Team for Villa - Avram's D Day!

Well wouldn't you know it, D Day is upon us and Hitzlespurger is hiding in a bunker somewhere rather than pitching up at the front. But the German leader apart, the whole squad is fit and ready for action, well apart from Dyer and McCarthy of course. Dyer is still struggling to get through 60 minutes of friendly action, whilst McCarthy is struggling to walk past any open burger joint or bakery.

I've already blogged that today's team may not be a whole lot different from the side that finished last season. So dependent are we upon Zola's stagnant pool of players, that Kovac's transfer to Stoke has been delayed so he can provide cover for Der Fuhrer. Picture the dressing room. Avram picks the Czech instead of the German and opens the announcement of his first proper team selection with the words, "I have in my hand a piece of paper guaranteeing..."

Will we see Barerra today? Only as a sub is my bet. Same applies to Ben Haim, Piquionne, and Reid I expect. Although that depends on whether or not the rumours about Behrami and Diamanti are true. If, like Kovac, they are on the point of leaving, you wouldn't want either in your ranks going in to a battle would you? Behrami is all about commitment and passion. Stripped of that and he is as useful as a Catholic priest in an adults only hetrosexual orgy. Diamanti would play if I was Grant, in the hole and breaking beyond Cole, but I expect the Israeli to be more circumspect, preferring to occupy territory in midfield rather than trying to play Villa off the park.

That's a pity because Villa are potentially there for the taking. If he plays, Ivebonkedawhore will be worried about his hamstring, whilst at the back, Villa are vulnerable with Ginge and Cruella De Ville ruled out. On the Villa boards they are saying Milner must not play as to play him would be "a disgrace", so you can bet your life the natives will be restless if we get at them early.

My game plan would be to play five in midfield but giving Diamanti the freedom to attack. I would employ Faubert and Boa on the flanks, to offer protection to the defence as well as to offer genuine width when going forward. Barerra could be used as an "impact sub" to replace the "impact player" Diamanti for the final third of the game.

So I expect 4-5-1 / 4-3-3. Young is the big danger, but Young apart, this Villa team are not "all that". If we take control of the midfield early, the Villa fans will get restless and calls for O'Neill's return would be triggered should we take the lead. There will never be a better time to play Villa; will Grant and his boys take advantage of the opportunity? I'm as excited as McCarthy sitting down for a burger!

Probable team:

Green; Spector (or Reid or Tomkins) Gabbidon, Upson, Ilunga; Faubert, Noble, Parker, Diamanti (or Behrami) Boa; Cole