After what feels like an eternity, the Villa boys are back in action this weekend, writes Villa blogger Gregg Williams.
Last season we lost at Reading and were pretty disappointing on the day.
This time around Reading are arguably a poorer team but at the same time have the added pressure of a relegation battle which may force them to raise their game, in the same way that Fulham did against us a few weeks ago.
Hopefully we will have learnt from our mistakes in that match and will be able to match them for effort and desire.
Looking at the other games, you’d have to back Liverpool to beat Boro, and Portsmouth and Blackburn both have winnable home games as well.
With Man City and Everton facing off on Monday, we could really do with a win against Reading.
I doubt it will be an easy game but if we play like we did in the second half against Newcastle we will have a good chance.
With any luck Super Marlon will get his first league start, a just reward for his excellent substitute appearances of late, and I think he’ll be desperate to impress again.
We missed Ashley Young against Fulham, but he’s available for this game and could make the difference this time.
I have to say i’m sad to hear that Luke Moore will be leaving us.
To read what Albion blogger Jarrod Hill thinks of the Moore deal see Moore the merrier
I can’t quite put my finger on the reason why his career hasn’t worked out as we’d hoped.
An undoubted talent, he scored goals for fun as he rose through the ranks at Villa but his first team appearances failed to live up to expectations.
He had some terrific games but equally he could be anonymous next time around and sometimes looked off the pace and even disinterested.
So what have Albion got on their hands now?
An excellent finisher, but question marks over his attitude.
Martin O’Neill has been proven right over Liam Ridgewell and Steve Davis, and he will probably be proven right again here.
Ridgewell was a solid acquisition for Blues, and you could say he’s found his level there, similarly I think Luke will do well at Albion.
Whether or not he makes us regret letting him leave will largely depend on his attitude and how far he really wants to go with his career. I for one wish him well.
Villa fans have your say below
One Comment
Morning my fellow blogger.
It does seem strange that you would let a talent like Luke Moore leave, but again he seems to be one of these players whose attitude doesn’t quite match his talent.
I think if they get the best out of him, then Albion have got a right little bargain on their hands!