Round 22: Reading at Villa Park

By: irish_steve | January 11th, 2008

Villa entertains Reading at Villa Park following last weekend’s valiant FA Cup loss against Manchester United. Villa gave up 2 late goals in that game and will be looking to put that loss behind them by making it 6 games unbeaten in the league. A win on Saturday could elevate Villa to the dizzying heights of a Champions League place if other results go their way. Martin O’Neill will hope that his men will take the positives out of the cup game and apply them against a Reading team that has been very unpredictable this season.

Villa defenders have had a knack of scoring goals in the league this season which takes the pressure of Carew and co. Defenders have scored in the last 3 league games for Villa and set plays are sure to play a major part is this game. Villa must be licking their chops at the prospect of playing the team with a goal difference of minus 15 compared to Villa’s plus 10. Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann has not played very well lately and he will have to be at the top of his game to keep out Villa. The center midfield
paring of Barry and Reo Coker will look to boss the game against a Reading team who have yet to replace the departed Steve Sidwell.

Reading have been conceding lots and lots of goals recently and there is no evidence to deter this from happening on Saturday. Carew hasn’t scored in 3 league matches and he will be keen to get the scoring touch back. Villa’s starting 11 hasn’t changed too much this season barring injuries and suspensions with most Villa fans knowing the 11 that the manger will put out. Martin O’Neill loves using a big target man sometimes partnered by a smaller player with more pace (Agbonlahor) or on his own with 2 wingers who can provide support from flick on’s and good hold up play (Young and Agbonlahor).
Villa have not kept a clean sheet in 7 matches and Carson and the backline will look to do that against a team that they should beat. Villa should pick up the 3 points in this game with Reading not looking anything like the team we saw a year ago. Last season’s fixture saw Villa run out 2-1 winners. The game will not be an easy one for Villa but deep down both fans players and manger will be disappointed with anything less than a win.

My prediction: 2-0 to Villa.
(Villa fans in America can see delayed coverage of this match on Setanta Sports at 5pm Central Time)