When Villa walked out at Wembley last month to take on Manchester United, there was one man who was forgotten and if it wasn’t for him, we would never have been there. Yes, I’m talking about Brad Guzan.

Martin O’Neill is a man, who states that you play well, you keep your place in the side, well if this is the case, surely Guzan as a claim?

Who could forget the heroics the American goalkeeper performed at the Stadium of Light? I was there that night, and just when we thought it was going to be a long night, Brad Guzan had different ideas.

The understudy goalkeeper has been talking for the first time to the Sunday Mirror about how he felt devastated at being dropped for the final:

“To make it to the final, and to then get benched and to lose the game was absolutely heartbreaking.

After you help your team get to a final, especially a competition like the League Cup, it was devastating not to play. You always want to be part of the big games and help your team be successful, so to not be involved and then lose was a rough day for everyone.”

I have to say I generally feel for the guy and he does have a very good point.

The Sunday Mirror are also reported today that Birmingham City have their eyes on our on- form striker John Carew.

Carew, who has hit form of late has been told no contract talks will take place until the summer, and this as alerted the scum, as Carew only has 15 months left on his current deal.

I couldn’t really write a post today without mentioning what’s happened to David Beckham. If you haven’t already heard, Beckham has been ruled out of the World Cup after snapping his Achilles tendon.

Its a shame for such a player, who clearly wanted to play some part at the World Cup, and probably more than most do. He’s a true legend and always will be in my eyes.

Now onto the rumours, Villa have been linked with a move for Fenerbahce striker Dani Guiza. The striker has made it clear he wants to quit Turkey, but he has been rumoured with wanting to return to his homeland Spain.

The striker has scored 19 goals in 45 appearances in Turkey and has a record of scoring where ever he goes.

Now Thomas Kuszack is another apparently on Martin O’Neill’s radar and the Daily Star are today suggesting that Martin O’Neill will try to persuade the unsettled goalkeeper to move to Villa Park, and become the number 1 goalkeeper.

The 27 year old has played second fiddle to Edwin Van De Sar since he signed from West Bromwich Albion and he recently stated that he may have to quit Old Trafford if he is to fur-fill his Premiership ambitions.

I would welcome the move for Kuszczak who i rate very highly and would love to seem him take over Brad Friedel in the Villa goal.

I will try and move on from what happened on Sunday, despite the fact I can’t stop thinking about how we got screwed in a cup final.

The rumour mill kicked back in today when Villa was linked with a move for Belarus and former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb.

Hleb has found it hard to settle in Spain and has since been loaned out to German side Stuttgart. However, any signs of that deal becoming permanent were in doubt when he had a bust-up with Stuttgart Coach, Christian Gross.

It has been said that he wants to return to the English Premier League and Villa could be just the side to open the door for him.

The Sun are today reporting that Villa are one of a number of clubs including Tottenham and Everton who are keeping tabs on Benfica striker Oscar Codozo.

First for those who dont know anything about him, he is 26 years old and from Paraguay. His goal record at Benfica is pretty impressive to with 47 goals in 72 games. I haven’t seen a lot of this player, however hes a top player on Football Manager, which many football fans sweare by.

Champions League or Cup Success?

After yesterdays result we now play Crystal Palace the Wednesday before the Cup Final, just three days after we play Burnley. Now i know that everyone will want to beat Palace for a potential tie with Midland rivals West Brom, so is it worth resting players against Burnley which could backlash in the long term?

At the beginning of the season i would of chosen Champions League everyday of the week but we are in our first Cup Final for ten years and i would be lying if i didnt say im desperate to see Stiliyan Petrov lifting that trophy on February 28th.

So for me, I would say Cup Success but at the same time I wouldn’t make major changes for Burnley. Maybe rest James Milner who looks dead on his feet at the moment?

The transfer deadline slams shut at 5pm today and Martin O’Neill and Aston Villa are yet to do any business, but is this such a massive issue?

Ok, i hear you, we all want a 20 goal a season striker and possibly a new midfielder but lets be honest its not like we are short of scoring a few goals is it really? And we have the best defence in the league.

With the only movement this month being Craig Gardners move to the Circus down the round, there hasnt been much more.

Myself i would be keeping an eye on Habib Beyes possible move to Sunderland, and then seeing how quick this deal gets done today. I believe if it’s done early – then we could very well see someone moving to Villa Park.

Martin O’Neill would only sell a player he brought 6 months ago if he wanted to bring somebody else in.

Robbie Keane is a possible name but would Harry Redknapp let him leave for a rival? I don’t think so. Will be very interesting to see.

Tick Tock Martin..