Match Preview: Aston Villa v Doncaster Rovers

By: Chris | February 3rd, 2009

Aston Villa v Doncaster Rovers
FA Cup Fourth Round Replay
Villa Park
Wednesday 4th February 2009, 7.45pm

Following a third consecutive tough away draw in this season’s FA Cup, the prize for victory over Doncaster Rovers tomorrow night – a tough trip to Merseyside to face Everton or Liverpool and another potential replay – is about as enticing as a bollock rash. No disrespect to Doncaster, because I like them a lot as a club, I like their manager and skipper loads and I’m impressed with them against us, but I really couldn’t care less about this match. We’ve got bigger fish to fry, and we don’t need any extra games.

Still, it should see a stirring send-off for Birchy, who played for both clubs.

League Form Guide

Aston Villa: DWWWWD (Premier League)

Villa’s great form recently took a slight hit with our inability to force the ball over the line in our home game against Wigan on Saturday, but our impressive unbeaten run – and our run of a way wins – continues. Our focus on the league is central to our season, and as long as our form there remains stable I care not for anything else.

Doncaster Rovers: LWWWWD (Championship)

Since we last met, Rovers have amassed another four points. Before drawing with Norwich, they picked up a mighty impressive win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. That leaves them outside the relegation zone and fourth from bottom, just three points behind Plymouth in 16th.

Team News

It looks as if Villa could put out quite a weak side, though it is likely to be led by returning striker John Carew, who came on as a substitute against Wigan. Stiliyan Petrov is suspended, and Ashley Young available after sitting out the last three. Emile Heskey is ineligible having played in the Cup for Wigan already this season.

Dean Shiels is in the same situation for Donny, and Steve Brooker is out with a calf injury. Martin Woods returns, while Brian Stock faces a fitness test.

Why Doncaster at home is a must-win

It isn’t.

Betting