Charlton are seeing great success away from home this season, although our record at Villa Park never makes nice reading. With Villa looking to put a run together, this will be a tough game, but then again, the Midlanders have been in very poor form this season and Charlton, if on their game, could give them a great deal to think about.
Vital Quotes:
Alan Curbishly says: ‘Losing three on the spin happens quite a bit in the Premiership, but the trick is to stop it before it turns into a run. We have to try to do that at Villa. With our 12 games we find ourselves in a decent position. Any sort of result will keep us in there.’
O’Leary says: ‘Charlton are organised and solid. They play with one up front in a 4-5-1 formation and it’s a system which maybe works better away from home. At home, you’re expected to push on more.’
Aston Villa Team News:
Samuel has returned from a bug, Bakke is struggling with flu, Angel is available for selection having returned from a calf strain but is expected to be on the bench again. Berger is still out having aggravated his injury in training. O’Leary is likely to name an unchanged team from last weeks 3-1 win against Sunderland. (from): Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Bouma, Milner, Davis, McCann, Barry, Phillips, Baros, Angel, Taylor, Moore, Samuel, Hendrie, De la Cruz, Jumper Jumper, Bakke.
Player to watch: James Milner
He seems to be the engine for Aston Villa.
Charlton Athletic Team News:
Spector can return to the team after sitting out last weeks game against Man Utd, as per the terms of the loan deal. (from): Kiely, Young, El Karkouri, Hreidarsson, Spector, Rommedahl, Murphy, Kishishev, Smertin, Ambrose, Bent, Andersen, Thomas, Hughes, Sorondo, Powell, Perry, Bothroyd, Fortune, Johansson, Holland, Myhre.
Player to watch: Smertin
On his day he can run a game.
Match Facts & Stats
Charlton are 10th with 19 points.
Best case: 6th
Worst case: 11th
Current form league: 18th
Away form league: 2nd, 5 wins, 1 loss.
Last six games: L D W L L L
Villa are 15th with 12 points.
Best case: 14th
Worst case: 18th
Current form league: 16th
Home form league: 15th, 1 win, 2 draws, 3 losses.
Last six games: L W L L L W
Last season: Villa 0-0 Charlton.
Premiership record: Villa 7 wins, Charlton 3 wins, 2 Draws.
Record at Villa Park: Villa 4 wins, Charlton 1 win, 1 Draw.
Ref Watch:
Mark Clattenburg. 10 matches, 0 reds, 34 yellows.
Match Prediction:
A tight away win. 1-0
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