Football returns and its the "BIG ONE" for Villa!

By Luke Wilkins on Feb 20, 09 02:06 PM

So as the 6 nations sides take a well earned break this week once more all eyes turn to the Premiership, and what a game we have in store for us at 12.45pm when 3rd plays 4th at Villa Park, and yes, that's Villa above Chelsea!
Carrying on my vintage manager pics, here is Huddink as a player during his time with Ajax
As if there wasn't enough riding on this game already, it will also see Abramovich's bunch of mercenaries play their first proper game with new boss Guus Hiddink at the helm, and he will have a lot of questions to answer, none least, suggestions that he vehemently denies, that the dressing is as about as split as the end of one of my hairs.

I expect Chelsea to come out and attack at Villa Park as you always see a response when a new manager comes into a team, even more so when the players have got something to prove, but I don't think this should worry Villa fans. In fact if anything this is playing into Martin O'Neil's game plan, as he will look to use the pace he has up front with Ashley and Gabby to exploit the Blues on the counter attack, and I fancy that he will tell Heskey to go and be a pain in the backside for the Chelsea centre halves in the aim of freeing up even more space for his wide men.
Villa Fans will hope to see this on Saturday lunchtime
All in all I think it will be a full blooded encounter, and I actually fancy Villa to maybe turn over the Hiddink's side, but I do think it will be close, so I am plumping for a 2-1 win for the Villans, which would be a huge result and will hopefully show just how far MON's team have come this season.

In the Championship, it's a big weekend for the Blues and for leaders Wolves, as Birmingham have to travel to neighbouring Coventry for their match against the Sky Blues while Wolves welcome the in form Cardiff to Molyneux on Sunday. For Alex Mcleish's side this is a chance to actually go level on points with Mick McCarthy's team for at least a day as they look to put the pressure on Wolves whose supporters will have that sinking feeling as the club appears to be fading once more at the vital stage of the season.
Oh dear is it all happening again for Wolves Fans
I'm hoping both can win and that Reading drop points at Bristol because I would love to see two West Midlands sides gain automatic promotion to the Premiership!

In the rugger, there may not be any international stuff on but you have a cracking game at the top of the table as Bath take on London Irish at the Rec. Irish have been playing some awesome rugby this season but Bath are my dark horses for the title, and I reckon they will fancy their chances, especially in front of their passionate home support. Also my team the mighty Leicester Tigers are playing local rivals Worcester, which I can see us not only winning, but we should be able to grab the bonus point as well against a Worcester side who, despite a few good performances, still haven't really threatened the best in the league.
Expect lots of this as Bath take on Londo Irish in a top of the table clash.jpg

So that's my highlights of what to look forward to this weekend, obviously catch all the action on my show Offside on Kerrang Radio this Saturday from 1-5pm, and follow the Villa and Blues matches tomorrow online right here at the Sunday Mercury in our live blog.

I will mostly be watching sport this weekend and looking forward to the first winter net sessions on Sunday for my cricket club Harborne CC, so I imagine I will be as stiff as the Eiffel tower on Monday morning when I will take a look back at all that has happened in the wonderful world of sport!