There was not too much to shout about from this week’s UEFA Cup ties, with Villa and City earning draws and an unrecognisable Spurs the vicitms of late goals in Denmark. Here’s the notes…
Spurs were undone by two goals, ten minutes from time, in their first leg tie against Shakhtar Donetsk. Redknapp fielded an almost second-string lineup as his side faced 6 games in the next 17 days, including of course the Carling Cup Final on Sunday week.
It’s pretty impossible to read anything into this result then. Redknapp will put a very different side out at the KC stadium on Monday with Keane, Pavlyuchenko and Corluka all certain to return after being cup-tied here. The likes of Palacios, Woodgate, Cudicini and Lennon were all rested – although the latter has a slight groin injury and is a doubt for Monday. In fantasy terms, interest in Spurs players will be limited with a missing fixture in the next gamweek. Although they do follow that with a double fixture in gameweek 28.
Man City were pegged back in Copenhagen after twice taking the lead. Hughes didn’t play with his lineup and fielded a strong side that included Dunne at the back after his four game suspension and Wright-Phillips in midfield, who continues his three-game ban this weekend. Elano was dropped to the bench and Kompany shifted into a holding midfield role with De Jong cup-tied.
Ireland was back on the scoresheet and provided the assist for City’s opener. A timely reminder of his qualities on the back of a sparse run of fantasy returns. City’s fixtures over the next four show three away games – starting with the trip to Anfield this weekend. Given City’s away form, Its likely that those who invested heavily for City’s double fixture will now be shifting their players out for this run.
On Wednesday, a strong Villa side were held by by CSKA Moscow in their first leg tie. O’Neill also put out a full strength eleven – recalling Barry who missed the weekend through suspension. Carew started up front in place of the injured Heskey, while Gardner occupied an unfamiliar wide role with Milner out with a thigh injury. Both Heskey and Milner remain doubts for the key weekend clash with Chelsea. Davies is set to play on, despite dislocating his shoulder against Everton last weekend.
In terms of form, Ashley Young looked lively at times – he provided the initial cross for the Carew goal and was a constant threat. Villa looked decent but are still not finding it anywhere near as easy to break down opposition at home. That doesn’t bode well going into the meet with Hiddink’s Chelsea – I can see many goals in that one.