Villa Preview – Game of few chances on the cards?

By Chris Kirwan
September 20 2002

The Blues head into Sunday’s televised game hoping to build on the excellent result versus Middlesbrough, and come up against a Villa side determined to put their derby loss behind them.

Plenty of the pre-match talk is about goalkeepers. Everton are likely to recall Richard Wright after featuring in the midweek reserve match versus Birmingham. This may seem a tad harsh on Paul Gerrard after a good display versus Boro, but there can be no room for charity. Richard Wright is the best keeper on Everton’s books, and it will take more than one solid performance to restore the confidence of the defence and supporters in Gerrard.

Another keeper who will be chomping at the bit to get back onto the pitch will be Villa’s Peter Enkleman who will be keen to put Monday’s blunder behind him. And after such a dismal display by the whole Villa side the Blues will be facing a side with resolve to repay their supporters.

But Villa’s loss to Birmingham highlighted a weakness that they share with Everton, a total lack of creativity in midfield. Villa’s scoring record this season, and meetings between the teams over past seasons, tend to suggest that the Sky viewers are hardly likely to witness a thriller.

The game could hinge on the performances of Radzinski and Vassell. Neither Everton nor Villa possess defences blessed with pace, and Messrs Stubbs and Staunton are bound to have a busy afternoon. Both sides are likely to try and exploit gaps behind the defence, and if either Vassell or Radzinski manage to isolate their marker they are to be expected to find themselves with a chance on goal.

Villa were second best to the 50:50 throughout Monday’s game, and looked to me as if they missed George Boateng. If Li Tie and Gravesen can get a grip on the game then the Blues stand a good chance on beating a side short of confidence and building on the Boro game.

It will be interesting to see if Alexandersson retains his starting place, his performance against Boro was unacceptable and forced a half-time change. If Steve Watson is fit then there could be the possibility of playing both Watson and Hibbert down the right, as both men enjoy getting forward.

It is also possible that Chadwick may force his way onto the bench, and I would welcome this, as he is a natural goalscorer. In a game that is unlikely to present many genuine chances the Blues will need to take every opportunity, or they will risk a similar fate to St Mary’s. Hopefully the Blues will go for the three points as Sunday is a great opportunity to exploit a Villa side short of confidence and quality.