‘Not possible’ for Cardiff to be full strength at Villa

Omer Riza, manager of Cardiff City, claims it is “not possible” for him to field a full-strength side against Aston Villa on Friday in the FA Cup.

The Bluebirds are just three places and six points above the Championship’s bottom three, with 12 league games remaining.

Cardiff, who are into the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in 11 years, face third-place Burnley and fourth-place Sunderland the week after their trip to Villa Park.

Riza said, “I want to put my strongest team out so you can have a real go at it,” adding that it is the fifth round of the FA Cup.

“We just have far too many crucial games coming up,” according to the statement.

“It would be easy to put out our full strength if we were 12th in the league now and not where we are.”

“But we have a lot of things we need to deal with in the league, we’re not in that position.

Riza claimed that a portion of him would have preferred to have been knocked out in a previous round if it had not been for the fans.

” It’s great for the fans, a good moment for them, “said Riza.

They are extremely pleased that Villa is where we are in the fifth round. There’s 6, 000 fans going which we’re really happy with.

“I want to win, and we want to make it to the final,” the question remains, “But will that really happen?”

Sometimes, I believe it would have been best if the team had exited in the third round, but you look at it and say, “Look what we’ve given the fans.”

“I speak with many of them, and they are so excited about this game, and that’s why I’m disappointed that we can’t play at full strength and really try it.”

Despite Riza’s frustrations, spirits will be high in the Cardiff camp after a crucial midweek win over Hull City, which lifted them above the Tigers in the league.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, lost to Crystal Palace 4-1 on Tuesday, making it likely that some players will miss their Champions League last 16 game against Club Brugge.

And while naming a full-strength team may not be possible, Riza said “nothing was impossible” when it comes to the result.

“It’s going to be a very tough game, but nothing is impossible in football”, said Riza.

“They will still have a full team of internationals on the pitch, that’s the depth they’ve got.