Friday, November 5, 2010

In Youth There Be Truth. . . And Hopefully Goals. Fulham v. Villa, November 6

First Premier League start?  At the Cottage?
EYYYYYY. . . No Problem

After a dire derby draw that saw Villa's promising center back prospect Ciaran Clark deputizing quite ably as a defensive midfielder, a fiery fracas between newly minted captain Nigel Reo-Coker and former Villan Craig Gardner, but no joy from the forward line, Villa travel to Craven Cottage in Southwest London to take on Fulham, who have only won 3 of the last 18 EPL meetings with Villa.

Villa come in with a fresh raft of injury woes.  Gabby Agbonlahor remains out after only returning this week to light training following groin surgery, Emile Heskey has been ruled out for the next month with a medial ligament strain in his knee, Stiliyan Petrov will miss until January with a knee injury, and John Carew was just shelved today with a calf muscle tear.

All of which means that Nathan Delfouneso will make his first Premier League start for the Villans as the squad's only fit senior striker.   The Fonz scored his first league goal last season as a late substitution against Portsmouth, but has failed to press Agbonlahor, Heskey and Carew for a starting slot since.  However, the youngster's eye for goal, coupled with the returns from illness and suspension, respectively, for Steve Sidwell and Marc Albrighton, should lead to Villa breaking their three game goalless streak.

The Capital Villans will be taking in the match at the Elephant and Castle on 19th and I at 11:00 a.m. EST.  Come join us!

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