If Fulham win against Sunderland tonight then our automatic promotion hopes are all but over, but tomorrow’s game could still yet be an important one for the club if the Cottagers do slip up.
From our opponent’s point of view, they need to keep the momentum to secure their own playoff spot so they will be coming to Villa Park with every intention of picking up the three points.
I have decided therefore to pick out three key threats that Steve Bruce will no doubt have considered before facing Derby:
1) Another team that plays 3-4-3
Gary Rowett has switched to a back three in his last two games, and the change in system has so far yielded a win and a defeat. Wolves are of course the arch proponents of the formation this campaign under Nuno, but it is still not a common sight in the Championship.
Fortunately for us, we have the perfect preparation for the match after facing one of the teams who do play three at the back in our last game. The 4-0 thrashing against Ipswich should hold us in good stead to nullify our opponent’s key tactical change.
2) Cameron Jerome
The 31-year-old is likely to start again after his brace against Cardiff in mid-week. It was his first start in six matches, and the intention was to unsettle the Bluebirds centre back partnership of Bamba and Morrison. He succeeded, and he will be full of confidence if selected again tomorrow.
Chester and Jedinak/Terry will likely have their hands full with the target man. He is not necessarily always a goal threat, but in a front three, he can hold up play and bring others into the game.
3) Matej Vydra
The Czech international has been having one of those campaigns. After two pretty barren seasons in front of goal, he has hit the back of the net 20 times this time around.
He came off the bench to score in midweek but in a 3-4-3, he will present a different danger out wide on the left, rather than in a more central position.
