Before I begin and this can be said to the Bolton supporters reading this too; Happy St George's Day. The country might be a mess and it might be past the point of ever getting fixed, but England is the birthplace of football, the bacon sandwich and lager.

Okay, we've done more, bit those three are probably more important to most of us, so they get listed. For any Americans reading; we also invented the game you call American football, the game you call baseball and the ice hockey too.

Anyway, to the match on Saturday and this is not going to be an overly positive post but I think Villa can win. It's not positive because when you can't beat West Ham at home when they have a number of players missing, the chances of beating Bolton away are slim.

But like I said, I fancy our chances. I fancy them because we are not at Villa Park and we've done much better this season away from home. Okay, most of the time we've done better playing a certain way, which we stopped doing when Heskey came, but I'm not going down that road today.

Bolton are still not safe and last time at home they did Middlesbrough 4-1 so we have every right to be a little worried but we've got to go into this match with a little confidence, so I'm going to look for positives.

Heskey, unless he gets stuck in a tropical rainforest in South America or wakes up having forgotten what his legs are for, will play as will either Carew or Gabby so we're going to have two player on the pitch who you'd fancy for the huge sums of money they get paid, should be able to score. Heskey I reckon will do better against teams like Bolton simply because the players are not going to be as good as say Vidic and Ferdinand, but we'll see.

But I don't think our problem area is going to be scoring goals, it's going to be stopping them going in. We've let in 20 goals in the last eight games and while it all coincides with us missing Laursen, it's too easy just to blame the absence of one player and we all know that isn't the only reason.

We need to have a settled central defensive partnership and we need tighten up in midfield. We're going to need to do it this weekend if we are going to walk away with three points and while I still fancy we'll play 4-4-2, I think it's possible we steal something against Bolton, because they might be playing 4-4-2. If they play something else, we may struggle against the extra man in midfield, but I don't ink they will.

Four against four and I think we're as good as any team, if not better, which is actually quite easy to say, because the top four don't play with four and we are currently fifth, so it sort of makes sense.

But it is going to take a very determined performance this Saturday for us to walk away with three points and we do need them as we are only one point ahead of Everton and they are playing Manchester City at home and there is every chance they will get something out of that.

The only way for us to be certain of staying ahead is a win; it comes down to how much we want this. Do we have the bottle?

As usual, we'll be doing a match day live post with some video, links, banter but for now, your predictions below please. I predict we'll still be fifth on Sunday morning, just.

Comments (66)

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Michael said:

... nice to see Google recognising st georges day aswell for once.

Comment 1, made on April 23, 2009 at 9.38 am

Damian said:

... In defence of Google, they did recognise it last year. Not the year before though.

Comment 2, made on April 23, 2009 at 9.41 am

Michael said:

... as for the game, we need to win this game!! everton are 1 point behind us, with a much better goal difference and a similar set of fixtures to our end of season. we also need 7 points from 5 games to make sure we beat last years target, and that will show progress more than league position as we could finish 5th with less points than last year and that for me wouldnt really show progress, just luck, and reliance on other teams.

Comment 3, made on April 23, 2009 at 9.43 am

Anthony Laud said:

... do you think Heskey will keep his place now whatever Damian? I have a feeling he will as well and it will be Carew that gets dropped for Gabby to come back in! I really hope not though!

Comment 4, made on April 23, 2009 at 10.10 am

Nick said:

... 3-2 villa. I think Bolton are good for a few goals, but so are we. Young to get one. My odds are better if I do not specify which Young. But Young will get one. What is with the news that Laursen is going to announce his plans for more surgery or retirement in the next 24 hours? I cant believe it.

Comment 5, made on April 23, 2009 at 10.20 am

SurreyVillan said:

... I still feel we're more convincing away from home and we're really, really, really overdue a victory. I'm sure the Germans invented lager though...

Comment 6, made on April 23, 2009 at 10.21 am

La Shava said:

... I think you will lose. Bolton are playing well and i can't see either of you CB's dealing with the most in-form England striker. 2-1 Bolton.

Comment 7, made on April 23, 2009 at 10.25 am

Young Villan said:

... Heard a rumour last night you all may be intrested in! Working in Coventry for 10 years I know a lot of sky blues fans and information straight from a couple of pretty high up gents who sit in directors box,the news is that Daniel Fox(left back)is supposingly on the way to us,done deal at around 3.5m-4m. Supposed to have a great left foot and a bit of a free kick specialist.

Comment 8, made on April 23, 2009 at 10.29 am

Keith said:

... Lager? Come on thats a birds drink!!! We have to win some time and had some good results against Bolton lately so 3 - 1 to Villa.

Comment 9, made on April 23, 2009 at 10.43 am

Michael said:

... a sense a dig at gabby from the arsenal fan who lives on a villa site - le shava?

Comment 10, made on April 23, 2009 at 10.57 am

TechnoTurkey said:

... I'll be at the match and hoping for a result, although going to Liverpool the night before so may well have blurred vision! On a serious note, I see a tight game with 1-1 or 1-0 either way being the result, we need a win though for my spirits as much as securing 5th.

Comment 11, made on April 23, 2009 at 11.34 am

Chris Harper said:

... Its painful to say this, and Keef, you're going to hate me but.... I actually think Heskey had a better game than Carew against West Ham so he probably deserves to start against Bolton. I will go for a 3-2 to Villa too. As Nicky said, we'll most probably conceed a few with our dodgy Centre Backs but we can score a few too.

Comment 12, made on April 23, 2009 at 11.35 am

Chris Harper said:

... concede*

Comment 13, made on April 23, 2009 at 11.36 am

DavidC said:

... Lager???!!! I'm sure the Germans and Czechs and Belgians would have something to say about that! Anyway, football prediction time. I'm normally unreasonably pessimistic but this time I actually fancy us to win it. Just. My reasoning is simply that just as we weren't as good as all that when we were on our roll: we're not as bad as all that now we're on a different type of roll. Barry to score his final goal for the Villa this weekend btw is my tip.

Comment 14, made on April 23, 2009 at 11.40 am

Keith said:

... DavidC, are you confusing your wheat beer with lager? The Belgians dont drink it they just sell it to daft westerners. Chris, Carew does everything Heskey can plus scores goals. Compare the goals to games ratio mate, we need to score lots because we can't keep a clean sheet. Carew must start, Heskey on the bench.

Comment 15, made on April 23, 2009 at 12.00 pm

Chris Harper said:

... Thats not my point Keef....I already know that and I would choose to start Carew this weekend too. Was just pointing out that Heskey played well. Credit where credit is due....

Comment 16, made on April 23, 2009 at 12.33 pm

ak_27 said:

... I think he will actually stick with Heskey and Carew up front and use Gabby from the bench.

Comment 17, made on April 23, 2009 at 12.37 pm

Ramon Maklouf said:

... Heskey won't score for another couple of months. He's already got his goal for the month. Not sure about this game. Not sure about Villa at the moment. I'd rather not think about it. Ahh the joys of being a pessimist. UTV!

Comment 18, made on April 23, 2009 at 12.53 pm

villadude said:

... I can see this being another draw - us going 2-1 up with a penalty - bolton pressing in the last 10 minutes and getting a headed goal. I am not a fan of Curtis Davies - i feel he maybe injured but is so reluntant to give up his place in the first team. He struggles to get any power on his headers and feel this maybe due to his recent shoulder problem. Heskey and Young to score - but we are kind of playing out the season - shame really...

Comment 19, made on April 23, 2009 at 12.59 pm

robbo said:

... Chris, Agree with you about last week's perfromances. On the way back from the match the 4 of us in the car agreed that Heskey looked keen and had a good game whereas JC was just off the pace and missed his chances. Also thought that they looked comfortable with each other though and could imagine that given a bit more time they could forge a good understanding. If we're going to stick with 442 can we afford the two of them upfront with Gabby and Ashley providing the pace from wide midfield?...or is that a silly idea?

Comment 20, made on April 23, 2009 at 1.04 pm

villadude said:

... Team for the weekend... Friedel Shorey Knight Cuellar Young Young Barry Petrov Milner Carew Heskey Subs: Guzan, Davies, Gardner, Reo Coker, Sidwell, Fonz, Gabby I hope Barry makes a decision soon, as it would be good to get Sidwell a few games before the end of the season. I would also drop Davies for Knight - against Bolton's Davies, Our Davies might get bullied about - similiar to how Drogba played against him which caused him to be dropped.

Comment 21, made on April 23, 2009 at 1.05 pm

colm tarpey said:

... I thik we need Sidwell back in there anyway, watching the west ham game and the Utd game before it there was always a space outside the opposition box about 20 yards in cirumference (spelling i know) where there was never a Villa player and we lost oppertunities and possession so many times I was shouting at the screen from here in India for MON to push the midfield up, it was so frustrating to watch.....

Comment 22, made on April 23, 2009 at 1.17 pm

John Flynn said:

... Carew has to start knowing Mon with Heskey and then bring Gabby on in the 2nd half. I think Zat should start instead of our spanish friend... Lager was first brewed in Czech...

Comment 23, made on April 23, 2009 at 1.35 pm

Chris Harper said:

... No Robbo thats a good idea....O'Neill has hinted that he may play the 3 of them all together in the future too. As for Davies.... I think he is seriously below par. He played well at the start of the season alongside Laursen (which by the way even I could!) but for the last couple of months he's been terrible. He can't pass to save his life, his headers are poor and he gets caught out of position time after time.Not worth half the money we paid for him. I would start Zat this weekend without a second thought.

Comment 24, made on April 23, 2009 at 1.43 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... I think 4-5-1 is the way forward, and nobondy has ever mentioned it on here... Personally I think it will be a tight game and Davies will once agian batter us (can we not just buy him, even if we never play him?), but I am really confident about this one and will go for a 2-2 draw! Carew and Heskey up front and bring Gabby on for last 20-25 mins. Same back 4 with Davies being subbed at half time for Knight when we are 2-0 down. Think I might go to the ub from 3-5 on Saturday, no telly just good old English bitter (Timothy Taylors "Landlord" would go down well, although other biters are available) and forget about the nail biting for a couple of hours.

Comment 25, made on April 23, 2009 at 2.50 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... for "ub" read "pub" - dumbass!

Comment 26, made on April 23, 2009 at 2.51 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... and "bitters" for "biters" - jeez, must get a new keyboard!

Comment 27, made on April 23, 2009 at 2.52 pm

Simon said:

... Villa to win 1-0 with the back four playing like shite but it just not happening for Bolton

Comment 28, made on April 23, 2009 at 3.19 pm

Simon said:

... By the way, Who in the top four has kept a clean sheet recently? there seems to be a few high scoring games about

Comment 29, made on April 23, 2009 at 3.22 pm

villadude said:

... Man Utd yesterday

Comment 30, made on April 23, 2009 at 3.27 pm

Anthony Laud said:

... man utd and chelsea last night! that was a tough one!

Comment 31, made on April 23, 2009 at 3.28 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... symbas, Chelsea, last night.......

Comment 32, made on April 23, 2009 at 3.33 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... I think we should play the same formation we did against United in the 93 coca cola cup final with Gabby playing the Graham Fenton Role.

Comment 33, made on April 23, 2009 at 3.58 pm

Michael said:

... MON says talks with petrov about a new contract are going well, why does everything at villa seem to take so long?

Comment 34, made on April 23, 2009 at 4.01 pm

Michael said:

... danwilson82 - it was 94 cup final

Comment 35, made on April 23, 2009 at 4.02 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... yeah, sorry about that - 93-94, still surely you agree that the Fenton role would surely sort everything out?

Comment 36, made on April 23, 2009 at 4.03 pm

Michael said:

... was that just behind the 2 strikers? im not sure that would work these days, he'll end up either in the centre of a 3man attack or in central midfield, theres not enough room for players to fit in that position imo.

Comment 37, made on April 23, 2009 at 4.33 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... As far as I can remember he was sitting just behind the attack and we ripped United with possibly the best midfield I ever remember watching to shreds that day. Really need to find that video and have another watch, the Tranmere matches were what footballs all about, I was 11 or 12 and I could have had a heart attack during the second leg

Comment 38, made on April 23, 2009 at 4.36 pm

BEERMONSTER said:

... Although lager wasn't recognized as a style until the 1800s, it's likely the first lagers were brewed in Bavarian monasteries. Clever monks discovered the virtues of a bitter herb - hops - that helped to preserve and flavor beer, as well as balance the sweetness of the malt. The monks wanted a great tasting; nutritious drink to serve with their meals and during fasting. Beer was used to satisfy the hungry monks because the consumption of liquids did not break the rules of fasting. The brewer-monks also discovered that fermenting beers in cool cellars provided clean, delightful brews. The sophisticated new beer was later distinguished from the older ale style with the name "lager" a derivation of the German word lagern, which means, "to store." Their love for the beverage turned into a business. The monasteries eventually opened their own pubs and heavily promoted their great tasting beer.

Comment 39, made on April 23, 2009 at 5.31 pm

Pat McDermott said:

... I am now 90% sure were gonna get Owen in the summer, its all part of the master-plan, its also the only reason as far as I can see why we bought Heskey coz apparently they're really good together.

Comment 40, made on April 23, 2009 at 5.33 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... The monks wanted a great tasting; nutritious drink to serve with their meals and during fasting. Beer was used to satisfy the hungry monks because the consumption of liquids did not break the rules of fasting. Don't know about you, but when I drink it, it makes me want to eat a lot? did they also have an equivilent to the modern day Kebab? perhaps from some other German derivative?

Comment 41, made on April 23, 2009 at 5.48 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... I think we will win quite easily on Saturday while I am playing my first bowls match of the season. We have a good bar at the bowls club, with four lagers (Stella, Beck's Vier, Carling and Carlsberg each at £2.30, £2.40 for Stella) and at least two real ales, Tribute being our house beer. Maybe Gabby will play some role, possibly on the right of midfield, with Milner possibly being in a more central position. When I got to work this afternoon I was pleased to see that we had three large St. George Cross flags flying, most of the staff wearing their England shirts, bosses in the egg-chasing version of course.

Comment 42, made on April 23, 2009 at 6.04 pm

Mike F said:

... First of all - lager was invented in Rome, ice hockey in Canada, and bacon in heaven. Secondly- what exactly has Heskey done to start every friggin week?? he must have some compromising pics of the gaffer. If it's he and Carew up front we will be OK for the first 30-40 minutes then he goes to sleep! Let's hope Gabby is up to speed. You do, however, have to like our chances since it's an away fixture. 3-2 Villa

Comment 43, made on April 23, 2009 at 6.06 pm

La Shava said:

... I can't believe people on here want Michael Owen. He is a shocking player living off of a reputation he hasn't earned. He has NEVER scored 20 league goals in one season...EVER!

Comment 44, made on April 23, 2009 at 6.40 pm

La Shava said:

... ...Then again, Owen on a free is probably the best you lot are gonna get. With Lerner being hit hard with the credit crunch and all that.

Comment 45, made on April 23, 2009 at 6.41 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... Le Shava, why is it your always here? are you trying to avenge the death of an old boyfriend slain at the hands of Villa fans or something? come on mate, try this out http://www.onlinearsenal.com/forums/ you might have more fun talking about your own club, give it a whirl!

Comment 46, made on April 23, 2009 at 6.47 pm

La Shava said:

... Dan I speak to my own kind as well, but you have to get the views of other football fans as well.

Comment 47, made on April 23, 2009 at 7.08 pm

Keith said:

... BEERMONSTER.......I salute you !! La Shava.....are you an Arse fan (steady Chris) and is that an alias of Arsenal's new signing, Arseshaving?

Comment 48, made on April 23, 2009 at 7.10 pm

Le Shava said:

... Yes, i am an arsenal fan and yes, 'Le Shava' is an adaption of Andrei Arshavins' nickname, Shava.

Comment 49, made on April 23, 2009 at 7.20 pm

to said:

... were up your arse villa were up your arse ONWARD EVERTONIANS

Comment 50, made on April 23, 2009 at 7.27 pm | url

Jake Gardner said:

... bit gay that is it 'to' , always thought there was something funny with evertonians

Comment 51, made on April 23, 2009 at 8.11 pm

to said:

... we do love the cock like

Comment 52, made on April 23, 2009 at 8.13 pm | url

Jake Gardner said:

... fair do's mate

Comment 53, made on April 23, 2009 at 8.17 pm

to said:

... how big is yours gonzo

Comment 54, made on April 23, 2009 at 8.28 pm | url

Tim Hillman said:

... La Shava, Owen might not have scored 20 league goals a season but he did score 28 goals in all competitions for 2 season in a row. Who was the last villa player to do that? I think Owen would be a great buy if we can get him cheap and he is still a player who knows where the back of the net is. By the way I think Davies should be given more of a chance to prove himself. You don't suddenly become a bad player and I think him and Cueller can do a good job together they just need a bit of confidence. Everytime I see Zat Knight on the team sheet it just makes me think we are better than that!

Comment 55, made on April 23, 2009 at 8.29 pm

to said:

... owen has signed for everton lad thats a well known fact down here

Comment 56, made on April 23, 2009 at 8.32 pm | url

Le Shava said:

... I think Villa can do better than the likes of Owen, and i genuinely mean that. He is overrated and doesn't fit the hardworking ethic of your side. Also, i can't remember the last time he looked a threat against a half decent defence. Awful player.

Comment 57, made on April 23, 2009 at 8.43 pm

to said:

... darius vassell

Comment 58, made on April 23, 2009 at 8.45 pm | url

taglor said:

... So when do we start looking for more players to add to the squad and who are we going to have scouting for us? will they go to europe or even the rest of the world? How can MON go on without the proper back up of a scouting network. Even years ago we had Angel poached from river plate.

Comment 59, made on April 23, 2009 at 9.47 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... ... So when do we start looking for more players to add to the squad and who are we going to have scouting for us? will they go to europe or even the rest of the world? How can MON go on without the proper back up of a scouting network. Even years ago we had Angel poached from river plate. Personaly I think Damian should be kind enough to set up a section of this blog (or atleast just one blog post) where we can play scouts and drop some youtube links for players we know of from around the world. Then when MON pops on here for his daily fix he can reap the rewards!

Comment 60, made on April 23, 2009 at 10.19 pm

Damian said:

... DanWilson82 There will be something in about 2 weeks .. early part of next month for basically anything like that you want ...

Comment 61, made on April 23, 2009 at 10.43 pm

Abdul Kashif said:

... Bring back Hitzlsperger!

Comment 62, made on April 23, 2009 at 10.51 pm

deleted said:

... KEEF mi old mucka.....Are you at the Hull game? You wanted a meet up. A few of us guys will be taking in some lubrication prior. I can't PM you from this site, so if you go to the AVFC community forum here http://avfccommunity.yuku.com/directory and seek me out I'll give you details where we are meeting up. By the way, I love my BEER...!

Comment 63, made on April 23, 2009 at 11.10 pm

Nick said:

... Stop talking strikers, they will be the least of our problems when we're without Barry and Laursen.

Comment 64, made on April 24, 2009 at 7.48 am

Nick said:

... wait lets keep talking strikers. Quick read on Agbonlahor http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/astonvilla/5209268/Aston-Villas-Gabriel-Agbonlahor-blocking-out-boos.html

Comment 65, made on April 24, 2009 at 8.00 am

Andy Scarborough said:

... Yeah, thanks for that Nick. I hope some of the people booing read this and think twice before doing it again. At least keep the boos for a good reason. The fact that the fella was knackered and temporarily out of form is NO reason to get on his back.

Comment 66, made on April 24, 2009 at 7.07 pm

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