It seems a bit redundant to call this next game against Blackpool at Villa Park a ‘must win’, they’re all must wins really, aren’t they? Unfortunately, it really is; big trouble looms if we fail to get three points tonight.

I’m generally an optimist, as regular readers can attest, but I’m not naive, or least I like to think I’m not. (Who does?) I’ve seen a lot of folk taking consolation from the fact that, despite occupying 14th place in the league, we’re still only three points away from 6th. We’re also only three points from relegation. Neither matters though.

The fact is, we’re exactly where we deserve to be with our record from the first 11 games. If you looked at the table at roughly this time last year you would have found Blackburn in 14th place after 11 games with 13 points. If you looked at the table in early November 2008 you would find Newcastle in 14th place with 12 points from their first 11 games. We’re where we deserve to be.

The performances of the top six or seven have been slightly weaker than in the last couple of seasons, by maybe two or three points, and that is the only reason they appear to be within grasp. It’s something of a mirage though; the results we’d need from the other games tonight in order for us to leap up the table, as we theoretically can, are unlikely to say the least.

The important thing is that we don’t fall further behind. In other words; we have to win.

The good news is that Blackpool are a team we can do well against. Not because they’re weak, in fact I’d be more worried if that were the case right now, it’s because they’ll come to play some football and we do better against teams that want to come at us.

Actually, the chances of this being another Thrilla at the Villa seem pretty decent to me, I can see there being a number of of goals at both ends tonight. As long as we’ve scored more at the final whistle, I don’t care how many times Friedel has to venture into his net to be perfectly honest.

Injurygeddon continues of course, the number out now is beyond all comprehension. On the plus side though, it has allowed for the emergence of Barry Bannan who is keen to face the club he spent some time on loan at last season, culminating in a late appearance at Wembley in the play-off final.

When you consider that we’re still strong enough defensively to continue to leave Carlos Cuellar in the cold and can call on a midfield to include the likes of Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, Stephen Ireland, Barry Bannan and Ciaran Clark, aside from having to rely on Nathan Delfouneso to sniff for goals, we’re not in such bad shape for this one.

The bench will look a bit thin, sure; Gabby will be there, although I wouldn’t expect more than a token toe on the pitch if he is called upon. I suspect we’ll see Hogg, maybe Salifou and even Osbourne in reserve, but we really should have the quality to get a result at home to Blackpool, regardless of how well they’re doing right now.

Without being disrespectful to Blackpool or complacent in anyway, Houllier will have to have more than half an eye on the next three league fixtures which include Man Utd and Arsenal. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him starting the same team that finished the game at Fulham, which means no less than four academy graduates in the starting XI.

For me then, Blackpool’s attacking, 4-3-3 system matching up against an injury savaged Aston Villa side full of young promise is a tasty prospect. There will be goals!