please log in to view this image . Facts and figures ahead of the Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park There have been four red cards shown in the last six league matches between Villa and Sunderland. The Black Cats have scored just six goals in 10 Premier League trips to Villa Park, and never more than once in a single match. Indeed, in 21 previous PL clashes, only one side has ever scored more than twice in a single match (Villa won 3-1 at home in November 2005). Martin OâNeill is unbeaten in eight previous Premier League games against his former club, winning four and drawing four (all with Leicester). Aston Villa have only won one of their last 11 league games (D5 L5). At home, the Villans have only claimed victory in one of their last 10 (D3 L6), netting just eight goals in the process. Sunderland have failed to win any of their last four league games, their worst run since the sacking of Steve Bruce. The Black Cats have failed to score in three successive league games, they last went four on the spin without scoring in April 2011. Aston Villa have lost 17 points after having scored the first goal this season, a joint-high. Sunderland have taken just four short corners all season, a league-low. Fortunes Change In the not to distant past fortunes would have been reversed with Sunderland being the team shearching for points at the bottom and Villa looking to secure a top 8 finish. The arrival of O'Neill at Sunderland and Mcliesh at Villa have chnged the fortunes of both clubs. Old Acquittances Saturdays game brings together a number of reunions, Mcleish and the ex Birmingham boys at Sunderland, the Gardner brothers, Garry of Villa and Craig of Sunderland and of course the return of O'Neill to his old club. The one reunion many Sunderland fans wanted to see wont happen with Bent being out through injury, still, he will enjoy sitting in the stands watching his bigger club fighting to avoid the drop. Links http://www.firstrowsports.eu/
With the lack of striker power at the club, maybe this trend will continue.... But being SAFC owt could happen..
Looking at Villas fixtures a win against us seems vital to me otherwise the drop is a real possibility. Pressure on them could be their downfall. SAT 21 APR Aston Villa v Sunderland 15:00 TUE 24 APR Aston Villa v Bolton 19:45 SAT 28 APR West Brom v Aston Villa 15:00 SUN 6 MAY Aston Villa v Tottenham 14:00 Sun 13 May Norwich v Aston Villa 15:00
Yet another tough game at Villa where in recent times we have done okay but, as our lot seem to be in sandcastle and sunbed mode I'll go for a tight game and a Villa victory 2-1, 1-0 ish.
The fact we tend not to score goals in April seems a bit of a bad omen..cmon Martin put a rocket up their backsides and get another good performance and goals out of this team, although I expect the pips are squeaking as regards goals, how about the young'un at Hartlepool, there could be hell on if he came back and scored!
Martin O'Neill returns to Villa Park this weekend for the first time since he walked out on the club before the dawn of the 2010 season and I'm sure he will be in for one hell of a ride from the Villa faithful. The enthusiastic Irishman may have guided Villa to Wembley and three top six finishes, but there was a growing army of fans who were becoming bored of his style of play. However, having watched McLeish's tactics in action this season, I wonder how many of them would forgive and forget and take O'Neill back now? Sunderland enter the weekend in the top 10, eight points clear of Villa - who aren't entirely out of the woods yet when it comes to relegation. The Black Cats were held to a goalless draw at home to Wolves last weekend but they will be hoping to extend their four-game unbeaten run against the Villains. Poor old Alex McLeish. He knew swapping the blue of Birmingham for the claret and blue of Villa would be hard but he didn't anticipate being on the fringes of another relegation battle. The former Rangers boss has been given a hard time by the Villa faithful but it's understandable. They are the second lowest scorers at home in the top flight and have won only four times in front of their own fans. Despite having the pace and creativity of the likes of Agbonlahor, Bannan and N'Zogbia, they are not being allowed to go out and express themselves as we all know they can. McLeish has a long way to go to convince the fans that he is the right man for the job. Villa were conned out of a possible result last weekend by former Villain Ashley Young at Old Trafford. But while I can't see their being too many Tom Daley impressions this afternoon I think we could see Martin O'Neill's famous jump once or twice. Aston Villa v Sunderland; Kick Off 3pm April 21 2012
Accordsing to this Aston Villa poll - they think they'll get beat: http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7511911
Aston Villa v Sunderland: Latest team news as Alex McLeish faces selection dilemma by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail Apr 20 2012 Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/birmi...lection-dilemma-97319-30800852/#ixzz1sa4ofdbf WITH just Darren Bent, Richard Dunne and Jermaine Jenas (remember him?) definitely on the treatment table, Villa boss Alex McLeish faces his toughest selection dilemma for many weeks. There is a lingering doubt too over Stephen Warnock (ankle) and the returns to training of Marc Albrighton (thigh), Ciaran Clark and Chris Herd (both head) are also being monitored very carefully. But, at last, Villa appear to have some competition for places, which is just what they need after last weekend’s Old Trafford traumas. Carlos Cuellar and Clark are pushing Nathan Baker for the chance to partner James Collins in central defence. Charles N’Zogbia and Albrighton are poised to provide more options in the wide positions, potentially freeing up Gabby Agbonlahor and Andi Weimann to form a strike pairing. There are also more central midfield bodies with McLeish able to select any two or three from Stephen Ireland, Gary Gardner, Barry Bannan, Clark and Herd. Fabian Delph should be fit after an ankle problem, but he is likely to be on the bench rather than get a starting role. Then there is how to accommodate Samir Carruthers. With his exciting cameos, the 19-year-old deserves a continued role in the matchday squad even with more experienced players returning.
Team news Aston Villa have seen their pre-match preparations boosted by positive news regarding the fitness of a number of key men. Marc Albrighton, Chris Herd and Ciaran Clark, who suffered a head injury at Manchester United last time out, are all ready for action. Stephen Warnock is also back in contention after being forced to sit out the trip to Old Trafford with an ankle problem, while Carlos Cuellar and Charles N'Zogbia are hoping to start. Richard Dunne has stepped up his recovery from a broken collarbone, but remains sidelined, while Darren Bent is running again as he continues his rehabilitation from ankle surgery. Sunderland are hoping to be able to call on John O'Shea this weekend, as he has shaken off a calf complaint. Phil Bardsley, Nicklas Bendtner and Kieran Richardson will be handed late fitness checks, as will club captain Lee Cattermole - who missed last weekend's stalemate with Wolves with a knee injury. Ahmed Elmohamady is pushing for a rare start as he weighs up his options ahead of the summer transfer window. Craig Gardner will be looking to line-up against younger brother Gary in the middle of midfield. Possible starting XIs Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Collins, Cuellar, Warnock, Bannan, Ireland, Clark, N'Zogbia, Weimann, Agbonlahor. Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, O'Shea, Turner, Richardson, Larsson, Gardner, Cattermole, McClean, Sessegnon, Bendtner
Jesus how much are they paying BENT!!!!! I think Hutton in for a tough day against James unless they double up on him HOWAYYYYYYYY LAAAADDDDSDSSDSSDSDD!!D!W
Marty's press conference http://www.safc.com/page/sub/TVNews...sydhutch×tamp=1334943908092&signature=mh
Match day do cometh and a win is predicted, indeed my bet has been on since Tuesday, how confident am I
Its a confidence that comes from great if we win but so what if we don't, I have one foot in the paddling pool and despite Marties best efforts I think the players have their bags packed. Just thin they may want to win this one for Marty.
I too have a feeling that our players will be well up for this game, especially as the Villa supporters are going to be giving MON some dogs abuse..
Alex McLeish admits he is still picking up the pieces of Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa reign. O'Neill raised expectations at Villa Park with big spending and three successive sixth-place finishes. But he also helped amass an £80million wage bill before sensationally quitting five days before the start of the 2010-2011 campaign. The club had Kevin MacDonald, Gerard Houllier and Gary McAllister all in charge at various points last term, before McLeish arrived from arch-rivals Birmingham last summer. McLeish was handed a vastly reduced budget, and Villa remain in danger of relegation ahead of O'Neill's return to his old home with Sunderland on Saturday. Asked if he was still picking up the pieces following O'Neill's walkout, McLeish replied: "Yes, definitely. "There are a lot of quality players who have left the club since Martin left. He had a tremendous time at this club and did a great job getting them to heights it is difficult to follow. "Especially given the loss of a lot of the players Martin signed and not replacing them. That makes it tough - [first] for Gerard and for me. "But I have got to believe I can get Villa back to the heights where fans expect them to be. "I know where the club is at the moment and I took the job under those circumstances because I see better things in the future." McLeish has had a lot of flak off fans since swapping relegated Birmingham for their bitterest rivals Villa last June. The Scot added: "If I am getting stick at the end of the game then fine, but I don't think I deserve stick before the game, when we are walking down the track."
MARTIN O’Neill hopes he can do for Sunderland what he did for Aston Villa in his four years in charge of the West Midlands club. O’Neill’s past, present and future collide at Villa Park when his current and his former clubs meet. And though Villa have fallen from the heights he took them to prior to his departure in 2010, he hopes he can restore the Black Cats, just as he did the Villans. O’Neill, pictured, took over a Villa side that had finished 16th in the table in 2006 and within two seasons had transformed them into a top-six side and taken them into Europe. In O’Neill’s four years in charge at Villa Park they finished sixth three seasons in a row, qualified for either the UEFA Cup or its successor the Europa League three times and reached a League Cup final and an FA Cup semi-final. Now he wants to take Sunderland on a similar course. “To me, that’s the aim,” he said. “Whether we can do it or not is a different thing altogether, but it has be the aim. “You want to have a bit of hope, desire and expectation. “I honestly don’t see why you shouldn’t aim for those things – otherwise, why bother? “The clubs are of similar stature. They are two very, very big clubs, with fine histories and they have massive support bases. “Here at Sunderland the supporters are fanatical and are just willing something to happen. “There’s no reason whatsoever why that shouldn’t be the case.” O’Neill saw glimpses of how Sunderland fans could be galvanised and gripped by the game in the club’s run to the FA Cup quarter-finals – the Black Cats falling just short of a Wembley appearance when they were beaten by Everton in the last eight of the competition. “The fans got a taste of it in that FA Cup replay against Everton, even though we didn’t do well enough in that game,” he said. “I’m sure a lot of fans who have been turning up for years thought it was just one more disappointment, but I see that game as a starting point rather than an end. “Those kind of nights are the kind of thing we want to experience a lot more of than perhaps the club has had in recent years. “And I’ll make every attempt possible to do that.” ............................................................................. Random fact.. 21st April 1962 - Sunderland played Newcastle United at Roker Park today and won 3-0.
