Aston Villa face a huge set of Christmas fixtures as they plot survival in the Premier League. They face the current bottom three all in a row before facing Burnley on New Years Day. A huge set of fixtures which could define Aston Villa’s season.
Southampton and Norwich Up First at Villa Park
Villa’s crucial run of games begin with two huge matches back to back at Villa Park. They welcome Southampton first who they are currently level with. The Villains are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference. A huge plus for Villa is their goal difference is better than the three sides below them. Villa Park will be rocking as the Saints march in. Dean Smith must target wins with their home form decent since their promotion. 11 of their 15 points have come at Villa Park and the crowd will play a huge role.
After Southampton, they welcome Norwich to Villa Park on Boxing Day. Again, another significant game in Villa’s quest for survival. They were outstanding in the reverse fixture back in October sticking five past a hapless Norwich side. A repeat would be just the tonic for Dean Smith’s team.
Away Games at Watford and Burnley Follow
Following successive home games, Villa have successive games on their travels. Two days after playing Norwich, the Villains head to Vicarage Road to face rock bottom Watford. A crucial game in which Villa will fancy securing three points. Their away form is rotten winning just once on the road this season. But the Villains have been to the likes of the Etihad Stadium, Old Trafford, The Emirates and The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It’s difficult to judge them based on the difficulties of their away games.
However, defeats at Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have not gone down well. Dean Smith knows their away form must get better. A trip to Watford is their final game of 2019. They begin the new year with a trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley. Again, another tricky place for any time to go. Villa know what Burnley will offer them so they must be robust and not allow Burnley time and space to cross the ball.
A Huge Period for Aston Villa
There is no denying this is a huge period in the season for Aston Villa. These fixtures will be season-defining for the Villains with their form heading into it not great. Six defeats in eight is not great but Aston Villa know how to win under pressure. These games will be huge, and Villa must thrive off the pressure especially at Villa Park. The Christmas period of games is huge for many clubs, but this is nothing short of massive for Aston Villa. A set of games they simply must win.
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