Premier League Preview: Aston Villa - Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers played two punishing games against Chelsea last week, in which they conceded eight goals and scored none. So Gary Megson's Trotters will be delighted to face a new opponent this weekend – not that a trip to Aston Villa would be top of any manager's fixture wish list.

For their part, Villa have faltered since beating Chelsea in mid-October. Such an impressive win might usually be the catalyst for a good run of form, but not in this case – Martin O'Neill's side have struggled away from home since then, with a couple of missed opportunities costing them a place in the top four.

Crunching the numbers, the one thing this game promises is goals. Bolton are the only Premier League side yet to keep a clean sheet this season, and Villa have not kept one since the 2-0 win against Portsmouth on September 19. Of course, given the perverse nature of football, this may point to a dreary 0-0 draw at Villa Park.

FORM GUIDE

Aston Villa

Nov 4: West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Oct 31: Everton 1-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Oct 27: Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa* (League Cup)
Oct 24: Wolves 1-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Oct 17: Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
* Villa won 3-1 on penalties

Bolton

Oct 31: Bolton 0-4 Chelsea (Premier League)
Oct 28: Chelsea 4-0 Bolton (League Cup)
Oct 25: Bolton 3-2 Everton (Premier League)
Oct 17: Man Utd 2-1 Bolton (Premier League)
Oct 3: Bolton 2-2 Tottenham (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Aston Villa

Carlos Cuellar returns after a suspension and may well replace fellow defender Habib Beye, who is unavailable after being sent off at West Ham on Wednesday evening.

Influential midfielder Stilyan Petrov is also suspended, after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season.

On the injury front, Emile Heskey (back), James Milner (calf) and Craig Gardner (groin) are all rated doubtful.

Last starting XI in Premier League (v West Ham): Friedel, Dunne, Beye, Warnock, Collins, Sidwell, Young, Petrov, Carew, Agbonlahor, Heskey.

Bolton

Jlloyd Samuel is suspended after his red card against Chelsea, which could mean a recall for Paul Robinson.

Danny Shittu and Mustapha Riga (both hamstring) are injury doubts.

Last starting XI in Premier League (v Chelsea): Jaaskelainen, Samuel, Cahill, Knight, Ricketts, Basham, Muamba, Cohen, Lee, Elmander, Davies.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Aston Villa - Ashley Young

Some observers believe that Young has failed to kick on from his impressive campaign in 2008-09, but boss Martin O'Neill maintains that the winger is having another strong season. Young's pace and control are vital to Villa's game plan – perhaps less so at home than away – and he seems to be getting stronger and stronger. I expect him to have a major influence on the outcome of Saturday's game.

Bolton - Kevin Davies

Davies has never been a fashionable player, but opposition defenders hate to play against him – he is big, strong and not afraid of putting himself about. Now 32, he knows his way around the Premier League better than almost any other English forward, and although he has no chance of making the plane to South Africa next summer, most Bolton fans wouldn't swap him for anyone. With Davies making a pest of himself, Villa's centre-backs, Richard Dunne and James Collins, will know they've been in a game.
 
PREDICTION

After three fruitless away games in a row, Villa should get back to winning ways against a Bolton side that offer plenty of muscle but not enough inspiration.

Aston Villa 2-0 Bolton

Ollie Irish, Goal.com UK