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Preview: Derby (v) Villa – & – Listen to the latest PODCAST!

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It’s that time of week again and the games truly are coming thick and fast now.

We go into our fourth game of the campaign after overcoming an opening day defeat to Sheffield Wednesday by defeating Rotherham with ease.  

Whilst our optimism was certainly stifled by the calamitous late Huddersfield equaliser midweek, Villa can go into the fixture with a renewed sense of optimism.

The signings of McCormack and Chester have brought a much needed change of personnel to a side previously looking decidedly ropey.  What McCormack has brought in threat has been instantly mirrored by Chester slotting in alongside Elphick.

Indeed, the latest addition of Mile Jedinak injects an immediate solidity to an extremely lightweight midfield.

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Derby have had mixed fortunes already this term under new manager Nigel Pearson.

Pearson, who was widely tipped for the Villa job prior to Xia’s purchase of the Villa, has struggled to fully ignite The Rams’ season as yet.  However, they will be buoyed having secured a first victory of the campaign over Preston in midweek. 

The game may see a return for peripheral figure Darren Bent but Austrian international Andi Weimann is out injured until mid-September.

A notable stat is the hosts lack of goals, managing just a solitary strike in 270 minutes.  This may point towards their reported moves for Manchester United’s 20 year old forward James Wilson on loan.

Whilst we certainly remain an unpredictable and unfinished outfit, there has been enough on show over the last two games to suggest that progress is afoot.

Key to any success at Pride Park will be taking our chances and being more composed whilst under sustained pressure.  

Further, Italian rookie goalkeeper Gollini will inevitably be under scrutiny after separate errors lead to goals at Hillsborough & Villa Park.

With that said, if Villa can combine the threats of Ayew, Grealish, McCormack & Gestede, then hopefully we should have too much firepower to hand.

Prediction:

2-0 to Villa.

Kick off 5:30pm – Saturday 20th August at Pride Park.

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