It looks like it’s a straightforward 4-4-2 from McLeish this week, and with Herd providing the muscle and Petrov back in the starting line-up, it’s Barry Bannan that’s had to miss out.

Castrol Football Prediction

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Either way, it’s a tough game ahead and I suspect there will be a bigger interest in the manner McLeish approaches the game than any real expectation in getting much from it.

The two managers go way back of course, here’s how they are sending their sides out today in search of the points.

Barry Bannan is back in the starting line-up and Marc Albrighton gets his first Premier League start of 2011/12. With Jermaine Jenas also in the XI, it’s certainly a positive teamsheet from McLeish.

Castrol Football Prediction

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Alex McLeish has promised a better performance than we were treated to at White Hart Lane and, in all honesty, it would be difficult to be much worse. It will certainly be a contrast in styles as Brendan Rogers’ Swansea side like to stroke the ball around a bit, building from the back.

Only Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea resort to long balls less frequently. McLeish’s Villa, on the other hand, are only beaten in tendency to hit it long by Stoke, Norwich and Blackburn.

Fortunately, for all their possession and passing football, the home side barely generate more chances that Villa, averaging 3.7 shots on target per game compared to our 3.0; ranking 18th and 19th respectively.

Here’s how the two managers are sending their teams out today:

Castrol Football Prediction

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Truth is, coming back from North London with a point has generally been a decent result for us in the past, you’ll do well to find many Villa fans optimistic about grabbing something tonight. Football’s not always predictable – if it was, we wouldn’t watch – so you never know, maybe this is where we demonstrate a new found ability to grind something out.

Alan Hutton returns to his former employers and could have a point to prove. Darren Bent is also never short of motivation to do well on his return to the Lane. Jermaine Jenas is ineligible to play against his parent club. Gabby has been declared fit though.

With Harry Redknapp back on the touchline, here’s how the two managers are setting their sides out. The rumour ahead of kick off was that Hutton would be deployed as a right midfielder with Carlos Cuellar brought in at right back to combat the threat of Gareth Bale down that side. The team sheet would lend some credibility to that, but we’ll have to see how they’re actually deployed.

Castrol Football Prediction

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Darren Bent has said that one goal could open the floodgates, and McLeish has “rubbished” silly rumours of a January sale. Jermaine Jenas is finally fit, Nathan Delfouneso makes space on the bench for him, and though Barry Bannan was welcomed back into the fold after his recent shenanigans, he’s not included in the squad. We’re all set.

Here’s how Norwich manager Paul Lambert and McLeish, his former team mate and manager at Motherwell, are setting their sides out today:

Castrol Football Prediction

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Alex McLeish is coming off the back of two losses; one far from unexpected, the other extremely disappointing. He’s a man that can’t really afford a third straight loss.

After his wrongful dismissal was rightfully rescinded, Chris Herd keeps his place in the starting line-up. Assistant manager, Peter Grant, has revealed that Herd is potential long term solution to our lack of defensive substance in the middle of the park.

After his escapades on the M1 led to his suspension, Barry Bannan has been replaced by Emile Heskey. Fabian Delph has recovered from his virus and is on the bench. Steve Bruce names an unchanged side from his 2-0 victory at Bolton.

Castrol Football Prediction

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Roy Hodgson’s side picked up their second win of the season last weekend, a 2-0 home victory against the hapless Wolves. We’re trying to put a comprehensive loss at the hands of Man City behind us, Alex McLeish threatening to drop any players who put in lacklustre defensive displays.

Here’s how the two managers are setting their sides up today. Barry Bannan returns to the side in place of Emile Heskey, James Collins is back from injury and replaces James Collins, Charles N’Zogbia is back in the starting eleven in place of Stephen Ireland and Chris Herd replaces Fabian Delph.

Possible Formations (4-4-2 & 4-2-3-1):

Castrol Football Prediction

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Over the last 10 times this league fixture has been played, we’ve won just two and lost eight times. No wonder the Castrol Football Prediction doesn’t think much of our chances.

Here’s how McLeish is looking to grab something:

Castrol Football Prediction

Last 10 results for this fixture:

Here’s how Alex McLeish intends to grab the vital win:

Probable Formation

Castrol Football Prediction

Last six results for this fixture:

With Darren Bent and Emile Heskey injured, here’s how the managers will go looking for three points today:

Probable Formation

Castrol Football Prediction

Last 10 results for this fixture: