It was clear where Gerrard Houllier’s priorities lied on Wednesday when he fielded a weakened team in FA Cup defeat at Eastlands but Aston Villa should be good enough for a point at Bolton on Saturday back in Premier League action.
Villa, not quite safe yet in the top flight, have actually been performing with great credit in recent weeks and therefore it was a surprise their French manager chose to sacrifice any chance of FA Cup success.
A home tie with Reading in the quarterfinals was the prize on offer had the Villains squeezed passed Mancini’s men and the visiting supporters would have, quite rightly, felt aggrieved at Houllier’s second-rate line up.
Prior to the 3-0 reversal by Manchester City, Villa had lost just once in nine matches in all competitions, down the road at Old Trafford, and new signing Darren Bent has the hit the ground running.
The England striker, a £24m January acquisition from Sunderland, has been on target twice already for his new club and Bent’s goals should ensure Villa reach mid-table safety with something to spare.
Having chosen to effectively forfeit the recent FA Cup tie, the pressure is on Houllier this weekend to get a positive result at The Reebok and there’s little doubt in my mind the visitors will achieve at least a draw. Villa were impressive last time out in the Premier League when thrashing Blackburn 4-1 and plenty of their star men are firing at present.
With Ashley Young bagging a brace against the Ewood Park club, and Stewart Downing also on target, Houllier will have been cheered his key men rose to the occasion and I expect more of the same once again in the north-west.
Villa clearly have better individuals than Saturday’s opponents but Owen Coyle’s Bolton should not be underestimated and a Europa League place is not beyond the Trotters.
Bolton have returned to some decent form in the past month, reaching the FA Cup last eight, having struggled at the turn of the year and a strong finish to the campaign would round off an excellent season.
Currently sitting in seventh place, Bolton are now unbeaten in four matches having lost three of their previous five but a point is perhaps the best they can hope for on Saturday and I want Villa on my side too.
At just 2.20 to gain the win they need to keep the heat on Liverpool directly above them, Bolton are opposable and I couldn’t be backing them at anything shorter than 2.50.
3pts Lay Bolton (vs. Aston Villa) @ 2.20 (Betfair)