Norwich City v Aston Villa: Can Villa end the season with a win?
The end of the season just can't come soon enough for Aston Villa and Alex McLeish. To say it's been the season from hell would be an understatement and you have to feel sorry for the fans. They've seen the board appoint a former bluenose as boss, winced as key players have been ruled out through injury and illness and escape the drop by the skin of their teeth. But can they sign off the campaign with a rare away victory at Norwich City?
Villa edged a five-goal thriller between the two sides in November but even Bart Simpson can count the number of away wins Villa have racked up this season on one hand. However, they don't lose many on the road. Only Manchester United (3) have lost fewer games than Villa (5). Their superior goal difference ensures that whatever happens this weekend regarding QPR and Bolton, they will still be in the Premier League next season. Whether McLeish is though remains a huge mystery.
One of the names linked with replacing McLeish in the summer is Norwich City's Paul Lambert. He has guided the Canaries on an amazing journey over the past three seasons and has won many plaudits for his team's style of play. Norwich may not boast any household names but they can give anyone a game, as Arsenal will testify. Villa fans would swap Lambert for McLeish in an instant. Mind you, the way they are feeling they would probably welcome Steve Bruce with open arms!
Norwich haven't beaten Villa in the league since 1993 and will want to end the season on a winning note themselves. Will Lambert or McLeish be cracking open the cans of Irn-Bru in celebration come the full-time whistle? Our pundits can only see one winner.
Norwich City v Aston Villa; Kick Off 3pm May 13 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
7 |
V |
0 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
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 |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
0 |
V |
0 |
Panel Verdict
Norwich are tipped to end the season on a high while Villa go into the summer with a lot to think about.
Home: 25; Draw: 8; Away: 1. TBA 2
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear your views.
