West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa: Will Hodgson send McLeish closer to the Championship?
West Bromwich Albion have been responsible for Mick McCarthy and Andre Villas-Boas losing their jobs this season, but can they complete the hat-trick by getting Alex McLeish the boot and sending Villa closer to the Championship?
The Baggies have been legend killers this season. They have taken big reputations and cut them down to size. Last weekend they ended 45 years of hurt at Anfield to leave with a 1-0 win through Peter Odemwingie and in October they rewrote the history books by beating Villa 2-1 at Villa Park for the first time in three decades.
Albion enter this weekend seeking their first double over the Villa in almost 40 years and you wouldn't rule it out as Villa are in turmoil. Their midweek defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers has put the cat amongst the pigeons at the foot of the table. Villa are now just three points off the dropzone and Bolton have a game in hand. With QPR, Wigan and Blackburn all still showing signs of life, could McLeish really take another club from Birmingham into the Championship?
Aston Villa have only lost one of their past eight visits to the Hawthorns. Unfortunately, that came last season. Fortunately though, the Baggies home form this season has not been great. They have lost more games at home than anyone outside the bottom three. However, Villa have only managed three away wins all season, but they have proved to be a hard team to beat on their travels. Only the champions Manchester United have lost fewer games than Villa on the road.
West Brom have suffered at the hands of Aston Villa down the years and they will be desperate to get some payback for that. But Alex McLeish has to pull something out of the bag to keep himself in a job. The away fans will be demanding a result or they will be calling for his head on a plate. Can Hodgson send McLeish and Villa closer to the Championship? Despite their great record against the Baggies, our pundits just can't see a way out for the Villa.
West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa; Kick Off 4pm April 28 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
3 |
V |
3 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
Panel Verdict
The future doesn't look good for Aston Villa and Alex McLeish.
Home: 21; Draw: 10; Away: 1. TBA 4
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
