Another week and another positive performance from the team. Coming away with a 1-1, but slightly disheartened, felt odd. How dear a win would have been; we played well and deserved three points, but came away with one – and that one may prove vital. Next up, though, comes champions-in-waiting, Manchester United, with a chance they will be trying to wrap up the league in front of their home crowd with games to spare.

Thankfully, before all this, QPR take on Stoke at home, in what must be last chance saloon for them. Wigan face Manchester City, and Mancini will not be letting his team give up the chase. Sunderland entertain an always physically competitive Everton, who have their own personal battle going on at the top. Do not discount them yet. And Newcastle could be dragged yet deeper visiting the Baggies – not to Mention Wigan again facing a tough trip to West Ham.

So, fingers crossed we’ll still be sat outside of the relegation zone by the time we take the field for out usual pasting at Old Trafford.

This young team has either performed at the top of their game or crumpled under the pressure of facing “big clubs” this season. On our recent form, I am hoping for the Villa team that tore City and Liverpool a new one; not the other, less desirable, abject performances.

A good start is key. It says it all: we don’t have to score first, just get a foothold.

Contain Van Persie, compact the midfield, work tirelessly, and pose some sort of a threat. We could do with Gabby back and Delph managing to score his second league goal for Villa – this time at the right end. He’s still got a lot to offer; wish you could bottle confidence and dose him up. I assume 4-5-1, with Baker, Clark, Vlaar and Lowton. The Beast up top, and everyone else where ever they need to be. Sylla will probably get the nod too, I suspect with Westwood.

It may be the late hour that I have chosen to write this, but I just can’t help feel United will have an off day. I also feel we’re due a god day; second balls bounce to us, free kicks go our way (asking a lot at Old Trafford, I know), and we get the rub of the green. More important than all of that, though, is that Guzan plays a blinder and I am sure we can get something. Another point at OT,  and if Everton do us a favour and beat (in both senses of the word) Sunderland, then we can ride a huge wave of confidence into the home game with Sunderland and sit back and enjoy the Beast of Belgium knocking down those facist Mackems.

It is still in our own hands. Beat Sunderland and Wigan, and we stay up. I’d just rather I didn’t have to go through the last day. I don’t think I could take it after this season, knowing I could never see Benteke in a Villa shirt again. Oh, and Villa going down would be bad too.

The future though is bright; but, the present must keep the oils burning…

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