Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 14.
Aston Villa sit in 16th place in the Barclays Premier League, four points clear of the drop zone with three games to go. After the 4-1 thrashing they suffered at the hands of Swansea last weekend, Villa are in need of a big performance this weekend if they are to reverse their recent fortune. A win against Hull could see them climb to 13th if results go their way.
A silverlining for Villa fans of last weeks defeat to Swansea will be that GabrieleAgbonlahor has broken his goal drought, which stretched from New Years Day. The English International has scored four goals in 28 appearances in the Premier League this season. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he has made 56 attacking contributions (shots on target, assists, dribbles and crosses) this season, including seven assists. He is 12/5 to score at any time with 888sport.com.
Paul Lambert will pay particular attention to his side’s defence this weekend and will look to Ron Vlaar to close down Hull’s attacking threats. Vlaar has made 323 defensive contributions (tackles won, blocks, clearances and interceptions), including 63 successful tackles out of a possible 73. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he has only committed nine fouls this season.
Aston Villa Goalkeeper Brad Guzan will be focusing on keeping a clean sheet this weekend against Hull. Guzan was beaten four times last weekend and should have done better when Shelvey fired home from the half way mark. The American has made 99 saves this season and has made 28 clearances. Villa fans will be hoping that he has a quieter day this weekend against Hull.
Hull City staged a remarkable comeback against strugglers Fulham last weekend. Hull were 2-0 down with 25 minutes to go but fought back to salvage a point. Hull, who are currently 13th in the Premier League with 37 points, will need to show more attacking mentality than they did against Fulham if they are to beat Villa this weekend. Steve Bruce will be hoping his side can string a couple of wins together before they face Arsenal in the FA Cup final.
Jelavic opened the scoring for Hull against Fulham last weekend, pulling his side back into the fixture with 25 minutes left on the clock. Jelavic has five goals to his name so far this season and had one shot on target last weekend against Fulham.
Shane Long has scored seven goals this season making him Hull City’s top scorer. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he has had 23 shots on target from a possible 48; that’s an accuracy rating of 48%. Hull fans will be hoping that he doesn’t leave it until the 87th minute to get his name on the score sheet this weekend against Villa. He is 27/11 to score at any time with 888sport.com.
Hull lacked urgency in attack last weekend against Fulham, leaving it until the last third of the game to test their defense. Steve Bruce will turn to Ahmed Elmohamady to provide the creative spark to igniteHull’s attacking movements this weekend. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that Elmohamady has made 99 attacking contributions (shots on target, assists, crosses and dribbles) this season.
The Author
Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.Comments 87
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Morning chaps. We just need to win a game for once. it’s simple for most teams, but us.
I think we might just about win. Who knows.Just hope the bottom 4 all loose and we are safe what ever we do. Thankfully its the last home game of one of the worst seasons in our history, and hopefully we won’t see Lambert at Villa park again, and hopefully a new owner we be in charge of us soon
—————–Given————–
Lowton——–Vlaar—–Clark——-Bertrand
Albri———-westy——–Delph———-Tonev
————-Gabby———Helenius———-
Never going to happen. Our manager wont be brave and change a team around who have lost most thee games. He’s rather play the tried and epic fails of game after game after. Holt, KEA, Weimann
Good morning,
Hope you are ready for AVFC’s final Premiership home game for a few years. I have a bad feeling tomorrow will be a day of mourning for what was a great club, but hey, at least those vermin won’t be infesting VP in the Championship next season.
Anyone passing the Social or the Holte Suite after the game feel free to pop in and buy me a beer, i’ll be the one hanging from the ceiling.
Is David Cameron having an influence….Could Camelot be our next sponsors?…..Is the clue that the national Lottery colours are now Claret and Blue…..!!!!!
Are the arab oil billionaires about to stump up the cash???
Cup final day for us today. Who will have the last laugh, Ron Vlaar or Curtis Davies, who would love to get his own back for being off loaded to the Blue Noses.
Frem why tonev?
I feel he is like weimann last year. R runs fast to a fault. Except aw could at least score last year. I know he’s due but every time tonev gets in he sends it straight to the stands
Steve Bruce has said he be happy with a 0-0 draw reportedly . Has he really ? Don’t be fooled is all I say . He will know we can’t break teams down at VP and that he needs to keep the villa faithful quiet for the first half hour.
Anyway , if our El Ahmedi plays and Hull’s Elhamedy it’s going to make for amusing listening with the pundits getting into verbal acrobatics .
I would send this message to the players – just do this for all those ppl who took you to training , the sacrifices your families have made for you, the people who have supported you – alive and no longer with us and give the performance of your life.
Why Tonev? Might as well. Knowone else is doing it so give someone else a chance
Jenny- I don’t think our players really care. Tell them they won’t get paid if they don’t win and then they might decide to turn up. Bruce knows if he puts a few men behind the ball then it’s game over for us
Good call Jen, enjoy your chanting on the Malverns.
A voice just told me 0-1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_iKg7nutNY&hd=1
CCCOOOOMMMEEEE OOOONNNN VVVVILLLLAAAA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great piece Frem….leaving for the City now…
H All
Massive game indeed as it looks lke our only realistic chance of these players saving the club from the drop
Hopefully the lads will play out of there skins for the club today and the managers selections,formations and game plan will not hold the team down so much that they struggle just to play
Not at all confindent but hanging on to hope
COYVB
Frem,
Lamberts version,
Och, tutt tut, Och, Billy Connelly, deep fried mars bars, mumble, mumble, mumble, i love westy, och over to you sid, mumble, mumble, as long as i get paid, mumble, where the fucks that Culverarse gone, och.
Morning all
I went to a military reunion last night at the Nautical club in Ladywood, got absolutely clattered, so I’m going for a hair of the dog, will pop in the Social after for a swift half .
We simply have to win, let’s hope Bolton fuck over the blue scum, and we can all breathe easier, onwards and upwards UTV SOTC
Steamer – I’m not going chanting – it hasn’t come to that yet 🙂 Was invited but maybe that is the answer if we lose today.
Frem – I can’t understand PL choosing this week to announce that the team is not good enough and need better players. It’s not a great motivator is it for our lads. The DM sports correspondent reported yesterday that the AV players hated training as it was all long ball boring stuff. It must be difficult for them knowing that the Manager has lost faith in them and they haven’t been trained properly. They’re caught in the cross fire with Manager falling out with his coaches and the fans. (which they haven’t helped to be fair). If they don’t give 100 per cent then they deserve the criticism. I have a feeling they will give it their all.
Wet Spam 2 up v Spuds – anything can happen – reminds me of an old tv series!
Be positive and hope for the best – there’s a dichotomy!!
PS Hi Jenny – 40 degrees here!!
5 at the back. 3 in midfield at home
No Tonev or Helenius on the bench. Sylla, KEA, Bowery and Holt are
Hopefully Lambert won’t be seen st Villa Park again. Just look at the squad he’s made in 2 years
The Scum survive. Gutting. Probably be us who drop now
Amazing finish by the Blue Noses.
I’m glad they’re not relegated.
Sat up in the Holte now. Fair few people here already but honestly, never seen so many sad faces.
Not exactly a good team im sort of past caring now just get the 3 points betrand playing cm ?? its bben a miserable few years,Hull are safe no pressure on them Brucey would take a draw get Robinson on at ht for Weimann and I think we will have them
Nice header from Carrol and and Downings fk makes it 2-0 against 10 man Spurs.
Good for them.
Baker and bowery may be the two most inept players in the league and they are on the team again today. Helenius must be absolutely abysmal in practice to never see play time. How can bowery continue to get the nod over him. What a terrible squad and formation. Feeling really silly that I supported Lambert so long
Albri and vlaar are the only player I want to see wearing Claret and blue next year. (And cb of course). The rest just aren’t good enough. I will take delph if he plays how he did the first 25 games. Where did he go?
Good start well played by GABBY
I knew Bowery had goals in him, well done Jordan!
Two towering headers by baker! Where was this from weimann for the rest of the season?
Bowery has done himself proud today(sarcasm removed)!
Good for Weimann. About time, though.
Bowery is playing well apart from the og, which was unlucky.
Keep it up Villa.
Replay shows clearly hull goal was offside. Thrilled at the match is going but also mad. If we play with this tenacity each week We have more pts than soton or nufc. Weimman need more skill but his hardwirk deserves this every once in a while
Hooray! We’re finally friggin safe.
Bowery and Weimann, eh? What a surprisingly effective combination.
Just goes to show that no matter the formation, positive pressing and movement is crucial to us playing well and on the few occasions we’ve done it this season we’ve either won or drawn with better opposition. Hull epitomise the clubs in the bottom 10, they’re okay and they’ve got a style but it’s nothing major. If we played like that against all similar clubs we’d never be in this position and that falls on Lambert, the coaches and the players. Despite pretty much guaranteed safety this all needs to be evaluated within the club, cut the fat and move on. Hopefully that’s under new stewardship, a new board of directors, a new manager, a new coaching team and the necessary tweaks to the playing staff.
Well done the lads today – finally it is almost impossible for us to go down
We will hopefully find out in the coming weeks exactly what the future holds for the club
Don’t want to say I told you so but I did all over by 5pm
Well done, yes.
But Hull did not really shape up and Villa just had that bit more energy today.
Villa scrapped for that 2nd goal, though and it was well-deserved. Bowery looks better than what the critics have said.
Well done Bowery and weimann stepped up today. Over to you randy what’s it to be ?
Josh,
Well said!
Thank fuck it’s over
Well done Bowery. Excellent today.
Hopefully Thsts the last time we see Lambert. Awful manager. Killed the second half
New owner and manager now
Cant believe Bowery. Was fantastic. Ran the channels. Shown Gabby how it’s done. Wiemann poachers goal, like he is. Albri is a winger, no AM
Hopefully Randy sells up now
Same could be said for a lot of the players not just Bowery — They have struggled to perform and develop under Lambert and his crew
None of them are world beaters but they should have had a much better season and enjoyed polayer for this club — clearly that has not been the case
playing –soz
Finally, there goal was an utter joke. Summed our season up. Basic football
Thank Fook for that for another season – please please please can we have a proper season of transition!
Well we’ve finally done it, in my 32 years on this planet I’ve never been so glad to see the back of a season. It’s been an emotional roller coaster both on the pitch , off it , in the media and on here but I’m glad I experienced it with you Villa lifers without sounding like a broken record Lerner please please sell the club and Weimann hold your lugs out the next time you send 5 shots into row Z you clown.
Frem, it’s hard to get the basics right when their player is offside. Should’ve been 3-0 and Hull were awful apart from chances from the usual mistakes from Villa defenders.
Liam
Spot on with weimann
Can’t believe how good we looked today. Even bowery. Furthermore albri clearly not as effective as he is in the wing. Wed v city should be 4-4-2 with bowery and aw up front with albri on wing
Utv!
Couldn’t see the game so was following goals on twitter and had to look twice as I thought I’d misread the score . A big relief and it sounds like they did give their all today. What was the lap of honour like Frem ?
I agree Josh’s comment spot on ,
Fair enough. Couldn’t see he was off side from the Holte
Hopefully Lambert won’t BS now and say it’s been an excellent season. Hopefully for once he’s truthful and says his goodbyes
So does Pat Murphy know something or is he speculating?\On radio 5 he said now Villa are safe the real work starts over the next couple of weeks……
I thought Lambert’s post match interview was telling. He was asked about his conversation with a fan in a wheelchair and said that ‘it puts things in perspective’. That little comment just showed how much pressure he’s been feeling.
Any lifers in the social?!??
In retrospect, maybe we didn’t bring in too many strikers after all. With Benteke, Kozac and Gabby all off injured we were able to bring on Bowery (note….not Holt). I’m sure everyone felt like me that we’d struggle from then on but ‘Thank you’ Bowery. He really stepped up, showed real composure to lay on Weimann for his second, his positioning was generally good, he was winning flick ons and he could easily have scored himself. Good on him!
It seems we didn’t buy too many strikers after all. With Benteke, Kozac and Gabby all injured on comes Bowery (note…not Holt). At that point I’m sure all our hearts sank, but credit to him he was great today. He showed great composure to lay on Weimann’s goal, his positional play was very good, he won several flick ons and on another day could easily have scored for himself.
Well done lad!
I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Lambert at the end of the game today (I know most will disagree with me).
He directed the players towards the Holte end at the end of the game and walked off the pitch to leave them to take the plaudits.
It was hard not to think that’s the last time we’ll see him in the villa dugout.
One day I think he’ll be judged less harshly than he is now.
Our financial position was desperate: wages over 80% of income; annual loss of over £50m. We are possibly back into profit and wages are now back under control and he’s kept us up with a hugely cheaper squad.
I’m not suggesting he’s the man to take us forward, but he’s put us in the position where this may again be possible
So good to se everyone in agreement over Bowery today, and nice for the lad to hear the Holte End chant his name. Weimanncame good at last, and now may be he will get a couple of more goals before the season ends. It would be great to give City and Spurs a run for their money now we are safe. It will also ensure we end up above West Brom.
Great to meet Brian little today and chat to him, one of my great heroes.
Where the f**k are my comments again….
Lambert says you can be harshly criticized at Villa. Twat. 12 Home defeats, crap away record, crap football, crap signings. Not harsh
Hopefully he will never be in our dugout again
For example, where are Helenius and Tonev? Surely can only be better than Sylla, Holt and KEA on our bench? another load of tosh signings
Westwood was excellent today. We have some decent players in Delph, Westy and Benteke. Need a new owner and manager. Step Grealish, RRobinson, Carruthers and Donacian up next season
Larry Ellison being mentioned again
” I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Lambert at the end of the game today (I know most will disagree with me).
He directed the players towards the Holte end at the end of the game and walked off the pitch to leave them to take the plaudits.”
I thought he was going to come over to Holte and clap and wave like a tactical genius, but thankfully he just walked away down the tunnel. Notice no Paul Lambert songs from anywhere in the stadium. His time is up. Not many people stayed for the lap of shame. Says it all about this season.
Not being negative , but we are celebrating escaping relegation. That’s great of course , but it does not right the wrongs of the last two seasons . Just hope RL does not get carried away congratulating himself for staying up on the cheap : big changes are still needed . Glad to hear the lads showing promise today . Maybe we can thank Sid for this as he is takjng training and maybe having a greater input than we think .
My friend went as per usual and Ian Taylor was in the box behind him – he said the holte started singing his name – and he looked quite embarrassed . Nice touch from the fans that .
Robbo – Pat Murphy knows as much as us I reckon – Im not sure PL knows much more either . Matt Kendrick wrote similar in Bham Mail tonight
“Today’s result was long overdue but it is hardly a cause for celebration, even though the claret and blue masses proved what a vibrant place this can be.”
He goes on to say the club need to make it’s intentions clear about owner and manager .
Just seen pics of Ian Taylor on twitter. Hshaha – didn’t look embarrassed to me – he looked like he was Julius Caeaar addressing his people – brilliant Tayls – love him
At ease ….. and relax!
Even the lower Holte were stood up all match – yes hull were playing in flip flops but hey!
Yipee i yo yipee i yeah….
If you’re all going to citeh ….clap your hands….
UTV!!
Hi all, just got back from the brum…been celebrating…forgive any spellings as I am rather squiffy!
A really good result, for me even though he scored an own goal I thought Bowery deserved man of the match, I would give him another season to see what he has to offer but of course if we have funds these appearances would be from the bench. Now Mr Lerner either fuck off or get your cheque book out…night all probably fall asleep watching match of the day.
Wow. 3 points at home, what a rare treat.
Interesting summer ahead, whether we are bought or not.
Anyone else think its no coincidence Weimann looks a different player when playing up top rather than stuck out in the channels? Shame its taken Lambert 36 games to realise.
Well, we’ve stumbled our way to survival once again.
If you are in an annual relegation battle season after season the trap door eventually stays open and you fall through.
At least it will be interesting over the coming weeks/months to find out exactly what direction the club intend going.
One thing for sure, if there is no change relegation will not be a possibility, it will be a certainty.
Muz
Exactly mate, we and the chiefs upstairs at Villa need to remember that.
Weimann and Gabby are strikers not wingers. Also, Albri is a winger not a 10. Though, he made the odd mistake, actually one could have cost a goal, Clark did pretty well playing in the middle, he helped Bertrand out a lot. Albri did the same for Lowton, who did well considering his lack of match play.
I hope Bertrand stays. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t keep Kyle Walker a couple of years ago.
I was at the game. A good performance but Hull were awful. There was only one team up for that game.
The next few weeks should be interesting because if there is a sale in the offing, then things can get moving now.
The Droyd,
Agree, Hull looked very poor, but, the only thing that mattered yesterday was the result.
Now, without doubt, big changes are required within the club, we cannot continue as we are without major repercussions.
Weimann did look a different player but that doesn’t excuse the dozen or so glaring misses by him this season. The goals the same size wherever you play. Maybe being the focus helped him
Now that we are safe. I’m ready to think about new kits for next year. Anybody remember this little hoax.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-new-kit-picture-180398
I would have loved it. A little more yellow from the lion on the crest would do the uniform good I think, at least as an away kit
GG
Can’t help you mate gok whan I’m not
Matt
Have noticed that if you add a smiley everything you write afterwards doesn’t post . Also still have to refresh the page after posting to get the comments back and then scroll to numbers at the bottom to get to the latest comments up
Mark,
Yes, you’re generally right on Weimann, though he had some very bad luck with some goal attempts as well. Do you remember that keeper’s save after Weimann came on as a sub at Cardiff (just one example).
I agree john but he does tend to try and take the net out when he shoots instead of a clinical finish if you like. You could probably level the same against gabby and tekkers this season though. It has cost us dear
Oh you have to laugh
http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Darren-Bent-left-egg-face-Fulham-relegation/story-21055220-detail/story.html?
I actually feel really sorry for Bent. He hasn’t done anything wrong. he saved us when he got the service, then we apportioned what we thought was the most anti football manager around, until Lambert shown what he’s made off.
Maybe with a new owner and manager, and better players out wide he can score goals again with Benteke ??
As Bruce said, Hull were thinking about the FA cup. They were poor, but it’s he only way we can win a game. Jordon Bowery was the real positive from yesterday. A league 2 stinker shown Gabby how you play up top
Its nice to be safe. Can watch Norwich and WBA and relax now and hope WBA get slaughtered
Here is to a a new and bright future for AVFC
It was nice to see Wiemann’s poaching skills again. probably be stuck out wide now. Westwood was very good in CM.
Players to keep next season- Benteke, Delph, Westy, Vlaar, Bowery 😉 Maybe a few others. Maybe
Dear oh dear, you’d think Bowery was the new Diego Costa, one goal in two years and an og at that, we really do require a massive upturn in expectation from the support as well as the club.
I think Nathan Baker deserves some credit for his performance yesterday, still a kid for a CD, playing with crepe with a joke manager, ok, he makes mistakes but he can develop under the right guidance.
I agree Steamer . The OS and PL hailing Weimann as a a brilliant striker now. One good game doesn’t make him a good striker and as far as I’m concerned Lambert can take him with him wherever he goes. Again he insulted the fans by cupping his hands to his ears and didn’t come out to thank the fans after the game. Obviously I wasn’t there , but my friend was and said there was no mistaking Weimann’s celebration.
I agree too. Weimann still has a lot to prove. He’s got to score and play better consistently. Good on Bowery for rising to the occasion, might make a good squad reserve, yet.
Kind of want Norwich to Win so WBA can still go down.
I’ve read before Wiemann thinks he’s all this and that. You can tell. He’s crap really, and if he doesn’t appreciate the fans then he fuck off and rot in league 2 for all I care
The PR crap has to be sorted out next season to. The OS is unbelievable.
Hopefully news of the take over, or no take over will come out soon
6 goals he’s scored and he probably thinks he’s on the way to Spurs now. Ignorant twat
Weimans got a head like a bucket since he got in the 1st team, still, i doubt if he’ll be here in another two years, when the new regime takes over i would expect 99% of the players to be shifted.
Heard yesterday that Helenious was told months ago that he wouldn’t play in the 1st team again, another one of Lamberts lies to add to the already lengthy list.
Judging by his body language yesterday he’ll be on his bike, 15 months too late, Chubby apparently is trying to worm his way into the FA where his complete lack of football nous should stand him in good stead and Lerner can just lounge in his cupboard / cell on Long Island counting his daily ration of M&M’s, good riddance to the three of them.
if someone finds my head can you get it to me please , its probably , in the sacred heart club , the holte suite , holte pub , the social , the old royal or Manzils , please help, , B62 , great to catch up yesterday mate also caught Ged in the sacred heart ,
well seems were up for another season ,but l couldnt take another shite season with mumbles in charge ,
B62 . the bloke Camden l introduced to you , a little tale from a funeral last week , the lad who died was a mad villa fan and his mom said she wants it colourful and you can wear your teams colours , well during the day a nose came upto him and said”its great this init blues and villa fans happy together and getting on ” camden said “the day aint over yet !!” he has his moments , gonna try and sort something about going to see Mark and his band so will be in touch ,
got to admit , that Holte pub seems a boring place , hour after the game and its empty ,