Aston Villa Fan View: Aiming for nine points in seven days

It has certainly started to click for Aston Villa over the past few months, as they have gone from a lowly position of 21st to 4th since late September. Villa have come a long way since the fans were calling for Steve Bruce to leave after back to back 0-0 games against Brentford and Middlesbrough which left Villa in a state of emergency.

Bruce called for patience, got it and Villa are climbing the table, but are still are nine points off top spot. At this point, I think its fair to say that Wolves will walk the league and will be playing Premier League football next season.

Anyway, back to Villa. After an awful start, fast forward to the middle of November and Villa are nicely settled in the playoff spots looking up, rather than down. Back to back wins against QPR and Sunderland in the past five days have taken their toll on this now settled Villa side.

While Villa were professional, and controlled most of the game against Sunderland, there was no doubt the team looked tired, epitomised by the fact that Ahmed El-Mohamady finished the game as Villa’s sole striker.

With long term injuries to Jonathan Kodjia, John Terry and Scott Hogan, Villa will become vulnerable over the busy Christmas period if the crocks continue to mount up.

Currently, Villa are relying on young Keinan Davis as a lone striker, which is asking a lot for a player who is only 19 and in his first proper season as a pro. Villa are all of a suddenly very light in the striker department, especially when you take into account that Ross McCormack is out on loan and Gabby Agbonlahor is also injured, so Villa lack no options in that department.

Villa welcome Ipswich to Villa Park on Saturday, who sit ninth in the league following a 2-2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday midweek. Villa will undoubtedly struggle against Ipswich if Bruce doesn’t freshen up his team.

I expect Mile Jedinak to come in for Glenn Whelan in the middle of the park, and wouldn’t be surprised to see Jack Grealish take his place in the number 10 role to give Josh Onomah a rest. Making small, but important changes is the key to continue for Villa’s momentum.

If we can put in another performance like they did against Sunderland, I will start to believe. A no-frills victory, that sees us turn games we would have drawn last season into three points – this is where we can grab second.

I predict a 2-0 Villa victory as we continue our good form. UTV