Match Preview: Gillingham v Aston Villa

By: Chris | January 2nd, 2009

Gillingham v Aston Villa
FA Cup 3rd Round
Priestfield
Sunday 4th January 2009, 1.30pm

It’s nice not to have drawn Manchester United on January’s first weekend for once, but Aston Villa must guard against complacency when travelling to Kent to face League Two Gillingham for the FA Cup 3rd Round on Sunday, live on ITV.

League Form Guide

Aston Villa: DWWWDW (Premier League)

Three wins on the bounce for the first time in what seems like forever were completed by a hard-fought but fortuitous win at West Ham United. This followed wins over Everton and Bolton Wanderers. On Boxing Day we drew with Arsenal thanks to Zat Knight’s fantastic late leveller, and 2008 came to a pleasant conclusion with an away win at Hull City.

Gillingham: DWDDLD (League Two)

Gills haven’t won a league game since defeating Chesterfield in early December, between their first and second attempts at beating Stockport in the FA Cup 2nd Round. It’s not great form, and they’re settling in mid-table in League Two. In short, an FA Cup run could be their main target for the season – Villa need to be vigilant.

Team News

I’ve given up second guessing Martin O’Neill’s team selection for matches like this one. He’s definitely targeting fourth and the UEFA Cup as his priorities, suggesting we’ll see a weakened team go to Gillingham this weekend. I’m not so sure that’s wise. Brad Guzan will get a start, and we may see Craig Gardner, Nicky Shorey, Moustapha Salifou and Marlon Harewood get a chance to influence this match.

One Villa reserve who won’t be getting a game at Priestfield is Wayne Routledge, who has completed a permanent move to Queens Park Rangers.

Barry Fuller and Garry Richards are serving suspensions for Gillingham, while Nicky Southall is cup-tied. Andy Barcham has extended his loan from Tottenham Hotspur and will start, having scored the vital goals in Gills’ win over Stockport in the last round. Leigh Mills has returned to White Hart Lane.

Why Gillingham away is a must-win

If you asked O’Neill, he’d probably say it isn’t. The FA Cup is a relatively long way down his list at the moment, and the favourable draw will give him a chance to play a few reserves and rest the stars. But it’s the first time in ages we’ve had a decent shot at the Cup without being flummoxed before the 3rd Round games are even played. Even worse, defeat would be an embarrassment.

Betting