Aston Villa v Bournemouth 2016
While some Villa fans might have been hoping for some managerial news this week, the main talk has surrounded Villa’s new badge.
Aptly enough, the ‘Prepared’ text has been airbrushed out, but it also seems the club are prepared to let Aston Villa caretaker boss Eric Black oversee Villa’s relegation obligations, with the addition of coach Jimmy Sinclair.
Relegation could be confirmed if results go against us and Bournemouth win at Villa Park. It’s not what William McGregor had in mind…
VILLA HAVE BEEN LOSING AT BOTH HALF TIME AND FULL TIME IN THE LAST FOUR HOME MATCHES
Black on Relegation
“The potential of relegation didn’t come about yesterday, it’s been going on for a long while. Last week I said I want the players to get the supporters back on side, only the players can do that.
“I want to see progress, even little steps, the desire not to get beat then that’ll be good.”
“But we’re not in this position by chance”
Black on Keeping Relegation at Bay
“It’s a situation (relegation) where we are now getting close to,”
“I really don’t think it will be tomorrow, though.
“I think we will do enough to, first of all, try and change the minds of the spectators, and also to win the game.
“We have worked really hard in trying to build that first block and we will only find out between 3pm and 5pm tomorrow.
Eddie Howe on not thinking Villa Would Drop After First Game
“No. I think that day they looked a strong team, they had some good players.
“It is difficult first game of the season, you can’t read too much into the result and you can’t jump to too many conclusions but on that day I thought they were a good outfit.
“It seems a long time ago now, a lot has happened since.”
Not Concerned about Villa’s Plight
“You can focus too much on the opposition. Yes we are aware of them and everything they do but it is about us getting our processes right.
“I think a lot has been made of the crowd and the issues they had last week but football can change quickly.”
Memory Match
25 Jan 2015 Aston Villa 2 Bournemouth 1 (FA Cup)
Goals from Gil and Weimann saw Villa progress to the next round of the FA Cup in one of Lambert’s last games in charge.
Aston Villa – Last five matches at home: W 1, D 0, L 4
Bournemouth – Last five matches away: W 2, D 2, L 1
One to Watch
Josh King – the Norwegian striker has scored in recent victories for the Cherries as they edge closer to Premier League survival.
Facts to Sweep Under the Carpet
The last time we played Bournemouth, Villa had a special announcement revealed before kick-off. Captain Delph had signed a new deal and was staying, the big screens at Villa Park told us.
There was a sense that Bournemouth weren’t massively interested in winning that cup clash, partly because they were on their way to promotion from the Championship. With Bournemouth practically safe, the polarity in the two clubs’ recent fortunes shows that former glories count for nothing in the world of football.
Of course, there’s still a few matches to go, but it’s difficult to get behind a team who never miss a chance to tell the media they care, but put in such lightweight performances.
After losing 4-0 to a team who you could accurately describe as a rotated Chelsea squad, we’ve now lost our last SEVEN league matches.
League encounters with Bournemouth have been few and far between in recent years, and while Villa recorded three points on the opening day of the season against Howe’s side, it’s likely to be a different story on Saturday.
We’ve been losing at both half-time and full-time in our last four home matches, have failed to score in our last four league games, and have conceded at least twice in our last four home games.
It’s a battle of the underachievers against the overachievers, and there’s little to suggest Villa will get a result against this spirited Bournemouth side.
“But we’re not in this position by chance” – Eric black
Why Villa Have Got This Game in the Bag (for the optimistic)
Saturday’s game is a strange one. Would it even mean much for Villa fans to see a victory with the writing practically on the wall?
Villa’s players have overwhelmingly failed to answer their critics this season, and it will be a bleak atmosphere should the team’s relegation be confirmed – at home.
With that in mind, maybe the players will throw everything they have at Bournemouth in an attempt to avoid (albeit temporarily) the indignity, although we’ve seen little to suggest this is possible.
With Hutton suspended, Lyden could find himself in the mix, so the team could at least be freshened up a little. Grealish and Traore played for the U-21’s this week so they’ll be keen to play a part too.
Bournemouth’s recent back-to-back defeats should not get in the way of their general recent form, which has seen them practically disregard any relegation worries.
Howe will be worried, however, that there is a sense of “job done” among his squad.
Teams seem to beat Villa with little difficulty these days, but the fact that Bournemouth have conceded at least two goals in their last three league matches should offer Villa’s gloomy troops some encouragement.
When Villa enjoyed the top six in 2009, Bournemouth were in League Two. Times change, and Villa should learn something from ambitious Bournemouth.
UTV.
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