MATCH PREVIEW
Given our form, another away fixture is perhaps the last thing that we need.
However, they say that in order to overcome your fears, you must face them. Boy, do we need to overcome our fear of winning away from home.
Villa slipped to 14th after a dismal midweek 3-0 drubbing at Brentford in what has become widely acknowledged as one of our more embarrassing displays.
Bruce won’t have had much times since Tuesday nights defeat, but any time is precious in getting the expensively assembled squad ticking quickly.
Much will lie in the formation.
Lack of options have hindered Bruce since he took over, particularly in his desire to permit Villa the prospect of playing a traditional 4-4-2.
Kodjia, greedy in part but also isolated, will likely see a partner in the form of Scott Hogan join him up front.
The big decision lies in midfield.
Bjarnason looked every bit a player that hadn’t played in 6 weeks. One would think that Jedinak’s fitness may be monitored, with Hourihane & Lansbury the logical supporting cast.
Bruce also has a big call with both full-backs who are now routinely targeted by opposition sides, such are their struggles defensively.
Hutton could easily make way for 19 year old James Bree. Amavi, whose form has collapsed, may provide new signing Neil Taylor an immediate opportunity in the side.
FOREST FACTS
- Ross McCormack ineligible to play under terms of loan deal.
- Aaron Tshibola ineligible to player under terms of loan deal also.
- Henri Lansbury eligible & is not suspended as thought.
- Forest remain manager-less.
- Forest sit 19th in the Championship.
- Forest have won 1 more game that Villa this season.
- Forest have scored 12 more goals than Villa this season.
- Forest have won 50% of their home games (7 of 14)
- Villa have won just 2 of 15 away games in 2016/17.
- Villa have scored just 7 times away – lowest in the division by 3.
- Forest fans have a planned march & protest ahead of the game against owner.
PREDICTIONS
Forest are in the midst are struggling on and off the pitch, which should really be something that Villa should be capitalising upon.
The pages of this website documented the dreadful deterioration of Aston Villa under the ownership of Randy Lerner. So it’s with some solidarity that we arrive at the City Ground. Forest have been in no man’s land for a number of years now, but the most recent debacles come at the hands of Fawaz Al Hasawi.
Football is being eroded and ruined club by club by individuals like this. Forest are just the latest victims. Where will it stop? Who knows. I hope for the fans of the club that positive change comes sooner rather than later.
In the confines of 90 minutes, Villa obviously arrive with improvements across the pitch on paper. The teamsheet must translate into results though.
Saturday represents a great opportunity to right all of the wrongs witnessed at Brentford and try to salvage something from the remainder of the season.
After the shambles at Brentford It’s a must win for everybody concerned, Bruce needs to get his team selection right, loose this game and despite what the Dr says Bruce has to come into question. Let’s hope Hogan hits the ground running.
I just hope Bruce doesn’t put every new signing on the pitch at the same time, as he did on Tuesday.