Watford vs Aston Villa
Date: 28/12/2019
K/O: 15:00
Venue: Vicarage Road
Referee:
Watford host fellow relegation rivals Aston Villa this Saturday in a game both sides will consider a must-win.
Watford, high off a new managerial bounce and undefeated in their last two, will be coming into Saturday’s game full of confidence. Nigel Pearson has seemed to install a do or die attitude into the Hornets which has been missing for the entirety of the 19/20 campaign. They will be looking to catch the next name above them in the Premier League table this weekend.
Watford have seen out two impressive displays under Pearson, beating Manchester United before holding in-form Sheffield United to a one-all draw. Watford have arguably been the poorer of the two sides in both of their last two games, however, they have ground out the kind of results necessary to take them off the foot of the table and towards the realms of Premier League survival.
The Watford faithful will be anticipating that Pearson can build upon the two impressive results he has managed so far, this time taking the game to an Aston Villa side who are in desperate need of the three points for their own prospects of survival.
In a relegation scrap of their own, Villa have been in the poorest form of their Premier League return so far. Dean Smith’s side have lost four of their last five, however, they crucially picked up three points against fellow relegation rivals Norwich in the Boxing Day fixtures.
The Villans have been relying heavily on their captain Jack Grealish, who has continually attempted to bail his boyhood club out from trouble for weeks on end. The 24-year-old is enjoying the best campaign of his career, with his goal tally now reaching five in the Premier League.
The young Englishman has been pushing for his international call up, scoring in defeats to Leicester and Southampton, and more recently assisting Conor Hourihane’s winner against Norwich in fantastic style.
Smith will be looking for his side to improve on their incredibly underwhelming performances of late. He has come under a lot of pressure in recent weeks for his stubbornness to persist with his preferred 4-3-3 formation, as well as his decision to play record signing Wesley upfront, despite him suffering an 11 game goal drought.
Nevertheless, Villa’s hopes shouldn’t fade so quickly. Smith will know that just like last weekend’s opponents Southampton, a win could take them three places clear of the relegation zone, as well as putting further distance between them and the teams below them.
Team News:
Watford: Pearson will be handed a boost with the return of Abdoulaye Doucoure from suspension, however, Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Sebastian Prodl, Daryl Janmaat and Jose Holebas are all still out.
Aston Villa: Dean Smith will be without John McGinn for Saturday’s game. Tyrone Mings and Keinan Davis are close to returning for the Midlands side and could feature.
Predicted Starting XIs
Watford (4-4-2): Foster, Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femina, Doucoure, Hughes, Sarr, Chalobah, Deulofeu, Deeney.
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Heaton, Guilbert, Hause, Konsa, Targett, Luiz, Hourihane, Grealish, El Ghazi, Trezeguet, Wesley.
Prediction: Watford 3-1 Aston Villa
Watford are a team on a mission and will be too much for Aston Villa to handle. Despite a 1-0 victory in their last game, Villa’s form has been poor and they won’t be able to handle a rejuvenated Watford side.
