Written by billythekid
With the FA Cup game done and dusted, our team focus on more bread and butter matters on Saturday with a return to Premier League football at Dean Court. Our visitors are Aston Villa who sit two points and two places above our club in 16th place. After our hopefully confidence-boosting win against Brighton recently our team will be hoping to make it two in a row which could help our side out of the relegation zone. It won’t be easy as Villa have taken some useful points since the beginning of this year on their travels.
Our second game of the league season was away and it was a trip to Villa Park to play Aston Villa and it turned out to be a fruitful trip, our team coming home with all three points in the bag.
Aston Villa since that defeat found themselves in a relegation place at the end of both August and September. They started off October with a bang, beating Norwich City away 1-5, it was Villa’s biggest win this season so far. They ended October out of the relegation zone and in 15th place. The end of November Aston Villa were four points clear of a relegation place still in 15th position. By the end of the year after a busy but not rewarding December, Villa were back down in the last relegation place but only two points behind the Cherries who were two places above. January so far has produced seven points out of a possible twelve for Aston Villa.
On their away trips this season Villa have W 2, D 2, L 8. This month away from home, Villa have beaten Burnley and drawn at Brighton. At home, they were thrashed 1-6 by Manchester City, but they won their last game beating Watford 2-1.
In our home games against Aston Villa, AFCB have only won once and that was in the 1971-72 season under John Bond when the crowds came flocking back to Dean Court as they saw exciting, attacking football with plenty of goals. The Cherries won by 3-0, our scorers were Boyer, MacDougall, Powell, the attendance was 20,305. In the away game Ted McDougall who featured on a thread earlier this week scored with a flying header and it was seen on MOTD. Unfortunately, Ted Mac’s goal wasn’t enough and Villa won 2-1 in front of 48,110 for an old Division 3 game where both teams were going for promotion. At the end of that season, Aston Villa were promoted as Champions and AFCB finished in third place behind promoted Brighton. Villa spent three seasons in the old Division 2 before gaining promotion into the old Division 1.
AFCB’s first season in the Premier League, the first game was at Dean Court against Aston Villa, Villa won 0-1. In the away game the following April, the Cherries gained revenge with a 1-2 victory.
In our three home league games, AFCB have W 1, D 0, L 2. In all competitions, AFCB have W 3, D 1, L 4.
AFCB Team News
Added to the normal injury list are Lloyd Kelly who has had a slight setback and Philip Billing with a back injury. Expect a similar team to that against Brighton, with the odd change or two with Steve Cook back available and doubt over Billing.
AFCB Player To Watch
All about opinions, but hope to see Callum Wilson carry on from where he left off against Brighton. We need his goals to help get us back on track and out of the relegation zone. There seemed to be an understanding building between him and Dominic Solanke. Otherwise, if Eddie does change things and give Sam Surridge a start, be a good chance to see what he can do.
Aston Villa Team News
Both Wesley and Tom Heaton received ACL injuries in the New Year’s Day game away at Burnley. Other injuries are Jed Steer, calf, John McGinn, fractured ankle. In the January transfer window Villa have signed striker Mbwana Samatta from Genk for £10 million, he made his debut against Leicester on Tuesday night in the League Cup semi-final. Midfielder Danny Drinkwater from Chelsea on loan and goalkeeper Pepe Raina from AC Milan on loan. On the rumour mill, it has been reported Villa are looking at signing Daniel Sturridge for £4.2 million before the close of Friday’s window.
Aston Villa Player To Watch
Jack Grealish in midfield. Has been in great form for Villa in the league and is their leading scorer with 7 goals, also leads with 5 assists.
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