Villa – Sheff Weds; I predict a win

I nearly said I predict a riot, as I quite like the Kaiser Chiefs (a Sheffield band and that’s one of their songs, in case you didn’t know), but thought it might be in bad taste when referring to a footy game.
So I’m going to stick with my optimism and predict a win.

I have a loose workmate who supports Wednesday and he asked me for my prediction today.
I’d actually forgot he supports them, so immediately responded that we’d win.

He asked “why?” and instantly said we’ve no chance.
To which I replied that Burton managed to hold them at home, so why not?

And that’s about how I see it, gut-wise.

I said after the Huddersfield game that I was very encouraged, even though we’d lost.
We played fairly well, sounded the better team, hit the woodwork twice compared to their first effort where they scored and by all accounts, were the better side.
We were bloody unlucky.

Yes, I’m minded to agree you make your own luck, but I doubt there’s many that would deny that it seems we’ve had way more than our fair share of bad luck over the last few years.
So surely we’re due some good luck?

Not that I think we’ll need it.
I think the midfield are beginning to show and as long as we have Jedinak in there, I suspect we’ll have too much for the opposition, even if they’re sitting in a very decent sixth position.

Squad-wise, we have the same injuries/suspension plus the addition of Hutton, whose knee problem is unknown.
Grealish and more interestingly, Scott Hogan might make the squad, although I doubt either will start.

As for Wednesday, Almen Abdi and Sam Hutchinson might return.

I’m not really sure what else there is to say, as you either believe we’re showing signs of progress or you don’t.
We know what the team will be, pretty much, but perhaps any debate might move over to the way Bruce sets the team up?
Certainly I’m not convinced that he has been as negative lately as some of us might think and the commentaries recently have often talked about how open the games have been.
But that’s for another day.

I’m going for a 2-1 win, with Hourihane to get one.
And I rarely predict a goalscorer.

I like feeling optimistic.