Here we go again, it’s been only 48 hours since the last round of Premier League fixtures. Don’t you just love festive fixtures? You might if you’re not an Aston Villa fan. Villa are yet to win in four Premier League games and have since suffered defeats to Fulham, Man. Utd, Stoke and Crystal Palace. From those four fixtures Villa have only scored once.
Things aren’t to merry in Wales either, Swansea are failing to replicate their form of last season. The added pressure of Europa League has seen the Welsh team winless in their last five fixtures. Swansea are a point above Villa and both teams will be eager to get some much needed points on the table.
Team News:
Aston Villa are still without striker Christian Benteke and key defender Ron Vlaar. Ashley Westwood will be available following a suspension.
Michael Laudrup has already announced he plans on making major changes to the team that lost to Chelsea in the midweek. Striker Michu, midfielder Nathan Dyer (both ankle), Michel Vorm (knee) missed the boxing day fixture against Chelsea and will likely miss out again. Leon Britton is fit again following a broken toe and is set to feature.
Match Facts:
Swansea have lost eight of their nine previous league trips to Villa Park (W1), failing to score in all eight defeats.
Aston Villa have won only seven points in their nine Premier League home games this season (W2 D1 L6) – no side has won fewer (Fulham and Sunderland also with seven).
The Villans have not lost five successive Premier League matches since January 2001 (the only time it has happened to them in the PL previously)
Aston Villa have scored just one first half goal in their last 13 Premier League games, and have not scored a single first half goal at home this season.
Aston Villa have failed to score in five of their last six Barclays Premier League home games.
Predicted Lineups:
Guzan
Lowton-Baker-Clark-Bacuna
Westwood-Delph
Albrighton-Tonev-Agbonlahor
Kozak
Bony
Routledge-Shelvey-Hernandez
Britton-De Guzman
Taylor-Williams-Chico-Rangel
Tremmel
Match Prediction:
Aston Villa 0-2 Swansea
I’ve lost all faith in the team, I tried to be positive but it’s so difficult. I reckon both teams will change their starting 11’s by a large extent. So I’m fairly confident I predicted both sides wrong. Either way, Swansea have a great team and like all away teams will feel as though they can snatch the three points. And that’s a major problem for Villa. All away teams will be coming to Villa Park with a psychological advantage over the home side. I want Villa to win, and they could, but deep down I wouldn’t be surprised if we lost yet again.
