Villa and United stick to the script in Sunday’s ties. Villa were made to fluff a few lines but stumbled to the fourth round, while Ferguson’s side strolled through their St Mary’s screen test to provide us with some double gameweek goodness…
The early kick-off found Villa battle past a plucky Gillingham performance courtesy of two strikes from Milner. The former Newcastle man was deployed in a central attacking role after Agbonlahor had been taken ill. Delfouneso came in to provide support, with Ashley Young on the other side of Villa’s normal 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation. Elsewhere O’Neill gave starts to Shorey at left-back and Gardner in midfield. Barry and Luke Young earned rests then, while Cuellar and Laursen were still absent through injury.
Milner could be worth monitoring in the coming weeks for those looking for a differential. On paper, as part of Villa’s attacking three, he should offer decent fantasy potential. However, so far he has never really got close to fulfilling his promise. O’Neill clearly sees him as a supplementary forward and it’s interesting to note that he took the winning penalty in this one in the absence of Barry. Ashley Young was fouled for the kick and did miss one at the Emirates, so Milner may well be next in line for penalties from this point on. Much depends on whether he can hold down a starting role should O’Neill go into the market for another striker as expected.
Moving to the clash at St Mary’s and Ferguson’s side showed no mercy to beleaguered Southampton. The United boss did at least spare the Championship side from facing the likes of Ronaldo and Rooney by resting them from his lineup. Rooney made the bench and appeared with half-an-hour left, while Berbatov led the line with Welbeck – who scored the opening goal. Giggs, Nani and Anderson came in alongside Carrick in midfield. It was a first choice defence however, with Neville at right-back and Evans deputising for Ferdinand and his creaky back once again.
United never really had to break sweat in this one. Southampton were a goal down and had a man sent off early on and never really worried their illustrious opponents. Berbatov epitomised Ferguson’s side on the day – strolling around, pulling strings just in that no-man’s land between the attack and midfield. Another seemingly effortless performance from the Bulgarian that was lapped up by some of the press this morning. God knows what level of adulation he will get when he actually starts threatening the opponents goal.
Elsewhere, I’m beginning to wonder whether Neville will earn more starts in the coming months. He came on against Boro last time out and helped turn the game in United’s favour by allowing Ronaldo to wander from the touchline. Ferguson appears to feel that he needs to offer some protection to Rafael when he plays – whether it be by playing Park or by restricting the meanderings of Ronaldo. Neville appears to give the player in front of him more freedom and with talk of a new contract for the club skipper, I wonder whether he’ll emerge as a potential fantasy bargain in the second half of the season.
The win for United did of course book the Premier League fixture with Wigan on January 14 – handing us a double gameweek in our fantasy games. The transfer floodgates will now well and truly open up on United and Wigan players. I’ve discussed possible targets in other posts but – just for your information, be aware that Evra comes back into the equation for United. He finishes his four-match ban with the Carling Cup semi this week.