TEAM NEWSSwansea forward Michu will undergo a late fitness test on his ankle injury.Angel Rangel is also a doubt with a calf problem, but Chico Flores, Michel Vorm and Leon Britton could all return. Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph returns from suspension, but the club's injury list is a lengthy one.Strikers Darren Bent (hamstring) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (thigh), winger Charles N'Zogbia (knee) and defenders Ron Vlaar (calf) and Nathan Baker (hamstring) remain sidelined.MATCH PREVIEWAfter Villa's recent run of results, Paul Lambert must be wishing for a week off in order to work hard on the training ground and give some of his injured players a bit more time to recover. But at this time of year, unless the weather intervenes, there is no such thing as a week off, with fixtures following each other in quick succession. This match could be a dress rehearsal for the League Cup final in February, as next week Swansea face Chelsea and Aston Villa play Bradford in the first legs of their semi-finals.All thoughts of a Wembley meeting are irrelevant at the moment, as Swansea look to build on their excellent Christmas haul of four points from two away fixtures, while Villa have to start the new year in style.The other day I picked up an old newspaper whilst waiting for an appointment and started reading the football section. Villa's match report described their play as impressive, cohesive, and moving in the right direction. The paper was from 17 December, and it was a match report on their 3-1 victory at Liverpool, just a fortnight ago.That was one of only half a dozen Premier League triumphs in the calendar year of 2012 for Villa, which includes a 2-0 victory over Swansea back in September.With Michu out injured at Fulham on Saturday, Danny Graham took the opportunity to remind Michael Laudrup what he can do. The Swans start 2013 in an excellent position, and look to be a decent bet for a top-10 finish come May.At the moment, Villa fans must be desperately worried about their side's prospects of finishing outside the bottom three.MATCH FACTSHead-to-head This is only the fourth top-flight fixture in Wales between these clubs. Swansea went unbeaten in the previous three (W2, D1), with Villa's last away victory coming 31 years ago in the old Third Division. Aston Villa have won 15 of their 20 previous meetings against Swansea, who have managed four victories.Swansea Swansea are the only Premier League side to have won every game so far in which they opened the scoring, which they have done seven times. They are unbeaten in their last three matches played on New Year's Day. The Swans have only won one of their last five home matches but have held Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United to draws during that run. Wayne Routledge played eight times for Aston Villa in 2008, although his only two Premier League appearances were as a substitute.Aston Villa They have lost three successive league games, conceding 15 goals and failing to score. The record number of goals conceded over three Premier League games is 18, by Wigan (May-August 2010). Villa ended 2012 with a club record-equalling 18 league defeats in a calendar year. However, Villa have won their last three league matches on New Year's Day (2003, 2005 and 2008). Paul Lambert's side have conceded seven goals to opposition defenders in the Premier League this season - only Wigan ( have fared worse. The Villans have attempted just four shots on target in their last three Premier League games.
Sorry, Stevens left back, not Lichaj.
Quote from: ACVilla on December 31, 2012, 09:24:57 PMSorry, Stevens left back, not Lichaj.Any starting 11 that includes Delph, Albrighton and Lichaj are gonna get tonked.Bennet & Stevens don't fill me full of confidence either.God help us.
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Topic: Swansea City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread (Read 39300 times)
