Big Game Preview: Aston Villa vs Birmingham City
Filed under: Aston Villa, Injury News, Match Previews
Sunday 31st October 2010
Opponent: Birmingham City
Venue: Villa Park
Kick Off: 12:00
Sunday afternoon sees this season’s first encounter of fierce rivals Aston Villa and Birmingham City. Both sides have had inconsistent and somewhat disappointing starts to the campaign but, rest assured all will be forgotten with a victory in the biggest game of the calendar year for both sets of fans. Villa play host to the Blues in a game which sees the two sides separated by just 1 point in mid table positions. Villa sit in 10th with Birmingham close behind in 12th but a win means so much more than points and league standings for the opposing fans. Villa have ruled the roost in the second City bragging rights for many years and City manager McLeish is yet to rack up a win against his rivals. Villa have come out on top in the last 6 meetings between the two sides with memorable moments bringing unbridled joy into the hearts of Villa fans including my own in recent times. The 5-1 thrashing and a late Gary Cahill acrobatic winner among the very best and much needed pick me ups of the home crowd in past encounters. Extended Big Game Preview
Aston Villa vs Burnley Match Preview
Filed under: Aston Villa, Injury News, Match Previews
Wednesday 27th October 2010
Opponent: Burnley
Venue: Villa Park
Kick Off: 19:45
Villa will be hoping to take advantage of some shock exits in the Carling Cup to strengthen their chances of another Wembley date next year. The competition has seen the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham knocked out thus far leaving Villa as third favourites behind Manchester United and Arsenal. Houllier’s men will have to overcome a tricky 4th round tie against Championship outfit Burnley to reach the Quarter-Finals of the tournament which they have won on 5 occasions. New manager Gerard Houllier will have fond memories of the Carling Cup as it was his first trophy as Liverpool boss. He went on to secure another final victory in his time at Anfield and Villa will be hoping the Frenchman’s impressive record in the competition continues. The home side will be big favourites but injury problems and a huge game against Birmingham at the weekend could prove potential banana skins. Full Match Preview
Petrov Blow Paves Way for Sidwell with Delph Ahead of Schedule
Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov faces two months on the sidelines with knee ligament damage. The injury which the midfielder picked up in the first half of the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland is worse than manager Gerard Houllier had first feared. The Frenchman confirmed that the 31-year-old faced a lengthy lay-off at Villa’s open training session at Villa Park today. The Bulgarian will now face a scan next week to determine whether surgery is required on the injury that is already looking to keep him out until the New Year. Likely Replacements
Sunderland vs Aston Villa Match Preview
Filed under: Aston Villa, Injury News, Match Previews
Saturday October 23rd 2010
Opponent: Sunderland
Venue: Stadium of Light
Kick Off: 15:00
Villa travel to Sunderland with a commendable away record against the hosts. Gerard Houllier’s side have stretched out an unbeaten run of 5 games against the Black Cats and will be looking for a first win in 3 after defeat to Tottenham was backed up by a good draw with Chelsea last weekend. Steve Bruce’s men have only lost once at home in their last 14 outings and will be looking to extend an impressive unbeaten run of their own. The home side haven’t lost in 6 games but have become early contenders for draw specialists with results tied in their last 5 games, 6 in total this season. Bruce’s side have capped a decent start to the season by taking points off of the likes of Liverpool, although that doesn’t seem too much of a feat right now, Arsenal and Manchester United. Villa will have a strong squad available after recovery from injuries and will be looking to build on the battling performance that earned them a point against the champions. Team News and Previews
Injury Updates Ahead of Sunderland Clash
There is mixed news on the injury front with Luke Young out for at least the next 3 matches due to a torn hamstring but possible weekend returns for a number of others. Young injured the hamstring in training on Friday ahead of the Chelsea game leading to a surprise call-up for ‘Sunday, Monday, Habib Beye’. The Senegalese international put in a decent performance and may have done enough to retain a starting berth at right back over fit again Carlos Cuellar. News on Dunne, Albrighton and Heskey
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Match Preview
Saturday October 16th 2010
Opponent: Chelsea
Venue: Villa Park
Kick Off: 17:30
Gerard Houllier faces his toughest test to date as manager of Aston Villa as the club play host to League Champions, Chelsea. Many Villa fans will look back in dread at the crushing 7-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last season but Villa have plenty to be optimistic about this time around. In the same fixture last term the home side made one of their best performances of the season to spring a shock 2-1 victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Goals from centre back’s, James Collins and Richard Dunne were enough to overturn an early Didier Drogba goal, a man who is missing this time around. More Match Preview
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa Match Preview
Saturday October 2nd 2010
Opponent: Tottenham Hotspur
Venue: White Hart Lane
Kick Off: 15:00
This weekend’s tie sees Villa travel to White Hart Lane to face European positional rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Redknapp’s side were in Champions League action and despite an impressive 4-1 victory over FC Twente, Villa will be hoping the London club will be suffering after midweek action. Gerard Houllier has selection dilemmas ahead of the clash but may be set to go with the team that beat Wolves on Sunday. Read more
Houllier Keen To Keep Reo-Coker and Young, Gabby In For Surgery
First of all I’d like to apologise for the lack of posts and action on the site over the past week but I have been away and I’m running this ship single handed currently, but I’m back now and looking forward to a potential Champions League hangover for Tottenham tomorrow! Read more
Aston Villa vs Blackburn Rovers Match Preview
Filed under: Aston Villa, Injury News, Match Previews
Wednesday 22nd September
Opponent: Blackburn Rovers
Venue: Villa Park
Kick Off: 19:45
Tomorrow nights game against Blackburn Rovers symbolizes the start of a new era under Gerard Houllier at Villa Park. The Frenchman has been briefed by chairman Randy Lerner to get some silverware and the Carling Cup may well represent his greatest hope. The trophy was his first as manager of Liverpool in 2000-01 and the 63 year old hols fond memories of the tournament. He couldn’t have asked for a much harder 3rd round tie though against the side that Villa knocked out in the semis last year after the memorable 6-4 second leg victory. More Match Preview
Villa Rally Behind Houllier, Dunne Injured and Owen No Go
Filed under: Aston Villa, Injury News, Villa Manager
After a pretty poor result against Bolton on Saturday backing up a loss to Stoke the previous Monday, Villa fans are looking forward to seeing the tactics Gerard Houllier employs in his first games in charge. The Frenchman along with his new assistant Gary McAllister took their first training session today and a string of first team player’s have backed the new manager to lead them to glory in the future. Read more
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