The December Fixtures

Yes, there are difficulties to be faced in the forthcoming fixtures. But we experienced that in November when Villa did not do too badly in terms of performances. We should quietly forget about the Man City match - that result hinged on those two dastardly penalty decisions that even Mutley wouldn't have given!

No match is to be regarded as 'easy' in the Premier League - and Lambert knows that. Following the November experience, he's welded together a team that has proved to be impenetrable in defence and wily in midfield - but without that touch of creativity to provide enough clear-cut scoring chances. It's a side that has the ability to grind out a point from most matches - after all, without much by way of attacking flair, what else can Lambert go for?

But the positive side of the news is that Vlaar will come back fairly soon (not that his deputy hasn't done a bad job), and also Bennett to more assuredly fill the LB place. There's also the coming availability of N'Zog - a useful player to have on the bench at least. Al Ahmadi is also there.

But perhaps how Villa will do in December may rest on the confidence that a win could generate at Norwich on Tuesday (League Cup QF). After seeing how Norwich confidently played to lead 3-0 at Swansea, I'd say that Villa have a tough nut to crack. Therefore a win would indeed put smiles on the faces of all Villans: next week's visit to Liverpool could then be looked on with more confidence.

Liverpool are going through a lean period and it's not the place to fear that it used to be. Even then, though, Villa can be remembered for having produced some surprisingly good displays and results at Anfield, so it's never been a place that Villa have been afeared of.

Yes, the December fixtures (consecutively Liverpool, Chelsea away, Spurs at home) are tough ... but they will remain tough for the rest of the season.

We just need to sign that midfield magician in January. Nothing much to ask for.

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