An interview exchange with Ed from Vital Sheffield Wednesday ahead of the big game this weekend.
You can see my infinite wisdom here: Who Are Y`er? – Aston Villa!
And Ed’s thoughts from a Wednesday point of view:
Pre-Match thoughts?
After last season’s playoff adventure took us to brink of the Premier League the fans, manager and players have responded positively in pre-season. Unbeaten and only one goal conceded, including a comfortable win over reigning Portuguese Champions Benfica at Hillsborough brings hopes that there isn’t going to be a post Wembley hangover. This season, expectations are up, not just the fans but the bookies and media alike are talking Wednesday up as promotion front runners along with Newcastle, Derby, Brighton and Norwich. Nice company to be amongst considering it was only six-years ago the club was nearly wound-up by HMRC after years of mismanagement at board level. Hillsborough is likely to be bouncing with Villa selling their allocation and Wednesdayites snapping up tickets alongside the near 20,000 season ticket holders, it should be a cracking atmosphere and game to open the season with both set of players looking to make a statement.
How will Wednesday`s season go?
With the expectation and money invested by Dejphon Chansiri who is ambitious to say the least. The Owls have to be there or there abouts in terms of the playoffs all season, if not sadly I think he’ll bid farewell to Carlos Carvalhal and parachute in a ‘known` name to keep the fanbase on side. Although a little light in defence, it’s our stacked midfield and forward line that should keep us amongst the chasing pack for a playoff finish and hopefully a successful trip to Wembley this time.
Who should Villa fans be on the lookout for?
That’s a tough question to answer given the nature of our flowing football going forward and pressing game without the ball. Hooper, Joao, Fletcher will all be fighting for their place up top and won’t want to miss an opportunity. Forestieri, Bannan and Lee work well together and new signing Abdi was exceptional for Watford in the Championship and Premier League in recent years. But, given the ties to the club I believe Barry Bannan will be relishing the game most to make a statement against his former club, although I doubt he’ll celebrate if he does manage to score.
What Villa player will Owls fans be on the lookout for?
I think as there has been rumours of Wednesday offer and keeping tabs on him, it’s got to be your latest signing Ross McCormack! Scorer of many goals at Championship level although he failed to make an impression in any way against Tom Lees and the rest of our defence in three games last season, he`ll want to put that right and start to repay his £12million fee back to Villa and their fans, as well as banish lasts seasons memories against the Owls defence.
Match Prediction?
Sheffield Wednesday Vs Aston Villa is one of those proper Football fixtures! Not like MK Dons Vs Crawley, the Owls Vs Villans is an age old battle between the biggest and best sides in Sheffield and Birmingham. Given, that both sets of fans and the wider football community are looking forward to this clash I hope it lives up to its billing! Di Matteo will want to make a statement and where better than at last season’s playoff finalists, however Wednesday will be just as keen to start the season off on the front foot and blast away any lingering memories of defeat to Hull City. I just can’t see a beleaguered Villa side being only the second team to win at Hillsborough in 2016, but ideally I`d like to see a free scoring, entertaining battle but I believe that it’s more likely to be 2 – 1 Wednesday victory.
Forum match thread: Click Here
Share this article
Related Articles
