Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa: Will Coyle or McLeish be the top Scot at the Reebok?
Aston Villa blew a two-goal lead at the Reebok last season to hand Bolton all three points but Alex McLeish will be desperate to get a win under his belt here as he tries to remove himself from the managerial firing line.
The former Birmingham boss has seen his side fail to score in their last three outings and the natives are getting increasingly restless. Fortunately McLeish has been handed an early Christmas present with a trip to struggling Bolton.
Owen Coyle's men have been a real disappointment this season but, unlike at Blackburn and Wolves, the fans seem to be right behind their gaffer. Injuries have severly tested Bolton's resolve and they will be fired up following the controversial sending off of Gary Cahill at White Hart Lane last weekend.
Bolton have drawn a blank in front of goal in the past two outings but they have won their last two clashes with the Villa. Can Coyle make it a hat-trick and pile the pressure on his fellow countryman or will it be McLeish celebrating with a wee dram at the end of the game? Despite missing his influential keeper Shay Given with injury, our pundits believe Villa will head down the M6 with something to show for their efforts.
Bolton Wanders v Aston Villa; Kick Off 3pm December 10 2011
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
Panel Verdict
The panel is edging towards a draw.
Home: 7; Draw: 14; Away: 10. TBC 3.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
