Villa v Bolton preview

Villa entertain Bolton at Villa Park

By James Pearson   Last updated: 4th April 2008

aston villa martin oneill old trafford

O'Neill: Winless in five

PREDICTIONS:


Skysports.com predicts:
Villa 2 Bolton 1


SKY BET odds:
Aston Villa 4/6 Draw 12/5 Bolton 7/2


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Ashley Young


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Bolton can ill afford to drop anynmore Premier League points when they tackle Aston Villa at Villa Park this weekend.

Gary Megson's side are now four points adrift of fourth-from-bottom Birmingham following last weekend's sequence of results that severely damaged the club's hopes of survival.

While Bolton threw away a two-goal lead at home to 10-man Arsenal two of their rivals, Birmingham and Sunderland, secured priceless home victories.

However, Megson will not be throwing in the towel against a Villa side who have not won in their last five league games since a 2-1 success at Reading.

Martin O'Neill's troops have not even found the back of the net recently, including suffering a 4-0 mauling at the hands of table-toppers Manchester United at Old Trafford.

A draw could well be a good bet with seven of the last nine meetings between the pair finishing all square.

Striker fit?

O'Neill will be crossing his fingers that nine-goal leading scorer John Carew will be fit to line up against lowly Bolton.

The Norwegian hit-man sustained a groin strain against The Red Devils, but has reportedly been making good progress in his recovery this week.

However, midfielder Craig Gardner is again ruled out with the thigh injury picked up on England Under 21 duty against Poland.

O'Neill has to decide whether to continue with midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker at right-back or switch Olof Mellberg back to the flank and bring in Zat Knight alongside Martin Laursen in the middle of the defence.

Skipper out

Bolton will again be without influential captain Kevin Nolan due to suspension.

Nolan picked up his 10th booking of the season against Manchester City, meaning a mandatory two-match which started with last weekend's defeat to The Gunners.

Last Saturday's loss also cost Megson squad wise with defender Nicky Hunt out of the game after suffering a dislocated shoulder.

Ricardo Gardner is still on the sidelines with the rib injury he collected in Bolton's goalless draw with City.

With Finnish keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen still out (back), Ali Al Habsi is set to continue between the sticks for Megson.

Ex-Villa defender Gary Cahill is set to line up against his former team-mates for the first time since his January switch to The Reebok.