Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa – English Premier League: Match Preview
As Bolton Wanderers gear up to face off against Aston Villa at the Reebok Stadium, it is time to take a look at how both the teams will line up on Saturday, 5th of March 2010 .
Bolton Wanderers
Seventh in the English Premier League table, Bolton are well on course to obtain access to the Europa League next season.
However, this depends on their form from here on in till the end of the 2010-2011 Premier League season. With 37 points from 28 matches thus far, Bolton have showcased time and again that they can match and fix the big boys of the Premier League.
Out of their previous five competitive encounters, Bolton Wanderers have won three, lost one and drawn one. Bolton’s best result of the season came against Manchester United last year as Owen Coyle’s men held Manchester United to a well fought draw at Reebok
Stadium.
Bolton’s corresponding away tie against Aston Villa in September of 2010 ended up as a one all draw.
However, this time around pressure is on both the sides to go for a win as the Premier League season winds down to a halt in May.
Aston Villa
After losing to Manchester City in their mid-week FA Cup tie, Aston Villa, will now turn their focus towards league football as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Houllier has once again come under fire from the club’s fans by fielding a weakened side against City in their FA Cup fifth
round tie.
Nonetheless, Villa are currently 12th in the English Premier League table. With just 33 points from a total of 28 games, Gerard Houllier’s men are only five points off the relegation zone at the moment.
Aston Villa’s form of late has been inconsistent to say the least. Out of their last five competitive fixtures, the Birmingham club side has won once, lost twice and drawn twice. Villa’s main aim at the moment is to qualify for the Europa League competition
by finishing above the 8th place spot in the Premier League. If Aston Villa’s present form continues to prevail, such a target will turn into an impossible goal to achieve.
Team news
Bolton have a fully fit squad for their matchup against Aston Villa apart from the injury troubles of their centre back, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jlloyd-Samuel-c18610.
Expected Bolton line-up: Jaaskelainen, Robinson, Cahill, Wheater, Muamba, K Davies, Elmander, Taylor, Cohen, Holden, Sturridge.
Aston Villa are currently facing a defensive crises with several of their first team defenders out due to their respective issues. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nathan-Baker-c27374 are all doubts for the match against Bolton.
Villa are also scheduled to make a last minute call on James Collins’ fitness levels. However, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darren-Bent-c10358 and the rest of Villa’s attacking line-up is fit to feature against Bolton at Reebok stadium.
Expected Aston Villa line-up: Friedel, L Young, Collins, Clark, Barker, Downing, A Young, Bent, Petrov, Bradley, Agbonlahor
Key players
Bolton will bank on their muscular target man, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Davies-c20716, to induce chaos in the Aston Villa back line. Davies has not been a prolific goal scorer this season but his contribution to Bolton’s build up play has been invaluable.
Villa will no doubt look towards their 24 million pound man, Darren Bent, to get them the goals that will be needed to gain all three points against Owen Coyle’s side. Bent has been on fire for his new side eve since his big money January transfer window
move from Sunderland.
The striker has already netted two goals in his six appearances for the Villains. He has also contributed with an assist during these above mentioned appearances.
Prediction
Both sides are evenly balanced in this encounter. Villa have the stronger attack but Bolton’s defence has proven its credentials thus far in the Premier League season. Prediction: Bolton 1–1 Aston Villa.
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