Houllier’s Brilliant Big Brad Selection
Wednesday 27th October 2010
Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley (AET)
Villa have made it through to the Quarter Finals of the Carling Cup thanks to a 2-1, substitute inspired win over Burnley after extra-time. Villa dominated much of the first half and should have been in front but a lack of goals is still a real worry ahead of the Blues derby on Sunday. Burnley capitalised on Villa’s poor finishing and came out strongly in the second 45, putting the home side on the back foot for much of the half. It took substitutions from Houllier to change the game with Heskey and Downing both introduced to great effect. The former put the home side ahead with 5 minutes remaining but Villa failed to protect this lead with Burnley equalising on 89 through captain Clarke Carlisle. A stunning goal from Stewart Downing sealed victory for the hosts despite a Marc Albrighton red card in extra-time. Extended Report and Ratings
Aston Villa vs Burnley Pre-Match Prediction
Gerard Houllier will be looking to capitalise on the opportunity to get back to ways against weaker opposition in Villa’s Carling Cup 4th round tie with Burnley. Defensive absences, notably with both starting full backs missing, will give Brian Laws men hope. I believe that the youngsters who impressed in the last round such as Bannan and Delfouneso joined by Albrighton and Clark will have enough to see off inferior opposition tomorrow night. The mix of this youth and experience from the likes of temporary captain Reo-Coker should provide the fans with another glimpse of the bright future ahead at Villa Park. Tough to call the starting line-up in this one ahead of Birmingham on Sunday so let me know who you think will be given the nod.
Burnley (Home) – 27th October 2010
Possible Staring XI: Guzan; Lichaj, Clark, Cuellar, Beye; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Bannan; Ireland; Carew
Key Man: Marc Albrighton
Goalscorer(s): Sidwell, Carew, Albrighton
Minute of First Goal: 33
Final Score: 3-1
Sunderland vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Prediction
After a decent performance at Tottenham could not be backed by a result and real chances to win against Chelsea, Houllier will be looking to go one better on Saturday. Both sides have good records to fall back on with Villa not losing in their last 5 games at Sunderland and the home side having lost just once in their last 14 games at the Stadium of Light. Both managers will feel that, despite strong results in some cases, their teams have not accumulated as many points as they would have hoped. Villa go into the game in 8th with Sunderland occupying 13th ahead of this close encounter.
Sunderland (Away) – 23rd October 2010
Possible Starting XI: Friedel; Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock; Downing, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Young; Ireland; Heskey
Key Man: Stephen Ireland
Goalscorer(s): Ireland, Heskey
Minute of First Goal: 42
Final Score: 1-2
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
Happy Days as the Fonz Topples Rivals Wolves
Filed under: Aston Villa, Match Reports, Villa Reserves & Academy
Kevin MacDonald’s reserve side continued their decent form, stretching their unbeaten run to five games with a 3-2 victory over Wolves. The second string came from behind for the second game on the trot in front of on-looking manager Gerard Houllier. Villa found themselves 1-0 down at the break but an amazing second half saw the home side run out victors. The two line-ups could have easily been placed in an early cup round with seasoned professionals on either side. The Villa side included the likes of Guzan, Cuellar and Sidwell supported by promising youngsters such as Barry Bannan and Nathan Delfouneso. Read more
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
Young Happy at Villa, Heskey Snubs England
Luke Young has stated today that he is happy that he decided to reject a move to Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool over the summer. The right back has started every league game for Villa this term as he looks to revive his career at the club after a nightmare season under MON last term. Liverpool find themselves in the bottom 3, which is humorous to say the least, and Young has said that he is glad he made the choice to fight for his place at Villa Park. Young and Heskey in Form
Tottenham vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Prediciton
Prediction time again and this one will be a toughie. A hard away day at Tottenham has left me toying with the unthinkable notion that Villa could lose but I’m hoping that Champions League action will have worn out Spurs which may be optimistic after they unceremoniously rolled over FC Twente. Standard procedure, I want your predictions as well, am I being too kind to Villa or not kind enough?
Tottenham Hotspur (Away) - 2nd October 2010
Possible Starting XI: (4-4-1-1) Friedel, L Young, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock; Albrighton, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Downing; A Young; Heskey
Key Man: Nigel Reo-Coker
Goalscorer(s): James Collins
Minute of First Goal: 41
Final Score: 1-1
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
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