Last season’s 6-1 victory over Sunderland spurred on Villa’s survival efforts. Today it’s a rather different story for Aston Villa but a similar story for Sunderland. Aston Villa are currently in mid-table and now have the opportunity to climb into the top 10 with up and coming fixtures against teams around Aston Villa. Sunderland have improved under new manager Gus Poyet, they have been playing better and with more confidence. Yet their only win under Poyet have come at home and Sunderland are still struggling on the road without winning a single away game.
Team News:
Aston Villa welcomed back Delph, Weimann and Agbonlahor last game against West Brom. The trio may well start against Sunderland. Meanwhile Antonio Luna and Gary Gardner have resumed training. Okore, N’Zogbia and Bennett remain long-term causalities. Marc Albrighton is back following a loan move to Wigan
Wes Brown’s red card has rightly been overturned and will return to the side. Dossena and Cattermole also return after serving a three-match ban. Former Villa player Carlos Cuellar is out with a hip-injury and keeper Kieran Westwood is struggling with a slight knock.
Match Facts:
Sunderland have won just one and lost 11 of their last 13 Barclays Premier League away games (D1).
There have been four red cards in the last three league meetings between Sunderland and Villa at Villa Park, with the Black Cats being given one in each game.
The Black Cats have lost their last five Premier League away games in a row and failed to score in the last four. The last time they went five away matches without scoring was in May 2009 (six games).
Predicted Lineups:
Guzan
Lowton-Vlaar-Baker-Clark
Bacuna-El Ahmadi-Westwood-Agbonlahor
Weimann-Benteke
Fletcher
Larsson-Giaccherini-Cattermole-Johnson
Ki
Dossena-Brown-O’Shea-Bardsley
Mannone
Predictions:
Aston Villa 2-0 Sunderland
Sunderland aren’t playing well and Aston Villa are playing better. Plus Lambert has so many players back from injury making our squad much stronger and our bench can now make an impact. Lambert will change the way we’ll play against Sunderland and surely we won’t be playing on the counter today. Squad-wise, the only surprise will be the inclusion of Lowton and exclusion of midfielder Delph following both Westwood’s and El Ahmadi’s goals.
We got a point we are 10th 4 points behind Spurs 16 points have to move forward from this game and try and beat Saints.A result is possible as we have beaten sky 4 teams this season……Moving on to the next game and go again UTV
Weird but I fancy us to get at least a draw v saints
Absolutely no excuses can be made, we simply shloud be scoring against the worst team in the league, ive seen them and palace play this season and palace are better side.
Cant believe we couldnt get even one goal. Not good enough. Boring viewing, no leader on the field and no evident game plan…again.
Positives, clean sheet and up to 10th (albeit six points from the relegation places).
Southampton will beat us next game and we probably wont score again. UTV
You on about my new thoughts post Bill?
It’s still there.
As for the attendance, I’d have guessed about 32k, so not far off, imo.
Agreed about the Sunderland turnout. Shame that, as they usually have a decent following.
Oops yep, sorry all. 🙂