BOLTON V VILLA PREVIEW
Contributed by Korben O’Brien | Join The Team | Editor: Dan Rogers
LAST TIME OUT
Villa pulled off an eighth straight victory to step up our promotion bid with a richly-deserved victory against fellow play- off chasers Bristol City.
Tammy Abraham opened the scoring when he converted his spot kick for his 24th goal of the season and Conor Hourihane doubled the lead before Famara Diedhiou reduced the deficit.
REFLECTION
Dean Smith’s men were twice desperately unlucky not to take the lead in the opening period.
Albert Adomah sent a header against the inside of the near post after Anwar El Ghazi’s fierce drive had been fisted out by City ‘keeper Max O’Leary.
EIGHT IN A ROW
Dean Smith’s men have now reeled off eight consecutive league victories, a feat not achieved by a Villa team since Ron Saunders men won eight straight games on their way to promotion in 1975.
The question now is can they better it by making it nine on the trot by collecting three points vs Bolton?
VILLA PARK ROCKING
There’s no doubt about, there’s nothing to match a full house at Villa Park. The attendance of 41,418 was our highest of the season just seven more than the turn out against Leeds United in December and the place was really rocking.
The atmosphere certainly lifted Villa’s players on a day when Jack Grealish and Tyrone Mings were missing through illness and suspension respectively.
Injury updatE
Tammy Abraham and Jack Grealish are fit for the Bolton Wanderers clash.
Jonathan Kodjia is unlikely to face the trotters but should be available to face Millwall on Monday. Abraham came off in the win over Bristol City late on as a result of tightness in his hamstring.
Grealish was absent for the Robins clash due to illness, whilst Kodjia, who scored in the preceding game at Rotherham United, was also missing due to a rib issue.
OPPOSITION
Villa face a Bolton Wanderers side who have won two out of their last eight Championship games. They’ve also won just one of their last eight at home.
They look doomed for relegation and are in the midst of severe financial problems that have disenfranchised their supporters from the club.
Indeed, the Trotters incredible levels of debt, lack of income and collapse in form have all conspired to see that the likely outcome of today’s game is relegation to League 1. A late takeover will do nothing, it seems, to prevent this.
PREDICTIONS
Korben’s Prediction:
My prediction is that it is going to be another tough game but i think that Villa will be too strong and have too much quality. Villa will pick up all three points against Bolton and will gain more momentum.
Bolton 0-4 Villa – with Anwar El Ghazi and McGinn scoring for Villa.
Villa Underground Prediction:
Bolton are in a dreadful spot, not just in the league, but as a football club. Many will reflect upon Villa’s perilous financial position following the revelations that the club was heavily indebted after the failure to get promoted last season. The mood of each set of supporters will be very as Villa look to secure a remarkable ninth straight win. Given Bolton’s woes and our rampant attack, it would be even the more remarkable should we fail to achieve it.
Bolton 0-4 Aston Villa – with goals for Hourihane, Abraham & Green.
Key Facts
- Bolton have lost eight of their last 10 championship games
- Bolton form have won two of their last 8.
- Bolton have just one win in 8 at home: lowest in Championship.
- Aston Villa form (last 9) – DWWWWWWWW
- Villa are top of the away form table based on the last 4 games.
- Aston Villa league position – (5th) ( 69 points)
- Bolton league position – ( 23rd) ( 32 points)
- Aston Villa are looking to win the 9th consecutive game for the first time since 1910