No two ways about it, Villa have to win this for the fans. In recent years we have put up too many lack lustre performances against lower league sides and although no club should think it is their right to get victory, the fans do have a right to expect better than what we served up against Sheffield United, Burnley and more recently Doncaster. Villa have a proud history of seven FA Cup wins and need to erase last years 3-1 exit to the Blades. So no excuses will be accepted, just a win!
To see our opponents preview, click here
Vital Quotes:
Former Villa goalie Boaz Myhill says: ‘I’ve no bitterness against Villa but the minute you don’t think you’ve a point to prove, you might as well throw your boots in the bin. I’d love to prove a point to their manager but I want to show our manager I’m a good player every single week.’
Hull Team News:
Former Villan Boaz Myhill will be playing his 100th game for Hull. Striker Craig Fagan is back in contention, but it appears Hull have as many long term injury victims as Villa do with Burgess, Ashbee, McPhee, Thelwell, Coles and Edge all out.
Player to watch: Boaz Myhill
To see what we have missed out on in selling the highly rated goalie. Oh, and Nick Barmby can be a handful on his day as well!
Aston Villa Team News:
Baros is out due to a one match suspension having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and Phillips is still out with an ankle problem, so it seems likely that O’Leary will start with Angel and Moore up front. Sorenson looks to have shaken his virus but the news might not be so good for Wilfred Bouma who is struggling to be fit. Reports today suggest Leeds won’t allow on loan midfielder Eirik Bakke to play unless Villa agree a permanent deal. Jumper Jumper is away on African Nations Cup duty which is no doubt a massive loss to us! (from – depending on late fitness news!): Sorensen, Hughes, Delaney, Mellberg, Barry, Samuel, Milner, Hendrie, Davis, McCann, Gardner, Whittingham, Angel, Moore, Taylor, De la Cruz.
Player to watch: Angel
We need goals, simple as that, and he needs to supply or score them in partnership with young Luke Moore.
Match Facts & Stats
History of the games between the clubs is available by Clicking Here
Hull are 17th in the Championship
Home form league: 13th, five wins, five draws, four losses.
Last six games: W W D W L L
Villa are 12th in the Premiership.
Away form league: 9th, 3 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses.
Last six games: D L W D D W
Ref Watch:
Chris Foy
Match Prediction:
Mystic Mug 
says Hull couldn’t have chosen a worse time to play us and although the game won’t be easy, he sees an away win for Villa. 2-1.
Next Fixtures:
14/01/06 WEST HAM
21/01/06 (Spurs)
01/02/06 CHELSEA
