Bolton v Aston Villa

By Simon Brotherton
Match of the Day commentator

TEAM NEWS

Bolton defender Gary Cahill will face his former club after his red card against Tottenham was rescinded.

But another ex-Villa player, Nigel Reo-Coker, is a doubt due to a hamstring problem, and defender David Wheater is suspended.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan will make his first league start for the club as Shay Given is sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury.

Midfielder Jermaine Jenas is out for six months after Achilles surgery.

MATCH PREVIEW

Last season’s meeting at the Reebok was a cracker, with Bolton twice coming from behind to eventually win 3-2, but the wretched nature of both clubs’ recent form suggests this might be a tighter affair and it certainly looks a difficult one to call.

Despite being ninth, Villa are just six points above the relegation zone. They have drawn seven matches already and have shown an inability to finish teams off while usually being hard to break down themselves.

Shay Given has been a great addition to the side and a significant factor in them conceding only 18 league goals, but a hamstring injury picked up during last Saturday’s game with Manchester United will force him out over the festive period.

It wasn’t the only bad news for Villa on the injury front this week, with on-loan Jermaine Jenas effectively ruled out for the season after surgery on his Achilles.

While Bolton’s only goal in their last three games has been an Ivan Klasnic penalty, Villa haven’t scored at all, yet this is a team that includes the attacking talents of players like Darren Bent and Gabby Agbonlahor.

Bolton have had real problems at home this season, losing six of their seven matches at the Reebok and these are worrying times for their fans. The Trotters have lconceded a whopping 34 goals so far, more than anyone else in the division. You can make what you like out of statistics but those don’t look very good from Bolton’s point of view, do they?

However, Bolton might see opportunity in the next few matches – after this encounter, Blackburn, Fulham, Newcastle and Wolves are up next. In contrast, Villa’s fixture list looks tough over the Christmas and New Year period with Liverpool and Arsenal at home followed by Stoke and Chelsea away.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Bolton have won just one of their last eight home games against Aston Villa (W1, D5, L2). That sole victory came last season when the Trotters twice came from behind to win 3-2, courtesy of Ivan Klasnic’s late strike.
• Villa have lost just one of the last nine meetings between the two teams.
• The teams met at Villa Park in the Carling Cup third round earlier this season, with Bolton winning 2-0.

Bolton

• Bolton have lost five of their last six Premier League matches, including the last three.
• The Trotters have won just one of their seven home league games this season, losing the other six.
• They have conceded more goals (34) than any other top-flight team.
• Bolton are the only team not to have drawn a match in this season’s Premier League.

Aston Villa

• Aston Villa have won just one of their last seven Premier League games.
• Villa are one of only three top-flight clubs – and the only one in the top half of the table – without an away win this season.
• They have not scored in their last three league matches.
• Villa have drawn seven of their 14 league games this season.