Morning All.
I have calmed down a lot since the result last week, but the fear and knowledge that our team is lacking has continued to haunt me all week. I’m going to be ruthlessly honest and say that I see this game as a do or don’t for the club. If we win, we will bounce back and the team could gain some acceleration as we are only 3 points away from 7th! But if we lose, I think that may be the first of many nails in the coffin which will ultimately secure our relegation. I have to be this blunt because the previous performances have shown nothing other than lack lusting and in the case of Everton, not even appearing. However, it has been pointed out numerous times from multiple people on this site and everywhere else – fans are fickle, and like the majority of fans, I would glad jump on the hype wagon if we pulled a couple of results off in a row. The only difference is that I will be well aware that this team needs a serious make over, and not a 60 minute one.
Right, the preview.
| STANDING | TEAM | GP | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 15 | AVFC | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -8 | 10 |
| 20 | QPR | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -20 | 4 |
If there is a team that is doing worse than Villa’s current form, then it is QPR. They have less points, a worse goal difference but have scored 2 more goals during their struggle. They are also currently in the middle of an injury crisis with 8 injuries! The following players are set to have late fitness checkups today (injury updates found here)
N Kranjcar
R Ferdinand
S Ranieri
N Onuoha
I personally want QPR to suffer as much as they can for this game because we need the result, but that isn’t how these little fixtures turn out really. We have a set habit of being the turn around team for others and we really need to break this habit. I do not want us to be the game that saves Rednaps career at QPR.
ATTACK
This is the fixture we go full out attack in because the goals are there to be taken. They have the worst goal difference in the league by a long shout and we need to capitalise on this sinking ship. Lambert needs to combine what he did last season with what he is doing this season and find the perfect balance between defending and attacking because it can’t be one or the other with us and now that we are finally getting somewhere with our defence, it is time to let the forwards do what we are paying the £1000’s a week to do. Saying that, I won’t be completely impressed if it just the strikers scoring because I want to see more from our midfield, they need to contribute and because that contribution isn’t showing up through assisting, they need to start taking it up on themselves and individually step up. This is a team game, and each member needs to give it there all.
VERDICT
My head and heart says we will win, but both tell me that it won’t be an easy win but a classic Villa 2 nil up and then look rocky for the entire game. QPR will do everything within there power to beat us because they need the win even more, especially for the sakes of their manager and based on their previous game I truly believe they have got it in them to put up the sort of winning fight they need. We need to squash this from the go and be a solid unit. Take note from the games we have lost. Pass the ball into space and if the space isn’t there, you create it and let the players know they need to do more.
PERSONAL OPINION
I hope this is the game that sees Richardson dropped from the starting line up.
GUZAN
Hutton, Vlaar, Clarke (Unless Okore is ready?), Cissoko
Cleverly, Westwood, Grealish
Wiemann Benteke
I would also be tempted to give Joe Cole a starting role instead of Westwood as well as I have a little suspicion that he could be a spectacular, even if only for one season.
I will be unable to watch this game as I am on the lates at work (very angry at the scheduling) so it is down to you guys to fill me in and write in the reviews!
As always, we want your opinions as well. Write an article into us and share your perspective on the matter. Maybe even do a review of the game, the more opinions the better!
