Mixed fortunes in the UEFA Cup as Villa edge pass a slick Ajax side, Pompey get a beating in Portugal and Spurs self destruct in Italy. In truth, there was little to take from tonight’s action, besides a nasty looking injury for Gabby Agbonlahor and a knock for Pompey’s Traore. Here’s the notes…
Udinese 2 Tottenham 0
Spurs were without Pavlyuchenko and Corluka who are both cup-tied, while Huddlestone was carrying a slight knee injury and missed out. Ramos made three changes to the side that lost at Stoke. King returned to sit alongside Woodgate, while O’Hara came in for Modric, shifting Bale into midfield. O’Hara took Bentley’s place as he dropped out of the sixteen.
Ramos still can’t find any joy – not even in his favourite cup competition. They were their own worst enemies tonight; Gomes was at fault for the first goal, while O’Hara then got himself sent off in the second half to hand Udinese greater control of the game. They eventually wrapped it up with a second goal late on.
There are sure to changes for the crucial weekend clash with Bolton. Presumably we’ll see both Pavlyuchenko and Corluka make returns, while King’s is unlikely to stand up to two consecutive games in a few days, so he’ll surely sit it out. Modric and Bentley could well feature, with Spurs desperate for the win. Bale and O’Hara would be favourites to make way. Bent could also be under threat with the return of Pavlyuchenko and perhaps another opportunity for Campbell.
Not that much of that matters to fantasy managers – there’s surely very little investment within their ranks and it’s going to take a massive swing in form for that to change.
Lineup
Gomes, Hutton, King, Woodgate (Giovani 64), Assou-Ekotto (Modric 46), Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, O’Hara, Bale, Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Dawson, Gilberto, Gunter, Campbell.
Braga 3 Portsmouth 0
Redknapp made just one change from the side that drew with Aston Villa at the weekend, Hreidarsson replacing the injured Johnson. The right back was suffering from a pelvic injury and Harry chose not to risk him in this one. Diarra also missed out, with Redknapp hopeful that he’ll also be fit for the weekend.
Pompey were soundly beaten in Portugal – caught early on by a stunning free kick, seconds after half time and then again, right at the death.
Not too much to glean from this from a fantasy perspective. The injury to Little early on will put pay to any prospects of him being a decent short term budget option, while Belhadj was again left on the bench, with Pamarot again starting at left back. Belhadj has been kept in reserve then and that could be a concern given that Traore is due a rest which could come either this weekend, or for the midweek game with Liverpool. He picked up a knock tonight and was subbed just after the hour mark.
There are bound to be changes to lineup for the visit of Fulham, with Johnson and, perhaps, Diarra likely to figure. Both are carrying injuries and weren’t risked in tonight’s game. Utaka could get a start on the right of midfield in Little’s absence. Davis is suspended, so Diop could keep his place.
Lineup
James; Hreidarsson (Belhadj 46), Pamarot, Campbell, Distin; Little (Utaka 21), Davis, Diop, A. Traore (Kanu 62); Defoe, Crouch
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Mvuemba, Hughes, Wilson.
Injuries and Bans
Glenn Little’s luck with injuries never gets any better – he limped out of the action here with a hamstring problem after just 21 minutes and will be a major doubt for the weekend. Traore also picked up a knock, which will be of more concern, and was eventually subbed on 62 minutes.
Aston Villa 2 Ajax 1
O’Neill made changes as promised – restoring both Young and Shorey to the full back positions after benching them against Portsmouth. Barry got back into the midfield as O’Neill was forced to change formation to a 4-5-1 with Carew falling ill before the game. Young and Milner played either side of Agbonlahor. Cuellar kept his place; shifting to centre back, alongside Laursen.
Young caught the eye; a constant threat down the right, he provided both assists tonight reassuring his fantasy owners that he is still so vital to Villa’s attacking ploys. Petrov was also impressive again and continues to offer great return potential in the Guardian game. The goals for Laursen and Barry meanwhile, act as reminders that they are yet to click in the Premiership but have good potential goalscoring returns in their lockers.
The injury to Agbonlahor looked potentially serious. A real blow for the player and for Villa when you consider that it occurred so deep into injury time. He will now be a major doubt for the weekend trip to Wigan and that is likely to mean that Milner will keep his place in the side. Carew is expected to return from ilness and either Young or Milner is likely to be pushed up front alongside him. Bad news for Agbonlahor owners then, but potentially a handy occurrence for Young’s owners.
Elsewhere in O’Neil’s lineup – he could restore Davies to his defence, although it must be said that Cuellar did okay alongside Laursen and could keep his starting role. Neither Cuellar or Davies are on safe ground then and even Young and Shorey look vulnerable to rotation given O’Neill’s team selection last time out. Villa’s potential over the next few games looks pretty strong, so it could pay to keep the faith with Young and take a look at Milner if Agbonlahor is sidelined for a more than a fortnight.
Lineup
Friedel, Luke Young, Cuellar, Laursen, Shorey, Reo-Coker (Gardner 78), Petrov, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor, A Young.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Sidwell, Harewood, Davies, Knight, Salifou
Injuries and Bans
Agbonlahor was stretchered off in injury time with what looked like a nasty knee injury. He’ll be a major doubt for the trip to Wigan at the weekend