For some strange reason I feel optimistic about this afternoon. Maybe it’s because I’m in Devon, the sun is shining and God is in her heaven (as Gyles Brandreth used to say on a radio show I used to do with him on LBC…). But I digress. Villa are going through a bad patch – they also have new players to integrate (Carew and Young) and we often get a result there. I remember going there in the mid 1990s and seeing us win. If I remember rightly John Moncur hit a screamer. I was sitting among Villa fans and couldn’t help myself. Luckily I didn;t get lynched. Here’s how I expect us to line up…

Carroll, Upson, Davenport, McCartney, Spector, Benayoun, Reo Coker, Boa Morte, Quashie, Zamora, Harewood

I’d like to see Boa Morte and Carroll replaced but I’m sure it won’t happen. You might also expect to see Kepa Blanco start but it seems he hasn’t played much for a month and is not fully fit, so I expect he’ll make another sub appearance.

Prediction: a narrow win for us. I’ll go and lie down now.

Apologies for the lack of match preview. I was about to write one and then Lord Levy got himself arrested and my mind was diverted elsewhere. I’m writing this in my seat in the Dr Martens having just been up to meet Bonnie Tyler – got a snog. She’s singing Total Eclipse of the Heart at half time. She recorded a little message for the blog which I will hopefully work out how to upload tomorrow.

Just seen the team. Carroll. Why?!!! After his fumble on Saturday you have to wonder what is happening if Green isn’t in the team.

Other than that, it’s the team I was expecting.

I haven’t got a good feeling about this…

Well, I know I wimped out of predicting the starting lineup against Fulham yesterday, but I’ll put my money where my mouth is now. Here’s my lineup…

Green – Spector – Dailly – Gabbidon – McCartney – Benayoun – Noble – Quashie – Boa Morte – Tevez – Cole

However, I think he will definitely play Reo Coker, so either Yossi or Mark Noble will be ditched. But I’ll probably be completely wrong and look like a first degree prat come kick off.

Mascheronao is in the squad for the Fulham game!

West Ham (from): Green, Carroll, Dailly, Spector, Gabbidon, Konchesky, Mears, Benayoun, Quashie, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Mascherano, Etherington, Noble, Boa Morte, Tevez, Sheringham, Harewood, Zamora, Cole.

I have just tried to work out Curbishley’s starting eleven but gave up. There are going to be some very pissed off players tomorrow afternoon.

So it’s the Happy Hornets in the fourth round then. Only just found out after a rather extended lunch! Labour blogger Kerron Cross seems to be relishing the battle. I went to Vicarage Road earlier in the season and would pray that we don’t have to go there again. It has to be the worst ground in the Premiership and Championship bar none. Oops, sorry, forgot Layer Road.

Christ knows how many more players will be joining the Hammers this week, but as it stands, this would be my team for the home game against Fulham on Saturday.

Robert Green
Danny Gabbidon
James Collins (if fit)
George McCartney
Jonathan Spector
Mark Noble
Luis Boa Morte
Nigel Reo Coker
Yoss Benyoun
Carlos Tevez
Carlton Cole

Subs: Carroll, Konchesky, Sheringham, Harewood, Zamora

Actually, I would play Mascherano, but there doesn’t seem to be a cat in hell’s chance of that happening. I suspect Curbs will also stick with Dailly in one form or another. I have never been a fan of Dailly, but even I will admit that against Man City he was our best player and didn’t do badly against Brighton. I’ve never quite been able to work out why he scores loads of goals for Scotland but has only scored twice for us in more than 150 personalities.

I have to say, if Mr C drops either Mark Noble or Carlos Tevez I will not be best pleased. But I wouldn’t bet against it.