Premier League Archive

Preview: Aston Villa v Manchester United

By
Stuart
Published: February 10, 2010Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Preview: Aston Villa v Manchester United

What a game we have at Villa Park tonight, a Carling Cup Final Preview, Aston Villa vrs Manchester United.

Since Villa’s historic win up at Old Trafford earlier in the season Manchester United have only lost one league game since, and that was away at Craven Cottage.

While Villa on the other hand look solid at the back at the moment, with four clean sheets in the last four games.

Teamnews for Villa see’s Emile Heskey very doubtful with a groin problem which could see a start for John Carew, while Stephen Warnock is still out.

I wish i could say for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney is suspended but it simple isnt the case. The only player they are missing is Rio Ferdinand who will be serving his third game from his four match ban. Nemanja Vidic could play some part and play his first game in 2010.

If Villa manage a victory over the Red Devils it will be there first League double over Alex Ferguson’s side in 55 years.

Its going to be a very hard game and when you have in my opinion the best player in the World in your side, in Wayne Rooney anything is possible.

AVILLAFAN.COM Prediction: Draw

Preview: Tottenham v Aston Villa

By
Stuart
Published: February 6, 2010Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Preview: Tottenham v Aston Villa

Villa head down to North London today to take on Spurs in the 5.30pm kick off at White Hart Lane. For all those who don’t already know, the game is live on ESPN.

The race for the top four is really starting to hot up now with four teams all chasing the forth spot, and in Spurs and Villa, two of them take on eachother today.

The two sides met earlier on in the season and it ended up as a 2-2 draw at Villa Park.

Spurs boast a impressive home form this season which includes clean sheets in each of there last six home fixtures while Villa have won three of there last four games on the road.

Tottenham have Eidur Gudjohnson, Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker all in the squad and could play some part in the fixture. David Bentley will continue in the starting line up at the expense of injured Aarron Lennon, while Luka Modric is looking for force is way back into the starting eleven.

Villa will welcome back John Carew who has missed the last four games with a knee injury, and he should start on the bench. Stiliyan Petrov is also likely to start despite a Achilles injury.

Stephen Warnock is the only real doubt as he is still struggling with a shin injury. Wilfred Bouma played 90 minutes in mid-week, but still doesn’t find himself on the bench as Martin O’Neill doesnt want him to rush back.

Going to be a good game with two sides who are very good at the back of late and also enjoy attacking football. This is a game that Villa must win if they want to really push for a top four spot and could climb above Spurs with a win this evening.

SKYBET Odds: Tottenham 11/10, Aston Villa 5/2, Draw 12/5

Avillafan.com Prediction: Draw.

Preview: Fulham v Aston Villa

By
Stuart
Published: January 30, 2010Tags: , , , , , ,
Preview: Fulham v Aston Villa

Aston Villa travel to Craven Cottage this afternoon becoming Fulhams first opponents at Craven Cottage in 2010. The Londoners have gone ten games unbeaten at home, so this won’t be no easy fixture for Villa.

Villa, without a win or a goal in four games but im sure they will be looking to put that right. While Fulham havent won a game in five.

Teamnews for the homeside still see’s them without the likes of Andy Johnson, Clint Dempsey, Paul Konchesky and John Panstil. However, Bobby Zamora and Simon Davis will step up there comebacks and should play some part in the game.

Martin O’Neill will keep faith in his side that drawed at home with Arsenal in mid-week, as John Carew and Stephen Warnock are still ruled out. While Nigel Reo-Coker was ruled out for three months earlier in the week.

This wont be no easy game for either side and both will want to stop the rot in there recent league form.

Avillafan.com Prediction: Away win (1-2)

Preview: Villa v West Ham

By
Stuart
Published: January 16, 2010Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Preview: Villa v West Ham

Aston Villa welcome Gianfranco Zola’s relegation fighting West Ham side to Villa Park tomorrow as they look to take revenge on the defeat they suffered at Upton Park earlier in the season.

Villa, are currently on a high after getting there one foot in the Wembley door after Thursday’s win over Blackburn at Ewood Park although Villa havent won in two league games after defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal.

Brad Friedel will be recalled after sitting out Thursdays nights game, and Luke Young could replace James Collins in the side as Carlos Cueller will move back into the center.

West Ham on the other hand will be looking to avoid there fourth defeat on the bounce away from home. Zola has no first team strikers at his disposal so Freddy Sears and Frank Nouble are both on line for starts.

This is a big game for Villa, its important we get three points in the league after seeing Liverpool and Tottenham both drop points in the league today.

Avillafan Prediction: Home win.

Milner to get pay rise.

By
Stuart
Published: January 10, 2010Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Milner to get pay rise.

Reports in the News of the World are today reporting that England international and my player of the season so far James Milner will be getting a pay rise for his top form so far this season and to fend any interest of from other clubs.

The winger is currently on around 40,000 a week in wages at the moment with 2 years remaining on his deal that runs out in 2012. However, Villa are expected to offer him a new three year extension reportedly worth around 75,000 a week.

Jimmy, as had a wonderful season so far, making his debut back at the start of the season for England in a friendly against Holland and a string of fine performances in the league for Villa including in wins against Liverpool at Anfield and Man United at Old Trafford.

If you read the article it goes on to talk about his ‘reprasentatives’, which then makes me wonder how much truth is in this story as i am lead to believe that James Milner has always negotiated his own deals with no advice.

Theres no doubt that he should be the clubs highest paid player, specially seeing as he is the clubs best player. Negotiations are expected in early February so we will soon find out.

On another note, with the majority of the Premier League getting called off yesterday, weather reports now expect around 10cm of snow in the Midlands over the next 2-3 days so keep your ears open about the game at Blackburn on Thursday night.