Time To Unleash The 'Beast'(s)!

David Moyes has confirmed Michail Antonio will NOT be leading the line in tonight's away game against Freiburg, neither will Aaron Cresswell nor Ben Johnson. Aaron Cresswell, despite his years of great service, is viewed by many fans as a liability, especially in European matches given his propensity to give away fouls due to his lack of pace, which saw him pick up two red cards during the club's last Europa Cup campaign.

Ben Johnson on the other hand WILL be missed, and this fixture was a chance for him to prove he is worth retaining when the January transfer window opens up, unfortunately he has picked up a 'niggle' in training and won't travel with the rest of the squad.

Johnson's absence means Emerson will have to play with no natural back up in his defensive position. Moyes would have liked to keep the ex-Chelsea player fresh for Sunday's crucial game against the high flying Toon, but alas that will not be the case!

Upfront Moyes WILL have the opportunity to start Mo Kudus ahead of 'Uncle Ingy', Kudus has more than proved how devastating he can be in Europe this season, signing off with a first half hat trick in what was hist last appearance for Ajax before signing for the Irons.

Kudus could be joined up front by Divin Mubama who thoroughly deserves the CHANCE TO LEAD THE LINE, especially if he has Kudus to pull the opposition apart! This game really represents an ideal opportunity for BOTH players to make their mark and it is hoped that Moyes makes the most of it.

If this seems harsh on Ings then maybe it is, but he has shown little if any reason to start ahead of Kudus or Mubama, he simply doesn't have the pace to fit into Myes' counter attacking template, why he was signed on such big money and for so much money is still a mystery, but Villa must have been laughing all the way to the bank!

Moyes also has to decide whether to feature the club's talisman Lucas Paqueta. He would obviously prefer to rest him ahead of the Too game, but can he risk it? He may well elect to have Lucas on the bench in case his magic is needed to help the club achieve their own bit of European history by winning or drawing tonight.

No away fans due to the ludicrous sanction handed out by UEFA, but the players DO HAVE what it takes, but the manager needs to be bold for this 'early' fixture which kicks off at 17:45 Hrs BST. It will be a tough match in a hostile environment, but these are the games a club has to win to confirm they really are 'Euro Winners'. - Ed