Match preview: Villa v Barnsley
Aston Villa go into Tuesday night’s match against Barnsley with 5 defeats and 1 draw from their first 6 games of 2017. This horrendous form has all but curtailed their chances of earning a coveted play-off position this season. In fact, now they should concentrate on what is happening below them instead, as another couple of dreadful losses could see Villa pulled right into a relegation scrap.
If at the start of August you had said that Barnsley, who were only promoted to the Championship this season, would be sitting 10 points above Villa (and just 6 points off a play-off position) with just 15-16 games remaining, you’d have been taken straight to a mental hospital. However, that is exactly the case.
On the injury front, Villa will definitely still be missing Jedinak and Agbolahor. James Bree, who picked up a knee injury last week, is also in doubt. However, they now have the option of recalling Grealish after he served a one match suspension for getting sent off against Nottingham Forest. Barnsley, on the other hand, will be without midfielder Josh Scowen as he suffered an ankle injury at the weekend, and Alex Mowatt as he is suspended.
Whilst form is certainly not on Villa’s side, history definitely is. In 13 league meetings between the side, Villa have lost just the once. However, it must be emphasised that the 1-1 draw at Oakwell this season was the first time the sides have met since they played against each other in the Premier League in 1998.
Villa have picked up just a solitary point this year, the joint worst of any side the top four tiers of English football, along with Leicester City, Coventry City and Leyton Orient. The Tykes, on the other hand, have picked up 11 points from their 7 games this year.
Based on current form, this will not be an easy game for Villa, but it is one which they must get something out of. Conor Hourihane will be hoping to inspire Villa to a precious win against his former club.
Our prediction 2:1 Villa (hopefully).