Bolton will be looking to end a run of three defeats on the spin when they welcome Aston Villa to the Reebok Stadium on Saturday knowing a win could lift them out of the relegation zone.
To say this season has been a disaster would be an understatement for the Trotters who currently lie second bottom in the Premier League. Owen Coyle’s men have won just three of the 14 games played thus far and have yet to get into double figures in terms of points. Bolton have been in free-fall since the hammering they took from Stoke in the FA Cup Semi Final last season and know that if they don’t snap out of their slump there could be serious consequences. To do that they’ll have to start defending better and Coyle will know that after seeing is side ship 34 goals in the league already – an average of almost two a game. Despite possessing the likes of Gary Cahill, David Wheater and Zat Knight at the back and Jussi Jaaskelainen in goal their defending has been laughable at times. Scoring goals hasn’t been that big of an issue but keeping them out has and they’ll need to tighten up during the festive period. Wheater will miss the visit of Villa after picking up red cards in the Everton game heaping further problems on Coyle’s shoulders. Cahill, on the other hand, will be able to play after seeing his appeal for wrongful dismissal upheld following his red card at Tottenham last week. However, with the Midlands side possessing an attack boasting Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor it could be another miserable afternoon for the Trotters.
It will be a game boss Alex McLeish will consider very winnable after their torrid run of one win in their last seven games. Despite occupying eight position in the table performances haven’t captured the imagination of Villa supporters with a section unhappy with the teams defensive minded philosophy. Whilst they aren’t the free flowing attacking unit they were under Martin O’Neill they are now harder to break down and less susceptible to counter attacks. McLeish has stiffened up a back four that leaked all over the place last season whilst he is also getting the best out of Agbonlahor who looks like he could score every time Villa go forward. Last week’s defeat against Manchester United will have been a kick in the teeth as they frustrated the champions for much of the game and deserved and deserved at least a point. The one gripe you could have about Villa at the moment is their tendency to draw games with half of their games this season ending level. McLeish will see an opportunity to win for the first time since the start of November at lowly Bolton and move closer to a Europa League place.
Bolton – 18th
Last Five: Lost 3-0 v Tottenham (A), Lost 2-0 v Everton (H), Lost 2-1 v West Brom (A), Won 5-0 v Stoke (H), Lost 3-1 v Swansea (A)
Potential Starting X11: 22. J. Jaaskelainen 2. G. Steinsson 5. G. Cahill 12. Z. Knight 4. P. Robinson 7. C. Eagles* 6. F. Muamba 19. N. Reo Coker 19. M. Davies 17. I. Klasnic 14. K. Davies [C]
Injury News: Bolton are without seven first team players for the visit of Villa on Saturday.
Key Player: Gary Cahill
After seeing his appeal for wrongful dismissal upheld by the FA Cahill will be able to take to the field against Villa on Saturday. His manager will be breathing a huge sigh of relief that his star defender is available and it will be up to the England international to stop Villa’s devastating forward line from inflicting more misery on the relegation threatened Trotters.
Match Fact: Last season’s 3-2 win at the Reebok was their first on home soil against Villa in nine years.
Aston Villa – 8th
Last Five: Lost 1-0 v Manchester United (H), Drew 0-0 v Swansea (A), Lost 2-0 v Tottenham (A), Won 3-2 v Norwich (H), Drew 2-2 v Sunderland (A)
Potential Starting X11: 22. B. Guzan 2. A. Hutton 5. R. Dunne 6. J. Collins 3. S. Warnock 10. C N’Zogbia 19. S. Petrov [C] 25. B. Bannan 11. G. Agbonlahor* 18. E. Heskey 9. D. Bent
Injury News:.Shay Given is out until the New Year at least with a hamstring whilst Jermaine Jenas could be missing for the entire season after suffering an Achilles injury.
Key Player: Gabriel Agbonlahor
Agbonlahor is fast becoming Villa’s most effective player in the final third with the Birmingham born striker playing arguably the best football of his career to date. His blistering pace and never say die attitude has given McLeish’s side an extra dimension in attack and he’ll be tasked with dishing out more punishment on a beleaguered Bolton back four.
Match Fact: Villa enjoy their trips to the North West to face Bolton having won four and drawn six of the 13 visits made to the Reebok Stadium in the Premier League.
Last Time at the Reebok Stadium
Premier League 5 March 2011
Bolton 3-2 Aston Villa
Cahill (45, 75) Klasnic (86)
Bent (15) Albrighton (64)
Attendance: 22,533
Referee: Kevin Friend
PREDICTION
Bolton are on the slide and don’t look like clambering to safety any time soon after losing the last three in a row. Keeping goals out has been their main problem and although Cahill is available it looks like another afternoon tinged with misery is on the horizon. Villa are also in poor form but sit safely in mid-table going into the festive period and should come away from the Reebok with all three points that would move them closer to a European place.
Score: 1-2
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