With pre-season preparations well under for the forthcoming 2015-2016 Premier league season, we decided it’s time to look at 5 key fixtures in Tim Sherwood’s first full campaign in charge of the claret and blue. What games can we look forward too and what games could potentially decide how our season goes?
5.) Bournemouth Saturday 8th August 2015 (Away)
First up in our countdown, is our first fixture of the season away to Bournemouth. Bournemouth are one of the 3 promoted sides from the Championship last season and will be looking to make a mark in front of their home fans in their first ever Premier League game at Dean Court. For Villa, it offers us a stern test after the changes we have made so far with the likes of Tom Cleverley and Ron Vlaar having already left with Christian Benteke looking almost certain to leave to Liverpool. If Villa can get off to a good start with a positive result at Bournemouth it could set the tone for a good season ahead, lose however and it could equally set the tone for a further season of struggle ahead.
4.) Bournemouth Saturday 9th April 2016 (Home)
The next fixture is indeed the reverse of our opening game of the season. The home clash against the Cherries comes after a gruelling run of fixtures which include games against the likes of Everton, Spurs, Chelsea, Stoke and Manchester City. With Villa unlikely to win any of those games or at the very best scrap a couple of draws this fixture will be of upmost importance. A win would help put us back on the right track considering the games after this fixture are Manchester United and Southampton.
3.) Liverpool Saturday 13th February 2016 (Home)
With the transfer of Christian Benteke likely to be completed soon after Liverpool triggered his £32.5 million pound release clause, it would see him return to the club he has arguably kept in the Premier League for the past 3 seasons. This fixture also marks a tough run of fixtures for Villa, which culminates in the Bournemouth game as mentioned above. A win or draw here could provide Villa with confidence to go out and play well in the tough games after this fixture. Lose this however and by the Bournemouth game comes around we could be fighting for our lives in and around the bottom 3.
2.) Newcastle Saturday 7th May 2016 (Home)
Our last home of the season is against a Newcastle side who are predicted to finish around mid-table. This could be a key game if we follow the pattern of recent seasons and find ourselves in and around the bottom 3 as the season draws to a close and we need points in order to get ourselves away from the trap door. However, it could prove to be the complete opposite and it could be a game we use to ensure we finish in the top half.
1.) West Brom Saturday 19th September 2015 (Home)
With Birmingham City absent from the Premier League since 2011, our local derbies in recent years have been against West Brom. This game coming as early in the season as it does, allows us to maintain the bragging rights over our smaller rivals. If we win, it potentially sets us up for a good season, with the same fixture last season giving us our first win of the Sherwood regime and providing us with a springboard to go on a good run after that. This game always has the potential for goals with the last 5 games between the two sides at Villa park producing 18 goals. We have a good recent record in this fixture winning 3 out of our last 5 games against them at Villa Park.
