Villa look to four-get recent form against Bolton
Two struggling teams meet, with Villa seventeenth in the Premier League form guide after picking up just six points from the last six games; Bolton are a point from the relegation zone but have won two of their last three away games.
With eight draws in the last twelve meetings between Villa and Bolton there must be strong thoughts that this could end the same way, but the debilitating series of draws that Villa have achieved this season is undermining a top four challenge just when one of the incumbents is having an off patch. With Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Villa separated by just a point Villa desperately needs some momentum.
Bolton go into this game thinking about the number four; after consecutive 4-0 defeats to Chelsea they will add the last two visits to Villa Park where they also conceded four goals. The Bolton players may be 'hurting' - but is that enough. Bolton fan and panelist, Dave Blackburn, is going for another four for Villa after recounting 'last 2 seasons we have conceded 4 and been hopelessly outplayed!!'. Bolton's away form is better than when at home - perhaps the manager also appreciates days away from the Reebok - and the Trotters may enjoy counter-attacking a team that is not as grindingly efficient as Chelsea.
Aston Villa vs Bolton Wanderers; Kick Off 3:00pm 07 Nov 2009
Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).
Dave Blackburn : 4 - 0
Chris Cox : 2 - 0
Graham Enwright : 1 - 2
Sue Gardener : 2 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 0
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 2 - 0
Peter Lee : 1 - 0
Don McMahon : 1 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : 2 - 1
Dave Nash : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 3 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC
Mark Williams : 2 - 0
Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting a 2-0 Villa win.
Home: 13; Draw: 3; Away: 1; TBC: 3.
* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!
