Aston Villa travel up to Ewood Park this afternoon hoping to take a full three points from rival strugglers Blackburn Rovers, with both managers increasingly under fire.
The term “must win” has become something of a repetitive trite phrase in recent years, but the game is very much in that vein with the encounter promising to be every bit the six-pointer it should be. So knowing Villa, it’ll probably end up being a goalless draw though. OK, I jest.
Villa’s team carry few injuries with skipper Stiliyan Petrov available for selection after recovering from a thigh injury. Darren Bent, one of the few casualties currently on the Villa treatment table will likely be replaced by Gabriel Agbonlahor, with perpetual erratic performer Stephen Ireland likely to line up behind the Birmingham-born number 11. Alan Hutton (hamstring) and James Collins (knee) both should be available after missing mid-week matches with their respective countries.
Blackburn have a strong squad to pick from with Martin Olsson the only casualty of injury, although both Gael Givet and Jason Lowe are ruled out through suspension.
Turvey’s Thought
With pressure mounting for both managers, Alex McLeish and Steve Kean will need a result, and it would benefit both men to go for the win considering their current predicaments. For Villa, the situation isn’t quite so bad in comparison to Blackburn’s plight, but failure to take all three points would still leave Villa in a difficult situation. Winning the game, however, could propel the Midlands team up to 13th at best, but the likelihood is that Villa will probably remain in their exact position unless they can better closest rivals Swansea’s result.
Ideally, McLeish would set up in order to take an emphatic win, especially considering the lowly position of Blackburn, but a 0-0 draw against rock bottom club Wigan Athletic was far from what the club needed, and fans who were openly mutinous at the DW Stadium will be expecting a win and a performance to go with it.
Realistically the game should involve scoring at both ends, as both teams attempt to make the most of the situation. Villa’s defence will need to look out for both Yakubu and Morten Gamst Pedersen as both have dangerous ability when playing well.
In light of the need to win, I’m going to go for a 2-1 or a 3-2 win for Villa, although much will depend on which team turns up on the day. Will Villa turn a corner at last, or will it be another continuation of past frustations?
Match Statistics
The following statistics are provided courtesy of Opta:
This will be the 11th meeting in all competitions between Blackburn and Aston Villa in the last two and a half seasons.
Morten Gamst Pedersen has scored three goals in the last three Premier League games between Rovers and Villa.
Gabriel Agbonlahor has scored four goals in his last six Premier League games against Blackburn.
Darren Bent has scored four goals in his last five Premier League games against Rovers.
Blackburn haven’t drawn a Premier League game at Ewood Park this season (W4 L9).
Aston Villa have conceded the joint-most goals from corners (11) along with Bolton.
Emile Heskey has scored more Premier League goals against Blackburn than any other side (8).
Blackburn have gone 29 Premier League games without a clean sheet, just five games shy of the record of 34 set by West Brom.
Blackburn are one of six Premier League teams who have yet to win back to back Premier League home matches this season (along with Aston Villa)..
Villa have won just one of their last seven Premier League games, but have lost just one of their last seven away from home.
The Author
