English Premier
2012-03-03 - Blackburn Rovers vs Aston Villa
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 3 March 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Blackburn Rovers
According to all the reports, the Blackburn Rovers fans are planning a protest ahead of this game at the way the club is being run by the owners and possibly against Steve Kean too. Many of the supporters were upset with the performance at Manchester City last week when it was clear that the side was set up in a damage limitation fashion and rarely threatened to cause a surprise result. However, the supporters should perhaps get behind their team as they have a real chance of picking up three points from this game.
The team are in the relegation zone at the moment, currently occupying the 18th spot in the table on an inferior goal difference to QPR. However, Rovers are more than aware that they are still in touch with the safety zone, while a win would see them move just 5 points behind their opponents. They are 4-0-9 at Ewood Park this season, scoring 19 goals and conceding 26.
Blackburn have lost 3 of their last 4 League games, although all of those defeats have come against sides in the top 6 of the table. There should be some confidence in the side to pick up a result here considering they have won 2 of their last 3 games at Ewood Park, although they almost blew a 3-0 lead over QPR last time out, eventually running out 3-2 winners. Conceding goals remains a big problem for the side as they have now conceded at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 games at home.
Gael Givet remains suspended for the home team, while influential David Dunn is a major doubt.
Aston Villa
Steve Kean is under pressure in the home dugout, but Alex McLeish is also considered one of the favourites to be the next manager to leave his post in the Premier League. Supporters never accepted bringing in the manager of local rivals Birmingham City last Summer, while results have taken a downward turn as Aston Villa continue falling down the table. All of this saw the fans voice their displeasure after a 0-0 draw at Wigan last week and threatens to engulf their season.
Villa have fallen down to 15th in the Premier League table and are in danger of being sucked into a relegation dogfight as they are only 9 points clear of bottom placed Wigan. A defeat on Saturday will really put the cat amongst the pigeons for the side, although they bring in a tough away record to Ewood Park. Villa are 3-7-3 away from home this season, scoring 15 goals and conceding 17.
The team have failed to win any of their last 5 games in all competitions since a 2-3 win at Wolves, a result that looks huge considering where they would be without those three points. Villa have lost 3 of their last 5 games, and it could have been worse if they had not fought back from 0-2 down to earn a home draw with QPR. They have not won any of their last 3 away games in all competitions, losing 2 of those.
Goals have been a problem for Alex McLeish all season and he has some huge issues with Darren Bent likely to miss the rest of the campaign and Robbie Keane returning to the LA Galaxy. Richard Dunne will be missing at the heart of the defence for another month, but James Collins and Alan Hutton should both take their place in the back four.
Head to Head
Aston Villa have beaten Blackburn Rovers in 4 of the last 5 meetings in all competitions including a 3-1 home win earlier this season.
However, they have lost their last 2 Premier League games at Ewood Park, even though they have recorded a Carling Cup win here between those defeats.
Prediction
I am not a big fan of picking teams struggling at the wrong end of the table, but this looks a great spot for a Blackburn Rovers team needing the three points.
The lack of effort to get anything from their trip to the Etihad Stadium last season was disappointing for the fans, but all that will be forgotten if they can move out of the relegation zone on Saturday afternoon.
The one thing I know about Blackburn, usually at least, is that they have a decent attacking side that is capable of scoring goals anywhere and they have banged in 6 goals in their last 2 wins here, only failing to score against Newcastle United when Yakubu was suspended and missing a penalty in that game.
Aston Villa have been decent defensively for the most part, but the loss of Richard Dunne means I can see Blackburn creating chances and scoring goals in this game.
I hate backing Blackburn because of the goals they conceded and the defensive mistakes they do make, but the loss of Darren Bent and Robbie Keane has blunted the Villa attack which had been struggling for goals anyway.
With that in mind, I think the 2.40 on Blackburn recording a valuable win looks a little too tempting to pass up and I think Alex McLeish is going to be under immense pressure following this game.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Aston Villa
