ASTON VILLA vs MIDDLESBROUGH - MATCH PREVIEW

By Ryan Ghee
October 2 2005

Aston Villa will play host to Middlesbrough tomorrow as they look to get back to winning ways in the Premiership.

Aston Villa team news: The Villans have been boosted by the news that Milan Baros should be fit to start the match against Boro. Juan Pablo Angel is expected to partner Baros upfront while Phillips, Hughes, Hendrie and Laursen remain on the sidelines.

Middlesbrough team news: Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer hasn't recovered from his injury so is expected to miss the match at Villa Park. Ugo Ehiogu and Ray Parlour are also major injury doubts for the visitors. However, Riggott, Mendieta, Hasselbaink and Parnaby are all expected to start despite recent injury problems.

History of this fixture: Villa and Boro have played a total of 65 times with The Villans winning 38 of the meetings. Boro have won only 14 times with 13 matches ending all square. In last season's corresponding fixture, Villa ran out 2-0 winners but it was a different story at the Riverside as Boro defeated Villa 3-0.

Match betting: Aston Villa win - 11/10
Middlesbrough win - 2/1
Draw - 11/5