The Totally Football Show with James Richardson Will Villa end their Man United hoodoo? Will Arsenal’s away day blues continue?
Dec 18, 2025
The hosts dive into the League Cup quarter-finals, with Chelsea, City, and Newcastle advancing. They discuss Aston Villa's form as they face Manchester United following a thrilling 4-4 draw. Arsenal's struggles with away games and defensive issues take center stage as they prepare to face Everton. The predicted chaos of Spurs and Liverpool's showdown adds to the excitement. Plus, there's a surprising analysis of underdog stories, managerial questions at Tottenham, and a look ahead to the AFCON tournament!
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Villa's Form Is More Than Hot Streak
- Aston Villa's surge looks real, not just XG overperformance, because recent high-XG matches produced goals from inside the box.
- Their nine-game winning run and wins over City and Arsenal show form that can impact the title race.
Cup Rotation Masks Squad Depth
- League Cup rotation is common: managers field fringe players in early rounds, with semis reverting to stronger line-ups.
- Pep Guardiola and others still used rotated squads yet progressed, showing squad depth matters.
Cherki Proving City's Youth Integration Works
- Ryan Cherki's spectacular strike highlighted his rapid adaptation and two-footed threat at City.
- His growing goal involvements show City's integration of young talent is working well.