Aston Villa will take on Harry Redknapps Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park tomorrow, with all those of a Claret and Blue persuasion having one eye on scores at both Bolton Wanderers and Queens Park Rangers.

If Villa match either of the results at Bolton or QPR, then they will be virtually safe as long as we don’t go on a conceding frenzy as we have a much superior goal difference to the both mentioned.

With Tottenham winning twice in their last three visits to Villa Park they will very much fancy themselves tomorrow, but Villa know they must give it their all as they continue to battle against the drop.

The away side have managed to take 6 points this week from our fellow relegation rivals Bolton and Blackburn and will need to build on there recent form if they are to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

However, both sides have had an indifferent week off the field. Villa players Chris Herd, James Collins and Fabian (sicknote) Delph were all involved in trouble at a city center nightclub on Monday night.

While we will never know how Harry Redknapp really feels about being overlooked for the England job as Roy Hodgson was appointed new Head Coach.

Team News

Aston Villa: Stephen Ireland should return to the starting line up after recovering from a knee and hip injury.

James Collins will also be available, but is likely to only find a place on the bench as Alex McLeish will most likely want to stick with the pairing of Richard Dunne and Carlos Cuellar who help Villa to a clean sheet in the goalless draw at the Hawthorns last weekend.

Marc Albrighton on the other hand has been ruled out for the final two games of the campaign with a thigh injury.

Tottenham: Harry Redknapp is hoping Scott Parker will be available after missing there last two games with a Achilles injury.

It was also revealed that Kyle Walker has a broken toe, but should play with an injection.

Statistics:

Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham.
Kick Off: 14.00 GMT.
Tickets: Adult tickets available from £26.
Last Corresponding Fixture: Aston Villa 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2.

If ever there was a time for the players to stand up and be counted, and show they are worthy of wearing the famous Claret and Blue shirts, then this is it.

I would be lying to you if I said I felt confident going into tomorrows Midlands derby against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.

Lets face it – we have done ourselves no favours this season, with too many players happy to be part of the ride instead of making an input.

But at the same time, its not the time to play the blaming game. The simple fact of the matter is Aston Villa Football Club have three games to save their premiership future and we must do all we can to make that possible.

West Bromwich Albion and their supporters would love nothing more than to help us get relegated. Villa have been the top team in the Midlands for many a year now, and although the Baggies are currently the top team around here at the moment, they would love to well and truly stick the knife in.

All week I have thought about nothing but our club, and how I am desperate for us to do everything in our power to avoid the drop. Lets just hope the players feel the same way as I do.

Team News

West Bromwich Albion: Striker Marc-Antoine Fortune (hamstring) and midfielder Paul Scharner (wrist) should both be available for Roy Hodgson.

Zolton Gera, James Morrison (both knee) and right-back Steven Reid (foot) remain on the injury list.

Aston Villa: Richard Dunne has handed Alex McLeish a massive boost by declaring himself available after not being able to play since breaking his collarbone against his former club Manchester City.

James Collins (groin) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (shoulder) are also in contention for a return following there recent injuries.

Statistics

Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
Kick Off: 15.00 GMT
Tickets: Sold Out
Last Corresponding Fixture: West Brom 2 Aston Villa 1

So often in modern day football supporters claim that a certain fixture is a must win game, but if that statement was to ever be true then this would be it for both Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers.

The home side haven’t picked up a victory since the 10th March when Austrian Andreas Weimann stole all three points very late on in a 1-0 win over Martin Jol’s Fulham side.

Owen Coyles men last picked up a win in the final weekend of March when they beat relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Both sides have had their problems this season off the field with both Fabrice Muamba and Stiliyan Petrov suffering from serious illness.

Fans of Aston Villa and Bolton have stated they will show their support for both players with a 1 minute applause on both the 6th and 19th minutes – the players squad numbers.

The corresponding fixture last year ended in a 1-1 draw when Bolton captain Kevin Davis cancelled out Ashley Young’s 13th minute goal.

A point wouldn’t be enough for either side though as they both battle against the drop.

Team News

Aston Villa: James Collins (groin) has been ruled out, but boss Alex McLeish is hoping stand-in captain Gabriel Agbonlahor (shoulder) will pass a late fitness test.

Richard Dunne has returned to training this week, but the Bolton game has come to early for the Republic of Ireland international.

Bolton Wanderers: Owen Coyle will leave it until the last minute in his decision to include Mark Davis (ankle) after he limped off in the 1-1 draw with Swansea City.

Darren Pratley will almost certainly miss out with a virus.

Statistics

Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Ticket: Available from £10-£39
Kick Off: 17.45 GMT
Last corresponding fixture: Aston Villa 1 Bolton Wanderers 1

Lewis Turner tweeted “14/1 for Aston Villa to beat Manchester United tomorrow. That means if you bet £5. Your loose £5”

I am sorry but you have be extremely optimistic to disagree with that statement, even though when I read it, it did make me laugh.

I would love to beat Manchester United as much as the next man, but they lost to Wigan in mid-week and I really can’t see them losing two games in a row at the business end of the season.

Sir Alex Ferguson has openly stated that he expects his title chasing side to beat Villa, and I don’t think there are many that would disagree with that statement.

The table toppers currently find themselves 2 points ahead of City rivals Man City with a game in hand, and I wouldn’t put it past Sir Alex having another winners medal come the end of the season.

Results have gone our way once again so far this season, and I stick with what I have been saying time and time again over the last few weeks that one more win would secure our position in the division … for this season anyway.

Team News

Manchester United: Paul Scholes will feature after being rested in that 1-0 defeat to Wigan. Nani could also play some part after returning from an ankle injury as a substitute in mid-week.

Aston Villa: Carlos Cuellar (thight), Charles N’Zogbia (knee), Ciaran Clark (knee) and Nathan Delfouneso (hip) are all back in training and available for selection.

Fabian Delph is also close to a return but it is thought that tomorrows fixture will come to soon.

There is a question mark over Stephen Warnock who will have a late fitness test, while Alex McLeish has ruled out Chris Herd who picked up a head injury in the bank holiday draw with Stoke City.

Quick Stats

Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester.
Kick Off: 16.00 GMT
Tickets: Available from £15-£39
Last corresponding fixture: Manchester United 1 Aston Villa 0

Aston Villa host Midland rivals Stoke City tomorrow at Villa Park which promises to be a complete bore fest.

Lets be honest, we are not exactly the most exciting team to watch this season under Alex McLeish, while Stoke have never been easy on the eye, unless of course you are a Stoke supporter.

Villa could take themselves 9 points clear from the relegation zone if they are able to beat a side who tend to do well against us, while Tony Pulis’s men will be looking to build on their first win in four when they beat Wolves in yesterdays evening kick off.

After picking up a point at Anfield, it seems the so called younger players are feeling confident after reading their posts on their respective twitter accounts.

The home side may not have the best home record in the league, but Stoke don’t exactly have an away record to fear, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the game did end up with another draw.

Team News

Aston Villa: Austrian Andreas Weimann could replace Emile Heskey after coming off the bench in that 1-1 draw with Liverpool following a week without training due to a ankle injury.

Gary Gardner will also be pushing for a start despite struggling with a virus.

Stoke City: Tony Pulis has stated that he will utilise his squad due to 2 games in 3 days so Andy Wilkinson will most likely start after pulling out of the squad that beat Wolves yesterday.

Quick Stats

Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham.

Kick Off: 17:30 GMT

Tickets: £16 – £40 (More Information)

Last corresponding meeting:  Aston Villa 1 Stoke City 1