Villa – Derby; It’s all about goals isn’t it?

God, I’ve been dreading writing my thoughts on this one.
I’ve put it off and put it off, but now I’ve no choice, as I’m going to be working so will miss the game.

What to say?

Well I’d love to come on here with a massive burst of positivity and a strong gut feeling that we’re going to win 3-0 or similar.
But do any of us think that’s going to happen?

The title’s stupid really isn’t it?
Yet it sums up how quite easy the game is. The team that scores the most goals wins, it’s as simple as that.
And that’s why I’m struggling to see any positivity.

I’ll do some boring form stuff first and it’s scary.

Over the last ten games, we’re 23rd in the form table, with the 3rd worst goal difference.
Over the last six games, we’re 23rd in the form table, with the 2nd worst goal difference.
Take Rotherham, who for me are definite goners, out of the equation and it’s worse.

Fair enough, Kodjia hasn’t been here, but I’ll go into that in a mo.

Derby on the other hand, while not doing as well as I instinctively thought, have the following form;
Over the last ten games, they’re 18th in the form table, but their goal difference is 9 goals better.
Over the last six games, they’re 12th in the form table, but their goal difference is 11 goals better.

Bloody hell, I’m bored with that myself now.
Suffice to say, Derby are in the ascendancy and we’re in the proverbial.

From the OS;
Scott Hogan will be out for three-five weeks after spraining his ankle while fellow forwards Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Gabriel Agbonlahor are still two weeks away from being available.

Basically it’s getting worse isn’t it?
Where are the goals going to come from, seeing as Kodjia is our only fit striker?
The same Kodjia, who many berate for being too greedy.

Because the midfield don’t look remotely like providing them, maybe Adomah apart.

So being realistic, it’s looking unlikely we’ll score, as we are massively reliant on Kodjia.

Ah, I’ll tell you what, I’m seriously struggling to carry on here.

Tomorrow is going to be about damage limitation, it’s as simple as that.
We don’t score enough, have one fit striker and concede far too many stupid goals, because of a piss-poor defence.
And we’re looking at Samba, who couldn’t cut it in Greece? You think our current defenders are slow?

Brolly man will be chomping at the bit.
Yet some are expecting 6-7 points from our next 3 games?
I seriously think Rotherhan might do us.

0-2.
If we’re lucky.
I think I’m going to be glad I can’t watch it.