So it’s back to European action tonight with the raised stakes of the knock out rounds. Reading around the various quotes floating around at the moment, MON seems more concerned with not conceding in this first leg than creating a lead to take to Russia for the second leg. Comparing our home form with the away form, that would make perfect sense.

Heksey’s not available, Carew hasn’t looked fully fit since coming back, Delfouneso is just a kid, Harewood wouldn’t get a game if we only had 11 fit players and Gabby can’t do it on his own. Unless we have one of those magical games where everything just clicks and the chances keep on hitting the target I wouldn’t expect too many goals.

Also bare in mind that the current Russian number one keeper, Igor Akinfeev, minds the sticks for CSKA. He’s still only 22, but has been their number one choice for 5 years. Since goalkeepers traditionally peak in their 30’s, this guy could well be a monster in the future!!

Fortunately, Gareth Barry returns to action and I’m sure Petrov, in particular, will be pleased to see him back. If MON goes for two up front then it should be a self-picking midfield of Milner, Petrov, Barry & A Young.

At the back, Curtis Davies has been given the green light after a slight shoulder injury picked up in the Everton FA Cup defeat. Probably a repeat of the back four then; Gardner, Knight, Davies & L Young. The concern for me, as I touched on recently, is Gardner at right back. It’s not that he’s terrible or even quite bad in that position, I just can’t see how he’s better there than Shorey would be at left back. If Shorey can’t get in the side then we’ll have to wait for Freddie to return. To use MON’s vernacular, I will be delighted to see Luke Young back on the right, not least because I have feeling that he and Milner can strike up a very decent working partnership.

I’ll also be interested to see who MON puts in goal. Guzan has been our man in the UEFA Cup recently and can’t really be faulted for any goals conceded off the top of my head, but things are getting serious now and perhaps it’s time for Brad Snr to take over.

One thing I feel confident about is that MON would take a 0-0 draw and I wouldn’t bet against that being the result. Moscow haven’t played a competitive game since early December and have changed managers in between. Are these facts advantages or disadvantages for the Russian side?? Hopefully they won’t be experiencing “new manager syndrome” as the new manager in question in none other than the White Pele himself; Zico.

Given this and Moscow being the only side from the group stages with a 100% record, I’d take 0-0 as well. However, taking our impressive away form to a frigid Moscow next Thursday, with the small matter of Chelsea at the weekend, will be a massive, massive test.

One other interesting factoid to consider; tonight will be Villa’s 41st game this season, the same number of games we played all last season. We’ve had to deal with key injuries and suspensions along the way too, something some gloomy fans said couldn’t be weathered. But now it’s crunch time folks. Chelsea have a new manager, Arsenal are welcoming missing players back, not least Eduardo, and Everton are enjoying a decent run of form. Man Utd are, well, being Man Utd and even Liverpool have managed to snatch a crucial victory from the jaws of defeat recently, keeping themselves in the chase for the title.

It’s tough up the top isn’t it?? I’m loving it though, it’s still fresh in my mind how much tougher it is at the bottom!!