---
title: "Team News: Blackburn (H)"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/11/03/team-news-blackburn-h/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sheldon Muchmore"
section: "Features & Analysis"
published: "2016-11-03T22:19:47Z"
modified: "2016-11-03T22:19:47Z"
---

# Team News: Blackburn (H)

Steve Bruce continued his four game unbeaten run as Villa manager with the draw at St Andrews last Sunday. While this was not the result that any Villa fan wanted, a point apiece was a fair result and, who knows, it might be a vital point come the end of the season.

Next up for Bruce’s side is a home game against lowly Blackburn on Saturday afternoon; they currently sit second from bottom in the table with 13 points from 15 games.

However, the table is so tight at the moment that they are actually only 5 points below Villa who sit 8 places above them with 18 points. The fact that only 7 points separate 12th from 23rd helps to emphasise just how tight things are.

Villa must beat teams like Blackburn if they are to have any chance of earning a play-off place or maybe even automatic promotion come May. They have history on their side as Blackburn have not beaten Villa in their last 5 meetings.

Here is our predicted XI for the game on Saturday (3pm). We reckon Bruce will go with his tried and test 4-5-1 formation.