Damian
It’s Friday night, there is a big game tomorrow and I find myself with a bit of free time. Work is done and I only have a little project to address over the weekend, so instead of panicking in the morning I thought I’d use the time to write the match post.
And this is sort of a strange one. You see, Forest are probably a safe bet to finish top four and while I don’t think anyone would have predicted that, we can’t be completely surprised and I’m fairly sure some pundits might even have predicted Forest to be relegated.
What Nuno did at Wolves was nothing short of miraculous and what he’s doing at Forest right now is very much in line with that. And that’s why we shouldn’t be that surprised. Surprised in a sense, yes, but in a way not so surprised.
And that’s why tomorrow will be tough, even though they have injuries and even though they are likely going to finish top four. You see, they’re likely going to finish top four because of how they play tomorrow. I’m not saying we’re beaten, I’m saying it’s going to be tough.
But we’re at home, so we have a good chance but probably not as much as if we were playing another side. Forest have a great away record, only Liverpool have won more away from home this season than Forest. Again, further confirmation that tomorrow is going to be tough.
So, we know tomorrow is going to be tough. But we can win. You see, we’re on a run and on current form, we’re doing better than Forest. We’ve also got something to play for and like I wrote above, we’re at home. Forest might have done well away from home this season, but Villa Park is different. Or it can be.
Yes, that’s a call to arms. Of sorts. The crowd at Villa Park can play a pivotal role in the results. Ron used to say “With your usual vocal backing and 110 percent effort from each and every one of the players, I am sure we will get the right result.”
Including Forest tomorrow, there are four home matches left this season in the League. They are all finals and this is what it’s all about. It’s not just about them leaving it all on the pitch. There is a part for all of us to play.
From the archives
Match facts from the BBC
Head-to-head
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Aston Villa are unbeaten in eight consecutive home league games against Nottingham Forest (W5, D3) since a 2-0 loss in October 1994, when Stuart Pearce and Steve Stone scored.
Nottingham Forest
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Forest have accumulated 57 points, their second highest total after 30 games of a top-flight season (including readjustments to three points for a win), bettered only by their title-winning campaign in 1977-78.