Well, the Baros saga is over and he is now happily – very happily in fact – one of ours. That has to give the squad a lift. We’ve picked up two points so far, this Saturday we need to begin our usual Villa Park dominance – although even that has slipped in recent times. 3 points is the requirement though, we need to start getting the points on the table before our annual mid winter slump!
Oh, and even more importantly than the football, some more FHM Honeys will be attending the game, if I ask nicely, the match announcer Dave – you know Dave, really good looking, debonair, swave, sophisticated – might bring them over to meet me!!!
Vital Quotes:
Baros says: ‘I am really excited about the first game on Saturday and, with me being only 23, hopefully my best years are still to come in football. I want to play good football, score some goals, and help achieve that European goal.’
DOL says: ‘Milan has already given everyone a lift. The club needs the boost that he’s brought us.’
Mark Hughes says: ‘We will miss Lucas because we haven’t really got any natural cover at right-back. It has been something I have been trying to address all summer.’
Aston Villa Team News:
Delaney, Laursen, Samuel and Berger are all out injured. Hendrie serves the last of his 3 match ban. Solano begins his 3 match ban having failed in his appeal to overturn the red he received v Pompey. Kevin Phillips will be hoping to start alongside Baros on Saturday (DOL has stated Baros will start). I think many fans agree that it is time for Angel to be dropped as it might give him the spur to get back to his form of a couple of seasons ago. Barry is expected to carry on at left back, maybe Jumper Jumper will get a start as we are now three midfielders down following the exit of Berson. (from): Sorensen, Taylor, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Cahill, McCann, Whittingham, Davis, Jumper Jumper, Barry, Angel, Phillips, Moore.
Player to watch: Durr, Baros ofcourse
Could he be our 20 goal a season signing?
Blackburn Rovers Team News:
Lucas Neil and Paul Dickov are suspended. Bellamy is injured and Andy Todd is rated as doubtful. Kuqi could shake off a thigh strain in time to play. (from): Friedel, Reid, Todd, Mokoena, Matteo, Emerton, Savage, Pedersen, Kuqi, Gresko, Tugay, Thompson, Flitcroft, Johnson, Gallagher, Gray, Enckelman
Player to watch: Reid and Emerton
See what we missed out on in not buying them
Match Facts & Stats
Villa are 14th with 2 points.
Blackburn are 11th with 4 points.
Villa haven’t won in 8 games (4 draws, 4 losses) now but our record against Blackburn at home is ok having seen them off 3 out of the last 4 attempts. Villa are looking for their first home win in 6 attempts.
Last season: Aston Villa 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (solano 88)
Prem record in total: Aston Villa 7 wins, Blackburn Rovers 11 wins, Draws 4.
Prem record at Villa Park: Aston Villa 5 wins, Blackburn Rovers 5 wins, Draws 1.
Ref Watch:
Mark Clattenburg. 3 matches, 12 yellows.
Match Prediction:
Mystic mug said an away win on Tuesday, the pratt, but will stand by his early season optimism and say home win, 2-0. Sky sports predicts 2-0 to Villa as well.
Next Fixtures:
Sep 12 (West Ham) (Sky)
Sep 17 TOTTENHAM
