Given Villa’s predicament, it would be natural to suggest that every single match is one that we must win, or at least gain a point from. Indeed, this policy should be and often is the fundamental of sport—always aim to win—but there is a very real danger of relegation for Aston Villa this season if games like Saturday’s are squandered.
I wrote a few weeks ago about my very first Villa game, a famous 3-2 victory over Arsenal in early December of 1998. This was something extraordinary, not only in the sense that we came back from a two-goal deficit, nor just in that we defeated a side as talented as Arsenal, but rather in consideration of the lamentable record that Villa has during almost every December over the last 15 years, with the last three years being particularly poor.
Historically, or in terms of the Premier League, December has often been the month during which we have stumbled, stuttered and lost momentum. Admittedly, triumph in one match against Reading, though very important, is scarcely representative of momentum, but even so, it is vital that the side builds upon that result if we are to boost ourselves away from danger and equally force those jostling to avoid the drop towards it.
Factor in the brand-new, frighteningly experienced head of Harry Redknapp at the QPR helm, and it is quite apparent that we will be in for a tough game on the first day of 2012’s final month. Redknapp’s record against Villa is also devastating, and as one of the finest motivators in the English game, the prospect of coming up against one of his sides is concerning enough, let alone the fact this is the start of his Queens Park Rangers career and therefore the commencement of the honeymoon period for them.
In short, Villa cannot allow this game to be that for their opponents on Saturday.
Lambert has made clear his position on Darren Bent, who has been a shadow looming over the Villa selection policy for a number of weeks now, and with Benteke leading the line well, it is important to maintain some consistency with him, Weimann and Agbonlahor playing regularly.
There are still question marks over the midfield, which appears to lack any real quality, quite frankly. Reports that the game against Reading was of Championship standard were not far off, and it is down to the likes of Stephen Ireland—who was impressive on Tuesday—to lead those around him.
In defence, the clean sheet against Reading is a big bonus, given that our dire goal difference is predominantly due to a shaky back four. If we can maintain composure at the back, we have a very good chance of beating QPR, who have been simply woeful all season. It would be a grave error to be the first side defeated by the Londoners when we travel there this weekend, allowing yet another team to drag us into the battle at the bottom.
In truth, I expect a draw in this game. Lambert will be well prepared for the game, expectant of QPR’s new-manager-invoked buoyancy, and will instill a desire in the players to fight for the result. It will be a tough game, but then we often perform at our best when we our challenged.
The month of December could yet be our most difficult of this turbulent campaign and not least because it is jam-packed with seven matches. There are plenty of precious points available, but with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham to face, our standard will have to be higher. By the same token, we will play a number of beatable teams, with home fixtures against Stoke and Wigan as well as an away tie at Norwich. Those are games that we must win if we are to avoid the drop.
A principal concern must surely be the inexperience in the squad, which has at times proved problematic this season, while taking certain opponents by surprise. In addition, the squad is rather thin, which could serve to damage our chances of having any consistent success in December. Nevertheless, the team is growing into itself, with the youngsters gelling together to make a side that has the capacity to topple most teams in the league.
For once, this month must be the one in which we launch our season, rather than see it falter. We begin at Loftus Road.
The Author
