NY Villans Update - Premiership Week 26, UEFA Cup 2nd Leg.

We had two very big games this week the FA cup clash with Everton and the UEFA Cup clash with Moscow. It's funny at the start of the season I would have seen these games as crucial but now they almost seem insignificant compare to tomorrows fixture. Yes it's back to the league for the visit of Chelsea. When we went down 2-0 to them in October it was the best performance we have faced this season and at the time I was convinced Chelsea were going to walk the league but two weeks later they lose at home to Liverpool and their season spiraled out of control. Scolari who had been in charge barely long enough to find his way to the training ground was replaced by Russia coach Gus Hiddink. What bloody luck, we couldn't play Chelsea 2 weeks ago when they were in disarray instead we get them for the New Manager "honeymoon" period.

Regardless it was always going to be a tough test now made even more so by the unpredictable Hiddink factor. There had been rumours of splits in the camp and players throwing their toys out of the pram while Abramovich sees $9 billion dissapear from his worth but something about a new suit in the dougout somehow re-energizes a team, perhaps players feel their cushy pay check is threatened or had decided not to play for their old boss the same way my wife refuses to lift a finger around the kitchen.

Returning from injury we have both James Milner who was out of Wednesdays match with a thigh strain and Heskey who is believed to have recovered from the Achilles problem from the England Spain match. Still there is no news of Carlos Cuellar or Nigel Reo-Coker and Laursen is expected to remain out for the next 5/6 weeks. Expect Gardner to come in at at right-back.

Thankfully Chelsea are also a few down with the likes of Joe Cole, Essien, Carvalho and Alex out along with a suspended Ashley Cole.

Offer me a point and I'll take it. Game kicks off at the break of dawn 7:45 am Eastern not as bad as 4:45 Western. Match is on Setanta directly preceding Arsenal vs Sunderland another huge game for deciding the top 4. Choir master Forrester will be at the pub so bring your singing voices Nevadas people.


Next up is the return leg in crispy Moscow, this one is on Thursday and is live on Setanta at... wait for it... 11:45am Eastern, good luck skipping out of work for that hour. As usual we will arrange for the 6pm post work tape delay at Nevadas, for those of you around the country call your local boozer and they may be able to do you the same service. Remember because of the away goal rule we must score in Moscow, the only result that will eliminate us on away goals is 0-0, a result of 1-1 will push the game to extra time, 2-2 would be us winning on away goals. For this one the lads will be rubbing anti-freeze onto their chests rather than the usual Vics Vapour rub. In fairness the temperatures in Moscow differ little from what we get here in New York but while our cold is a dry cold, there they have a lot more moisture in the air so the damp mixed with the cold is nasty. Honestly we were all over them on Wednesday we just need that killer touch in front of goal, hopefully somebody can find it for this one.

Looking further ahead our following 2 games will also be live, that's Stoke on the 1st and Man City on the 4th. Down the line we have two fixture changes the April games against Man United and Everton have both been moved to Sunday for live TV however if Man U get drawn to play Champions League on the Tuesday then our game will roll back to the Saturday.

Newcastle game update: For those interested in travelling over to our last game of the season, Keith has arranged a group rate at the nitenite hotel http://www.nitenite.com/, located right by the New Street Station and the Mailbox, of £45.95 per room per night. To book call 0121 631 5550 and quote KEI23059. Bookings can be made on this code until 09/05/09 which is 14 days prior arrival. After this date guests can still book but at the rate of the day. Payment must be made at the time of booking, this is non refundable once booked. Once again if you are thinking of going drop us an email and let us know so that we have some idea of numbers.

Two final things, firstly an apology to Terri who was mad cause I didn't include her on the list of non-intimidating people to approach when newcomers visit Nevadas, sorry Terri although a fat load of good it would have done since you were too hungover to make the game.

Secondly Gavin made me aware of this on Wednesday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYRSFTJ6_uQ Radio station rings up Chelsea Chief Executive Peter Kenyon pretending to be Villa legend and all round dodgy manager Steve Staunton applying for the vacant managerial position, brilliant windup.

Up the Villa.