Aston Villa Points Predictor: December 2018
By Clayton Nass
What a wild October. 10 points from 12, with The Villans scoring 14 over that span of games. An uptick of 4 points from this fan’s opinion. The positive, attacking football promised by Dean Smith and Co. is on full display, with the lads looking like they could net 4 or 5 goals per match. December sees an extremely difficult stretch of games, of which the outcomes could very well decide the fate of the remainder of the season.
How will Villa fare? Find out in this month’s Aston Villa Points Predictor.
Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa
As fellow contributor Josh Tonti very aptly put it: this is a battle of Jekyll and Hyde. Middlesbrough is without a doubt the best defensive side in the Championship, and that defense isn’t going to capitulate just because we ask it to. Villa will be without the Second City Derby goal scoring demi-god Alan Hutton, as he finds himself suspended for what could only be described as a Hutton-esque accumulation of yellow cards. (I think we’d all agree that the 2 yellows gained for celebrations were well worth it). You wouldn’t celebrate this?:
I digress.
Apart from Hutton, Villa are without usual starter Albert Adomah, as well as key defensive reserves Mile Jedinak and Birkir Bjarnason. Boro has scored more than 2 goals only once in 19 games, but against a leaky Villa defense, Tony Pulis’ side shouldn’t be left wanting for chances. If Villa concede first, this may not be one that they can come back from. Foot on the gas early, followed by an defensive letdown in the second half. 1-1 is the prediction.
December Points: 1
Total Points on the Season: 29
West Brom vs Aston Villa
If Boro v Villa is Jekyll and Hyde, this is Jekyll and Jekyll. Or Hyde and Hyde. Or fire and oil. Or.. you get the picture. This match features the two highest scoring teams in the Championship as well as two sides that many pegged for promotion following the conclusion of the season. I think the pressure is on the home side in these types of matches, especially against another side from the West Midlands. Unfortunately for Aston Villa, West Brom has handled that pressure relatively well this season, having amassed a league record of 6-1-2, to date. I think if the boys can best Boro, they’ll come into this match with the confidence to beat the odds. Based strictly on the numbers though, I think you’ve got to go with the Baggies here. 3-2 to West Brom.
December Points: 1
Total Points on the Season: 29
Aston Villa vs Stoke City
This may be the “easiest” match the entire month. Usually one wouldn’t say that when talking about a club that was relegated from the Premier League just last season. However, the Potters have not scored more than 2 goals in any league match this season, and have displayed a propensity for inconsistency, somewhat similar to Aston Villa. With their 2 early December fixtures being away to Reading and home to Ipswich, one would think that they come to Villa Park unbeaten in their last 8, thinking they can steal at least a point from the Lions. I’m sure there will be some imbibed supporters reminding them that wont happen. 2-0 Villa in a “spot start” clean sheet for Mark Bunn.
December Points: 4
Total Points on the Season: 32
Aston Villa vs Leeds United
Remember when I mentioned earlier that the pressure is on the home side in these fixtures? Well here we have it. The bright side for this fixture is that it comes over a full week after the Stoke match, which should give the players some time to rest/heal up. The dark side is that LUFC has been more than adequate on the road this season, having only truly been out-shown once, against West Bromwich Albion. They boast wins away to both Derby and Norwich, which suggests that they will not be afraid of coming to compete in a hostile environment. I think this is a bit of a trap game for Villa that just doesn’t see the pieces fit together correctly, resulting in the clubs first home defeat under Dean Smith. 1-2 to the visitors.
December Points: 4
Total Points on the Season: 32
Swansea City vs Aston Villa
I’ll just say it. I don’t think that this Swansea side is really that threatening. They might have garnered some points to keep them propped mid-table, and I think they;re actually over-performing. Villa right the ship here and complete the season sweep. Tammy Abraham gets to show off some “customized-for-Swansea” goal celebrations as he nets a brace. 2-1 Villa.
December Points: 7
Total Points on the Season: 35
Preston North End vs Aston Villa
Here’s a video of some Villa fans watching from the stands as Glenn Whelan lays down the proverbial “straw to break the camel’s back”, which in this case was the spine of Steve Bruce:
I have no doubt that before this match social media will be rife with reminders of this occasion, presumably followed by cabbage themed memes. The club has seemingly put that previous experience behind them, and should continue their ascendancy up the table. There is no reason Villa cant score 3 again. 3-2, because, well, defense.
December Points: 10
Total Points on the Season: 38
Hmmph. 10 from 18 in any other month would be bleak, but that’s pretty decent considering 4/6 matches are away, and the two home matches are against two very capable sides. Should be another wild month of Championship action, where I will almost undoubtedly be wrong about numerous outcomes and expectations. Very well. UTV.