OutByEaster?

Herd has played at right back a fair bit but is more of a centre midfielder. If there is any chance that Curtis will make his injury worse he shouldn't play. In fact, if it's a recurring shoulder problem he should be getting surgery.

Well, that solves the "erm" problem on the bench then.

I think they'd all start, never mind the bench.

Is Lichaj definitely suspended? Are we stupid enough to make Davies play? A lot of places seem to be reporting Albrighton as having two yellows, is it a definite that he only has one BOF? Without him: ------------------Guzan------------------ Herd-----Cuellar--------Clark----Shorey Young---Reo Coker---Sidwell---Bannan ----------Carew----Weimann------------ subs: Friedel, Parish, Lowry, Harewood and erm? With him: ------------------Guzan------------------ Herd-----Cuellar--------Clark----Shorey Albrighton--Reo Coker---Sidwell--Young -----------------Bannan------------------- ------------------Carew------------------- subs: Friedel, Parish, Lowry, Harewood, Weimann and erm? *EDIT -Completely forgot Osbourne, not sure it makes a massive amount of difference, but there you go.

I'm hoping for a lucky oneshot-onegoal Villa win so that we can use the headlne "Old Lady mugged in Spain." I think I've grown up with one too many tabloids.

Just got in and have had a drink. Cheating is as natural to the Portuguese as being willfully awkward is to the French, or heroin is to the Scotch, it's the national characteristic. Pleased as punch to see Albrighton, Clark and Lichaj getting good reviews and it sounds like big Shane did okay too. Cracking stuff, looking forward to the final!

I thought Albrighton was excellent, he's had a good pre-season and you can see the confidence coming into his game. Chuffed for him. Guzan, Cuellar, Lichaj and Reo Coker did well. The others were so-so with the exception of Sidwell and Heskey who were poor, but will most likely be replaced by Gardner and Agbonlahor when the tough stuff starts anyway. I thought we got stronger as the game went on which was a good sign. Petrov's injury is a worry.

All over to the ratings and reactions thread now please.

Ratings and reactions here please.

Bowling Shane! Big man right through the right winger.

Good to see Herd get on. Busy little beggar he is.

His crossing is excellent, he works very very hard too.

Interesting that it's NRC that the bench are looking to for organisation of set piece defending. "Get it sorted Nigel!" Time to unleash the Bannan I say.

I wouldn't underestimate these kids.

Taking off the front two seems to have forced us to play a bit. Weimann on for Young now.

Lowry on for Heskey which by my reckoning means we're playing 4-5-1 with Young the lone striker. I guess maybe Shorey could be in midfield with Lowry at left back?

Great ball from Albrighton. Has Ashley ever scored a header before?

Good block Davies. Anyone hear Robertson scream "keep the **** ball" at Heskey then?

John Robertson looks like a man who didn't get to have his fag at half time. Sounds a bit grumpy too.

Big John decent finish. Route one.

Albrighton looks to have put a bit of muscle on over the summer. Good to see him having a good pre-season and continuing his form of last term.

Partnerships Davies and Cuellar - not sure it works Reo Coker and Sidwell - not sure it works Carew and Heskey - not sure it works

Got there first, took it well. Good lad.

Gol.

Martin O'Neill having a little go at one of theirs for a dive there. We look a frustrated and confused bunch. My stream broke up a bit, has he been sent off?