As you might expect, Emery is fielding about as strong a side as he can, with Rogers and Bailey getting starting nods and Konsa, Carlos and Torres filling out the back three with Digne wide left. Will certainly be good to have Super John back in the side.
I think if I’m Emery, I’m challenging the squad to show they’re Champions League quality tonight. To show that even in adversity, they can come out and be smart, disciplined, and committed. Think of it as an away fixture in the knockout rounds.
Here we are traveling to the Riverside to take on Middlesboro and try to avoid a slightly embarrassing record of FA Cup exits. I’d think that in itself would spur Emery on. But obviously, how seriously Villa take the competition has to be viewed in a larger context.
If you’d asked me at the beginning of the season if top four and Conference League champions were possible, I’d have thought that was a bridge too far. Too many games, too little depth. But now it’s truly on offer and would arguably be Villa’s greatest achievement overall in four decades.
Villa travel to London a little banged up from international duties for what is turning out to be a fairly significant match at this point in the season. After today’s results, Villa could leapfrog Spurs into fourth, just two points off the top.
