Brutally Honest Play-Off Assessment from Bruce as QPR’s Holloway Looks to Squad Rotation

The Villa Appetiser: Aston Villa v QPR 2017

Nobody expected four consecutive home wins, and it’s now got Villa fans dreaming of the play-offs.

While it seems a stretch to imagine Villa in the top six at the end of the season, anything is possible in football – but QPR have caused us problems in past encounters.

We’ve been brilliant defensively of late, but recent matches against Tuesday’s opponents at Villa Park have seen plenty of goals scored…

Then again, we did get a rare away win at Loftus Road earlier this season.

Can we record a FIFTH consecutive home win?

Bruce on Form

“If I’m being honest, I can’t see it. It’s too much.

“There are too many teams in and around.

“But the tickly bit is upon us – and Easter is a big thing in the football calendar. We will see more then.

“I have been here five months and there is some positivity coming back.

“We are improving and we must improve again in the summer.

“At least, we are starting to turn things around.”

Holloway on Changes

“I will do. I’ve been doing that (making changes) and it’s been working okay for us,” Holloway said.

“The lads looked despondent (after the Derby game) but I’ve got plenty who will be ready to go at Villa.

“It will be another tough game for us but hopefully we can learn from this one and give a better account of ourselves.”

Memory Match

7th April 2015 Villa 3 QPR 3

Villa could only secure a point despite a Benteke hat-trick the last time QPR headed to Villa Park.

Villa – Last five matches at home: W 4, L 1

QPR – Last five matches away: W 1, D 1, L 3

One to Watch

Idrissa Sylla – The Guinean striker is QPR’s top scorer this season.

 

QPR have scored at least two goals in their last three away matches against Aston Villa in league encounters…

Facts to Sweep Under the Carpet

We always seem to face QPR around this point in the season.

There have been some weird matches over the past couple of (Premier League) campaigns. Under McLeish we found ourselves 2-0 down to QPR at Villa Park only to draw 2-2, and then there was the match under Lambert in which we went behind to an early Jenas goal.

After a disastrous loan spell at Villa, it had to be him didn’t it?

We did of course end up winning that game 3-2, and then there was the game with Sherwood overseeing duties at Villa Park, which ended 3-3.

It seems that whenever the team meets at Villa Park, a goal fest beckons.

Holloway might not be the most popular with Villa fans but he has engineered an improvement in form at Loftus Road. They’re now 15th after a period early on in which the relegation zone seemed to beckoning.

QPR’s away form isn’t particularly great but Bruce could feel the need to freshen the squad for this mid-week encounter.

While Holloway has embraced the notion of squad rotation, Bruce’s doing so could ruin the consistency and solidity of the Villa team.

Of course, there is also the fact that QPR have scored at least two goals in their last three away matches against Aston Villa in league encounters…

“there is some positivity coming back” – bruce on villa form

Why Villa Have Got This Game in the Bag

The last few times we’ve met QPR at Villa Park, they have been relegation six-pointers.

This season at least this is not something Villa have to worry about, and with results and performances improving for Bruce’s men, the lack of this pressure seems to be helping the team – we did hover too close to the relegation zone for comfort earlier in the season.

The history books are equally as encouraging.

We have lost just one of our last eight league meetings with QPR, and Tuesday’s opponents have gone seven league games without a win at Villa Park. Their last league win at Villa came courtesy of a Les Ferdinand goal in 1992!

Kodjia is of course in fine form, with six goals in six games for Villa – he’s also scored in each of his previous three appearances at Villa Park.

Villa have won six out of seven now as I’m sure you’re aware, but QPR’s away form is less impressive. They have won just once in their last six Championship away games.

Bacuna is also back and could ease Bruce’s squad rotation worries – he put in some decent performances before his red card against Derby.

In addition to our defensive solidity, we’ve now scored at least two goals in five of our last six matches. In terms of this fixture, we have scored at least twice during our last three home matches against QPR.

While it could be too late, we’re starting to look like the real deal.

We might as well keep it going and keep the remainder of the season interesting!

UTV.

Follow Lewis on Twitter – @rymondfootball

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Me again, just read the article about giving Kodjia a new contract, couldn’t agree more come on Dr T do it now strike while the iron is hot, give him a new long term contract with a huge get out clause, theses players are few and far between and he will soon be in great demand from other clubs.
    As for new strikers next season why not go for Tammy Abrahams currently on loan to Bristol City from Chelsea looks a terrific prospect and I think I’m right in saying he has scored as many goals as J Kodjia. Finally if we are looking for another midfielder we could do a lot worse than go back for Barry Bannon he’s one of ours and I’m certain that he would jump at the chance to come back

  2. Yes looking good now but personally no too concerned about making the playoffs I don’t think that we are ready for the premiership this season, I would prefer another season in the Championship so that we can consolidate and get stronger.

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