Eric Lichaj starts once again for Aston Villa, it looks like at right back but possibly left back. But this week's lineup is interesting because it looks like McLeish has finally mustered up the courage to flat-out drop his two favorites at Lichaj's positions - Hutton and Warnock. Aston Villa: Given, Lichaj, Collins, Cuellar, Baker, Albrighton, Herd, Ireland, N’Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Weimann. Subs: Guzan, Hutton, Warnock, Bannan, Gardner, Carruthers, Heskey.
Warnock was actually was something of an injury doubt today so I'm not surprised he's on the bench. Looking at the lineup, I wouldn't be surprised to see Eric at left back and Cuellar at RB.
Lichaj, at left back, makes and interception and then sprays a good pass to Agbonlahor on the move. Agbonlahor's shot is blocked for a corner.
This one is live on Fox Soccer Plus. Time to send my daughter to upstairs to watch Dora and Backyardigans!
Cuellar nearly made McLeish look like a fool for sticking him back into the team. An awful backpass is barely cleared by Collins.
A Sunderland player gets free down the left and crosses it in. Bendtner is wide open at the top of the 6-yard box and somehow heads over the goal. Neither Baker nor Lichaj covered him there.
Lichaj appears to pass off Bendtner to Baker. Bendtner though stops his run and ends up unmarked 4 yards from goal where he sends his header over.
0-0 at the half Lichaj has done well making a few good interceptions. He did give up a free kick near the sideline about 30 yards from go. Sunderland has been having more luck down the Villa right.
A Villa defender blocks a shot off the line and then Lichaj scrambles to block the rebound. He then does well to recover and put off Larsson who had gotten to a cross.
Game ends 0-0. Sunderland had a goal controversially disallowed late for off sides. I thought Lichaj did fine.
Just got done watching the game. Villa is terrible, McLeish has to go after this season I've never been so depressed about soccer in my life. I almost fell asleep about 10 times during the game. Anyways, thought Lichaj did very well and was one of our best players on the day. Good: Ireland, Lichaj, Weimann, Herd, Cuellar Bad: N'Zogbia, Heskey, Hutton Terrible: Gabby, Albrighton, Bannan