At Bolton, time to put it right, facts and video

I didn't know what to post after the QPR match, so it was easier to not post and just stay away. I can imagine how some of the comments went. It's in waves.

You've got the anger and Steve Bruce isn't good enough directly after the match. The following morning it probably dawned on a few that you can't win every match and the comments calmed down. After that, you'll start to have a sensible comment or two and the usual suspects that post the same comment every single day.

But things were not good the other night. The team looked tired. And that's not an excuse, but I did say it could be problematic when the match was postponed only because plans are made and then plans are disrupted.

But we have to hope that things are back to normal because Bolton is a match we should fancy winning. And even though I've long written this is going down to the end of the season, I think we can be fairly confident right now that if we don't end up first or second, we've got a very good chance of finishing in the play-offs.

And the manager, if my memory is right, is just as successful in the play-offs as he is with automatic promotion. But that's looking for straws. You all know it doesn't bother me either way. Sure, I'd like to be competing for the Premier League, but we've only really done that once and I can't see it happening again, so I'm happy.

Match facts from the BBC

  • Villa have only failed to score in one of their last 20 league matches against Bolton, a 1-0 defeat in December 2006.
  • Since losing their first five home matches this season, Bolton have not lost back-to-back games in the league at home.
  • Robert Snodgrass has assisted 13 league goals this season - in only one season in English football has he registered more (16 in 2008/09 for Leeds United in League One).
  • The Trotters have collected five points from a possible 27 in Championship matches against sides currently in the top six.
  • Villa have won 10 away matches this season in all competitions - as many as in the previous three seasons combined.

Video of the day