin laughing stock again…………………………….Millwall,Bradford,Orient and the rest.Jeez can`t we just pack it in?Just shut the club down,not fir for purpose,a totally dysfunctional organisation.Ship `em all to the ,assisted suicide establishment in Switzerland.One way tickets the lot of`em.Don`t bring your overnight bags you won`t be needing `em, a shower of monkey droppings.
    Many were calling for Bent,well he played,ditto young Jack,he played.Drop Gabby you cried,well he was dropped.Where the feck do we go from here?Allah ,Buddah,Jesus,Mahommed,or whoever,please answers on a postcard,to AVFC,Scheisse Strasse,B6 6HE.
    Good night and you can stick footy up your airholes.

  85. daveyb

    well im pissed of and gonna take it out on the dog,,,,, someone should report lambert to the rspca,,,,

    you just know we will hump hull now,,,,

  90. B62 Villa

    I’m beyond words, 17k home gate, and another defeat to yet another lower league side.
    We are in Lambert’s 3rd season and look as bad as at any time in living memory.
    They should just give us our money back and fold the fucking club if this is their idea of success.
    Pair of absolute cunts in charge.
    RIP AVFC
    Another season over, no trophies, can we pull out of the FA Cup to save the embarrassment of losing to Halesowen Town

  91. Frem

    Orient fan on the radio said it wasn’t even there strongest line up tonight :0

    Talk sport taking the piss out of Lambert interview. Couldn’t understand a word he said and they said he’s never once sound motivated in a interview.

    Cole was dead after 55 mins. Richardson was awful at left back. Bacuna. Maybe can sell him

  92. B6toBrasil

    B62

    I think just under 18k is outstanding,considering our home form.I salute each and every one of you who attended.
    Well done Orient.
    Yet another kick in the rollocks from the club,when wil it all end?.Grim,grim performances at VP.
    Musn`t grumble though,Lambert in his last year and we will be sold-I sincerly hope-soon.
    B62 when is the baby due.?

  94. B62 Villa

    Brasil
    Nipper due Oct 13th mate.
    Best thing iv read tonight
    “Paul Lambert is a Portal to a universe of sadness”
    I am embarrassed yet again to be a Villa fan, we are a joke of a club, it’s getting worse

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